Attorney Feature
I’m speaking with Meghan E. O’Kane, a partner at the Los Angeles firm Swerdlow Florence Sanchez Swerdlow & Wimmer that specializes in employer-side labor and employment law. In our brief interview, she offers valuable insights into how she approaches her practice and some good advice for new attorneys coming into the field.
O’Kane’s path to the legal profession is absolutely fascinating, because it’s so unusual. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and followed that up with a prestigious fellowship at the National Institutes of Health. I had the opportunity to discuss her practice and how her earlier experiences in the upper echelons of scientific research continue to inform her approach to practicing employment law in Los Angeles.
I’d be out of my depth if I tried to fake my way through a discussion of protein pathways, but your journey from Bio and Biochemistry at MIT to George Washington University Law School is intriguing. You traded the research lab for the courtroom – the white lab coat for the power suit. Can you tell us about making that transition from science into practicing law?
I get asked this question quite often. On paper, it may appear to be a circuitous path, but for me, the transition was really a natural evolution. At MIT, I developed this love for analytical problem-solving and research-based thinking. After graduation, I did a fellowship at the National Institutes of Health. Those experiences taught me how to dive deep into complex problems, analyze data methodically, and communicate findings clearly.
You seemed to be on a clear track to continue your research in cell biology. What was it about the law that appealed to you – why the switch?
What I discovered was that law, particularly employment law, offers a similar intellectual rigor but with immediate, real-world application. Instead of studying protein pathways, I’m analyzing wage-and-hour calculations or navigating the complexities of workplace safety regulations. The analytical skills translate seamlessly, especially when handling Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) cases or complex litigation where attention to detail and data analysis are crucial. Law school felt like a natural next step because it combined my love of research and analysis with the opportunity to solve practical problems that affect people’s working lives every day.
What was your biggest surprise when you first started practicing law?
I have been quite surprised by how much I have learned about various businesses and different industries. As an employment lawyer representing employers across various sectors, I have found myself learning about everything from restaurant operations to construction safety protocols to tech company culture. Each client becomes a mini-education. I’ll work with a manufacturing company and learn about shift scheduling challenges, then switch to a healthcare client and need to understand their unique regulatory environment. What surprised me most was realizing that I learn as much from my clients as they learn from me.
I imagine your unique career journey involved much introspection and self-discovery. Looking back, what skill do you wish you had focused on earlier?
Relationship building and cultivating professional connections. As a young attorney, you quickly learn that you won’t have the answer to every legal question that comes your way. It’s important to be able to direct your client to another professional who can help –whether that’s a tax specialist, a securities expert, or someone who handles complex litigation in a different jurisdiction. As you gain more experience in your law practice, you realize that maintaining those professional relationships is absolutely critical, not just for building your practice but also for engendering trust and respect from your clients. Now I’m much more intentional about cultivating those relationships through bar associations, professional organizations, and simply staying in touch with colleagues across different specialties.
Tell us about your current practice as an employment lawyer representing employers.
My practice covers the full spectrum of employment law defense. I counsel employers on everything from employee onboarding to navigating difficult HR issues, discipline, leaves of absence, and terminations. I regularly provide California-required anti-harassment training both in person and remotely, and I defend companies in discrimination, harassment, and retaliation lawsuits. And I have defended a number of clients in PAGA and class-action matters.
Thank you for sharing your experiences and insights with our readers. As a wrap-up, if you could give one piece of advice to new attorneys today, what would it be?
Be genuinely curious about your clients and their businesses, not just their legal problems. The most successful lawyers I know are those who take the time to really understand their clients’ industries, operational challenges, and goals. Don’t just ask “What’s the legal issue?” Ask “How does your business actually work? What keeps you up at night? What are your business’s goals?” That understanding transforms the conversation from one where you are simply pointing out potential legal problems to one where you can provide practical solutions that actually work in the real world. And embrace being a lifelong learner. The law is constantly evolving, and if you’re not excited about continuously learning and growing, you’ll fall behind. But if you love the intellectual challenge and the variety, it can be incredibly rewarding.
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