During these unprecedented times, we have all faced challenges and barriers that we have had to overcome. Much like in golf, there are obstacles that have been placed in our way. And there are a lot of parallel lessons that can be learned from how we get ourselves out of those “hazards.”

As the great Bobby Jones said, “Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots – but you have to play the ball where it lies.”

As much as we try to prepare for certain scenarios, things can happen. And no matter what you prepare for, one certainty you can always expect is the unexpected. I think we can all agree that 2020 has been the year of the unexpected. We’ve all learned new things this year. We’ve had to learn how to adapt, take risks, break away from certain routines that we may have grown accustomed to. There has been no cookie cutter path to success. Whether in the workplace, at home, in our communities or our personal lives, we’ve been learning how to stay “on-course.”

Kerri Reisdorff, Shareholder at Ogletree Deakins in Kansas City

Kerri concentrates her law practice in the labor and employment arena in the exclusive representation of management. She also devotes a significant amount of her practice to preventative training and counseling for supervisors and management for firm clients on a whole host of employment-law-related topics. Kerri’s corporate clients come in all shapes, sizes, and industries, and she takes pleasure in working with each of these organizations to make their facility a rewarding place to work. Kerri is also extremely committed to the Kansas City Metropolitan Area and has made civic and charitable service a priority.

Kerri received her bachelor’s degree from University of Nebraska and her law degree from University of Nebraska – Lincoln. An avid traveler and golfer, Kerri has some great stories and insight to share.

Monique Gougisha Doucette, Shareholder at Ogletree Deakins in New Orleans

Monique joined Ogletree Deakins in 2009, where she practices primarily in the area of employment litigation in a variety of business sectors such as construction, energy, banking and hospitality. She also has expertise in workplace misconduct, sexual harassment issues and internal investigations. Monique regularly conducts customized workplace respect and anti-harassment training for employers.

Monique received her bachelor’s degree from Loyola University and law degree from Tulane University School of Law. She is very active in the New Orleans community, where she is an avid supporter of the local arts and education. She is also the mother of an adorable 5-year-old daughter.

Karen Tynan, counsel attorney in the Sacramento office of Ogletree Deakins

After graduating with honors from the United States Merchant Marine Academy, she worked for Chevron Shipping Company for ten years. Karen was the highest-ranking woman in the Chevron fleet when she left her seafaring life. After her decade in the merchant marine, Karen relocated to California and graduated from Empire College School of Law. Her specializations have included workplace safety arena and defending sexual harassment and wrongful termination lawsuits for California employers including construction companies, transportation companies, wineries, and media companies. Karen’s expertise also includes blood-borne pathogen regulatory compliance.

She is the founding counsel for the Committee for Equity in Women’s Surfing, which brought prize equality to women’s surfing. Karen also loves golf, especially her lessons with her LPGA Teaching Professional, Amanda.