Where are they now: Reunion class members check in

Alicen Rodolph ’21 

What do you do for work?  

I’m a Managing Attorney at Blood Law, PLLC, where I oversee our North Carolina offices and work alongside an incredible team of attorneys, paralegals and support staff. Our practice primarily focuses on Family Law and Trusts and Estates, helping individuals and families navigate some of life’s most personal and challenging transitions. My role is a blend of practicing law, leading our offices and mentoring our attorneys. No two days are quite the same, and I’m constantly strategizing and building creative solutions, which I genuinely enjoy. What makes it especially rewarding is the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in our clients' lives while helping our team grow and succeed. 

Does your career align with your plans during law school?

Yes and no. If someone had told me a few years ago that I’d be practicing family law today, I don’t think I would have believed them. But life certainly has a way of surprising us! While I may not have envisioned this particular path, I’m still doing what I set out to do: practicing law, advocating for people and making a meaningful difference in their lives. Family law challenges me in ways I hadn’t anticipated, and I’ve found that incredibly fulfilling.  I’ve also found intersectionality between domestic issues and my previous work combating human trafficking, and that experience informs and lends to my ability to better communicate with and support my clients. So while my career hasn’t followed the exact roadmap I imagined in law school, I see it as a journey that’s continuing to evolve. And I’m excited about where it may lead next. 

How do you spend your time outside of work? 

I like to joke that I’m a pretty boring person, but I do enjoy a good balance of staying active and embracing life’s quieter moments. I try to travel as often as possible, and recently visited Yellowstone for the first time. I’m an avid reader, audiobook and podcast listener, a bit of a New York Times Games enthusiast and I love attending concerts, shows and sporting events. I also love staying active and spending time with loved ones. And when I’m not doing any of those things, you’ll likely find me enjoying some downtime with my two adorable dogs, who keep life entertaining! 

What are you most proud of so far in your career? 

As an attorney, I’ve had the privilege of making a meaningful difference in people’s lives — whether that’s helping protect a child’s best interests in a difficult custody battle or helping a client find their way out of a deeply unhealthy marriage. Those moments are incredibly rewarding, and they’re a reminder of why I chose this profession. But if I had to choose what I’m most proud of, it would be the opportunity to develop, mentor and support the next generation of attorneys. I especially value helping coach and develop attorneys to effectively communicate and empathize with clients instead of potentially re-traumatizing them or reinforcing stereotypes of indifferent or calloused attorneys. There’s something particularly fulfilling about watching a young attorney walk into this profession with tremendous potential, perhaps a little uncertainty, and gradually develop the confidence, judgment and independence to find their own voice — and sometimes even help their clients do the same. I think one of the greatest measures of leadership isn’t simply what we accomplish ourselves, but how well the people we’ve invested in succeed when they no longer need us standing beside them. Seeing that happen has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. Ultimately, I’m proud of the clients I’ve helped, the lives I’ve been fortunate enough to impact and perhaps most importantly, the people I’ve helped grow along the way. 

What are you looking forward to in the next five years? 

Over the next five years, I’m excited about continuing to build and mentor a strong team of attorneys who are not only excellent advocates but genuinely passionate about making a difference in people’s lives. I also want to continue developing and honing my strategic and alternative dispute resolution skills, among others. For me, the next five years are really about growing as a leader and attorney, creating opportunities for others and continuing to find meaningful ways to use the law to make a difference. 

Rustin Mangum ’11 

What do you do for work? 

I am the Head of Litigation at Eagle Law Group, and I work with aviation, space and defense tech companies in resolving legal issues ranging from complex litigation to receiving government authorizations for flying operations. I work with a broad range of companies from large corporations to startups. Before law school, I served as a pilot in the United States Air Force, so working in this field is particularly meaningful for me. 

Does your career align with your plans during Law School? 

I am not sure what I thought I would be doing in law school, but I do recall wanting to be involved in the aviation industry. I joined the Air Force JAG Corps as a Reservist shortly after graduation, which provided some part time work in that space. But the path to full-time work in this field was not as direct, and I am grateful to be in a position now where I get to work in this field every day. I did plan to pursue litigation work, and that has been a common thread throughout my career. 

How do you spend your time outside of work? 

Mostly with my wife (Emily) and our four kids — Beau (10), Brooks (8), Savannah (5) and Jett (4). They all have lots of energy and keep me plenty busy. We especially enjoy beach days, camping trips and playing in the back yard. 

What are you most proud of so far in your career? 

I am proud of successes I have seen in some challenging and even high-profile cases, but I am most proud of the opportunities I have had to help clients that may not otherwise have had adequate representation. Most of these matters have included dedicating significant time that would not be compensated, but I feel this is where my work has made the greatest impact. 

What are you looking forward to in the next five years? 

Professionally, the clients I work with are doing incredible things in aviation, space and defense technologies. Many are in the startup stage and working hard to create new marvels of ingenuity that are meant to benefit society. It is exciting to help them achieve their goals and to watch them grow and succeed. On a personal level, I am looking forward to teaching my kids and helping them learn, grow and become young people who are working to make the world better. And the same for me — except for the young part. 

Lauren Smith ’06 

What do you do for work? 

I am currently a Senior Partner at CenterPeak, a legal search firm known for its expertise in strategic expansion and high-impact partner and practice group placements. For more than a decade, I have placed preeminent partners with robust practices across a range of practice areas, including M&A, Private Equity, Real Estate, Antitrust, Regulatory, Litigation and White-Collar Crime & Investigations. I have led significant partner placements in Washington, D.C.; New York; Los Angeles; Chicago; San Francisco and Boston, among other major markets, and I also focus on placing government lawyers into leading law firms. I build and maintain this network of relationships with both candidates and clients every day. 

Does your career align with your plans during law school? 

No, it does not. When I was in law school, my plan was to enter private practice and eventually make partner at a top firm in DC. I practiced law for about six years, then took an in-house position in Los Angeles before moving back to the East Coast to figure out my next steps. I was starting a family and knew that the rigorous, unpredictable schedule of a trial attorney wasn't going to work for me. I wanted a new path that would let me keep leveraging my legal knowledge, my understanding of law firms and my professional network, while also drawing on my sales instincts and genuine love of working with people. In 2015, I stumbled into legal recruiting, and over time it has given me the ideal way to bring all of those strengths together in a dynamic, relationship-driven environment. I couldn't be more grateful for that unexpected turn. 

How do you spend your time outside of work? 

I love spending time with my family: my husband, Matt; my daughters, Isabella (12) and Evelyn (10); and our two dogs, Pepper (a Bernese Mountain Dog) and Ajax (a mini dachshund who really runs our household). Beyond that, I love working out, spending time with friends and reading every chance I get. 

What are you most proud of so far in your career? 

I'm most proud that I get to excel in a career I truly love. I'm also especially proud of the deep, substantive, long-term relationships I've built with both candidates and clients — for many of them, I've become a trusted, indispensable resource. 

What are you looking forward to in the next five years? 

I’m extremely grateful for the life I have. I’m surrounded by a loving family and dear friends who support me in everything I do and also keep me challenged.  My number-one goal is to become the best at what I do professionally (which is likely to take more than five years), while keeping the right perspective and balance between my career and my personal life. Continuing to be part of market-changing placements would also be a nice feather in my cap! 

Jon Huddleston ’86 

What do you do for work?  

I retired four years ago from Sevila, Saunders, Huddleston & White in Leesburg, Virginia. I got the opportunity to clerk with the firm as a second-year student and got an offer and never left, so all 36 years of my career was in one place. The name of the firm changed from time to time, and ultimately I was third on the door and second in command when I retired.  

I was a trial lawyer. I had two niches as a divorce/custody/family law attorney and as a traffic court attorney. I did a handful of other things, but overwhelmingly 90% of what I did was family law.  

Did your career align with your plans during Law School? 

I had no desire to do family law. I didn’t take any courses in it. It was one area I profess I didn’t want to do. And then I got a job with this small firm in Leesburg and one of the partners was a very prominent family law attorney. Pretty much upon arriving, he told me, “Here, call these people,” and I didn’t think it was up to me to say that I’d rather not, so I became a divorce lawyer that day. I’m glad he gave me that assignment, because it was a great career. It was a great opportunity to help people in some of their times of greatest need. I felt very good about making a difference for a lot of people over my career.  

How did you spend your time outside of work and now in retirement? 

While I was working, my biggest allocation of time was coaching youth sports. I coached years and years of travel soccer and I coached a lot of recreational basketball for both my sons’ teams.  

Now in retirement, my wife and I spend our time working with a personal trainer to take care of our health and are auxiliary team parents for the William & Mary women’s basketball team. I am also one of the leaders for the William & Mary local alumni chapter. If I have nothing else going on, I walk my golden retriever through campus. We’re the biggest show in town when that happens.  

What are you most proud of in your career?  

I had the privilege of serving as state president of two organizations, the Virginia State Bar and the Virginia Law Foundation. During my year as president of the Virginia State Bar, we got to do some really innovative things, including the “Virginia is for Good Lawyers” series to showcase the great things lawyers were doing in their communities. We did about 15 videos featuring various practitioners across the state who worked in everything from Williamsburg youth soccer to special Olympics in Norfolk to helping to fund the Holocaust museum exhibits in Richmond to scouting and everything else. 

I also served two stints on the board of the Virginia Law Foundation, including one term as president. My first year on the board, I worked very hard to encourage a grant that allowed us to be a major sponsor in establishing the Nuremburg courtroom exhibit at the Virginia Holocaust Museum. 

What are you looking forward to in the next five years? 

Traveling, mostly. We will be going to lots of places between now and my next reunion. We’re going to Costa Rica for Christmas and will be spending a month in France next year. I’m sure at some point we’ll get to Australia, which we haven’t done yet. Otherwise, Williamsburg is really just a fantastic place to live, with all it has to offer, and we’ll continue to be active and involved with many things William & Mary. 

Allison Garde B.A. ’78, ’86 & John Garde ’86 

What do you do for work? 

Allison: I am a trust and estates lawyer, and have practiced in Morristown, New Jersey for over 35 years. I counsel individuals on all aspects of estate planning and counsel both individuals and corporate fiduciaries regarding their fiduciary obligations in the administration of estates and trusts. 

John: I am a partner at McCarter & English, LLP, a 180-year-old, 450+ person law firm with offices up and down the East Coast and in the Midwest. I am a litigator and appellate practitioner practicing products liability, mass tort and multi-state litigation in federal and state courts around the country and, on good days, internationally. I also do a fair amount of not-for-profit work for the Episcopal Church and a number of independent private schools in Northern New Jersey. 

Does your career align with your plans during Law School? 

Allison: I went to law school planning to be a trust and estate lawyer, so my plans in law school align exactly with my current practice. 

John: For the most part, I wanted to be a litigator when I was in law school and that is what I have done for forty years — at the same firm. 

How do you spend your time outside of work? 

Allison: I am a member of the William & Mary Law School Foundation Board of Trustees, the president of a New Jersey scholarship foundation and on the Executive Committee of the oldest charitable corporation in New Jersey. I have been a member of the American College of Trusts and Estates Counsel since 2000. I have also served on the Uniform Probate Code Committee of the New Jersey State Bar. The non-work-related activity that I am proudest of is our daughter Sarah, who is now a 1L at William & Mary Law School. 

John: When I am not practicing law or helping to raise a future lawyer in our daughter Sarah, I enjoy coaching the award-winning High School Mock Trial team at Kent Place School in Summitt, New Jersey, where our daughter was a student. It’s great fun explaining the trial process to a group of smart, highly motivated students. 

What are you most proud of in your career? 

Allison: I am most proud of the professional and, in some cases, personal relationships that have developed over the years. 

John: I have been the recipient of many professional awards (including the William & Mary Distinguished Alumni Award shared with our good friend Jon Huddleston) I and serve on a number of Firm and Bar Committees, including chairing the Ethics Committee in Essex County, New Jersey by appointment of the New Jersey Supreme Court. In addition to a number of important cases to my name (some of which I am told are in the torts book) and helping to shape the law in the products liability world, I am most proud of being a mentor to several generations of McCarter lawyers, some of whom have gone on to be partners (here and elsewhere), judges and respected in-house counsel. 

What are you looking forward to in the next five years? 

Allison: In the next five years, I plan to see Sarah graduate during the 250th anniversary of the founding of the law school, travel and work in our garden — and maybe think about retiring someday.   

John: The next five years — we look forward to seeing our daughter graduate from law school and get established in the practice of law. We enjoy travelling. I always thought that if I retired, I would go teach law, which I think I would enjoy. 

Why do you continue to support the Law School?  

We are grateful for the excellent and balanced legal education that we received at William & Mary and the wonderful personal and professional friendships that developed from the Class of 1986 and the Law School community as a whole. The longer we both practice the more we appreciate what an incredible place William & Mary is and we want to ensure that it continues for the next generation of Citizen Lawyers.