Membership

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

   Kylee Belanger

   Kylee Belanger Law Corporation – Owner

   CASD Member since 2024

   Place of birth: Nacogdoches, TX

   Name of undergraduate university and field of study: UCSD - Music Composition, Political Science

   Name of Law School: University of San Diego

   Year you became a member of the Bar: 2013


What compelled you to join CASD and/or what is the best part of being a CASD member?
The best part of being a CASD member is knowing that I'm not alone in dealing with the myriad institutional challenges we face finding justice for our clients.  It's an honor to share the same space with people who give a damn.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced as a trial lawyer and how did you overcome it?
My own fear. Fear of messing up a client's case, of looking or saying something dumb, fear of law enforcement using force against me, fear of the unknown.

I never have overcome my fear. Every time I go to court, every time I network, every protest I observe, I'm always afraid. What helps me get through it is knowing that what I am doing is something that needs to be done. That's all there is to it.

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear." - FDR

What is the best advice you've ever received from another CASD member (please name the member if you feel comfortable)?
I've gotten so much great advice in the short time that I've been in CASD, I hate to make a list because I'm afraid I'll forget someone but I definitely want to give a shout out to Rebecca Lack Marvin, Brett Schreiber, Dominic Martini, Schulyer Hoffman, Daniel Hanecak, and all the guardian angels who texted, called, and emailed when Department 69 unmuted me while I went out to walk my dog!

Most recently I've been especially appreciative of Daniel Hanecak - we've both been dealing with antics from Tyson Mendes lately and it was great to trade notes with you!

What piece of advice would you give a new attorney just starting out?

Don't limit yourself to a single field of law. Each new field you learn deepens your understanding of the concept of law and better helps you advise your clients - many of whom have cases that touch on multiple fields.

Also, get out there and volunteer.

What is the best (or hardest) thing about being a trial lawyer?

Knowing that I have the power to make a real difference.

Who is your hero?

Steve Rogers(Captain America)

Do you have a motto? Please share!

No American should ever be afraid to tell their government what they think.

What are your biggest takeaways from the pandemic?

That the rule of law is far more fragile than we like to think.  And I think everybody else in America got the same memo.

What is your guilty pleasure (TV show, sweet treat, etc.)?

Ribeye steak

Favorite law-related TV show or movie and why?

The Devil's Advocate.  Al Pacino as the devil hamming it up *chef's kiss*

Favorite band (or song):

Collective Soul

Favorite vacation spot:

Mammoth Lakes

What books are on your nightstand?

Le Morte D'Arthur, The Once and Future King, The Bible

If you could spend the day with one attorney/judge, dead or alive, human or fictional, who would it be and why?

I would take Justice Thomas to a 24 hour drag show to stop him from doing anything else that day.  Checkers would be fine too.  As long as I have his full attention for 24 hours straight.

If you could know one thing about the future what would it be and why?

Whether our country will descend into civil war.

If Hollywood made a movie of your life, who would you like to see play the lead role as you?

Reese Witherspoon after 5 shots of espresso

Favorite San Diego restaurant? Best business lunch spot?

George's on the Cove in La Jolla

Favorite San Diego adventure or place to hang out?

Dog Beach at Ocean Beach

Thank you Kylee for being a part of CASD!