Celebrating Women in Law: An Interview with Courtney Forrest
March is Women’s History Month, which shines a spotlight on the achievements and contributions of women across various fields. In the realm of law, Kaiser partner Courtney Forrest exemplifies resilience, advocacy, and the pursuit of justice. Courtney sat down to share her journey from humble beginnings to becoming a formidable litigator, offering glimpses into her professional challenges, triumphs, and personal passions.
Early Inspirations and Professional Evolution
In speaking of her upbringing, Courtney explains, “I grew up in Attica, a small town in Western New York. My father was a corrections officer at the infamous Attica Correctional Facility, so I was keenly aware of the criminal justice system from an early age.” Even so, a career in the law was not on her radar early on. “Growing up,” Courtney recalls, “I envisioned a career in medicine. It wasn’t until college and a paralegal job I had at the Federal Public Defender’s Office in Boston that I changed directions. It was while working for the Federal Defender’s Office that I felt a sense that my professional destiny was to be an advocate for the underdog.”
Trials and Triumphs in the Courtroom
Starting her legal career at a major global law firm, Courtney relays what she learned about overcoming challenges early on: “As a junior associate, I was staffed on a patent litigation case involving computer software. I knew very little about either patent law or software. What really saved me, I think, was that I wasn’t afraid to ask questions to more senior lawyers, which I think is key for young lawyers starting out.” Reflecting on the early stage of her career, Courtney advises, “it’s important for women at the beginning of their legal careers to build relationships with more senior colleagues—both men and women—who can serve as mentors. Law firms are competitive, so advocating for oneself and building a support network is particularly valuable when starting off.”
This approach has greatly benefited Courtney, as she has built a practice that is both professionally and personally rewarding.
One highlight of her career came in helping a client truly unable to help himself. As Courtney recalls, “I represented a client who had been mentally ill for decades and the court (correctly) found him incompetent to stand trial. The government wanted to forcibly medicate him in the hopes of restoring competence, but we had serious concerns about the antipsychotic drugs that were proposed, given my client’s past negative experiences with them. This was during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, also, so all the proceedings were remote, and the judge seemed to be leaning towards the government’s position.”
Undaunted, Courtney and her colleagues at Kaiser pushed ahead, reviewing hundreds of pages of medical records, and preparing an expert who gave compelling testimony. “One big difference,” Courtney explains, “was the government expert’s lack of experience and her key oversights regarding important aspects of my client’s medical history. The degree of effort we put into our presentation really highlighted the weaknesses in the government’s arguments.”
Courtney’s efforts paid off when the judge ruled against the government’s request for forced medication. The charges were dropped, and the client was released. As Courtney reflects, “getting that kind of result was particularly rewarding when you are talking about the government trying to take away not only the client’s freedom, but his autonomy over his own body.”
In addition to criminal defense, Courtney also excels in civil litigation around the country. Litigating a complex case involving claims of unfair competition and trade libel under California law, Courtney recently won an appellate victory before the Ninth Circuit: “Our client was sued by American retail and travel companies for statements he and others made regarding Qatar’s association with terrorism and human rights violations, which had allegedly damaged the plaintiffs’ businesses.”
To defend against these claims, Courtney and her team brought an anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) motion, contending that the client’s statements constituted constitutionally protected political opinions on matters of public interest. Winning before the district court, Courtney then argued and won the Ninth Circuit appeal, upholding the lower court’s decision. “The case was important to me,” Courtney explained, “because the client was a private citizen engaged in political advocacy and truly intended no harm to plaintiffs’ businesses. It was a significant victory for freedom of speech.”
Courtney is also deeply committed to pro bono work for those in need. “From early in my career,” Courtney notes, “I have been fortunate to be able to lend my time to advocating for those who don’t have the resources to obtain legal assistance.” In one notable case, she represented Vincent Gregory, a man sentenced to life in prison for a crime committed on his 16th birthday, in his efforts to obtain parole. “I developed a deep bond with Vincent,” Courtney shares, “witnessing his transformation into a kind, mature, and deeply spiritual individual committed to positive change.” With Courtney’s assistance, Vincent was finally released last year, just days before his 50th birthday.
Balancing Act: Professional Commitments and Personal Life
Despite the demands of her legal career, Courtney remains steadfast in her commitment to maintaining a balanced life. “Family was absolutely the most important thing to me growing up,” Courtney notes, “so as a working mom I’ve learned to guard quality time with my family and personal interests outside of work.” Whether it’s cheering on her favorite football team (the Buffalo Bills), crafting intricate birthday cakes, or attending her kids’ sporting events and performances, Courtney’s approach to her career exemplifies the importance of nurturing personal fulfillment alongside professional success.
As Women’s History Month winds down, Courtney offers advice to young women navigating their careers in law: “Speak your mind, share your ideas, and assert yourself confidently, whether in the courtroom or with colleagues. Expect that people are going to give you the respect you deserve – more often than not, if you expect it, you’ll get it. And when things don’t go your way, keep your chin up. Resiliency is the key to longevity in this profession.”
In celebrating Courtney Forrest’s journey, we not only honor her personal achievements but also recognize her contributions as a woman shaping the legal landscape. Her story serves as a reminder of the indomitable spirit of women in the legal field. As we commemorate Women’s History Month, let us celebrate and amplify the voices of women like Courtney in the legal profession and beyond.
