Alexandra Pecora applies lessons from sports to legal career

Alexandra Pecora's journey from athlete to attorney has been guided by a principle she learned early in life: leading by example. This approach, instilled during her field hockey career, has continued to influence her professional life beyond the sports field.

After completing her athletic career, Pecora pursued law school and worked as a clerk for Judge Darren T. DiBiasi at the Superior Court of New Jersey. Her time there coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, offering her insights into leadership under pressure. "Judge Dibiasi showed incredible patience, poise, empathy, and this unwavering commitment to fairness," Pecora said. She credits these lessons with shaping her approach to law.

Currently based in Chicago, Pecora works as an attorney at Goldberg Segalla within the Product Liability and Management and Professional Liability practice groups. She values the variety in her work environment: “I felt in my last job I was really pigeonholed into doing one thing,” she explained. At Goldberg Segalla, she appreciates exposure to different areas such as insurance and litigation.

Pecora enjoys tackling challenging legal research questions and emphasizes listening closely to clients. "The client is the expert on their industry," she noted. For Pecora, building trust involves open dialogue from the start of any relationship.

Goldberg Segalla’s commitment to diversity and inclusion resonates with Pecora’s personal values. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community and former president of OutLaws at the University of Iowa, she acknowledges challenges faced by marginalized groups today but stresses hope and empathy as vital elements of leadership.

Pecora believes visibility is crucial during Pride Month: “Reassuring somebody out there who is struggling that there’s a community here for them…is something that I wish I had in my own story.”

Reflecting on her motivations, Pecora recalls advice from Judge DiBiasi: “Always keep a sense of righteousness and justice and empathy as your guiding principle.” These words continue to guide her career.