March 29, 2018 While officially taking the helm of the Dallas office for Waters & Kraus, Leslie MacLean continues to cultivate a culture of equal opportunity and respect for all.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month at Waters & Kraus, we are proud to spotlight some of our female attorneys. Leslie MacLean was named the managing partner of the Dallas office, effective January 1, 2018, and also became an equity partner on that date.
Our own Michelle Nelson caught up with Leslie for details.
MN: I know that you were born in Germany, but when did you come to the States?
Ms. MacLean: My family moved to Nashville, Tennessee when I was six months old so that my father could attend law school after serving in the Army as a West Point graduate.
MN: Did you always want to be a lawyer?
Ms. MacLean: It’s really all I’ve known. I grew up in a family of lawyers. My grandfather and father were both District Attorneys in Johnson County, Texas. As a young adult, I can remember lying at the top of our staircase trying to hear every word a detective was relaying to my dad about the latest crime in Cleburne. I think I always knew that I would end up a prosecutor or plaintiff’s lawyer.
MN: How has the role of women in law evolved since you began practicing?
Ms. MacLean: The role is evolving. As the amazing Ruth Bader Ginsburg says: “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made… It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.”
MN: What is your favorite thing about practicing law?
Ms. MacLean: The people I work with at Waters & Kraus are simply the best, along with the people I am honored to represent.
MN: What are some goals you have for the firm?
Ms. MacLean: I hope to continue the culture of respect and hard work that Andy Waters, Peter Kraus and others created at the firm. I believe we have a wonderful environment here. I want everyone at Waters & Kraus to feel supported in their roles at the firm. And, of course, I want Waters & Kraus to continue to provide excellent representation on behalf of our clients, many of whom find themselves in complicated and difficult situations.
Since beginning her practice in 1995, Leslie MacLean has focused on complex civil litigation representing plaintiffs in the areas of product liability and toxic torts. Born in Frankfurt, Germany, Leslie earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Oklahoma, and her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Houston Law Center. Before attending law school, Leslie worked in the Texas Legislature as a legislative assistant and as the committee clerk to the Texas Senate State Affairs Committee. Leslie is a member of the American Association for Justice, the Public Justice Foundation, the Texas State Bar Association, the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, where she served as a board member, and a member of the Dallas Trial Lawyers Association. She was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1995 and the State Bar of Pennsylvania in 2011. She is a former board chair of Planned Parenthood of North Texas, and a former board member of Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, where she co-chaired the Nominations Committee and served on the Governance Committee. She is also an Annie’s List Board member and a member of the Dallas Annie’s List Steering Committee. She has served as luncheon co-chair for the Dallas Annie’s List and Planned Parenthood Luncheons. Leslie is also a former chair of the Planned Parenthood of North Texas Political Action Committee and is involved with the North Texas Food Bank Backpack for Kids Program.
About Waters & Kraus, LLP
Waters & Kraus is a mid-sized plaintiffs’ firm experienced in a variety of practice areas, including asbestos litigation, benzene, medical device injuries, birth defects linked to toxic exposures, and qui tam whistleblowers. The attorneys at Waters & Kraus are fighting to hold corporations responsible for their negligent actions and are prepared to take each and every case to trial to ensure justice for their clients. Email us or call at 800.226.9880 to discuss your potential lawsuit.
Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel is the West Coast practice Waters & Kraus, LLP, a national plaintiffs’ law firm.
