Michelle Mitchell, Counsel, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, 30

Job: I solve complex problems facing multinational companies in the economic sanctions, anti-money laundering and anti-corruption space. This work can be forward-looking compliance program development, monitoring and testing, transaction diligence and risk mitigation strategy or backward-looking internal investigations.

Community involvement: Barred in Maryland and DC. I am supporting a project studying diversity issues within a federal agency and also supporting an organization as it vets high-value funding sources and social project opportunities for AML, sanctions or corruption concerns. Past projects have focused on anti-human trafficking efforts and cleaning up the Anacostia River.

Career highlights: Mastering the Russian sanctions program, in the early days, due to our firm’s deep clientele in Moscow and London and becoming a go-to resource. Helping clients to understand how the constantly shifting sanctions rules apply to their business and transactions.

Why this career: It is interesting, challenging and, at this moment, everything that I expected it would be—maybe a little more.

Where you grew up: Right here in the District!

Why DC: It is the perfect blend of all the things that make a city great!

First job: I worked as a sales associate at a fine art gallery and learned the craft of custom framing.

Family: Mom and Dad—married 34 years! I have an older sister who is local and a younger brother who lives out on the West Coast. Oh yes, there is my boyfriend who loves to travel and introduce me to great restaurants in every city!

Free time: What is that? Never heard of it!

10 years from now: Continuing to challenge myself and living a balanced and enjoyable life.

Favorite vacation spots: Anywhere that has a blend of culture, history, great food, shopping and music—Barcelona, Cape Town, Paris, Pattaya, Kerala, etc.

Bucket list: Hike Machu Picchu, visit an active volcano, start a cool and socially responsible fashion company.

Daily habit: Drink tea, call my mother on the 15-minute drive to work and lose my signal in the parking garage abruptly, every day, just as the conversation gets really good.

Startling fact: I was home-schooled –K-12! Cue the questions!