Bar Number: 46480
Cora Whitney is an attorney located in Kennewick and is licensed in both Washington and Idaho, where she primarily practices in business and real estate law at Malek + Malek. She graduated from Gonzaga University School of Law summa cum laude in 2013. She received her undergraduate degree from Washington State University summa cum laude in 2010.
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What is the most interesting case you have handled in your career so far and why?
The most interesting representations I’ve been a part of involve helping a client start a business, develop and run it, and then ultimately sell that business. I love helping people achieve their goals and dreams, financially and professionally. Seeing my clients succeed adds a lot of joy into my practice.
Did you end up practicing in the area of law you expected? If not, where did you end up and why?
No. When I started law school I expected to practice as a criminal prosecutor. I ended up working in corporate and real estate law and absolutely love it. I love proactively solving complex problems for clients, hopefully before those problems become an organizational crisis.
How do you define success as a lawyer?
Success is leaving the situation better than when I entered the transaction. I want to provide solutions to my clients and a path toward a better future for all parties.
At the end of your career, how would you like to be remembered professionally?
I would like to think I will have made a positive impact on those whom I come in contact with in the profession, especially working parents, through mentorship and support.
What is your best piece of advice for someone who’s just entered law school?
Figure out what areas of law you do not like. It gets harder to start over in a new area of law the longer you practice, so figuring out what doesn’t fulfill you sooner rather than later is best. Being a lawyer is hard enough; you should enjoy what you do each day.
LIGHTNING ROUND
What’s your favorite breakfast cereal that you’re slightly embarrassed to buy? Reese’s Puffs.
What book have you read more than once? Lean In, by Sheryl Sandberg.
What is the last thing you watched on television? The Home Alone movies with my kids.
What is the worst movie you’ve ever seen? The Perfect Storm. It has a terrible ending.
How do you unwind or recharge after a difficult day? I turn my focus to my kids. They are the light of my life and permeate joy through constant laughter, chaos, and curiosity. Figuring out the most important thing to a 7- or 2-year-old at any given moment grounds me and reminds me why I work so hard—to provide a better life for them.
What is one thing your colleagues may not know about you? I own several pairs of magenta shoes.
What is the most unusual job you’ve ever had? My first job, other than babysitting, was handpicking organic produce and running a farm stand in Skagit Valley, Washington. Those were the hardest days’ work I’ve ever experienced. I have deep respect for farmers and field workers.
Who is your favorite writer? Jodi Picoult, she is a great story teller.
What’s the best place you’ve ever traveled to? Kona, Hawaii. It’s where my husband and I were married. We now get to take our kids back to the beach where we said our vows and it is very special.
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