Today we’d like to introduce you to Chimdi Tuffs.

Hi Chimdi, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started my legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in Philadelphia and New York City. I prosecuted sex crimes and domestic violence matters mostly. Serving victims of crime was the most rewarding job I have ever had. It taught me a lot about having compassion for others, especially those going through trauma and grief who sometimes cannot help themselves out of tough situations. Now I am a civil defense litigator and I run the Philadelphia, PA office of my law firm as its managing partner. I cannot stay away from the courtroom.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Graduating from law school was a huge huge challenge. I had been studying dance in college before an injury took me out my senior year and I realized I needed a backup career. I went into law school without expectations, just knowing that I always did well in school. I thought that would be enough to succeed, but the skills needed to be a lawyer are not something you can easily anticipate before going to law school. I learned to lean on my performance skills to succeed and that is what drew me in to trial work. Trials are thrilling. Standing up before a jury and making your case takes guts, passion, and intellect. It was such a unique experience from anything I had done before. So, seeing a place for myself in the profession helped me with direction while in law school. Once I had my “why,” I was able to find purpose.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My firm specializes in litigation in the Northeast region mainly defending companies when they get sued. I am growing our Philadelphia practice to include a focus on employment litigation as well as defending against civil claims with a criminal angle or companion matter. I have experience defending companies against sexual harassment allegations and “Karen” litigation popularized by viral videos of racially charged incidents in retail or other environments. A lot of nuanced legal issues have come up in these cases that I feel uniquely suited to handle due to my personal and professional background. I absolutely love providing a perspective that affords my clients with an informed perspective on all possible optics from everything from responsive pleadings to societal implications of any potential defenses. My life experience puts me in a unique position to be able to share perspectives that are not often considered or available to my clients. I feel obligated to make sure my clients receive the best representation possible.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
My peers are growing in their leadership roles and abilities around me. I see those I have connections to or have worked with in the past as potential future clients. I would love to open my circles to those who may not yet be in positions to have decision making power in who their company hires to handle legal matters, but feel they are on that professional journey. Collaborations with in-house counsel or insurance professionals that work with outside counsel are welcome. I would love to find ways to support each other. I have met many of my connections through professional organizations, speaking engagements, and panel discussions. I am happy to continue connecting in all different ways.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gllawgroup.com/attorneys/chimdi-g-tuffs/
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/chimdinwosuesq