Outdoor Enthusiast
Old-School Country Music Lover
Mom
A Balch attorney since 2017 (and a summer associate in 2014 & 2016), Whitney applies her passion for strategic thinking, storytelling and the outdoors to her work on federal and state matters.
Hometown
Columbus, GA
Education
The University of Florida Fredric G. Levin School of Law, J.D., 2017
University of Georgia, M.S., Aquatic Sciences, 2013
University of Georgia, B.A. Political Science, 2010
As cliché as it sounds, the people are what make Balch great. I don’t just work with them, I hang out with them and do life with them. At work, the partners encourage you to chart your own course, and they provide experiences for you to learn and grow as a lawyer.
They support you in whatever you want to do. Recently, I moved from the Birmingham office so that my husband and I could return to our Georgia roots. I have the best of both worlds – living at the lake and working in both the Augusta and Atlanta offices.
FAVORITE BALCH MEMORY
Attending our Susan B. Livingston Boot Camp for Success as an upcoming 1L and learning the tools I needed to succeed in law school. That sealed the deal for me.
WORK FOCUS
Business litigation and environmental compliance and defense. I primarily work with and defend utility companies and have represented clients in matters involving property damage, medical liability and personal injury.
HOW I PREP FOR COURT
I practice out loud in my car while I'm driving - the more I prepare for the case, the more I get fired up.
Advice For Upcoming Lawyers
Sink your teeth into what you are working on and be ready to learn from your colleagues.
WHEN I KNEW I WOULD PRACTICE LAW
After working in D.C. on the Hill, I saw there was a language barrier between policy makers, businesses, and environmental scientists. I decided then that I wanted to work in environmental policy and law, and I decided to get my Masters in aquatic sciences to better understand the science. When I clerked for Balch during the summer, I realized how much I loved private practice and working with clients.
Favorite Charitable Organization
I am Chair of the Young Alumni Committee for the Warnell School of Forestry at the University of Georgia. We’ve been fundraising for several years and just endowed a need-based scholarship that will continue in perpetuity. Education is so important. It got me to where I am today, so I was thrilled to provide this opportunity to a worthy student.
Favorite Food
It’s a toss-up between pizza and beer or Mexican and margaritas.
An Unexpected Day Off
Anything that puts me in the outdoors makes me a happy camper. I dove hunt, I love to run and enjoy skiing out West in the winter.
TIME TRAVEL
I’d go back to the late 1800s and early 1900s to hang out with Teddy Roosevelt.
ACTRESS THAT SHOULD PLAY ME
Jennifer Garner – she’s my favorite!
SUPER POWER
I would fly. That would really cut down my commute!