Episode #4: Danielle Mason in The Heart of Law

Written By Caryl Veloso

In an emotionally resonant episode, our gracious host, Mirena Umizaj allows us to tune into a heartfelt conversation with topliner, Attorney Danielle Mason, acclaimed for her work in the talcum powder litigation suit. They engulf us in the intimate, modal mixture of Danielle’s rich heritage and family life, business insights and mass tort rhapsodies, harmonious relationships with clients and surprising accolades, and even the bittersweet decrescendo of tragic loss.

Rooted in Montgomery, Alabama, Danielle nostalgically shares her beautiful legacy.  As she intones of her brave progenitors, we cannot help but feel a sense of wonder at the family history bequeathed to her. We learn about her extraordinary grandmother, Thelma Smiley, and the remarkable impact she had on our present educational system—how Ms. Smiley played an integral part in the National Colored PTA and Civil Rights movement—spearheading the evolution of diversity, equity, and inclusion we experience in American schools today. With her family as active members of the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church when Martin Luther King Jr. was the pastor, Danielle concordantly gives us a clear, balanced, and humble perspective, much needed for our times.

Danielle and Mirena set a mellow vibe when they talk about family life and the surprising effects of the Covid-19 pandemic in their every day. Throughout their reflection, we hear what matters most as they put a healthy spin on working from home. Danielle gives us a glimpse of a vibrant family life, sharing how she serendipitously found herself in the legal field after overcoming many personal challenges along the way.

Picking up the cadence, Mirena asks Danielle to enlighten us about the distinguished Harry M. Philo award she received, as well as the inner workings of the mass tort industry. We learn the distinct difference of mass torts from class-action lawsuits, and the controversial Johnson & Johnson talcum powder litigation suit Danielle successfully participated in. As we grasp how personal this case was for our guest, we find ourselves grieved at the sad death of a dear client she befriended (among other illnesses and deaths she handled) and realize how each tragedy modulated any success she received from the case.

At the center of the deep-dive, we hit a sad chord when Danielle shares—for the first time in public—the tragic passing of her father. Regrets, questions, confusion, trauma … How can one even recover from losing a parent in such an unexpected, jarring way? Despite how displaced she feels, we find how she continuously rises from the depths of despondency, paving the way for the awareness of depression and suicide surrounding our current (pandemic-driven) culture. She inspires and encourages us to intentionally reach out to those who suffer from any form of psychological illness.

Through it all, we find nothing flat about our encounter with Danielle. Instead, we see a strong, beautiful woman—a persevering soul singing a hope-filled, angelic aria. With every discordant note, life brings her way, her humility and courage turn it around. Danielle's life is a mesmeric symphony, perfectly sustained by an indomitable spirit and love for those she holds dear.

EPISODE SURVEY 
[00:17:13]  Thelma Smiley's accolades in education and invitation to the White House for three sitting presidents, advising them on issues about educational equality and integration.
[00:42:35] This is something that affects thousands and thousands of people across the country.
[00:44:31] Talcum cases and how it personally resonated and affected Danielle in a way no other case has been able to.
[00:59:48] On women, inclusion, and groups meeting better diversity thresholds in the industry.
[01:11:28] About the Harry M. Philo award bestowed to Danielle.
[01:27:47] Danielle talks about her father’s tragic death.

ABOUT OUR GUEST: Danielle Mason

  • Received the Harry M. Philo Award in 2020 for her work on talcum powder litigation, becoming the first black lawyer, and only the third woman, to receive the award since 1992.

  • Named in the Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers

  • Selected as a Super Lawyers “Rising Star” every year since 2014 

  • Chosen as one of the “10 Best” Attorneys for Alabama by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys

  • Included in the 2020 Best Lawyers in America list. 

QUOTABLE QUOTES

  • “I  finally get to be a mom for a minute and that got to be really cool.”

  • “What puts all of that into perspective is we are so thankfully healthy…  There are some people right now who miss the noise … [but] we've got to come to where we're grateful for the noise because that means it's all right.”

  • “[Control] gets to be heavy sometimes because it reinforces something that I already need to let go of, which is this unrealistic expectation to be perfect all the time.”

  • “ Don't believe me. Just watch.”

  • “Who's to say what the timetable is.”

  • "We've come a long way in seeing more of these PSC Groups meeting better diversity thresholds."

  • "I also don't think it's the end-all and be-all of what our roles are as advocates. Female,  male, whatever there are, there are a lot of different fronts that we can apply this  pressure on these cases and there's nothing limiting that."

  • "Diversity is extra important,  but none of us just want to check a box."

  • "We can't be  afraid to talk about the suicide story because we know it's happening around us."

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Caryl Veloso
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Episode #5: Joe DiNardo in The Heart of Law
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Episode #3: Howard Nations in The Heart of Law