Alyssa C.B. Cochran, New Albany, Ninth District, is an attorney with Kightlinger & Gray. Prior to joining Kightlinger & Gray, she spent her first two years out of law school clerking for the Indiana Supreme Court. Alyssa is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association and serves on the governing councils of the Appellate Practice and Young Lawyers sections. She also serves on the board of The BreakAway, a recovery residence located in New Albany for women in southern Indiana counties suffering from addiction.

Alyssa received her bachelor’s degree in political science and psychology from Indiana University Bloomington and her J.D. from I.U. McKinney School of Law. She was born in Louisville, Ky.

Professional enjoyment: I enjoy the constant challenges that arise in the legal profession. The law is always evolving, and each day presents a new question or issue that requires critical thinking. I especially enjoy appellate practice because this allows you to participate directly in the development of the law and to learn how our appellate bench views and shapes the law, which impacts citizens across the state.

Your inspiration: I was inspired to become an attorney by my high school constitutional law teacher. She encouraged me to participate in the “We the People” competition, and she continued to push my understanding of due process. After that, I admired the legal profession and for the first time saw it as something I may even be able to do.

Why bar association involvement: Participation in the Indiana State Bar Association has provided me with a strong sense of camaraderie with other attorneys. I appreciate having friends, outside of my particular law firm, with whom I enjoy spending time and can always call on with legal questions as well. Especially now that I practice in a smaller town, the ISBA helps me to keep connected with attorneys from across the state and to feel a part of a much larger legal community.

If not a lawyer: I always imagined I’d be a clinical psychologist, if not an attorney, so I could still help people resolve obstacles in their lives.

Fav hobbies: I enjoy boating with my family and friends, water skiing, snowboarding, hiking and traveling.

Fav book or author and current reading: I just finished reading The Girl in the Spider’s Web by David Lagercrantz.

Fav vacation spot: Fort Walton Beach, Fla., because I grew up going there every spring break with my family.

Fav food or restaurant: Seviche in Louisville.

Top of my bucket list: scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef.