Denise Vaughn

Denise assists her clients by contemplating effective trial or negotiation tactics from the outset of every case. This ensures that at any stage of litigation, whether researching case law, conducting discovery, or preparing a motion for the court, the client is in a position for the best possible outcome or prepared for the next step.

In addition to being a summer associate with Barnes & Thornburg, Denise gained experience as a clerk for Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, in New Orleans, while earning her J.D. There she helped draft direct and cross-examinations and closing statements, attended depositions and new client intake meetings, and participated in an expungement initiative to help Jefferson Parish residents.

Further, she represented pro bono an incarcerated individual in a federal civil rights lawsuit through to trial, as part of her law school’s Federal Civil Rights Clinic. Notably, that case was the first, full and completely virtual jury trial, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in the state of Illinois. Denise has also advocated in family court, as part of her school’s Family Advocacy Clinic, for adoptions and for parental rights to be restored.

Denise was a Division 1 athlete on the University of Illinois’ cross-country and track and field teams.