Trial Profession
Saturday, March 27, 1993
Trial Profession
Backstage Column
Now let’s talk about lawyers. Specifically, a lawyer-actress by the name of Pamela sherman, who is appearing in Source Theatre’s production of “One Tit, a Dyke, and Gin!” and mulling over her next move as an entertainment and commercial litigation attorney.
“I never thought my night job as an actress would be more stable than my day job,” muses Sherman, who just found out that the firm that employs her – Melrod, Redman & Gartlan – is dissolving after 30 years. “I’m now doing my legal and acting resumes simultaneously.”
Sherman’s earliest passion was the drama. A New Yorker, she studied theater at American University, then enrolled in law school “because I didn’t want to wait tables to finance my acting career.” The law eventually consumed her, but after a time she got involved with the annual Hexagon show for which she now serves as general counsel. She also found a niche for herself at Source, appearing in last year’s summer festival production of “California Cowboy” and the late-night show “Attack of the Capitol Hill Nazi’s.”
Sherman thinks her acting skills have aided her immensely as a lawyer.
“Acting to me is all about listening and telling the truth, so I’ve used that in my negotiations…and my dramatic ability has certainly helped in trials and oral arguments.” As a working artist, she’s also been a real asset to the Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts, for which she does volunteer work.
At this point would be consider a full-time life in the theater?
“Absolutely,” Sherman replies instantly, “That is if the right opportunity came along.”