Heather Nyong'o

Nyong'o made what seemed like a risky decision in defense of her client, Rohan Ramchandani, who was facing prison in connection with federal trading charges.

During the trial, Nyong'o decided to have one of Ramchandani's colleague s testify and tell a New York jury about his character -- leaving them in tears afterwards.

Nyong'o said her husband, Omondi, encouraged her to present her client's emotional side.

Given Omondi's cousin is none other than Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o, understanding the power of drama was helpful.

Ramchandani and three other defendants were accused of manipulating currency, based on their conversations in a chat room, in which the term "the cartel" was jokingly used.

Ramchandani, a British citizen, traveled to the United States for the trial, conducted in a Southern District of New York courtroom. Had he be found guilty, Ramchandani could have served 10 years behind bars. USA v. Usher et al., 17-CR00019 (S.D. N.Y., filed Jan. 10, 2017).

One of the main defense witnesses "did an incredible job of humanizing the clients, how trading worked, and how the government was completely unfair in bringing these charges," Nyong'o said.

Oct. 28, 2018, the jury found Ramchandani and two co-defendants not guilty.

"It was complete relief," Nyong'o said. "I wasn't thinking about this trial in terms of my career. I was thinking about justice."

Nyong'o also leads the firm's California Cartel Enforcement Practice, part WilmerHale's global antitrust and competition group. One of her first experiences in the legal profession was working in the U.S. Department of Justice antitrust division as a paralegal.

Being an antitrust attorney allows Nyong'o "to be a bit of an investigator while also being an advocate," she said.

"I absolutely love my job," she added. "Antitrust law allows me to have a robust professional life. You grapple with so many complex legal and factual issues."

-- Karen Weil