The Ms. JD Limitless List recognizes exceptional law students and lawyers who are making their mark on the legal profession. This year’s honorees — Desiree Ralls-Morrison, Phuong Phillips, and Sheraya Bernard — each have remarkable accomplishments. Just as importantly, they have been transparent and generous when it comes to speaking about their careers — including the challenges they have faced — and the lessons they have learned along the way.

As Ms. JD celebrates these three trailblazers at the 2026 Limitless Gala and Awards, we are highlighting some of the eye-opening, inspiring and motivating remarks they have previously shared. These insights demonstrate their tenacity and wisdom, and their willingness to offer their wisdom to those who come after them.

Desiree Ralls-Morrison: People Gravitate to Those Who Share Their Stories

As Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, and Corporate Secretary at McDonald’s Corporation, Desiree Ralls-Morrison oversees the company’s global legal operations. She also advises both the Board of Directors and CEO. She serves on the Board of Directors for DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. and is a Founding Member of the New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund, which was created as a funding and support resource for Black, Latino, and Indigenous entrepreneurs, innovators, and non-profits.

In an October 2024 Interview for the podcast Branding Room Only Branding Room Only with Paula T. Edgar Ralls-Morrison responded to a question about what people might experience only if they were in a room with her. “The authentic conversation,” she said, adding, “I’m not afraid to share my vulnerable self.” She went on to explain why she is open about the choices she made and the challenges she faced in the process of building her legal career:

“ … I will say this to my team a lot, I feel more like them than I do like me. I remember climbing up the corporate ladder. I remember the fears. I remember being a working mother and being afraid that my kids were going to be sitting on the front stoop because I was late to daycare for picking them up. I remember not feeling like my boss was including me in the conversation. I remember not being sure about what to pack for this business trip.I think that people really connect with the fact that I see them because I was them and I'm still them in some respects. I've certainly had a successful professional career, but I'm vulnerable enough to share my fears, my stories, my stories, my challenges, my history, my hopes, and do it in a way that lets them know, one, I'm willing and able to help them in any way I can. Even if it's like, this is how I navigated this, right?It may be right for you, it may not be right for you, but this is how I did it. There were a couple of times when I moved for bigger opportunities, and my family couldn't move at the time … Those were some of the most difficult times of my life, being away from my kids and commuting on the weekends and that sort of thing.It's not for everybody, but I'm very comfortable sharing some of those stories … I think people gravitate toward that.”

Listen to more of Desiree’s story here.

Phuong Philips: To Fight Imposter Syndrome, Be Generous

Phuong Phillips is Chief Legal Officer of the physician-led public benefits corporation Aledade. Her impressive resume also includes a long list of powerful roles at Zynga Tesla, SolarCity, and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati. She sits on the board of three organizations that serve underprivileged communities: Project Glimmer, Law Foundation of SiliconValley and California Minority Counsel Program. Phuong received her J.D. and bachelor’s degree from UCLA.

In a 2021 interview with Business Insider, Phuong Phillips offered valuable advice for women lawyers who struggle with imposter syndrome — which the article defines as “a feeling of inadequacy that persists despite career success.”

"I've mostly been in industries which are male-dominated – [where] all the partners are male – and because I look young, I've always been told to go get the coffee … so I've been constantly reminded of that and thought to myself, am I even supposed to be here?" Phillips told Insider. Explaining that she had accepted that the feeling may never go away, she offered a series of tips on how to manage it. She urged women executives who are experiencing self doubt and fixating on how they may be perceived by colleagues to stop obsessing about being liked. Instead, she said, “be generous” and “Think of how you and your colleagues can work toward a shared company goal.” As an example, she pointed to her involvement with a 16-week executive coaching program for female staff at Zynga, where she worked at the time of the interview.

Read more of her tips for battling imposter syndrome here.

Sheraya Bernard: Lawyers Can Learn From Dancers

A 3L at Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School, Sheraya Bernard, a first-generation college graduate, is a law clerk in the SIU Office of the General Counsel. She was a 2024-2025 Law Student Fellow for both the National Bar Association's IP and Insurance Law Sections, as well as a "We Empower" Mentee. Beyond academics, she is committed to community service through supporting asylum seekers, mentoring youth, and advocating for social justice causes.

Sheraya’s introduction to law came while she was balancing a full-time undergraduate schedule, community advocacy, motherhood and teaching dance. She began working as a file clerk at a law firm, where she advanced to becoming an assistant and then a paralegal..In the essay that earned her Newland and Newland LLP’s Single Parent Scholarship in 2024, she explains how her experience with ballet has informed her legal journey:

“While balancing a full-time undergraduate schedule, community advocacy, motherhood, and teaching dance, I began working as a file clerk at a law firm. As I advanced to becoming an assistant and then a paralegal, I inadvertently drew parallels between legal processes and dance productions. Working up cases mirrored the creative process of producing shows. The sequence of drafting, reviewing, revising, corresponding, researching, thinking, and exchanging information between parties applies to both. Presenting a case to the court became akin to performing a dance and both experiences feel like home!  My impact as an attorney will echo the influence that dance had on my life. I am enthusiastic about applying skills I learned as a dancer to enhance problem-solving, communication, stress management, and client relations in my profession. Understanding that conventional methods aren't always the most effective in achieving goals puts me in a position to offer a unique perspective in client service. I am grateful for my journey from the ballet barre to the American Bar Association—a unique and fulfilling progression of personal growth and professional excellence!”

Read more about her history with dance and her inspiring legal journey here.