Some people might be intimidated by taking a leadership role in the middle of a pandemic, but M.C. Sungaila said the tumultuous times were one of the reasons she accepted Buchalter’s offer to lead its appellate practice.

Sungaila, who previously co-chaired Haynes and Boone’s appellate practice group, said becoming the group’s first formal chair in what could be challenging times is a great opportunity.