"Sometimes it pays to be a pain in the butt." That was the headline for an article about my efforts to interview---or better yet, cross-examine---the Sudanese ambassador about the genocide in Darfur. I have taken that theme and run with it. After becoming a Graduate Gemologist, Accredited Jewelry Professional, and Certified Diamontologist and running my own jewelry business, I traded in those glittery baubles for another one of my true passions: defending other people's liberty. I have the distinct honor of being a Deputy Public Defender with the Los Angeles County Public Defender. It is truly an honor for me to be able to stand up for other people's rights. I could not imagine myself doing anything else.