Page 5 - First-Year Associates Handbook

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First-Year Associates Handbook | TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014 | S5

that makes it easy—it means that wherever Using your authenticity to be successful And if you’re young and you’re not being you to determine if you really deserve to

you go, everyone will be looking at you.”
in a professional environment also requires criticized, don’t take that as a positive for be in the room, you can become paralyzed
The glare of the spotlight concerned me, work. Cultivate an awareness of how you are your career. You’re not going to get better by the fear of making a mistake. Hamlet
and Judge Black agreed it was not ideal. But received and perceived. Become an expert at without feedback, so if you’re not receiving was not a woman of color, but he should
it was reality. Her advice, then, was to regard sensing how others are responding to you. guidance you have to wonder whether senior have been. Reticence may not always
this reality as an opportunity to “show my I’m not suggesting that you compromise your lawyers think you can get better. Seek out serve you well. If you have the one bril-
stuff.” She told me to continue to be the irst identity, but part of building rapport and con- opportunities for improvement.
liant idea on a legal theory that will change
one in the ofice each morning, and the last necting with others is to understand how you the direction of the case, you should not
one in the ofice each evening. She advised are perceived and adjust your style for your keep that idea to yourself. When you have
me to take challenging assignments and work audience and surroundings.
Use Mentors—Lots of Them
something to say, perhaps a creative idea

with the most notoriously dificult partners. Who hasn’t attended a meeting where the Many irms have a formal mentorship pro- on a legal theory, and ind you are always
And she told me to embrace my chance.
presenter has clearly lost her audience, yet gram, and that’s a wonderful resource. Take biting your tongue, you may not be doing
Seventeen years later, this advice still holds drones on and on? Become a student of body advantage of any program for mentoring that yourself or your client a service in the
true. Although women of color associates may language. Engage with your audience—whether is available for you.
long run.
no longer be the only one in the room, their it is one person, a courtroom, or a room of But it’s not enough. I have what I regard as Lawyers are trained to follow precedent;
numbers are still regrettably low. According to 1,000 listeners hearing your keynote address. a “personal board of directors.” I have had and law irms always ask “what other law
National Association for Law Placement num- Adapt as necessary. We all have an occa- mentors for trial work, mentors for appellate irms are doing this particular thing?” But
bers released in December, women of color sional day when we are a step ahead or a work, mentors who are especially adept at someone has to be irst. The history of our

comprise just 2.26 percent of partners and step behind everyone else in the room, but business development, and mentors who are profession has been shaped for the better by
11.29 percent of associates. Unfortunately, successful people don’t do this often. Their skilled at ofice politics. Since my daughter lawyers who had a novel idea that changed
most of those associates will never become awareness informs them about the tone of was born, I also have cultivated parenting the outcome of a case or the trajectory of her
partners if current trends continue. Some 86 a meeting or relationship and how they can mentors. A lot of people have traveled this irm and the courage to speak up.
percent of women of color associates leave use their strengths to get results. This advice path before you. Learn from their mistakes.
irms before their seventh year, according to isn’t limited to women of color, of course, but Embrace their life lessons. Do not be afraid Authenticity Helps Develop Business
the American Bar Association. Multiple fac- when everyone is watching you, you have to ask for help. Decide that each day, you
tors drive this attrition, ranging from child less margin for error. Work on awareness will be a better lawyer than you were the Being authentic and cultivating self-
care pressures to outright discrimination, but and make sure your risk-taking is responsible.
day before, and choose people for your team awareness also is a cornerstone of business

there’s no doubt that the law is a demanding who will help you get where you want to go.
development. Although I’m not up-to-date on
profession for everyone, and even more so Don’t Fear Criticism
Do not limit your board of directors to sports trivia, I can ind some topic to connect
for the young woman of color.
members of your own law irm, or even of with almost anyone. And sometimes I ind
So, practically, how do we deal with this I know that when someone is criticized, your profession. As the mother of a pre- it helpful just to be honest about who I am.
spotlight that shines on every lawyer who is it’s only natural to ask, is it me? Or are my schooler who will log 200,000 Delta Skymiles One of my favorite clients insists that I attend
a woman of color?
shortcomings magniied because of my race this year, I have learned to rely on my own sporting events with her, and we laugh about
and gender?
personal village. In my case, I have a sup- how much she has to teach me. She would
You’ll never know. I encourage those I men- portive husband, parents who live close by, know very quickly if I were pretending to be
Practical Authenticity Requires Work tor to take all constructive criticism and use and an amazing circle of friends. Everyone’s something I’m not.
And Responsible Risks
it to get better. Law irms are great places to village is different; draw on your resources. You may be wondering what replaced the
Although I encourage you to bring your develop thick skins.
And whatever you do, do not limit your board pinstripes. I looked around at what strong,
best self to the ofice each day, I don’t want There’s no crying at law irms. Lifelong to people who look like you. You will beneit powerful women I admired were wearing,
you to get carried away. Law irms are con- learners take criticism from all sources and from a diversity of perspectives and ideas.
and it was bold colors, and trendy its that
servative places; you can’t dress like you use whatever truth they can ind to make did not sacriice professionalism and taste.
would for a nightclub or come to the ofice themselves better. The goal is to become a Take Risks
And if you’re a woman who is comfortable
at 10 a.m. What you can do, however, is ind better lawyer every day; I don’t spend a lot in pinstripes, go for it. Be yourself, recognize
an approach that celebrates your authenticity of energy worrying about the motivation of As lawyers, we’re taught to be risk averse. your strengths, work harder than everyone

and work from there.
the messenger.
And when you feel like everyone’s watching
else, and embrace your opportunities.

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