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Interview with Ms. JD Fellowship Mentor, Alan Bryan
By Hailey Hughes • March 12, 2019 •Issues, Balancing Private and Professional Life, Mentoring and Networking, Other Issues
Alan Bryan is Senior Associate General Counsel for Walmart Inc., an adjunct professor at the University of Arkansas School of Law, and a certified professional coach. Mr. Bryan is a leader in his company, community, and countless professional organizations, including Ms. JD. In 2017, Mr. Bryan received Ms. JD’s “The Incredible Men” (TIM) Award as a champion for women’s advancement in the legal profession and he has been an active mentor for Ms. JD Fellows for several years. I have had the pleasure to get to know him and to grow professionally and personally from his mentorship, and wanted to share with…
SPEAKERS WANTED FOR WOMEN OF LEGAL TECH SUMMIT 2019 - CHICAGO
By Nikki Torres • February 15, 2019 •Issues, Mentoring and Networking
If you’re interested in speaking at our 2019 Women in Legal Tech Summit, contact Jeannine Lambert at abukhaterj1@nku.edu or call her for more information at (859) 572-6403. Speakers will be signed up until all Ignite slots are filled. SPEAKERS WILL HAVE THEIR REGISTRATION FEES REFUNDED Learn more at www.womenoflegaltech.org WHERE AND WHEN: Wed, February 27, 2019 Registration begins at 8:00 AM 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM CST Chicago-Kent College of Law at Illinois Institute of Technology 565 West Adams Street Chicago, IL 60661 INTERESTED IN ATTENDING? Tickets for WOMEN OF LEGAL TECH SUMMIT are $25 per person.…
LinkedIn Success in 3 Easy Steps: Networking Edition
By Diana LaMorie • February 10, 2019 •Careers, Other Career Issues, Issues, Mentoring and Networking
Despite my good luck with career opportunities through LinkedIn (which I've shared in Part 1 of this 'LinkedIn Success' series), I haven't been the most engaged user other than keeping my profile current. I've only recently unlocked the key to the site's full potential. It goes beyond just job hunting; it's networking in the palm of your hand. I now log in to LinkedIn more often than I do to Facebook. My LinkedIn newsfeed is full of cool articles about cutting edge companies doing socially positive work, inspiring stories, and notices about my colleagues' promotions and job changes. It's a…
Dear Future Lawyer: Advice for Minority Women Law Students From Author Neena R. Speer, Esq.
By Roberta O. Roberts, Esq. of Grace for the Grind™ • January 17, 2019 •Careers, Law School, Pre-Law, Issues, Mentoring and Networking, Features, Guest Bloggers and Profiles of Women in the Law
In 2018, the American Bar Association reported that less than 40% of lawyers in the United States are women, and that less than 20% of lawyers in the United States are people of color. As the statistics make clear, women of color are overwhelmingly outnumbered in the legal profession. Having experienced this isolation herself, lawyer, author, speaker, and nonprofit founder Neena R. Speer, Esq. seeks to help provide solace for this underrepresented population by sharing her experience with other women of color on their journeys to becoming lawyers. As a minority woman lawyer myself, I am happy to share this…
A Team of Mentors
By Tatum Wheeler • December 22, 2018 •Ms. JD, Writers in Residence, Careers, Issues, Mentoring and Networking
It's easy to recognize the best sports teams. They often win championships or "get this close" to the finals almost every year. While many of these teams are built upon talent and access to elite resources, there is something that makes the truly great teams standout. It's this strange combination of trust and role delineation. Finding your place in your career is the same way. Often we think of mentors as a single person, a coach, who can guide every professional decision we encounter. We imagine someone in our chosen field, with a personal and professional life we admire. However, an…
5 Reasons Why Mentoring Is Good for Mentors
By Claire E. Parsons • December 21, 2018 •Careers, Firms and the Private Sector, Other Career Issues, Issues, Mentoring and Networking
Lack of mentorship for female attorneys is often cited as one of the reasons that women still have not achieved parity in the legal profession. Most of the time when people talk about mentoring, however, the focus is on the benefits that such a relationship offers to the mentee. As a new partner, I certainly appreciate this since I know that, without good mentors, I never would have made it. Still, I have been struck over the last year how much relationships with younger lawyers have benefitted me in positive way. I have always believed in the idea…
How to Build Your Personal Brand and Reputation as a Lawyer
By Dennis Hung • November 15, 2018 •Issues, Mentoring and Networking
Some people believe that personal branding is useful only for famous individuals. The truth is that everyone who differentiates their unique value articulates their strengths and leaves a lasting impression is going to win more clients and new business in the long run. We'll take a peek into the tactics lawyers can use to build their online reputation. 1. Collect a portfolio of accomplishments. If you have a website or a print portfolio, display your past successes. See if past clients will offer testimonials and if they want to be one of your case studies. This creates trustworthiness at…
Thank You For Attending LaddHer Up
By Janee • October 22, 2018 •Ms. JD, Conference, Careers, Firms and the Private Sector, Issues, Balancing Private and Professional Life, Mentoring and Networking
Thank You for Attending LaddHer Up With Ms. J.D. On October 18-19, 2018, Ms. JD brought over 30 women general counsel and 50 early career associates together at the Silverado Resort & Spa in Napa, California for its inaugural LaddHer Up retreat! LaddHer Up’s unique program provided great general counsel networking opportunities, interesting expert workshops, small group recreational activities and 2:1 career meet-ups where each general counsel informally provided career advice to associates. Avery Blank gave great advice on negotiating your career effectively during her "PowHer Up to Negotiate Your Career" discussion. There are many misconceptions about the…
What All Young Lawyers Want: Effective and Caring Mentors
By Susan Smith Blakely • October 11, 2018 •Issues, Mentoring and Networking
I just finished reading a memoir by one of my favorite writers, Dani Shapiro. Her book, Hourglass, is an exploration of relationships and how people interact and treat each other over the span of time. She is a wonderful writer, and I highly recommend her books to you. Hourglass explores what individuals need on the road to satisfaction, and it includes the following quote, "Be who you needed when you were younger." In my own writing and in many of my remarks to young lawyers and law firm leaders, I often say, "You cannot be who you cannot see." It makes the case…