Through the Looking Glass—Observations from Five Years Out: Confidence
By Kendra Beckwith • February 04, 2015 •Writers in Residence, Careers, Firms and the Private Sector, Issues, Balancing Private and Professional Life, Mentoring and Networking
As a young female attorney, both confidence and authenticity are essential to survival. Early in my career I struggled with both—and even do now—until I figured out that without the latter, you simply cannot find the former. As a young lawyer, I found confidence elusive. I was constantly worried I made a wrong decision, said something inaccurate or foolish to a partner, or looked ridiculous to opposing counsel. I would make a decision, act on that decision, and spend the next week second-guessing myself. I consistently looked to external sources—colleagues, friends, superiors—to affirm my confidence. It was a never-ending cycle.…
Through the Looking Glass—Observations from Five Years Out: Inundated, Part II
By Kendra Beckwith • September 17, 2014 •Ms. JD, Writers in Residence, Careers, Firms and the Private Sector, Issues, Balancing Private and Professional Life, Other Issues
I recently wrote about the joys and challenges of success. Those thoughts on managing “inundation” gave rise to the following dialogue about the specific challenges dual-lawyer households face. Any lawyer who is also a spouse, partner, or parent knows that her success is not hers alone. My husband, Mark, is a public defender in a high-volume, demanding environment. To say ours is a genuine partnership probably understates the role he plays in caring for our son, maintaining the day-to-day operation of our household, and tending to our marriage. Given the demands of my trial and appellate practice, I could not…
Through the Looking Glass—Observations from Five Years Out: Inundated
By Kendra Beckwith • June 23, 2014 •Writers in Residence, Careers, Firms and the Private Sector, Issues, Balancing Private and Professional Life
Achieving success is the goal of our professional lives, right? We love the success, but we need to be prepared for the growing pains that come with it. If left untreated, those growing pains can sour the sweetness of success. I originally intended this monthly column to reflect on 12 qualities I observe in successful female attorneys. “Inundated” is not one of them. But as my practice and my life progress, it has become obvious that managing the flood of demands that comes with professional and personal success is a skill that must be mastered. When I graduated from law…
Through the Looking Glass—Observations from Five Years Out: Leadership
By Kendra Beckwith • May 12, 2014 •Writers in Residence, Careers, Firms and the Private Sector, Issues, Balancing Private and Professional Life, Mentoring and Networking, Features, First Women
The pressure of being the first to do something different or new creates high expectations on the person going “first.” Whether intentional or not, the first person to succeed often becomes a leader. For me, successfully embracing a new leadership role depended on finding inspiration in the achievements of another leader, Colorado Supreme Court Justice Monica Márquez. Making “It” Work In September 2011, my husband and I learned we were pregnant. I was elated, yet anxious. I was then a third-year associate and had seen many women leave private practice because they could not make “it” work. I wanted to…
Through the Looking Glass—Observations from Five Years Out: Patience
By Kendra Beckwith • April 01, 2014 •Writers in Residence, Careers, Firms and the Private Sector, Issues, Other Issues, Features, Myths & Truths
In an era when we are told to lean in, I found value in leaning back. Early in my first year of practice, my impatience for success hindered my ability to actually succeed. Rather than assess what really stood between me and my goals, I transformed one negative experience into an excuse for everything. It was not until I slowed down, leaned back, and took a breath that I was able to see the forest for the trees. It is a tough time to be a professional woman. Sheryl Sandberg advises us to Lean In. Lois Frankel tells us Nice…
Through the Looking Glass—Observations from Five Years Out: Tenacity
By Kendra Beckwith • February 11, 2014 •Careers
Thirty-six hours before I was supposed to start my first “real” legal job, I got a phone call. The firm could no longer afford to hire me. Suddenly, I was jobless. And $120,000 in debt. The crash of 2008 was tough for all job seekers. As one of many with a law degree and a big loan to repay, the recession taught me a very important lesson: to survive as a lawyer, you have to be tenacious—and persistent, and stubborn—in advocating for yourself. Had I not held firm to this value, I would not be where I am today. THE…