While closer ratios of female to male lawyers are being reported, women are still underrepresented in leadership roles, according to the National Association of Women Lawyers. About 12% of managing partners, 28% of governance committee members and 27% of practice group leaders are women, a survey by the NAWL said.
The Cleveland Jewish News spoke with several successful female lawyers in the Cleveland area who work as leaders in their respective law firms to find out how they got to where they are.
What inspired you to become a lawyer: Since childhood, I have been deeply interested in the power of business to transform communities. Growing up, I would read The Cleveland Press and was always drawn to stories about entrepreneurs – especially Black business owners – who worked tirelessly to build something for themselves and future generations. I wanted to help them navigate the complexities of business law so they could grow from small enterprises into thriving companies.
The path to becoming a lawyer wasn’t easy. Many people doubted it could be done.
How did you become a partner: My journey to partnership was built on a foundation of persistence, adaptability and community support. I attended Cleveland State University’s law school at night while working full time at Lincoln Electric. It wasn’t always easy, but I was determined to succeed.
I owe much of my success to mentors, sponsors and colleagues who guided me along the way. In law, technical expertise is important – but relationships, trust, and the ability to collaborate and lead are equally vital.
What advice can you give to those wanting to work in the law industry: Never lose sight of your purpose. Stay curious, be a lifelong learner and don’t be afraid to ask for help or mentorship. Develop sharp research and communication skills, and understand the value of flexibility and hard work. Building relationships with integrity and authenticity will always serve you well.
The Torah teaches about the importance of justice – tzedek, tzedek tirdof – “justice, justice shall you pursue.” Pursuing justice requires diligence, empathy and action.
What inspired you to become a lawyer: I was never energized by the idea of arguing for a living, and I think it’s a false assumption that the art of the argument is the cornerstone of every law practice. I’m truly inspired by finding ways to help my clients achieve their goals. As a mergers and acquisitions lawyer, this can include helping a CEO sell a business she has spent her lifetime growing or working with an existing business to purchase a new product line that will help it provide better solutions to its clients.
How did you become a partner: I started my career at McDonald Hopkins as a summer associate, and I worked my way through the ranks of being an associate to becoming a partner at the same firm. I was fortunate to have incredible colleagues and mentors, and I also took the time to learn from them. Each transaction that I worked on was an opportunity to learn and to grow my practice.
What advice can you give to those wanting to work in the law industry: I didn’t realize that finding clients would be one of the most difficult aspects of this profession. Many of us spend time learning the skills of how to practice law, but we just assume the clients will materialize. It’s also important to develop the interpersonal skills and business network that will be needed to ensure you can identify potential clients and clearly communicate to those clients how you can help them achieve their goals.
What inspired you to become a lawyer: I have always enjoyed reading and persuasive writing, so that was what initially inspired me to explore a legal career. When I was an undergraduate, I took a course in bioethics that I loved. The course included working through ethical issues and many legal case studies, intersecting health care and law. That led me to earning a master’s in Bioethics and a decision to pursue law school with a focus in health law.
How did you become a partner: I started at McDonald Hopkins as a summer associate. I was lucky to be trained by wonderful health care and business attorneys. I loved the work and the knowledge I gained, but had an opportunity to join Cleveland Clinic’s law department. After about five years with the Clinic, my experience presented an opportunity to return to MH as a partner to serve a specific group of health care clients. I first served as co-chair, and now chair the firm’s Health Care Practice Group.
What advice can you give to those wanting to work in the law industry: There are so many ways to practice law and be a successful attorney. Do your homework on the type of law that you are interested in practicing, what feels true to your interests and inspiring. Are you particularly interested in a certain industry and if so, what type of legal positions are available? A legal career can be rewarding, but if it aligns with your interests, skills and passions, it’s that much more fulfilling.
What inspired you to become a lawyer: My stepfather was a lawyer in Erie, Pa. – he later became a judge on the Erie County Court of Common Pleas. I always wanted to be a doctor, but I hated the sciences. While in college, I decided to become a health care lawyer.
How did you become a partner: My track to partnership was longer than most. During my time as an associate, my husband and I adopted three children, and I had a major medical leave, which all added to the longevity of my partnership track. I was actively involved in the community and was a Crain’s Cleveland Business “40 Under 40” honoree in 2016. I graduated from law school in June 2004 and became a partner in 2020.
What advice can you give to those wanting to work in the law industry: The legal industry opens many doors with a lot of options. There are a variety of roles, such as private practitioner, consultant, judicial clerk, corporate counsel, compliance officer, grant writer, policy or advocacy positions and more. Critical thinking, research, communication and negotiation skills are essential to many jobs in the market.
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