What advice you could give an associate who wants to make partner in real estate? I have coached many of our associates through the process of elevation from junior to midlevel associate, midlevel to senior associate and senior associate to partner. Of course, it's important that the associate's legal skills are exemplary and that they prove themselves to be hard working. There are also many intangibles that I believe are critical to making partner. Such as client service:

Associates should focus on understanding clients' needs; pivoting their approach, tone and strategy based on differing client business goals and personalities; as well as creating and enhancing relationships among the client deal team.
Associates should also work to market themselves internally (and externally) so that others within the firm can speak to their expertise and value.
Additionally, it's important that an associate give back to the practice group and firm by way of mentoring, training, pro bono work and innovation, among other areas.
And I would ask the associate to consider where they want to make partner; where do they want to establish a home for themselves and their practice; where do they feel they will receive the support they need to grow their practice and allow them to maintain balance in their outside lives? Within my practice group, I believe we create a supportive home for our associates to thrive as partners.

What challenges did you face or had to overcome in your career path, and how did it affect or influence your career? I've had some wonderful male mentors in my career, and I am very grateful. The lack of female mentors and role models in the firm's real estate practice when I started more than 20 years ago, and the industry in general, was difficult for me as I ascended the ranks. In my early years, I was the only female real estate associate in my office and became our first female real estate partner and the first female co-chair of the real estate practice group. These accomplishments were all the more meaningful because of the trail I was able to blaze, but there were certainly times along the way that I would have loved to connect with another female real estate attorney (with young kids) and ask for a "playbook!" Today, I am gratified to say that our real estate practice group is one of the most diverse in the firm. I am proud to stand among so many powerful, diverse partners and associates in our practice group and firm working to create an environment where no one feels underrepresented and with play-books that work for all.

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Pay It Forward: "We Are Only as Good as the Experience We Get"

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