Be Bold for Change International Women's Day 2017

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Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 1

Contents Introduction

Introduction 01 Geraldine Ahern 22 International Women’s Day 2017 will be There is still work to do and we are committed celebrated across the world on Wednesday to increasing our gender representation at Aysha Fernandes 02 Hannah Swift 23 8 March. This day celebrates the social, partner level. We will be hosting events across Catherine Detalle 04 Kate Newman 24 economic, cultural and political achievements our offices in celebration of International of women. It also marks a call to action for Women’s Day including career forum events Claire Carroll 06 Kee Evans 26 accelerating gender parity. that showcase inspiring women at all levels Lana Habash 07 Kirstin McCracken 28 within our business. Diversity in all its forms is great for our Clare Ward 08 María Hernandez 30 business and helps us deliver the very best Careers are very individual and there isn’t a Cynthia Krus 10 Rebecca Copley 32 service to our clients. Whether it is individuality one size fits all approach. To recognize the Annie Lam 13 Stacy Fredrich 34 of thought, variety of experience or the ability variety of choices some of our colleagues to build strong and effective relationships with have taken at different points in their lives, Cynthia Shoss 14 Vanessa Scott 36 clients, supporting talent in all its forms is key we have featured some of their career Debbie Jukes 16 Veronique Marquis 38 to driving our success. journeys in this brochure. I hope you enjoy reading their stories. Dorothy Black Franzoni 18 Amy Yu 39 In recent years we have been championing Elizabeth Hyde 20 Victoria Pickard 40 gender diversity through various initiatives across the business. For example the Parents Network is a forum for parents to come together to help promote awareness of shared parental leave, flexible working, and technology that can support and challenge assumptions about work life balance. We’ve also focused on building our reputation in the marketplace as a firm where female lawyers are likely to succeed and grow their careers.

Ian Gray International Managing Partner +44 207 919 0834 [email protected] 2 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 3 Aysha Fernandes

Legal Director London

Can you give a short overview of your Who has had the biggest influence on your The theme for this year’s International What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever career to date? career and why? Women’s Day is ‘Be Bold for Change’. been given? What’s the boldest thing you’ve ever done? I joined the firm as a trainee back in 2003 Again, it’s hard to isolate any one person. A friend of mine is a coach and helped me and have spent my whole career here. I From the friend who suggested I might Last year I decided to train as a yoga to really identify what motivates me and to have been legal director since May 2016. In want to study law at A level, to a university instructor so that I can teach one day a step back from my preconceptions of what that time, both the firm and my role have lecturer who got me interested in week. I felt I needed to be more than just a ‘success’ looks like and work out what I need changed massively – in both cases, for the competition law, to the various managers I lawyer – I want to help people and use my to feel happy and fulfilled. The yoga plan has better! have had over the years. The latter include skills in a different way. Yoga is my biggest been borne out of this. Ros Kellaway, who heads our Competition, passion and pastime outside of work – EU and Trade practice and is a renowned well, other than food where my skills are What’s the best thing about your job? expert in her field, and who has guided me considerably more limited! – so this is the What’s the one piece of wisdom you’d pass since I was a very junior lawyer, and Adam natural thing for me to do. I have received on to others? It is hard to isolate one thing that makes Collinson, who heads our Leeds team and positive responses from my team and my job great. The work is challenging, who has not only been an inspiring and everyone I have told about this. Sometimes you have to fake it a bit – act the interesting and varied. I often get to work on outstanding lawyer, but whose complete part for a while before you grow into it! I’ve After a lot of searching, I have found the high profile matters that have a real impact faith in me has really allowed me to develop had to do this at various stages of my career teacher training course I want to do and on people’s lives. I also do a lot of work for over the last few years. and each time it has been a bit easier. will be starting later this year. To help me household brands, such as Volkswagen, Alongside these influences, I’m inspired by prepare, I’ve been working a 9 day fortnight, Life in a city law firm is a world apart from Honda and Next, where I get to see how my friends and colleagues who haven’t been meaning I have a day off every two weeks. the small seaside town where I grew up, and advice has shaped their offerings. afraid to reinvent themselves occasionally Having this extra day to myself to do yoga, though my work experience in high street I also work with fantastic people – many of even if it means starting back on the bottom life admin tasks and lounge around in coffee law firms gave me invaluable experience, my colleagues are good friends as well as rung of the ladder. shops has had such a positive impact on it did little to prepare me for being a being impressive lawyers, and many of my my life. trainee at a huge firm. I found the first few clients are a real pleasure to work with. months very tough and was totally out of my comfort zone. It was only when I had In hindsight is there anything you would my first appraisal after three months that I have done differently? realized I was doing a pretty good job, and this was a big turning point. I might have planned my career more Since then, I have done two client actively and really taken the time to work secondments, received a number of out where I wanted to be, by when and promotions, managed and coached junior what I needed to do in order to get there. I colleagues and become experienced in new would then have made time to reassess this areas of law. Each time I’ve had to remind periodically to see if my motivations had myself that people will only be as confident changed. in me as I am in myself. 4 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 5 Catherine Detalle

Principal Associate Paris

Can you give a short overview of your The theme for this year’s IWD is ‘Be Bold for What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever career to date? Change’. What’s the boldest thing you’ve been given? ever done? I started as a corporate lawyer in Paris in I always want to do my very best on each 2005 at Debevoise & Plimpton, then I left Last February I attended the IATA conference job so I can be proud of the piece of work I to go to Latham & Watkins where I stayed and during this event I spoke with the do for a client. Even if the matter is a small for three years and then I joined Eversheds General Counsel of a US airline. Making the or minor piece of work, it has to be the best Sutherland as Of Counsel in the corporate most of this networking opportunity resulted piece of work/advice I can deliver and that team in Paris in September 2014. in going to Atlanta for a further meeting, the client could receive. which was a great experience!

What’s the best thing about your job? What’s the one piece of wisdom you’d pass In hindsight is there anything you would on to others? The contact and relationships with clients. have done differently? When a relationship becomes a long term Always be curious, eager to learn and never one, and my role becomes more of a trusted I would have loved to have graduated from stop asking questions. advisor role rather than just a role providing one of the top business schools in France legal advice, that’s really exciting and in addition to law school, because it gives satisfying. corporate lawyers a different perspective of the business world and the needs of our clients. Who has had the biggest influence on your career and why?

A female partner at a global bank (a leader in M&A). She was one of the M&A advisors to one of the main French airlines and during this time we worked together. When I had my first child we had many discussions about how to combine a career with children. She explained the difficulties she faced when she became a partner and had her first child, and how she overcame these. She gave me so much useful advice and became an inspiring role model for me and the discussions we had at that time have been really important for me. 6 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 7 Claire Carroll Lana Habash

Partner Partner Newcastle Amman

Can you give a short overview of your The theme for this year’s IWD is ‘Be Bold for Can you give a short overview of your The theme for this year’s IWD is ‘Be Bold for career to date? Change’. What’s the boldest thing you’ve career to date? Change’. What’s the boldest thing you’ve ever done? ever done? I trained at a boutique City firm, Fox I am a partner based in our Amman office. Williams, and stayed there for seven years Leaving my job in 2000 and not taking the I am qualified in the USA and Jordan and Moving out of the family house, which is post qualification (not including a sneaky sabbatical that Fox Williams offered me. I work in corporate, commercial and M&A in almost unheard of in the culture I am from, break in 2001 to go traveling). I then decided was three years’ qualified, and my work/life the Middle East. My career has taken me to let alone for a woman. I am lucky that I took that I wanted to move back to the north east balance was completely off kilter as I had many different places – I have worked in this step with my family’s full support and of England, and joined Eversheds Sutherland been working ridiculously hard for a long Washington, California, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE understanding. in 2004. I have now been here 13 years, and period. Much to the horror of my parents, I and Jordan to date. became a partner in 2011. left my job and went traveling with a friend in south east Asia on an open ticket and In hindsight is there anything you would didn’t come back for 10 months. It allowed What’s the best thing about your job? have done differently? What’s the best thing about your job? me to reassess and get some perspective back. And then happily Fox Williams asked The ongoing challenge to come up with I may have done my LLM at a law school on There are lots of great things about my job – me to go back, which taught me that things creative solutions to help our clients achieve the East Coast instead of Washington State, the variety, the way it stretches my brain, the really do work out in the end. their business goals. to benefit from the proximity to the Middle satisfaction of finding a solution – but most East as opposed to Asia. And I would have of all the people I work with. studied for an MBA, which I might still do. In hindsight is there anything you would Who has had the biggest influence on your have done differently? career and why? Who has had the biggest influence on your What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever career and why? I would have had more belief in myself Partner Tawfiq Tabbaa! I joined Tawfiq when been given? at times. I think that held back my career I came back from the United States back in Probably the litigation team that I first progression. 2006 and started with him on the journey The importance of follow up! That was the worked with as a trainee. We had a three that took us from a very small practice one piece of advice that my mentor kept week trial that went disastrously wrong from in Amman to a regional firm with offices emphasizing throughout my training to day one, but we never stopped working What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever in Jordan, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Iraq, become a certified lawyer – it definitely together as a team and, even though there been given? and eventually to where we are today at helps you stay on top of your job. were some dark days during the trial, we Eversheds Sutherland. still managed to have a laugh along the Be yourself. way. That influenced not just my choice to What’s the one piece of wisdom you’d pass be a litigator, but also my attitude to the on to others? challenges we face on a daily basis in this What’s the one piece of wisdom you’d pass job. on to others? Hold yourself to your own standards!

I don’t think that you can go far wrong if you treat others as you would like to be treated yourself. 8 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 9 Clare Ward

Principal Associate Nottingham

Can you give a short overview of your Who has had the biggest influence on your In hindsight is there anything you would What’s the one piece of wisdom you’d pass career to date? career and why? have done differently? on to others?

I spent the early years of my career in the My friend Grace Birtwistle (now Lucas), No, I am both glad that I had a career before Qualify into the area of law that you can north west of England. After studying at the without her I am not sure I would have got Eversheds Sutherland and that I made the see yourself in for a very long time. You can University of Liverpool, I trained in-house at through my law degree! move here! move firm, you can “jump the fence” but the Co-Operative Insurance Society. I knew changing disciplines is much more difficult. from my second seat that I wanted to be an Where I have seen friends move out of law employment lawyer and left on qualification The theme for this year’s IWD is ‘Be Bold for What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever is where they settled for an area of law that to join EAD Solicitors, a trade union firm in Change’. What’s the boldest thing you’ve been given? was not their first choice. Liverpool. I stayed there for four years and ever done? gained valuable experience and insight into When discussing whether I should go to a labor law before returning to my home city Probably joining this firm. I had gained four funeral over an important client meeting, of Nottingham to join Eversheds Sutherland. years’ experience on one side of the fence partner Di Gilhooley said to me: “The last I joined as an associate nearly ten years ago when Nottingham senior office partner place we should be in life is looking back and have been promoted to senior associate Mark Fletcher and partner Nicola Bennison and regretting that we put work before and then principal associate a few years ago. took a “chance” on me when I had limited something that is important to us in our Most of the work I do is in my favorite area experience working on behalf of employers. private life.” Di was supporting me and of labor law. In all honesty, it seemed a daunting place to reminding me of the need to have a good come to. Nearly ten years on, my previous sense of what matters most and making experience has proved valuable to me, Mark decisions that were right for me, which was What’s the best thing about your job? and Nicola have continued to support my great advice. career as I have moved through the ranks Working with people! We work closely as and I am lucky to call those people I feared a team but we also work closely with our would be “lawyer types,” friends. We work clients, often becoming an extension of hard but there is always time for team social their internal teams. I can talk to numerous activities! (Most recently, dressing up as the different people in a day about a variety of band Kiss for the Christmas do and making a issues and work on a number of jobs at the music video in Nottingham train station)! same time, no two days are alike. 10 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 11 Cynthia Krus

Partner Washington

Can you give a short overview of your contract negotiations that always drove I also became involved in firm management, which is intellectually challenging and career to date? the transactions. After seven years at the first within the practice group, learning provides the opportunity to build lifelong boutique firm, the opportunity to work here how to leverage work through associates, relationships with clients once the crisis is I knew I would work in securities since presented itself and I took a leap of faith in counsel, and other partners. I became successfully managed. before law school. After college at Emory, myself and came on board. My background the first female practice group leader of Perhaps most importantly, I really enjoy I worked for two years in DC for the in financial transactions built over dozens the US corporate practice group, which being “a closer” – helping management Washington Service Bureau, which ran a of initial public offerings, leveraged buyouts led to additional management roles. Two teams take an idea, formulate a plan, and “watch” service at the US Securities and and managed buyouts, many of which years ago, I was elected to the Executive make it happen together. Exchange Commission (SEC) filing room in were hostile, prepared me for the practice Committee and last year I was elected the pre-internet, pre-electronic filing days. I joined, that of “publicly traded private to serve in 2017 as executive partner, We would literally sit in the filing room for equity.” supporting managing partner Mark Who has had the biggest influence on your investment banking clients that paid for the Wasserman. I have been integrally involved I began working with a significant client of career and why? service to have us watch corporate filings in our recent combination, successfully the firm, the largest middle market lender and report to them by phone and provide creating Eversheds Sutherland in February in the US. The company was undergoing a I have had the opportunity to learn from copies that we would deliver by very slow 2017. five way merger of separate public entities a wide variety of influences in my career. facsimile. This was in the 80s – the days into a single entity, a year-long highly Along the way, I’ve also served as an Adjunct While I have not had a single mentor, I have when the corporate filing of a Form 13(D) complex transaction. Plus, the five entities Professor at the George Washington learned different lessons from many. From (indicating a 5% purchase of a publicly were NASDAQ companies and the resulting University Law School where I’ve taught my mother, I emulate her confidence, which traded company’s stock) would drive single entity was being launched as a NYSE classes on securities and corporate can get me through any situation. From the stock market insane. This gave me a company, which added to the complexity. governance. I am also the author and editor my professors, I was encouraged to think visceral feeling for securities filings and the My work with the company post-merger of the Corporate Secretary’s Answer Book, creatively and beyond “how a lawyer would essential social contract of disclosing truth grew from securities to essentially the a compendium of corporate governance think.” From the first partner with whom I that protected the investing public, and the private or outside general counsel on topics that is updated annually. These worked, I learned a deep appreciation for the markets more in the US than in any other all financial and corporate matters. This additional commitments keep me fresh and law. From one of my most significant clients, country. relationship continued through almost a on top of best practices. I learned how to get the job done through When I went to Tulane Law School, it decade of financial transactions, public any adversity. And, from the partner with was natural for me to focus on corporate offerings, mergers, regulatory oversight whom I have worked for 20 years, I have finance and securities regulation and to and a year-long attack by a hedge fund What’s the best thing about your job? learned how to communicate effectively do research for professors in international that ultimately resulted in the company’s with clients, partners and team members. securities market regulations, and to clerk sale to another national middle market Serving as a business counselor to my And my husband who always reminds me to for the Louisiana Appeals Court, again lender. Throughout my time at Eversheds clients, and having the opportunity to enjoy the journey! focusing on business and securities matters. Sutherland I’ve been fortunate to work with develop and implement strategic plans My first position after law school was at a Steven Boehm, a great partner and mentor, with boards of directors and management DC boutique law firm that took financial and together we have built the premier teams that know what they want is really institutions public, which turned out to be practice in advising middle market lenders gratifying. I’ve also been deeply involved in an incredible training ground for learning and private equity firms raising capital from crisis management with a number of clients, the intricacies of public disclosures in the public markets. securities filings and the often times fierce 12 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 13 Cynthia Krus (continued) Annie Lam

Consultant Hong Kong

The theme for this year’s IWD is ‘Be Bold for What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever Can you give a short overview of your Who has had the biggest influence on your Change’. What’s the boldest thing you’ve been given? career to date? career and why? ever done? Step up and swing at the ball. In other I am both Hong Kong and English law My previous supervising partner and the At a vulnerable point in my career, I decided words, say yes – if you are up for the qualified with over 13 years of experience existing supervising partner. My previous to make the jump from a small comfortable challenge you are rewarded. Further to in banking and finance. I am also a qualified supervising partner invited me to qualify in boutique law firm to Sutherland where, as this, be flexible and be prepared to reinvent mediator of the Hong Kong Law Society, banking (otherwise I may have become a the only specialist in financial institution yourself throughout your career. I have Hong Kong Mediation Accreditation litigator!) and my existing supervising partner M&A and IPOs, I knew I would only be able rebuilt my book of business three times over Association Limited and Hong Kong has offered essential advice and support to to rely on myself. This change was a lot like my career as a result of clients getting sold International Arbitration Centre (non- me at critical points in my career. the 50-meter bungee jump leap I took off or merged out of existence. So, I always built practising). I have abundant experience on payment instruments (eg letter of credit, the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge in my clientele every year as if I was starting The theme for this year’s IWD is ‘Be Bold for guarantee, promissory note), structured or southern New Zealand. But the risk to join from scratch, almost as if I was a stock Change’. What’s the boldest thing you’ve synthetic trade finance transactions, cross- and work with my partner Steve Boehm, was broker starting from zero every month. This border finance, factoring (including reverse ever done? worth it. With his complementary experience takes confidence in myself, diligence in the factoring, supply chain etc), true sale and in investment company act law, together daily grind, and knowing that I am flying receivables finance (on or off balance sheet), Leaving my previous firm to join Eversheds we have built a team of 25-attorney strong without a net. Through it all, I live by a work bilateral and syndicated loans, participation/ Sutherland in 2009. $20+ million sustainable practice. I am most hard and play harder motto. sub-participation, property finance, asset proud of the fact that we built the practice based finance, bank payment obligations from the ground up, one client relationship In hindsight is there anything you would and security taking in overseas jurisdictions. I have done differently? at a time, to become a nationally recognized What’s the one piece of wisdom you’d pass graduated from the University of Hong Kong practice today. on to others? and have also completed a PRC law degree I would have spent more time developing at Tsing Hua University. my price negotiation, networking and Someone once told me I was too creative business development skills in the first few In hindsight is there anything you would to be a lawyer, a sentiment I disagree with What’s the best thing about your job? years of my career. have done differently? entirely. I believe creativity allows you to understand the reasons behind matters, and Work life balance, flexibility and lots of Nothing. I saw a quote that I liked that allows you to communicate with clients so What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever team lunches! I like the team spirit of said: Sometimes you win, sometimes you that they hear you, so you can address crisis been given? my department – all things are open to learn. I think that you learn from all your situations effectively and look at things from discussion. experiences and so I value all of them. a different perspective. Creativity also allows Attitude is more important than ability – you to know yourself, and be yourself, which ability comes with the right attitude. strengthens your confidence. This is what clients value in a lawyer and an advisor. And What’s the one piece of wisdom you’d pass creativity will allow you to build your career on to others? – many times over if necessary. Be creative! You can be old but not mature. 14 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 15 Cynthia Shoss

Partner New York

Can you give a short overview of your What’s the best thing about your job? The theme for this year’s IWD is ‘Be Bold for In hindsight is there anything you would career to date? Change’. What’s the boldest thing you’ve have done differently? The people with whom I have been ever done? I graduated from Tulane Law School and privileged to work – alongside and opposite. Of course there are things I would have received an LLM in Tax Law from New Becoming a trusted advisor to wonderful Moving from a mid-sized Midwestern firm to done differently in my career and in my York University School of Law. I clerked clients. The challenges and the problem New York City to try to swim in the biggest life, but no single big thing comes to mind. for the Louisiana Supreme Court for two solving. Taking on some leadership roles. legal pond in the country was pretty bold, And some of them turned out fine in the years – one year with the most liberal judge Plus… I am a word geek so to this day I but it didn’t lead to change for anyone but end – for example, I wish I could somehow and then one year with the Chief Justice, love to draft and revise, to try to make the me! Otherwise, I think that, as for many have avoided practicing law at a firm that who was the most conservative! I was an words on a page sing. Also, as I grow older, I (though certainly not all as there have collapsed, but if that had not happened I associate at law firms in New Orleans, St. appreciate that ours is a profession in which been some real heroines) in my generation probably would not have found my way to Louis and New York, ultimately making clients and colleagues value experience of women lawyers, my career has been where I am today at Eversheds Sutherland. partner at LeBoeuf Lamb Greene & MacRae and the wisdom that results from lessons characterized by a series of small steps I in New York, then served from 1987-89 as learned. consider to have been a little bold rather managing partner of the LeBoeuf London than a single boldest thing. And I hope that What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever office in the Lloyd’s Building, where I went in moving forward through that series of been given? into labor with my daughter. After ten Who has had the biggest influence on your small bold steps I have helped to pave the years as a tax lawyer (four as a tax partner), career and why? way, as bolder women than I did before Never forget that ours is a service profession I moved to insurance regulatory work in me, for women coming up behind me. I – it is all about serving our clients with the 1990, and co-chaired the Insurance practice My principal mentor at LeBoeuf, Donald am also proud of having raised a daughter greatest care, loyalty, diligence and humility. at Dewey & LeBoeuf, then at Eversheds Greene, kept us all focused on client service who is much bolder than I am – she taught Sutherland. My practice includes general long before it became a consultants’ mantra. high school boys imprisoned in a secure advisory work, compliance, drafting He was the ultimate trusted advisor to detention facility in the south Bronx for What’s the one piece of wisdom you’d pass legislation, transactions and some products, clients, so a perfect aspirational role model violent crimes for two years and is now on to others? with a particular focus on transformative for that. He was also responsible for my focused on juvenile justice reform. transactions such as demutualizations, switch from tax to insurance, which turned Be the CEO of your career from day one: M&A, and complex restructurings. I have out to be a very important career move for be intentional, set goals and prioritize, think represented many insurers, mostly in the life me. At my first firm, Stone Pigman in New opportunistically and strategically, and go sector but also property casualty, as well as Orleans, David Stone taught us to take the for it! Be willing to take risks, and don’t regulators, attorney generals, investment practice of law and our clients very seriously, let failures, whether your own or those of bankers and large corporate purchasers of but not ourselves, and how to wield a steel others that affect you, de-rail you. insurance products such as in pension risk fist in a velvet glove, often through the low- transfers. key use of humor to bring down the level of tension in a room full of lawyers. Also some credit is due to my daughter because being her working mother certainly required me to hone my multi-tasking and list-making skills and to become more efficient. 16 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 17 Debbie Jukes

General Counsel Leeds

Can you give a short overview of your What’s the best thing about your job? The theme for this year’s IWD is ‘Be Bold for What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever career to date? Change’. What’s the boldest thing you’ve been given? It is being able to leave a legacy. When I look ever done? I joined Eversheds Sutherland in 1988, back and think about projects I have led that I think the best piece of advice I’ve been as a transferee trainee from a small firm will really make a difference and positively There are a two steps that spring to mind. I given in recent years was from a previous and finished my training contract in the impact a lawyer’s life for years to come, I was seconded for eight months as the head head of HR. I am really passionate about corporate team in Leeds. I was a M&A feel proud to have been able to create that of legal at UKAR, which owns Bradford & being a great manager, so if someone transactional lawyer for about six years when change. Bingley and part of Northern Rock. The job decides they want to move onto another I moved into the newly formed commercial specification said that I needed extensive job, I do take it hard. He taught me that department. I became a partner in 1998 Financial Services Authority (FSA), consumer it is far better to provide opportunities, when pregnant with my first child and Who has had the biggest influence on your credit and mortgage regulatory experience development and encouragement for your eventually ran the commercial teams across career and why? and considerable in-house experience. I team, and if someone decides that their Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle. I have had none of these. I learnt that the skills I next career choice is elsewhere, you should three teenage children and started working Jonathan Guest, one of our partners who had learnt in my risk and knowledge roles, accept it. As a great manager you need to flexibly in 1999, working four days a week retired recently. He always provided such of getting to the bottom of an issue quickly, allow people to fly. You may have provided and still do so. I was one of the first partners great support to me, whilst I was pregnant of managing a team, of influencing and them with the experience that enables them to work flexibly and I was the first partner to and going for partnership and when I was persuading people were more important to get their next job, they may never have be promoted to equity on a part time basis. part time and looking for EP promotion. He than the lack of this technical experience. got that opportunity without you. That’s a gave me confidence and belief in what I was great way to look at career development. In 2008, I took on a non-fee-earning role The other bold step I took was leaving my doing, fought my corner and supported me becoming the head of risk and quality for transactional partner role to take on the in everything I did. He was challenging and the company commercial practice group. In risk and knowledge role, seen by many as inspiring to me in equal measure! He was What’s the one piece of wisdom you’d pass this role I managed the PSL team and was a backwards step. I loved deals and I loved great with clients and taught me the value on to others? responsible for all legal training, precedents client work but I needed a change. I do feel of building great relationships and how and legal know-how for the practice group, more natural in the role I am doing now and important they would be in my career. This was from a friend of mine, who is now as well as all risk and quality initiatives. have enjoyed it massively, so it was the right a partner at a peer firm, when my children In 2011 I took on the head of knowledge move for me. were quite young. She advised me not to role as well, managing our central library, worry about whether my childcare was right research and Insite teams and being for the next six years, just focus on what’s responsible for all the books and resources In hindsight is there anything you would right for the next three months. Everything we buy. have done differently? changes so quickly, both for you and in the From 1 February this year I moved into business, so just make sure you’ve made the I’m not a great one for looking back so, no. the General Counsel role for the firm, as right decision at the time. You need to make a decision and move on. part of which I run the combined risk and knowledge team. 18 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 19 Dorothy Black Franzoni Partner, Atlanta

Can you give a short overview of your What’s the best thing about your job? In hindsight is there anything you would career to date? have done differently? I get to work with smart, energetic, creative My first year out of law school I clerked attorneys and staff and clients on interesting I would have started very early on to develop for a US federal appellate court judge – a and challenging issues. knowledge and expertise in areas that were terrific experience I would not trade for complementary to the practices that were anything. From the end of that clerkship already thriving at the firm, and to build my until now I have been in private practice, Who has had the biggest influence on your network. working mostly in the US electric industry. I career and why? started work in the Atlanta office of another large firm. In my third year the attorneys The partners I worked with as a young What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever I was working most with moved to the attorney put a lot of effort into teaching me been given? formerly named Sutherland – and thankfully about the importance of good client service asked me to join them! In the early years and that it requires much more than just Learn to meditate. most of my work was on electric utility getting the right answer. commercial transactions and financings, including public market bonds (and one What’s the one piece of wisdom you’d pass of the earliest interest rate swaps AIG did), The theme for this year’s IWD is ‘Be Bold for on to others? federal government loans, sale-leaseback Change’. What’s the boldest thing you’ve transactions, asset acquisitions and joint ever done? Having a successful law practice requires ownership of large electric power plants. perseverance – there will be many times I also represented lenders in a variety of Soon after I became chair of the board of when you can’t see where the future is or secured and unsecured financings. For a a homeless shelter, the executive director how to take the next step. Ask for advice, three year period after my son was born, quit and we discovered that the bookkeeper and then take the next best step you can I worked on a reduced hours (75%) basis, had been embezzling and the organization identify. and then returned to practicing full time. was on the verge of bankruptcy. I had never In 2005 I began to focus on the growing faced a situation like that – but because I US renewable energy industry, and since was the chair, the board looked to me for then have expanded my practice to include leadership. Thankfully we had a terrific group renewable energy project development and of board members who had good ideas and M&A. access to more funding sources, and the organization survived. Along the way, I made all sorts of decisions without knowing if they were right or wrong, but things needed to get done, and everyone needed a sense of direction, so I gave it my best shot. 20 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 21 Elizabeth Hyde

Senior Associate Leeds

Can you give a short overview of your What’s the best thing about your job? The theme for this year’s IWD is ‘Be Bold for In hindsight is there anything you would career to date? Change’. What’s the boldest thing you’ve have done differently? I enjoy so many aspects of my job. One ever done? I joined Eversheds Sutherland in 2003 as a of the highlights is being able to guide No, there is nothing that I would have done trainee solicitor and qualified in 2005 in the and support clients through criminal In 2013 I took a career break from work to differently. contentious Environment, Health and Safety investigations being conducted by regulators spend time with my two young children. At (EHS) team. As a trainee, I spent time on such as the UK Health and Safety Executive, the time, it felt like a very bold move to put secondment at Asda’s head office in Leeds, police and/or local authorities. Investing my career on hold. Having now been back What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever which was a fantastic experience. I was time and effort during the investigative at the firm for 18 months, and considering been given? promoted to senior associate in May 2010. phase immediately following an incident the support I have received upon my return, can often maximize the chance that a others considering taking a career break My father’s advice of: “problems are simply Predominantly, my role involves defending prosecution can be avoided; achieving should feel comfortable about it knowing solutions in disguise” has always stood me in organizations being investigated and such results can be hugely rewarding. that the firm will support them. good stead. prosecuted for serious health and When investigating each new incident I very safety breaches, food safety offences, The firm and the partners within my team much enjoy meeting a wide range of new product safety compliance breaches and have been absolutely tremendous in people – one minute I can be taking witness What’s the one piece of wisdom you’d pass environmental offences. I also provide accommodating the flexibility that I have statements from operatives on the shop on to others? compliance and risk management advice. needed. floor and the next I am presenting to the The majority of my work is with food and Board. retail, leisure and manufacturing sector Seize every opportunity and step out of your clients. comfort zone. Who has had the biggest influence on your career and why?

A large number of individuals, including family members, friends and colleagues have had a big influence on my career over the years and so it is really difficult to select one in particular. Within Eversheds Sutherland there are so many partners who act as inspiring role models – I work with an incredible array of talented and hardworking lawyers who are absolutely committed to providing a first class service to clients. 22 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 23 Geraldine Ahern Hannah Swift

Partner Consultant Abu Dhabi Hong Kong

Can you give a short overview of your The theme for this year’s IWD is ‘Be Bold for Can you give a short overview of your The theme for this year’s IWD is ‘Be Bold for career to date? Change’. What’s the boldest thing you’ve career to date? Change’. What’s the boldest thing you’ve ever done? ever done? My whole career has been with Eversheds When I was a student I worked in bars to Sutherland (I was recruited whilst at When I applied for the role in Abu Dhabi and pay off my overdraft. I then lived in Australia Probably moving to Hong Kong! It was university). I have had the wonderful got it, everyone told me how brave I was. I for six months before I started my training scary because there was no employment experience of working in three different didn’t think I was brave… until I arrived! At contract and worked in an Irish pub and team here when I started, and going from offices: Birmingham (training contract), the airport, it hit me that I had left my family, a bank. I joined Eversheds Sutherland in a busy Leeds team to working on my own Nottingham (upon qualification into IT team) friends, home and everything I was familiar January 2004 as a trainee and have been in an unfamiliar country (with completely and Abu Dhabi (having moved here with with and I was alone in a foreign country. here ever since in the employment team. I different law!) was a challenge. It has been three others to set the office up in 2008). However, none of that compares to the have undertaken client secondments at Asda an amazing opportunity and I am now Hong terror of having to begin advising clients on and Barclays, and for the last two years have Kong qualified. I am really proud that my I am currently a partner in our Abu Dhabi an entirely new legal jurisdiction without any been based in our Hong Kong office helping husband and I took the chance and we have office. to build up our Asia employment team. training, books or anyone to ask. absolutely no regrets. What’s the best thing about your job? In hindsight is there anything you would What’s the best thing about your job? In hindsight is there anything you would have done differently? have done differently? I love the challenge of using different skills. The exciting opportunities that it offers. I can advise on a complex legal issue, I wish I had learned to play an instrument Through my job I have come across No because each twist and turn (including present a seminar to a room full of clients when I was younger. I got a bit stuck with some fascinating people and I’ve had the those that seemed wrong at the time) is part and negotiate a settlement all on one day. the recorder and never persevered. I think experience of living and working within a of the rich tapestry of life and I’m very happy More recently, I have been leading on LGBTI it’s important to have some creative hobbies very young country (the UAE has just turned with how my career has evolved. diversity in the Hong Kong office – arranging as a contrast to work! 45) that changes at a remarkable pace. events, reviewing policies and being an advocate for discrimination protection. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever There are new experiences cropping up all What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? the time, for example, next month I will be been given? Who has had the biggest influence on your traveling to Saudi Arabia for the first time. career and why? I also enjoy some wonderful relationships “Perception is reality.” When you are given Whilst growing up, my dad told me that I can with my teammates and colleagues. feedback – it doesn’t matter whether you be anything I want to be and do anything I My career advisor at school when I was 14 agree, it matters how the other person feels. want to do. I still hold that with me now. years old told me that there were too many Recognizing that and working on it makes Who has had the biggest influence on your law graduates and not enough jobs so I your life much easier! career and why? should think about trying something else; I What’s the one piece of wisdom you’d pass have never looked back… What’s the one piece of wisdom you’d pass on to others? Interestingly it is people that I have got on to others? on with least. Largely because they have My wonderful husband has often challenged propelled me to make changes or alter my “Different strokes for different folks” which my moments of career self-doubt by asking, course. It has avoided me falling into the I heard Prince say in an interview. You can’t how would your male colleagues think trap of stagnation. please everyone all the time, so be tolerant about/deal with it? I have found that asking of others, celebrate difference, and be myself that question can be remarkably authentic to yourself. useful. 24 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 25 Kate Newman

Partner Leeds

Can you give a short overview of your What’s the best thing about your job? In hindsight is there anything you would What’s the one piece of wisdom you’d pass career to date? have done differently? on to others? I love the intellectual challenge. I never I entered law through a fairly traditional know what might come across my desk on Although I really enjoyed my law degree, had The sabbatical was a wonderful time – that path. After university I went to do the legal any day. I work with a truly fantastic bunch I known then what I know now, I probably time with my daughters was irreplaceable. In practice course (LPC) and completed my of people and there is a great collegiate would have given more thought to the terms of what we do and the firm we work training contract at Slaughter and May, atmosphere. I also really appreciate possibility of a non-law degree. I’ve seen in, we have fantastic people around us, so during which I had a six month seat in Paris. that individuals are given a great deal of colleagues come into the legal profession my advice to anyone thinking about pressing I qualified into the competition team and autonomy to get on with their role. who have done that and who have brought the pause button would be, don’t worry stayed there as an associate for 18 months, along some different perspectives which – my experience was that colleagues and when I decided I needed to have a change. I think are useful. A friend did a natural clients were hugely supportive about making I had really enjoyed working in Paris and Who has had the biggest influence on your sciences degree, a PhD and then was in the sabbatical work. There are times in life felt it would be a great opportunity to have career and why? a research position for a while before when it is absolutely fine to step aside for exposure working overseas in a different qualifying to be a lawyer. Her experience something which is important and it’s easier legal system. Australia seemed to be the best It’s hard to single out one individual. Every as an intellectual property (IP) lawyer than you might think to step back in. Now fit and within a week of making the decision, supervisor I have worked with, from being has undoubtedly been influenced by her is a fantastic time to be a female in the legal I applied for a job and got it! Three months a trainee to a NQ, to my time in Sydney, scientific background. industry, as there does seem to be a much later, I was setting off for Sydney where I to working with Adam Collinson in Leeds, greater acceptance that career paths can I would have liked to have studied French worked for seven years. I returned to the has influenced me in some way. So I have take many different shapes and forms. at university, so maybe I will go on to study UK in 2008 and came to work at Eversheds probably taken something from everybody. French in the future! It is great to have skills My second piece of wisdom is, never Sutherland in the competition team in Leeds. in a different language. underestimate the power of your networks. After I became a partner, I took a three It is the networks and relationships you The theme for this year’s IWD is ‘Be Bold for month sabbatical to enable me to spend develop over time, starting from when you Change’. What’s the boldest thing you’ve some time with the family at an important What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever are a junior lawyer, that really pay dividends ever done? time in my twin daughters’ school life. I been given? and that provide support throughout your would highly recommend it to anyone. career. Going to Australia without a doubt. It It was from one of my supervisors, who said: happened within such a short space of time “never write down in a document anything and I only knew two people in Sydney. It was that you don’t understand and can’t explain a bold move but I felt that it was instinctively yourself”. A terrific piece of advice. the right course to take and I’m glad I trusted my instincts. 26 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 27 Kee Evans

Senior Associate Cardiff

Can you give a short overview of your Who has had the biggest influence on your What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever What’s the one piece of wisdom you’d pass career to date? career and why? been given? on to others?

I began my career with a management This would have to be a friend from My nan always said that if something was I would say that you shouldn’t settle for training scheme for HMV, followed by a university who had started working in our worth doing, it was worth doing well and things you are not comfortable or happy sales operations role for a greeting card Birmingham office. She kept telling me that I this has always stayed with me. I find it helps with. If you don’t like something, you should publisher. Neither role had anything to do should think about a career in law. when I am faced with a new challenge or change it. with law but they did provide an excellent task. background in recruitment, team building, operating budgets and the importance of The theme for this year’s IWD is ‘Be Bold for good client relations. I undertook a law Change’. What’s the boldest thing you’ve conversion course and studied for my ever done? legal practice course (LPC) in the evenings so that I could continue working during In career terms I would say presenting at a the day. I completed my training contract planning conference in front of 200 people with Clifford Chance before moving back including numerous clients, industry experts home to Wales and taking up my post in and MPs, and participating in a Q&A session. the planning, infrastructure and consenting On a personal level it would be agreeing team at Eversheds Sutherland. I became a to take the lead role in and performing Die senior associate in 2014 and I now manage Dreigroschenoper (the Threepenny Opera) the Cardiff planning team. without any ability to hold a tune.

What’s the best thing about your job? In hindsight is there anything you would have done differently? I love the fact that it changes constantly. This means there is always something new The only thing I wonder about is whether to learn and no two days are ever the same. I could have begun my legal career earlier, This variety keeps things interesting. but I feel that the initial experience of working in other areas has been a benefit and the timing allowed a number of other things to happen, so on balance I don’t think I would change anything. 28 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 29 Kirstin McCracken

Consultant Hong Kong

I started out as a trainee solicitor at Dundas My first trainee supervisor, who did not hold Don’t let perfect get in the way of good. This To learn as much as you can from everyone & Wilson (now CMS) in Scotland. My first back on the constructive criticism at my has to be applied with caution as a lawyer that you can. This is particularly true while seat was IP/IT and when none of my later first three month review! I fully credit the but it can be a useful principle to bear in you are still more junior in your career but seats matched up to the first one, I applied training and feedback which I received as mind when juggling priorities and looming is something that you should continue to to qualify into that department. As an NQ a trainee as being instrumental in ensuring deadlines. bear in mind as your career progresses. I went on secondment for 11 months to that I become as good a lawyer as I could Even if you have no interest in a future in Clydesdale Bank in Glasgow, working in their possibly be. a particular department or find a particular commercial contracts and projects team. My colleague or client difficult or frustrating to next move was to DLA Piper where I spent deal with, there is always something to be a few years working in their growing IT & The theme for this year’s IWD is ‘Be Bold for learnt from that experience which will help outsourcing practice, working on a number Change’. What’s the boldest thing you’ve you in the future. of significant outsourcing projects both in ever done? Scotland and London. In 2012, I was ready to leave Scotland and work abroad and I I am going to say quitting my job and moved to Hong Kong to start with Eversheds moving to Hong Kong! It was a difficult Sutherland in January 2013. Since joining as decision to give up my apartment, my job, an associate, I have been promoted to senior my hard-earned client contacts and my associate and then principal associate in the prospects for promotion and leave my family Commercial team and have handled a broad and friends behind to move across the range of matters which fall into commercial world, but one that I have not regretted. including data privacy, e-commerce and product labeling advice, as well as some interesting IT projects in Hong Kong and In hindsight is there anything you would the Middle East and a number of multi- have done differently? jurisdictional advisory projects. I wish that I had started learning to speak Mandarin on my first day in Hong Kong What’s the best thing about your job? and kept it up consistently. Not being able to speak a foreign language is one of my The variety of the work. It can be difficult to regrets, particularly as I have started to learn cover such a broad area at times but equally, French, German and Cantonese at various I really enjoy getting to work on so many stages in life but don’t seem to be able to different matters for so many different types stick to any one of them. of clients – no two days are ever the same which means I am always learning and rarely bored! 30 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 31 María Hernandez

Partner Madrid

Can you give a short overview of your What’s the best thing about your job? The theme for this year’s IWD is ‘Be Bold for What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever career to date? Change’. What’s the boldest thing you’ve been given? The people I work with and the possibility to ever done? I spent 18 years as in-house counsel explore different industries. Never be afraid to jump into a challenge. managing legal & compliance departments I have always embraced change. Stepping And ever since I heard this piece of advice I of North American multinationals in the out of my comfort zone has proven to think I have embraced it. Who has had the biggest influence on your telecom and industrial sectors before be challenging but a wise move in order career and why? moving to private practice two years ago to advance in my career. I’ve changed What’s the one piece of wisdom you’d pass to grow the compliance department within countries of residence (and work) quite a on to others? the firm. My career has always had a very Many different people both in my personal few times, I’ve learned four languages, I’ve strong international component and I life and within the work environment. It moved from in-house to private practice, currently chair the compliance committee wouldn’t be fair to highlight just one! That I took a sabbatical year to work on NGO Respect comes first. It defines who you are of the Latam Alliance. I also preside over said, it has always been people with a strong projects and I’ve embraced moving into the and how you see and believe in others. the compliance chapter of the Madrid component of interpersonal skills and academic space… Bar Association and I am vice president behavior and people who walk their talk. of the Spanish Association of Compliance In hindsight is there anything you would Professionals. I’m also academic director of the Global Corporate Compliance LLM at IE have done differently? Law School in collaboration with NYU. I am heavily involved in initiatives to foster gender Truly, I don’t think so. equality and, as such I have had the honor to be appointed member of the Committee of Women Leaders of the Americas, an initiative of the Organisation of American States (OAS) whose mission is to contribute to the improvement of the capabilities and skills of current and future political women in all areas of society, with the aim of building an inclusive and representative democracy. 32 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 33 Rebecca Copley

Partner Dubai

I’m always learning. Whether it’s new laws in new jurisdictions, new rules and regulations being issued by regulators or new financial problems facing clients, no day is ever the same and I get the opportunity to make a real difference, for the better. I can help clients stay on the right side of the regulators, control costs, do the right thing by their customers and fix problems. Within Eversheds Sutherland I like to think that I help people fulfill their potential, giving them the confidence to push through their comfort zones, be the best that they can be and then help others around them. 34 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 35 Stacy Fredrich

Associate Atlanta

Can you give a short overview of your What’s the best thing about your job? The theme for this year’s IWD is ‘Be Bold for What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever career to date? Change’. What’s the boldest thing you’ve been given? I love the blend of technology and advocacy ever done? I am a senior associate in the Intellectual that intellectual property law presents. We The path to partnership is not a one-size- Property (IP) group. My practice focuses on work with exceptionally smart inventors and As the leader of Atlanta’s Associates fits-all endeavor. Lawyers with distinct obtaining worldwide patent protection for see cutting-edge technologies every day. Committee, I set out to improve the personalities and skills can be equally inventions and counseling clients on issues Helping my clients protect their innovations programming we offered associates, to successful in our practice. The key is pertaining to patent enforcement, freedom- in a way that translates to success in the better align our offerings with the firm’s to identify your personal strengths and to-operate, and business transactions market is very rewarding. guidelines for advancement. With the help of leverage them to achieve your goals. You involving IP. I am a chemical engineer our business development team, I planned don’t have to force yourself to be someone by background and I work with clients in our first Emerging Leaders networking you are not to find success. For example, the medical device, packaging, consumer Who has had the biggest influence on your event, at which associates hosted their in- I prefer small group or one-on-one products, energy, and chemical processing career and why? house peers (clients and potential clients) networking settings and enjoy making useful industries. My clients range from start-ups to at a social outing. While it might seem connections and introductions between large corporations. Pete Pappas and Kevin King (both partners in straightforward, this type of event focused my contacts. I developed a Women in the IP group) have had the biggest influence on bringing mid and early career lawyers Intellectual Property dinner series where I I started as a summer associate at the firm on my career. They hired and trained me together without their partners and senior host small groups of in-house women IP in 2009 and joined as an associate after and now act as my role models, mentors, in-house colleagues, which was a shift attorneys to introduce them to each other graduation. As a junior associate, I focused and advocates within the firm. Pete and from traditional networking events and and develop relationships in an intimate on developing my legal skills and building a Kevin genuinely care about my success and generated some early resistance. However, setting. For my personality and strengths, reputation among the partners on my team aspirations and provide a sounding board our associates and their in-house peers this is a far more productive way to develop as a reliable and thoughtful associate. As I for my ideas. However, I didn’t develop my loved the concept and our first event was business relationships than working a large progressed, I expanded my focus to include relationship with these partners overnight. a success. The event has been replicated conference. relationship building within and outside the As a new associate in the IP group, in other offices and practice groups and firm, and with clients, potential clients, and they were my first clients. I spent years the firm is a finalist for a legal marketing colleagues. More recently, I’ve been exposed demonstrating my judgment and delivering association award for this concept. What’s the one piece of wisdom you’d pass to the business aspects of our practice, solid work product, to build the mutual trust on to others? helping to manage client relationships and and support we now share. billing. In hindsight is there anything you would Especially for junior attorneys, I would say I am involved in a number of activities have done differently? get involved. Being a great lawyer who throughout Eversheds Sutherland, including hits her hours will only take you so far. our Hiring Committee, the Atlanta Associates Of course there are things I would have Developing relationships inside and outside Committee, and our unique Women done differently in hindsight. One theme the firm is essential for success at the firm. Stepping Up philanthropic organization. is asking more questions and speaking Don’t wait until you’re a senior associate Outside of work, I am the co-chair of the up more in my junior years. As a senior or partner to develop a personal business Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network’s associate, I now realize that junior attorneys development plan. Some ideas would be to Board of Directors and an alumnus of the are not expected to know the minutiae of go to more summer associate events, take Leadership Buckhead leadership program. every project they are assigned and asking a colleague in another practice group to questions is a critical part of the training lunch, join a non-profit board, or attend a process. conference in a client’s industry. 36 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 37 Vanessa Scott

Partner Washington

Can you give a short overview of your Who has had the biggest influence on your The theme for this year’s IWD is ‘Be Bold for What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever career to date? career and why? Change’. What’s the boldest thing you’ve been given? ever done? I have spent most of my career at law firms, The best career lessons are also life lessons, “Never leave it to the judges.” It’s actually except for a brief foray into the policy and so my first and best career lessons By far, the boldest thing that I’ve done is not a legal reference, but a boxing reference. world. I began my career with a law firm in started with my mother, who has built a leave my Birmingham law firm in my fourth It means, never put yourself in a position Birmingham Alabama, then I joined a friend’s phenomenal career in her own right. I have year with a three-month-old child, take an where someone’s subjective determination long-shot Congressional campaign as a also had wonderful sponsors and mentors 80% pay cut, and move to Washington DC can control your fate. Leave no room fourth-year associate. When he was elected throughout my legal career, both male and to follow my dream of becoming a policy for doubt. to the House of Representatives, I joined his female, but my female mentors have really maker. Looking back, I’m extremely glad Washington, DC congressional staff as tax set very high professional standards for me. that I did it, because it eventually brought counsel and then I went on to become a The first partner that I ever worked for was me to Eversheds Sutherland. However, I am What’s the one piece of wisdom you’d pass federal lobbyist with an organization focused named Gaile P. Gratton. She was the first also glad that I did it then, because I was too on to others? on the Employee Retirement Income African-American woman to be elected to young to fully appreciate the magnitude of Security Act (ERISA) policy issues. While I partner at a law firm in Birmingham Alabama. the risks. I do not think that I am quite at the stage found the policy world fascinating, I really She was a graduate of Spelman College in my career where I feel qualified to pass missed advising clients, and after about and Harvard Law School, and I modelled along wisdom. Advice, certainly – I have five years I joined Eversheds Sutherland in everything that I did – from the way that I In hindsight is there anything you would plenty of that! But wisdom requires the Washington, DC. That was in 2006, and I dressed to my writing style – after her. I still have done differently? ability to be both knowledgeable and have been here ever since. reach back to some of her sage advice from reflective, and I still need a few more years my years as a junior associate to this day. No, honestly, I don’t think so. of experience before I can reflect on my At different stages of my career, different career in a way that qualifies me to impart What’s the best thing about your job? women have played significant roles in my real wisdom. career. As a lobbyist, Janice Gregory was It is definitely a tie between the people that my mentor and my role model. She was I work with and the clients that I work for. one of the sharpest and most adept policy Both are smart and deeply invested in what advocates that I’d ever met. When I came to they do and who they’re doing it for. Both Eversheds Sutherland, I was in awe of Carol are committed to constantly learning and Weiser and her encyclopedic knowledge growing, but at the same time enjoying what of ERISA. I knew that I couldn’t go wrong if they are doing. It’s a unique alchemy that I tried to model my career after hers. Even makes each day new and interesting. at this stage in my career, I keep meeting women like these who still influence me in so many positive ways. 38 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 39 Veronique Marquis Amy Yu

Partner Consultant Hong Kong Hong Kong

Can you give a short overview of your In hindsight is there anything you would Can you give a short overview of your The theme for this year’s IWD is ‘Be Bold for career to date? have done differently? career to date? Change’. What’s the boldest thing you’ve ever done? I started as a commercial litigator in Canada, When I first relocated to London I spent I graduated from The University of Hong before moving to London and working many years at a firm that didn’t suit me. In Kong LLB, and started as a trainee in a local Probably the choice of moving from a local in financial litigation. I joined our London hindsight I should have moved on sooner. firm in Hong Kong. I have subsequently law firm to a very challenging US law firm office in 2012. In 2016 I relocated to Hong worked in two other US law firms before as a second year associate. I was explicitly Kong where I lead our financial disputes and What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever joining here as a consultant in Hong Kong told that life could be very hard and the investigations practice for Asia. been given? in 2015. culture could be very different from what I had become rather used to. But I decided I What’s the best thing about your job? Always wear comfortable shoes. was ready for the challenge anyway. Looking What’s the best thing about your job? back, I have never regretted the choice. Working with great people. What’s the one piece of wisdom you’d pass The vast variety of people – clients and on to others? professional parties that I get to know. Some In hindsight is there anything you would Who has had the biggest influence on your of them have eventually become good have done differently? career and why? Fear of failure and self-doubt can be friends of mine. paralyzing, but we are more resilient than we I would have started building my business Andrew Legg in our London office. He think. The world very rarely stops turning. development skills earlier in my career. embodies everything a trusted advisor Who has had the biggest influence on your should be: thorough, thoughtful, astute, fair. career and why? What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever The theme for this year’s IWD is ‘Be Bold for It would have to be my husband. He been given? Change’. What’s the boldest thing you’ve encouraged me to choose law as my major ever done? when I could not make up my mind as to Don’t just run the deal, push the papers. what to study in university. In the very early Look at the big picture. Leaving my first firm in Canada to move to days he saw I had the potential. After I London, after I fell for a handsome Brit I met became an extremely busy corporate lawyer, at Cairo airport. I’m not usually a risk taker. he was and still is very supportive of my What’s the one piece of wisdom you’d pass career choice and has rarely complained on to others? about my work-life-not-quite-balanced kind of lifestyle. Stay true to your heart. 40 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 Be bold for change International Women’s Day 2017 41 Victoria Pickard

Senior Management Consultant London

Can y give a short overview of your career What’s the best thing about your job? The theme for this year’s IWD is ‘Be Bold for What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever to date? Change’. What’s the boldest thing you’ve been given? The best thing is the sheer amount of variety ever done? My career has been quite varied. After in the work I do. In one week, I can be Someone once told me that when I graduating, I spent a short stint working interviewing senior executives about their It sounds a bit of a cliché, but probably the disagreed with someone it was very obvious, abroad and then worked for a financial experience of working with their in-house boldest thing I’ve done is have a family. I because it was written all over my face, publishing company managing events and team, analyzing data we have gathered have a two year daughter, who is both a and that wasn’t always the most helpful conferences. I then worked in the charity on how a legal team works, writing a legal joy and a challenge in equal measure! It’s thing in a work environment! Interestingly, sector managing a graduate training process manual for a newly-appointed been a life-changing experience in many in responding to that, I have found that programme and finally spent three years General Counsel, or project managing ways, but one of the most surprising things having a more positive facial expression can working for a large, government-funded the implementation of a legal technology is the way it has affected my attitude to actually change my attitude to that person. project in the vocational education sector, solution. I have had the opportunity to work. I value my work more than ever and I’ve been able to step more easily into their before joining Eversheds Sutherland work with companies big and small, in the have more motivation and more passion shoes and approach difficult situations with Consulting in 2012. I was brought in to UK and internationally. I find our input is and more desire to do a great job for my a desire to find common ground. My career provide project management expertise, but nearly always positively received because we team and my clients than I think I ever did has definitely benefited as a result! because we were such as small team, I had provide a service many in-house teams need before. At the same time, I’m able to keep a client-facing role right from the start and within the familiar environment of a law firm. work in perspective because when I leave have grown into the role of a management at the end of the day I have another, equally What’s the one piece of wisdom you’d pass consultant, as my skills, knowledge and important role. Life as a working mother has on to others? experience have increased. Who has had the biggest influence on your been an incredibly positive experience for career and why? me and I feel very fortunate to work for an When it comes to working with people, organization that has enabled that. start from a position of trusting them. My manager in my previous role was a Work is rarely about the technical skills and brilliant role model. She had confidence in knowledge you have; it’s about people and me from the outset and provided the perfect In hindsight is there anything you would how you respond to them. And you seldom balance of encouragement and direction. have done differently? come across someone with poor intentions She helped me realize where my skills lay and if you approach people with positivity and that they are valuable skills that not I wish I had discovered a little earlier on and generosity, you’ll almost always receive everyone possesses. She was a mentor, as what I was really good at and passionate the same in return. well as a great manager, and she became a about, so that I could have pursued it more good friend. Without her encouragement purposefully. Having said that, all my roles and guidance, I probably wouldn’t have had and experiences have shaped who I am the confidence to come and work for an today, so I don’t regret any of them. organization like Eversheds Sutherland or jump head first into an external-facing role. Working with her was a real catalyst in my career. eversheds-sutherland.com Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP is part of a global legal practice, operating through various separate and distinct legal entities, under Eversheds Sutherland. For a full description of the structure and a list of offices, please visit www.eversheds-sutherland.com. ECEN.003 02/17