How Identity Has Influenced a Partner at a Big Law Firm's Career
Mindy's career in intellectual property litigation has been marked by a noticeable lack of women, leading to a conscious effort to mentor and sponsor younger female attorneys; the experience of balancing a demanding career with motherhood is described as "incredibly satisfying," despite the daily prioritization and difficult choices involved.
Executive/Leadership, Overcoming Challenges, Motivational Stories, Work-Life Balance, Mentorship
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Mindy Morton
Partner
Amlaw 200 law firm
UC Berkeley
Yale Law School, J.D.
Political Science, American Studies
Law
Legal
Honors Student
Video Highlights
1. Mindy started her career in 2000 and noted that there were few women in the courtroom and even fewer women partners at firms. This lack of representation made her want to mentor and sponsor young women.
2. She highlights the challenges of balancing being a working mom and a partner at a law firm, noting that it's difficult but incredibly satisfying.
3. Mindy emphasizes the importance of seeing a path for oneself and the value of mentorship in navigating a career in law. She suggests that having visible role models is critical for women in the profession.
Transcript
As someone who identifies as a woman, how has that impacted how you've navigated your career?
When I started working in California as an intellectual property litigation lawyer in 2000, I would walk into courtrooms and sometimes be the only woman there. Even now, when I go to try cases in California, there are very few women, and that has an effect. You want to be able to see the path you can be on.
There were very few women partners at the firms when I started out. That's why, once I became more senior, I made a conscious effort to mentor and sponsor young women attorneys at all the firms I've been with. I want them to see who they can be and that there is a specific path for them.
It's hard to do sometimes. As a working mom, I also get a lot of questions about that from younger women. I won't lie and say it's easy, because it's not. Being a mom is hard, being a lawyer is hard, and being a partner in a law firm is hard.
Every day you are prioritizing and making choices, and it doesn't get easier. But it's incredibly satisfying, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.