wished more people did that . She won the motion and fist-bumped outside the court and said “ I love this firm !”
• Seeing former associates and law clerks move on to successful careers and becoming mentors for other young lawyers .
• As a mentor , he taught me about the practice of law AND the business of law . He took me to court on my second day of practicing law .
• Work with an experienced trial attorney in a jury trial .
• Get to know all of the great externs and clerks who have worked in my Chambers .
• When I was too scared to learn to swim , my grandad told me to go . I refused . He threw me in , I swam . Seemed to work . I like to think I have grown and instead encourage and support but to seek to have mentees do more out of their comfort zone .
• Serving as a law clerk for a newly appointed bankruptcy judge .
• When my former associates advance within the firm or had prosperous and successful careers elsewhere .
• Being brought to my first ABI conference .
• Being asked to co-team on panels / presentations .
• Being taken to pitches .
• Being taken to watch a trial in year one .
• I was a mentee with a non-lawyer who was willing to help me look at my career path . He and I would have lunch with a white board and Venn diagrams . He was a great listener and asked great questions .
• My best mentee experience was the female bankruptcy judge who suggested that I apply for a judgeship and handed me the application . She believed in my potential as a jurist before I did .
• The hardest thing was having to counsel a protégé of 7 years to accept a job offer and leave our firm .
• Making deep friendships with mentors .
• Teaching me how to be a lawyer and not a judge .
• I started mentoring a young lawyer who ascended to partner , department leader and ultimately a better mentor than me !
What is the best advice you have ever given or received ?
• Just submit the application for the judgeship ! “ I know you are enjoying your practice now . You can always withdraw your application , but I don ’ t think you will . And I believe you will be a very good judge .”
• The practice of law is a marathon , not a sprint . You need to find a balance in your life that is sustainable in the long run .
• Received : Don ’ t count other people ’ s money . continued on page 33
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