Kirkland and Ellis and Ms. JD Bring Laurel Bellows to the Women of the Bar

Last week I attended an address by Laurel Bellows, the President of the American Bar Association.  She spoke at Kirkland and Ellis in Chicago, and her remarks were video fed to all other Kirkland offices around the country.  Lunch was served, and it was a very generous and gracious gesture from Kirkland and the co-sponsor Ms. JD.  I am sure that all other attendees enjoyed it as much as I did viewing it in the Washington, DC office.

I heard a lot to echo Best Friends at the Bar in Ms. Bellows’ remarks.  I also related perfectly to the anecdotes from her early practice years.  She graduated from law school in the mid ’70’s, and I followed in the late ’70’s.  Things were different then—fortunately.  I smiled knowingly when she told the story of the judge asking her the whereabouts of her lawyer and her response that she was the lawyer and she was ready to go!  Those were the days when judges assumed women in the courtroom were either parties or court reporters.  Never lawyers.

Here are some highlights from Laurel Bellows’ remarks:

• Take calculated risks to help you grow as a lawyer and open up new opportunities;
• There is no such thing as “Having It All”—it depends on the definition of All;
• Always deal in facts not fantasy.  It does not matter what you want to believe.  Be discerning to discover the facts;
• Success depends on how you define it at a particular moment;
• Everyone is a potential business development opportunity.  Start a conversation and see where it goes;
• Never make assumptions about people;
• Professional credibility is everything;
• Pay inequity between men and women is wrong and must be challenged;
• Opting out of the legal profession with the intention of coming back later is a risk not worth taking; and
• Keep a smile on your face and find joy in your life (as told to her earlier that day by Justice Sonia Sotomayor).

Thank you to Laurel Bellows for taking the time to address the women of the bar.  I know that you join me in wishing her well in her term as ABA President.  It is wonderful to see a woman at the helm, and such a qualified and savvy woman, at that!