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500Lawdragon Q & A with:Kim AskewKim Askew’s recognition in our Guideto World-Class Employment Lawyers, published in partnershipwith Human Resource Executive, as well as inour 2011 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America,are just a few recent bullet points in what is undoubtedlyone of the most award-laden careers of litigatorsin her generation.Recent recognitions also include the Dallas BarAssociation’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Justice Award, in2010, and her placement on Texas Lawyer’s list of the25 Greatest Texas Lawyers of the Past Quarter Century,also awarded in 2010. In 2012 Askew received theState Bar of Texas Section of Litigation’s Luther (Luke)Soles III Award.Though she is a force in the employment arena, theK&L Gates partner handles a range of high-stakes commercialdisputes for her clients, including manyFortune 500 companies. She has also been extremelyactive in professional associations and was the firstperson of color to serve as chair of the Section ofLitigation of the American Bar Association.LAWDRAGon: Can you tell our readers why you wantedto become a lawyer?KIM ASKEW: My role models were the lawyers whohelped our community during the civil rights strugglesof the early ‘70s in Savannah, Georgia, where I grewup. As our community confronted issues with busingand the desegregation of schools and neighborhoods, Iwitnessed the leadership of local minority lawyers.Many of these lawyers were great orators. Theyexplained rights and opportunities in ways that empoweredpeople and made them less fearful.I did not always understand what was going on, butthey absolutely mesmerized me. As I reflect on theskills they so ably demonstrated in churches and socialhalls, I can only imagine what they were like beforejuries. I knew then that I would be a lawyer. I did notsee any women lawyers in those days, but I decided Iwould change that as well.LD: Much has been written about how challenging it isfor women and minorities to enter into what have beenwhite-male dominated partnerships. It remains challengingof course, but it was even less common in priordecades.KA: You are right. It is still a challenge, but I ampleased to see more successful lawyers of color. Ispent twenty-four years of my practice at Hughes &Luce, LLP, which merged into K&L Gates in 2008. LikebY John rYanmany great firms, it had a stellar client list, interestingwork, and opportunities for advancement, but the firmwas unique in some ways.First, the firm valued lawyers as individuals andunderstood that I wanted to be a lawyer and a leader inthe bar and community. I was able to chart the career Iwanted, not the one someone else wanted for me. Raceand gender were never issues in the firm. When I confrontedthem in the practice, the firm always stood upto opposing counsel and, when necessary, a judge ortwo. I wanted an equal playing field and I got it.Second, the firm promoted clients above all else. Itexposed young lawyers to clients and inculcated thebedrock principal that lawyers had to truly understandthe client’s business and legal problems. We prided ourselveson client service, novel approaches to practice,and out-of-the box thinking. That belief in the clientencouraged the practice of great law over the years.Third, I understood the importance of businessdevelopment and co-chaired business developmentactivities for the firm early on as a partner.Finally, mentors made a difference. Skilled lawyersand judges offered guidance to me throughout mycareer and they still do. Of course, I have become amentor to many because mentoring certainly helpedme. The support and opportunities provided by mentorscan make or break a career.LD: To what do you explain your success in the courtroomover such a long list of cases?KA: Cases, clients, legal theories, and courtroom practicemay change, but the fundamentals of success in acourtroom do not. It is always all about the people. Irelate to people. Whether a judge or jury, it is alwaysabout relating to and persuading the trier of fact as towhy your client should win.LD: What key lesson or lessons do you try to instill inyounger litigators who look to you as a role model?KA: Number one, be prepared, be prepared, be prepared!Second, know your case inside and out – allthe details and the strengths and weaknesses ofevery theory and every aspect of the case. Moreimportantly, understand the opposing side’s case betterthan your opposition. Third, be a good storyteller.Learn to simplify the most complex cases in ways thateveryday jurors can understand. And finally, winninglawyers are authentic before juries. They are comfortablein their own skins. They trust juries.See the full Q&A at www.lawdragon.com/lawyer-limelights/kim-askew.L A W D R A G O N 60 I s s u e 13Photo by: Justin Clemons