CMCP Diversity Matters - January/February 2019

The distinguished panelists shared honest and “real-talk” advice to help navigate through tough life
decisions impacting their careers, workload, family and social lives on their journey to success.
How do I choose a practice area?
• Some people choose a practice area as a summer associate, and others change roles throughout
their careers.
• Be true to who you are in your circumstances at the time in your life. Consider what you are
passionate about and let that influence your decision.
• Be nimble.
What is the toughest lesson you learned in your career?
• Life isn’t fair. You can be the greatest lawyer in the world, but if your facts are bad, you still won’t win.
• Not being your authentic self.
• Grappling with the business of the law as a managing partner of an office.
• Real success is mastering the adversity in the situation that you are in right now and enjoying the
climb – life is so colorful because of all of the obstacles.
How do I choose between my career and family?
• Find a life partner who is not intimidated by a woman’s success.
• Ditch the superwoman mentality. You can do whatever you want, but likely it will happen at different
points in your life.
• Give up control. Because lawyers are control freaks, they find it hard to let things go. Forgive yourself
for having a messy living room because you just had a 12-hour work day.
• Be okay with being imperfect, especially with your interests outside of work.
• Don’t be ashamed of self-indulgence. Treat yourself.
• If you want something, ask for it. We advocate for our clients, but forget to advocate for ourselves.
YES, THEY REALLY SAID THAT! NOW WHAT?
MODERATOR:
Belinda S. Lee, Partner, Latham & Watkins LLP
PANELISTS:
Evelyn R. Carter, PhD, Research Scientist, UCLA Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Jerry J. Ruiz, Shareholder, AlvaradoSmith, APC
Jaron Shipp, Senior Legal Counsel, Litigation, Apple Inc.
This session was an excellent practical exploration of the ways in which implicit biases can result in
conduct ranging from the uncomfortable to the inappropriate and unlawful – and the effect on attorneys of
color. A range of hypothetical scenarios focused on grey areas that are difficult to identify or navigate, and
the panelists provided advice and practical tools for responding to questionable conduct.
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