Page 64 - NYLJ Professional Excellence 2021

DISTINGUISHED LEADERS

engaged in the process of growing our client relationships
alongside our new partners.

Name a lawyer or mentor whose leadership inspired you?
Two lawyers have been invaluable mentors. Throughout his
career, Jon Kibbe has been a strong promoter of women as
leaders and taken an active interest in guiding and support-
ing multiple women lawyers through leadership positions at
Richards Kibbe & Orbe. I’m grateful I was able to experience
the many opportunities he provided for professional growth,
with the added benefit of his experience. Lisa Opoku was my
formal mentor at RK&O and is now a partner at Goldman
Sachs. She’s a tireless champion for women and people of
color. Lisa has used her position and influence to promote
diversity, and has been a fierce advocate and sponsor who
has always inspired me and everyone she encounters. One
of the most enduring memories in my career is interviewing
Lisa as part of an RK&O-led women’s networking event. She
so inspired and captivated the audience with her honesty and
enthusiasm that a group of attendees committed that night
to create a women’s committee at the Loan Syndications and
Trading Association to promote the interests and careers of
female attorneys in our industry. I’m so thankful to Jon and
Lisa for their guidance and support over the course of my
career, and humbled to recognize how many others each of
them has supported.
How are the business and profession of law changing,
and how should lawyers adapt for the future? Corporate
JENNIFER law and the complexity of a transactional practice, including
regulatory concerns and other risks facing clients, are rapidly
GRADY evolving. Lawyers and firms must be nimble and devoted to
following clients to new spaces and expanding their ability
to meet clients’ changing legal needs.
Additionally, law firms are increasingly unafraid to pur-
Partner at Crowell & Moring sue diversity as a primary business goal. Clients are keenly
focused on improving diversity and expect the same from
their service providers. The legal industry has redoubled its
efforts to expand diversity and embrace inclusion. Diversity
What are some of your proudest recent achievements? is now recognized not just as the right thing to do, but also
as a method of improving a firm’s ability to develop business.
M y proudest recent achievement is leading of office space. Firms discovered people can be effective
Finally, in a post-pandemic world, there is a re-thinking
our team through the completion of a suc-
while working remotely, and such arrangements will now be
cessful combination with Crowell & Moring.
Like many businesses, Kibbe & Orbe faced
a difficult and uncertain pandemic year. We tolerated more than they traditionally have been. High-end
office space, historically a hallmark of an elite law firm, may
had to work together to address challenge increasingly be viewed as more of a hindrance to adaptability
after challenge. I assembled a talented and and business success.
supportive team to help me guide our partners through the
difficulties we face in 2020 and the arduous process of select- What is the best advice for someone considering a career
ing the right law firm combination partner. I’m grateful to so in law, or someone already in the profession who is seeking
many for the assistance I received throughout this process to make a greater impact? Experience as much as you can.
and am excited to see our team fully integrated here and Don’t be afraid to take risks or venture outside of » Page 109

62 October 2021 | Photo: Crowell & Moring