Page 72 - NYLJ Professional Excellence 2021

DISTINGUISHED LEADERS

DEI teams in our offices around the globe to discuss issues,
advance our support of the professional development and
growth of our underrepresented minority attorneys and
professional staff, and educate our colleagues on issues of
race and social justice. Under the guidance of our amazing
leader, Melique Jones, we are sponsoring thought-provoking
discussions with DEI leaders beyond Skadden that help us
both to celebrate our firm’s incredible diversity and to raise
our professionals’ awareness of the challenges and inequities
faced by some of our colleagues. Our ability to share these
important exchanges across offices and in real time through
remote technology has provided a new sense of our truly
being “one firm,” a “silver lining” if one could be found in this
very challenging time resulting from COVID-19.

Name a lawyer or mentor whose leadership inspired
you. My former colleague and amazing friend, Stu Finkel-
stein, who passed away tragically a few years ago. Stu was
the leader of our tax department in New York, but he was so
much more. He was incredibly kind and inclusive to everyone
in the firm, whether you were a partner or a member of the
cafeteria staff. He was a gifted attorney and a zealous advo-
cate for his clients, both those that paid and those from Legal
Aid’s Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic, where he spearheaded
our department’s pro bono efforts. Stu’s kindness and gen-
erosity didn’t stop at Skadden—it was incredible how many
family members, friends, colleagues and clients spoke at his
memorial service about how Stu had touched their lives. His
memory inspires me to try to do more each and every day.
SALLY How are the business and profession of law changing,

THURSTON and how should lawyers adapt for the future? Clients are
expecting, and increasingly demanding, that a diverse group
of attorneys advise and work on their behalf. Law firms need
to make sure that their culture supports the development and
Partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, experiences of attorneys from diverse backgrounds, not only
to meet client’s expectations but also to continue providing
Meagher & Flom the best legal advice.

What is the best advice for someone considering a career
in law, or someone already in the profession who is seek-
What are some of your proudest recent achievements? ing to make a greater impact? Believe in yourself; advocate
for yourself. Be open to differing viewpoints, and use them as
I serve as Global Co-Chair of Skadden’s Diver- a team toward a common goal. Above all, be kind and treat
sity, Equity & Inclusion Committee (DEI) with
others as you expect to be treated.
my colleagues Stephen Robinson and Brian
Breheny, and I’m most proud of the firm’s DEI
efforts over the last year. Skadden has always
had a strong culture that supports lawyers
from all backgrounds but George Floyd’s kill-
ing and the protests that followed provided a new sense of
purpose and inspired us to do even more. Since the summer,
we’ve meet weekly or biweekly with the leaders of Skadden’s

70 October 2021 | Photo: Skadden, Arps