Leadership Academy for Women | Profiles
|
||||||
|
Lisa Demsky, Munger Tolles & Olson LLP
“I am a more strategic manager of my own career.”
Lisa Demsky, Munger Tolles & Olson LLP
Lisa Demsky was a junior litigation partner at Munger Tolles & Olson LLP when she went through the Academy in 2007. She immediately sensed that what the Academy offered was different from programs she’d previously attended. “This was smaller and more individualized. People felt comfortable sharing stories from their careers.” She discovered the women shared experiences in common — such as being mistaken for a court reporter or being underestimated by opposing counsel — and had valuable stories about how they had turned some of these situations into opportunities.
Lisa says she is more attuned now to subtle forces that shape the real-world workplace. “There were definitely some important takeaways for me on how to drive my career forward.”
Lisa had been focusing on client development, but the Academy emphasized that she needed to market herself inside her firm as well. She previously had leadership roles in her firm, having served as Co-Chair of the Hiring Committee and Chair of the Summer Associate Program; after the Academy, she moved into roles that would continue to shape the firm in positive ways, but would also create more visibility among other partners. Since participating in the Academy, Lisa has been selected for the Associate Review Committee and the Partner Compensation Committee.
Lisa also noted that women sometimes are hesitant to highlight their successes, but “the Academy taught us the importance of letting others know about our achievements and strengths and encouraged us to find ways of marketing ourselves that fit our personal styles.” She puts this lesson to work in her practice and emphasizes the advantages of being a woman in the profession: “I’m a trial lawyer. Half of all jurors are women, and I’m often the only female lawyer in the courtroom; there’s nothing wrong with pointing out the strategic benefit that provides to my clients.”
“The Academy reminded me that I need to think strategically about my career, the types of cases I handle, and the leadership positions I take,” Lisa said. “I’m a more strategic manager of my own career.”
View the program design, curriculum and faculty list.
To register by mail, print out the registration form and mail if with a check to the address at the bottom of the form.
For additional information about the Leadership Academy call 415-565-4640 or send us an email.
