How I Made Partner: Fenwick's Melanie Mayer
"Associates often focus on developing their legal skills, while spending little energy developing the other skill sets they will need to be a successful partner," says the Seattle-based lawyer.
November 30, 2018 at 11:41 AM
3 minute read
Melanie Mayer, 46, Fenwick & West
Office: Seattle.
Practice area: Patent litigation.
Law school: University of Washington School of Law, 2005.
Additional education: Johns Hopkins, Ph.D., molecular biology and genetics, 2001.
How long have you been at the firm? Eight years.
How long were you an associate at the firm? Six years.
Were you an associate at another firm before joining your present firm? Yes, Darby & Darby in Seattle for four years; left in March 2010.
What year did you make partner at your current firm? 2017.
What's the biggest surprise you experienced in becoming partner? I am surprised by how many important decisions could have been decided either way but were influenced by small (but significant) points.
Melanie Mayer
What do you think was the deciding point for the firm in making you partner? I have a Ph.D. in molecular biology and genetics in addition to my J.D., which makes me uniquely qualified to litigate biotech and pharma patent infringement cases, as well as biotech licensing disputes and other life sciences matters.
Describe how you feel now about your career now that you've made partner. The hard work is just beginning.
What's the key to successful business development, in your opinion? A track record of success in your area of practice and a strong network.
What's been the biggest change, day-to-day, in your routine since becoming partner? As you become more senior, there is a transition from handling particular tasks to overseeing all of the tasks while managing other more junior attorneys. Your project management and time management skills become much more important.
Who had the greatest influence in your career that helped propel you to partner? Several people: Virginia DeMarchi, my former Fenwick partner, now a Northern District of California magistrate judge, whom I practiced with for more than eight years, who was a mentor, and who advocated for my becoming a partner; David Tellekson, my current Fenwick partner, whom I have practiced with for more than 13 years, who is a mentor, and who advocated for my becoming a partner; Adda Gogoris, partner at Hueschen & Sage, whom I practiced with for more than four years at Darby & Darby, who was a mentor, and who continues to support my professional development.
What's the best piece of advice you can give an associate who wants to make partner? In addition to excellent legal skills, a partner must have good management and business development skills. Associates often focus on developing their legal skills, while spending little energy developing the other skill sets they will need to be a successful partner. I would encourage associates who want to be a partner to consistently devote time to developing these other necessary skill sets so they have a base to build upon as a new partner.
Got a suggestion for a new partner to profile in this column? Email [email protected].
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