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Marques P.D. Richeson, 35, Squire Patton Boggs

Location: Cleveland.

Practice area: Complex commercial litigation, mass tort and product liability litigation.

Law school: Harvard Law School, 2008.

How long have you been at the firm? Five years.

How long were you an associate at the firm? Four years.

Were you an associate at another firm before joining your present firm? Yes, I served as a federal judicial clerk in the Eastern District of Virginia for a year and then worked at two firms: Skadden, in D.C. from 2009 until 2012 and Hogan Lovells in Northern Virginia from 2012 until 2014.

What year did you make partner at your current firm? 2019

Marques P.D. Richeson

What's the biggest surprise you experienced in becoming partner? To this day, I am still caught off guard when I hear or see the word "partner" after my name. And it is interesting how the title changes perception, which changes reality. Although the nature of my work is largely the same, having the title "partner" behind my name yields credibility and positively impacts my ability to develop business. Another pleasant surprise was the number of associates of color who immediately reached out to me after I made partner and told me that I was an inspiration. I have always been committed to the firm's diversity and inclusion efforts, and hearing heartfelt congratulatory remarks from my mentees made the experience of making partner a meaningful one. It reminded me that all of my labor had not been in vain and that I had been working for the greater good.

What do you think was the deciding point for the firm in making you partner? It's hard to say there was one, single "deciding point." Rather, it was the culmination of years of hard work sustained over a long period of time, the ability to form interpersonal relationships and the willingness to step up to the plate when opportunities presented themselves.

With that said, I should note that I am an early morning person and have lived by the mantra that the "early bird gets the worm." Some of my best thoughts come in the quiet, wee hours of the morning, and I use that time to get a jump-start on the day. I believe this trait has given me an advantage throughout my career.

I should also note that, as a senior associate, I was fortunate to have been staffed on multiple trial teams in federal multidistrict litigation. It was an incredible platform that allowed me to work directly with colleagues from various offices across the nation. I was performing on one of the biggest "stages" at the firm.

Describe how you feel now about your career now that you've made partner. I feel more invested than ever in my career and the firm. Some of my colleagues teased me about the fact that I wore Squire Patton Boggs paraphernalia for a couple of weeks after I made partner and have not stopped smiling since that day. But I am truly proud of the accomplishment and the firm. Making partner, however, is not a destination. It is a vehicle. In many ways, my career is just now beginning. As a partner, I have the platform I need to take my practice to the next level.

What's the key to successful business development in your opinion? The key to successful business development is creating a "brand" and developing long-lasting relationships. It is critically important to be aware of one's internal brand (within the firm) and external brand (outside the firm). What positive traits distinguish you from others? How can you be marketed to clients? When you are "up for partner," the firm needs to be able to make a business case for your promotion. Part of that assessment looks at whether you are the type of attorney who interacts well with people, is viewed as a leader in the community, has developed a good reputation internally and externally, and has the potential to develop business. Contrary to what some of us have been taught, business is not typically generated from a single networking reception or a one-off encounter, but from relationships that are built over an extended period of time. For this reason, it is not the quantity of one's contacts but the quality of one's contacts that makes all the difference.

What's been the biggest change, day to day, in your routine since becoming partner? There is a heightened emphasis on business development, management of client relationships, and mentorship of others. First, I dedicate more time than ever to business development and creating touch points with my contacts. Second, I spend more time managing existing client relationships to make sure we are delivering top-notch client service, maintaining their confidence and trust in our team's abilities, and exceeding expectations. Third, I devote more of my day to mentoring junior attorneys seeking advice and guidance about their career development.

Who had the greatest influence in your career that helped propel you to partner? As the African proverb says, it takes a village. I have found that a diversity of perspectives leads to better outcomes. Accordingly, I have always sought to diversify my portfolio of mentors, sponsors, and champions. Some of them are in my practice group—others are not. Some are within my firm—others are not. Some mentors I admire for their oral advocacy. Others for their writing skills. And others for their business development acumen. But if I had to name one influential person who had a great impact on my career, I would be remiss if I did not mention Fred Nance, the global managing partner of Squire Patton Boggs. He is not only a trailblazer within the African American legal community, having ascended from his humble Cleveland roots to the top ranks of an international law firm, but he also taught me the value of interpersonal skills. As Fred has shown me, emotional intelligence plays an important role in the practice of law, and the ability to navigate interpersonal relationships judiciously can take you to places far beyond your own imagination.

What's the best piece of advice you could give an associate who wants to make partner? Start off by working on your writing—the easiest way to separate the wheat from the chaff is writing. When partners or senior attorneys send over a redline, pay close attention to the changes they made. What did they do to improve the quality of the work product? Look closely, and make sure that you incorporate their successful techniques into your own writing, and continue to hone your craft. Nowadays, most cases are won on the briefs. A good writer is a winner.

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