Photo: Shutterstock

Amanda Fitzsimmons, 37, DLA Piper

Office: San Diego.

Practice area: Data Privacy, Cybersecurity, and Antitrust.

Law school and year of graduation: University of San Diego School of Law, 2008.

How long have you been at the firm? About 10 years.

How long were you an associate at the firm? About 9 years.

Were you an associate at another firm before joining your present firm? After law school, I served as a judicial law clerk for U.S. District Judge Michael M. Anello of the Southern District of California for two years. I then joined DLA Piper.

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

Amanda Fitzsimmons.

What's the biggest surprise you experienced in becoming partner? Since being promoted to partner, I've learned a lot about the business side of the law. The partnership is very focused on how the legal market is evolving and is constantly looking for unique ways to add value to clients, and I've been able to see that from a new perspective.

What do you think was the deciding point for the firm in making your partner? An important part of becoming a partner at DLA Piper is anticipating client needs. I worked very hard to develop expertise in data privacy and cybersecurity because I knew it was both an area where my clients would seek advice and one that would create additional opportunities for myself and the firm.

Describe how you feel now about your career now that you've made partner. To have the firm recognize my efforts by promoting me to partner has only further solidified my conviction in my practice and my firm. As partner, I'm seeking new ways to develop my network and continue thought leadership in my practice areas.

What's the key to successful business development in your opinion? In addition to providing great work for your clients and having subject matter expertise, it's important to remain in constant contact with your network and consistently work at growing it. As the practice of law becomes more complex and globalized, existing and prospective clients are looking for lawyers who understand their business and unique needs. You have to demonstrate that understanding and then put it into play.

What's been the biggest change, day-to-day, in your routine since becoming partner? I devote additional time to thought leadership and business development, as well as contributing to the strategic planning for the San Diego litigation group and the data privacy and cybersecurity group. But I really haven't seen much of a change in my day-to-day routine from associate to partner. You hear it time and again, but in order to make partner, you have to act like a partner.

Who had the greatest influence in your career that helped propel you to partner? I am fortunate to have had three great influences in my legal career. The first is Jeff Shohet, a retired DLA Piper partner. Jeff served as my mentor for the first several years of my time at the firm.  To put it simply, Jeff taught me how to be a good lawyer. He not only gave me the opportunity to take on work "above my pay grade," but he also taught me how to think outside the box in order to find creative solutions to difficult problems. Most importantly, he taught me the value of spending a few moments each day thinking about what you're not thinking about, which has allowed me to add value for my clients in ways they weren't expecting.

More recently, Angela Agrusa and Lisa Tenorio-Kutzkey, two litigation partners at DLA Piper, have developed into amazing mentors to me. Both are impeccable lawyers who have taught me how to think of client issues more broadly. In addition to teaching me new skills that have made me a better lawyer, they've helped me focus on building my brand by offering advice and suggestions that are unique to my practice and goals. Finally, both Angela and LT-K are amazing moms to two boys. As a mother of two boys myself, it's inspirational and motivating to see women be successful partners and mothers.

What's the best piece of advice you could give an associate who wants to make partner? Don't let your career happen to you. You should develop your career with intention. From day one, you should be considering the skills you need to be an excellent lawyer and seek out opportunities to develop those skills. As you become more senior, you should think about what you want your case for partnership to look like and start developing that case. This strategy includes seeking out experience in the practice area(s) that interest you, gaining a prominent role in a major firm client relationship, writing articles, and speaking on panels.