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Michelle Lynn DiCuollo, 40, Littler Mendelson

Office: Denver.

Practice area: Labor and employment litigation.

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

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

How long were you an associate at the firm? A little more than five years.

Were you an associate at another firm before joining your present firm? Prior to joining Littler, I was a commercial litigator. I was an associate at Morrison & Foerster for one year, Long & Page for one year, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for two and a half years.

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

Michelle Lynn DiCuollo.

What's the biggest surprise you experienced in becoming partner? Surprisingly, I'm finding that my role as a junior shareholder is not much different from being a senior associate. While I had a lot of autonomy and supervisory responsibility on many cases as a senior associate, I thought my elevation would result in a pretty immediate change. I have learned it takes time to start transitioning into all that comes with the shareholder role, including transitioning into the first-chair position and delegating more tasks to associates. I have also found that the shareholder role requires a much more business-focused, and business development, mindset.

What do you think was the deciding point for the firm in making you partner? I have been fortunate to work with and forge strong relationships with attorneys across the firm. I always took the mindset that you need to treat the shareholders you work with as clients, and I believe that being responsive, producing high-quality work product, being someone who shareholders would put in front of clients without hesitation, and developing my own clients all helped in my elevation process. I believe another key contributor was the fact that I never shied away from opportunities.

Describe how you feel now about your career now that you've made partner. Being Type A like most lawyers, I'm grateful that my hard work and dedication have paid off, and I am confident that all the steps leading up to this point have been worth it. Before joining Littler, I wasn't sure I wanted to make shareholder. However, here I truly feel surrounded by people I want to "partner" with professionally, and I know I have the support I will need to succeed as a shareholder.

What's the key to successful business development in your opinion? Figuring out what works for you and realizing that there's not a one-size-fits-all solution is a big first step in finding success. Another key element is realizing and accepting that you have to dedicate the time and energy to business development beyond your legal work. Doing good work is a part of it, but definitely not all.

What's been the biggest change, day-to-day, in your routine since becoming partner? The biggest change has been an increase in non-billable work and dedicating more time to associate development. I strive to be a positive influence and provide support to the associates in my office. Many of them are hoping to make shareholder, and I endeavor to provide them with valuable insight on that process.

Who had the greatest influence in your career that helped propel you to partner? In my office, shareholders Erin Webber and Darren Nadel have had the biggest influences on my career. Darren is one of the smartest and most strategic trial lawyers I know, and I have learned so much from him through two trials and two arbitrations, not to mention our many other cases together. He taught me that I have to find my own voice and be strong enough to make sure my voice is heard.

Erin is simply amazing. I recently went through a very difficult personal situation when my husband passed away in November, and despite being the busiest person I know, she has been there for me 100%. Having a role model who can balance good work and amazing client service, all while being so positive and gracious, has been a real inspiration to me.

Outside of my office, my colleagues in Reunion (Littler's Latinx affinity group) and the firm's career advocacy program, which pairs diverse associates with a shareholder sponsor/advocate and client champion, have been invaluable. I always come away from these meetings with a huge sense of excitement and motivation. Being surrounded by these smart, passionate people is invigorating, and it increases those qualities in my own work. In addition, the time that those involved put into these efforts has made me realize how valued I am at the firm.

What's the best piece of advice you could give an associate who wants to make partner? Be bold. Don't undersell yourself, don't shy away from opportunities, and don't forget to take care of yourself.

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