What was your route to the top? Focus, perseverance, perspective and balance. After graduating from Emory University School of Law, I joined Proskauer Rose's Labor and Employment department in New York City where I worked with and was mentored by some of the most talented and brightest attorneys in the country. After three years, I moved to Atlanta with Fisher & Phillips (F&P) and honed my skills as an employment law advisor and litigator, while also gaining experience in attracting, retaining and developing clients. While at F&P, I had the great fortune of being able to evolve as an employment lawyer while having and raising three children. Thirteen years later, I jumped at the chance to join an innovative and unique start-up law firm, Taylor English Duma. I joined Taylor English in 2006, just after its first anniversary and with only 20 attorneys. As its first female equity partner and first female Vice Chair and Practice Group Leader, I have been instrumental in growing Taylor English into a leading and diverse top-ten law firm in Atlanta.

What keeps you up at night? (i.e. What are your biggest business-related concerns?) As we continue to grow and expand both in and outside of Atlanta, what keeps me awake at night is how to maintain our strong culture that is centered on excellence, collaboration, diversity and inclusion and gratitude. Another important concern is firm profitability and sustainability—we are more than a one-generation law firm. We are a multi-generational diverse firm.

What is the best leadership advice you provided, or received, and why do you think it was effective? Have strong emotional intelligence (EQ). As a leader, it is imperative to be a good listener and have empathy. Strong EQ enables a leader to recognize the uniqueness of the personalities and wants and desires of his/her team and to use that recognition to lead them in the right direction. A solid EQ also means that a leader is self-aware of his/her own interactions and how he/she responds to, deals with and handles relationships. Strong relationships make more effective leaders.

Looking back, what do you wish you had known when you started out in the legal profession? Development, expertise and self-confidence take time, patience and focus. Becoming a great lawyer and leader does not happen overnight. Be patient. Develop your legal skills and build trust with your clients—both inside your firm (colleagues) and externally. Grow your interpersonal skills and experience, learn from your mistakes and surround yourself with role models, mentors and people with varying perspectives.

What is the most valuable career advice anyone has ever given you? Combining emotional intelligence, being kind to yourself in your career progressions and building a meaningful network inside and outside your work environment are essential components to growing professionally and personally.