Name: Casey Ryan

Category: Law Firm: Women's Legal Awards

Firm/Company: Reed Smith

Title: Partner

Time in Position: Since 2014

What was your route to the top?

I graduated from Notre Dame Law School in 1996 and started at Reed Smith as an associate. I spent the next seven years litigating labor and employment cases and was elected a partner in 2003. My first foray into firm leadership was that same year when I was asked to be the deputy practice group leader of the global labor and employment practice. In 2010, I was promoted to lead that group, a position I held through 2012. I then became the vice chair of the firm's global litigation department, comprising more than 850 lawyers in 25 offices worldwide. In 2014 I became a member of Reed Smith's senior management team and its global head of legal personnel, a position I hold today. In that role, I lead personnel matters worldwide, including the compensation and promotion processes for the 1,700 lawyers that are Reed Smith.

What keeps you up at night?

I think about Reed Smith remaining in a leadership position within our industry. Are we investing in technologies that provide our lawyers with the best available resources to serve clients? Are we located where our clients most need us around the globe? Are we keeping current and informed about our clients' business challenges so we can best advise them and help them achieve their key objectives?

I also am constantly thinking about our people and how we—as a firm—can best position them to succeed. Our Associate Life and Wellness Works initiatives are two of the best examples of being innovative in developing and investing in our people. Associate Life applies to more than 800 associates globally and includes programs such as intra-office secondments, a "true up" policy for part-time lawyers, and a ramp-up/ramp-down policy that reduces hours expectations for those beginning and returning from leaves. Wellness Works has an even broader mandate and applies to all lawyers and staff at Reed Smith. It focuses on providing resources to support the physical and mental well-being of all through a variety of programs, resources and activities. Both have made tremendous differences in the day to day experience of our people.

What is the best leadership advice you've given or received, and why do you think it was effective?

One of the most impactful pieces of advice I received early on was from a favorite teacher in high school. She said that I would be successful if I continued to have as much in here (pointing to my head) as I had in here (pointing to my heart). To me, that has been a reminder to not only make smart choices but to be mindful of their impact.

Looking back, what do you wish you had known when you started out in the legal profession?

I wish I had known how broad and powerful the practice of law is. I had a narrow vision of what a lawyer did that I now realize was derived largely from the few lawyers I knew and what I had seen in movies or read in books. In reality, the law is a doorway to countless opportunities and fields. Bottom line: I hope that new lawyers realize the full power of a law degree and the many ways they can use it in a variety of fields to make a difference.

What is the most valuable career advice anyone has ever given you?

My longtime mentor, an extraordinary employment lawyer at Reed Smith who retired recently with a sterling trial record, encouraged me to always out-prepare, outwork and outperform the other side of the table. If you do that, good things happen. She was right. From that, I have consistently endeavored to always do more. Whether on the client front, the firm front or in the community, those extra efforts have been worth it. I find that when I'm passionate about what I do and give it my all, my efforts don't feel like work at all. As lawyers and leaders, we all have exceptional opportunities to drive positive and meaningful change—the strongest impact you can have occurs when you seize those opportunities.