Name: Michelle D. Craig

Category: Law Firm: Innovative Leadership

Firm/Company: Transcendent Law Group

Title: Owner

Time in Position: Since 2014

What was your route to the top?

I began law school at the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University. In May of 2002, I received a Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Civil Law. I then began my legal career in 2002 at Jones Walker in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Houston. In 2007, I became an associate at Adams and Reese and in 2010 became the first African American female partner in the New Orleans office. In 2014, I founded Transcendent Law Group. As the CEO/owner, I use technology and cloud-computing to service small- to medium-sized businesses, charter schools and startups and potentially high-growth companies with a variety of issues, as well as day-to-day guidance. I incorporate project management and process improvement throughout my cases. In 2008, I was named a Women of the Year honoree by New Orleans City Business, as well as an Innovators of the Year honoree for my work with the Urban League Young Professionals. In 2012, I co-founded DiversiTea, a mentoring organization. I also began service as a board member of the Lawyer's Committee on Civil Rights. During that same year, I was also a founder of the Urban League New Orleans Guild. Two years later, I became chairperson of the New Orleans Civil Service Commission and hold that seat to this date.

What keeps you up at night?

Our goal is to provide the best possible service to our clients, and we take pride in making sure that we are doing that. In addition, my goal is to always ensure that we are cultivating an environment where the attorneys and support staff feel in partnership with the client and do not feel that their work-life balance is constantly in jeopardy. We believe that happy, fulfilled lawyers provide the best service and best solutions for our clients. We believe that a profitable, successful law firm and a fulfilled life are not mutually exclusive.

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

Gone are the days, I believe, when people just go to work with contentment because it is what they do. Employees long to know that, no matter their role, they play a part in making a difference at their organization. If you create a culture of openness and flexibility, I believe you have an environment that cultivates happy people. In turn, happy attorneys make better decisions because they collaborate better, and they make better human beings and ultimately, they are better service providers to our clients. I think that if you build a productive culture with a flexible work environment, people are so appreciative that they make more of an effort to do their best for the organization.

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

You will make mistakes, and that is fine! Starting anything new, especially a new profession, comes with its fair share of trial and error. You are not expected to be a fountain of knowledge. The fact is that you will be doing a lot of learning, especially in the beginning, and mistakes are unavoidable. The only part that is up to you is how you respond. Additionally, asking questions does not make you appear that you are not smart, but not asking a question you should have asked can. Lastly, never underestimate the need for a good mentor. Finding the right person to guide you can be invaluable.

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

Exercise humility and restraint, make your own path, and embrace the lesson in the failures. Most importantly, no matter what, just keep going.