Name: Beverly Jo Slaughter

Category: Collaborative Leadership

Firm/Company: Wells Fargo

Title: Senior Managing Counsel

Time in Position: Since 2018

What was your route to the top?

After graduating law school, I became an associate in commercial litigation handling cases involving business torts, breach of contract and bankruptcy matters. The bankruptcy matters were a boon for a new litigator because there are lots of motions that afford one the opportunity to appear in court and argue discrete points of law. In or about my fifth year, I decided I wanted to specialize and began doing broker-dealer work almost exclusively. I represented retail broker-dealers in FDIC arbitrations and in court. One of my clients asked if I was interested in joining the in-house staff and thus began my career at Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo has such a wealth of opportunities so that even though my title remained the same, the work was constantly changing. In addition to trying cases, I had tremendous opportunities to consult with and advise my business partners and the relationships grew over time. Today I manage a team of 13, and the work runs the gambit from litigating before FINRA, state and federal courts, advising on elder financial issues, consulting on privacy issues and risk mitigation generally.

What keeps you up at night?

Trying to keep up; the financial services industry is changing so fast; the regulatory landscape is challenging, our customers' financial needs are changing and greater than ever before. Trying to keep abreast of industry and legal issues is a never-ending task!

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

A good leader is always concerned about her team: Are they engaged? Are they learning something new? Do they share a common vision of the task? Have you created a safe space for the team to grow and thrive—individually and as a team?

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

Practicing law is all about finding solutions to a client's problems. You need to keep your eye on the big picture.

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

A partner once told me that the work will be easier if people like you. It has been my experience that if you listen to others, acknowledge their views, raise your hand for the hard and dirty jobs, show up prepared and dedicated to achieving success—however success may be defined—your career will flourish. As a lawyer, it is all too easy to say "no," the challenge is how to accomplish business priorities, manage risk and comply with laws, rules and regulations so your client is ultimately successful.