Michelle Schaap

This year, Michelle Schaap of Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi in West Orange began her term as president of the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association and became co-chair of the firm's women's initiative. Schaap, a partner handling corporate and other transactional matters, also founded in 2015 and continues to chair the firm's privacy and data security practice. She previously practiced as in-house counsel at Toys “R” Us Inc. and at Mori, Hamada & Matsumoto, a law firm based in Tokyo.

What's your single best piece of advice for handling a crisis? 

Don't panic! I practice in the field of cybersecurity and data protection. When a client calls after they have discovered an “incident” or, worse, a “breach,” the client is not only likely to be in panic mode, but even more likely, the client has no idea what to do. As counsel, my role as “quarterback” of the incident response team is to remain calm and be the voice of immediate, but appropriate action, giving direction and assurance at the same time, to help the client minimize legal, financial and reputational harm, while getting the client and its business back on its proverbial feet.

Name a mentor or someone you admire, and why.

Throughout my career, my mentor and champion had been my stepfather, Robert Starr. Bob reminded me that as a woman (professional or otherwise) I should never apologize for being a woman, or “ask” to be heard (“can I ask a question?!”). Instead, he taught me to be confident in my abilities, and to strive to be the best attorney, partner, and mentor I could be, leading by example for other women—and men—and working with my colleagues and adversaries with respect, regardless of their age or gender. We lost Bob earlier this year, and I am saddened that he cannot share this award with me, but I carry on his guidance in my interactions professionally and personally to the best of my ability.

Best advice you ever got…

At a recent Professionalism Award Luncheon, Professor Paula Franzese shared the following with the audience: “If you treat an individual as he is, he will remain how he is. But if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be.” These are words by which we should all strive to live. An African proverb teaches: “If you want to go fast, go alone… if you want to go far, go together.” We do our best when we work and live together, treating each other with respect and encouragement.

In 50 words or less, what does the legal profession need to do to improve opportunities for women lawyers?

Pay equity. Women continue to be paid less than their male counterparts—in some cases by more than 35 percent. There is no excuse for this continuing disparate pay for women in the legal industry.

Management. Women have earned a seat at the table. In this country, women comprise at least 50 percent of the law school graduates, and more than 35 percent of practicing attorneys. However, law firm management and lead counsel seats are still male dominated. This needs to change.

Mentoring. Women need to support women! Experienced, senior women need to serve as mentors, role models and champions for younger and/or less experienced women coming into the practice.