Bina Palnitkar, shareholder, Greenberg Traurig

Experience:

  • Greenberg Traurig, 2009-present
  • Drinker Biddle and Reath, 2008-2009

Education:

  • Chicago-Kent College of Law, 2008
  • University of Texas at Austin, 2003

What drew you to a career in law?

I was working as a trader in the Chicago Board of Options Exchange SPX pit for two years before I decided to pursue the law. I wanted a career that I could practice in any city, so that I would have the freedom to move. The legal arena was the perfect place to translate my aggressive negotiation and quick-thinking skills from the trading floor and achieve this goal.

Have you set a specific goal that you want to achieve in the next year?

This next year I would like to close a client that I have been pursuing for two years, by showing them that my specialized team at Greenberg Traurig will take their legal revenue to new heights. We have started to get some work from them, and I think this is the year we will seal the big deal.

What has been your proudest career moment and your biggest hurdle?

My proudest career moment was when I chaired my first trial as a 5th year associate with two partners as my second and third chair, and secured a unanimous verdict of $6.8 million in Dallas County. I felt a real connection to the clients, case and jury, and it truly reaffirmed my belief in the legal process.

My biggest hurdle as a lawyer is staying true to the profession and my career when some people, by their comments about working moms, seemingly want to limit another's success or are not supportive of your career.

Where do you fit on a 1-10 work-life balance scale with 10 being nirvana? Please explain.

I fit work-life balance at an 8 on a scale of 1-10. I do not miss recitals or school parties because I am always prepared to help clients. I'm like the Lincoln Lawyer in that I take client calls 24-7 and can pull over anywhere to address any issue, discuss strategy with a client or argue with opposing counsel as an advocate for my client.

What is the top quality that you've used to succeed in the profession?

The skilled art of negotiation is the top quality I have used to succeed. It takes a certain EQ to read what your opponent (and client's) goals and weaknesses are, and more importantly, how to deliver the message so that they give up their position.

Who is your favorite mentor and why?

My favorite mentor is one of my clients, a younger female entrepreneur, who has taken multi-tasking to a new level. She can artfully work in hostile business negotiations between workouts and lunches, and always puts in the extra grind at night or on weekends to make extra time during the week for personal activities. There are no days off.

What's the best advice anyone has ever given you?

A senior, long-time attorney at our firm gave me the best advice when I was a young associate: Pick up the phone. Email and text are impersonal. You can get a great deal more accomplished by calling someone or visiting with them.

What trends are you observing in the profession that you're excited about?

I am excited about the technological advancements giving way to the virtual ability to service clients from all around the world. Using certain tools, I easily conference with clients in Sweden and India daily, and review and edit documents in real time with my Chinese colleagues as if we were both sitting at the same computer. It's not exactly Black Panther technology, but we get riled up about it.

What is the greatest challenge you see for the legal profession?

Quality is always a challenge when things are moving quickly in a region for any profession. Consistency in the delivery of legal services is something we are passionate about at the firm. We understand that clients will not trust a firm who has offices that are uneven in quality.