Descoteaux, a founding partner of Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton's Dallas office and a member of the firm's compensation committee, has devoted her career to helping other women in the legal profession succeed in theirs. She is serving her fifth year as a board member and as the 2019 vice president of development of the Dallas Women Lawyers Association. In that role, she is spearheading the creation of new programming aimed at helping to stem the tide of young women and women of color departing law firms, to educate lawyers at all levels on buying and selling legal services and to create a business development training program for interested members.

Descoteaux previously served as the vice president of mentoring for the DWLA and during that time the organization, along with the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, initiated a Mentoring Circle program in 2016, bringing together groups of women to support, develop and counsel each other throughout their career development. In addition, she remains an active member of the Center for Women in Law at the University of Texas and is also a member of the CWIL Advisory Board, which organized the 2019 Power Summit held this past April in Austin, an invitation-only summit that convenes the influential women in the legal profession to generate ideas and lead change. 

Who was one of your most important mentors, and what the relationship like?  

Dan Micciche (Tax Partner and former Hiring Partner, Akin Gump).  Dan cares deeply and it shows in his interactions with everyone that Dan encounters.  And, of critical importance, I always knew that Dan had my best interests at heart. I could ask Dan for advice, and he would tell the cold hard truth, even if it wasn't what I wanted to hear.  He was always open and honest and was willing to invest his time to listen and offer suggestions.   Those same traits are what made Dan a phenomenal member and chair of the DISD School Board (the ultimate example of mentorship)

What is the biggest challenge to maintaining a mentor-mentee relationship?  

All relationships, including a mentor-mentee relationship, require the thoughtful investment of time.  As any busy practicing attorney can attest, time is constantly at a premium; finding the time to invest in these relationships is a challenge that is worth conquering.

An awards ceremony will be held on Sept. 18 at the Belo Mansion in Dallas. The Attorney of the Year award winner will be announced at the ceremony.

Click here for booking information. For information about sponsoring the event, contact Andre Sutton at 757-721-9020 or email [email protected].