Our paths first crossed 15 years ago on my first day at a new firm when I interviewed a candidate for executive assistant. With the HR screening, I knew the candidate had the requisite skills for working with a firm litigator—how to set up files, prepare pleadings, and deal with clients and the court but I was hoping for more. I wanted someone who had an entrepreneurial bent to support my efforts to grow my burgeoning practice. I had no idea this moment would mark the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey. With over 25 years of experience and my daughter almost grown, I was focused on expanding my client roster handling high-profile matters. Jessica Mazzeo was a big firm legal secretary and paralegal with over 10 years of experience dating back to her early teens when she worked part-time at a small firm after her paralegal mom placed an ad in a local legal newspaper. With an associate's degree, unrivalled energy, and a stellar work ethic, Mazzeo knew that she could accomplish more than her current position allowed. That is how our story began.

Over the past 15 years, we launched and grew our woman-owned firm of diverse team members, launched two other woman-owned businesses, and created jobs and opportunities for dozens of others. Those who do not know us may assume that I have been Mazzeo's mentor, as I am 25 years her senior, but that is not the case. From the outset, our collaboration has been a partnership of mutual benefit where the support is reciprocal. As regular readers of this column know, Mazzeo has authored countless articles on law firm management, co-authored several others, and motivated her colleagues to contribute articles as well. Through her writing and speaking, she created a deep body of work in this column and beyond. Many law firm leaders, including managing partners, have relied upon and credited Mazzeo for helping them address some of their most challenging operational issues. She has also been an unwavering volunteer to several professional and nonprofit organizations and the business and civic community. I share some of the principal areas in which Mazzeo has set the example for me, our team, and our other stakeholders. These are some of the lessons I have learned from her that are integral to exemplary law firm management: perseverance, entrepreneurship, mentorship and belongingness.