Karen Ann Jacobs of Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell. Courtesy photo

Karen Ann Jacobs, Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell

As you built your career, who mentored you?

As a new attorney, most of the mentoring I received came from the partners I worked closely with at Morris Nichols. I learned both by watching and by doing. In an age before Zoom, or any electronics for that matter, I was fortunate to sit in on hearings and phone calls with both clients and adversaries, to watch each partner's particular style and tone. I also benefitted from what was then—literally—the red pen, seeing in real time proposed changes to my writings and—also literally—cutting and pasting. My mentors were generous with their time—explaining as they went. Some that come to mind are Paul Welsh, Frank Biondi, David Drexler, Rick Allen, Gil Sparks, Clipper LaMotte, Don Parsons and Jack Blumenfeld. Indeed, my first trial as a new associate was David Drexler's swan song, shortly before his retirement, where David afforded me the opportunity to examine several witnesses.

But equally important to me were the mentors that came from outside the firm. With few women at the firm at the time, I found support and solace from the Delaware State Bar Association Women and Law section. There I received invaluable advice and encouragement, including perspective on raising children while managing a demanding legal career.