WOMEN IN LAW
WOMEN
IN LAW
Female lawyers lead Arizona’s legal industry with influence and innovation and blaze a trail for future generations By MICHAEL GOSSIE
O
nce a rarity in boardrooms and courtrooms, women lawyers in Arizona are now driving change, leading firms and reshaping the legal landscape with grit and brilliance. “As a young lawyer, I was told that a person’s reputation is their most valuable asset,” says Andrea Lovell, office managing shareholder at Littler and one of Az Business magazine’s Most Influential Women in Arizona Business for 2020. “I have taken that to heart and do my best to demonstrate integrity every day. I believe this has earned me the trust of my clients, colleagues and even opponents.” Women lawyers have become a formidable force in Arizona’s legal
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industry, ascending to leadership roles in major law firms, judiciary positions and bar associations. Trailblazers like Lorna Lockwood, the first woman to serve as Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court, paved the way for future generations. Today, organizations such as the Arizona Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) continue to support and advocate for women in law, fostering mentorship and professional development opportunities. With women comprising over 50% of law firm associates nationally, their influence in shaping Arizona’s legal landscape is both significant and growing. Since this is the Most Influential Women in Arizona Business issue, we asked
powerhouse attorneys who have been named Most Influential Women in the past to offer advice to the next generation of legal superstars. Jill Chasson, partner, Coppersmith Brockelman and Most Influential Woman in 2018: “It’s critical to be a good communicator, both orally and in writing, and to understand workplace laws. But soft skills matter, too: the value of empathy, humility, and a sense of humor in building relationships with clients and your colleagues cannot be underestimated.” Jennifer A. Cranston, shareholder, Gallagher & Kennedy: “‘If you haven’t committed malpractice, you haven’t been practicing law long enough.’ It was a joke,