Empowering Stories of Female Trailblazers in Law

Female Trailblazers In Law

EMPOWERING STORIES OF Pg. 12

Gloria Steinem: A Feminist with a Spine

Nancy Weng: Disrupting the Legal Profession with Expertise in Personal Injury Law Pg. 42

London Eye: World's Largest Ferris Wheel Pg. 34

WWW.CIOWOMENMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY 2024

EVA

JUNCKER

CIPRIANI AND WERNER PARTNER AND FAMILY PRACTICE CO-CHAIR

A Trailblazing Force in LAW REDEFINING

EXCELLENCE AND EMPOWERMENT

C o omen Magazine

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“A strong woman understands that the gifts such as logic, decisiveness, and strength are just as feminine as intuition and emotional connection. She values and uses all of her gifts.”

- Nancy Rathburn

Dear Readers, In this special edition of CIO Women Magazine, we proudly present a compelling collection of narratives that illuminate the inspiring journeys of female trailblazers who have left an indelible mark on the legal landscape. Titled “Empowering Stories of Female Trailblazers in Law,” this issue aims to shed light on the remarkable achievements, challenges overcome, and enduring legacies of women who have blazed trails in the legal profession.

Within the pages of this issue, you will find a diverse array of stories that showcase the resilience, intelligence, and tenacity of these exceptional women. From breaking through glass ceilings to spearheading groundbreaking legal cases, each narrative encapsulates the triumphs and tribulations that define the path to success in the legal field.

Our cover story features an exclusive interview with Eva N. Juncker (Cipriani and Werner Partner and Family Practice Co-Chair), a pioneering figure whose impact has reverberated throughout the legal community. Her insights into the challenges faced by women in law, coupled with the strategies she employed to overcome them, provide a roadmap for aspiring female legal professionals. Alongside her, we have also featured Nancy Weng, an accomplished, first generation Asian American lawyer.

Furthermore, our in-depth profiles delve into the lives of other extraordinary women who have made significant contributions to various branches of law. From corporate law to human rights advocacy, these stories serve as beacons of inspiration for those navigating their own paths within the legal sphere.

In addition to the personal narratives, this issue explores the broader societal implications of having more women in prominent legal roles. We examine the evolving dynamics of gender representation in the legal profession, exploring the positive impact that diversity can have on the pursuit of justice and the development of legal systems.

Utkarsh D.

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CONTENTS

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Gloria Steinem: A Feminist with a Spine

3 Key Tips to Empower Womenled Small Businesses

CONTENTS CONTENTS

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Eva Juncker

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G

loria Steinem is a journalist, writer, political activist, and editor who dares to voice for women.

Feminism has been the talk of the town for centuries. Gloria spent her early years in a house trailer traveling with her parents. After her parents divorced in 1946, Gloria Steinem settled with her mother in Toledo, Ohio, and attended school regularly for the first time. Her mother was diagnosed with Chronic Depression, so she had to take up the responsibility for her health and medication too.

After graduating from Smith College in 1956, Steinem went to India for a scholarship. She took part in non-violent rallies against government policy. In 1960, she began working as a journalist in the New York Times Magazine. She was a political columnist and she wrote feature articles. As a freelance writer, she was published in Esquire and women’s magazines. She co-founded Ms. Magazine in 1972 and has been one of the editors for fifteen years and continues to serve as a counseling editor. Her desire to fight for women's rights is crystal clear. Equal rights for all was her aim and objective.

CIO Women Magazine | 13

1. Women's Action Alliance: It supported and guided individual women, women's centers, and women's groups through various projects.

2. National Women's Political Caucus: The NWPC is a non-partisan U.S. organization dedicated to recruiting, training, and supporting women in government roles.

3. Women's Media Center: In 2005, Jane Fonda, Robin Morgan, and Gloria Steinem founded the Women’s Media Center, a nonpartisan organization promoting women's visibility and influence in media.

4. Helped to establish Women Centric Organizations: The WAA’s mission was to assist local activists through technical and communications support and through them, to create change on a national scale.

Gloria Steinem has set up “social-cause-focused” organizations and contributed a lot the society.

MINDMAP FORMAT with a summary 1. Women’s Action Alliance: It was founded by Gloria Steinem, Brenda Feigen Fasteau, Catherine Samuels, and others to provide resources to women working to change their lives by overcoming sexism and sex determination. Within a few months of its formation, the Women’s Action Alliance was receiving about two hundred letters weekly from women all over the nation seeking advice and information.

2. National Women Caucus: The group’s main purpose is to get women into power positions, women who are committed to the causes of other women who are going to just imitate the male politics as it has been practiced all these years. An organizing committee for the NWPC was hosted in Washington, DC from July 10 to 11, 1971. A count of 324 women was confirmed that represented 27 states and the District of Columbia too.

3. Women’s Media Center: To be able to reach the necessary goals, WMC strategically uses an array of interconnected channels and platforms to transform not only the media landscape but also a culture in which women’s and girls’ voices, stories, experiences, and images are neither sufficiently amplified nor placed on par with the voices, stories, and experiences.

4. Helped to establish Women Centric Organizations: The group created a network of feminist activists, coordinated resources, and led initiatives on several issues. The Women’s Action Alliance helped to raise discussion for a national agenda of feminist legislation, developed strategies for countering gender stereotypes in developmental education and helped open the first battered women’s shelters.

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CIO Women Magazine | 15

Books: Besides the many books Gloria Steinem has written, her writing appears in many anthologies and textbooks. The poems and her writings in the anthologies have created a significant impact and have inspired many women. She has written several best-seller books and has been featured in many women-oriented magazines. Her paternal grandmother, Pauline Steinem, was the chairwoman of the educational committee of the National Woman Suffrage Association. Here is a list of her bestsellers: My life on the road: It is a book about how the early years of Gloria Steinem led her to live an on-the-road kind of life, traveling, listening to people, learning, and creating change.

Revolution from Within: A Book of Self-Esteem: For a long time, Gloria has been a part of the social revolution against injustice. In this book, she decides to restore the self-awareness that the injustice has sabotagedin men as well as women, across boundaries of race, religion, age, and ability.

Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions: About this book, Gloria Steinem says this book is a great reflection on the struggles many people before have made to make her liberties a reality. She realizes very well that even in today’s times many women do not enjoy equality.

Moving Beyond Words: The women’s movements which are carried on in the 1990’s, are scrutinized by Gloria Steinem in this book. She offers possibilities for the future, focusing on such issues as economic empowerment, women politicians, and life affirmations that affect women today.

As If Women Matter: A series of thought-provoking essays on feminism brings out the many forms of disgraceful facts that revolve around it. Gloria Steinem has implemented extensive research on the subject in a developing country like India and many other developing countries.

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CIO Women Magazine | 17

Some Interesting facts about Gloria Steinem: 1. Gloria’s mother was a writer too: Before the birth of Gloria Steinem, her mother, Ruth, had been a reporter and an editor for a newspaper. She used a male pseudonym so that her work would get published. Her husband gave her a penniless and nomadic lifestyle which she couldn’t bear. Resulting in her taking the tough decision of divorcing her husband and falling into depression and dependent on tranquilizers. Gloria had to take care of her mother post all these events at a young age.

2. She used to write sketch comedy for a television show: In 1964 Gloria Steinem wanted a short break from print journalism so she opted to write for a sketch comedy show named That Was the Week That Was, which aired on BBC. It was for the time being for BBC too. The 30-minute live show hosted by David Frost included satirical sketches about each week’s political news and featured celebrities like Alan Alda, Henry Fonda, and Gene Hackman.

3. Helped to establish two famous magazines: In 1968, Gloria Steinem helped launch New York magazine, where she wrote a political column and the occasional long-form content.

During the December 1971 issue of the magazine, she headed the development of an insert titled Ms. that covered women-centric articles and subjects. She continued to work for the publication for 15 years and is still considered an important part.

4. Lived in the same building for more than half a century: In 1966, she lived in a rented apartment on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. She bought the apartment in the 1990s and purchased another one soon after. Till 2017, she was the owner of 5 such apartments in the brownstone building. The third apartment which she bought was used as a meeting place for traveling feminists.

5. Christian Bale’s stepmother: She got married at the age of 66 which was quite a surprise for the public. As she got married to a British businessman and animal rights activist David Bale, she became the stepmother of Christian Bale, an Oscar-award-winning actor. To her misfortune, David Bale tragically succumbed to brain cancer in 2003 and passed away.

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Awards and Recognitions:

CIO Women Magazine | 19

EVA

JUNCKER

A Trailblazing Force in Law Redefining Excellence and Empowerment CIPRIANI AND WERNER PARTNER AND FAMILY PRACTICE CO-CHAIR

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Cover Story CIO Women Magazine | 23

One such figure, Eva N. Juncker, Partner, Cipriani and Werner Partner and Family Practice CoChair, stands out as one of the most influential and inspirational female trailblazers in law. With an impressive career marked by dedication, strategic prowess, and commitment, Eva has become a beacon of empowerment, embodying the spirit of resilience and achievement in the legal profession.

Her impact extends beyond her legal expertise as she continues to shape the narrative of success for aspiring legal professionals, particularly women, making her an exemplary figure in law.

Legal Journey Motivated by a lifelong passion for debate and advocacy, Eva started her legal career early, driven by a dedication to civil rights and social activism. Overcoming financial challenges, Eva independently financed her law degree through multiple jobs, concurrently volunteering for a local HIV+/AIDS organization. The hurdles faced were financial and social, with a crucial support network of chosen family playing an instrumental role in bolstering her self-confidence. A pivotal turning point came when Eva met her spouse when she was 21 and a 1L in law school.

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About CIPRIANI & WERNER CIPRIANI & WERNER, a multidisciplinary law firm, stands as a legal powerhouse with over 180 professionals spread across 20 offices in 10 states and the District of Columbia in the Eastern U.S. Recognized for its clientcentric ethos, the firm prioritizes comprehending clients’ needs before delivering exceptional results. Upholding the utmost integrity in practice and relationships, CIPRIANI & WERNER’s dedication to providing premier legal services cultivates enduring bonds with clients and attorneys. The firm’s distinctive approach solidifies its role as a trusted partner, excelling in local and regional legal matters.

CIPRIANI & WERNER’s mission is to attract, retain, support, and promote exceptional lawyers and staff who mirror the diversity of the global marketplace and the communities it serves. The firm achieves that mission through the following initiatives: Ÿ Providing thorough orientation, integration, and skill-building programs for all new attorneys and staff members. Ÿ Establishing effective mentoring programs, designed to accelerate development of attorneys as managers and leaders as part of its commitment to an inclusive approach to individual growth and succession planning for all attorneys. Ÿ Monitoring work allocation to facilitate skill development and ensure access to challenging assignments. Ÿ Conducting ongoing education on critical issues, including implicit bias, intergenerational work teams, and cross-cultural communication. Ÿ Supporting strategic business development initiatives for diverse business partners and collaborating with clients to build diverse and inclusive client-service teams.

Cover Story

T

he legal landscape has undergone a transformative evolution in recent years, marked by the remarkable contributions of female trailblazers who have shattered glass ceilings and paved the way for others in the field.

These extraordinary women have demonstrated unparalleled legal acumen and championed diversity and inclusion within their respective domains.

Leadership Responsibilities Eva co-spearheads the firm’s family law practice group, catering to the Maryland, DC, and Virginia region with plans for expansion into Florida and New York. Collaborating with fellow partners and Co-Chairs Tracey Coates and Carlos Lastra, as well as our family law practice group in our GA office.

Eva helps navigate the group, ensuring a forwardfocused trajectory for the entire team and the firm.

All three leaders actively contribute to the firm’s diversity committee, working closely with Chief Diversity Officer Angela Taylor. The firm’s commitment to diversity was a significant factor in their decision to join CIPRIANI & WERNER, aligning with their dedication to the excellence a diverse legal team brings to clients and the legal profession. This collective commitment echoes the firm’s ethos and underscores the potential for impactful collaboration.

CIO Women Magazine | 25

Cover Story Client-Centric Excellence Eva highlights the firm’s commitment to providing exceptional legal services guided by the principle of excellence. The firm’s services are tailored to prioritize the client’s best interests, delivering top-notch representation at fair prices. As for adapting to changing customer

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demands, the firm’s client-focused approach remains steadfast. Positioned to meet evolving demands, their extensive industry experience allows for a collaborative and anticipatory strategy in addressing client needs. The firm’s dedication to excellence and adaptability ensures it continues to deliver outstanding representation that aligns with the dynamic requirements of clientele.

“

Innovating with Technology

Significant Accomplishments

Eva outlines the firm’s strategic integration of technology into its legal offerings. Legal support initiatives and operational teams leverage state-of-theart technology, data, and case management tools. Securely housed in the cloud, the firm’s data center ensures 24/7/365 attorney accessibility.

When it comes to advancing the firm’s products and services, decisions are meticulous. New services are introduced only after thoroughly assessing client needs, industry trends, and firm capacity. The firm prioritizes a stable foundation, ensuring job stability for employees as the leadership team explores new opportunities, always focusing on the firm’s long-term well-being.

When asked about the achievements that are special to her, Eva refrains from pinpointing a single crowning achievement.

Her focus lies in daily victories, assisting clients through challenging legal junctures.

Success, to Eva, means empowering clients to navigate disputes while retaining as much control over the outcome as possible, often achieved through mediation or negotiation. Clear winners are rare in family law, as these cases often center around distressed families.

Eva’s mission is “to secure optimal outcomes at reasonable costs, recognizing the fragility of families undergoing upheaval.”

Eva’s mission is to secure optimal outcomes at reasonable costs, recognizing the fragility of families undergoing upheaval. Notably, her tenure as Chair of the Virginia State Bar’s Diversity Conference in 2014 stands out.

Orchestrating impactful initiatives, including a groundbreaking Continuing Legal Education (CLE) session on Implicit Bias featuring Dr. Mahazarin Banaji, Eva contributed to a collaborative legal community effort. This endeavor, showcasing the amalgamation of talent from both the bench and bar, laid a robust foundation for sustained diversity and inclusion work in legal education.

Strategic Victories Eva shares experiences where determining the proper jurisdiction proved crucial for her client’s success. She emphasizes prioritizing the client’s best interests over personal investment in these instances.

Particularly proud moments involve tackling constitutional claims in family law, a rare occurrence. Despite dedicating significant effort to presenting cases in court, Eva recognizes the value of strategically relinquishing jurisdiction to a more favorable state; specifically when this tactical move significantly increases the chances of success for her clients. As her firm’s family law practice expands globally, Eva’s understanding of these nuanced considerations becomes increasingly vital.

CIO Women Magazine | 27

Diversity Conference. In this meeting, eminent civil rights legal minds deliberated on the focus of educational efforts. Despite a suggestion to prioritize LGBTQIA+ issues, Eva redirected the conversation, emphasizing the pressing need for work on racial diversity, equality, and access to justice. Her commitment to a comprehensive diversity pipeline emerged, intertwining racial, religious, national origin, and LGBTQIA+ equality efforts.

Fostering Legal Diversity and Mentorship Eva underscores the critical role of mentoring in the legal profession. She actively participates in the Virginia State Bar’s annual meeting law student mentor/mentee program and maintains connections with numerous past mentees. Eva also dedicates herself to diversity initiatives that broaden the pipeline to law schools and legal education for minorities. Her firm belief lies in the idea that a diverse representation in both the bench and the bar significantly enhances the quality of the legal system. She actively promotes this principle through mentorship and involvement in initiatives fostering inclusivity.

Advocating Inclusivity in Legal Leadership Sustaining Excellence Eva maintains her edge as a lawyer by actively engaging in several national legal organizations. Constant contact with fellow members keeps her abreast of emerging litigation trends and evolving case law at federal and state/local levels. Regularly speaking in her practice areas, Eva enjoys sharing information, discussing legal strategies, and serving as a resource for peers. This commitment extends to

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framing legal arguments in a way that is beneficial for her clients, ensuring she remains well-informed about current trends in litigation.

Bridging Divides for Inclusive Progress Eva prioritizes coalition and bridgebuilding, seeking common ground with others. Recognizing the significance of allyship in overcoming challenges, she recalls a pivotal board meeting for the

Eva fervently advocates for gender equality and diversity within the legal profession. She follows the maxim of trying to always be “in the room where it happens.” Ensuring a seat at critical decision-making tables, whether for state bars or law firms, she consistently champions gender equality and enhanced diversity at all levels—from interviews and hiring to career advancement. Taking on leadership roles, Eva actively co-authors articles on topics such as talent retention and

modernizing compensation models within the legal practice.

Acknowledging that advocacy is an ongoing learning process, she remains committed to refining her skills to benefit her clients and improve the legal profession.

Own Critic Eva admits to being her own harshest critic, facing setbacks and failures in her career. Post-hearing or trial, she

often dwells on potential improvements, risking burnout.

However, she’s learned the value of stepping away from work and spending time outdoors with her family and pets. Observing her chickens, dogs, and cats and wandering about her property boosts her mental health. Eva emphasizes recognizing the profession as a marathon, not a sprint, offering a perspective that helps her weather challenges and maintain resilience.

Guiding Career Success Reflecting on her journey, Eva expresses gratitude for excellent mentors and acknowledges her innate drive for success. Finding little she would change in her practice path, she advises her younger self on the value of exploring management classes and honing team leadership skills.

Acknowledging a tendency towards lone wolf behavior, Eva recognizes the essential role of a dedicated team in running a law office effectively and representing clients well. With a keen awareness of the gap in legal education related to management and teamwork, she advises aspiring women in law to refine their legal skills and focus on building robust teams and acquiring effective management skills for comprehensive professional growth.

Nurturing a Supportive Workplace Eva emphasizes the accessibility and frequent contact maintained with leadership and HR at CIPRIANI & WERNER, despite the firm’s substantial size. This accessibility extends to interactions with the COO and his assistant, often addressing staffing and administrative matters through text conversations. The unique strength of their team lies in a culture where no team member feels like they’re wasting anyone’s time. Mutual respect and a shared commitment to the firm foster an environment where everyone is available for each other.

This sense of trust and support within the team creates a unique dynamic where members feel confident that their teammates will be there to catch them and fill in where needed.

Cover Story CIO Women Magazine | 29

Championing Women’s Inclusion

Leadership Qualities for Women

Eva highlights the firm’s ongoing commitment to women’s inclusion and empowerment. To actively participate and remain centered in this crucial work, Eva ensures her involvement in Diversity Committees, both within the firm and in voluntary bar associations, addressing key issues. Recognizing that the work of inclusion is continuous and never truly finished, she echoes the sentiment of Justice Ginsberg, emphasizing the need to persist until women are wellrepresented across all levels, echoing the idea that, as Ginsberg suggested for the Supreme Court, having nine female justices would be a meaningful stride towards equality.

Eva shares her perspective on the ideal qualities of a woman leader. She emphasizes a commitment to uplifting the next generation of women in the legal field, prioritizing coalition building and allyship across all underrepresented groups in the profession. Eva values leaders who lead by example, willingly tackling less desirable tasks and having the humility to admit when they are wrong. Acknowledging the inevitability of mistakes, she encourages a culture where feedback is constructive, welcoming insights from colleagues.

Eva’s preference for recognition fuels her commitment to praising others for their commendable work, fostering a positive and supportive work environment.

Overcoming Gender Challenges

Definition of Feminism

Eva identifies early career challenges related to pay parity with male associates and the struggle to advocate for fair compensation confidently. Acknowledging societal pressures that often lead women into self-deprecation and self-doubt, she highlights the challenge of assertiveness being perceived differently from women compared to their male counterparts. In the later stages of her career, her focus has shifted to addressing implicit or explicit biases and behaviors within the legal profession. Before joining C&W, Eva recounts the difficulty of confronting sexist, racist, or homophobic actions by fellow attorneys, emphasizing the importance of speaking up against disparate treatment. Confronting such biases may be challenging, but she emphasizes the necessity of doing so to foster an inclusive and equitable work environment and profession.

Eva defines feminism as the empowering belief that she and any woman can pursue any aspiration with determination and effort. For her, feminism is about acknowledging her limitless potential and ensuring the same for her daughter and their Girl Scout Troop. With unwavering confidence in her daughter and the Girl Scout Troop’s brilliance and capabilities, Eva envisions a world where gender disparity becomes obsolete in the 21st century, emphasizing the fundamental equality that every determined human deserves.

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Navigating Work & Life With 24 years of legal practice, Eva openly admits to ongoing struggles with work/life balance. As the primary breadwinner for her small family, she grapples with this role’s persistent pressures. She acknowledges the constant presence of clients and work demands but emphasizes the irreplaceable nature of pivotal family moments. Recognizing the fleeting

nature of these critical instances with her child, niece, and nephew, she strives to limit litigation emergencies that may interrupt family events. In inevitable crises, Eva, supported by her understanding spouse and family, works swiftly to compensate for missed family time. Her approach reflects a conscious effort to navigate the delicate balance between professional responsibilities and cherished personal moments.

Drawing Inspiration from Justice Cleo Powell

Advice for Women Entrepreneurs Eva offers insightful advice to aspiring women entrepreneurs. She emphasizes the importance of building individual skills and legal acumen and actively contributing to improving the legal profession. Eva encourages involvement in initiatives that keep the diversity pipeline open, enhance access to justice, and promote representation by the bench and bar for everyone. She recognizes time constraints and highlights that such contributions benefit the legal profession’s image and distinguish women entrepreneurs as leaders and pillars of their communities.

Cover Story

Eva draws inspiration primarily from Justice Cleo Powell, Virginia’s first African-American Female Justice on the Supreme Court. Powell’s extensive legal career, serving at all judicial levels in Virginia, and her role as a devoted mother and community member profoundly influenced Eva. Powell’s commitment to accessibility within the legal profession, especially for attorneys and their children, resonates strongly with Eva. Notably, Powell’s dedication to Rule of Law Day in Richmond, Virginia, reflects her proactive efforts to keep the diversity pipeline open. Eva aspires to emulate Powell’s exceptional qualities in her roles as a human, parent, friend, peer, and attorney, making our profession more accessible for everyone.

CIO Women Magazine | 31

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World's Largest Ferris Wheel ondon Eye, also known as the Millennium Wheel, is the world's largest wheel located in London. Near the banks of the river Thames, it enjoys the throne of most popular tourist attraction in the United Kingdom. The structure is 135 meters tall and the diameter of the wheel is 120 meters. The architecture and design credit goes to Marks Barfield Architects which was launched in 2000. The structure has donned the hat of winning over 85 awards for national and international tourism, outstanding architectural quality, and engineering achievement. It was launched by the company in 2000. The London Eye celebrated its 20th birthday in 2020. The entry was declared free for tourists who wanted to have a look.

What is the history behind The London Eye? The London Eye is an entry that was submitted in a competition by Marks Barfield Architects. In 1993, the competition was sponsored by The Sunday Times and Great Britain's Architecture Foundation. It was submitted in anticipation that it would act as a new landmark to commemorate the millennium in London. Even though no winner was declared, the company took charge of the development of the project.

The construction began in 1998 and the wheel was put horizontally, over the river, before being put upright. By this time it was known as the London Eye, it was officially opened by then-Prime Minister Tony Blair on December 31, 1999. It was planned to dismantle the monument for about 5 years, but its popularity was so high that the London Eye stayed with us. In 2006, an attractive LED lighting system was installed to make the wheel flamboyant after dark.

CIO Women Magazine | 35

The 32 capsules on the London Eye represent the 32 Boroughs of London. Each of these holds 25 people at a time. The boroughs are air-conditioned and each weighs 10 tonnes. The eye's capsules rotate at 26 cm per second. A single spin of the London Eye takes 30 minutes. Each capsule has a number from 1 to 12 and then 14 to 32. The number 13 is omitted as it is considered a bad omen. In 2013, to draw attention, one of the capsules was named the Coronation Capsule to mark the 60th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabth II.

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1.

For the popularity:

3.

Special Deals:

Yes, you read that right. You must visit this monument for the sheer popularity. The London Eye has 3 million visitors per year.

So, visiting there should be the number one priority on your list.

The waiting period can be long for your chance to come, so to get the fast track or London pass tickets, you need to be there at the right time. The best time to visit there is Spring. The weather will be bright, not too hot, and you will be able to avoid the school summer holidays. From May onwards, the sun sets around 8 pm to 9 pm. Before May, the sun sets from 5.30 pm to 6 pm. So before planning your visit, check the sunset timings on the internet, and plan and schedule the visit accordingly.

Other tourist attractions are also present near the London Eye. When a person opts to buy tickets for the London Eye, he should make sure to buy tickets for London Dungeon, and Sealife London Aquarium. It will be a part of the promotional deal and they are located next to each other. The tickets can be obtained at receptions of the places mentioned. It also includes a ticket to Madame Tussaud's which is located in Regent's Park.

2.

The capsules go around in 30 minutes. The most obvious major landmarks are Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the River Thames. As you go up further there's only a tiny portion of attractions you can see including Canary Wharf, Buckingham Palace, the Shard, and many others, but isn't as visible as Big Ben and Westminster Abbey.

4D cinematic experience:

Before you hop on to the London Eye, you will have an opportunity to witness the beauty of it through a 4-minute 4D cinema. You will get to enjoy the success of developing the London Eye. Also, a 3D photographic view of London is provided, which is breathtaking.

4.

Enjoy the 360-degree view:

CIO Women Magazine | 37

A view of the city from the highest point is the best sight. Apart from the London Eye and the restaurants in the city, some viewing platforms are also important topics of discussion. Many tourists have shared their experiences of viewing the city from a higher altitude and enjoying the surreal experience. Here we bring you the list of the top 4 viewing platforms of the city:

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1.

Lift 109, Battersea Power Station

Turbine Hall A's chimney comes to your rescue to take you to the top. Battersea Power Station in its lift 109, will take you to the scenic, 360-degree view of London. With the Thames at the top, the scene is a one-lifetime opportunity.

While coming down, you will find some information on the building's history and some cultural information.

2.

Horizon 22, City:

This is located on the 58th mezzanine level of 22 Bishopsgate. This is a newly launched viewing platform that is not just the highest, but it's the highest free viewing gallery in London. It stands 254 meters tall. The height is twice the height of Lift 109 and almost 100 meters taller than the Sky Garden.

3.

Sky Garden, City:

Behold the astounding views of the city from the Sky Garden's great, luscious green heights. The Mediterranean and South African species bring color all year round. This garden often hosts events like parties for Halloween, yoga on weekends, and New Year's Eve. There are three restaurants in the vicinity Sky Garden, Fenchurch Restaurant, and Darwin Brasserie.

4.

The Lookout Bishopsgate:

The exceptional view from The Lookout takes in the City's modern skyscrapers and iconic architecture. The usage is free but still booking is recommended. You'll find it on the 50th floor of the Swish 8 Bishopsgate building.

Is the London Eye Worth the Visit?

As you stroll along the Thames River, the London Eye cannot be missed. When visiting the London Eye, the most important is the ti me of Spring to consider. Springtime is perfect to visit as the weather is in your support at all times.

Not too cold, nor too hot. The only thing to keep a watch on is the timings of the sunset. Watching the sunset from the London Eye is a lifetime experience. The ride speed is also smooth and does not feel hurried. You will be in so much joy, that you'll want more of that experience.

CIO Women Magazine | 39

NANCY WENG Disrupting the Legal Profession with Expertise in Personal Injury Law Personal Injury Lawyer

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CIO Women Magazine | 43

M

Meet the remarkable Nancy Weng, an accomplished, first generation Asian American lawyer whose unwavering dedication to advocating for the underrepresented has been the defining force behind her accomplished career. In her formative years, Nancy grappled with the choice between a career in law and one in journalism. Ultimately, she found her calling in the field of law, as it seamlessly melded her passion for both writing and comprehensive reading. This realization fueled her pursuit of a legal education during her undergraduate studies.

Today, Nancy is a licensed attorney in two states: Texas and California. In Texas, her legal practice predominantly focuses on personal injury cases, while in California, she specializes in bankruptcy and real estate litigation. Nancy's diverse legal expertise underscores her dedication

to serving her clients' needs in a dynamic and multifaceted legal landscape.

Overcoming Challenges with Emotional Intelligence In Nancy's law firm, her main area of expertise is personal injury cases.

She recognizes that each client brings their own set of challenges to these cases. When accidents result in injuries, the emotional impact extends beyond the victims themselves, affecting their families as well. This creates a broad ripple effect of emotional distress.

In cases of severe injuries, Nancy understands that money alone can't completely ease the pain or bring back normal life. It's exceptionally tough to tell a client they might need lifelong care, requiring sensitive and personal conversations. In these situations, Nancy often takes on a supportive role, akin to a therapist, providing a compassionate presence and a listening ear. She's fully aware of the sensitivity surrounding these matters.

Shattering Barriers Everyday Almost every successful business leader faces a multitude of challenges on their path to success. Nancy, however, doesn't believe she's conquered or navigated past these obstacles; she encounters them daily.

She acknowledges, "there's the aspect of being female, especially in a litigious profession where adversaries aim to do their job, which is nothing personal but to challenge me. So, in terms of barriers, being female means having to constantly prove oneself, to be ready and competent."

Nancy doesn't dwell on these challenges; she sees them as opportunities for personal development. She thinks they've toughened her, allowing her to approach any situation with an air of unpredictability. In a field mostly dominated by men, she values the changing landscape where young women lawyers are confidently making their mark in the courtroom.

She concludes, ”I think the short answer to barriers is overcoming implicit biases that everybody has,

"Our distinct approach is what cultivates a diverse and exceptional team. We value true talent, and that's why our firm comprises such a diverse and exceptional group of professionals.”

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your client has, and opposing counsel has. If you’re in a trial with jurors, every juror has an implicit bias.”

Hiring Talent the Right Way When Nancy conducts interviews at her firm, whether for lawyers, paralegals, secretaries, or receptionists, her initial focus is on assessing their enthusiasm. She seeks individuals who show a passion and resilience that can sustain them through challenging days while maintaining a positive and determined outlook.

As a leader and business owner, Nancy takes an open and candid approach when addressing her employees. She emphasizes the inevitability of both difficult and rewarding days. However, Nancy's ultimate goal is to identify team members who are committed to the long-term journey and can consistently deliver quality work.

Nancy engages in candid discussions with some employees who express their aspirations, whether it's aiming for executive roles transitioning from paralegals to lawyers or aspiring to excel as top-notch paralegals. What truly resonates with Nancy is the grit, perseverance, and sense of purpose these individuals exhibit. When she identifies these qualities and personality traits in a candidate, she is more than willing to bring them on board.

For Nancy, it's not about the prestige of the schools they attended or their degrees; it's about their skillset and mindset. Nancy did not graduate from a top-tier school or attend a renowned law university or college herself for financial reasons (even though she was

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accepted a high ranked schools), which is why she values hard work mindset, determination, real life experiences and the ability to handle adversity in candidates over formal qualifications.

Nancy, leading by example, welcomes genuine talent into her firm, prioritizing merit over conventional hiring norms.

Nancy adds, ”I advocate for and look beyond all those things that are on paper and you look at the person that’s in front of you and what is in their mind, what is their growth mindset going to be in this profession five years from now or 10 years from now?

The Winning Moments Nancy's most noteworthy professional milestone occurred during her initial decade as a lawyer. During this period, she successfully tackled cases independently, demonstrating remarkable self-reliance by handling a two-week trial without the presence of an experienced trial attorney to rely on —a considerable achievement.

In her subsequent decade, Nancy came to the realization that she wasn't merely a lawyer but also a businesswoman.

Juggling the roles and diverse responsibilities of both lawyer and business owner presented a significant challenge. Nancy's ability to excel in these dual roles stands as her most substantial professional achievement to date.

Staying up-to-date with Latest Developments and Trends in Law Nancy believes in the power of networking and considers colleagues to be of utmost importance. To get to know other colleagues who specialize in different fields, it is essential to connect

and build long-lasting relationships.

While she is a Bankruptcy and Personal Injury lawyer and doesn't handle, for instance, divorces and immigration cases, she often has questions about fields as those issues intertwine with her practice areas from time to time. By interacting and establishing good rapport with other colleagues, she can find answers to her questions and reciprocally offer her assistance to them. She adds, “I’m always growing, always listening to what my esteemed colleagues have to offer.”

Nancy has joined a group that meets every month; it's like a close-knit committee. She adds, "We have meetings where we sometimes bring in judges to discuss recent developments in the law or share insights from cases where they've received certain rulings from specific judges. This kind of interaction is extremely valuable because every judge and every court is different. So, when you're able to meet with colleagues and they inform you about a ruling they received from a particular judge, it can be quite different from what you might encounter with a different judge down the street. I believe this is the best way to stay updated with recent developments in the local legal landscape where I practice."

Additionally, when a new case arises, colleagues often spread the word by either referring a particular lawyer to the client or sending an email to inform the lawyer about the case. This culture of support and collaboration is highly valued among Nancy and her peers.

Unwrapping Entrepreneurship Unwrapping Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship resembles a triathlon, demanding multitasking skills. Just like in a triathlon, you don't need to be the best in every aspect or come in first place; instead, it's about maintaining a consistently strong overall performance. Success in entrepreneurship hinges on consistently performing well across different aspects of business management, similar to achieving a consistently high average score.

Nancy adds, “Maybe, I don’t have the highest numbers in my business sometimes, or I don’t have the highest profile or, maybe we didn’t even get the cases that we wanted that I have that they’ve gone with somebody else. So, I don’t need to beat everybody in everything but as long as I feel that I have a pretty good average across those categories, , I feel like I accomplished something.'”

Finally, "finding the right partner is key. You spend more time with your law partner than your family so your style of management and personalities need to just clique. I have been extremely fortunate to have Arasto Farsad as my law partner for over 5 years. He is impressive and an extremely skilled attorney in his own right and we just complement each other. But I couldn’t have done any of this without him.”

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Breaking the Notion behind Work-Life Balancing Work and Life: As a lawyer, mother, and wife, Nancy has many responsibilities to fulfill be it at home, office, or more. Therefore, there is not a “balance” at any given time on any given day. Her entrepreneurial spirit extends beyond her legal practice, encompassing the management of her offices and the intricate juggling of her various roles. She added, “you do the best you can with the limited time in the day we all have and the best I can do is prioritize each hour of my day, every day. Do I have it all balanced out? Absolutely not. Some days I feel I am failing at everything. But I take it day by day.

The hardest things that you face in life and overcome are intrinsically the most valuable.”

Nancy pens a Word for Women Leaders In Nancy’s view, one of the most essential qualities a woman leader should possess is a willingness to support other women in their journey to success, even if it means they surpass her own achievements. It is not about pushing

others down because there is only a finite amount of success to go around. Instead, it is about having a mindset that believes that when you help other women thrive, it contributes to your own success.

“We should all strive to help each other reach our full potential. Personally, I take great joy in seeing individuals I've mentored or who have worked under my guidance in law school reach remarkable heights in their careers. For instance, one of my former law clerks initially clerked for me during her second year of law school. We maintained a strong connection, and I provided her with advice based on my own experiences. It is incredibly gratifying to see her achieve greatness, such as working as in-house counsel for very successful Silicon Valley startups, which have had substantial IPOs. Her success is also my success, and I firmly believe that fostering this spirit of mentorship and support is a crucial quality for women leaders."

“I think the short answer to barriers is overcoming implicit biases that everybody has, your client has, and opposing counsel has, If you’re in a trial with jurors, every juror has an implicit bias.”

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3 Key Tips to

Empower Women-led Small Businesses

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