2023
Partner
ASIAN INTERNATIONAL
Quiet leadership can be just as commanding. Let’s not forget that
Education: JD, Gould School of Law, University of Southern California Company Name: Latham & Watkins Industry: Law Company CEO: Richard Trobman Your Location: San Francisco, CA Words you live by: Teddy Roosevelt’s “The Man in the Arena” speech: “The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds.” Who is your personal hero? My father, who immigrated from Hong Kong at 18 and became a doctor. What book are you reading? From Strength to Strength by Arthur Brooks What was your first job? Sales associate at Banana Republic Favorite charity: San Francisco World Food Bank Interests/Hobbies: Mountain biking and photography Family: I have a wife and two young daughters, ages 5 and 3.
32
2023 Second Quarter
Mentorship, from my perspective, takes hold in two ways: leading by example, and paving the way for opportunities. I have been lucky to experience both throughout my career. The judge for whom I clerked, the Honorable Johnnie B. Rawlinson, was only the second woman admitted to the Nevada state bar, and served as the first Black female judge in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. She is the epitome of trailblazing. She has provided countless diverse attorneys the opportunity to clerk, served as an invaluable mentor both professionally and personally, and she held us to the highest of standards, so that our work could speak for itself. The partners in my practice have also opened many doors for me. They’ve supported me through my career progression, giving me the room to grow. Though I’m generally not the loudest voice in the room, their encouragement empowered me to speak up and gave me opportunities to shine. The exposure and empathy offered by my own mentors provides a lesson in how to support the next generation of Asian lawyers. There are cultural differences that have fed a disconnect between what people perceive as the personality traits of Asian lawyers and the common view of a strong leader. Often, people view us as the “model minority;” we are the workhorse, but not the commander. When we do exhibit behaviors associated with more traditional views of a leader, that assertiveness can sometimes throw people off. That bind often creates within us an internal apprehension about how to behave and interact with others in the workplace. Many in the Asian community struggle with this — and for too many, that means they can advance from associate to senior associate on merit, but face more difficulty in crossing the threshold to partnership. Today’s leaders can turn that tide, by recognizing that more than one personality type can make for a great leader. Showing empathy and understanding allows you to suspend biases, and take a more reasoned, critical approach to determining what a leader looks like. I like to seek consensus. I tend to be more pensive and am not often first to speak what is on my mind. But the opportunities afforded to me by the partners at Latham allowed me to showcase my strengths and further develop my talents. The more we recognize that leadership thrives with a diversity of styles, the more we celebrate the value the Asian community brings to the legal profession.
www.diversityjournal.com
AWARD
Aaron Chiu