2023
Director
ASIAN INTERNATIONAL
Finding a good mentor is important. When you do, treat them right
Education: JD, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School; BA in English and Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley Company Name: Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox PLLC Industry: Legal – IP Litigation Company CEO: Michael B. Ray, Managing Director Company Headquarters Location: Washington, DC. Number of Employees: 435 Words you live by: Treat others as you would like to be treated. Who is your personal hero? Working moms What book are you reading? Exhalation by Ted Chang What was your first job? Barista Favorite charity: World Central Kitchen Interests/Hobbies: Running, yoga, and gardening Family: My husband and pitbull mix pup
42
2023 Second Quarter
I cannot overstate the importance of mentors in my career. I am incredibly fortunate to have had several mentors at my firm, but one in particular was especially influential. We just “clicked” when we met, and I had the opportunity to travel with her on business trips from Texas to China. At every stage, my mentor, Uma Everett, gave me positive feedback and, even more importantly, constructive criticism. Observing her navigate interactions with clients, opposing counsel, and the courts gave me a roadmap for navigating those terrains on my own. I learned early on how much grit would be required to thrive in a law firm. I know I would not be so well positioned in my career today, ten years in, had it not been for Uma’s guidance over the years.
I strongly encourage associates seeking mentorship to consider how they can be an asset to their mentors, rather than just seeing themselves as passive recipients of goodwill. In a field as grueling as patent litigation, I think few things can aid in the retention of diverse individuals more than strong mentorship and true professional opportunity. In paying forward the investment others made in me, I make an effort to mentor and give regular feedback (complementary and constructive) to the associates with whom I work. I strongly encourage associates seeking mentorship to consider how they can be an asset to their mentors, rather than just seeing themselves as passive recipients of goodwill. In addition to establishing a balanced relationship with mentors, it is important to be proactive and to act in ways that will make supervisors’ lives easier, especially as a junior attorney. Taking the initiative to do things, such as helping to organize an agenda before a meeting; reminding a supervisor of an upcoming deadline and offering to assist; and offering creative solutions to problems on a matter rather than just identifying them, can go a long way in establishing yourself. The more value you provide to your supervisor, the more they turn to you for assistance. Before long, a strong working relationship is established with ample occasions to ask for further professional advice and opportunities to work on interesting projects.
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AWARD
Josephine Kim