2024
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ASIAN
Education (degrees & institutions): JD, Howard University School of Law; MS, George Washington University; BS, University of Maryland, College Park Company Name: Akin Industry: Law Company CEO: Kim Koopersmith Number of Employees: 1800+ Your Location (if different from above): Washington, DC Words you live by: Embrace the journey with integrity, cherish the people along the way, and lead by example in every endeavor. Who is your personal hero? My Dad, mom and brother What book are you reading? The Art of War by Sun Tzu What was your first job? Office assistant in a doctor’s office and salesperson at a shoe store. Favorite charity: ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation and Wounded Warriors Project Interests/Hobbies: Spending time with my wife, kids and close friends. Family: Amazing and inspiring wife, three fantastic children, and lots of extended family/family friends (It takes a village!)
Wisdom for work – and for a lifetime The finest advice I ever received is best encapsulated by the following guiding principles: Discover Work and Teams that Inspire You. After graduating from the University of Maryland and embarking on a career in the defense industry focusing on Supply Chain Management, Operations, and Project Management, I frequently met with a professor who had become a mentor. During our discussions, which often centered around my career aspirations over the next five, ten, and fifteen years, he consistently steered the conversations back to the reasons why I enjoyed my work and the people with whom I worked. This emphasis on job satisfaction and team dynamics didn’t fully resonate with me until years later. It ultimately guided me toward pursuing law school and establishing a career as a transactional lawyer. Now, as part of the Investment Management practice at Akin, where I have spent my entire legal career, I find that the stresses and demands of the profession are well balanced by the enjoyment I
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derive from my work and the excellence of my team. This synergy makes it feasible to manage the complexities of being a lawyer, husband, and father of three. The Power of Simple Gestures. These simple yet profound directives were instilled in me by my parents during my childhood. The true impact of these principles became starkly apparent during the numerous interactions I had at my father’s memorial service. My father, a civilian employee of the U.S. Navy for 27 years, was remembered by hundreds of his colleagues for his consistent smile, his genuine inquiries into their lives, and his ability to connect with them irrespective of their status within the organization. This experience reinforced the importance of these basic principles of interaction, which I endeavor to impart to my children. Regardless of the situation—be it a challenging project, transaction, or case—maintaining these human connections can significantly ease difficult circumstances.
Seek Out Mentors Within and Outside Your Organization. In the structured environments of corporations and law firms, mentoring is often facilitated through formal programs. While these are effective for some, I have found the most valuable mentorships to be those I actively sought both within and outside of my law firm. These relationships, varying in duration, have not only spanned different phases of my career but have also opened numerous doors, shaping my professional journey. Demonstrate Leadership through Integrity and Leadership Through Action. Throughout my career, the principle of leading with integrity and by example has been a cornerstone of my professional ethos. By consistently embodying the values I cherish— integrity, dedication, and a commitment to excellence—I strive to influence those around me. This approach not only fosters a positive work environment but also encourages a culture of mutual respect and continuous improvement. www.diversityjournal.com
AWARD
Kapil V. Pandit