EMERGING
2024
Partner; Chair, Telecommunications Practice; Deputy Managing Partner, Boston Office
LEADERS
AWARD
Lauren Coppola
Education (degrees & institutions): JD, DePaul University College of Law; BA, Political Science, Vassar Company Name: Robins Kaplan LLP Industry: Legal Company CEO: Anthony Froio Company Headquarters Location: Minneapolis, MN Number of Employees: 440 Your Location (if different from above): Boston, MA Words you live by: “The way you do one thing is how you do everything.” These are words from one of my favorite fitness instructors which I incorporate in all facets of my life. It helps instill care and attention. Who is your personal hero? My daughters! They are both so smart, wonderful, funny and kind. What book(s) are you reading? Memory Piece by Lisa Ko and The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley What was your first job? Lifeguard Favorite charity: The Eliza Juliet Norton Memorial Foundation, which supports girls in athletics. Interests/Hobbies: Running, swimming, cooking, gardening. Family: Husband, two beautiful girls, one chocolate Lab, two cats and lots of fish.
Two exceptional mentors taught her how to succeed in the field of law I had the privilege of being mentored by two exceptional individuals, each unique in their own way and both dedicated advocates for women and diversity. These senior white men, who were committed feminists and champions of inclusivity, served not only as mentors but also as my sponsors. Mentors teach, impart wisdom, help you find your way, and push you to be great. They did all of that. Sponsors act as champions, cheerleaders, and advocates, helping you secure opportunities they know you deserve. They did all of that, and more. I’ve learned that mentorship and sponsorship are most effective when they work in tandem. Through their mentorship and sponsorship, I learned how to be a litigator and a true trial lawyer. They taught me the critical skill of remaining calm under pressure, whether dealing
56
2024 Third Quarter
with a difficult witness, a challenging judge, or argumentative opposing counsel. I learned how to think sharply on my feet – a critical tool for any trial lawyer. They taught me not to take this challenging job too seriously and that even the most daunting problems can often be resolved in time. They taught me to deliver good news fast but bad news faster. And most importantly, they taught me to never give up, even when you lose a case, motion, or client. As a recipient of their sponsorship, they also encouraged me to seize the opportunity in every encounter. Time and again, in courtrooms and boardrooms dominated by men, where I was often mistaken for a legal secretary or court reporter, I was reassured that I deserved to be there just as much, if not more, than anyone else. I learned that my presence, as a young woman among senior white men, held power,
and I could leverage that power to achieve the best outcomes for both my career and my clients. I have now reached a point in my career where I find myself acting as a sponsor and mentor, rather than the recipient of sponsorship and mentorship. This is an incredibly fulfilling and enriching experience for me. I work to carry on the words of advice, nuggets of counseling, and extreme care my mentors bestowed on me. Each day, I strive to sponsor others, particularly our women and attorneys of color. I want these young attorneys to enter courtrooms and boardrooms with the confidence that they belong there. Often, they have prepared more thoroughly and worked harder than anyone else in the room, and they deserve to feel that they belong—and, even more, they deserve to lead.
www.diversityjournal.com