2023
DIVERSE
Associate Project Manager
LAWYERS Making a Difference INTERNATIONAL
AWARD
Hudson Bitterman
Education: JD, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law; BA, University of San Francisco, Theology and Religious Company Name: EPIQ Industry: Professional Services Company CEO: David Dobson Company Headquarters Location: New York, NY Number of Employees: 8,000+ Your Location: Providence, RI Words you live by: You must conquer the things that you fear. Who is your personal hero? My older sister, Sarah What book are you reading? Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During This Crisis (and the Next) by Dean Spade What was your first job? Restaurant server Favorite charity: The Trevor Project Interests/Hobbies: Inline skating, roller hockey, hiking, music, spending time with family and pets Family: Youngest of four siblings
The Transformative Power of Empathy: A Journey towards Personal and Professional Success Empathy, the ability to sense others’ emotions and actively seek to understand their perspective, has been the compass guiding my journey toward both personal and professional success. To me, empathy is not merely a trait; it is a transformative force that shapes self-awareness and fosters genuine connections with others. During my educational journey, empathy became a lens through which I understood the intricate dynamics of conflict in the Middle East and the Balkans. One particular experience at a camp in Bosnia Herzegovina where children and young teens from every country in the former Yugoslavia shared their diverse yet connected experiences, left an indelible mark on my perspective. This exposure not only deepened my understanding of the regional
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conflict but also cultivated a profound sense of empathy, enabling me to appreciate the vastly different lives and relationships to conflict that others experienced. Transitioning into my role as a public defender presented a new set of challenges and opportunities to apply empathy. In one memorable case, my empathetic approach, rooted in thorough preparation and genuine engagement, altered a potentially difficult client interaction. By actively recalling and acknowledging key details of the case, including the names of individuals mentioned in the police report, I built immediate trust. Naming a person crucial to the client’s daily life proved pivotal. It was a moment where empathy transcended legal proceedings, creating a connection that influenced the client’s perception of their lawyer
and, ultimately, the case outcome. I would be remiss not to mention, while empathy has truly helped guide my journey, it is not always easy to be empathetic, particularly when faced with emotional situations and polarizing issues. I share these experiences to demonstrate the immense power of empathy, not only on our own personal and professional growth, but overall building more meaningful and sincere relationships. In my opinion, that’s what life is all about. In the face of challenges, whether in conflict analysis, the legal arena, or my current professional landscape, empathy has been my guiding light. As I navigate my current role, the lessons learned from these experiences continue to shape my approach, illustrating the enduring impact of empathy on both personal growth and professional success.
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