How I Made Partner: A Law.com Interview with Collette Woghiren

Page 1

February 17, 2022

How I Made Partner: 'It Was My Commitment, My Track Record and the Advocacy of My Mentors and Sponsors,' Says Collette Woghiren of Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg "My commitment to increasing diversity and bringing awareness to the harm caused by the lack of inclusion has only been strengthened by each obstacle that I have overcome." By Tasha Norman Collette A. Woghiren, Neal, Gerber

in my career and have courtroom

& Eisenberg, Chicago.

experience as a junior associate. NGE

Practice area:Litigation.

delivered all these things and so much

Law

school

and

year

of

graduation:The University of Chicago Law School, 2013.

more. What’s the biggest surprise you experienced in becoming

How long have you been at the

partner?Overall, I felt very prepared for

firm? I started at the firm as a summer

the transition from associate to partner

associate in the summer of 2012

because the firm was very transparent

during my second year of law school.

about the process. The biggest surprise

After graduation, I joined the firm as

so far has been the overwhelming

an attorney in September 2013.I was

sense of accomplishment. I knew I

elevated to partnership effective Jan.

would be happy and excited once I

1, 2022.

was promoted. I am surprised at how

What criteria did you use when

long-lasting the feeling has been.

Collette Woghiren Courtesy Photo

deciding to join your current firm?As

What do you think was the decid-

a Black woman and an immigrant,

ing point for the firm in making you

I searched for a firm where I would

partner?It was not a single factor. I

be accepted and where I would be

believe it was a combination of many

comfortable bringing my full self to

factors. Meeting and exceeding the

work. I sought out a firm that stood

firm’s benchmarks for performance in

behind its diversity and inclusion goals

various areas as an associate, my

not only in words but in action. I also

commitment to firm initiatives, including

ness development in your opinion

sought a firm where I would be able

diversity and inclusion efforts, as

and how do you grow profession-

to gain concrete litigation skills early

well as my strong track record as an

ally while everyone is navigating a

associate for delivering quality work. It also involved the advocacy of my mentors and sponsors—without their support and guidance, partnership would not have been possible. What’s the key to successful busi-


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