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-