What are the most important factors young women should consider when choosing a firm to build their career with? 

Young women beginning their legal careers should look to firms that firmly commit to elevating the careers of their female attorneys. They should look for firms that make available alliances and initiatives that raise awareness of the challenges and obstacles faced by women attorneys, and that offer resources that provide encouragement and support. At Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP, we have a Women’s Initiative that offers mentorship opportunities and speaker workshops, with the goal of empowering and advancing the professional and personal development of our women attorneys. 

Who inspires you most? What qualities do they possess that inspire you? 

I have been inspired by Michelle Obama. She has successfully demonstrated how a leader can exhibit strength, while simultaneously displaying his or her vulnerability, and that doing so is not a sign of weakness. The absence of failure is not, in fact, a sign of strength. Rather, the ability to acknowledge mistakes and failures and learning from them, is a true sign of strength. Leaders who are honest about both their strengths and weaknesses embolden others within their organization to do the same, which helps to nurture trust, authenticity, and connection to the workplace.