AGE: 39
TITLE: Attorney/Partner
COMPANY NAME: Shipman & Goodwin LLP
COMPANY’S LOCATION: Hartford
RESIDENCE: Middlefield
What do you do? I am an attorney at Shipman & Goodwin LLP, practicing labor and employment law on behalf of employers. While I spend the majority of my time working with municipalities throughout the State of Connecticut and other public sector clients, including state agencies, health districts, special taxing districts and school boards, I also represent private employers and nonprofit organizations. In addition to advising employers on all aspects of the collective bargaining process and employment law, I often serve as chief negotiator and counsel representing clients.
What do you want to be doing in 10 years? I am fortunate to love what I am doing and to enjoy those colleagues and clients with whom I have the opportunity to work each day, many of whom I call my friends. As a result, in 10 years, I expect to be continuing my practice at Shipman & Goodwin LLP with my esteemed colleagues and in the best interests of my valued clients.
What is your biggest strength? In my practice, listening and interpersonal skills are critical to achieving the desired outcome for my clients. I attribute much of my success to my ability to listen and to build relationships with my colleagues, clients and adversaries.
Where do you go for new ideas? I pride myself on being open to new ideas, whatever the source. However, I also strive to look at old methods of accomplishing a task with a fresh perspective to determine whether there is a better or more efficient way of achieving the desired goal. Of course, collaborating with colleagues is one of the most enjoyable ways to brainstorm new ideas.
What is the best advice you received? A close family friend who offered me my first summer job once said, “Don’t tell me it can’t be done, tell me how it can be done.” As a result of this sage advice, I now firmly believe that nothing is impossible and that, if you believe in something, you will find a way to achieve it.
What service or charitable cause has your attention? As a mother, my attention is directed towards organizations that support children and their needs. I am involved in the church that I have attended all of my life, First Congregational Church of Bristol as chair of its Christian Education Committee, which coordinates the church’s Sunday school program, and as a teacher of my son’s Sunday school class. Along with my husband and son, I am also proud of our annual book drive and other efforts to support Read to Grow, Inc.
