Wonderful mentors made sure she had a fulfilling career in the law
I have a vivid memory of my first year in law school. I was sitting in my Civil Procedures class at the McGeorge School of Law, wondering what I had gotten myself into. We had a guest speaker that day, sharing stories of his long, prominent career in litigation. He spoke gleefully about the arguments he had won and the tricks of the trade, which, as far as I could tell, served only to make opposing counsel’s life more difficult. “I hate arguing,” I thought to myself. I feared I would be miserable as an attorney.
Fast forward 15 years and I am thrilled to report that I am in fact happy as an attorney and truly love the work I do. Today, I am a Partner and the Title IX Program Director at Van Dermyden Makus Law Corporation, a law firm dedicated to neutral work, specifically in workplace and campus investigations. I spend my days conducting administrative investigations and hearings for workplaces across industries and educational institutions. I work regularly with students, parents, teachers and administrators as they navigate the complexities of Title IX, a federal law prohibiting sexual harassment in education settings.
Without the guidance of several influential mentors, I may never have discovered this niche corner of the law, where I now find a sense of purpose, fulfillment, and joy in my work. I can vividly recall the time a seasoned attorney invited me to lunch after serving as a guest judge for a law school competition. During our conversation, she instilled in me the importance of confidence and presence. Later, one of my bosses saw potential in me that I had not yet recognized. Confident I was ready for bigger challenges, she connected me with the co-founders of my current firm. Under their mentorship over the last nine years, I have honed my skills and grown into a legal practice that aligns with my strengths and ignites my passion.
Each of these women have played a crucial role in building up my confidence, expanding my world view, and challenging me to think beyond my status quo. They are all successful, accomplished women who did not have to give generously of their time. Yet they listened and gave to an insecure law student, a frantic new attorney, or a worried associate suffering from a severe case of imposter syndrome. However, they did.
They helped me discover my strengths and overcome my weaknesses. They showed me paths forward that I could not have seen without their perspective. I will forever be grateful to them all for reaching new heights in their careers, then looking back and offering a helping hand to those far behind them. In all that I do, I strive to emulate the example they set, recognizing the significant impact each of us has on others.
