Celebrating Women’s History Month
March 2019 Emily Friedman ERISA, Partner Atlanta
Emily Friedman is a Partner in the Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Practice of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP. Emily specializes in Employment Counseling and ERISA Litigation and Litigation Avoidance. What are three things you wish you could tell every woman entering the workforce right now? Say “yes” to every great opportunity, even if it is outside your comfort zone. Take a seat at the table; make your voice heard. Make meaningful connections with your peers, early. These are the three things I would tell every woman I know entering the workforce now. Did you have a mentor? If so, how did they encourage you in your career? Early in my career, I was fortunate to have worked with a team of more senior attorneys who sought my participation and my input. I was lucky, because the clients also actively encouraged participation from the other women on the team. They recognized that my views and life experiences, as well as those of the other women on the defense team, would be helpful for purposes of crafting a defense strategy and arguments that ultimately would be made before a jury. It doesn’t always work out this way; however, and that is why it is important to take advantage of certain opportunities that come your way – even if you have to learn something new to accomplish the task – and create a strong network both in and outside of the office. Who is a woman in history that inspires you? Many women have inspired me, but two that stand out are Frida Kahlo and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Both are the epitome of perseverance. Frida Kahlo suffered a tragic accident at a young age – battling serious health issues throughout her life – but created masterpieces depicting some of the most honest portrayals of the human
condition and female plight the world has ever seen. Justice Ginsburg attended law school while raising her young daughter at the same time. She battled sexism and discrimination in a male-dominated environment – both during law school and in her professional career after graduation – and later went on to argue landmark gender equality cases before the U.S. Supreme Court before eventually becoming a justice herself. What are your proudest moments in terms of what you have accomplished? Of course, there are different degrees of perseverance. The proudest moments in my career have been when I was able to conquer a fear. Whether it was going up against a tough litigation opponent or winning a difficult legal argument, there is nothing that beats the feeling of knowing you persevered and came out the other side better because of it.
Cassie Daum
Litigation, Associate Jacksonville Cassie Daum is an associate in the Litigation Practice of SGR. Her practice focuses on general and complex commercial litigation matters, including contract disputes, employment and non-compete disputes, and intellectual property matters. Why did you choose your practice area? I choose to practice commercial litigation because I like the excitement and challenge of being in a courtroom and because each case is an opportunity to learn about a new business. When you get to dive into a new case, you become a “mini expert” on your client’s line of business, customers, and products. This makes each case unpredictable and interesting. What advice do you have for young women starting out in the profession? First, be willing to take criticism, because that’s
how you’re going to learn and grow as an attorney. (Sometimes I have to remind myself of my own advice with this one!) Second, find a mentor. I’ve found that there’s so much law school doesn’t teach you, and having someone you can turn to with questions has been invaluable. Mentors are also great sources for career advice. Third, don’t ever feel professionally inferior because you’re a woman. Yes, women may still be in the minority in management positions, but view that as an opportunity and not a setback. If you could make one change to help women at work, what would it be? Because the disparity in pay generally occurs when a woman decides to start a family, companies should create more flexible options for women (i.e., updated maternity policies; allowances for working remotely or telecommuting; on-site or paid child care; flexible hours) and create a company culture that is more understanding of the need for this flexibility. For real change in equality to happen, this requires a shift in the entire company culture, which usually starts at the top. I hope more companies view the long-term retention of female employees as an important goal and embrace this need for change. Do you believe a woman can have both a meaningful professional career and a fulfilling personal life? Yes! Everyone should be able to have both a career and a personal life (whether that includes children, time with family, friends, travel, or all of the above). Who is a woman in history that inspires you? Two women come to mind, both of them lawyers. First, Michelle Obama: lawyer, mother, advocate, fashion icon—she makes doing it all and having it all look easy. Second, Ruth Bader Ginsberg. It goes without saying, but she’s an advocate of women’s rights and a trailblazer on the Supreme Court, notorious for her “dissenting collar” that she wears whenever she’d like to communicate her disagreement with a court opinion. Plus, she’s 83 years old and still makes it to the gym—she does 20 push ups and 30-second planks every day!
The Women of Smith, Gambrell & Russell Marsha Ajhar Intellectual Property Gadget Girl
Audria Crain Real Estate Essay-Contest Winner & Runner
Alyson Graham Private Wealth Services Handywoman Extraordinaire
Laura M. Andrew Health Care Green Thumb
Cassandra Daum Litigation Future World Traveler
Sasha Greenberg Litigation BeyoncÊ’s Inspiration
Susan Atkinson Health Care Semi-Pro Singer/Actor
Melissa Dearing Immigration Survivor
Nicole Haff Intellectual Property Avid Traveler
Emma Barry Tax One Proud Mama
Danila Duo Corporate Hit-or-miss Italian Chef
Amy Heppner ERISA Cross Country Mom
Carina Bergal Corporate Foreign Policy Junkie
Sharon Duvall Real Estate Boating Beauty
Akiyo Hewett International Loving Wife & Mother
Elizabeth Blakely Corporate Book Reader
Anne Edwards Litigation Sun Worshiper
Nicole Kalkines Litigation Brunch Enthusiast
Elizabeth Borland Intellectual Property Chorister
Marcia Ernst Litigation Lake Life Lover
Susie Kim Immigration Intrepid Wayfarer
Danielle Burnette Litigation Lover of Art & Fashion
Shani Smith Fisher Aviation Mother of Dragons
Teri King ERISA Mom of Twin Boys
Lisa Carrasco ERISA Mother of Twin Girls
Ellen Fontanella Aviation Fly Girl
Darlene Klinksieck Intellectual Property Animal Lover & Faithful Friend
Jasmine Chean Litigation The Carrie Bradshaw of SGR
Emily Friedman ERISA Lover of Beaches & Interior Design
Simone Kraus International Language Enthusiast & Guitar Player
Nicole Chong Corporate Lifelong Spanish Language Student
Chloe Furfine Litigation Avid Shutterbug
Holly Lance Intellectual Property Momma Strong
Jennifer Lawson Litigation Mom to Bubbling Baby Boy
Vickie Rusek Environmental Litigation Road Tripper
Kristen Lewis Tax Service Dog Puppy Maven
Terry Schwartz Corporate Low Country Girl
Dana Mark Private Wealth Services Outer Space Enthusiast
Leah Ward Sears Litigation / Trials & Appeals Fashionista
Erin McCallum Corporate Competitive Tennis Player
Julie Sebastian Corporate Sports Nut
Jamey Medlin ERISA Mom of Boys
Laleh Sharifi Immigration Avid Hiker
Kelly Meyers ERISA Peloton Enthusiast
Robin Silberzweig Real Estate MacGyver-like Problem Solver
Ansly Moyer Bond and Public Finance Wine and Chocolate Enthusiast
Ariane Smith Litigation Arts Enthusiast
Aasia Mustakeem Real Estate Wanna-be Salsaer
Lisa Smith Real Estate Funny...sometimes
Anne Pitter Corporate/Real Estate Aspiring Photojournalist
Darlene Tzou Intellectual Property Climbing Dragon Boater
Dexterrie Ramirez Real Estate Martha Stewart in Training
Laura Wartner Private Wealth Services Delighted to be a Grandmother
Dana Richens Litigation Award-Winning Grillmaster
Kristen Wenger Litigation Estate Sale Master
Angela Roberts ERISA Bargain Hunter
Svetlana Zagorina Tax Artist at Heart
Kate Rowe Intellectual Property - Entertainment Tide Pooler
Kathryn Zickert Zoning Flash Mob Dancer
SGR’s Women’s Initiative affinity group is committed to the advancement of professional women. SGR recognizes the importance of retaining women in the workplace, fostering stronger relationships, and providing added value to its business and social communities. For the Firm’s women attorneys, the Women’s Initiative focuses on mentoring and providing resources to hone the skills necessary for career advancement. For the Firm’s women clients, contacts, and friends, it aims to create opportunities to network and programs to educate about important legal and social issues.
Adventurers and Explorers Quiz
Take the quiz online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/whmquiz
Who was the first woman to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, the “Last Great Race on Earth” - 1,000 miles from Anchorage to Nome?
Nancy Woodhull Libby Riddles Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Who was the first woman to sail around the world via Cape Horn in 272 days?
Dame Naomi James Joan Kelly Susan B. Anthony
Who was the first woman to hold the overall no limits free diving record (greater than the men’s record) with a depth of 525 feet?
Harriet Beecher Stowe Tanya Streeter Sandra Day O’Connor
Who was the first woman to break the Around the World in 80 days record in 72 days, 8 hours, 11 minutes and 14 seconds?
Nellie Bly Dorothy Height Nancy Pelosi
Who was the first woman to successfully summit K2?
Wanda Rutkiewicz Ruth Bader Ginsburg Bette Nesmith Graham
Who was the first woman to sail solo around the world, traversing 31,166 nautical miles in 401 days?
Simone Biles Susan Butcher Krystyna Chojnowska
Who was the first woman to fly solo around the world?
Jerrie Mock Bonnie Blair Debi Thomas
Who was the first woman to circle the globe on a bicycle?
Annie Londonderry Graciela Olvarez Susan Butcher
Who was the first woman to trek across 1700 miles of West Australian desert with four camels and a dog?
Janet Guthrie Robyn Davidson Sue Lee
Who was the first woman to travel into space as a Russian cosmonaut?
Valentina Tereshkova Geraldyn Cobb Jeannette Rankin
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