S&C Co-Chair Robert Giuffra Jr. discussed his career and offered insight into the qualities that make a great lawyer in a conversation with Adam Mendler, an educator, leadership coach and host of the ‘Thirty Minute Mentors’ podcast. During the conversation, Bob emphasized the value of mentorship, hard work and discipline, and the importance of strong communication skills.
“Some lawyers are great oral advocates, and you can learn how to present in court from them. Others are great writers, and you learn how to craft arguments on paper,” he noted. “Some people can do all of these things, but I think it’s important to expose yourself to different styles so you can develop range.”
Bob discussed the emphasis S&C places on its generalist approach, which encourages young associates to develop a broad skill set across legal practices. “You can’t become a great lawyer if you stay in your comfort zone,” he said. “It can be stressful to work on something for the first time, especially when the stakes are high, but that’s part of the process. Over time, those experiences build confidence and capability.”
Read: Interview: Robert Giuffra, Co-Chair of Sullivan & Cromwell