S&C Stories: Mentoring the Next Generation

“I was very lucky to have had many extraordinary mentors as I started my legal career. Suffice it to say that I would not be where I am without them. And I continued to have phenomenal mentors as I made the transition to partnership, took on leadership roles at S&C, and grew my practice. Put simply, mentorship is a key component of success in the law. I try to be as helpful a mentor as I can be to Gulliver and my other mentees. Whether it is my associate advisees, summer advisees, team members, or other associates I have met at the Firm, I seek to be a resource and to assist in whatever way is best for them.” 

Julia Malkina’s Clerkships:

• Justice Stephen G. Breyer, United States Supreme Court, 2013–2014
• Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, United States Supreme Court, 2013–2014
• Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh, United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, 2011–2012

“Solving complex, challenging problems is one of the most rewarding parts of being a lawyer at S&C. My many mentors at the Firm, including Julia, have been invaluable resources in helping me solve problems both big and small over the years. Since my first day as a summer associate, I have found partners and associates willing to answer my questions and share their advice whenever I have asked for it. This is true both of the mentors I have been paired with during my time at S&C and the many lawyers with whom I have developed mentoring relationships on my own. I hope I can be a resource of advice and guidance for new associates at the Firm in the same way my mentors continue to be a resource for me.”

Gulliver Brady

“For me, the mentor/mentee relationship is about professional development, feedback and learning how to do things at the levels of excellence expected by our clients. I’ll forever be grateful to the mentors who took me under their wings when I was an associate. My goal as a mentor is to make sure my mentees obtain a variety of diverse experiences, hit milestones when they should, and work with an array of lawyers at the Firm. For instance, Nina and I sit down every six months to talk about her workload, see what types of work she has (and hasn’t) experienced, and talk through whether there are other opportunities at the Firm she should look for. And if something seems missing, Nina and I noodle through how best to check that box in the near future. Given Nina’s trial, investigations, evidentiary hearing, deposition and other discovery experiences to date, we are running out of boxes to check!”

Tracy Richelle High

“For me, the mentor-mentee relationship is invaluable. Succeeding as a lawyer requires not only the ability to solve complex legal issues, but also the judgment and interpersonal skills necessary to build and maintain strong working relationships. During my time at S&C, my mentors—particularly Tracy—have been instrumental in helping me develop on both fronts. I would not be where I am today without their guidance. My mentors have helped me navigate and focus my career, while also contributing meaningfully to my growth as an individual. Having someone like Tracy as a source of both professional and personal advice has been an essential part of my development at S&C, and my relationship with her has, in turn, inspired me to serve as a resource for newer associates.” 

Madeline Zuschnitt