Best Lawyers

I find it interesting, the jokes about Best Lawyers.

I actually spoke with my therapist this week about the shift that happens as we grow up:

In elementary, middle, high school,

Even in college and law school,

Awards were not begrudged. They were celebrated.

I’m still honored that my high school classmates voted me, “Most Likely to Succeed.” I keep the award on my desk to this day: a reminder that they believed in me then, and I should believe in myself now.

And, yet, I now feel like I’m not supposed to talk about it.

I’ll never forget being elected Editor-In-Chief of the Mississippi Law Journal. It was competitive. It was a big deal. The way my friends and classmates congratulated me and celebrated with me is a true highlight of law school.

And yet, now, I rarely bring it up that I was Editor-In-Chief.

When I entered the Real World, all of a sudden:

I felt a group telling me—explicitly or implicitly through their jokes—that recognition might not be worthy, or is not to be mentioned, or is not real.

For the third year, I received recognition as Best Lawyers One to Watch in alternative dispute resolution and commercial litigation.

I am proud of this recognition, because it tells me: I’m doing something right.

I am grateful for the recognition, because I got it for the first time during a period when I truly questioned whether I would still be a lawyer in a year or two and whether I was good enough for #BigLaw.

I am proud to be in this group, because it is alongside people—friends and colleagues—that I’m proud to know, and proud to be considered amongst.

I enjoy the accolade, because sometimes this job is hard and I want to give up, and small moments like this remind me to keep pushing.

So, if you’re One to Watch this year: congratulations. Enjoy the recognition. I’m proud of and happy for you.

If this isn’t your cup of tea, please ignore those of us celebrating the small win, and please think twice before belittling something that might really matter to someone else.

#lawyerwellbeing #professionalwomen #legalissues