International Women’s Day: Reflections from Loeb’s Women Lawyers

Liz Allen

Partner, Advanced Media & Technology
Chicago

“I advise women aspiring to leadership roles in the legal profession to make your goals known and then advocate for yourself. Hard work, building your expertise, and creating a professional profile for yourself are all required, of course, but too often I think we feel the next opportunity will come to us if we just take the required steps. I have found that it is also necessary to let your mentors, managers and leaders in your firm or organization know about your goals and what you are doing (and have already done) to put yourself in the position to take that next step. It doesn’t always come naturally to voice what we want or to tout our work, but speaking up makes it much more likely that your name will be on the list for consideration when the next opportunity arises.”

Reni Benson

Associate, Advanced Media & Technology
Washington, DC

“To women aspiring to leadership roles, my advice would be to deeply understand your ‘why’—the core reason driving your desire for that position. Knowing your ‘why’ provides clarity and focus, helping you stay committed to your goal, even in moments of doubt. It’s especially important because external motivations, like those from a partner or mentor, might not be enough to keep you on track. When challenges arise or success feels out of reach, remembering your personal ‘why’ can serve as a powerful motivator to keep pushing forward and find creative solutions that get you closer to your goals.”

Jill Jones

Partner, Real Estate
Los Angeles

“I am grateful to have had the privilege of working in the built environment, where I can serve my community and benefit my children and future generations through land use, environmental and development work.”

Shirley Lau

Partner, Capital Markets & Corporate
Hong Kong

“An essential quality for women leaders in the legal industry to have is the ability to build a cohesive team that is able to serve and anticipate the ever-changing needs of clients in this dynamic macro environment as well as maintain consistently high-quality service. I encourage you to hone this ability by keeping an open mind, creating safe spaces for questioning and collaborating, and recognizing individual differences and the positives that come with such differences, while emphasizing the team’s shared values, such as camaraderie and client satisfaction. I believe that individual team members, working in an inclusive and supportive environment, will together create the synergies necessary to meet today’s challenges in the legal industry.” 

Sherry Li 

Senior Counsel, Capital Markets & Corporate
New York

“As a capital markets lawyer, the most rewarding aspect of my career has been the strong relationships I have developed with both clients and fellow service providers. The trust and collaboration we share on transactions have been immensely fulfilling. It is particularly gratifying when clients and fellow service providers not only recognize the quality of my work but also recommend me to others, which speaks to the lasting impact of our partnerships. These connections and the impact I have had on those around me are what make my career journey so rewarding, and they continue to motivate me every day.”

Megan Pekar

Associate, Entertainment
Nashville

“I foster an inclusive and supportive work environment for my team by ensuring that everyone’s voices are heard. Not only do I make sure that everyone knows that my door is always open to talk through an issue, celebrate a success or navigate new territory, but also I go to them to check in and see what we can be doing better. Every day, I bring my authentic self to the metaphorical table so that those around me are comfortable enough to let their own authentic selves shine through.” 

Sue Zhong

Counsel, Advanced Media & Technology
Beijing

“I believe it is essential to value active engagement, unique voices, constructive ideas and collective instincts. This entails effectively communicating and building relationships within the team to foster openness and awareness of the barriers women could face in the legal profession. I am proud to be surrounded by a team of brilliant and supportive women who are committed to creating positive change.”