In October 2014, Center for Women in Law hosted a four-part lunch series that showcased accomplished and influential women at the top of their careers: Arianna Huffington, Linda L. Addison, Susan L. Blount, and Arleas Upton Kea.
At the first of the four lunches, Professor Linda Chanow showed a video of Arianna Huffington’s keynote address at the CWIL’s Fifth Anniversary Celebration and Awards Luncheon. Arianna, most widely known for her news and blog, The Huffington Post, is also a nationally recognized columnist and the author of thirteen books. In the video, she delved into the themes of power and passion in her book “Thrive.” While inciting laughter and lightheartedness, Arianna addressed the gravity of sacrificing personal health in order to achieve wisdom and the importance of “working smarter with pauses and spaces—but not less hard.”
The second power lunch featured Linda L. Addison, a widely acclaimed litigator and managing partner at Norton Rose Fulbright who received her J.D. from The University of Texas Law School in 1976. Linda recounted the lessons she learned during her rise as a young associate to a prominent litigator at Norton Rose Fulbright. In response to a question regarding the juggling professional and personal responsibilities, Linda stated that just because a woman’s child-bearing years coincided with the years at the prime of her career, this does not have to inhibit her acquirement of the “best of both worlds.” When one attendee asked what was the most valuable lesson she learned in her career, Linda responded that it was understanding “not to let things go—but to pick your battles wisely.”In the third power lunch, Susan L. Blount, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Prudential Financial, Inc., described her experiences ascending the corporate ladder. Susan became a member of Prudential Financial, Inc.’s Office of the Chairman Group, the six senior-most officers of the company, and is responsible for overseeing the company’s Law, Compliance, Business Ethics and External Affairs departments. As an introvert, Susan spoke of overcoming obstacles that “confine you because they are uncomfortable.” She emphasized that in order to succeed in law—and in life—it is imperative to “maximize choices to keep the most number of doors open.”
The final power lunch speaker, Alreas Upton Kea, Director of the Division of Administration at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, stressed the importance of resilience as well as teamwork in the workplace. When the economy crashed in 2008, Arleas dramatically expanded the agency by 4,000 staff employees by creating several employee initiatives. As a single mother at the top of her career, Arleas spoke of the role courage plays in law and that it is imperative to “stick your foot in, close your eyes, and just go for those daunting opportunities.” Along with confidence, Arleas advised that happiness in the workplace can be achieved by a “win-win” mindset and “instilling a fire within others so they can reach their full potential as well.”
The Center thanks Linda L. Addison, Susan L. Blount, and Arleas Kea Upton for speaking at the October Power Lunch Series and sharing their valuable experiences with law students.