What does success mean to you? How has your definition of success evolved over time? Of course it’s changed over time. Coming out of law school, it meant getting a good job. Over time it’s recognition in my field, and I think that’s what lawyers should aim for. To gain recognition you need to be an excellent lawyer, take writing and speaking opportunities, and manage important cases. It’s also important to build a good network in the industry of not only lawyers but bankers and financial institutions who respect you. This is a long-term project. What is the biggest sacrifice you’ve made, and was it worth it? Not spending more time with my son, perhaps not having a second child. I think I have a great relationship with my son, and he grew up respecting my profession. He has a very good attitude about women. And he married a woman who is career-oriented. So I did a good job there. I would never really know if I would have really wanted a second child, so it shouldn’t be a big regret. It was easier career-wise to have only one, because even that is hard to manage. And my son has said he enjoyed being the only child. RETIRED PARTNER, RESTRUCTURING LAW SCHOOL GRADUATION YEAR 1975 YEAR JOINED WEIL 1975 YEAR PROMOTED TO PARTNER 1983 HOMETOWN BROOKLYN, NY What did you want to be as a child? I thought I might end up in some type of teaching role. Some of my relatives were math professors, and I was good at math. But my view changed very quickly when I was in college. I majored in government, which was a typical pre-law major, but did not know what I wanted to do when I graduated. When did you decide to go to law school? I knew a number of classmates planning to go to law school (mostly males), including my then-boyfriend, now husband. I was not enamored with job opportunities for the undergraduate class of 1973. When I was a junior at Cornell University, I asked my advisor about a six-year combined undergrad and law degree that the university was offering because it would be faster and save money. My advisor booked my seat for the LSATs a week later. At the time, I was working with a government professor who was writing a book on the Supreme Court, which allowed me to get credit both in law school and in my major. If your young self could see you now, what do you think her reaction would be? I think she’d be pleased and maybe surprised that I moved in a direction I was not thinking about. I don’t think any girl I knew at the time was thinking about law. Also, I was somewhat shy as a girl, so she’d be surprised that I have successfully practiced law for so long and that I have a strong network and reputation in my field. What was your first job? I worked in high school during the Christmas season as a gift wrapper. Knowing what you know now, what might you have done differently when you were starting out? I wouldn’t have done anything differently in high school, college or law school. By the time I was in high school I understood the need to speak up and make yourself known. I landed here at Weil somewhat by accident. I took my husband’s slot for the interview because I didn’t want him to be punished under the school rules, which provided that if you don’t show up for an interview then you can’t interview for a certain period of time. He’s Mark Goldstein, I’m Marcia Goldstein, so I went to the interview even though I hadn’t signed up for it. I would say that was an element of luck. Looking back, what did you stress over that was unnecessary? I don’t get stressed that easily. I wasn’t so stressed about getting into law school. I decided that if I did not get into the six-year program, I would try again the following year. I was probably most stressed over my son’s college applications, or actually, his nursery school applications! What were some of your insecurities or fears when you were starting out that you wish you could go back in time and tell your younger self not to worry so much about? I did not have any lawyers in my friend group or in my family who could give me advice. As a result, it was not surprising that I had insecurities about my first professional job, how I was doing and what was expected of me. Today, I would tell my younger self to ask questions, work hard and not be stressed. That is easier said than done. In moments of self-doubt or adversity, how do you build yourself up? I’ve learned to stand up for myself. If I think something is right, I stand up for it. An important way to get through any situation is to stand up for what’s right. What do you turn to when you need perspective or to unwind during a challenging time? A break, even if it is doing something after work or on the weekend. Sometimes it may be just a day without thinking about work, if possible. It’s not always possible. What’s the best piece of professional advice you received? To make the client a focal point. To put their needs in the forefront. Also that the client can be your friend, and that creates a potential long-term relationship. This is a service business, so we need to find the right solutions for the client, even if it’s a challenge. We are not here to say no, but to come up with solutions that work. I would tell my younger self to ask questions, work hard, and not be stressed. That is easier said than done. “ ” 20 · WEIL WOMEN’S WISDOM
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