Women Who Lead | Law: Ashley Satterfield of the Reaves Law Firm PLLC, Lynn Susser of Siskind Susser PC, Jennifer Sink of the City of Memphis - Memphis Business Journal - The Business Journals
If there ever was a time for leadership, the pandemic era has been that occasion. And the practice of law, in all sectors, was not immune to the effects of COVID-19.
For Memphis Business Journal’s next group of Women Who Lead, honoring executives in law seemed to be a logical choice. Also logical is highlighting the accomplishments of women who have broken through the glass ceiling and helped define their organizations.
Each woman chosen by MBJ’s editorial team has qualities that define leadership — from pushing through challenges and moving legal precedent forward in difficult times to career-altering decision-making.
Within law, the nine Women Who Lead honorees are executives at Memphis’ most prominent law firms and attorneys supporting key local organizations in the government and nonprofit realms. Such legal experts help craft the direction of businesses and other entities while navigating the law — an essential function in today’s complex society. They are trusted advisors to C-suite executives and often mentors to associates and strong collaborators with fellow partners at law firms.
The Women Who Lead feature, which began in 2021 and continues throughout 2022, has been an ongoing monthly feature in MBJ and is sponsored by Simmons Bank. This year, the section will highlight industry leaders in banking, biosciences, construction, medical devices, residential real estate, and technology, among others. – Jason Bolton, Managing editor
Ashley Satterfield
Chief legal officer, Reaves Law Firm PLLC
Eleven years in the sector, Ashley Satterfield’s biggest career achievement is her current role as chief legal officer at Reaves Law Firm. In that position, she manages the firm’s litigation department and leads a team of attorneys who handle personal injury, employment, and bankruptcy matters.
Operationally, Satterfield develops and implements processes and systems to increase the efficiency of the firm’s high-volume practice, reduce risk, and drive client satisfaction and experience.
“The goal is to proactively develop business solutions,” she said.
She provides legal counsel on a wide range of matters related to the day-to-day operations of the firm. She added that she’s proud “to have the opportunity to lead a team of attorneys and drive the operations of a law firm.” Since the firm expanded into employment law last year, Satterfield is looking forward to further developing and growing that practice.
Quotable:
“The biggest trend in the industry I see is workplace automation of legal processes. I think a lot of firms are invested in finding ways to improve their client service and overall operations through the use of legal technology to automate processes.”
Lynn Susser
Managing partner, Siskind Susser PC
Lynn Susser’s next challenge is transitioning her firm’s leadership to the next generation so that it continues thriving after she retires. Cofounded in 1994 with Greg Siskind, the firm has grown to have 45 professionals, including 11 lawyers, representing clients in all aspects of U.S. immigration and nationality law.
Susser is also the president of the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers (ABIL).
“Being selected by one’s peers is always a great honor,” she said.
Helping multinational corporations and family clients in immigration legal matters before the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service, Custom and Border Protection, and the Department of Labor, Susser sees firsthand the need to attract talent to the U.S.
“Our universities are training the next generation from around the world, but we’re losing the talent to countries with more welcoming immigration policies,” she said. “If we don’t improve our immigration system, our country will continue to lose out on the talent we need to be competitive in a global market.”
Quotable:
“On a macro scale, my biggest achievement is the success of the law firm. Siskind Susser is a nationally respected firm known for zealous advocacy on behalf of our clients and extensive contributions to the field of immigration law. Without exception, our lawyers and paralegals are experts in their fields, and each represents clients with integrity and dedication and gives generously of their time on a pro bono basis. I’m extremely proud that many of my colleagues have been with the firm for five, 10, and 20 years.”
Jennifer Sink
Chief legal officer, City of Memphis
As a member of the Mayor’s C-suite leadership team and chief legal officer for the City of Memphis, Jennifer Sink is responsible for it all — all legal matters for the City, including providing counsel and advice to Mayor Jim Strickland and managing more than 60 employees in several legal division departments.
She works to find solutions and a path to execute on the City’s goals, in addition to handling hundreds of lawsuits a year.
Sink acknowledges there’s growing recognition around the lack of diversity and inclusion in her profession, yet also says progress has been slow.
“Institutional and permanent changes require intentional and collaborative efforts,” she said.
Sink is pleased with some local efforts, including from the Memphis Bar Association, of which she’s VP, and the University of Memphis Law School. As she continues the work she loves in government and as a public servant, her sights are set on fulfilling her childhood career goal: becoming a judge.
Quotable:
“Being selected by Mayor Strickland to serve as his chief legal officer has been the greatest honor of my career. It’s very rewarding to help the mayor and the City navigate the numerous challenges we face and to work every day to make Memphis a better place to live. In my six years working with the City, I truly believe we have moved the needle toward that goal. I really enjoy the team, navigating problems, and building solutions.”
Memphis-Area Law Firms
Ranked by Memphis-area attorneys
| Rank | Rank | Memphis-area attorneys |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz PC | 74 |
| 2 | Butler Snow LLP | 57 |
| 3 | Harris Shelton Hanover Walsh PLLC | 55 |
| View This List | ||
source: https://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2022/03/09/women-who-lead-law-satterfield-susser-sink.html
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