Women Who Lead | Law: Paula Daniel of Butler Snow LLP, Robyn Diaz of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Linda Dunn of American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) - 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
Paula Daniel
Practice management partner, Butler Snow LLP
Working at Butler Snow for more than 11 years, Paula Daniel transitioned to the firm’s newly created practice management partner role at the height of the pandemic — and powered through the challenging and intense experience. With smart operations reengineering, the practice retained its entire team without layoffs, furloughs, or cutting compensation.
“The greatest asset we have as a firm lies in the wealth of knowledge, experience, and trusting relationships developed between and among the individuals here,” she said. “It sustains us and drives excellent client service.”
Daniel also credits the firm’s agility and flexibility in navigating the pandemic’s difficulties successfully.
She notes that while diversity, data management, and alternative pricing are big focuses for companies now, Butler Snow already prioritized those areas.
“The client-led surge has boosted initiatives already underway,” Daniel said, “or spurred us to reevaluate and improve upon prevailing practices.”
Quotable:
“We are experiencing a period of unprecedented client-led change that is impacting core law firm operations like never before. Evidence of this appears in a variety of areas including the demand for more diverse service teams; for turnkey, data-heavy reporting in RFP responses and annual client updates; and for alternative fee arrangements that offer cost certainty and are often based on benchmarks or milestones rather than attorney time.”
Robyn Diaz
Senior vice president and chief legal officer, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
With 23 years of health care industry experience and 19 years practicing law, Robyn Diaz packs a powerfully useful one-two punch at St. Jude. She’s especially proud of growing the hospital’s legal office from a small group into a mission-driven, world-class team that helps facilitate the work of the clinical and scientific teams and its ambitious strategic plans with a global reach.
The team “handles everything from genomics to information technology to foreign law issues,” she said. “Our work is incredibly complex, and we’ve found a way to flex and continue providing the same level of service during the pandemic.”
A big trend Diaz sees is using data analytics. With law departments expected to be effective and efficient and to minimize costs, her team is tracking important metrics.
In addition to overseeing legal, Diaz also serves on the leadership team at St. Jude and is the leadership sponsor for several committees, including the Institutional Review Board and Compliance Steering Committee.
Quotable:
“I am making a conscious effort to track data and analyze metrics around diversity, equity, and inclusion within the law department and with respect to the law firms we use. My department is participating in the Mansfield Rule for law departments, which measures whether law departments have considered historically underrepresented lawyers. Several members of my team also serve as mentors in a diversity mentorship program. We want to do our part in developing diverse legal talent.”
Linda Dunn
In-house counsel and corporate secretary, American Contract Bridge League
As chief legal officer and corporate secretary for the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) — a nonprofit based in Horn Lake — Linda Dunn is serving up a full plate of legal solutions. She oversees contract drafting and negotiation, trademark and copyright management, employment matters, compliance with privacy laws, litigation matters, and corporate governance matters, including federal and state organizational issues.
Dunn has had stellar experience and training at some big-name companies including an AMEX-traded bank, Harley-Davidson Financial Services, and Winn-Dixie Stores. Now, as ACBL’s chief legal officer, “I have attained the pinnacle of success as an in-house lawyer,” she said.
Not slowing down, she looks to increase her contributions professionally with her MBA and business experience and hopes to be considered for corporate board service.
Quotable:
“The biggest trend I see is the continued litigiousness of customers and competitors. This means that in-house counsel must, at all times, be conversant with the risks that the company is taking and must take steps in partnership with the business side of the company to mitigate those risks. The key is collaboration and cooperation.”
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/2022/03/07/women-who-lead-law-daniel-diaz-dunn.html
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