2019 Influential Businesswoman Awards

Acquisition International - 2019 Influential Businesswomen Awards 13 Most Influential Woman in Law Firm Business Development - USA: Squire Patton Boggs LLP With 47 offices in 20 countries, Squire Patton Boggs LLP is a full-service global law firm with a vast international reach and a dedication to excellence. We invited Mary Powers, the firm’s Business Development Director for Public Policy and Client Service Initiatives, to tell us more about her role in the firm’s vital work and how she is enhancing its international reputation for excellence. rom humble beginnings in 1886 Squire Patton Boggs has flourished, and today the firm is a top 20 global law and lobbying firm with an extensive clientele based around the world. Having worked for the firm for a little over 19 years, Mary understands better than anyone the international power it wields. She discusses how she came to work for this dynamic company and rise through the ranks to her current position. “Prior to working at Squire Patton and Boggs I started my professional career while I was still in college. I started working as a staff assistant for Senator Bill Bradley of New Jersey during my freshman year, then for the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee where I worked closely with professional staff members in successfully securing congressional support for the passage of the US Chemical Weapons Convention. In addition to other government service, I have previously worked for a defence and security non-profit organization, the World Bank, and a US presidential campaign. My background in government/international affairs and strong interpersonal and communication skills all contributed to where I am today. Little did I know back then that it would all culminate in a career in business development at a global law firm that specializes in matters where politics and business intersect. “When I joined in 2000 after US government service, I worked alongside the partner who was appointed to lead that newly created department. While that partner has been long gone from the firm, I have been involved in nearly all major business development initiatives of the firm since then and have substantial institutional knowledge which I now leverage with our global platform. Today, I serve as a trusted business development advisor to firm leadership, as well as lawyers and professionals of our Public Policy Practice as well as other professionals who collaborate with the practice in and outside of the US." Currently, in her role as Business Development Director she is constantly working to enhance the firm’s success, as she proudly highlights. “Personally, my role here at Squire Patton Boggs involves advising and assisting lawyers and professionals with written and verbal pitches to prospective clients as well as existing clients from a variety of industries. In addition to proactively targeting and pursuing new business opportunities, I oversee a team of business development managers and coordinators who provide competitive research F analysis and practice group support. Given our global presence and multitude of practices, I am heavily involved in multi-practice, multi- jurisdictional pitches to new and existing clients. Our clients include corporations, organizations and sovereign governments and entities, and I work very hard to ensure that they all receive the support and service they need.” Having been in the legal industry for such a long time Mary has seen the rights of women grow and prosper, but she believes there is still more to be done, as she explores. “Over the past 19 years, I have seen more women in leadership roles across the firm and more women recruited by the industry in general, which I believe is in response to clients' increasing demand for diverse client service teams. I do believe it has become easier for qualified female lawyers and professionals to enter the law firm industry and elevate to leadership roles. “Recently, one key development that has helped women in this market is the #MeToo movement, which has helped the law firm industry because it reinforces the need to respect and listen to women. I would like to see more justice for women who have experienced inappropriate behaviour from male counterparts or superiors. Law firms and other industries should continue to strengthen their internal support programs to properly and fairly address harassment situations.” Overall, Mary is proud to be working for this innovative and dynamic law firm, and foresees even greater success for it in the years ahead, as she concludes. “In today’s market Squire Patton Boggs is in the perfect position to support a wide range of clients. Many companies are downsizing their legal spend to one or a few law firms, so I am pleased to be working for a full-service global law and lobbying firm that can serve as a one-stop shop for clients and prospects throughout these tumultuous times.” Company: Squire Patton Boggs LLP Contact: Mary Powers Website: www.squirepattonboggs.com