Changing the 'face' of law

The single scariest thing about starting a law firm is wondering whether it will sustain itself. Add to that a law firm that aims to disrupt and change the "face" of an industry and you have a situation that is not for the faint of heart. I am the managing partner at Zweiback, Fiset & Zalduendo - a majority women-owned boutique litigation and white-collar criminal defense firm in Los Angeles. While it seems our management structure, and mission, should be commonplace in a major metropolitan area in 2023, it is not.

Since our firm's inception in April 2018, our mission has been to do excellent work. Indeed, the same work we did in Big Law and in top ranking positions within the U.S. Attorney's Office, but in a culturally welcoming environment that also focuses on mentoring and developing top women and diverse attorneys to be leaders throughout the legal community. My hope is that our firm can contribute, even in a small way, to diversifying the senior ranks of the profession such that women and minority-owned firms become nationwide institutions, general counsels continue to evolve into a more diverse population, the number of female equity partners in Big Law equalizes (or at least surpasses twenty-five percent), and more women and diverse attorneys take the risk of starting their own law firms.

Creating and maintaining a firm culture that lifts-up diverse attorneys, along with the Firm's commitment to providing the highest caliber legal work, is profoundly inspiring and often challenging. A diverse culture, by its nature, requires a true respect for multiple viewpoints and individualism to thrive. Fostering individualism requires learning what inspires each person, and then creating an environment that allows each person to flourish. As our firm grows, there are a few pillars upon which we rely to keep our culture thriving and to meet the mission of assisting the legal industry in a much-needed renovation.

Developing authenticity

The highest levels of success in the courtroom are often contingent on the credibility and authenticity of the attorney. Accordingly, the firm's long-term success hinges on developing junior attorneys to find their own voices and the methods of winning that work for them (within the legal parameters at play). This, of course, is not a "one size fits all" equation and it takes time to cultivate each attorney's most authentic self. The hope is that each attorney has a mentor from which they can take stylistic points while adding their own personal touches as they develop in their legal careers. I believe that without diversity, it is almost impossible for anyone to find their true, authentic self because diversity of viewpoints, styles and personalities vary so greatly among attorneys. Having diverse role models, peers and mentors brings into focus the varying styles a young (and more senior) attorney can attempt to mimic - or disregard as something that does not "fit."

Togetherness

Litigation is not meant to be a lonely endeavor. We have created an environment that includes learning from each other at all levels. Clients and attorneys benefit from collaboration and, frankly, what good are diverse viewpoints within an office if they are not shared. It is always helpful to hear an outside, and sometimes opposing perspective on issues within a case. We are trial attorneys and juries are composed of a pool of diverse perspectives. It is our job to consider as many perspectives as possible to best develop our positions. Moreover, togetherness is important to an attorney's personal well-being as it promotes friendships, collaboration and community - all of which promote a deeper understanding of one's self and others. Witnessing the friendships formed at the office is one of the most satisfying things about managing the firm. Likewise, part of a high-functioning community is flexibility and accordingly, we are a hybrid work environment with anchor days and free lunch on Tuesdays.

Passion, ownership and gratitude

Even in a diverse landscape, it is important to set the commonalities that form the foundation of the firm's culture. I love being a lawyer and, as we know, it can be grueling. I find that a passion for the intellectual pursuit of law makes those long arduous days bearable and those seemingly unwinnable arguments winners. We look to hire others with the same passion for complex issues of law and client advocacy. Similarly, as we strive to give 100% to each attorney's development, we also seek attorneys who take immense pride in their own development and assert ownership over that work. In a boutique firm, every single person has an extremely important role and everyone must respect that principle.

Finally, we are fortunate to be in this elite profession surrounded by talented colleagues and endless opportunities. We also appreciate that clients put their trust in us daily - and that we must continue to work hard to keep that trust. Indeed, it is our clients that provide us with the continued resources to work towards change and inspire a new diverse generation of lawyers. We are all grateful.

Rachel L. Fiset is a co-founder and managing partner at Zweiback, Fiset & Zalduendo LLP.