NATASHA ZECH
Director of Attorney Recruiting, Diversity & Development
Williams & Connolly LLP
1. How long have you been a member of WALRAA? What has been your favorite experience so far?
I've been a proud WALRAA member for almost 10 years! My favorite experience has been serving as a WALRAA mentor and having one of my mentees, Sherry Bridge, recently join my firm this year.
2. How has WALRAA helped you in your field?
What started as a role focused on attorney recruiting has gradually expanded to include associate development and diversity and inclusion. At times, it has been rather daunting to wade into unknown territory but the support, guidance and resources from fellow WALRAA members has really helped me spread my wings professionally.
3. How did you first learn about and get started in Attorney Recruiting/Career Services?
I was a former paralegal at Williams & Connolly. In addition to having tremendous respect for the litigators, I really loved the firm culture and comradery we shared in the trenches. After clerking and litigating elsewhere for several years, when I was ready for a career change, I was welcomed back to lead our attorney recruiting department. Being a former litigator - and my love for socializing - has made recruiting my dream job!
4. What is your favorite moment of your career so far?
While our team members have many years of collective experience, we are relatively new to each other. But everyone has really stepped up to support each other personally and professionally in the short time we've worked together, even when we are working long hours, and watching us grow and thrive has easily been the highlight of my career to date.
5. What is it that challenges you most in your job?
It's hard for me to say no to a good social event and I often forget that I require more sleep than a summer associate.
6. How do you balance your career and personal life?
I don't love the phrase "work life balance" because it implies that my personal and professional life have perfect equilibrium and never overlap. On my best day, I try to be flexible and shift my priorities at home and at work, depending on what the situation requires. On all other days, I try for some self care and pat myself on the back for keeping my children alive and happy. And give a shout out to my husband for doing the same because I couldn't do any of this without an amazing partner.
7. What professional goals have you set for yourself this year?
The Diversity Committee hosted a very insightful meeting this year on Law and Parenthood that not only provided attendees with interesting data but gave us practical tips that we could implement at our respective organizations. It resonated with me as a parent who like so many has struggled with competing demands at home and in the office. The conversation spurred a group of us to form something we’ve been discussing for a while - the inaugural WALRAA Parents Group which had had its first meeting last month. It's been heartening to see that there are so many ways to parent and I love getting parents together to learn from each other. Like so many, I've benefitted tremendously from the committee work and networking events that WALRAA has hosted and I welcomed the chance to give back to an organization that has given so much to me.
8. What is the best professional advice you have received?
Instead of focusing on the salary, find a job that interests you and you're more likely to work hard at it and turn it into a career.
9. What do you like to do for fun?
I love to cook and we have family dinners with my parents every Sunday. Now that I've stopped burning everything in my Williams Sonoma cookbooks, it's become a favorite family tradition.
10. Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know.
I'm an introvert. Just kidding.
