A Year of Limitless Success

To me, success begins with intention. Whether you are launching a major project in your firm or legal department, or are setting personal goals, it is essential to define what success looks like from the outset. Waiting too long to do so risks compromising results for you and can diminish the impact for everyone involved.

So, how will I define success? I have a few indicators:

1. Empowering Our Volunteers

As we roll out our updated volunteer structure — engaging nearly 100 volunteers — my success is tied to theirs. I want each volunteer to find value and meaning in their work while building a robust network of peers they can turn to for both professional and personal support. This has been one of the greatest rewards of my own volunteer experience. Every time I have stepped up to volunteer — either locally or at the international level — I have walked away with new, lasting friendships. These are not just working relationships; they are people I consider lifelong friends whom I can trust and rely on for professional guidance or personal advice.

To me, success begins with intention. Whether you are launching a major project in your firm or legal department, or are setting personal goals, it is essential to define what success looks like from the outset.

2. Delivering Results

Beyond personal fulfillment, I expect our volunteers to deliver meaningful and impactful outcomes. When the Board reviewed draft plans of work for each group, we were blown away with the ambitious, thoughtful approaches to addressing key issues facing the legal management profession. I know our volunteers will make meaningful progress toward solving these issues and will have a lasting impact on our profession.

3. Leading in Mental Health Awareness

This goal is both a personal and professional issue for me. I have witnessed colleagues struggle to navigate the complexities of mental health care — limited resources, systemic gaps and the lingering stigma wrongly attached to this disease. I strongly believe that becoming certified in Mental Health First Aid is a powerful step forward. It isn’t about diagnosing or treating mental health matters, but about becoming a better friend and confidante, learning what resources are available to our colleagues and identifying how to refer them to those resources.

I’m proud of the work both our Association and my Middle Tennessee Chapter are doing to raise mental health awareness and build support systems. It is making a difference. Last year, a fellow member I had come to know reached out in tears, seemingly having hit rock bottom. Their life was spiraling out of control. They were already in touch with professional counselors, but they reached out to me because they knew I was a safe place to share their story. They asked me to help keep them accountable, and I have done my best to do that — checking in regularly, asking difficult questions and just listening. I’m delighted to report that they are much better, but still on the path to healing.

We have work to do. Each of us. All of us. It starts with the next step you take on your journey.

When I look back a year from now, I hope I can reflect on these three success indicators and say with confidence, “Yes, we made real progress toward achieving this goal.” With your help, and the dedication of our incredible team at headquarters, there’s no limit to what we can achieve together — or the positive impact we can have on our profession.