Brenda Young: Legal Assistant at Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP
by Robin Salisian
"I would watch one law series after another on TV and find myself always fascinated with the outcome," said Young.
"I would watch one law series after another on TV and find myself always fascinated with the outcome," said Young. Who says television is a waste of time?
But Young's early training went beyond the screen. Growing up, Young admired a woman who, after achieving a career in law, became a judge. "I looked to this individual as a mentor and was proud to say that I knew her personally," she said. Watching her grow, Young admitted, was a real privilege.
Young studied business at East Orange High School in East Orange, New Jersey, graduated in 1968, and, because of financial reasons, bypassed college to enter the working world.
"I started out as a secretary for an alarm company, Electro-Protective Corp., and hated it," she said.
She moved on to the New Jersey Bell Telephone Company (now Verizon New Jersey, Inc.), where the work was "redundant and uninteresting." Until, that is, she discovered its legal department.
"Although I did not work in the [law] department, we did interact with [it] from time to time when individuals could not or refused to pay their bills. Small as the involvement may have been," continued Young, "I enjoyed interacting with [that]…department, relaying pertinent information needed to move forward in collecting payments."
She enjoyed it so much that when someone suggested that she apply for a legal secretarial position at the office of the public defender in East Orange, NJ, she did and was hired. There, Young worked with imprisoned clients and discovered criminal law was her niche.
"I jumped in with both feet, learning as much as I could about the law, legal terminologies, and what it would take for me to move up the secretarial ladder within the public defender system."
Her hunger to learn and grow paid off. She was awarded two promotions.
But Young's journey in law was just beginning. She then traveled to Denver, Colorado, and worked with a partner in the litigation department at Sherman & Howard. After four years, Young decided to return to New Jersey. She entered the firm's library, looked up the largest law firms in New York, and submitted her resume.
"Four firms replied that they wanted to interview me—Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP, being among those that responded," said Young. "Upon returning, I arranged four interviews, Weil…being the first for the day. I interviewed and was hired on the spot and have been here for the past 26 years."
According to its website, "Weil Gotshal has built a world-class team of lawyers by pursuing a strategy of steady, purposeful growth…The firm's five primary departments—Corporate, Litigation/Regulatory, Business Finance & Restructuring, Tax, and Trusts & Estates—provide healthy diversification in all economic cycles, while our international expansion over the past decade has resulted in a significant number of the firm's lawyers now being in Europe."
Q.
What do you do for fun?
A.
Dance, [watch] movies.
Q.
What CD is in your CD player right now?
A.
Artist: Hank Stewart, CD: 3:57 a.m.
Q.
What is the last magazine you read?
A.
Oprah Winfrey's O Magazine.
Q.
What is your favorite TV show?
A.
HGTV.
Q.
Who is your role model?
A.
My dad.
Currently, Young is the assistant to James W. Quinn, global chair of the litigation practice at Weil in New York. Her responsibilities are numerous and include traveling and assisting attorneys; setting up trial sites, hotels, and courtrooms; and managing the office during cases. Her time is not her own, and oftentimes she is on call 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Demanding though her job may be, Young loves it.
"At the end of the day, when you walk into that courtroom and the jury finds in your favor and you get the 'W' (win), it's all worth it. The feeling and emotion at that very moment," said Young, "leaves you speechless."
But Young humbly gives credit where credit is due. She offers accolades to many, including her current attorney, James W. Quinn, and coworker Angela Evans.
"I have learned much from [Mr. Quinn] on both a personal and business level…I admire the way he carries himself and particularly how he interacts with individuals. He has taught me how to deal with people on a totally different level and still accomplish your goal."
Angela Evans, Young continued, "keeps me focused and always seems to turn a negative into a positive on both a personal level and work-related issues."
Now, saturated in the lessons of others, Young is well equipped to advise a new generation herself.
"Make sure this really is your career," stated Young. "Law can be a very fast-paced environment with not a lot of time to ponder a decision, particularly if you're working with a partner. Situations can change in an instant or from day to day. Flexibility is key. The rewards are there for you if you allow yourself to lock in the learning."
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Facts
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