#CovBlackHistory Spotlight Series: Hakeem Rizk
February 4, 2021
Hakeem Rizk is an associate in the firm’s San Francisco office. He represents clients in class actions, insurance recovery, and commercial litigation matters. He also maintains an active pro bono practice.
How has your cultural background influenced your approach to work as a lawyer, either with your commercial or pro bono clients?
My cultural background is a critical component of my work as a lawyer, and indeed, is what motivated me to become a lawyer in the first instance. Through my parents, I witnessed firsthand the difficulty of obtaining legal representation and, once obtained, the devastating effects of ineffective and inadequate representation. As such, with each and every client, I endeavor to provide the best legal advice and representation as possible. That means fully understanding the client's needs and concerns, paying attention to the details, and vetting all potential arguments and avenues to recovery or solution of the relevant issues. In essence, I approach my work with the same diligence and appreciation that I would expect if I was the client.
Moreover, it is important to me to have an active pro bono practice and one that genuinely seeks to create social change and to assist underprivileged and marginalized individuals. This has led me to pursue and take on pro bono matters that not only impact the client representative, but also the community at large.
In addition, because of my cultural background, I am mindful of the arduous efforts that others before me endured to open boundaries for me to be where I am. I do not take that lightly and work that much harder to ensure that others after me will have the same opportunities.
How have you benefited from mentors during your career and what advice would you have for law firm associates wishing to develop productive mentoring relationships?
Mentorship has been and continues to be a vital component to my development as a lawyer. I am grateful that I have had great mentors, people who have taken a vested interest in my personal growth and success, throughout each step of my career. They have been instrumental in identifying key work and networking opportunities, as well as the development and refinement of critical skills, all of which has catapulted my professional growth and development. They have been a resounding board of substantial advice and successful experience that I try to emulate throughout my practice on a daily basis.
I would encourage fellow associates wishing to develop productive mentoring relationships to identify senior lawyers (both in and outside of the firm and in their practice area) that are willing to take a vested interest in their personal development. This may require actively networking or engaging with senior lawyers, and at times, going outside of your comfort zone to locate individuals that could provide value in terms of your development. Additionally, I would encourage fellow associates not to hastily place confines on who becomes their mentor. For example, we often seek mentors that look like us, mostly out of mere comfortability. While I have done the same (and believe there is value in doing so), I have found that some of my most influential mentors have been people who do not look like me or who I would have never imagine to have such an impact on me and my career. Lastly, I would encourage fellow associates to proactively maintain the mentor relationship once it has been established. It is easy to allow time to create distance between you and your mentor. So, it is important to routinely check in with your mentor and foster that relationship.
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