More Women of Color Take On Big Law Leadership Roles

Phyllis Jones and Lisa Peets spoke with The American Lawyer about their recent election to Covington’s Management Committee. 

Ms. Peets discussed her supporters along the way, saying, “those clients who have been committed since the early days, before diversity was as much of a focus as it is today” have been “important to my longevity and success.”

Ms. Jones agreed, saying that in addition to having a support network, it was important for her to be able to get work that challenged her  as she progressed. “I would say if you think about all the different components that go into an associate being able to succeed at a firm, I had all those things,” she added. “Mentors, sponsors and a lot of stretch assignments out of my comfort zone.

Doug Gibson, Covington’s  chair, says “Most importantly for us, we want to have people on the committee that are widely respected across the firm, as strong lawyers and strategic thinkers, but also the personality type and skills to be on the committee. It is a working body, and we are a very collegial shop the way we are set up. Both Phyllis and Lisa are both terrific lawyers, very strategic, and work well with other people across the firm.”