‘Support Meant the World to Me’: South Florida Female Partners on How They Climbed the Ladder

Real Estate attorney Vivian de las Cuevas-Diaz spoke with the Daily Business Review about the importance and value of investing in women in the legal industry. In this article, a number of partners in South Florida, including Ms. de las Cuevas-Diaz, explain how they have leaned on support systems within their firms and among peers.

“One of the easiest things that we could do as women is to help other women,” she said.

Ms. de las Cuevas-Diaz also shared a story about a female colleague she brought to Holland & Knight when she joined. Shortly thereafter, the colleague took an in-house job elsewhere. Ms. de las Cuevas-Diaz explained that instead of being upset, she left the door open for her colleague.

“Three years later, she came back to work for me and became a partner and is growing as an incredible lawyer in our firm,” she said. “That wouldn’t have happened if I would have taken it personally.”

The story adds to her point of supporting and investing in women at a firm. She said she believes that it’s essential to give lawyers at a firm a break and support them in their personal goals, so they can feel valued and eventually give back to that firm.

READ: ‘Support Meant the World to Me’: South Florida Female Partners on How They Climbed the Ladder