Voice of Experience: Melissa Butler, Partner, Capital Markets Group, White & Case

By Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

After graduating from the University of Colorado – Boulder, Melissa Butler, now partner at White & Case, went on to study law at Georgetown. In 2001, she started her career working in corporate finance at Thacher Proffitt & Wood. “Then in 2006, after a particularly horrendous transaction, I got a call asking if I’d like to move to London… and I said sure,” she recalled with a laugh.

The call came from White & Case, and shortly thereafter, she joined the firm’s London Capital Markets Group focusing on US securities. Early this year, Butler was named partner – and, she says, this is her proudest achievement. “It’s the most amazing thing I’ve accomplished in my professional career.”

Currently Butler is fascinated by her current work in Africa. “It’s so exciting to work in a places that are not tainted with this idea that everyone knows everything. My clients really appreciate my advice as counsel, and I’m really contributing to the development of the market. I love it.”

In general, she continued, “As a securities lawyer, there are a lot of interesting developments, like issues around the new JOBs Act. As the world changes, the question is how we apply security acts from nearly 100 years ago to today’s markets.”

Work Life Challenges for Women in Law

According to Butler, family responsibilities can be a challenge for women in law. “The main barrier is when women choose to take themselves out of the game – for good reason, to focus on their families.”

She continued, “I don’t feel that I personally have had any barriers that I would attribute to the fact that I’m a woman. I’ve also not yet taken time out to have a family – and I’m not saying that’s a negative in any way. But I do think that if a woman wants to devote herself to this job, the sky is the limit.”

“That said, it’s not a level playing field either. The system hasn’t yet come up with a way to allow women to work successfully and keep a family. I hope that mindset changes.”

“I think the idea of mandatory paternity leave is interesting,” she added.

Advice for Layers

Butler says one of the most important things she has learned over the years is the importance of prioritizing. “It’s the ability to know what’s important and what’s not,” she explained. “As a junior associate, you had a partner who needed to OK everything.”

“But I’ve learned that there are things you can screw up and fix later, and things you can’t – and knowing the difference between the two makes all the difference in managing a successful career.”

She advises women beginning legal careers to remember to make time for themselves. “Look for opportunities to take time out. In 2009, when the recession was in full force and business was slow, I asked for a two-month sabbatical. I went to yoga teacher training in Bali, and it was amazing. It was the right time and place in my career.”

“Many people think the best way to show they’re committed is to sit there, but you can also look for opportunities like this. There were no repercussions for my time out – and I had the time of my life.”

She advised senior women to mentor younger women. “Look out for women coming up through the ranks and see how you can potentially help them,” she said, adding that she is the first female partner in her group.

Butler participates in a City-wide mentoring program in London. “It’s good to have that advice and interaction,” she explained.

Additionally, she also enjoys the women’s events hosted by White & Case. “I love what we do in the London office. We invite speakers in to talk about the issues and it’s very fascinating, and generally promotes female bonding,” she said.

In Her Personal Time

“One of the things that Sheryl Sandberg says is that the best decision you can make is choosing your partner,” Butler said. “It’s the same for me. My boyfriend is incredibly supportive of me and my career, and that’s important. It makes this job that much more tolerable to have someone that supportive.”

In her spare time, Butler enjoys yoga and travel. “That’s one of the biggest reasons I moved to London,” she explained, adding that travel to places like Africa and Russia is easier from the major hub.