35 Under 35: Lisa Bebchick, Partner at Fried Frank

lisabBy Erin H. Abrams (New York City)

“You need to be able to learn from someone who has the career and work life balance you aspire to,” said Lisa Bebchick, a 33-year old partner in the litigation department at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, explaining why she makes time in her busy schedule to mentor junior associates at her firm. Bebchick, who works in Fried Frank’s New York office, focuses her practice on all aspects of civil and criminal litigation, and has expertise in white collar criminal defense and internal investigations, among other areas. In addition to her billable work, Bebchick also manages to find time for pro bono work, as well as serving on numerous charity boards, taking on leadership initiatives at her firm and recruiting and mentoring the next generation of associates. That’s why Lisa Bebchick is one of the Glass Hammer’s 35 women under 35 to watch, because she is making a difference in the legal world.

The Glass Hammer recently caught up with Bebchick over lunch near her office in the Financial District to learn more about her career choices and her path to partnership at Fried Frank. Here, we share with the Glass Hammer readers some of her advice to aspiring attorneys on how to develop your professional careers, balance work and life, and have fun doing it all.

When asked how she got her start in the law, Bebchick said that she knew relatively early on in life that she wanted to be a lawyer. As an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania, Bebchick majored in political science and was fascinated with political communication. She worked on John Kerry’s re-election campaign for the U.S. Senate and in his press office the following year, working for his press secretary. However, she realized that she didn’t want to go into politics herself. She decided to become an attorney because the career seemed like a logical choice for someone with strong writing skills who enjoyed the art of effective communication. “Good communication and strong writing skills are at the heart of being a good litigator,” Bebchick explained. She also was committed to giving back to her community, and saw the legal profession as a great opportunity to do that. After college, she went to law school at Boston University, where she was a member of the Law Review, and graduated magna cum laude in 2001. She began her career as Fried Frank as a summer associate and worked as an associate for eight years before becoming a partner at the firm in the fall of 2009.

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Voice of Experience: Christine Hurtsellers, Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income, ING Investment Management

christineBy Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

“When I first started, I may have been too competitive,” said Christine Hurtsellers, CIO of Fixed Income and Proprietary Investments for ING Investment Management. She explained, “I had to be the smartest, best, hardest working person… Since then, I’ve learned a lot about working as part of a team. Growing up and evolving is the key to my personal success – as well as great people who’ve helped me out.”

Hurtsellers, a marathon runner and mother of five boys, was one of the individuals charged with turning around ING Investment Management‘s fixed income business 2 years ago. “I’m a pretty driven person,” she said.

Looking forward, she said, “Time flies. In ten years, I see myself continuing to push ahead with many possibilities open to me: running a company as CEO… or stepping back and working in a freelance capacity or on boards… or doing advocacy work for charities.”

“Basically, in charge of the world or giving back to humanity!” she said with a laugh.

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Movers and Shakers: Niamh Bushnell, North America Senior Vice President, MoneyMate

Niamh Bushnell - MoneyMate SVPBy Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

“Advise and evangelize, that’s what interests me,” said Niamh Bushnell, North American Senior Vice President at MoneyMate, a provider of investment data management solutions to global asset managers. Bushnell, who’s worked throughout Europe and now in the US and was recently named one of the 50 Most Influential Irish-American Women in 2010 by the Irish Voice, has made a career of helping technology companies strategically position themselves and their products.

She continued, “I meet a lot of executives – I’m very often impressed by their focus, ambition, and understanding of their industry.”

But, she said, everyday things inspire her just as much as her work. “I’m inspired by unexpected good humor – a bright smile from the server at the deli or the newspaper guy I bump into – the people watching the morning chaos who have the time and the interest to connect with you.”

“When I have that experience I feel it’s a lucky day.”

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Voice of Experience: Alexandra Lebenthal, CEO, Lebenthal / Alexandra & James Co.

Image via JW Magazine

Image via JW Magazine

By Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

The best piece of advice I ever got,” said Alexandra Lebenthal, CEO of Alexandra & James, a financial firm specializing in tax-free municipal bonds and high net-worth wealth management, “was in reference to driving a boat. ‘Whatever happens, just relax. You’ll always be able to turn around and get out of it.’”

“Sometimes you glide on the water, sometimes you go against a current – as soon as you relax all kind of things can happen.” She joked, “It’s something I should do much more of in life.”

Lebenthal, so far, has navigated her life’s currents well – in addition to having built a successful company from the ground up, she recently published a new novel, The Recessionistas, a book about New York socialites following the 2008 crash.

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Voice of Experience: Erika Karp, Managing Director and Head of Global Sector Research, UBS Investment Bank

karpBy Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

“I believe diversity is an economic imperative – period,” said Erika Karp, Managing Director and Head of Global Sector Research at UBS Investment Bank and Chair of the Global Investment Review Committee.

A founding member of the UBS Executive Diversity Council, a steering committee member of the firm’s All Bar None women’s network, as well as the business champion behind the creation of UBS Pride, UBS’s GLBT employee network, Karp is dedicated to the value of diversity.

Citing the importance of differentiated perspective, creativity, and entrepreneurship that diverse individuals bring to the table, Karp said, “The challenge for anybody is getting to have an important voice…being heard.”

She explained, “The trick is being both patient and assertive.”

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35 under 35, Molly McGregor, Director of Corporate Affairs, International Securities Exchange

IMG_0745By Jessica Titlebaum (Chicago)

It is Wednesday morning when I sit down to interview Molly McGregor, the Director of Corporate Affairs at the International Securities Exchange. McGregor is getting ready to attend a conference in Rhode Island as the representative of ISE’s Political Action Committee (ISE PAC) the upcoming weekend.

“That’s one thing that has changed,” said McGregor, “I used to throw a few items in my suitcase, and I was out the door. Now, I have to consider the baby’s needs as well – diapers, food, and formula. No more dashing off to the airport with a small carry-on bag. When possible, I try to bring my family with me to conferences, especially if they run through the weekend.”

As a new mother, Molly McGregor is just beginning to experience the trade-offs that come with a nine month old son and a full time job.

“The challenges change on a weekly basis as he grows and his needs evolve,” she said. Finding the right balance between commitment and flexibility is an issue McGregor struggles with. As someone who used to be able to devote whatever time was needed to the task at hand, she is realizing there are now things in her work life and home life that are non-negotiable, and everything else needs to be kept flexible.

“For example, my son’s day care had a picnic and instead of bringing homemade cupcakes, which I would have normally done and certainly wanted to do, I had to buy cookies at the store,” she said. “If I have to let go of something I will, but I was not going to miss that picnic.”

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Voice of Experience: Dorothy Collins Weaver, Co-founder and CEO of Collins Capital

Dorothy Collins WeaverBy Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

“It’s a good thing I’ve been blessed with two things – I’ve been blessed with lots of energy and a love of the vertical learning curve,” said Dorothy Collins Weaver, Co-founder and CEO of Miami-based hedge fund of funds, Collins Capital.

From founding her hedge fund of funds, to supporting an orphanage in Colombia, to chairing the Miami Federal Reserve, to chairing “We Will Rebuild,” the federal relief effort following Hurricane Andrew’s devastation of Miami in 1992, as well as leading several other philanthropic and civic endeavors, Weaver’s boundless energy and love of learning have driven a career spanning continents and industries.

Based on her experience, she advises, “Be in the room where decisions are being made. Roll up your sleeves. Get dirt under your fingernails.”

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35 under 35: Carol Paterson Smith, Head of Hedge Fund Clients at Rothschild Blackpoint

CP Portrait 2006 (2)By Cleo Thompson (London), founder of The Gender Blog

Carol Paterson Smith has one key piece of advice for women in business – and it’s a good one.

And, as a hugely successful and influential woman in the City of London, her words of wisdom carry some weight. Paterson Smith is head of hedge fund clients for Rothschild Blackpoint and, in her early 30s, is one of the City’s most connected and stylish players.

Early days

“When I graduated, I knew I wanted to do something intellectually stimulating and I also knew I wanted to move into sales. I’ve always been very commercially focused – I was an Avon lady in my mid teens. When I was 18 I managed a sales team in Edinburgh. My mum runs a business and is very successful; she’s a great role model who has always encouraged me.”

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Voice of Experience: Rebecca Macieira-Kaufmann, President, Citibank California

Rebecca Macieira-KaufmannBy Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

“Helping others be the best they can be is a big motivator for me,” said Rebecca Macieira-Kaufmann, President of Citibank California.

She focuses on providing the best experience for the customers of Citibank, as well as supporting her team to ensure they have everything they need to win. She said, “Helping customers be financially successful and seeing the team succeed is very motivating. Nothing can make me happier – it’s why I come to work in the morning.”

According to Macieira-Kaufmann, her career has been driven by two things – her love of business and her love of travel. Speaking three languages and having lived in several countries, she said, “I’ve always loved business. I started four different companies – before college.”

“To sum it up, I’m a fourth generation San Franciscan with a global background.”

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Voice of Experience: Annica Lindegren, Partner, White & Case

Foto Lindegren_3x4cm_300dpi_tifBy Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

For Annica Lindegren, partner at White & Case and head of the firm’s bank finance practice in Germany, a keen focus on providing top service for her clients has been one key to her success – the other is finding a unique balance between her work life and family life. Working in Frankfurt during the week, Lindegren heads home to her family in Spain on the weekend.

She says, “In a sense I have found my work/life balance. When I’m home my priority is my family, and when I am here [in Frankfurt] my priority is my clients (but of course my family is always a top priority). The clients are aware of my travel situation, and it hasn’t affected their view of working with me or the team here.”

And the balance seems to work – Lindegren expresses pride in the team she’s built in Germany, and the success it has seen since the start in 2001.

She continues proudly, “Within 3 years [of starting at White & Case], we were nominated for The Bank Finance Firm of the Year in Germany by JUVE, a guide to the legal profession which ranks lawyers and law firms in Germany. And we won in 2006. We were nominated last year again – all in all we’ve been nominated 4 times with one win.”

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