November 3, 2022
Rosalind Fahey Kruse, Managing Partner of Willkie’s New York office, was profiled in “How I Made Office Managing Partner,” a Law.com series spotlighting the industry’s notable leaders and their guidelines for success.
In the Q&A profile, Roz discussed the key responsibilities and challenges of her role as the first Managing Partner of the New York office, including establishing a comprehensive scope of priorities for the role, communication with other managing partners globally, lateral partner integration, and maintaining the Firm’s culture and continuing to focus on business development as the Firm grows.
Roz provided advice to someone looking to lead an office, saying “…it’s very important to put your time in to develop the knowledge and experience needed to be successful in such a role. Credibility is critical, and corners can’t be cut.”
She also cited Willkie Chairman Tom Cerabino as the greatest influence on her career. “I’ve worked with Tom since I was an associate and he pushes me beyond my comfort zone – in a good way— when it comes to professional work, business development, Firm responsibilities and capitalizing on opportunities,” she said. “I am so lucky and appreciative to have had such an inspirational role model for my entire career. Tom has been a valuable mentor because he encouraged me to find what my own success is at Willkie, knowing that success can look different for different people.”
The article also covers the importance of women in leadership positions to serve as examples. “When I started practicing law, there were not as many examples of females in law firm leadership roles, especially women with families,” Roz explained. “I didn’t really focus on the fact that this type of role was a possibility for me until after I was promoted to partner.”
Read the full profile here (subscription may be required).
