Getting Mary'd
Part 1 - Mary Finds a Legal Solution
Allen, Barth and Cunningham (aka 'ABC') is a national top 100 law firm with offices covering the southern geography between Texas and Washington D.C., headquartered in Atlanta. The firm's practice is diverse, covering not only the usual corporate, M&A, estate planning, tax and securities common to large national firms; but frequently involving more esoteric subspecialties like atomic energy and trans Pacific trade. One of the firm's more lucrative corporate subspecialties is 'Life Sciences', centered in EPA and FDA practice, but with a strong presence in other regulated areas where toxicology and general human health exposure assessments are all-important.
The practice head for ABC's Life Sciences practice is Brad Tomkins. Although only 45, Brad is well-regarded in the firm. Working in Atlanta, Brad had successfully brought in several nationally prominent international clients on significant regulatory and litigation matters. He had demonstrated not only a grasp of the law and science, but an understanding of the regulatory culture in the various federal agencies with jurisdiction.
It was not unusual for a partner to pop-in for an unscheduled impromptu meeting with another partner. So it was not out of the ordinary for Nancy Hilton to appear, unscheduled, on a Wednesday in mid-afternoon. What was unusual is that Nancy had with her Mary Wu, a third year associate in Nancy's practice subgroup, the trademark branch of the Intellectual Property practice.
"Do you have a minute?"
"Sure, Nancy, what's up?"
"I think you know Mary?"
"Sure. Hi, Mary." Mary smiled and blushed but made no response. Mary was petite, not quite 5'2" with long straight black hair well past shoulder length and a pretty oval face. A frequent winning smile complimented her legendary shyness.
"As you know from the last partner's meeting we are partnering with the mayor and the Chamber of Commerce to build stronger commercial ties with Taiwan. What may not have hit your radar is the major role that Mary has played in making this happen. I intend to roll that out and make sure she gets full credit in due time. Meanwhile, there is an interesting development. I had originally thought that my trademark practice would be enhanced with more U.S./Taiwan interchange. I still think that is true. Meanwhile, the feedback we are getting now is that the ABC practice area that is of greatest interest to the attendees is Life Sciences."
"Wow!"
"I know."
"I would like to propose that you take the lead for our formal presentation. I have already tasked Mary with pulling together a Powerpoint presentation featuring Life Sciences, with just a couple of Trademark/IP slides. But for that to really work, I think you need to be the firm's lead spokesman. Does that work for you?"
"What is the date for the meeting?"
"May 6."
After a brief calendar check, he responded. "Okay, that date works for me. I would like to see the Powerpoint presentation beforehand."
"Of course. For your information, it will be in both English and Mandarin."
"Just show me the English. I will trust Mary on the Mandarin." Everyone laughed.
Over the weeks that followed Mary submitted draft presentations which Brad immediately recognized as adaptations of previous firm responses to Requests For Proposal's from other prospective clients. As the event loomed more imminent, Mary reached out to Brad by e-mail. "Mr. Tompkins, the event is only a couple of days from now. Do you want to meet ahead of time to plan?"
"Sure. I am flexible. Tomorrow afternoon?"
"Perfect!"
*****
At exactly 3:00 PM Mary knocked on Brad's door. "Mr. Tompkins, is this a good time?"
"Very good. But let's dispense with the formalities. Please address me as Brad. Not Mr. Tompkins."
Mary blushed. "Thank you. But that does not seem appropriate. I am only a third year associate."
"Mary, you are my colleague. What you are potentially doing for my practice is enormous. The very least I can do is to extent professional congeniality." Mary blushed again, obviously pleased.
"The event is on Friday. We are scheduled to present at 4:00 PM. Afterwards, there is a cocktail reception and then dinner. How do you want to play that scenario?"
"I think we should both fully engage. Are you comfortable with that?"
"Oh, absolutely. Should we attend separately, or try to hang together?"
"I had not thought about that. What do you think?"
"I would prefer to be seen to be your 'date' rather than considered to bbe 'possibly available' to social overtures by any of the delegation."
"I think I understand that."
"Okay."
"Is there anything else we need to talk about?"
"Mostly just logistics. Can I get a ride with you to the event? I can get an Uber to get home. I just think it makes a better appearance if we arrive together."
"Absolutely. And I will get you home afterwards. No Uber will be necessary." Mary blushed again. "Why don't we exchange cell phone numbers, just in case something comes up."
"Great idea! Thank you. See you Friday."
*****
The event was a clear success. The Taiwanese business people attending Brad's presentation were major players and the questions which followed were insightful and relevant. Mary's language skills facilitated communications on both sides. On several occasions she had extended dialogues in Chinese to enable her audience to fully grasp the nuances of a question, followed by an extended dialogue with Brad in English. Some of the delegation seemed to be bi-lingual. It did not escape Brad's attention that there were slight, but noticeable, nods of approval as Mary translated both questions and answers between Brad and the delegation.
The cocktail party and dinner which followed the presentation was attended by a larger group including local politicians and civic leaders. Brad introduced Mary to many of the local civic leaders as an important ABC resource as a function of the combination of her legal training and language skills, producing still more blushing smiles from Mary. At the end of the dinner, Brad signaled Mary with his eyes, then thanked their dinner companions for a pleasant evening. Brad and Mary walked together to the parking garage. "Mary, you were terrific. Thank you so much."
"Oh it was great fun. I learned so much. I almost hate that the event is over now."