Dorothy Cory-Wright, one of the most senior women at Dechert, shares insights on her journey in the legal profession and sheds light on the dynamics of the industry in a recent interview with Law.com International.
Starting her career in a somewhat male-dominated environment, Cory-Wright notes she had excellent mentors both male and female that guided her. She believes that while the legal profession has evolved with respect to gender representation, there’s much room for improvement, particularly in achieving greater diversity in all aspects of the profession.
As a member of Dechert’s Policy Committee, Cory-Wright asserts the necessity for the industry to continue improving both operational and cultural spaces for women and other underrepresented groups. A significant component to this, as she sees it, is flexible working conditions – especially important for working parents.
Cory-Wright’s advice for young lawyers? Work hard, don’t shrink from expressing views, and ensure to mingle with as many people as they can to understand the nuances and dynamics of the profession beyond the knowledge of law. For success in litigation, she emphasizes the importance of strong legal knowledge, a good sense of commercial judgement, and the ability to earn and maintain client trust.
Over her illustrious career, Cory-Wright has worked on several memorable cases, including leading investigations for “Spygate” and “Crashgate” in Formula 1. Her proudest moment, she shares, was being offered tenancy in barrister George Newman’s chambers.
As for future industry changes, greater support for those challenged by the court process stands high on Dorothy’s list. Moreover, she shares her belief that brave decisions are usually the most effective, as summed up in her father’s paraphrasing of a quote from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar: “A coward dies a thousand times, the valiant only once”.
Read the full interview at Law.com International.