Parker Reynolds: To me, mentorship is just all about having that person that, you know, you could take anything to, whether it be big, small, personal or work-related.
Marissa Serafino: There has to be someone who has an investment in your professional growth.
Mary Julia Hannon: When you find a mentor that you also see as a friend, that's a really special relationship.
Nykolas McKissic: We're buddies. I think that's the really cool, impactful part about having a great mentor, is just having the ability to speak candidly with them.
Scott O'Connell: Mentorship is so important because it's the oxygen of our profession.
Sydney Alexander: During the time that I've been an associate at Holland & Knight I've had an opportunity to be an adviser to the younger junior associates, and it showed me that everything we do in our legal career requires mentorship. This career is based on showing others how to do it and to do it right. So this is part of my experience of mentorship and has allowed me to grow professionally throughout.
Annie Gamez: I'm one of those people that, if I have my doors open, I have people that even I'm not working on a case with, will always pop by my office and just ask me general questions. And I hope that they've been able to learn something along the way, because I know that I've learned a ton from all of my mentees and my mentors, and I just want to pay it forward.
So it really has been my true pleasure to be Sydney's mentor. And like I said, for me, mentoring is a two-way street and I do really feel that I get that with Sydney. You know, she mentors me as well. I've learned a new substantive area of the law. I've been able to grow my practice because of her expertise that she's developed. I've had a number of mentor relationships throughout the years at the firm. Different mentees have come, and gone and Sydney thankfully is one of the ones that has not left us. Hopefully. I know she won't. You know, so honestly, it's just, this has been the best pairing thus far in my 12 years at the firm. And I'm really grateful for this experience and for her.
Sydney Alexander: Thank you. Yeah, I call it a match made in heaven, honestly.
Mary Julia Hannon: I don't think we could do what we do without mentors, and being a mentor, this is a hard job. And to have people who have done it successfully before you and being able to have role models to look up to and help navigate your career. But also you get as much from being a mentor as being a mentee. So for me, being a mentor and helping others develop their career and grow in the practice of law is really rewarding.
Lindsay Irving: I think that it is the responsibility of you, it is a responsibility, to be a good mentor to folks going forward, because you really can't have growth in this profession unless people are paying it forward, right? And honestly, I mean, it's kind of a really special thing because it helps you grow as an attorney as well when you start teaching and training and coaching people and you see the value in what you're doing. But then there's just rewards all the way down the line for the firm of just the growth that folks have when you really take the opportunity to serve in that role.
David Hornbeak: I think that the mentorship, both formal and informal, you can get at Holland & Knight, and I've been able to be a part of, have been instrumental in building my career to where it is today. I find that there are always people that are willing to give good advice from those who already have more experience. And then there's also an environment where people are willing and free to, you know, come and ask more senior people. And it kind of flows both ways. And it's been a tremendous impact on me in the stage of my career where I'm at now and I think it's only helping me forge forward.
Maria Gil: I think it's essential to have a safe space in your place of work where you can ask questions freely and not feel judged. Not feel like your questions are going to be silly. And if you have good mentors that you can go to and you're going to feel safe asking whatever question, I think that absolutely helps you grow not just as a person, but obviously as a professional as well.
Scott O'Connell: Mentorship gives you this wonderful relationship that's more than just professional colleagues. It feels like an investment in somebody else, and the appreciation that you get back is an investment in me. And those things just really make it feel fulfilling. It makes it feel like I'm doing something important. I didn't always feel that was the case as an attorney, but when I'm helping others grow, I really feel like I'm giving something important.
Krithika Rajkumar: Mentorship has shaped my professional growth in so many ways, especially with partners who have given me so many opportunities to develop my skills as a litigator. This past year, I've had numerous chances to argue substantive motions in open court, and I've also had the chance to take and defend several depositions and get live feedback from partners who attended. And that's been instrumental in developing my skills as a litigator.
Jonathan Blum: I've worked with Nyk now for a number of years and really seen incredible growth, both professionally, personally, and it's been great to sort of see that happen. But it's also a reflection of when others come to me and say, you know, Nyk has done a really good job, he did this and this and it was really surprising how well he did this and navigated that thing. And watching him be so successful after talking about it and working through and helping him navigate some of those potential minefields on sort of a tactical level and watching him be successful in all those areas, that's really been really meaningful to me.
Nykolas McKissic: For me, it's been tremendous, especially being a young attorney, that my mentor is taking the time to really give me an opportunity to be seen and to meet people within his network and outside of his network. Just consistently trying to build me up and always trying to introduce me to people. And I think it's funny when, you know, people are saying, "Hey, where's warrior one and where's warrior two?" when we're with each other or when we're not around each other. I think it just speaks a lot to say, "Hey, where's your buddy at?" when I show up to events by myself and he's across the room or doing something else. I think it just really speaks to how close we are and how well we're connected and how well we move together just professionally and personally.
Parker Reynolds: Mentorship has been so important to my experience at the firm so far. My mentor is Marissa Serafino, and I have said since meeting her that she walked so I could run. We've had very similar paths and it's just been so reassuring to have a mentor who has gone through a lot of the same things that I have and can really advise me on, you know, the different resources that we have at the firm. And she's also just a great friend. So it's like having a good buddy system within Holland & Knight.
Marissa Serafino: I feel that I learn as much from Parker as I hope I'm helping her as well. So I really want her to succeed. I will say, not just Parker, but everyone at the firm who, you know, above, below me, I want to make sure that we're sort of helping each other through all the challenges.
Parker Reynolds: I just want to say thank you for all of the advice and support and investment that you've put into my career over my two years starting at the firm. I have always felt so secure within Holland & Knight, mainly because of you, and knowing that I have you in my corner to go to bat for me. I've seen you do it before. So just thank you for everything you've done for me. It's made me really excited to pay it forward and be a mentor eventually to new people coming into the firm.
Marissa Serafino: Yeah, you'll be great at it.
Parker Reynolds: You've been the best mentor ever.
Marissa Serafino: Thank you.
