Lawyer Melissa G. Andrieux, associate on the regulation agency Dorf, Nelson & Zauderer LLP in Rye, New York.
Picture by Peter Oberc
Melissa G. Andrieux, of Haitian descent, a associate on the regulation agency Dorf, Nelson & Zauderer LLP in Rye, New York, though an introvert by nature, is main the cost for stronger office variety initiatives.
Her fellow associate on the regulation agency, Jonathan Nelson, has had essentially the most important affect on her profession. “He’s a mentor to me and helped information my path within the agency to associate and head the Social Influence Consulting Group,” she stated.
Rising up, Andrieux’s solely position mannequin of legal professionals have been on tv as a result of she didn’t have a real-life instance of the career near her. She realized about her great-grandfather and his life in Haiti within the final two or three years.
“Nonetheless, after I came upon he was a choose, I felt a way that possibly that defined why I used to be so drawn to and single-minded in my pursuit of a authorized profession,” she shared.
Discussing life experiences which have formed her profession, Andrieux states, “Though I didn’t expertise many struggles or challenges rising up, residing in Queens in a middle-class household with two working dad and mom instilled a powerful work ethic and resilience in me to succeed and excel in no matter I did and positively in all points of my profession. Failure was by no means an choice for me.” She famous that Queens had a popularity for being a various, powerful, aggressive place to develop up.
She attended St. John’s College for school after which New York Legislation Faculty. Throughout that point, she obtained a job supply to work as an Assistant District Lawyer (A.D.A), her dream job.
Andrieux later realized it was not for her as a result of she was not within the social scene or making buddies.
“I needed to get by faculty and head house, which is what I did. I didn’t know or perceive the worth of creating relationships again then. Don’t get me flawed, I had a circle of buddies at each establishments however didn’t foster them. As soon as faculty was achieved, so have been these relationships. I do remorse that that was my expertise, however it was the trail I selected,” she defined.
Being an A.D.A was her dream job, and he or she beloved that she represented the individuals of NY, particularly, the residents of Queens County, the place she grew up.
“I used to be looking for justice for the victims of crimes. However, I used to be additionally tasked with guaranteeing that our justice system pretty handled the defendants I used to be prosecuting. Nonetheless, as time handed, I spotted I wanted a contemporary begin and, candidly, more cash. I additionally felt that my profession growth on the District Lawyer’s workplace had stalled. I used to be not being challenged any longer. So it was time to maneuver on,” she added.
As well as, she didn’t have the enjoyment or ardour for what she was doing, and he or she selected to enter personal observe, the place she was a civil litigator for the following 12 years.
“I realized from among the finest within the enterprise and honed my abilities. I loved the work I used to be doing and the oldsters I labored with, however in some unspecified time in the future, my interior self was screaming that working towards regulation was not my calling. I felt that there was one thing extra for me to do, however I really didn’t know what it was till I began to view the authorized career in another way,” she said.
Andrieux says she has been very lucky in her skilled profession. Alternatives have introduced themselves, which she has had the great sense to seize.
“Mentorship and sponsorship have been instrumental main as much as my present position, however then there was additionally the drive inside me to not fail and to do extra on the planet to offer again and be the particular person for others I didn’t have as I navigated my profession. So, a brand new alternative introduced itself, and I opened a brand new chapter, main me to the place I’m in the present day,” she continued.
In her present position on the regulation agency, her accountability is to develop and execute the agency’s technique to draw, recruit, and retain expertise and to foster a tradition of inclusion and belonging.
Being on this position means the whole lot to Andrieux as a result of, she states, “I’ve the chance to contribute to the agency and society as an entire. I’ve been given a platform, and I’ve a accountability to the youthful era of attorneys to pave the best way or make their path simpler than mine was. I’m able to share my information and errors within the hopes that it’ll assist them navigate their careers.”
Moreover, on this position, she works with shoppers and different companies to develop their very own variety and inclusion (D&I) packages and associated initiatives, which is why she says one of many key parts of the position contains establishing belief with them.
To her, essentially the most rewarding a part of her position is determining the place they’re and the place they need to go along with their specific group.
“Some shoppers include a deep dedication to D & I, whereas others are simply starting the dialog and wish somebody to information them in the fitting path. D & I work includes navigating delicate conversations about privilege, bias, and energy. Constructing and gaining that belief with the leaders of the enterprise permits me to have frank, sincere discussions to uncover the foundation causes of their challenges, and that’s the place actual change begins. Then I do know we can have success,” she continued.
Andrieux needs to be identified for protecting it actual and never pretending to be somebody she will not be.
Moreover, she stated, “I need to be remembered for my kindness, the mentorship I offered, and the contributions I made to my household and neighborhood. I additionally need to be remembered for a way I overcame the self-doubt and naysayers to comprehend my true potential and place on this world.”