On January 19, AABANY co-sponsored So Ordered: Judge Lorna G. Schofield’s Do’s and Don’ts for Your Legal Career, hosted by Filipino American Lawyers Association of New York and Milbank’s Asian Pacific Islander Network. 

Judge Schofield joined the federal bench in 2012. Prior to her judicial appointment, she was a litigation partner at Debevoise & Plimpton and served as an Assistant US Attorney in the Southern District of New York. The first Filipino-American to serve as an Article III federal judge, Judge Schofield has been active with the American Bar Association, holding many leadership positions including Chair of the Section of Litigation. 

See the highlights from the insightful event below. To see FALA New York’s photos from the event, click here.

Looking forward to hearing Judge Schofield’s Do’s and Don’ts for Your Legal Career! https://t.co/5AzdjVwjxJ

Whatever adversity you have in your life now, you might not have in a couple of years. -perspective from Hon. Schofield

“My mother used to ground me when I didn’t get an A. I remember every B I got.” -Hon. Schofield

“I think you should be Barbara Walters.” -Hon. Schofield’s mother

You have to let your perfectionism go. When you’re triaging a situation, decide what needs to be perfect and what doesn’t. -Hon. Schofield

When you’re in #biglaw, you need stamina, with the understanding that your life is not your own. -Hon. Schofield

When I was an associate, I used to schedule my tasks by the minute as if I were a German train schedule. -Hon. Schofield

Keep lists. You might find yourself with free time having forgotten all the things that you wanted to do before. -Hon. Schofield

When I was with the U.S. Attorney, I was sometimes afraid of trying the cases the next day when I feel I should have. -Hon. Schofield

I’m from a generation where partnership really did mean lifelong tenure. It’s not necessarily that way anymore. -Hon. Schofield

To be a good mentee, you have to stay in touch. You have to get people invested. -Hon. Schofield

As a federal judge, it’s a luxury to have the problems that I have. -Hon. Schofield

Old habits die hard. I still eat at my desk. I wake up in the middle of the night and email my clerks. Partner habits. -Hon. Schofield

I’d like to see more women and lawyers of color. Sometimes, people bring in teams of lawyers and they all look the same. -Hon. Schofield

I hate when there are token lawyers of color or token women that don’t speak. -Hon. Schofield

I wish people would read my orders. You need to know my rules if you’re going to follow them. -Hon. Schofield

I wish lawyers knew the rules of evidence. Look it up! -Hon. Schofield

So many summary judgment motions do not need to be filed. You don’t need to waste your client’s money. -Hon. Schofield

Keep in touch with people. Young lawyers grow up. -Hon. Schofield

Make your clients your friends and your friends your clients. -Hon. Schofield

I got into bar association work accidentally. I can’t tell you how valuable it’s been. I learned how to cross-examine there! -Hon. Schofield

Best decision: having a child. Worst: not buying more shoes when I could afford them. -Hon. Schofield

Childhood dream: stage manager or theatre director. -Hon. Schofield

Biggest barrier to advancement: gender stereotypes. -Hon. Schofield

Who you look up to: Judith Kaye. -Hon. Schofield

Biggest challenge for the younger generation: finding your path. -Hon. Schofield

Thank you to Judge Schofield, @FALANewYork, & Milbank’s Asian Pacific Islander Network and Women’s Initiative for a lovely evening!