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Attorney By Attorney Career Profiles of the Profession Who? Kim J. Askew Partner askewk@hughesluce.com What? Primary Practice Area & Subspecialty Fields: Business Litigation, Employment Litigation. When? Years in Practice Area: Since 1984 Years in the Legal Profession: Since 1983 Where? Employer: Hughes & Luce, LLP www.hughesluce.com Size/Sector: 175 lawyers City/State: Dallas, TX Law School: Georgetown University Law Center (1983) Undergraduate School/Degree: Knoxville College, BS Business, summa cum laude, (1979) Why? Pluses/Challenges of Practice Area: Business and employment litigation affords me an exciting practice and the ability to deal with many cutting edge issues in the law. Employment law allows me to help employers implement laws that are personally very important to me as an African American woman. Core Skills/Key Knowledge Needed in Your Practice Area: Litigation requires a combination of analytical, negotiation and people skills. Cases need to be carefully planned and analyzed. Strong analysis permits the resolution of many cases long before the courtroom. Strong advocacy skills are critical for success in the courtroom. Good negotiation skills are an essential element of overall success as an advocate because a great deal of time is spent in settlement discussions and mediation. Advice to Lawyers and Law Students Interested in Your Practice Area: Have a solid background in business and accounting if you chose to do business litigation. Take employment courses in law schools. How? Career Path to Current Position: Law Clerk, Jerry Buchmeyer, Former Chief Judge, United States Court for the Northern District of Texas. I have been in my firm since 1984, becoming a partner in 1991. Influences and Mentors: Judge Buchmeyer; Partners in my law firm who took an interest in my personal development and allowed me to work on important and often high profile cases. Networking in bar associations and community groups gave me the chance to interact with other successful lawyers and community leaders. Suggested Reading About Your Practice Area: Litigation Magazine, Publications of the ABA Section of Litigation. Job Search Techniques Used in Finding Your Position(s): Be strategic. Plan where you want to practice and carefully consider the available positions. Existing lawyers should always be ready to retool and learn new areas of practice. Use your friends and contacts. Bar Affiliations and Activities: Chair-Elect, ABA Section of Litigation; Former Chair of the Board, Board of Directors, State Bar of Texas; Board of Directors, Dallas Bar Association. Recent Professional Publications and Presentations: State Bar of Texas – 19th Annual Advanced Evidence and Discovery Course: Privileges, May 2006 State Bar of Texas – Litigation Update Institute 2006 – Civil Procedure Update: Discovery and Evidence – January 2006 State Bar of Texas – New Lawyer Course – How to Succeed In Your First Trial or Transaction: Keys to Victory in the Courtroom or the Boardroom – Nov. 2004 and 2005 Georgetown University Law Center Continuing Legal Education – Employment Law and Litigation Institute – Age Issues in the New Millennium – April 2004 Memorable Career Moment: I will also become the first African American Chair of the American Bar Association's Section of Litigation in August 2006. Becoming the first African American Chair of the State Bar of Texas and of its Section of Litigation. Representing third party candidate Ross Perot in his 1992 and 1996 Presidential campaigns. Intriguing Interests: Gardening, Reading Military History.