A powerful question for International Women’s Day

Many remarkable women are part of the Motley Rice team. Each of them brings their own experiences, knowledge, wisdom, and stories to the work they do. So, this International Women’s Day, we asked some of these remarkable women a single question.

How have women impacted your career?

Their answers are inspiring.

Anne McGinness Kearse

“I am inspired by women who accept each other’s life challenges while encouraging and lifting each other to rise to the occasion. I admire women who lead by example. It’s this sisterhood that creates women warriors in all of us to make this world a fairer and just place.“

With more than two decades of experience in complex litigation, Anne brings a passion for justice to each case, working for her clients and seeking to bring those responsible to account for workplace injuries, toxic exposure and dangerous products.

Mimi Liu

“Tremendously. Many of my greatest mentors have been trailblazing women, including Canadian Supreme Court Justice Claire L’Heureux-Dube and Cecile Richards, former President of Planned Parenthood.”

Mimi Liu litigates for state attorneys general, governments, and other public entities to protect public resources.

Carmen Scott

“I have had the honor of representing many women in women’s health and other cases. The strength and resilience of these women in the face of adversity is beyond inspiring. This, coupled with an amazing team of women, each lifting the other, has fed me throughout my career.”

Carmen Scott represents victims of harmful medical drugs and devices, medical negligence, and corporate misconduct.

Tammy Rivers

“I grew up on a farm where my mother and aunts worked the fields while the men were forced to get jobs to help support the family and the farm. I didn’t realize at the time they were instilling in me the knowledge that a woman is not limited by what society thinks her role should be.”

Tammy Rivers represents victims and survivors of global terrorism, as well as consumers, businesses and communities burdened with harmful effects of corporate and other misconduct.

Tope Leyimu

“By showing up authentically as they are, so many women have inspired my career in law. I am grateful for the many women who have paved the way, spoken my name in rooms of opportunity, championed me and provided me with thoughtful guidance and unwavering support. “

Tope Leyimu litigates for people catastrophically hurt or killed because of corporate wrongdoing, occupational hazards, and environmental negligence.

Jodi Westbrook Flowers

“I’m inspired by many women who take up the mantle to lead for the betterment of others. A quote that I have lived by and seen the truth of is from the anthropologist Margaret Mead: ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has.’” 

Jodi Westbrook Flowers seeks to protect the health, safety and rights of consumers, families, investors, workers, and victims of crime and terrorism.

Annie Kouba

“I have been the beneficiary of the guidance and mentorship of many women in my life who are both powerful and empowering, and I am lucky to say many of them are the women I work with every day.”

Annie Kouba represents global terror victims, survivors of childhood sexual abuse, children and families coping with social media harm, as well as public clients and government entities.

Jade Haileselassie

“In my career, I’ve been privileged to experience the exceptional leadership of women who forged unique paths in a challenging field. The women who have been the most influential on my approach to work have demonstrated that success is not necessarily about finding balance but about achieving harmony.”

Jade Haileselassie represents global terror victims and their families, and public entities in litigation that works to enhance public health and safety.

Serena Hallowell

“International Women’s Day reminds me of the incredible women in my life who have shaped me through their strength, wisdom, and support. From family to friends and colleagues, their success inspires me to pay it forward.“

Serena Hallowell has been recognized by her peers as a leader in the plaintiffs’ securities bar for her work in securities opt-out litigation.

Paige Boggs

“I have been extraordinarily lucky to work with and for many brilliant women throughout my career. They gave me a path to follow and the encouragement to discover my own.”

Paige Boggs represents public entities in complex litigation involving consumer fraud and other matters.

Esther Berezofsky

“I have been inspired by the women who, with no prior experience with activism or advocacy, become leaders in their environmentally contaminated communities in organizing against, and taking on corporate malfeasance.”

Esther Berezofsky represents communities impacted by environmental contamination as well as consumers, individuals and families impacted by fraud and misconduct.

Ann E. Rice Ervin

“Attending an all-girls school for middle school and high school taught me that a girl can do anything she wants to. The path may not be as easy or as straight forward, but a girl can do what she sets her mind to! Since I was a young girl, I have the ability to watch women become a more central part of the legal world and be successful in the old school man’s world when it wasn’t easy or common. As a lawyer, I have been lucky enough to continue to have strong women around me that I have been able to learn from in so many ways. One of the biggest and most impactful things for me has been showing me that it is possible to have a big successful career and a family. You have to work hard and stay organized – but it can be done. The other goes all the way back to school days and has continued as I have watched and learned from the strong women around me – don’t be afraid to speak up and be confident in your strengths and knowledge.”

Ann E. Rice Ervin represents victims faced with unexpected health complications caused by harmful pharmaceutical drugs and defective medical devices.

A Moment for Reflection

How have women impacted your career? What lessons have you taken from them? Would you be where you are today without the mentorship, talents, skills, and sacrifice of remarkable women in your professional life?

This International Women’s Day let’s all take a moment to recognize how amazing women have impacted our careers…and thank them.