Page 90 of Partner Pursuit

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After about a half hour, the door opened and Sebastian walked in.Mid-forties, he seemed to radiate energy. He shook her hand firmly and asked her a few questions about herself. He then took a seat across from Audrey, leaning back. He listened carefully to her succinct presentation of the current case status and the planned approach to the trial. It felt surprisingly informal for a meeting with a CEO. As Betty had foretold, he loved the chart. He asked several thoughtful questions, and she had to think fast to answer them in an invigoratinggive-and-takediscussion.

His assistant poked his head through the door and called him to his next meeting. Joking about how his assistant kept him on a tight leash so he could make his daughter’s soccer games, he left the room. Audrey could see how he’d managed to persuade people to invest in hisstart-up. He came across as really smart but also charismatic andcongenial.

“Well, that went well,” Betty said, smiling, after checking an email on her phone. “I’m going to a professional development event in January at the Marriott in Times Square about developing the next generation of women leaders. Perhaps you’d like to join me asmy guest?”

“I’dlove to.”

“Excellent. I’ll have my assistant send you the details.” Betty typed on her phone. “Why don’t I give you a tour of the offices before you head back? But whatever you do, don’t agree to aping-pongmatch with the account executive Chris.”

“Ping-pong?” Audrey asked, doubting she’d be playingping-pongin front ofa client.

“He’ll decimate you. Doyouplay?”

“I haven’t playedping-pongin years—not since before law school,” Audrey said, packing upher stuff.

“Better wait until you’ve brushed up your skills before taking him on.”

Audrey wasn’t sure when she was going to brush up on her ping pong skills or be at a Popflicks office event, but she nodded obligingly. She loved the atmosphere of Popflicks, so welcoming and lively compared to the formality of Howard, Parker & Smith. This must be what Jake’s workplacefeltlike.

And she had to admit, she had a little work crushon Betty.

Chapter Forty-Seven

Audrey sat next to Winnie at thefirm-widemeeting. The faces of the various partners attending were somber and reserved, the atmosphere in the room subdued.

The managing partner of the firm, Michael, gave a brief overview of the state of affairs. Litigation was not doing well. Michael didn’t say it, but he implied that making litigation partner was going to be difficult this year because the firm had fewer litigation clients. Michael said that that the firm wanted to start an associate mentoring committee and was looking for associates to head it under partner supervision. Hunter enteredtheroom.

Colette raised her hand and said, “I’d like to recommend Audrey Willems to head that. She’s a great mentor to younger associates.” Colette took a deep breath. “I’ve had the”—she searched for a word and then she bit it out—“privilege to work with her on the Hen litigation. She takes the time to develop their skills and to provide targeted, practical advice.”

Audrey was stunned, although Colette sounded like she was talking through a mouthful of nails. Winnie seconded the nomination. Mohan jumped in to say that Audrey had helped him with taking depositions, and he had learned muchfromher.

Michael turned to her. “Well, Audrey, we hope you’ll accept this nomination. Those are quite some testimonials.”

“Yes, of course, thank you,” Audreysaid.

“I’d be happy to support Audrey in that endeavor,” Tim said. Audrey flashed him a grateful smile.

“And me as well,” Colettesaid.

“Great,” Michael said. “Lawrence Malaburn has offered to be the lead partner on this initiative.” Audrey made a choking sound.Malaburn again? How was that possible?The associates around her seemed to recoil in shock. What had she gotten herself into—or been volunteered for? She looked over at Colette.Is that why Colette recommended me?

But Colette looked horrified. She mouthed:Are they kidding?

“I presume there are other partners on the committee as well. We’d propose a confidential associate nominating process if those partners have not already been decided,” Audrey said, trying tosavethis.

“Good idea,” Michael said. “I’ll leave you and the others to work that out.” He moved onto the final business of the meeting.

As she left the meeting with Winnie, Audrey asked, “Do you think Colette set me up?”

“I couldn’t tell. She looked appropriately horrified. She also volunteeredtohelp.”

“I thought that was because she didn’t want to be left out if both Tim and I wereonthis.”

Winnie laughed. “Yes, I thought the same thing.”

“I don’t think she did, but this is a nightmare assignment, especially now,” Audrey said. “So not only are they making fewer partners, but I have to work with Malaburn again. I just finishedwithhim.”

And critically, it shows that the firm is not taking this mentoring initiative seriously.She loved mentoring; it was one of her favorite aspects of working at the firm. But putting Malaburn in charge was not agoodsign.