35 Years of Leadership: Katy Spillers
Katy Spillers, Greenberg Glusker
Former WLG Board Member
How did you first get involved with WLG, and what led you to take on a leadership position?
My first World Law Group conference was Jerusalem in the spring of 2010. It was the “Volcanic Ash” conference (the fact that it is still such a memorable conference is a true testament to Beth, Shelly, Janet and the Herzog team being able to roll with the climate gods…it was a truly spectacular gathering….although I do wish someone would have told me I did not need to wear business attire and heels on the cobble-stone tour of Old Town Jerusalem).
I remember sitting in a new delegate session with my first-time attendee ribbon and telling another new delegate that despite being a 5th year associate, I was on Greenberg Glusker's partnership track. I think the gentleman chuckled and I gave a hearty smile and nod. Little did he know that I had big WLG plans!
Greenberg Glusker’s then managing partner, Steve Smith, had asked me to attend in 2010 because the prior female delegate had left the firm. I think Steve was far ahead of his time in terms of recognizing the need for female delegates and I am grateful for his mentorship in this regard.
Fast forward a few years and I gladly accepted the offer and truly felt privileged and honored to serve as a board member under both Swee-Kee Ng and Neil Sheehy.
In retrospect, I think my experience with the WLG has mirrored my experience as a leader in my firm. I have had amazing male mentors who have advocated for my advancement and cheered me on as I have stepped into my role as a leader. And now, after 18 years at my firm, as a top financial contributor to the firm and a very proud mother of two daughters, I love being able to encourage younger female attorneys and really all attorneys seeking to advance, by emphasizing that I have succeeded because I am a multi-hyphenate woman – not competing with men or women, just being authentic as a human and lawyer.
What was the most meaningful accomplishment during your time as a board member?
I give Joe DeLisle a ton of credit, because the fact that Neil, Joe, and I were able to put together on any type of work product regarding jurisdictional exclusivity, was 90% due to Joe’s follow through and unwavering commitment to World Law Group. Neil and I were just lucky to get credit…although, Joe, I’m not sure anyone has read this.
Also, I interviewed Hanna, so…in the words of Maui from Moana...You’re Welcome!
While serving in various leadership capacities and as a Key Contact Partner for your firm, what more did you learn about WLG and its value to members?
I continue to be grateful and impressed by the lengths our member firms go to help each other out. Whether it’s doing top-notch legal work, helping sort out business problems, or providing free legal advice to help each other’s friends, family or partners, I think the generosity and reach of WLG far exceeds anything Chambers or any other organization could quantify.
As someone who has had some personal and health difficulties during my 13-year tenure with WLG, I can also attest, that for me personally, this is another family who has provided much needed support during challenging times. And for that, I am immensely grateful.
What is your advice to lawyers, and specifically to women, who want to get more involved or take on a leadership position in the WLG network?
In the immortal words of Phil Knight, "just do it" and, I would add, on your terms! I spoke in Dubai at the WOW (Women of WLG) cocktail hour that combining family and work has been instrumental for me in building my practice and being able to succeed as both a mom and a lawyer (if you ask my middle schooler if I am succeeding as a mom, she might say otherwise). But just as I have been an advocate for a flexible work schedule at my firm, which has allowed me to work full-time and grow my practice while still volunteering at my daughters’ schools. I have absolutely loved the palpable evolution of WLG…from being one of the few female delegates, to schlepping my oldest daughter to conferences (her first in Istanbul in the fall of 2011 and her most recent, spring 2023 in Dubai), to a truly amazing WOW cocktail hour in Dubai and an inspiring WOW Zoom panel in the spring. The “OG” female delegates including Moira, Martika, Catherine, Emer, Heike, and many more have paved the way for a broader and impactful involvement of female delegates!
As we reflect upon our growth during our 35th anniversary, tell us about the changes you've seen in the network during the years you have been involved.
When I was on the board there was a lot of concern and deliberation around the consolidation of firms and the reach of global firms. Despite the continued consolidation of legal firms, WLG continues to show that deep personal connections and trust allow lawyers and firms to have confidence in their referrals. At the end of the day, we are in a customer service business. My clients value my guidance because they know that if I need to refer out work, I am putting them in the hands of someone I trust. The relationships I have developed over these past 13 years absolutely trump any internal pressures I feel to use another provider (granted, I acknowledge that Greenberg Glusker is still an independent firm after 65+ years).