Women of WLG: Maria Elisa Verri, TozziniFreire - WLG Americas Regional Director

Partner (Corporate M&A and member of Executive Committee)

Why did you decide to become a lawyer?

I was too young when I had to decide, but knew that I preferred a profession linked to "humanities", and also knew that going to law school would open several possibilities within the profession.

What advice would you give to a woman considering going to law school?

Be curious, go beyond in the learning opportunities that you will face, and take all the opportunities to evaluate the information or experience in the different fields that the profession offers before choosing what would fit better for you.

What female has inspired you and why?

My mother. When it was not usual at all in our country, she moved to a distant city to attend University and lived by herself. She clearly nourished the importance of my sister and myself being independent women, with a successful career, whichever career we chose.

How do you balance your career and personal life?

I believe that I am pretty successful in managing the balance between my career and personal life. One thing that helped me throughout the different phases of my life was establishing and being keen to keep my plans, to all extent possible. I always acted with a lot of responsibility, thus those that worked with me as colleagues or as clients most of the time helped me fit my personal agenda. And if I indeed had to review some of my personal or work plans, I also faced as something that could happen, no stress.

How can women support other women in their organizations?

I believe that sharing experiences and difficulties faced, also giving examples of things that helped me during some periods of my personal life or at work is a way to support other women in their careers. I do remember some women that directly or indirectly clearly influenced me in finding my way through.

How does gender diversity within a law firm benefit its culture, as well as its ability to service clients?

The diversity of ideas and of ways to evaluate matters has proven to be very much rich in finding the best solutions.