Women of WLG—Martika Jonk, CMS Netherlands

Martika Jonk, CMS Netherlands
Of Counsel (Former Partner for 30 Years)

Why did you decide to become a lawyer?

During my law studies in Amsterdam, I was allowed to do an intern program at a law firm (actually the firm that I am still working at after more than 35 years!) and was hooked straight away

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

Anyone with the means and capacity to go either to law school or other higher education should do it. Even if you do not know whether you aspire to become a lawyer, there are many other opportunities after graduation. Law school teaches you how to think. Do not be deterred by boring topics during your studies, and law only becomes interesting once you have the opportunity to work in it.

What advice would you give to a young female associate looking to make partner/advance her career?

Other than the obvious, work hard(er), be focussed, use opportunities (e.g. in creating a niche for yourself in a developing area of the law).

As a woman, what do you think are the keys to success?

Not much different than the keys to success for men: work hard, differentiate yourself by making yourself indispensable in your chosen field of the law. In the end, our profession is all about the clients. You need to be there when needed and fight for the client.

What female has inspired you and why?

I have great admiration for the young female lawyers in our firm who manage to raise small kids and be successful.

How do you balance your career and personal life?

Finding a balance between work and life is a continuous struggle for lawyers. I have only managed to find some balance now that I am no longer a partner.

M&A in a large international law firm is top-sport; you need to make sure that you are physically fit, so make sure you take your sports seriously.

How can women support other women in their organizations?

I try to be a mentor, e.g. by taking younger partners or associates out to lunch and by making sure that we talk about other matters than client matters.

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

I am also on the supervisory board of three large companies and believe in gender diversity. It leads to different perspectives and, therefore, better decision-making.

What do you hope changes for the next generation of women lawyers in the practice of law?

I have already witnessed a big change in that both men and women in law attach more value to a good work/life balance. As a law firm, you have to accommodate this trend, or you will not attract (and keep!) talent.

I hope that daycare for small children becomes more easily accessible. In the Netherlands, daycare is prohibitively expensive.

How has your legal education and experience served you in other aspects of your life that bring you joy?

It has enabled me to become a board member in several large companies, which has given me a different perspective. Being able to contribute my years of experience in law in a different context has given me great joy and satisfaction

What book/podcast/film has shaped a new perspective for you that has led to a positive outcome in your career?

Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink. This book is all about taking responsibility for your actions.

What piece of advice did you ignore that you wish you had listened to earlier in your career?

Ha, good question! Lawyers are not good at taking advice. We always know better. Sometimes you know that you are right, but it serves a better purpose to give the right to be right to the other person.

Do you have any networking advice for women lawyers?

Get out there! Whether it is seminars, receptions, traveling, or any other opportunity to mingle and meet people.

If you are not a very outgoing person, do not force yourself into being something that you are not, be yourself.