Lawyer Melissa G. Andrieux, companion on the legislation agency Dorf, Nelson & Zauderer LLP in Rye, New York.
Photograph by Peter Oberc
Melissa G. Andrieux, of Haitian descent, a companion on the legislation agency Dorf, Nelson & Zauderer LLP in Rye, New York, though an introvert by nature, is main the cost for stronger office range initiatives.
Her fellow companion on the legislation agency, Jonathan Nelson, has had probably the most vital affect on her profession. “He’s a mentor to me and helped information my path within the agency to companion and head the Social Impression Consulting Group,” she mentioned.
Rising up, Andrieux’s solely function mannequin of attorneys had been on tv as a result of she didn’t have a real-life instance of the occupation near her. She realized about her great-grandfather and his life in Haiti within the final two or three years.
“Nevertheless, once I discovered he was a choose, I felt a way that perhaps that defined why I used to be so drawn to and single-minded in my pursuit of a authorized profession,” she shared.
Discussing life experiences which have formed her profession, Andrieux states, “Though I didn’t expertise many struggles or challenges rising up, dwelling in Queens in a middle-class household with two working mother and father instilled a robust work ethic and resilience in me to succeed and excel in no matter I did and positively in all facets of my profession. Failure was by no means an choice for me.” She famous that Queens had a repute for being a various, robust, aggressive place to develop up.
She attended St. John’s College for faculty after which New York Regulation Faculty. Throughout that point, she obtained a job provide to work as an Assistant District Legal professional (A.D.A), her dream job.
Andrieux later realized it was not for her as a result of she was not within the social scene or making pals.
“I needed to get by means of faculty and head house, which is what I did. I didn’t know or perceive the worth of creating relationships again then. Don’t get me incorrect, I had a circle of pals at each establishments however didn’t foster them. As soon as faculty was achieved, so had been these relationships. I do remorse that that was my expertise, but it surely was the trail I selected,” she defined.
Being an A.D.A was her dream job, and he or she beloved that she represented the folks of NY, particularly, the residents of Queens County, the place she grew up.
“I used to be searching for justice for the victims of crimes. However, I used to be additionally tasked with making certain that our justice system pretty handled the defendants I used to be prosecuting. Nevertheless, as time handed, I noticed I wanted a contemporary begin and, candidly, more cash. I additionally felt that my profession growth on the District Legal professional’s workplace had stalled. I used to be not being challenged any longer. So it was time to maneuver on,” she added.
As well as, she didn’t have the enjoyment or ardour for what she was doing, and he or she selected to enter non-public follow, the place she was a civil litigator for the following 12 years.
“I realized from a few of the greatest within the enterprise and honed my expertise. I loved the work I used to be doing and the oldsters I labored with, however sooner or later, my interior self was screaming that working towards legislation was now not my calling. I felt that there was one thing extra for me to do, however I really didn’t know what it was till I began to view the authorized occupation in a different way,” she said.
Andrieux says she has been very lucky in her skilled profession. Alternatives have offered themselves, which she has had the nice sense to seize.
“Mentorship and sponsorship had been instrumental main as much as my present function, however then there was additionally the drive inside me to not fail and to do extra on the planet to offer again and be the particular person for others I didn’t have as I navigated my profession. So, a brand new alternative offered itself, and I opened a brand new chapter, main me to the place I’m at present,” she continued.
In her present function on the legislation agency, her duty is to develop and execute the agency’s technique to draw, recruit, and retain expertise and to foster a tradition of inclusion and belonging.
Being on this function means every thing to Andrieux as a result of, she states, “I’ve the chance to contribute to the agency and society as a complete. I’ve been given a platform, and I’ve a duty to the youthful technology of attorneys to pave the way in which or make their path simpler than mine was. I’m able to share my data and errors within the hopes that it’s going to assist them navigate their careers.”
Moreover, on this function, she works with purchasers and different companies to develop their very own range and inclusion (D&I) packages and associated initiatives, which is why she says one of many key parts of the function contains establishing belief with them.
To her, probably the most rewarding a part of her function is determining the place they’re and the place they wish to go together with their specific group.
“Some purchasers include a deep dedication to D & I, whereas others are simply starting the dialog and want somebody to information them in the proper path. D & I work includes navigating delicate conversations about privilege, bias, and energy. Constructing and gaining that belief with the leaders of the enterprise allows me to have frank, trustworthy discussions to uncover the foundation causes of their challenges, and that’s the place actual change begins. Then I do know we could have success,” she continued.
Andrieux desires to be recognized for holding it actual and never pretending to be somebody she shouldn’t be.
Moreover, she mentioned, “I wish to be remembered for my kindness, the mentorship I offered, and the contributions I made to my household and neighborhood. I additionally wish to be remembered for a way I overcame the self-doubt and naysayers to understand my true potential and place on this world.”