NICOLE CANTARELLI

Senior Recruiting Coordinator - US
Latham & Watkins

This month WALRAA is proud to feature Nicole Cantarelli. Nicole serves as WALRAA's President. She started recruiting career her while in undergrad at UVA working in the Office of Private Practice. She's been a member of WALRAA since 2018. Read about her experience with in recruiting, her best professional advice, and more in her own words below. 

1.      How long have you been a member of WALRAA? What has been your favorite experience so far?
I have been a WALRAA member since 2018! I have had a ton of really great experiences and memories from being part of the organization. One of the experiences that is deeply engrained into my memory is planning the 2020 Educational Conference. It was such a great opportunity to network and learn about the organization and our partners. I will say that my favorite WALRAA events are the Holiday parties (with karaoke after, of course).

2.      How has WALRAA helped you in your field?
WALRAA has helped me make lasting friends and connections in the field. It has also given me so many opportunities to grow and challenge myself outside of my day-to-day work. It has been super rewarding serving WALRAA in multiple capacities and I really enjoy creating educational opportunities for our members and as well as ways for those in our industry to form relationships with one another.

3.      How did you first learn about and get started in Attorney Recruiting/Career Services?
I owe it all to Kevin Donovan and the UVA Law Office of Private Practice. While I was in undergrad working at UVA's OPP, Kevin and did not know what I wanted to do with my career post-grad, the team recommended that I look into Attorney Recruiting. When Kevin introduced me to Lynn, Tacie, and Samantha - I knew that it was the field for me, and the rest is history!

4.      What is your favorite moment of your career so far?
While I was a recruiting assistant, I became a notary to help out with some documents on the recruiting team. I realized after that notaries can also swear law clerks into the Bar. Playing a part in making the people that I recruited officially members of the Bar is a memory I'll cherish forever.

5.      What is it that challenges you most in your job?
This is a tough one! Our jobs are extremely fast paced in nature. While the fast pace is exciting, and makes the day go by quicker - we have a lot on our plates and it gets tiring! This is why it's so important to have colleagues and friends who are supportive and will help you when things get especially busy.

6.      How do you balance your career and personal life?
I work hard to make sure that fun plans stay on the calendar. Having a personal life, seeing friends, and doing fun things is so important for our mental health.

7.      What professional goals have you set for yourself this year?
My goals this year are to continue to build my network and work on my supervisory skills to help my team to ensure that they are getting opportunities to grow.

8.      What is the best professional advice you have received?
Don't let perfection stand in the way of good.

9.      What do you like to do for fun?
I love exploring the DC restaurant scene, going on walks with friends, traveling, and going to work out classes. If anyone ever wants to go to a class together, let me know!

10.  Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know?
I spent this past summer living in San Francisco!