Stephanie Aladj
Recruiting Manager
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
How long have you been a member of WALRAA? What has been your favorite experience so far?
4 Years. I don’t have a particular favorite experience that comes to mind (though the happy hours and holiday party are always fun!). I think what has been my favorite thing to see is my counterparts at different firms growing and excelling over the years. A bunch of us started as assistants around the same time. I’ve watched a lot of those folks (myself included) transition from assistants to coordinators to senior coordinators. Now some of us are starting to become managers. It has been fun growing in our roles together.
How has WALRAA helped you in your field?
Networking! It has been great meeting and getting to know my counterparts at different firms and the career service folks at nearby law schools. It makes life so much easier when you can just pick up the phone and call your WALRAA contacts when you have questions/concerns.
How did you first learn about and get started in Attorney Recruiting/Career Services?
Happened totally by accident. After college, I knew I wanted to move to D.C., so I randomly applied to an HR Admin Assistant job at a law firm (happened to be Gibson Dunn). They ended up hiring me. Eventually they asked me to move into the Recruiting Department to temporarily help during the ʺbusy season.ʺ I had no idea what that would entail, but agreed to do it because their team was down two people. Got busy during the busy season. Temporarily helping turned into permanently helping. And now, I'm still here!
What is your favorite moment of your career so far?
Don't have a particular moment but by far my favorite thing is seeing the summers come back as associates.
What is it that challenges you most in your job?
ʺNever a dull momentʺ is a saying we are constantly using around here. As soon as you think you've got everything under control, something you were not expecting happens. Additionally, there is no way around it, the month of August is a challenge, year in and year out.
How do you balance your career and personal life?
Putting the busy season aside, I usually am able to get out of the office by 5:30-6:00pm most days. If I want to make a workout class or dinner or whatever, I prioritize throughout the day and I make it known to my colleagues that I want to leave by X time.
There are plenty of times throughout the Summer Program and the OCI/callback season when I am working late, so when I can leave on time during the rest of the year, I leave!
What professional goals have you set for yourself this year?
I was recently promoted from Coordinator to Manager. I'm hoping to just continue to gain confidence in my new role and be a good mentor to my team.
What is the best professional advice you have received?
Prioritize - not everything needs to get done immediately.
What do you like to do for fun?
Hang with friends, hang with my dog (lots of time at the dog park), go out to eat, go to concerts, bop around D.C. Nothing too out of the ordinary.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know.
I have a little French Bulldog named Lola. I'm totally obsessed!
