ARIELLE DUBIN
Legal Personnel & Development Coordinator
WilmerHale
How long have you been a member of WALRAA? What has been your favorite experience so far?
I've been a member of WALRAA for just over two years. I've enjoyed getting to know colleagues in other firms and law schools and being a member of WALRAA always reminds me that I'm part of a dynamic profession and not simply an employee of one particular firm.
How has WALRAA helped you in your field?
In all sorts of ways, but the most important part of being a member of WALRAA is the opportunity to meet and get to know more senior colleagues who end up serving as supportive mentors.
How did you first learn about and get started in Attorney Recruiting/Career Services?
I guess you could say Attorney Recruiting/Career Services is in my DNA! I was probably one of the only kids that knew what NALP, OCI and "the fall" meant long before I joined our profession. My story is that my mom has worked in the Public Interest Advising Office at Georgetown Law my entire life, so after college when I was figuring out what I should do, she somewhat randomly suggested I look into legal recruiting. She connected me with Megan McGrath who at the time (and to this day) was an incredible mentor and she helped me get a foot in the door. I first worked at Sidley Austin for a summer, decided I wanted to work in higher ed, so I worked at Georgetown SCS for a few years, and then returned to the field after missing the fast-paced environment of legal recruiting.
What is your favorite moment of your career so far?
There have been so many, but I think that the stand out moments always involve being part of a team. The opportunity to feel that my contributions strengthen the team's overall excellence is deeply rewarding and important to me.
What is it that challenges you most in your job?
Being in a high-speed, non-stop environment can be challenging yet exhilarating. No one day is the same, and since I just joined WilmerHale this past summer and transitioned from recruiting to legal personnel, I still have a lot to learn, but I love learning by doing. Even when there's more to do than the hours in the day!
What professional goals have you set for yourself this year?
This past year I wanted to get more involved in WALRAA, so I volunteered to be the co-chair of the Mentoring & Networking Committee. My goals were to meet more members, mentor junior recruiters just starting out, and I was also interested in helping to revamp the existing mentoring program. For example, this year we created mentoring circles of 5 - 7 members from all different experience levels, rather than just creating mentorship pairs, and I think they were a success!
What is the best professional advice you have received?
If you're interested in a getting involved in a project or learning more about a subject, you should always let someone know. We control our own careers, so if there is something that interests you, the best thing you can do is ask to learn more about it. People will notice your sincerity and you will likely be offered the opportunity to stretch yourself. I love to work out, read, take my dog for walks around the monuments, and try new and amazing restaurants in DC. As a former pasty chef, I'm still food obsessed, so eating my way around DC is a top priority.
What do you like to do for fun?
I love to work out, read, take my dog for walks around the monuments, and try new and amazing restaurants in DC. As a former pasty chef, I'm still food obsessed, so eating my way around DC is a top priority.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know.
After college, I went to the Culinary Institute of America (the other CIA) to become a pastry chef and then worked at The Ritz-Carlton, DC.
