On Wednesday, May 14, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP hosted its third Women-to-Women Mentoring Dinner at The Plaza in New York City.
The event was held as a mentoring and networking event for the firm's female partners, counsel and fifth-year-and-above female associates and clients; all invitees were encouraged to bring a female client, colleague or mentee of their choice as a guest of the firm. About 300 women were in attendance at the dinner. The featured speaker was Sara E. Moss, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. She is responsible for the worldwide legal activities of the Company and its subsidiaries. In addition, Ms. Moss has received the Anti-Defamation League Human Relations Award, the NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund "Aiming High" Award, the Minority Corporate Counsel Diversity Award and the Pro Bono Partnership Outstanding Contribution Award.
Ms. Moss spoke on the subject of life/work balance, and gave her own "Top Ten Tips" for working women today. Given in reverse order a la "Late Night With David Letterman," they were as follows: 10) Realize that on the daily basis, life is more of a juggle than a balance; 9. take care of yourself first (think of the oxygen mask on an airplane); 8. Stay focused on what is important to you (don't sweat the small stuff); 7. Don't apologize for your choices; 6. Don't demonize other women's choices (a corollary to #7); 5. Establish routines that reinforce time for important relationships and passions in your life; 4. Remember: it really does take a village to raise a child (cultivate relationships between your friends, family and children; ask for help); 3. Create quality time whenever you can; 2. Be there when you are there (turn off the BlackBerry!); and finally, 1. Enjoy the ride.