At Drew Eckl & Farnham, we recognize the incredible women in our firm and the legal profession. To celebrate, we asked a few of our women attorneys to share their stories and the women who inspire them.
Mikela Gassert is an Associate Attorney in the Atlanta office practicing worker’s compensation defense. She is well-versed in alternative dispute resolution, with prior experience as a GODR licensed mediator. Prior to joining the firm, Mikela practiced in the area of business law in boutique firms south of Atlanta.
What inspired you to pursue a career in law?
I pursued a career in law to achieve personal prestige and to establish myself as a trailblazer in my family. By excelling in my profession, I aim to be a good role model for others to follow their ambitions.
Can you share a defining moment in your legal career?
A defining moment in my legal career was when I mediated with one of my first clients after passing the bar, and we reached what we had defined beforehand as a successful resolution. This experience reinforced the importance of collaboration with clients’ vision of success, and the impact attorneys have on peaceful conflict resolution.
What is one lesson you’ve learned in your career that you wish you knew earlier?
I wish I better understood the connection between a client’s perception of you and their willingness to follow your advice. A client won’t do what you tell them, even if it’s a perfect solution to their problem, if you don’t first build trust. The best way to build that connection quickly is have a history of success, and the second is to be an effective listener.
Can you share a moment in your career when you felt especially proud or accomplished?
I felt proud when I watched the student I mentored through law school graduate and pass the bar.
What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
Women’s History Month is a reminder of the incredible contributions women have made throughout legal history for all people, not just women.
Which women in history or the legal field do you admire most, and why?
I admire Crystal Eastman, the drafter for the country’s inaugural workers’ compensation law. I admire her commitment to social justice, her pioneering work in women’s suffrage, and her role in co-founding the American Civil Liberties Union. Her efforts to advance workers’ rights and peace activism have left a lasting legacy that affects our practice today.
How do you hope to inspire the next generation of women in law?
I hope to inspire women by being a role model of good character, professional success, and an effective mentor.