Am Law Interviews Kim Koopersmith on Racial Injustice, Wellness, Return to Office Life

Akin Gump chairperson Kim Koopersmith was interviewed by The American Lawyer in a wide-ranging discussion that covered topics from the mood at the firm and Akin Gump’s wellness initiatives to her leadership on racial injustice and prospects for a return to office life.

Among the highlights:

• The firm’s near-term future: “When our clients are feeling very connected to us and we’re providing really strong service, and the people who make up the firm are also feeling valued and like they’re able to contribute, I’m feeling very positive.”
• Flexibility in return to work: “We’re a firm where culture matters a lot. What makes Akin Gump the firm that it is is important to me. That makes me want to include in our flexibility recognition of the positives that come from being together, and I expect that whatever policies will emerge will include the value of flexibility and the value that comes from connections, being together, developing relationships, mentoring, being mentored—all of those have significant components that are enhanced by being together.”
• Her role as a leader on issues of racism and bias: “I have the privilege of running a firm where people appreciate and value that I am prepared to lead on issues and speak out, and while not everyone in the firm agrees on everything, everyone agrees there are issues that need to be addressed, and having a chair who is prepared to express candor, compassion and an insistence on challenging notions of racial injustice—I think everyone in the firm appreciates that.”
• Mental health in the legal industry: “I certainly think the pandemic created a shift in recognition at almost every law firm of the importance of mental health and overall wellness. We had come to that as a firm quite some time ago, but I think the importance of it really hit home in this last year. It’s hard for everyone. Acknowledging that and giving people as many tools as we can to cope with those challenges is really important.”
  
  

To read the full interview, click here.