Meeting Annie E. Thar
Annie Thar's enthusiasm for the legal profession is contagious! When I had lunch with Annie recently, she shared her thoughts and views concerning her career, volunteer work and family (and how all three can successfully co-exist).
During the seven years following her graduation from Northwestern University Law School, Annie worked at two prestigious Chicago firms. Annie quickly found her niche in the area of insurance-related issues. One of her assignments included helping her client form ISBA Mutual Insurance Company, a lawyer-owned professional liability insurance company. Shortly after returning to work following the birth of her second child, Annie was laid-off. This event turned out to be one of the best things that happened to her career because it permitted Annie to explore other options and the type of career she ultimately wanted.
"If you work hard," Annie says, "people take notice." Her diligence on behalf of ISBA Mutual led to a job offer at ISBA Mutual, which led to her later appointment as the company's General Counsel. During her nine years at ISBA Mutual, Annie wrote a column for the Illinois Bar Journal for more than six years, participated in numerous American Bar Association panels and spoke at many seminars. She participated in countless ISBA committees and section councils.
Annie became known as the "go-to" attorney on legal malpractice prevention and ethics. She enjoyed rendering preventive advice on legal malpractice. "Loss prevention advice is different for large firms, small firms and solo practitioners and is always evolving," says Annie.
Three years ago, Annie joined Winston & Strawn LLP as its Conflicts Partner, concentrating in professional responsibility law including conflicts clearance. "The firm is my client," says Annie. Annie gave the area a complete overhaul, creating more than 20 new engagement letters for the firm depending on the client and the matter. "The key is to make loss prevention and conflicts avoidance as simple as possible for attorneys who are busy with client demands." asserts Annie.
Annie stresses that she had to earn the respect of fellow partners. Implementing new procedures, especially as a new partner, is not always popular. Now, partners from the firm's offices across the world seek out her advice and counsel. The reason Annie believes she is now well received is based on her "fair treatment of all offices while being a straight shooter," she says. Annie has traveled to Winston & Strawn's offices in London, Paris, Geneva, New York, Washington D.C., Los Angeles and San Francisco, rendering advice and getting to know the partners.
Throughout her career, she has taken each one of her three sons on separate business trips. Not only have her sons enjoyed the trips, but they have also observed her making legal and business decisions. Seeing their mom work has instilled a "great sense of respect for women," she says. Her husband, who is returning to school to become a teacher and coach, is extremely supportive of her work. "Having a supportive family plus advances in technology are important factors for working mothers," Annie says. Accessing e-mails from home at night or on her blackberry allows her to immediately address the needs of her client when away from the office.
Building relationships and establishing resources are necessities for lawyers. That is why Annie stresses that networking is important for women and that women should not be timid about using the word "networking." Annie promotes bar association-related events where attorneys have the opportunity to interact while accomplishing something positive.
Not only did I learn a lot during my lunch with Annie, but I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with this dynamic, energetic attorney!
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Meredith E. Ritchie is vice chair of the Standing Committee on Women & the Law and is Deputy General Counsel for the State of Illinois Department of Central Management Services.