How I Made Law Firm Leadership: 'Explore Your Own Motivations and Expectations for Seeking Out a Leadership Role,' Says Janene Jackson of Holland & Knight
Washington, D.C., Executive Partner Janene Jackson was featured in a Q&A with Law.com talking about her rise as a leader at Holland & Knight. Ms. Jackson was promoted to her position as executive partner in April 2024 after spending nearly a decade at the firm, and she said one aspect of her new role that surprised her was the amount of data she receives and the value it holds in decision-making; for example, she uses this information to strategize how to position the firm in the D.C. Metro market. She also reflected on influential mentors and recommended that those who want to ascend to firm leadership build strong networks that they can tap for advice and opportunities. Additionally, she called artificial intelligence the "great disrupter of the legal industry" and explained how she incorporates technology into her daily tasks. Finally, she shared career/business development advice applicable to first-year associates and experienced partners alike — "think more strategically about [your] career" — and highlighted one area she thinks can derail a leader's path.
"As a leader, people look to you as a role model, expecting your behavior to align with the values you espouse. When your actions, behaviors or words don't align, trust is broken — and it's very difficult to regain that trust," she cautioned.