In this Q&A with The Texas Lawbook, Texas Capital Bank GC Anna Alvarado discusses the traits she seeks in outside counsel, what outside counsel need to know when working for her and her thoughts on DEI.
Texas Lawbook: What has been your best day with Texas Capital?
Anna Alvarado: Best day is when I get to promote members of my team. Most “fun” day was ringing closing bell at NASDAQ.
Lawbook: What do you look for in hiring outside counsel?
Alvarado: Responsiveness, efficiency, and accuracy. And me wanting to hang out with them on a personal level.
Lawbook: What does outside counsel need to know about working with you?
Alvarado: That I work in an environment with extremely high expectations, where attention to details and the “how” is critical. Which means, I rely on outside counsel to help me excel.
Click here to read the Lawbook profile of Anna Alvarado.
Lawbook: Regarding DEI, where do most law firms drop the ball? Why are law firm diversity numbers struggling to improve?
Alvarado: I have no idea. I suspect, however, that it’s not enough to hire but to figure out what will make the hire successful. Our profession, as it is, is very “lonely” in that the work is done individually with little opportunity to “learn” from others unless those around them truly make an effort and invest time in developing. It’s a “sink or swim” dynamic, and unless there’s a conscious effort and intent to “develop” and establish that personal connection, a true personal interest, law firms and companies alike with continue to struggle.
Lawbook: What is the role of GCs and in-house counsel in seeking the solution to improve diversity and inclusion?
Alvarado: Leading by example, asking and being direct about who is working on the matter.
Lawbook: What question am I not asking that I should be asking?
Alvarado: What’s your favorite thing to do? Me: Someplace I’ve never been.