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Chasity Henry says a “funny thing happened” on her way to becoming a litigation partner. She discovered that she “was much more interested in the inner workings of our clients’ businesses … than I was about actually going to trial.” Only 43, Henry has had an enormous impact on the Texas legal profession in strategic in-house positions with corporate giants Dr Pepper Snapple, Kimberly-Clark, CECO Environmental and now Jacobs, a Dallas-based multibillion-dollar international technical services company. She has led billion-dollar mergers and acquisitions and been one of the strongest and most effective advocates of diversity and inclusion in the DFW area.
The Lawbook talked leadership, diversity efforts and outside counsel in this Q&A with Henry.
Texas Lawbook: What are simple things that corporate legal departments and law firms can do in achieving DEI?
Chasity Henry: Be better leaders and expect better leadership from others. Leaders who encourage and empower everyone to be seen, heard and bring their best selves to work. Leaders who ensure equitable access to opportunities. For example, at law firms, this means ensuring associates of all backgrounds have equitable access to meaningful assignments, career development and client contact. This may also mean reassessing origination credit rules to ensure that credit is assigned equitably.
The Lawbook: What are the factors you consider when deciding about hiring outside counsel?
Henry: Technical expertise and experience in the relevant areas of law are table stakes. Beyond that, relationships are what matter most to me. I need to trust outside counsel to act in the best interest of the company and provide me with wise, pragmatic and risk-adjusted advice.
The Lawbook: What does outside counsel need to know about you?
Henry: That I believe diverse teams deliver the best results.
Click here to read the full profile of Chasity Henry.