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When the Covid-19 pandemic struck, Vistra Energy, like everyone else, sent their employees home to work remotely. One of their new hires, Yuki Whitmire, was one of them. What happened over the next year was remarkable.
Immediately upon joining Vistra as associate general counsel, Whitmire provided acquisitions analysis for Vistra’s business development and strategy teams and guidance on deal structure; she played a critical role in the company’s purchase of the customer base of retail energy provider Infinite Energy and Veteran Energy. She also moved into a new house with her family, helped her kids at home with their school work and generally kept everything she touched moving forward in an orderly fashion.
Mark Curriden, founder of The Texas Lawbook, had a chance to quiz her about her unusual experience, as well as her attitudes about work and life.
To read Mark Curriden’s full feature profile of Yuki Whitmire Click Here.
Texas Lawbook: Have you experienced any life-changing events or decisions that you think truly impacted your life? If so, please explain.
Yuki Whitmire: I’m not sure about any uniquely life-changing events or decisions, but certainly having kids was impactful. I was about four years into my career at Haynes and Boone when I had twins. I was working typical Big Law hours and having twins had me reevaluating my life priorities. When I returned from maternity leave, I chose to return on an alternative schedule. I was the first at the firm to pursue an alternative work schedule while remaining on partnership track, so it provided a new perspective in my involvement in our diversity and recruiting efforts. I saw it as an area where I could be a role model and advocate for women, and challenged the traditional way of thinking about partnership track and the law firm model.
Texas Lawbook: What are the biggest challenges facing corporate legal departments today?
Whitmire: Multiple expectations placed on legal departments to be true business partners above and beyond just providing legal service and to serve with speed, accuracy and efficiency and to manage outside counsel spend in the process.
Texas Lawbook: What are the most important factors for you in choosing outside counsel?
Whitmire: Of course, first and foremost is demonstrated expertise. I look for clients who know or have taken the time to learn our business. Someone who is responsive, works in partnership with us and is proactive in identifying issues and offering solutions and is efficient.
Texas Lawbook: How important is diversity in your selection of outside counsel?
Whitmire: Diversity is top of mind and is a priority for our legal department. I have been proud of our GC and our group for proactively having the conversation internally as well as with outside counsel to discuss how we can support each other in advancing diversity in our profession.
Texas Lawbook: What pet peeves do you have about outside counsel?
Whitmire: The top of my list is not responding to my emails, which happens too much.
Texas Lawbook: How do you like to be approached by younger lawyers seeking your business?
Whitmire: I like the more organic approaches, such as through bar organizations. Cold calling me is not effective. But if we are both involved in a charitable organization, it is easier to get my attention.
Texas Lawbook: Are you involved in any pro bono or public service projects?
Whitmire: I was on the board of trustees of St. James Episcopal School, where I helped draft the school’s five-year plan. I just completed Leadership Dallas 2020 and am looking into a couple of options for my next opportunity to engage on a community organization.