Law360 sat down with Michele Coleman Mayes to discuss her career, from serving in the U.S. Department of Justice as an assistant U.S. attorney in Brooklyn, New York, and Detroit, Michigan, to her current work serving as vice president, general counsel and secretary for the New York Public Library. Ms. Coleman Mayes explains why it's important to remain open to becoming a mentor for young lawyers and discusses her contributions towards the advancement of women in the workplace and in legal professions.
Ms. Coleman Mayes also touches on the kind of legal issues she encounters as the General Counsel of NYLP, such as adapting to writing for people not in the legal field, and the future of libraries, digitization and preservation. She comments on her recent nomination to the National Law Journal’s list of “Most Influential General Counsels,” suggests her two must read books, and offers some passionate, but practical, advice.
When asked what advice she would give to young lawyers she said,
“Take stock. Take risk. Take credit. Take a hand. Take a stand. Take care.”
Read the full interview on Law360. [Subscription Required]