Q&A with Margo Ceresney
Margo Ceresney is a member of the firm's Corporate Department and Trust, Estate Planning and Personal Wealth Practice Group. She advises clients on estate and gift planning, trust and estate administration, succession planning and tax-related matters.
What advice would you give to women just starting out at a law firm? What are some important first steps they can take to lay the groundwork for a successful career?
Focus, attention, and hard work are key factors in starting out at a law firm. Asking questions helps to work in an efficient manner so that you know the direction to take with every project. Be grateful for every project assigned to you. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes because you learn by doing and with every project you build on your knowledge base for what will hopefully be a long and fulfilling career. Talk to everyone at the law firm, put yourself out there, build relationships. Make sure your colleagues know how to spell and pronounce your last name. Have a presence. Do not work remotely. Be humble and appreciative of your role at the law firm. Earn the confidence of the other attorneys and staff so that you are liked and respected by your colleagues with the goal of succeeding in a team and collaborative environment.
What advice do you wish you could give your younger self, just starting out in the legal field?
Be more proactive in the day to day. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Be more daring and connected to the outside world. Go up to people at networking events/opportunities that you do not know and introduce yourself. Make things happen for yourself as no one else is going to do it for you. Don’t be afraid to make a change in your life whether it is professionally or personally if you are not happy with how things are going. Have a balance in professional and personal life. Don’t be complacent with the current situation if it is not what you are looking for.
How has your previous experience helped you in your current role at Porter Wright?
I have worked with all different types of people and on a variety of matters that have formed a nice platform for me at Porter Wright to help my team and perform my role.
How can women support other women in their organizations?
Within their own department, having one-on-one conversations, building relationships, providing training on matters that need assistance. Outside of your department, being a mentor for another attorney or staff member. Providing that level of encouragement that you are appreciated for your efforts and we are here to help you succeed. Having an outlet to go to if needed for advice, next steps.
Have you drawn professional inspiration from other women? Tell us about someone who has inspired you.
Yes, I am working with Marve Ann M. Alaimo who inspires me every day. She is a positive, energetic person who is very knowledgeable in the area of trusts and estates and I am very thankful that I get to work with her. She is a great leader and mentor who cares about people and I draw inspiration from her with the projects that I work on a daily basis.
What is most important when it comes to balancing your legal career alongside your interests outside of work?
I am a single mom to two boys ages 6 and 4. What is most important is that I am mentally present in the role that I am in at that particular part of my day. So, if I am working, I am focused on working. If I am with my boys, I am focused on my boys. I find that compartmentalizing my life has helped me succeed with balancing my career with my role as a mom. I am also conscious of making time for myself which helps me recharge both mentally and physically.
