Gordon & Rees partner Avanti Bakane participated in three person panel discussion on 'life at a big law firm' at the 2017 Law Student Career Forum at the John Marshall Law School in Chicago on February 25. Approximately 80 law students attended the half-day presentation to learn firsthand from local attorneys the 'ins and outs of large law firms' and preparing for life after law school.
Bakane shared her own experiences and provided insight on the quest for success, emphasizing that hard work is essential to moving up through the ranks. Bakane stressed the importance of volunteering and giving back, explaining, “those opportunities often lead to your strongest relationships and can open many doors.”
Bakane also touched on the benefits and challenges of being diverse and a female attorney at a large law firm where diversity is increasingly more important. The panel attorneys explained the differences between being a sponsor and a mentor, and the importance of seeking out at least one of each. In addition to the panel presentation, the Forum included timed networking sessions and resume consultation.
The Law Student Career Forum was presented by Chicago chapters of the Asian American Bar Association, Chinese American Bar Association, Filipino American Bar Association, and Korean American Bar Association.
Avanti Bakane represents publicly traded and smaller companies alike in areas such as complex class action, antitrust, and other commercial litigation with a focus in consumer class action defense. Ms. Bakane has experience in federal and state courts across the country. She assists with ethical and compliance matters and is a key asset in pre-suit negotiations, litigation, and other legal counseling.
Outside of the office, Ms. Bakane served as past President of the South Asian Bar Association of Chicago (formerly the Indian-American Bar Association of Chicago), is currently an Honorary Board Member for the Asian American Bar Association of Chicago, and volunteers with several non-profit organizations to provide opportunities for underprivileged youth and to end gender violence. Ms. Bakane also serves as Central Regional Governor for the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA).