1.   What inspired you to move from a career in a for-profit international law firm to a not-for-profit, higher education world?
Part of it was complete serendipity because I wasn’t really looking for change. The position came to my attention through a friend of a friend. I have a background working with non-profits but not in higher-ed. I came in to talk to Jack DeGioia, President of the university, and I was sold — on a big challenge and a different challenge.

2.   As the Chief Legal Officer, what are your main issues of concern and what keeps you up at night?
The issues are almost everything you can think of from faculty and employee issues to student issues to standard corporate work, transactional work and intellectually property related issues. Happily, we don’t have that much litigation work. What may keep me awake is what I don’t know. It’s a decentralized environment which is by necessity because it’s a dispersed model.  There is the law center, med center, business school and different departments. As a shared governance model, everyone has a say in a lot so you don’t have a handle on everything that’s been transpiring.

3.   So, how do work around that to get the critical information that you need as General Counsel?
People here have really good instincts and intentions. By and large, this is a compliance-oriented culture. There‘s a very good, and forward thinking, tone at the top which sets the example for everyone.

4.   You’ve been recognized as “Top Corporate/Mergers & Acquisitions Lawyer in D.C.” several times, among the top 25 businesswomen in D.C., consistently named a “Leading Corporate Lawyer”, “The Best Lawyers in America” and “Washington’s Most Influential In-House Attorneys.” If a colleague were to describe three qualities about you that contributed to this top-notch recognition, what would they be?
First, I always strive for excellence. No matter what you do, do your best — I tell my kids that, too.  Second, perseverance.  It’s still not easy for women and there are many subtle barriers that make it difficult for women to succeed. It’s probably as true today as it was 25 years ago. Third, have a goal and always be working towards something. It helps to more directed in your thinking and more efficient in your work.

Yes, there are still barriers for women but they are more subtle. In many industries women are still not part of the club. And there is a value in being part of the “network” because a lot of opportunities occur in that networking setting that aren’t available to women. That holds true in different levels in a career, as well.  For women early in their career, it’s more a function of getting the big opportunities or the prestige assignments to show your ability. I’ve also found that women are not as adept in asking for what they want as guys whether it’s about pay, assignments or staffing. I think we, as women, need to do be much better in the “asking.”

6.   What advice would you give to other women who want to not only grow, but flourish, in a highly competitive environment?
I would go back to show excellence in your work and develop the technical skills. It’s also important to be strategic in your goals. Often a career is not linear and you have to roll with the punches. Don’t give up and having those goals, will keep you directed.

7.   What have you learned over 25 years of experience about balancing work, personal life and family that you would share with other professional women or with your own daughters?
My two girls are now both completing their PhDs in science and I remind them, “it’s a long game and have confidence in yourself.” I view balance as a long-term concept.  At any given moment, it’s hard to have complete balance and probably unrealistic.  When my girls were young, my priorities were kids, family and work.  As they got older, the priorities changed. It’s hard to have everything at once . . . but over the long-term, it balances-out.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Corporate Counsel Association(WMACCA), the largest regional bar association for in-house counsel, announced the finalists for its 2011 Corporate Counsel Awards. Stephanie is one of the finalists as Outstanding Chief Legal Officer.  WMACCA will announce the winners during its 7^th Annual Corporate Counsel Awards Reception at the Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner in McLean, Va. on September 22, 2011.