181. “If You Don’t Run, You Definitely Won’t Win”

“By my second year, I found that a lot of lawyers outside the metro Atlanta area wanted students to do research. And I was fascinated by solving actual problems that had actual solutions. I got job offers from virtually every lawyer I did legal research for. One of the lawyers that I worked for was a tax lawyer and CPA in Savannah, Georgia. So I took the big step to move 250 miles from my hometown and went down to Savannah. Coincidentally, tax law was my worst subject, but I liked the lawyer and I loved the city.”

“I wasn’t encouraged to run for judge on the Court of Appeals by the powers that be in 1996. I went out to dinner with some friends and the husband of my friend said, ‘Why don’t you go ahead and run anyway.’ And so I did it! Without the backing of anyone in my social group, I qualified and almost won a statewide race with 48.2% of the vote. When there was another open seat available for the Court of Appeals two years later, I ran and I was elected. One thing I always say in my talks to women’s groups, ‘If you don’t run, you definitely will not win.’”

“When you first start in a profession, get involved in that profession. I know a lot of the young people now are really into organized networking. You’re supposed to touch base with everyone and I think that is important. You do need to have friends and mentors and associations with various associations. What I see that I don’t want to see is a lot of resume building. Find people in these organizations that you enjoy and that you can build relationships with. I think it’s important to be involved.”

Go for it! How to Win at Love, Work and Play, by Dr Irene C. Kassorla