Carolyn Blessing is a Partner at Locke Lord LLP, a premier full-service law firm. In her practice, she focuses on IP pharmaceutical matters and Hatch-Waxman litigation. With experience in the FDA regulatory, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical industries, Carolyn represents pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in all aspects of federal IP litigation, including pre-litigation, fact and expert discovery, claim construction, motion practice, pre- and post-trial, and appellate phases.

Carolyn serves on Locke Lord's women's initiative committee and served as the hiring partner for the Chicago office. Before joining Locke Lord, Carolyn was a lead associate for a family of four complex patent litigations at Kenyon & Kenyon LLP, involving both patent infringement and Hatch-Waxman litigation. She also assisted with all aspects of patent prosecution and counseling for biotechnology companies.

Carolyn is the National Board Co-chair of the Coalition of Women's Initiatives in Law, a non-profit membership association supporting women in law firms and companies. She has been involved in numerous leadership positions at the organization and serves as a board member and Co-chair of the Professional Development Committee for Chicago Women in Intellectual Property. Dedicated to promoting women in the legal profession, Carolyn demonstrates how women's initiatives maximize impact.

Mehtap Cevher Conti is a Partner at Hogan Lovells' Corporate and Finance Practice, where she focuses on asset finance in the aviation and transportation industries. She has experience working with clients on secured debt, revolving credit facilities, leveraged and operating leases, and portfolio acquisitions. Mehtap also handles asset-backed structured financing for commercial and investment banks, insurance companies, financial institutions, aircraft operating lessors, and airlines.

Having managed financial transactions involving multiple global jurisdictions, she advises clients on the purchasing and lease financing of corporate aircraft and helicopters. Before joining Hogan Lovells, Mehtap worked in private practice, where she focused on global transportation finance. She has been recognized in The Legal 500 US for asset finance and leasing and by Chambers & Partners for transportation and aviation finance.

Mehtap serves in leadership positions in multiple organizations and non-profit associations, including those promoting the advancement and retention of women in the legal profession. As the National Board Co-chair of the Coalition of Women's Initiatives in Law, she promotes women's initiatives for maximum impact in the legal industry.

In this episode…

As the legal profession continues to tackle the twin challenges of women lawyers leaving the law more frequently than men and a disproportionately low percentage of women in leadership positions, internal and external women's initiatives have become a welcome source of information and support. What are the top things women's initiatives can do to have a positive impact on the retention and advancement of women in the profession?

As fierce advocates for women in law, associates Carolyn Blessing and Mehtap Cevher Conti note three core pillars of effective women's initiatives: programming, networking, and credentialing. These associations should foster authentic relationships with women and help them build their careers. Initiative leaders can also recruit and recommend other women for leadership roles, instilling confidence and community. By providing networking opportunities and mentorship in both internal and external women's initiatives, you can strengthen your firm and provide alternative perspectives.

On today's episode of The Lawyer's Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman hosts Carolyn Blessing and Mehtap Cevher Conti, private practice attorneys and Co-chairs of the Coalition of Women's Initiatives in Law, who talk about enhancing value and driving change through women's initiatives. Together, they describe the Coalition's goals, how women's initiatives promote diversity and leadership, and how to enhance the effectiveness of these organizations.