Pat Gillette | Just Ask! How Women Can Succeed as Rainmakers AND Law Firm Leaders

Pat Gillette is one of the country’s leading voices on gender equity in the legal profession. A seasoned employment litigator, rainmaker, and law firm leader, Pat spent 40 years in practice before shifting her focus to empowering women lawyers through speaking, writing, and consulting. She is a sought-after advisor on advancing women and diverse attorneys in leadership and business development.

During her legal career, Pat was recognized as a top employment litigator and trial lawyer by Chambers and other industry rankings. She served as a rainmaker and firm leader before leaving Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe in 2015 to devote herself to changing the legal landscape for women. She also joined JAMS as a mediator, bringing her deep expertise to complex employment disputes.

Pat is the author of Rainmakers: Born or Bred, a research-based exploration of the characteristics that drive successful business development in law firms. Beyond her work in practice, she co-founded the Opt-In Project, a national initiative designed to increase the retention and advancement of women in law firms. She was also part of the 2016 Diversity Lab Hackathon team that developed the Mansfield Rule.

WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE ABOUT WOMEN AS RAINMAKERS AND LAW FIRM LEADERS

For many women in Biglaw, the message has long been you can be a rainmaker or a leader, but not both. Pat Gillette disagrees.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge, Elise Holtzman sits down with Pat Gillette to discuss why women lawyers must advocate for themselves, step into leadership, and take control of their careers. Drawing on her decades of experience and groundbreaking research on rainmakers, Pat unpacks the systemic barriers that hold women back, the myths about business development, and the practical strategies women can use to break through.

She shares why firms must do more than talk about diversity—they must remove the structural obstacles that keep women from developing business and taking on leadership roles. She also reveals how women can successfully build books of business while balancing other responsibilities.

2:02 – Pat’s legal career and why she transitioned from practice to advocacy
6:21 – The slow evolution of gender equity in law firms—and what still needs to change
8:09 – The hidden structural barriers that impact women’s rainmaking potential
10:55 – How the Mansfield Rule is redefining leadership opportunities in law firms
14:00 – The biggest misconception about business development—and why women are built for it
19:36 – How prioritization and compartmentalization are key to long-term success
22:43 – Why women must actively seek mentorship and sponsorship
27:05 – The simple but powerful career advice Pat gives every woman lawyer: Just ask!

MENTIONED IN JUST ASK! HOW WOMEN CAN SUCCEED AS RAINMAKERS AND LAW FIRM LEADERS

Pat Gillette | Pat Gillette on LinkedIn
Rainmakers: Born or Bred by Patricia K. Gillette

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SPONSOR FOR THIS EPISODE…

Today’s episode is brought to you by the Ignite Women’s Business Development Accelerator, a 9-month business development program created BY women lawyers for women lawyers. Ignite is a carefully designed business development program containing content, coaching, and a community of like-minded women who are committed to becoming rainmakers AND supporting the retention and advancement of other women in the profession. 

Early Bird Registration is now underway for our 2025 Ignite cohorts. If you are interested in either participating in the p