Did you know Schwabe’s board of directors is 60 percent women? Our firm is dedicated to providing equal opportunity to attorneys and staff and advocating for the rights of all our women. Schwabe has long been a pinnacle in the legal industry for our efforts to create an inclusive environment for our attorneys and staff, and we’re continually working to improve our support for the women in our offices.

Many women will tell you, “If only I knew then what I know now.” In celebration of International Women’s Day and 2020 International Women’s History Month, we sat down with inspirational women leaders in our communities, including Schwabe attorneys and clients, to ask one question: “What advice would you give to your younger self?”

For our first feature, Graciela Gomez Cowger and Alicia “Lisa” Lowe kick off the series with a few pearls of wisdom.

Graciela Gomez Cowger, Chief Executive Officer
“Stop trying to fit in and embrace your ‘otherness.’ As an immigrant, I wish I would have been able to earlier identify the strength that comes from being unapologetically me without so much regard to cultural norms, perceived or otherwise. I know now that such differences provide great value when evaluating situations and people. I also know now that my journey, with all of its zigs and zags, has allowed me to grow into a very resilient adult who is more apt to take risks with the understanding that even if the risk turns out to be ill advised, I will get up and live to thrive another day.” 

Alicia “Lisa” Lowe, Shareholder
“Never pass up an opportunity to sit at the table.”

Tune in throughout March as we explore advice from Schwabe attorneys and clients across our six industry groups—Healthcare and Life Sciences; Manufacturing, Distribution and Retail; Natural Resources; Real Estate and Construction; Technology; and Transportation, Ports and Maritime—and hear the candid, heartwarming, and unexpected advice these inspirational women have to offer.