We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mia Lorick a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Mia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Showing clients you appreciate them is something I think most folks want to do – but it’s not always clear how to do it in a meaningful way. What’s one of the best examples of client appreciation you can share with us?

The legal profession is a client services profession. Without our amazing clients, we are nothing. In providing exceptional service, lawyers have to be on their A game. Whether that means, producing flawless work product, knowing the latest case law, or out strategizing the opponent, lawyers only have an edge if we compete to be the best. With that, however, comes the need to involve our clients which also has the benefit of showing our clients we appreciate them. I do this by valuing our clients’ input. Too often lawyers treat their clients as if they are a law student who doesn’t know much about the law and therefore can’t offer anything. That is the wrong approach. I treat our clients like a part of the team: because they are. Our clients are involved in strategy and we value their opinions on the legal issues. The best way to value a client is to first recognize their value and knowledge and treat them like the valuable partner they are.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

My name is Mia Lorick and I am a litigation and appellate partner at Locke Lord LLP. I got into the practice of law because my Mom encouraged me to go to law school. She was adamant that I had the skill set to be a lawyer even though I didn’t see it at the time. In law school, I knew I wanted to be in the courtroom so, I focused all of my energy on developing advocacy skills. Now, I am always in court and I love it. I handle primarily commercial disputes representing businesses in litigation over claims for breach of contract, negligence, tortious interference, fraud, and injunctive relief. Many of my clients are in the real estate and energy industries but, typically, if it’s a commercial dispute, I handle it.

The thing that sets me apart from other lawyers is my ability to listen to our clients’ needs and help them solve those problems. Sure, I could sit here and say that I’m a great lawyer but, speaking honestly, Houston has a ton of great lawyers. What makes me different is that I’m responsive and available when our clients need me, I will sit and talk strategy and triage problems with our clients for as long as it takes to find a solution, and I genuinely love what I do: which makes all the difference in how you show up to help others.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I like to think that my reputation is built on hard work and a positive attitude. Lawyers are nothing if their work is not exceptional. So, I focus a lot of energy on producing the best work I can for our clients. In conjunction with great work, is a positive attitude. Not in an annoying “everything is always peachy” kind of way but, in a way that builds confidence in our clients that no matter how bad the situation is, we will find a solution.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Before law school, I was a modern dancer in New York. I spent my days auditioning for companies and shows and I spent my nights bartending at a popular bar in midtown. The arts can be brutal when it comes to rejection. I would spend days in a room with over hundred other women all auditioning for the same role. I would get cut from the audition and get up the next day and go to another one. It took resilience to be able to do this day in and day out without getting discouraged. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I definitely had my moments of wallowing over being cut from an audition, but, the nature of a career in dance is that you hear “no” far more times than you hear “yes.” The resilience and thick skin that is the result of this repeated rejection is something that stays with you.

Now, as a lawyer, I am not easily discouraged by a “no.” If there is an opportunity, a potential client, or legal strategy that doesn’t work out the first time around, I know I’ll have another shot. Sometimes, when you get a “no” it simply means “not right now.” Without my background in dance and auditioning and being cut all over New York City, I wouldn’t have developed the ability to shake off the “no’s.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lockelord.com/professionals/l/lorick-mia
• Instagram: @mia.lorick
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mialorick/
• Other: www.SharplySuited.com