Minnesota Lawyer
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Dana Gray’s colleagues at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP say she has a knack for spotting and grooming talent that has served the firm tremendously over three decades. She has worn many hats at the firm in that time, including legal secretary — her first position — and managing director of professional development, which is her current role.“One of the things that has kept me here is the opportunity to learn new things and become an expert in different phases,” she said. “I feel like I learned from the bottom up how to recruit talent into an organization. That turned into helping associates be successful in our setting.”
In her current role, Dana oversees the professional development department — everything from training and the firm’s mentorship program to how firm associates are evaluated.
“The important impact Dana has had on the professional lives of Faegre Drinker associates is impossible to quantify,” said Jane Koehl, chief operating officer at the firm. “It is so rewarding to think about the number of lawyers that she helped ‘raise’ to become excellent legal practitioners, law firm partners, in-house counsel and leaders in their own right.”
Dana said seeing and helping her colleagues blossom gives her great pride and satisfaction.
“One of the things I love about working in a legal setting is that you’re surrounded by so many smart people who are trying to get better every day. Being around people who are pushing themselves is motivating for me.”
Legal professionals outside of Faegre Drinker also recognize Gray’s skills and want to tap into them. The National Association of Legal Placement (NALP) recently appointed her to the NALP Board of Directors.
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