Join the 2025 MAMAS/FDCC Ladder Down Seattle Program!
By Ann E. Trivett
Law school taught me how to think like a lawyer. My work taught me how to put what I learned into practice. I had smart and generous mentors and interesting work that kept me busy and growing. That was my recipe for success. It took my participation in the Ladder Down program to understand what I was missing — the importance of networking and marketing, building my own book of business, and the power of a group of supportive colleagues, outside of my own practice, to push my boundaries and expand my opportunities.
The Seattle Ladder Down Program is for women lawyers in all areas of practice and at all levels of experience. It is sponsored by the Federal of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC) and the Mother Attorneys Mentoring Association of Seattle (MAMAS), and it is run by a group of women lawyers and two incredible business coaches. Lynn Moran is a Leadership and Executive Coach and the owner and CEO of Arizona Coaching and Consulting and Sonoran Life Transition and Performance Coaching, and she has an impressive resume from her time in the corporate world. Marianne Trost is a nationally recognized business development trainer and career management coach, and she has worked with over 4,000 attorneys, helping them to build their own client base and manage their careers strategically. They are smart, funny, and inspiring, and they make the program something special.
These amazing coaches, and the volunteer leaders and alumni who support and help to run the program, extend their hands down to pull their colleagues up — in other words, keeping the ladder down for others to climb. The program focuses on honing leadership and interpersonal skills in your practice, as well as how to market yourself and build your own book of business. It follows a hybrid remote and in-person schedule, with large group sessions of about 24 participants, small group sessions with four other women who you work with throughout the year, and in-person panel presentations, receptions, and social events. There is also an impressive group of alumni who continue to participate.
I found the most powerful and gratifying component to be the relationships I have built within my professional community, and the amazing referral network. Practicing law should be fun and rewarding, and I am a better advocate for my clients, a better advocate within my firm, and a better advocate for myself because of the skills I developed in this program. I am also a more confident attorney, and I am enjoying my work. I have also been one of the Seattle Ladder Down leaders since 2019, and it is some of the best professional development I do all year.
This program is a one-year commitment you will not regret. If you are interested, or you know of a women lawyer looking to grow, please consider applying. You can find more information at the link below, including our application:
https://mamaseattle.org/programs/ladder-down/
“As a solo attorney, it’s imperative that I continue to develop and grow my business. I was in the Ladder Down 2020 class and going through that program where I met some amazing women lawyers, fine-tuned my rainmaking skills for my law firm, and became a better leader in my various board positions; these were all instrumental in my career growth. If you’re a solo like me and considering applying for Ladder Down, don’t hesitate. It’s an amazing program that will serve you and your law firm for years to come. And it’s such a great community of lawyers!”
— Darcel Lobo, fellow Seattle Ladder Down Leader
“Reminiscent of collegiality and support from first year law school small group (do they have those anymore!?) in the best possible way. An opportunity not to be missed! You will learn practical tips; you will make connections that will stand the test of time; you will exponentially increase your confidence.”
— S. Karen Bamberger, 2016 alum and current JAMS Mediator and Arbitrator
