March 20, 2019 – A former mathematics and technology teacher, Gail Groy is now a partner at Axley Brynelson LLP, in Madison. She’s also a busy mother, which works to her advantage while building her litigation practice.

Groy, one of the first foreign lawyers to gain admission to the Wisconsin bar – she is from the United Kingdom – has leveraged her personal interests and her status as a mother to build a client base of others in those same circles, and she’s doing it with much success.

Last year, Groy on a panel discussing the challenges for women lawyers at the State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE® 2018 Wisconsin Solo and Small Firm Conference. Afterwards, she talked about how she makes it work, and provided some advice for other women lawyers.

“I’m a mentor-Mom, I have many children” Groy said. “I am in circles with younger mothers or others that have many children themselves, and we mentor each other.”

“My advice to younger lawyers that want to be successful in a law firm is, don’t feel that you have to hide what you are, what you want in life and what you are doing in life, as a woman, as a mother, as a wife, as a lawyer,” she said. “Showcase it. That’s what makes you what you are.”

“It shows, also, that you work well under pressure. The law is about pressure, and if you are juggling and managing many different areas, well, then showcase it.”

Groy said mentorship is very important, so find mentors. “They encourage you when you second-guess yourself. They are just there because they’ve seen it, been it, and done it.”