ADJOURNED
What’s in a Name
In March the second most profitable firm in The Am Law 100 made history when Kathleen Sullivan,
the former dean of Stanford Law School, joined the name partner ranks of what is now known as Quinn,
Emanuel, Urquhart & Sullivan. Here, the 54-year-old Sullivan, who already chaired the firm’s appellate de-
partment, discusses breaking the name partner glass ceiling, her proudest achievement in private practice,
and the persistent rumors that she might yet be government-bound. By Michael D. Goldhaber
QYou’ve been hailed as the first woman name partner in The
Am Law 100. Is this a meaningful
milestone for the profession?
AThere are already so many holes in the glass ceiling, I was a bit
surprised that it was a first. I stand on
the shoulders of many great women
who were pioneers. I came out of
law school the year that Sandra Day
O’Connor became the first woman on
the [U.S. Supreme] Court, and not
long after Susan Estrich, who is now
my partner, became the first woman
president of the Harvard Law Review.
The most important thing to say about
this is that John Quinn has built a law
firm about one thing. It’s about excel-
lence. If an Irish girl from Queens can
become a name partner at Quinn, it
shows that it’s all about what people
do and what people can contribute
to the firm, and not who they are or
where they come from.
The current solicitor general [Elena
Kagan] is a favorite to replace
retiring justice John Paul Stevens.
Given your new post, would you
accept an executive appointment?
AIt’s always very flattering to be talked about for judgeships and
high public office.
QMost of your career has been spent on campus, where public service is often respected more
than law firm achievement. What
would you say to a Stanford or
Harvard first-year who can’t understand your new career choice?
AI would tell the student that practicing law at a law firm is
not only exhilarating but a wonderful
place to make legal policy. I’ll give you
an example. Congress is now debat-
ing financial regulation. Here at our
law firm, we’ve been trying to change
rules of agency and tort law by which
professional service providers that aid
and abet financial fraud at companies
that go bankrupt can be held liable.
QYou’ve also been hailed as the first openly gay name
partner in The Am Law 100. Is
that a title you embrace?
AI embrace the title of lawyer. I’ve devoted my whole career to try-
ing to be the very best lawyer I can
be. I’ve been lucky enough to have
taught 5,000 students at two fabulous
law schools, and to have begun my
appellate career with the great Larry
Tribe. I’m now at a law firm that has
assembled a number of the very best
lawyers under one roof, and I’m very,
very proud to be a name partner here.
Continued on
page 101
QBloomberg reported last year that you were the president’s
second choice for solicitor general.
OCTAVIO DIAZ
