Publications
Publications
- April 2022
- HBS Case Collection
Marsha Simms: Trailblazer in Corporate Law
By: Robin Ely, Boris Groysberg, Colleen Ammerman and Olivia Hull
Abstract
Follows the journey of lawyer Marsha Simms from her childhood in racially-segregated St. Louis to the upper echelons of the New York legal community. Describes her education, career choices, accomplishments, and setbacks. Highlights significant moments such as her decision to attend law school; discovering a practice area she excelled at; failing to advance to partner at one firm; moving firms and achieving partnership; and joining her first board of directors. Explores how she navigated a majority-white, male-dominated industry as a Black woman and contextualizes Marsha’s career trajectory within the history of racial and gender discrimination in the legal field.
Keywords
Leadership; Career; Career Management; Diversity; Inclusion; Equity; Gender; Race; Corporate Finance; Law; Leadership Development; Personal Development and Career; Relationships; Power and Influence; Social and Collaborative Networks; Status and Position; Social Issues; Legal Services Industry; United States; New York (state, US)
Citation
Ely, Robin, Boris Groysberg, Colleen Ammerman, and Olivia Hull. "Marsha Simms: Trailblazer in Corporate Law." Harvard Business School Case 422-012, April 2022.