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  • April 2022
  • Case
  • HBS Case Collection

Marsha Simms: Trailblazer in Corporate Law

By: Robin Ely, Boris Groysberg, Colleen Ammerman and Olivia Hull
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
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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.
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About The Authors

Robin J. Ely

Organizational Behavior
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Boris Groysberg

Organizational Behavior
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Related Work

    • September 2022
    • Faculty Research

    Marsha Simms: Trailblazer in Corporate Law

    By: Robin Ely, Boris Groysberg and Colleen Ammerman
Related Work
  • Marsha Simms: Trailblazer in Corporate Law By: Robin Ely, Boris Groysberg and Colleen Ammerman
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