Lauren Drake is a Partner at Macrae, Inc., a legal recruiting boutique with a focus on the placement of law firm partners. She joined the WBA in 2020 and quickly become involved in the Membership Committee. She also coordinates Macrae’s support of the WBA as a sponsor; the firm has supported our Fall Leadership Series (2020); Spring Career Series (2021), and is a Vendor Sponsor.

Lauren describes here career path as “slightly unusual.” She started her career as a telecom lawyer, but after four years joined McKinsey & Company, where she remained for 16+ years. “Later in my career I decided I wanted to go into recruiting, and in 2014 I returned to the legal industry as a recruiter. I love my job. I have had a very satisfying career and also raised two children. I love helping other people to achieve the same satisfaction in their careers, while also balancing family life.”

Why do you think others should join?
The WBA provides a wonderful way to meet and get to know other professional women in DC.

Do you have a mentor/hero?
My mentor/hero is my partner at Macrae, Jane Sullivan Roberts. Jane is truly a Renaissance woman. She has an advanced degree in Applied Mathematics, and started practicing law in 1986, when it was a lot more difficult for women than it is now. She has an adventurous spirit and is a risk-taker, and is one of the most energetic people I know. I have learned so much working with her. She is extremely professional, personally engaging, thoughtful, and very thorough. Working with Jane makes me a better recruiter, and a better person.

What words of advice do you have for women new to the profession?
Embrace risk. Do not succumb to “the lure of inertia.” Make sure you are always the master of your own professional destiny.

What is the best advice you have received?
By far the best advice I received in my career was to embrace risk. I took several really big risks in my career, and they were my most rewarding moves.