Leadership Academy helps spark Portia Britt’s career growth through networking, active listening

Portia Britt, associate county counselor for the St. Louis County Counselor’s Office, recently received the American Bar Association’s “On the Rise - Top 40 Young Lawyers” Award. But before she was recognized as one of the top young lawyers in the nation, the University of Missouri School of Law graduate was a member of The Missouri Bar’s Leadership Academy.

Leadership Academy, founded in 2000, encourages diversity among the bar’s leadership by recruiting young lawyers or those recently admitted to the bar who have shown exceptional leadership qualities. Each class completes a service project, engages in leadership workshops, and attends bar meetings.

Britt, from the 2018-2019 Leadership Academy class, talks with The Missouri Bar about how Leadership Academy ignited career growth through networking and listening.

Why did you want to be part of Leadership Academy? 

“My interest in the Leadership Academy was initially sparked by two of my mentors who previously participated in the program and informed me of its many benefits. After doing my own research, I was able to see the networking and leadership opportunities that come from participation in the program.”

Why do you think Leadership Academy is a valuable opportunity for lawyers? 

“I always give credit to the Leadership Academy for starting my interest in bar leadership. Through the Leadership Academy, I was able to learn more about the functions and processes of The Missouri Bar and that helped me to understand how decisions are made by bar leaders and the important role that young lawyers can play in shaping the practice of law in Missouri. Decisions made by bar leaders shape the everyday life and practice of lawyers, and all lawyers should want to participate and have their voice heard in that process.”

What are some lessons you took away from being part of Leadership Academy?  

Active listening

“During my year in Leadership Academy, I gained a deeper understanding of the role active listening plays in being a good leader. As lawyers we usually listen with the intent to respond, and not necessarily to understand. Also, just by nature of the program, Leadership Academy attracts lawyers who are used to speaking out and being leaders in their hometown, their law practice, and in other organizations they serve. When you put a group of leaders like this in a room to discuss topics or projects, it can be overwhelming because everyone has a point of view, a great idea, and the passion to support that idea.

This is where actively listening plays a role in leadership because when you are listening and giving consideration to the ideas of others, you have the opportunity to see that while your idea or position may be a great one, it might not be the best one at this time or might not be best suited for the needs presented.”

True networking

“I used to think that networking was all about talking to as many people as you can and having your face seen as much as possible. After participating in Leadership Academy, I better understood that networking is about making meaningful and lasting connections with people.

I might go to an event and only have a conversation with two or three people that I don’t know but during our discussion we form a real connection over the fact that we both love dogs or soccer or some other similarity. Now every time I see them in the future, I know them, and they know me, and we can share real updates on our lives and practices.

I have found this to be much more beneficial both personally and professionally than having a room full of people that vaguely recognize me from a brief interaction while we were both trying to work the room.”

How has Leadership Academy helped you in your legal career?

“Leadership Academy provided me the opportunity to get to know experienced lawyers across the state. I have lawyers who I contact for almost any scenario, and they can provide me with advice or recommend someone who can. Having this level of connection is invaluable to my growth as a lawyer and to my practice.”

What was your favorite moment(s) about being in Leadership Academy? 

“My favorite moments from Leadership Academy were definitely spending time with and getting to know my class. I always looked forward to our in-person meetings because we got along so well, and we had a lot of fun together. I will give a special shout out to our in-person meeting in Springfield and leave it at that.

But we truly enjoyed each other’s company and that was the best part of the program to me. I have been lucky enough to continue to see many of them through work and continued bar service, and every time I walk into a room that they are in, I instantly know I have at least one friend in that room."

If a lawyer was hesitant to participate in Leadership Academy, what would you say to encourage them to join? 

“Leadership Academy is an opportunity for new and young lawyers to learn more about the type of lawyer they want to be while also having the opportunity to serve their communities and the practice of law.

It’s an opportunity for you to have an instant connection with more than 200 lawyers and bar leaders from across the state. In getting to know the members of your class and Leadership Academy alumni throughout the year, you have a chance to learn about career opportunities and paths that you may not have previously had access to or of which you may not have been aware.

Participants are also able to better determine the extent to which they would like to be in bar service. After participating in Leadership Academy, I knew that I wanted to continue being actively involved in the governance of The Missouri Bar, so I applied for the first opening on the YLS Council that I saw in my district. This led me to getting involved in Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association and trying to help shape policy for young lawyers across the county.

Leadership Academy also offers a means to grow your leadership skills in an environment where you are supported and surrounded by other lawyers who have the same goals. Not only do you get to grow personally and professionally, but you also can assist in the needs of The Missouri Bar and your community through the annual service project.

If you have questions about the value of the program, contact any alumni and they will be happy to talk to you!”

Leadership Academy’s mission promotes lawyers from all different backgrounds to get involved in their state and local bars. Why do you think this is important? 

“Diversity of experience and thought are such important components in shaping the future of the practice of law, and Leadership Academy provides an opportunity and a safe space to further explore those topics.

For example, I first learned of the ever-increasing shortage of lawyers in rural areas of Missouri from one of my fellow classmates in Leadership Academy. Growing up in St. Louis and attending law school in Columbia, it never occurred to me that some Missourians might have to drive an hour away to seek representation or that lawyers who might want to return to their hometown to practice after graduation are hesitant to do so because of a lack of mentors near them to help guide them in their new practice.

Similarly, many lawyers have not experienced being a young, Black, female prosecutor in a large metropolitan area. It is only through sharing and understanding different perspectives that we can move the practice of law forward for all lawyers.”

Editor’s note: These answers have been edited for clarity and conciseness. Learn more about Leadership Academy here.