CAREN NICHOL

City of residence: Memphis Family: Husband Richard, sons Ev, 11, and Benjamin, 4 Age: 44 out on a closer relationship with their child.”

Though she plays a vital role at home, Nichol also plays a vital role not only in her firm but also in an industry that maintains a thick glass ceiling, she says.

“My generation is probably the first generation of women who didn’t have al, interesting and thoughtto be trailblazers,” she provoking, for sure.” said. “When I went to law And as a woman, Nichol school, there were just as believes she’s brought an many women in law school interesting — and needed as men. When I was hired — voice to the table. as an associate, there were “There was a time when plenty of female associmy family pressures and ates.” the pressures of my own

However, she added, the practice caused me to tell same equality isn’t found the men here that I was at the executive level. going to resign from the

“There are very few board,” she said. “They When did you know you women who are in mancame to me and told me wanted to become a lawagement in law firms in they yer? really thought I Memphis,” she said. “We brought a different perhen I decided that bewere part of a program spective, being a woman ing a politician was not for that has looked at the glassme.and being younger, to the ceiling for female lawyers firm. I agreed to stay on, What (or who) most inacross the state, and I’ve and I’m glad I did.” spires you, and why? found that it’s a similar What’s the most rewardMy parents always experience for women in ing part of your job? taught me that I could do Nashville and other citI often work with people anything, and they expecties in Tennessee — that who are facing the most ed me to excel. I am probwomen in law firm mandifficult time in their life; ably still driven by those agement are few and far they are either being sued expectations. between.” or they are going through What do you like best

Nichol has been on the a divorce. Helping them about living in Memphis? board at Evans Petree for face new challenges is very I love Memphis. I moved about eight years. In that rewarding. I like to think to Memphis when I was 20. time, the firm has grown to that I bring calm and reaI had lived in five states encompass nearly 50 lawson to a process that can but have chosen to stay yers and 30 staff members. be chaotic. in Memphis. The warm

“I’ve learned a lot about What’s the biggest chalpeople, the easy lifestyle how to run a business — lenge you face on a day-toand the gritty character of all the issues that come day basis? this city make it a wonderwith mergers with other Getting everything done. ful place to live and raise a firms and acquisitions of Between my clients, firm family. I love to travel but small boutique firms,” she administrative work, manam always happy to come said. “It’s been education- aging my family’s schedule, home to Memphis. Job title: Partner, board member and litigation section chairman, Evans Petree PC Organizations: Memphis, Tennessee and American Bar Associations; Tennessee Bar Foundation; Children’s Museum of Memphis, board member; Fox 13 News legal correspondent exercising, I am constantly doing or at least thinking about 10 things at once.

What’s your proudest moment so far, careerwise?

Receiving the Sam Meyer award for service to the Bar Association and the community in the presence of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.