Real Work, Early On

Bridget’s Career Story

Bridget Hamway

Associate Dallas
Bridget Hamway
As a junior associate, it means a lot that your colleagues are not only mentoring you, but also looking out for you and letting you know how you can improve.

Culture

Kirkland is an energetic, collaborative place with a dynamic group of people from different walks of life who all want to help each other succeed. Everyone is open, honest and willing to help. The relationships I've built are very fulfilling and rewarding. I've met some of my dearest friends at Kirkland.

Growth

Kirkland is a place where you won't see the same thing twice. You'll continuously grow and learn, and you'll never be bored. I am blessed to be in a place where I feel very challenged and excited.

The partners and senior associates I've worked with have invested in me in terms of training and growth opportunities. As a junior associate, it means a lot that your colleagues are not only mentoring you, but also looking out for you and letting you know how you can improve. That's something I'll pass down to colleagues more junior than me.

Opportunities

I was given a lot of responsibility early in my career at Kirkland. If you want to run with something, you're given the freedom to do so here.

At the end of my first year, I was asked to conduct a diligence call with management members of a target company. It was a huge opportunity for me to lead one of those calls. I felt very trusted by my colleagues in that moment, and I saw how my thoughts and decisions were valued by the team. This opportunity helped build my confidence as a junior associate and propelled me to take on more significant work.

Involvement

I've participated in a lot of pro bono work, and I'm currently working on criminal expungements to assist people who should have misdemeanors and felonies off their records but don't have access to lawyers.

Every initiative that Kirkland offers is important and speaks to different people in different ways. I have always enjoyed the Women's Leadership Initiative (WLI) events because they are a great way to meet new people and connect with colleagues. All of the initiatives Kirkland offers are incredibly significant to me because it shows that the Firm cares about what we’re passionate about outside of our jobs.