Az Business and AZRE magazines announced the publications’ lists of the Most Influential Women in Arizona for 2019 in the July issues of the magazines. Each day, azbigmedia.com is profiling one of the Most Influential Women of 2019.

The Most Influential Women for 2019 will be honored at a dinner and reception that begins at 5:30 p.m. on August 22, 2019 at the Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. For tickets or for sponsorship information, click here or email events@azbigmedia.com or call (602) 277-6045.

To buy copies of the Most Influential Women in Arizona issue, click here.

Today’s spotlight: Laura Sixkiller

Title: Partner, DLA Piper

Sixkiller is a trial attorney whose diverse practice focuses on the litigation of complex commercial, securities, M&A, regulatory and corporate matters in federal and state courts as well as administrative and arbitral forums.

Source of pride: “Using creativity to find resolutions that work for my client. One litigation matter I handled ended in such an amicable way that my client and the opposing party went on to start a new business relationship.  In another matter, a business sale dispute, the offer of a horse is what it took to get the other side to settle.”

The personality trait that helped you succeed:Openness to other’s ideas.  I encourage my team to share their thinking on our cases. Everyone, at all levels, has a voice.  These fresh perspectives help me, as lead decision-maker, design an innovative legal strategy to achieve a win for the client.  I host a “post-mortem” to debrief after major case events.  The team discusses what we learned and how we can apply this to other cases.”

The personality trait that got you into trouble:Stubbornness.  Before law school, I thought I had to win even the most minute argument and would resist admitting I could be wrong.  A beloved law school professor pointed out that perseverance is a good quality, but rigidness is not. He explained that a willingness to adapt is the key to a truly great lawyer.  This conversation changed my perspective and has made a lasting impact on how I practice law.”

Best childhood memory:A trip to D.C. when I was a teenager.  I remember walking into the Supreme Court in awe. I bought a replica of the constitution in the gift shop and hung it, as well as a photo of the nine Supreme Court justices, on my wall. I was teased incessantly (and still am to this day by my childhood friends), but this kept me focused on my goal of becoming a lawyer.”