Law Firm Leaders of Influence: Celebrating Morrison Forester’s Women of Color – Purvi G. Patel

During a recent interview, Purvi G. Patel, Managing Partner of Morrison Forester’s Los Angeles Office, shared her thoughts on leadership, diversity, and motivation. Patel believes in creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels empowered to freely express their opinions. She values input from individuals with different perspectives and priorities and makes consensus-building a priority. Although she is decisive when necessary, she believes that fairness is crucial, even if not everyone agrees. Her approach to leadership differs from her male counterparts due to her personal background and mindset.

Patel’s motivation to become a leader stems from several factors. She saw it as an opportunity for personal growth, a way to contribute to meaningful change within the firm and an essential example for younger lawyers to witness a diverse woman in a leadership role.

In supporting diverse women associates, Patel emphasizes the importance of building honest and authentic relationships. She generously invests her time and candidly shares her career challenges to provide young lawyers with support and a sense of belonging. She creates safe spaces for mentoring, treating shared experiences with confidentiality.

To improve her leadership skills, Patel continually strives for self-assessment and growth. She recognizes that different challenges demand the honing of diverse skills and that effective leadership requires ongoing evolution.

Patel’s authentic approach to leadership has had a significant impact within the firm. Her colleagues appreciate her decisions and feel comfortable sharing their challenges with her, building trust in her judgment and creating a rewarding leadership experience.

Through her strategic and practical thinking, Patel has earned a reputation for successful outcomes in litigation and advising clients. As a female leader, she remains committed to supporting and inspiring diverse women associates, creating a positive and inclusive environment at MoFo.