rate office housed only 40 people. During the interview, Cabrera
asked about the size of the law department. Te general counsel replied that Cabrera was in the presence of the entire department. He told her they would make a formidable team, with his expertise in corporate transactions and hers in litigation. She signed on, immediately notic-
ing the overrepresentation of men in management and in the workforce. But she trusted her boss. “Tere was a job to be done, and he thought the best person to do it was me,” she says. “He was results-oriented, and there was a no-nonsense atmosphere.” As her boss predicted, they learned
from each other, and she immersed herself in the dozens of businesses under Dover’s global umbrella, which have included manufacturers of farm machinery, construction equipment, and pumps for oil and gas drilling.
CULTIVATING C-SUITE RELATIONSHIPS WELL Similarly, LINN Energy’s Wells cultivated relationships with senior executives that she says secured her place in the C-suite there. After she became acting general
counsel in March 2013, the Securities and Exchange Commission began an informal inquiry of some of the company’s non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) measures and hedging strategies—the outcome has yet to be determined— which coincided with related class- action and derivative lawsuits against LINN. Wells remained calm. “In those months, I believe I
provided sound judgment, and my relationships with each member of senior management provided value,” she says. “My CEO was approached by many men with more years of experi- ence whom he could have hired as the permanent general counsel but didn’t. Ultimately, he gave me a chance.”
“What used to look like career liabilities,” Davidson says half jokingly, “are now con- sidered breadth of experience.”
YOUR FAMILY CAN ADAPT TO CHANGES Meanwhile, Exelis’ Davidson has found herself defending some of her career choices during job interviews, such as relocating multiple times for different corporations. Many defense contractors consolidated after the Cold War ended but expanded after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S. Trough it all, Davidson has served as general coun- sel at four companies in this field and has been heavily involved in spinning them off from others. “What used to look like career
liabilities,” she says half jokingly, “are now considered breadth of experience.” Davidson, however, discusses her
cross-country moves candidly with potential employers and with senior executives when they are consider- ing her for promotions. “During interviews, I explain that my moving around a lot has taught me how to adjust to new circumstances. As a leader, you cannot just remain who you are. You have to adapt.” She cautions women not to pass
up jobs, regardless of industry, simply because their spouses have entrenched careers or their children are in school, common reasons why women often feel professionally hemmed in. “It’s easy for women to say, ‘I can’t
move for a job,’ but kids pick up on our attitudes,” Davidson says. “If kids
feel something is potentially harmful, like a move, it’s not helpful. If we as mothers look at a move as an exciting challenge and an opportunity, the kids will, too. I moved my kids during middle school and high school, and they adapted.” She adds, “I’m not suggesting
women quit their jobs recklessly, but to weigh all factors carefully. Moving isn’t for everyone, but for me it has worked out well.” Davidson and her peers say they
haven’t had insurmountable problems in hard hat businesses with work-life balance either. Harsco’s Dorch predicts that as
the number of women who run law departments in traditionally male- dominated industries keeps growing, the number of women ascending to chief executive in corporations across all professions will climb, too. With women GCs shattering so
many glass ceilings, the perception of women as CEOs is steadily evolving among corporate decision-makers, Dorch says, adding, “Tis is the way that we’re going to change viewpoints and show that we can succeed.” D&B
Lydia Lum is a freelance writer and editor and former staff reporter of the Houston Chronicle and Fort Worth Star-Telegram who can be reached at
lydialum999@yahoo.com.
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