Diana Manning is the Managing Principal of Bressler, Amery & Ross, a full-service law firm with more than 150 attorneys across multiple states. She is also Co-chair of Bressler’s Business and Commercial Litigation practice group and spearheads the firm’s Appellate practice team. As a law firm leader, Diana strives to involve her team in decisions, work through surprising challenges, and transform the conversation around what leaders should look like.
Diana has over two decades of experience in complex commercial litigation and is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a civil trial attorney. She lectures and writes on a number of issues important to attorneys and clients, including legal ethics, business litigation, and professional liability. Diana is also the President-Elect of the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association and a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Board of Trustees.
Diana served on the District XA Ethics Committee for 10 years and was appointed Chair by the New Jersey Supreme Court from 2017 to 2019. She is also a past President of Trial Attorneys of New Jersey, the Morris County Bar Association, and the Morris County Bar Foundation.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- Diana Manning shares how she became the first female Managing Principal of Bressler, Amery & Ross
- How Diana’s colleagues helped her progress in her legal career
- Diana’s advice to her younger self: grow a robust network
- Diana discusses her style as Managing Principal and how she built her confidence
- What has been surprising about stepping into the managing partner position?
- Diana’s thoughts on balancing her roles as a practicing lawyer and a business leader
- The importance of involving lawyers in the management side of a firm
- The biggest opportunities — and challenges — for law firm leaders
In this episode…
There’s a great deal of responsibility that comes with the role of managing partner — but it may not be what you expect. In addition to ensuring the firm runs smoothly, managing partners must also balance the personal side of leadership, from navigating team health concerns to developing a strong culture. So how can law firm leaders learn to lead through the unexpected?
Diana Manning’s background in different committees, associations, and legal roles has helped her jump into her leadership position with enthusiasm. Not only has Diana succeeded as Managing Principal of her firm, but she has also defied the traditional image of a law firm leader. In Diana’s experience, there’s a high level of mental responsibility required for leaders, and a managing partner has to balance both personal and professional concerns while running the business. How does she manage it all? By embracing the unexpected and leading with authenticity, Diana has transformed the culture and growth of her firm.
In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman sits down with Diana Manning, Managing Principal of Bressler, Amery & Ross, to talk about the surprising challenges and opportunities for law firm leaders. Diana shares how she rose up to Managing Principal of her firm, the importance of getting involved and expanding your network, and how her leadership style helps her overcome obstacles and empower her team.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Elise Holtzman on LinkedIn
- The Lawyer’s Edge
- Diana Manning on LinkedIn
- Bressler, Amery & Ross
- Brian Amery
- Dina Mastellone on The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast
Sponsor for this episode…
This episode is brought to you by The Lawyer’s Edge, a firm based in the New York metropolitan area founded by Elise Holtzman in 2008 to help lawyers become skilled business developers and leaders so that they can grow their practices, retain top talent, and step confidently into leadership roles.
The firm offers customized coaching, consulting, and training programs such as their signature business development program, Lawyers Making Rain.
Now more than ever, it’s not enough to just do good work and hope your law firm will thrive. And no matter how smart and hard-working you are, it can be time-consuming and overwhelming to figure it all out by yourself.
To learn more about how we help lawyers become rainmakers and leaders, visit thelawyersedge.com or email us at podcast@thelawyersedge.com.
