The next Women Who Wows is Katie Lipp.
Katie is the founder of her employment and business law firm, the Lipp Law Firm, which serves clients in DC, Virginia and Maryland.
Shortly after she started Lipp Law, she felt compelled to found Law Practice Queen to guide female lawyers through the legal industry. Law Practice Queen provides community, advice and support to female attorneys that are looking to level up in their legal career. In 2021, Katie is launching a membership community, the Law Practice Queen Network, and is writing a book, Build Your Empire: A Female Attorney’s Survival Guide to the Legal Industry, to support her community of female attorneys.
I met Katie through LinkedIn – another one of those amazing stories where LinkedIn brings people together who wouldn’t have met otherwise. Katie just started appearing in my feed because others in my network liked her posts. I developed a “LinkedIn crush” on her, and we eventually started chatting through LinkedIn messenger. I knew we would hit it off, and we did!
I highly recommend that you follow Katie on LinkedIn. I learn from her every day.
Why did you choose your profession?
I majored in Psychology in college. I love how the human mind works #psychologynerd.
Ironically, I decided to go to law school instead of getting a Doctorate in Psychology because I thought I would have more job opportunities. I graduated law school in 2010, following the Great Recession, so yeah…that backfired. But I’ve made it full circle doing employment law – there’s so much psychology and counseling that goes into my job.
What do you love most about what you do?
I am an introvert, and I love that I can design my day in a way that gives me energy. I don’t have to spend my days on someone else’s schedule – I make my own.
Tell us about a woman you look up to and why.
Amanda Frances. She is a self-made millionaire and has a fantastic course on mindset and money. After I took her money mentality makeover course, it allowed me to realize that my mindset around money has a ripple effect on my practice. Any of her content is gold – I also love her meditations.
Do you have a mentor?
I don’t have a mentor, but I use many coaches in my practice – I think it’s important to always have various sounding boards when you are running a business. My favorite coaches are Amanda Frances and Cara Alwill. I also love Lee Rosen’s law practice management content.
Any advice to young women who want to succeed in the workplace?
I can speak to private industry because that is where most of my experience lies. Figure out how to best contribute to the company’s bottom line, and get to know your colleagues and supervisors. If you are a profitable employee, that gives you better job security. If you know workplace dynamics, you will save yourself SO MANY HEADACHES. After that initial period, lift your head up and see what life goals you have for yourself, and start working toward those.
What do you wish you could tell your younger self?
Take more vacations – that’s where you get the best ideas. Taking a break makes you more productive in the long run. Also, run your race and don’t compare yourself with anyone else.
What is the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Do your best and carry the ball forward as much as you can. The “do your best” came from my former boss at the Army, a veteran. He just said do the best job you can, and then let go of the worry. I can be a worrier, and I always remind myself of this mindset. The piece about carrying the ball forward as much as you can I’ve learned over time from various mentors. Don’t be the person that leaves your teammate with a mess to clean up. Take pride in your work.
You have a such a strong presence on social media – what are your tips for success on social?
Write about things you are fired up about! Your passion transfers to the reader. Your goal is to stop the scroll and contribute to your niche audience. Be selective in what you post and deliver value-added free content to support your clients and community.
As an entrepreneur yourself, do you have tips for someone wanting to start their own business or law firm?
Take things one action step at a time. It’s easy to get overwhelmed looking at the big picture, but if you break it down into smaller, actionable chunks, and keep working at it consistently, you will accomplish your goals.
How do you achieve work/life balance?
I focus on one big self-care goal for the year. This year, I’m focusing on sleep. When I get my 8-9 hours, I’m on top of the world. 6-7 hours and everything comes crashing down. I have to get my Z’s.
How are you breaking barriers faced by women in your field?
By sharing my experience with no filters. When you show other women what you are doing, you never know who you will inspire. The legal industry is in dire need of vulnerable leaders, and I try to share as much as possible.
What do you think is the key for success in a role like yours?
Don’t take it too seriously and know you will make mistakes. The goal is to learn from your mistakes, have accountability and enjoy the roller coaster ride.
What advice would you give to women in your field?
Get out of your own way. Yes, there is gender bias. But, sometimes it is positive. Know that we are our own biggest obstacles – you won’t always know how to achieve something, but if you don’t accept no for an answer, you will eventually achieve your goals. Be your own bottom line and don’t make excuses.