Printed from BusinessInsurance.com

Cynthia R. Shoss

Posted On: Dec. 5, 2010 12:00 AM CST

Cynthia R. Shoss

Senior Partner, Insurance Regulatory Department
Dewey & LeBoeuf L.L.P.
New York
Age: 59

 

For more than 20 years, Cynthia Shoss has been immersed in the nuances of insurance law, whether it's drafting legislation and regulations or working with clients in sectors such as property/casualty, workers compensation, health, life or captives. In 1987, Ms. Shoss was named managing partner of Dewey & LeBoeuf's London office, where she worked with Lloyd's of London. She also has been a consultant to state insurance commissioners and attorneys general on legislation, mergers and insurer conversions. She also has been instrumental in developing Dewey & LeBoeuf's Women's Initiatives Committee, serves on the firm's Diversity Committee, and helps other development and mentoring programs the firm offers.

 

WHAT'S THE BEST PROFESSIONAL ADVICE YOU RECEIVED?

Don Greene, (former partner when the firm was LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae L.L.P.) served as my mentor when I first started and he always taught me about client service. He told me that this is a client's business and that it's really about them and about the services we provide them. But I also took some advice from my parents, and that is that there are never any glass ceilings and that I should never give up on what I want to achieve.

 

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG WOMEN ENTERING THIS FIELD?

I would give them the same advice that was given to me by Don Greene about client service. I would also tell them that they should always remember to pay it forward. Do the same for young lawyers who are following you and never forget that you have that obligation. Help those along, like you were helped along. It's also important to work hard, but to have balance in life as well as a good sense of humor.

 

OUTSIDE OF WORK AND FAMILY, WHOM DO YOU ADMIRE MOST?

I admire those women who have worked hard and are successful at whatever they've tried to achieve. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Condoleezza Rice…women who run companies or not-for-profits and who have persevered when faced with adversity. Over the last several decades, we have seen women shatter glass ceilings to achieve their goals and I think we will continue to do so.

 

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?

I grew up the daughter of doctor who always used to complain about lawyers. But while I was growing up, I thought that being a lawyer sounded interesting. I loved to write and I was an English major in college. I thought that law would be a good (career) to follow because it plays right into that. I decided to go into law because I loved the issues involved in law and I love a lot of aspects of the law.

 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?

I don't actually see a lot of movies, but I love going to the theater. I recently saw a dramatic six-hour reading of "The Great Gatsby" and I got completely immersed in it. I like epic theater performances like that where you can go and spend an entire day there.

 

WHAT'S THE MOST INTERESTING PLACE YOU'VE BEEN?

When I ran the firm's office in London from 1987 to '89 and became a resident of London, I thought that was pretty interesting because it went beyond working relationships. I became immersed in the British culture, which I loved. I also recently visited Tokyo, which I found fascinating and I would love to spend more time in Japan.

 

WHAT DO YOU PREFER AND WHY: PHONE OR E-MAIL?

I enjoy each in their place. Sometimes I prefer e-mail because you can think about what you're saying and it's less intrusive. E-mail also allows you to phrase things in the way you'd want to say them and, in that sense, I find it to be a very easy way to communicate. But I do not allow e-mail to become a substitute for personal contact. There is no tone in e-mail or dialogue. You can only get that on the phone.

 

2010 Women to Watch Home