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Cory Feldman, 34, Haynes and Boone

Office: Dallas.

Practice area: Finance.

Law school: Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, 2009.

Number of years at the firm:  Nine (Haynes and Boone “lifer”).

How long were you an associate at the firm? Eight years.

What year did you make partner at your current firm? 2018.

What do you think was the deciding point for the firm in making you partner? My role as an integral part of several key client teams, together with my dedication to our section and the firm through mentoring and recruiting, put me in a great position for elevation to partnership.

Cory Feldman.

Describe how you feel now about your career now that you've made partner. Becoming partner was just the first step. It has further invigorated my desire to practice and set new goals.

What's the key to successful business development in your opinion? Building and sustaining relationships and knowing your clients' business and what is really important to them.

What's been the biggest change, day-to-day, in your routine since becoming partner? There is much more time spent delegating to and teaching associates, such as providing them with substantive drafting projects so they can have the same opportunities that I was given to learn and grow.

Who had the greatest influence in your career that helped propel you to partner? While there were many great mentors who have had an impact on my career, Sue Murphy, a senior partner in my section, was truly my sponsor.  Sue let me run deals early on and promoted me throughout the firm and to clients.

What's the best piece of advice you could give an associate who wants to make partner? Take ownership of your career (only you can do it) and speak up for what you want. Also, don't let the process intimidate you. Review your firm's partnership criteria early on, identify any gaps in your experience and press forward.

Read more: How I Made Partner: Orrick's Emily Tabatabai

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