What does it take to be truly successful, not only in the workplace or the classroom, but also as a parent, an athlete, or even a chess player?  The answer may not be what you think.  Join Charlotte L. Wager; Hilary August, '12; and Elpitha Betonda, '15, as they reveal some surprising truths about what really contributes to success.  We will discuss the importance of having a growth mindset, which creates motivation and productivity not only in the worlds of law and business but also education and sports.  We will also discuss the importance of grit, a non-cognitive trait defined as perseverance and passion for long-term goals, that has been shown to predict success.  Our goal in this session is to provide you with some practical tools to change your mindset and discover your own, true grit.  Reception to follow in the courtroom corridor. Sponsored by Jenner & Block, Law Women's Caucus, Outlaw, and APALSA.

Charlotte L. Wager is the firm's Chief Talent Officer and oversees all aspects of the firm's hiring and lawyer development. As co-chair of the Hiring Executive Committee, she works with hiring partners in each of the firm's offices to coordinate and implement the firm's associate hiring.  Ms. Wager also works on lateral partner hiring firmwide.  Ms. Wager chairs the firm's Associate Development & Evaluation Committee.  She works with firm leaders on all aspects of lawyer development including orientation, evaluations, training, mentoring, and advanced career planning for senior associates and partners.  Ms. Wager is an active member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee and works with the Diversity Manager to implement the firm's diversity initiatives.  She is also a member of the firm's Women's Forum and Pro Bono Committees. Ms. Wager remains a partner in the Litigation Department where her law practice previously focused on counseling policyholders and reinsurers on a wide range of insurance-related matters.

 Hillary August is an associate in the firm's Litigation Department. She was an associate at Jenner & Block LLP from 2012-2013 and returned to the firm in 2014 after serving as a law clerk for the Honorable Joan H. Lefkow of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.  Ms. August received her B.A., magna cum laude and with distinction in history, from Yale University in 2007.  She received her J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School in 2012, graduating with Honors and Order of the Coif.  At the University of Chicago, Ms. August was a Kirkland and Ellis Scholar, served as the Topic Access & Recruitment Editor for the University of Chicago Law Review, and worked as an extern for the Honorable Robert M. Dow, Jr., of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Elpitha Betondo is an associate in the firm's Litigation department. She joined the firm in 2015.  Ms. Betondo received her B.A. in Sociology with a concentration in Cultural Studies from DePaul University, where she graduated summa cum laude. She received her J.D. from The University of Chicago Law School. In law school, Ms. Betondo served as a student attorney for the Federal Criminal Justice Clinic, where she advocated on behalf of a client seeking clemency. Ms. Betondo also served as a judicial extern for The Honorable Charles P. Kocoras in the Northern District of Illinois.