Lawyers who get their start at Proskauer can follow a wide range of paths throughout their careers. Many have built successful and vibrant practices here at the Firm, while others have gone on to achieve great things in the industries that Proskauer works so closely with. In their work outside of Proskauer, some have even become clients of the Firm. And others have found ways to return …
Diversity of Experience Benefits Everyone
In 2023 alone, 12 percent of our lateral hires were returning Proskauer lawyers – lawyers who returned after gaining invaluable experience and insight elsewhere.
In this series, we speak to returning lawyers about their journeys, including what brought them back to the Firm and how their experiences away from Proskauer impacted their professional development.
Katrine Magas is a tax attorney based in the Firm’s Los Angeles office and a member of the Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Group. She advises a diverse array of clients, including public and private companies, private equity firms, private investment funds and compensation committees. Katrine’s practice encompasses corporate transactions such as mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations and financings. She also counsels clients on the design and implementation of compensation programs, executive arrangements and golden parachutes, securities reporting, registration and disclosure compliance and corporate governance matters. In late 2021, she departed Proskauer for an in-house role at a technology company before deciding to return six months later.
Hannah Silverman is a litigation associate based in Proskauer’s New York office. She is also the co-chair of the Firm’s LGBTQ+ Affinity Group. Hannah worked as a paralegal in Proskauer’s Litigation department from 2015-2017 before enrolling in law school. She returned to the Firm as a summer associate in 2019 and as a first-year associate in Fall 2021.
Why did you decide to return to Proskauer?
Katrine Magas: I decided to return to Proskauer because I knew that the work would be complex and interesting and that I would be able to serve clients across the Firm’s many departments and the wide variety of sectors it serves. Working with the best lawyers ensures that I also continue to provide my clients with the best level of service possible. The allure of Proskauer is not just in the complexity of the work, but in the dynamic and innovative environment it fosters. There is a real platform to not only challenge oneself, but to also make a meaningful difference for our clients. That’s something I missed.
Hanah Silverman: After working as a litigation paralegal at Proskauer for two years before law school, my choice to return was an easy one! During those two years, I formed genuine connections with so many kind and talented colleagues. The culture was collaborative and supportive. The work was challenging and rewarding. Even as a junior member of case teams, I felt valued and respected by those above me. Partners at the highest level invited me to share my insights, happily answered my questions and involved me in strategy discussions. I knew I wanted to be back at Proskauer — somewhere that valued every member of a team, regardless of seniority.
“The culture was collaborative and supportive. The work was challenging and rewarding. Even as a junior member of case teams, I felt valued and respected by those above me.”
Hannah Silverman, Litigation, Proskauer
What made that decision possible for you (were there peers/mentors inside the Firm you stayed connected with, etc.)?
Katrine: The people at the Firm made the decision easy. During my time away, I kept in touch with my mentor, Colleen Hart, and many of my other colleagues. It was telling of the Firm’s culture that several senior partners contacted me to offer their insights and advice while I was weighing my decision to return. This sense of community and the genuine connections I maintained spoke volumes to me about the Firm’s supportive culture. One of my favorite things about working at Proskauer is knowing that the relationships go way beyond the professional – there is a nurturing, familial aspect that I now know is unique to this place.
Hannah: While Proskauer’s reputation for interesting work and hands-on training opportunities attracted me back, it was the strong relationships I formed as a paralegal that made my decision to return both possible and deeply fulfilling. Knowing I had already found mentors who invested in my growth and development made me feel confident and excited to “boomerang.” Some of those trusted advisors I stayed connected with during law school include Julia Alonzo, Colin Cabral, Margaret Dale, Bill Komaroff and Marissa Tillem.
“I have never been prouder to be a Proskauer lawyer. Spending time away from the Firm helped to me remind me what a world class firm we are and the quality of work that we deliver to our clients.”
Katrine Magas, Tax, Proskauer
What experience/insights did you gain that you have been able to bring back to Proskauer?
Katrine: I was able to experience life as a client and interact with outside counsel during my time in-house. That experience helped me to better understand the perspective and needs of our clients. I understand the pressures that they are under from their colleagues on the business side and am able use language that resonates more deeply when communicating with them. It’s like seeing the coin from both sides, which enhanced my strategy and execution.
Hannah: Leaving Proskauer to attend Fordham Law was an essential step on my path to becoming a lawyer. In addition to gaining knowledge from classes like Civil Procedure and Torts, I was able to take many hands-on courses where I got to practice skills, like negotiations and client interviewing. Coming back to Proskauer with new tools in my toolbox enabled me to hit the ground running as a first-year associate. And ultimately, I think my paralegal skills evolved into lawyering skills.
How (if at all) has your perception of Proskauer shifted as a result of your experience away from the Firm and do you approach things differently now?
Katrine: I have never been prouder to be a Proskauer lawyer. Spending time away from the Firm helped to me remind me what a world class firm we are and the quality of work that we deliver to our clients. My approach now is infused with a broader perspective, combining the best practices from inside and outside the Firm to drive success not just for our clients, but for my amazing team that make it all possible.
Hannah: In many ways, law school can feel like a solo sport. Coming back to Proskauer was a breath of fresh air. I’m very grateful that I can come to work every day and know, no matter the client or team of lawyers, that I will be collaborating with thoughtful, intelligent and engaging colleagues who not only care about doing high caliber work, but care about one another.
