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Joni Jacobsen is the Global Co-Chair, Securities and Complex Litigation Practice at Dechert LLP.
My path to law was anything but conventional. Before law school, I had a career in dance and choreography. Nobody in my family was a lawyer, so I honestly didn't know whether I would even want to practice. I went to law school a couple of years after college because I had a love of learning, not because of some longstanding plan. But once I started researching and writing briefs for real clients, something clicked: I realized I loved putting the pieces of a puzzle together, and that being creative is actually a huge asset in the law. That's when I knew this was more than just an intellectual exercise for me.
Thirty years later, I still love it, and for the same reason that drew me in: the learning never stops. Every case brings its own complex issues, its own interesting developments in the law, and a real opportunity to understand how a client's business works. I try to take that mindset seriously even now—last year I took a course at MIT on business strategy and AI, just to better understand this new technology and think through how I can apply it strategically in my own practice. Carving out time each week to write papers for that course, on top of my practice, was no small feat, but I still want to be the person learning something new.
I also love that law is a team sport. You're constantly bouncing ideas off colleagues, building a brief together, preparing for a hearing. Years ago, I remember an associate bringing me an appellate case that, at first blush, seemed to stand directly in our way. We spent a lot of time as a team debating it—going back and forth on whether there was a narrow argument that would still let the district court rule in our client's favor. We ultimately made that argument, the district court agreed with us, and it was affirmed on appeal. That push and pull between team members is what got us to a more precise brief than any of us would have written alone.
Team sport isn't just about a single case, either. One of my partners who helped me found WSL started working with me as a first-year associate. Watching her grow from a new associate into the incredible partner she is today has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. And full circle, she recently won a prestigious award for her own mentoring.
For nearly 10 years now, I've also been a Lecturer in Law at the University of Chicago, where I teach a seminar on securities litigation and corporate governance, so this is advice I give my own students directly. Stay curious, and never stop asking why. Understanding why a judge ruled a certain way, or why an area of law developed as it did, will make you a sharper advocate and make the practice more enjoyable. I'd also say: always try to make things easier for the people around you, whether that’s a client, a partner, an associate, or an assistant. You’ll become a better team member, and the end work product will be stronger for it.
As for preparing for law school specifically, read widely—not just legal writing, but history, philosophy, anything that sharpens your ability to construct and evaluate arguments. Strong writing skills will set you apart from day one, so take every opportunity to develop them. Some practical advice: try to finish your paper or brief two days before it is due, put it aside, and then come back to it with a critical eye. Push yourself to take a second and third look to see where you can improve your own writing.
I started the Women in Securities Litigation (WSL) network the way a lot of good ideas start—I called up a few women I knew at other firms just to float the concept. The response was immediate and enthusiastic, and those early conversations turned into the people who have been instrumental in getting WSL off the ground. It's been such a pleasure to get to know other attorneys who practice in this area—our paths cross on cases, at conferences, and at informal get-togethers, and it's wonderful to celebrate each other’s successes, whether in person or even on LinkedIn. What started as a handful of phone calls has grown into a network with hundreds of members nationwide, a dedicated website, and three to four events each year.
Mentorship is also central to our mission, particularly for female associates working in securities litigation. We recently formed an Associates Committee, which has already organized several panels focused on associate development. I’ll also add that WSL isn’t an exclusive club: we have many male members, and both men and women regularly attend our events. Everyone is welcome. For anyone looking to get involved, the best place to start is attending one of our events or reaching out through our website. We're always looking for associates and law students who want to participate in programming or connect with others in the field.
I'm especially proud of the Associates Committee we recently launched. It gives us a dedicated way to invest in the next generation of women in this field, and the panels they've put together have been well received. We've also held a series of judges' panels every couple of years, which have been fantastic. The judges who have been gracious enough to participate have provided invaluable insight into their experiences on the bench.
Looking ahead, I'm excited about an upcoming panel on mediation in securities litigation that I'll be moderating. It will bring together different perspectives on the process—the mediator, insurance broker, insurance carrier, and defense counsel—so attendees walk away with a full picture of how these cases actually get resolved.
You need to genuinely enjoy analytical reasoning, and you need to be a precise, disciplined writer. Those are the basics. Beyond that, the qualities that matter most are being engaged, staying curious, working hard, and paying close attention to detail. On the experience side, seek out opportunities that put you in situations where you have to think on your feet and communicate persuasively—moot court, legal clinics, internships, or any setting where you're making arguments and defending them. Regardless of whether you go into litigation or transactional work, you will always need to present effectively.
As for personal attributes, I'd highlight resilience and a genuine willingness to learn from criticism. I sometimes tell associates that in the dance world, if an instructor takes the time to provide constructive feedback, you take it as a compliment—and say thank you, you should do the same in this profession. Law is demanding, and the people who thrive long-term are the ones who treat setbacks as lessons rather than defeats, and continually try to improve. After all these years, I feel fortunate that I still love practicing law, and I think that comes down to approaching it every day with those same qualities.
To learn more about Women in Securities Litigation or to get involved, visit the WSL website: https://wsl-network.com.
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