Ellen Schulhofer was named co-managing partner of the law firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Shreck in mid-2013. In 2014, the firm had its most profitable year, with gross revenue increasing by more than 10 percent to $165.8 million. Schulhofer’s track record makes her a perfect fit for the Women’s Leadership Initiative, which provides training, mentoring and networking opportunities and an annual forum for women.
What is the best business advice you’ve received, and whom did it come from?
Promote yourself with confidence. Especially now, working hard no longer is enough to advance in your career. Focus on your strengths and don’t downplay your accomplishments. Women tend to do that. Instead, they should articulate their value and achievements and share their successes with colleagues and clients. I was lucky enough to have Frank Schreck as a mentor, but not everyone has an advocate like Frank was for me.
What are some of the challenges women in law face?
I work with some of the most talented women I have ever met, but many struggle with balancing the effort and commitment it takes to succeed with the desire to maintain their lives outside of work. This doesn’t affect just women; it is something millennials are concerned about and a topic we are focused on at the firm. You have to be honest with yourself about what you want to accomplish in your life and career, and at times, make difficult decisions. I don’t believe anyone really finds balance, so it is crucial not to give up everything outside of work that is important to you. My relationship and time spent with my daughter has given me the strength and insight to be a better lawyer and leader, and it is the time I spend with her that makes me the most happy and fulfilled.
If you could change one thing about Southern Nevada, what would it be?
One of 6 Southern Nevadans struggles with hunger, and nearly 60 percent of children in the Clark County School District receive free or reduced-price meals. These are heartbreaking statistics. We partner with Three Square Food Bank, an organization doing a tremendous job with an incredible challenge, on volunteer events for our Las Vegas employees. But that’s just a drop in the bucket when you think about how far reaching this issue is. We also provide support to Halle Hewetson Elementary School, which is only about a mile from our offices. Ninety-five percent of their students qualify for the free and reduced-price lunch program.
What’s the biggest issue facing Southern Nevada and its residents?
In addition to Southern Nevada’s struggle with hunger, I think another issue we face is a low rate of residents with college educations. I saw a recent study that said Nevada was ranked last in the country for its rate of college-educated parents. The quality of education for our population has to improve for there to be more diversification in the economy. While it plays an important role in our community, we can’t rely on just the gaming industry to drive a successful economy.
What are you reading right now?
On a plane last week, I finished “Battleborn: Stories by Claire Vaye Watkins,” who grew up in Nevada and whose father was a member of the Manson family. It was a wonderful book of short stories; I couldn’t put it down. On the plane home, I started “Iron Curtain: The Crushing of Eastern Europe, 1944-1956,” by Anne Applebaum, about the Soviet era in Eastern Europe post-World War II.
What do you do after work?
Now that my daughter is away in college and I’m an empty nester, I travel frequently, order a lot of room service and do a lot of work in the evenings. When I’m home, I hang out with and go on walks with my golden retriever puppy, spend time with my husband, work out at Orange Theory, go to Pilates and work some more.
Blackberry, iPhone or Android?
iPhone. In addition to doing a ton of work on my phone each day and as I travel, my daughter constantly sends photos of beautiful plates of food (she has entertained the idea of launching a food blog), so I have hundreds of pictures of food, in particular from our recent family trip to Thailand, and of course photos and videos of our puppy.
Describe your management style.
Because I work closely with my co-managing partner, I understand and value the role of collaboration in management. Rather than demanding that our team work for us, we work together as a team toward our goals. Setting those goals and determining how to reach them is also the result of strong relationships, clear communication and respecting the different skill sets of our team members.
Whom do you admire and why?
I have admired Kim Sinatra, executive vice president, general counsel and secretary at Wynn Resorts Limited, for many years. She works incredibly hard, travels constantly and manages a team of in-house and outside lawyers for a dynamic and successful public gaming company. Even with everything on her plate, Kim manages to be close to her children, extremely involved in our community and a good friend. Now that I am traveling all the time, trying to juggle the demands of my position, maintain a legal practice and find time with my family, I marvel even more at her commitment to work and family, and at what she has accomplished.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
Selfishness. This trait is especially destructive in a firm if it is exhibited by leaders or management. The best leaders are those who care more about the organization than their own advancement or position in it.
Where do you like to go for business lunches?
Anywhere in downtown Las Vegas. The city has done an amazing job with its revitalization. When I moved back to Southern Nevada 20 years ago, there was almost no place to eat downtown, but now we have lots of great restaurants, including vegan and vegetarian options.
What is something people might not know about you?
When I first started my career in the late ’80s, I worked for a firm in L.A. that represented sports agents. We worked with the Major League Baseball players union on negotiations and arbitrations for well-known baseball players. I analyzed baseball stats, drafted arbitration briefs and attended a number of arbitrations through the early years of my practice.