Violet: Land Use Attorney Leading with French

Meet Violet—an Land Use Attorney at global law firm Mayer Brown LLP.

The ability to truly connect with business professionals in their native language will set you far apart from others in the field.

Languages: French

Grew Up in: Dallas, Texas

University Studies:

• Bachelor's Degree in French and Business from Hendrix College
• Masters of International Public Policy (MIPPM) from the University of Southern California
• Juris Doctor (JD) from LMU Loyola Law School
  

Study Abroad: Tours, France

Did internships and/or study abroad programs enrich your language journey as a student or recent grad? What would you say has been your greatest takeaway from these experiences?

Yes! I spent a summer in Tours, France, with other French program students and our professor. I got to live with a host family and take language classes throughout the summer.

My summer study abroad program reignited my passion for learning—which led me to pursue a master's degree. My greatest takeaway was my immersion into the French culture and language: I even started dreaming in French at one point! It was lovely to experience a different lifestyle. Living with my host family, who had a large vegetable and fruit garden in the backyard, felt very French. We ate outside in the garden, used the vegetables and paired them with fresh bread and meat from the local shops, and talked about everything and anything.

It was an eye-opening experience and broadened my viewpoint on life and our global economy. Now, in the real estate development industry, I find that French architecture has inspired me to view cities differently. The artistic and historical lessons from the French are embedded in the design of cities, countryside town centers, and châteaux.

How have your language and cultural skills supported and/or enhanced your professional opportunities?

Living in global city like Los Angeles, and working at a global law firm, I find that my language and cultural skills have helped me find connections where other attorneys do not. I’m able to talk to anyone, no matter their background, and find connections in language and culture.

Learning a language in undergrad gave me the confidence to pursue graduate school and, eventually, law school. I wasn’t sure about my major in undergrad, but I knew that learning a language could be valuable. In learning French at a fast pace through dedicated immersion and focus, I gained the confidence to learn other subjects—public policy and law.

What advice would you share with current language learners or those considering studying a language?

Learning a language can give you many skills in the business world. In our global economy, businesses and professionals frequently work across borders. You never know when a client or colleague will come into your life and be grateful you can speak in their native language.

If you don’t know what you want to do in life when you enter college, you can never go wrong with learning a language! Especially if you want to live in a major city and gain the confidence that comes from adding another language under your belt.

It’s often said that English is the language of global business, and because of that, language skills aren’t necessary to succeed. Do you agree or disagree? Why?

English may be the language of contracts and treaties, but businesses are located across the world, and understanding the native language of your client, your company’s headquarters, or the other party in a business deal is key. Translation cannot simply be done on computers—there is too much history and culture behind each language. The ability to truly connect with business professionals in their native language will set you far apart from others in the field.

I hope that more schools will incorporate business language classes into their curriculum because, in addition to the history and culture, business and technology terms in other languages are key in today’s professional industries.

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