Jennifer Rakstad is a certified career and executive coach through the Hudson Institute of Coaching and International Coach Federation (Professional Certified Coach/PCC). Jennifer coaches lawyers in all phases of their careers and on a wide variety of topics, including career planning and management, leadership and business development, delegation and time management, work/life integration and transitions to/from leave. Jennifer developed and leads several of Mayer Brown’s career development initiatives, including an innovative group coaching program for senior associates focused on career development and business development, including the creation of business plans. Jennifer also created and oversees the firm's new associate integration program, the First Year “Fast Track” series, and works to deliver professional development training targeted at professional development competencies.
Jennifer is passionate about supporting women and diverse lawyers, and has run “Lean In” groups at Mayer Brown for women associates, participates in the firm’s Women’s Leadership and Diversity Committees, leads training and coaching programs for women and diverse lawyers, and was a founding Board Member and Treasurer for the Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law.
Jennifer is a frequent trainer and presenter at Mayer Brown on topics relating to career and professional development, and has presented at the NALP Annual Conference, Professional Development Institute and Professional Development Consortium conferences, ABA Mid-Year Meeting, and for the Chicago Bar Association on topics relating to coaching, career planning, time management, networking, mentoring, effective self promotion, and work-life issues. Prior to transitioning to her current role, Jennifer practiced in Mayer Brown’s Litigation group for several years and clerked for the Honorable Jaime Pieras, Jr. of the District of Puerto Rico in 1998 - 1999.