Monique C. Field-Foster, executive partner at Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
Across many professions, African-American women are often an underrepresented demographic. However, more Black women are beginning to break the mold and change the look of what is considered top professions across the spectrum. In law, there is a small number of Black women who have obtained the status of partner; and an even smaller amount in governmental affairs. Monique Field-Foster is forging a path for other African-American women to rise in the ranks. She has recently been named executive partner of Warner Norcross + Judd LLP Lansing office.
With almost 20 years of experience in government affairs, Monique Field-Foster has had a career full of opportunities. As a child, her tenacity and zest would help form the early building blocks for a career in law.
“I liked to argue and be right and get my way. It was kind of like, you know, you should consider law,” says Field-Foster.
From the foundation, Field-Foster pursued a legal path serving the people. Initially wanting to practice environmental law, her passion was soon aimed for another direction after law school. First serving as a clerk to an attorney turned judge; criminal law was her first step into the profession.
“Then a friend of mine who went to my church was working for the Michigan House of Representatives and she said ‘hey policy is looking for a criminal policy advisor. Are you interested?’ I was like, okay,” says Field-Foster. “One of the things my dad told me was the success in his career was trying out opportunities and facing them head on. That really is how I think my career got started.”
Becoming the Deputy Director for Legislative Affairs under the former Governor Jennifer Granholm, advancing to Director of Governmental Affairs for the Department of Management and Budget and into multi-client lobbying, Field-Foster has steadily built a career impacting the decisions on behalf of Michiganders. She has served under two governors, the Michigan Legislature, the State of Michigan, and Michigan State University, during her career.
“It’s kind of been one of those things where it’s just been one opportunity that has presented itself to another,” says Field-Foster.
During her tenure at Michigan State University, she worked alongside a partner for Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, who suggested she transition over to the firm.
With an ever-growing career in politics, the desire to work for a law firm was not the goal. In law school, a former professor confirmed her original belief. However, destiny would prove to have a different plan.
“I took that as not so much that I wasn’t good enough, because I got an ‘A’ in his class, but more so that my personality just wouldn’t fit. And yet here I am as the executive partner of one of the largest, maybe the second largest or first largest law firm in the State of Michigan and they put me in charge of the Lansing office,” says Field-Foster.
Though announced in February 2022, Field-Foster first learned the appointment to executive partner in 2021. The full-circle moment came at the hands of the person responsible for first beginning her career with Warner Norcross + Judd LLP.
“I learned about it last year and I got a phone call. The first time I learned about it, I got a phone call from the then-current executive partner who literally was the one who recruited me to Warner and he had a conversation with the managing partner of the firm and this is what they decided,” says Field-Foster.
For minorities in law, the path to leadership can be daunting and uncertain. Statistically, minorities account for just over 10 percent of partners in the country’s major law firms. Less than four percent of partners across law firms are women of color. Black women account for less than one percent of all partners in the United States. Despite adversity, Field-Foster broke barriers and became a source of inspiration.
For the new executive partner, growing the number of Black and brown female lawyers, particularly in the governmental affairs sector, is a top priority. Stressing the importance of mentorship, Field-Foster hopes to encourage more Black and brown women to support aspiring female attorneys on their journey.
“As Black and brown people, we don’t have those mentors. We don’t have, in general, those families that are basically like this is what you aspire to. A lot of us just fall into it and it’s just like okay, now that we’re here what are we supposed to do with this,” says Field-Foster. “Recognizing that you have so many eyes looking at you and that you are now in a position where you have influence and it’s like how do you use that influence? How do you get more people that look like you into the positions that you’re in?”
Hoping to reach down and pull up other young women, Field-Foster believes educating them on the importance of law and guiding them will increase the number of Black and brown female law professionals.
“One of those ways is to ultimately reaching out to Black and brown girls in particular who are in law school or even junior high or right now who are working for the State and basically taking those connections and saying what can I do to help you? How can I position you,” says Field-Foster.
Looking back, Field-Foster acknowledges it was the very opportunities offered that propelled her to be in a position to open doors for others. Sound advice for her younger self also applies to those pursuing their dreams.
“Don’t be afraid of what you don’t know because you’ll learn it and don’t turn your back on an opportunity because somebody said you can’t do it because nine times out of ten, you can,” says Field-Foster.
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