The founder of the new Athena Legal Services Group, Kimberly Y.
Jones wants to help businesses pursue a strategic framework of
goals while keeping legal compliance in mind.
"I was encouraged by members of the business and law communities,"
said Jones, who also cited the support of existing clients who
stayed with her. "They told me, 'Go for it; do it; and we're here
to support you.'"
As a proud member of that supportive Boston legal community,
Jones donates much of her own time to supporting others. In recent
years, she has served on Governor Deval Patrick's
anti-discrimination advisory board, promoted continuing legal
education and worked on the board of editors for the Boston Bar
Journal.
But most of all, her volunteer efforts with the MBA's Tiered
Community Mentoring Program have made Jones shine - and earned her
the MBA Public Service Award on June 16. MBA President Valerie A.
Yarashus commended Jones as a "phenomenal mentor to the next
generation of legal professionals."
Jones joined the mentoring program at the request of Norfolk
Probate & Family Court Judge Angela Ordoñez, who wanted to take
a different approach from the traditional one-on-one mentoring she
had seen elsewhere in the legal community.
"Judge Ordoñez brought up a new model, which took the idea of
joining one attorney mentor with students in law school, college
and high school," explained Jones. "I told her, 'You have your core
group of people right here.'" Though Jones became a mentor to be a
resource to young people who have decided on a legal career, she
quickly saw that the mentees found other benefits from the group as
well.
"It became an opportunity for the participants to meet and learn
from each other," Jones explained. "I facilitated the conversation
and let them use their critical thinking and analytical processes
with one another."
These leadership skills have also gained attention from her peers
in other arenas. Marc D'Antonio, senior program manager at the MBA,
praises Jones' work as the co-chair of the MBA's Civil Litigation
Section.
"She gives people a lot of freedom to do their own thing, while
still leading toward the group's purpose." He added, "Kimberly's a
good lawyer - and a really good person."
D'Antonio also lauded her ability to balance volunteer efforts
with her many other commitments.
Jones manages to dedicate so much time to service using time
management "and a healthy dose of fun along the way." Her recent
appointment to the board of directors of the Boston Youth Symphony
Orchestras allows the classically trained pianist to devote time to
interests outside the legal community as well. Jones explained that
most of all, she wants to give back to those who have helped
her.
"Along the journey, no one does it alone. I have had people offer
assistance, guidance, introductions, resources. And all of those
people - known or unknown, named or unnamed - have contributed to
my success."
The Albany Law School alumna tries to instill the same thoughts in
her mentees. When she gave the keynote speech at the regional Girl
Scouts "Girl-to-Girl" Conference at Simmons University, Jones
brought her mentees along "to demonstrate that being a good lawyer
extends beyond the courtroom."
Jones wants to encourage prospective lawyers to recognize the
support that attorneys and other connections can yield. She offered
three key suggestions for aspiring lawyers.
"Own your excellence. Embrace success. Surround yourself with
people who want the best for you and will work to make sure the
best comes to you."