More than 100 prominent female business executives and lawyers gathered for Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP’s Women’s Billiards Night at Slate Plus in New York City on September 23rd to learn pool etiquette and discuss tips for success. Jeanette Lee, known as “The Black Widow” and the former #1 ranked women’s billiards player in the world, served as the evening’s special guest. The group consisted of Kramer Levin women attorneys and women clients or business associates from more than 40 different companies.
Instead of a typical cocktail party or golf outing, Kramer Levin’s Women’s Initiative Committee continued its tradition of doing something that stands out. Following last year’s successful Women’s Poker Night event, which was lauded by guests and profiled by a local legal publication as an “Event that Impressed,” the firm wanted to bring women back to the table – this time to the billiards table.
“We thought this networking event would be a great setting for women from some of the most influential companies in America to network with other leaders in their fields and share their tips for success, while simultaneously brushing up on their pool skills and having fun,” said Jennifer Rochon, partner and Chair of the Women’s Initiatives Committee.
The group networked while sipping “Cue Balls,” the evening’s signature cocktail. They then listened to Ms. Lee discuss her rise to the top in a traditionally male-dominated sport and offer her perspective on the traits that lead to success in the fields of sports and business -- namely, self-confidence, excellence in your field, determination and drive. Following her comments, the Black Widow, wearing her customary sleek black attire, demonstrated some of her signature trick shots, and taught the group some pool basics.
The group then branched out into teams for a timed elimination round pool tournament. With Ms. Lee offering tips on shots and technique, the finalists faced off in a final game of eight ball. Each finalist received a personalized autographed copy of Ms. Lee’s book and members of the winning team selected their favorite charities to which donations would be made, including Village Gardeners, Magic Foundation and Fordham University.
"Upon receiving Kramer Levin's invitation, I recall being very intrigued by the idea of a billiards night with Jeanette Lee and I knew I could not miss this event”, said Beatriz Franco, an executive from one of the nation’s largest financial services firms. “Despite my high expectations, Kramer Levin was able to live up to what they promised and much more. It was fun, relaxing and a great way to meet other women in the law and business fields. Jeanette said something that I will never forget: ‘If you want to change the rules, first you have to learn the rules, then you have to win by the rules and only then, after you earned their respect, you will be able to change the rules.’”