Melisa Litvin: Finding your own voice

More women must take leading positions— it will help companies become more flexible and marketable in a global environment. Gender equality should continue to be a driving force in law firms across the world, says Melisa Litvin, founder of Litvin Marzorati Legales.

Working independently has always been my personal goal. I studied at Universidad Torcuato Di Tella in Buenos Aires, a university of international prestige. It was there I met Osvaldo Marzorati, a professor who would later become my partner in Litvin Marzorati Legales. 

Many years ago, after obtaining my degree in law, I started working in one of the major law firms in Argentina. To be my own boss, follow my own path and work the way I dreamed, I knew it was necessary to learn everything. 

I worked for more than seven years in a place that not only nurtured me professionally, but also created my professional destiny. I worked overtime. I had sleepless nights because of due diligence and legal due dates. I travelled and attended meeting and congresses representing that firm across the globe.

Over the years, I got married and had children, and my priorities changed. I needed to be with my children and, at the same time, fulfil my responsibilities at work. As a mother, I needed to be present at every school event. At the same time, I had to represent my clients in court. 

Although sometimes it seemed impossible, and it was most definitely exhausting, I was able to do it.

We can achieve whatever we set our minds to. But we have to be honest with ourselves, study, and listen to our clients and family. Set a goal. Study. Work hard.  

When you fall down, rise again. And again. We all make mistakes. Start again. Do not quit but take short steps. Bill Gates got it right when he said: “It’s fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.” 

The road is not easy but it’s worth it. Build your project, create your empire. But above all, during my personal journey, I have always tried to set an example for my daughters.

A new direction

Fulfilling my dream of being able to feel accomplished in both aspects of my life, Litvin Legales was born. The clients soon arrived, and the international acknowledgement of the firm marked a new direction. 

Marzorati, who was also my boss at the law firm where I worked as a young woman, became my partner, building what today is Litvin Marzorati Legales.

Since our law firm is managed by a woman, and most of the employees are women, we have a different view of market research. We add our touch, adding customisation, flexibility and efficiency. We adapt to the needs of each of our clients and provide personal relationships. 

As a team, we strive for excellence in every area of practice. We have to do more than our male counterparts to prove we are worth it. 

In February, American actor Cynthia Nixon fronted a profound and brilliant video for girls, produced for Girls. Girls. Girls. magazine, outlining the immense pressures women face in society. It went viral. 

Nixon was reciting an essay from blogger Camille Rainville called “Be a lady, they said”. Much like this video, we must encourage women to be confident and believe in themselves. 

Clients trust us. They value efficiency, quality, and transparency, and our firm has prioritised listening to their needs and ensuring that the client’s success and happiness is the foremost priority. 

Litvin Marzorati Legales was created by a woman, in the male-dominated legal industry in Argentina. We believe that remaining true to yourself and finding your own voice is the key to rising above preconceived expectations.

In Argentina, and Latin America in general, women-owned firms are still a minority. We strongly believe that we should recognise the inherent difficulties in being a woman in a man’s world. In my experience, being a mother and having such an important leading position has not been easy. 

We should encourage women to strongly believe in themselves, to take advantage of their roles and make the most of it. While improving gender equality in the workplace has been a goal in most countries, we have not yet reached parity. 

In Latin American, as well as in other parts of the world, women are still discriminated against. This is why it is so important for women to be in leading roles and to communicate the difficulties faced in getting there. 

We do not say that women should have any benefits different from those of men.

Now, our firm is competing with the major law firms in Argentina. You can be your boss. You can make a difference—and you should!

We must help each other. We must acknowledge one another and become an example to the rest of the women around the world. 

More women must take leading positions—it will help companies become more flexible and marketable in a global environment. Gender equality should continue to be a driving force in law firms across the world. 

We have personally committed to this goal. Short steps will lead us where we want to be.

I am proud of each of the members of our team and, of course, we are thankful to all our clients and colleagues. 

In my opinion, the key to our success lies in effective and efficient communication. The firm always attempts to make sure that our clients and all of our employees feel supported. We try to be as responsive as possible to the needs of the client. 

At the end of the day, our most important goal stands strong and unwavering: “Business is personal, and relationships do matter.” 

Melisa Litvin is a founding partner at Litvin Marzorati Legales. She has experience in IP, focusing primarily on trademarks, unfair competition and litigation. Litvin obtained her law degree from the Torcuato di Tella University. She can be contacted at: ml@lmlegales.com.ar