Charlotte L. Miller
Former HR Director & Lawyer | Salt Lake Legal Defenders Association
What specific changes have you implemented that have most effectively fostered workplace belonging and work-life balance?
Early in my legal career, I had access to leaders who thought about employees. The CEO of JB’s Restaurants was one of them. JB’s was a company with thousands of employees who had the words “Success Follows When People Come First” in large letters in the lobby of the main office. The CEO gave me the opportunity to work with him to identify what was best for employees, even when we sold the company.
I have been supportive of making sure employees who may work less than full-time are respected, valued and treated as professionals. Teaching executives and leaders — especially those in my age group — that people can work less than full-time and still provide critical contributions is important. Leaders also need to be aware that there are lots of different types of families, and all types need to feel valued, whether it is at a company picnic or in the benefits provided.
The Utah State Bar regularly presents a mentorship award in your name. What does this recognition mean to you?
In various roles, I have worked to make sure women and people of color have access to opportunities. I have made a concerted, intentional effort to invite people to apply for positions, to join committees, and to participate in activities when I see that people may be holding back and are hesitant to participate. When you host a party and you see someone alone in the corner or about to leave because they don’t know anyone, you reach out and talk with them and make them feel welcome. As an attorney, an executive and a leader, I have taken the approach that I am responsible for paying attention to and seeing who is not participating and may not feel welcome. When I took the opportunity to reach out, sometimes it resulted in a dear friendship. Sometimes, the organization has more active participants or a new, great leader. I have benefited greatly from teachers and people in the legal and business communities who care about me and have suggested participation.
You have supported formerly incarcerated single mothers interested in working in the legal industry. How did you offer that help?
In some instances, I have provided a place for them to live. I assisted a woman who had a serious alcohol problem, an abusive husband and three small children by enabling her to take time off from work, assisting in care for her children, and letting her know that she could not do anything that would result in my abandoning her. In some instances, my support has included my expertise as a lawyer, but most of the support was in the form of human kindness and relying on my own village of friends to participate in that support.
How do you balance professional expertise with personal involvement when advocating for those who need legal support?
Both CEOs and people with no resources may argue about or reject my legal advice. I communicate the options available to them and the possible consequences. That is separate from being their friend or colleague.
