This limited series profiles DFW Power Women who have made their mark in the Dallas-Fort Worth commercial real estate industry. Each of the women profiled will be honored at Bisnow's Dallas-Fort Worth Power Women event Nov. 12.
Vicky Gunning is a power lawyer and managing partner at Locke Lord.
Rising to the top of her field depended on some simple and perhaps unexpected things, liking holding onto faith, authenticity and sharing laughter and hugs. She said these things are part of her whole self, and she has learned it is important to bring that to work each day.
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Bisnow: What did you dream of becoming as a child? How does your current career feed that inner child inside of you?
Gunning: I wanted to be a lawyer. My uncle was one of only two lawyers in my very small town in Oklahoma and I loved everything about his work, particularly the relationships he had with his clients and the confidence that they had in him. I am blessed to be living my dream.
Bisnow: If you could teach women growing in the industry today just one thing, what would it be?
Gunning: Be whole and bring your whole self to work. I am a woman of faith and I hid that for years. I’m also a blonde who smiles a lot, likes to laugh, and I am a hugger, none of which seemed very lawyerly. But you cannot flourish in your career or as a leader if you bifurcate yourself.
Bisnow: Who inspires you on a daily basis and why?
Gunning: I’m inspired by every person I encounter who puts others first in front of their own self-interests. I see that daily at Locke Lord in my colleagues and in my clients and friends. There is so much stress and anxiety pulling at all of us. Every selfless act I see ignites pure joy in me and a cheerful readiness to make sure the person in front of me feels loved, safe and able to cope.
Bisnow: What is your biggest career failure and what positive lessons did it teach you?
Gunning: Trying to be someone I was not to please a client was a big lesson learned. Everything goes wrong when you put on a fake persona and are not the person you are meant to be.
Bisnow: Describe your greatest career accomplishment.
Gunning: Being named Dallas Office managing partner for Locke Lord LLP a couple of years ago was a surprise and honor. I’m serving (with my colleague, partner Whit Roberts) an office of brilliant and dedicated lawyers and staff and am grateful every day for them. I am grateful for our loyal clients who recognize the immense value of excellent service by lawyers who truly care about their business and about them personally.
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