2018 Women in Construction: Katherine Hesse, Murphy, Hesse, Toomey and Lehane, LLP

Name: Katherine Hesse

Postion: Partner

Company: Murphy, Hesse, Toomey and Lehane, LLP

Location: Quincy, Springfield, MA

Education: B.A. Smith College; J.D. Boston University School of Law

Place of Birth: Nebraska

Why did you decide to be a lawyer? I loved to read, and enjoyed the art of negotiating and accomplishing goals through persuasion.

What do you think makes a successful lawyer? Intelligence, integrity, hard work, and excellent communications skills. Understand the client, their industry, and goals. Really dig in and get to know the law, gain the deep experience in the field that will allow you to become a true business advisor. Get to know the judges, court officers, administrative agency personnel and arbitrators, be creative in structuring arguments best tailored to achieve your clients’ goals. Develop a reputation for being tough but fair and a person of integrity, one whose word may be counted on. Work as a team player in your law firm, and give back to the community and your profession.

What are your specialty areas of practice? Labor and employment, both preventive counseling and representation at trial; discrimination and harassment training; workplace investigations; employment contracts; retirement, health and other employee benefits; mediation of employment disputes. 

Hobbies: see a play on or off Broadway or  in the Greater Boston area, followed by a dinner with friends. During summer, I prefer to be at the beach on Block Island with my family and friends.