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28 Hartford Business Journal • August 6, 2018 • www.HartfordBusiness.com 40 UNDER FORTY 2018 B ritt-Marie Cole-Johnson is a partner in Robinson+Cole's Labor and Employment Group. She focuses her practice on counsel- ing private-sector employers, ranging from NYSE and NASDAQ compa- nies, multinational corporations and nonprofit healthcare organizations to educational institutions, manufactur- ers and all areas of employment law. Cole-Johnson handles sensitive, high-risk personnel issues and inves- tigations as well as compliance and training. She is a trained workplace investigator and regularly conducts, manages and provides advice regard- ing workplace investigations involving all types of employment-related issues, particularly those requiring board of director and senior management involvement and high-profile matters. What's been the biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? My biggest professional accomplish- ment so far has been making partner at an AmLaw 200 law firm in seven years, versus the typical track of eight or more years. I've benefited from being a part of Robinson+Cole's supportive community, which has served as a strong platform to build my legal practice. How are you involved in the community? I serve on the board of directors for Teach for America — Connecticut and the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving's board of ambassadors. I am a member of the Loomis Chaffee Head's Council and the Greater Hartford Chapter of the Jack and Jill of America Inc., and was former board chair of YWCA Hartford region. Give an example of a people-skills habit you adhere to in your work and daily life that you feel has helped you succeed. I'm a firm believer in Maya Angelou's quote, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Being self-aware and willing to self-reflect are skills that serve anyone who leads well. What do you hope Greater Hartford will be like in 10 years? Greater Hartford's potential is limit- less. I hope that in 10 years the Greater Hartford region will be an even richer melting pot known for its talented work- force, affordable housing, and a strong integration between cities and suburbs as well as a vibrant hub for student life. Four reasons why you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty: • Named partner in seven years at an AmLaw 200 law firm. • One of the youngest board chairs at YWCA Hartford Region. • Ranked in "Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business" in the state of Con- necticut in the area of Labor & Employment as an "Associate to Watch" for 2014 and 2015, and as "Up and Coming" since 2016. • Selected for Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund's Forty Women for the Next 40 Years Award. Fun Fact I was a varsity athlete and was re- cruited to play Division I basketball. Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson Age: 35 Company: Robinson+Cole Title: Partner No. of years with current company: 10 Town where I live: Wallingford Town where I work: Hartford College: Emory University School of Law Highest degree: Law degree NOMINATE TODAY WWW.HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM/OUREVENTS Do you know of an outstanding family-owned business? Nominate the region's most successful businesses today! Nominations close 8/16 Nominations PRESENTING SPONSORS: EVENT PARTNERS: EVENT & TRAVEL PARTNERS