Going 'Above and Beyond'

Since 2012, Carole Yeatts has partnered with Richmond Law students to offer career guidance in her role as Director of Career Development for Career Advising & Employer Outreach. “When I talk to law students about their dream job or about what career path they want to be on, I always have in the back of my mind that I didn’t find my dream job until 20 years after I got out of law school,” said Yeatts. Her nontraditional path included positions at the Virginia State Bar, in small and large law firms, and in legal marketing and consulting before she found her way to that “dream job” in advising and mentoring students at Richmond Law.

Now, the Metro Richmond Women’s Bar Association (MRWBA) has honored Yeatts’ impact through mentoring with the Phoebe P. Hall Mentorship Award. Named in honor of MRWBA founding member Phoebe Hall, the award honors a member who demonstrates “a kind, caring, and exceptional commitment to the personal, professional, and intellectual development of others.” Yeatts was a co-recipient with Jackie Stone, a partner at McGuireWoods, at the MRWBA Spring 2021 meeting.

Yeatts came to the MRWBA immediately after graduating from the University of Virginia School of Law and soon joined the bar’s board of directors. “I didn’t realize at the time how fortunate I was to be able to work with these women who were at the top echelons of the practice,” said Yeatts. “They took me under their wing right away.” Phoebe Hall was one of those women, and “was a wonderful mentor to generations of women,” said Yeatts. “I so appreciated her time and attention.” Yeatts went on to serve a term as president of the MRWBA for 2001-2002, in addition to a number of other leadership roles in the organization. 

At Richmond Law, Yeatts developed mentorship relationships through her role as an advisor to the Richmond Women’s Law (RWL) student group, in addition to her career development work. “One of the things that I tell my law students … is that this law school very much has a pay-it-forward-mentality,” she said. “When our law students reach out to our grads, they are so often embraced, and they are surprised by how the alumni are so generous and so giving and so responsive. I expect my students to do the same after they graduate.”

RWL President Mary Margaret Hawkins, L’21, coordinated Yeatts’ nomination for the award and was joined by current and past presidents and board members of both RWL and MRWBA in writing letters in support.

“Carole has unquestionably gone above and beyond anything that would have ever been required of her as ‘just’ my career advisor. … Because of her mentorship, I know I will pass on the value of having a good mentor and make the effort to mentor other young attorneys and law students one day.”

--Mary Margaret Hawkins, L’21

“Carole Yeatts is someone who makes everyone feel seen. She meets you where you’re at yet appreciates all that you aspire to be. Then, through careful and strategic mentorship, Carole helps you make those aspirations a reality. … She embodies dedication, so evident from any conversation that you almost wonder how she makes time for herself when she’s constantly preoccupied with helping others materialize their goals. And her kindness. Her kindness and compassion to each individual she mentors are obvious from the gestures and requests she graciously fulfills.”

--Lauren Earley, L’20

“Carole contributes to her community in every capacity: from positively influencing those she mentors on the individual level by expanding their network and reach to encouraging an environment of collegiality and development among women law students and attorneys.”

--Emma Cleary, L’21

“It's hard to put into words what Carole has done for me as a career advisor, and more recently – my mentor and friend. Carole took me under her wing during my 1L year and helped me network and secure a big law internship my 1L summer. Without her help, I imagine I wouldn't have been able to receive an offer to return this summer. Carole's help opened the door to what I imagine is the beginning of my law career, and without her I'm not sure where I'd be.”

--Natalie King, L’22

This recognition “was absolutely the highlight of my career,” said Yeatts. “It gives me joy to connect people, it gives me joy to put people together who either have common interests or common needs, and then sit back and watch their relationship grow and develop.”