Richardson: A Passion to Work

June 30, 2008

Grand Rapids Business Journal

Attorney Kimberly Richardson knew at age 17 that if she was knowledgeable, prepared and clear about what she wanted to do in life, the world would be her oyster. Just two years out of law school, this young associate attorney at Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett is already shaking things up.

Richardson had made a mark since joining Varnum in September 2006. She conceptualized and drove a number of diversity initiatives at the firm, some of which were noted when Varnum received the 2008 Law Firm of the Year Award from the Diversity Services Office of Michigan State University College of Law and the Wolverine Student Bar Association. She also organized a breakfast series to bring minority construction business owners together with some of the area's largest contractors.

Richardson describes herself as a "prudent risk taker" who is very analytical and likes logical reasoning. She's quick to label herself " a talker," too. She's not one to waste time: Just 31, she already has a "bucket list" and is determined to check off every item on it. She writes poetry, is working on a novel and plays guitar - a skill she recently acquired. Learning how to play the guitar was one of the "to do" things on her bucket list.

Richardson earned a B.S. degree in mathematics from the University of Michigan in 1999 and went to work for Watson Wyatt & Co. in the metro Detroit area. There, she did annual actuarial valuations and complex data analysis for defined benefit retirement and retiree medical plans. The company was great, she said, but the work was a little too staid for the outgoing and energetic Richardson.

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