In a recent episode of the Corner Office podcast, Thompson Coburn partner Amanda Hettinger discussed how she builds trust through thoughtful questioning, the importance of strong mentorship, and why client feedback is essential for growth.
Reflecting on the role that has taught her the most, Amanda shared that co‑chairing the Business Litigation group has been especially impactful. The position has expanded her skill set far beyond litigation. “It’s taught me business development, marketing, mentoring, recruiting: it’s really the business side of things,” she said. “I’ve learned how to be an effective manager and mentor and wear multiple hats in that role.”
When it comes to gathering client feedback, relationship‑building is key. “If we have a hearing and the client attends, I’ll say, ‘Let’s talk about it. I’m curious, what were your impressions?’” Amanda said.
She recalled one particularly meaningful experience at the close of a litigation matter when she was an associate. As the team prepared to close the file, the partner leading the case suggested calling the in‑house counsel to ensure everything was complete. “During that conversation, he asked, ‘Would you like Amanda to prepare a memo on lessons learned from the litigation?’ And the client said yes!” Amanda shared. “The client was then able to share that memo internally, which built a lot of trust. And those conversations often open the door to valuable feedback.”
Listen to the full podcast here.
