Y-ADR Spotlight Series - Interview Questions with Kate Gonzalez

Kate Gonzalez
Airbus Americas

1. What has been a beneficial aspect of engaging with the CPR Institute for you personally or professionally?

Engaging with the CPR Institute has been incredibly rewarding, primarily due to the power of connection. It's the people—the vibrant network of professionals—that has truly made the difference. CPR also provided a fantastic platform to develop content that genuinely resonated with us as practitioners. For instance, I'm immensely proud to have not only sowed the seeds for the speed mentoring program but also to have received the full support of CPR to bring it to fruition.

2. What inspired you to steer your career toward ADR, and what steps did you take to make it to where you are today?

My journey into ADR, if I'm honest, was quite serendipitous. After interning at the European Parliament, I aspired to work for a European institution. However, my proficiency in French—gained through sticking with French at high school and then a dual qualifying English and French law degree (which I reluctantly studied, based on the advice of my teachers to set myself apart with a USP), unexpectedly altered my trajectory. A law firm hired me for a litigation role with a significant roster of French speaking clients. They needed lawyers who could work with the clients in French, yet draft pleadings in English and meticulously review discovery in both languages.

It took me many months to truly embrace litigation, but once I did, there was no turning back. Cross-qualifying and obtaining the Paris bar then opened countless doors, allowing me to fully immerse myself in a field I genuinely enjoyed thanks to the complexity of what we do, the creativity, the strategy, the drama!

3. What is an issue that you see within the field of ADR and how can that issue be combated?

A critical issue we face in ADR today is the escalating cost of disputes. It's becoming increasingly unmanageable for corporations, and it's imperative that we all play our part in bringing these costs under control. There are numerous avenues to achieve this: leveraging legal technology for greater efficiency, bringing more legal work in-house to reduce external law firm fees, shifting away from the traditional hourly rate to phased, capped billing models, and, perhaps most importantly, proactively building an effective dispute management system.

4. Is there a moment in your career that you are most proud of?

I actually have two moments that stand out as particularly proud achievements. Firstly, passing the French bar was an enormous personal and professional triumph. It required immense dedication, including studying for a master's degree while pregnant with my first child and battling severe morning sickness. As a non-native French speaker, earning the right to call myself an avocate was an incredibly difficult yet immensely satisfying accomplishment that I remain incredibly proud of.

Secondly, I'm proud of the small role I played in assisting Airbus during the COVID period. Collaborating with customers and suppliers to devise innovative solutions for unprecedented challenges, under immense pressure, was a deeply rewarding experience.

5. How can people with an interest in ADR get hands-on experience to further their career?

• Volunteer with organizations like CPR: It's often surprisingly easy to get involved and contribute.
• Attend ADR events: Networking and learning from experienced professionals at conferences and seminars is invaluable.
• Embrace less glamorous tasks: Offer to do the work no one else wants. By consistently delivering with a good attitude, showing you were willing to go the extra mile, you build trust and pave the way for greater responsibility and more significant opportunities.

6. What is your favorite ADR process to practice?

I absolutely love negotiation - the freedom to think outside the box and find solutions that are not available in any other forum - and if that doesn’t work, arbitration!

7. (Fun one!) Describe your perfect Friday night in 5 words or less.

Family, fish & chips, wine, hockey