A feature about women who overcame obstacles, faced challenges head on, who dealt with work and home demands, climbed to a place of influence, and took their own path to success.

Kara E.F. Cenar has practiced intellectual property litigation for the last 20 years. Her federal and state litigation practice includes jury and bench trials and emergency, temporary, and preliminary injunctive relief for patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret cases. Recognized on the Illinois Super Lawyers list from 2005-2009, Ms. Cenar is also a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, a trial lawyer honorary society representing less than 0.5 percent of American lawyers. She was invited into fellowship after being evaluated on her effectiveness and accomplishment in litigation, trial work, and ethical reputation.

When you first started your career/business did you feel passion for your work?
Yes.  I started my career as a law clerk in an intellectual property boutique and fell in love with the area of law.  I worked with some great people who saw that I had ability and passion and they took an interest in helping and watching me succeed.  These two things gave me an initial confidence to want to succeed, which fueled my passion.

When you first started were you able to visualize your final outcome?
No.  I never tried to visualize my outcome, and still can’t visualize my outcome today.  I am very goal oriented, yet driven enough to reach a goal and set my sights on the next.  So I could fairly say I was able to visualize each step, but the final outcome?  That history has yet to write for me.

What were you top three obstacles/challenges?
Myself. Myself. Myself.  You would think I would learn after all these years.  I call them perceived barriers.  Let me give some examples.

I came from a family of entrepreneurs, not professionals.  So I started with the perceived barrier that those in the legal profession were incredibly smart and came from wealthy families. It simply was not a career option for me for those reasons.  In my mind I did not fit either category.  I took a job in a law school admission office as a clerk.  I gave tours to the incoming students.  After each tour I thought to myself, he/she isn’t any smarter than I was.  I applied to law school.  I got in and received a scholarship.  

I was paying my way through school.  An intellectual property boutique was hiring and paid good money.  Only problem was I did not have a technical or scientific background, nor did I meet any of the elements of the job description.  I almost did not apply for the job.  The need to pay tuition convinced me to take a shot.  I was hired as a law clerk, became an associate, and eventually became one of the youngest attorneys that made partner at that firm.  I was there for 19 years and received some of the best training as a trial lawyer and intellectual property litigator.

I am my hardest critic.  This however has been a blessing and a curse.  It provided me with the opportunity to self correct, but it also prevented me from fully appreciating the accomplishment.  

What I learned from this was to get out of my own way. Get out of my comfort zone and let myself learn of the natural abilities I have to deal with challenges.

How did you deal with doubt, fear, and self recrimination?
Humor.  Prayer.  Hard work. Mostly however, I held myself accountable for the choices I made.  This made me more and more confident as my career progressed.

Did you feel that the traditional male dominated workplace affected you at all?  If so, what did you do about it?  
Some of my biggest supporters and mentors are men.  However there were some issues, such as having a child, which they simply were not walking in the same shoes as me.  Close, but not quite the same.  I turned to the women business owner community.  Since in essence as a Partner I was a business owner, I looked to that community for wisdom, support and inspiration.

Did you have mentors?
Yes as I mentioned above, I have had mentors that have guided me in many areas of my life, personally and professionally.  I also treat every person I meet as a form of mentor.  I notice the good, and try to emulate that in my actions.  I notice the bad and also try to emulate that in the actions I choose not to take.

Do you feel you were traditional in terms of your steps to your Optimal Level?  If yes, if no, please explain.
My career has not been traditional yet has been a very traditional path.  I advanced as one would expect for an attorney.  Law clerk, associate, partner, management roles.  Boutique Firm, General Practice firm, International General practice firm.  My role in this area of law is however non-traditional because I do not have the technical or scientific background, which are the typical and traditional backgrounds of lawyers practicing in this field.  

As you look back, what is the one thing you wish you knew when you started?
Honestly, nothing.  I have enjoyed every experience.  It doesn’t mean it was easy, but each step was a learning experience and made me a stronger, smarter and better person.

Any regrets?
Not believing in myself and not seeing the potential others saw in me.

Do you believe luck had something to do with your rise to where you are now? Do you feel you paid a price to be as successful as you are now?  
I don’t believe in luck.  I know the work I have done to accomplish what I have accomplished. Where I feel fortunate is in the people that I have encountered along the way.  Each has contributed to my success in ways they will never know.  Thank you!

What is the best piece of advice you have for other women on their way to their Optimal Level?
I read this quote in a triathlon magazine and I think it is great advice.  

Sometimes you have to put yourself in to a stressful situation, whether in your sport, your career or your relationship.  That forces you to rise up, take a hold of the reigns, and do whatever it takes to make it a success.

In other words…just do it…believe in yourself and stop holding yourself back.  

Do you have any other tips for career or business women?
Approach your work life as a career, not a job.  If you love what you are doing you will excel.

Give yourself the luxury of exploring.  Start early, in college or graduate school, or early in your career, because later in life there are certain life realities that will limit your options.  

For those of us long out of college or school, don’t be afraid to make that move or change things up.

And while this is the hardest piece of advice, it is the most important.  Be true to your values and don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself and what is right.  

What do you think is the biggest mistake career/business women make?
Not believing in themselves.  Don’t make obstacles for yourself.

Giving up too easily.  So what if it didn’t work the first time, or it wasn’t perfect.  Don’t walk away from something you want for yourself.  You can do whatever you set your mind to do.  Really.

Choosing one path over the other.   While one path may be more full (eg children and a full time career), there are many of us balancing more than one path.    You can have it all.

Do you have any other tips for career or business women?
Yes.  Have faith.   Especially, in yourself.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help or direction.  It is not a sign of weakness.  It is a sign of wisdom.  

Help others.  Give of yourself.  Watching others succeed along with you as opposed to propelling ahead of others is truly gratifying.