MEET MORE OF OUR 2026 WOMEN OF DISTINCTION
Summer Murshid’s career at Hawks Quindel began with an unexpected turn. As she prepared to graduate from law school during the 2008 financial crisis, her job offer was rescinded, leading her to an opening at Hawks Quindel. “I got the job,” she says. “Now I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
Today, Murshid represents employees in discrimination and wage-and-hour matters, helping people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. As a working mom herself, she understands that what happens at work rarely stays at work. “I love the law, but what keeps me doing this work is the people,” she says. As she looks to the next chapter of her career, Murshid is focused on mentoring the next generation of employee advocates and carrying forward Hawks Quindel’s legacy. “So many great lawyers invested in me. Now it’s my turn to do the same.”
“I get to spend my career doing work I truly care about. I don’t take that for granted.”
Q&A
What has kept you at Hawks Quindel?
I love this job! It takes a really particular personality to do plaintiff-side employment work. A lot of legal jobs are transactions and there’s not much of a human component. I always like to say there’s a fine line between counselor and legal counselor in this line of work. I spend a lot of time talking to people. People come to us in the most difficult positions they face. I think what makes everyone at Hawks Quindel stay is the ability to connect with people and help them through difficult situations.
What would you tell other women looking into your field?
You can make this job exactly what you want to make it and I think there is power in defining your career in the way that you want it. I am unapologetically a full-time working mom of three kids and I am a shareholder at this firm and have been for a long time. I am equal parts shareholder and mom.
