Effie Silva on networking
From A Chat with Effie Silva | Bouncing Back · · Major, Lindsey & Africa
“The value of networking and being authentic in your networking is the one thread I've weaved all my career. Being a partner in a law firm is a very lonely endeavor built with insecurities. You're never given a book of business unless it's some lightning in a bottle situation.”
On , Effie Silva, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer at FRESH DEL MONTE PRODUCE INC, spoke about networking during A Chat with Effie Silva | Bouncing Back on Major, Lindsey & Africa.
About Effie Silva
Effie Silva, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer at Fresh Del Monte Produce, discussed her career trajectory and the challenges of transitioning from law firm practice to in-house roles in a November 2024 podcast. She described being told by a partner that moving in-house would make her "a no one," but said she was confused by that mentality. Silva noted that going in-house felt like "hitting the reset button" and starting over at "the bottom of the packing order," requiring adaptation to demonstrate abilities in a different context. She also reflected on the guilt she felt about leaving big law as a Latina lawyer, stating she worried about "letting down" others who might look up to her. Silva emphasized the importance of persistence and networking throughout her career, saying that "the value of networking and being authentic in your networking is the one thread I've weaved all my career." She advised that the activities required to make partner—such as pitching to clients and expanding one's network—are the same as those needed to succeed in-house. Silva also stated that "failure is happening for you" and that "the beauty of any successful career is being able to endure failure and get satisfaction from it." Her motivation, she said, has been "not letting my team down" and "not letting the other Latino lawyers down."