Kim Young
Director, Coaching & Transition Services
"Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors."
— PROVERB
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Kim Young brings deep knowledge and an astute understanding of attorney career pathways and development to her work at Greiner Consulting Group. With over 25 years' experience as a talent development professional at leading AmLaw firms, she consults with attorneys and business services professionals at all levels, providing transition guidance, career counseling, and coaching services to our clients. Kim advises on a range of topics, including communications style, managerial skills development, and time and project management, as well as lending her skills to training programs, facilitated workshops, and other client programming.
Kim rejoined Greiner Consulting Group following her role as Professional Development Manager at Davis Polk, and held earlier roles in professional development at Skadden and Debevoise & Plimpton, where she successfully partnered with practice group leadership to strategically develop and deploy attorney resources and build key relationships while implementing new ideas and fostering organizational change. With formal training and a keen interest in Inclusion, Kim partnered with firm stakeholders to ensure inclusion goals were met and provided a channel for associates' concerns to be heard and addressed at the senior-most levels.
Kim holds her M.S.W. from Columbia University and her B.A. from Hollins University. She undertook her coach training at Columbia University and Inclusion training at Cornell University, ILR School.
COACHING STYLE
My coaching style is grounded in curiosity, care, connection, and a genuine interest in understanding each individual’s story. I strive to establish an authentic partnership with my clients, building the alliance by investing the time to understand each client’s unique circumstances, goals, and challenges. This trusting platform then provides for a highly productive and enriching relationship to emerge in which some of the hard work we must do at times, feels less difficult. While I can provide practical guidance and strategic advice throughout the coaching engagement, my goal is to help clients navigate their journey with greater clarity, self-awareness, resilience, and a sense of optimism about what springs from focused intention and grounded action.
MEET KIM
As a seasoned PD professional with decades of experience at top AM Law firms what valuable advice do you offer your clients at Greiner Consulting Group?
Thinking specifically about younger lawyers who are just beginning their careers, I would encourage them to remain eager, curious, and patient. The practice of law is challenging in many respects and the learning curve is steep. Be patient with yourself and the process, especially if you are starting off in a firm. Engage with senior colleagues and the organization as a whole and don't be afraid to ask questions. Your voice matters and can make a difference.
With senior lawyers, I would say don’t underestimate the value that you are bringing to the table. After you've practiced for a while, it’s easy to lose touch with how far you've come and what you've learned. Taking stock of your achievements along the way is every bit as important as addressing your growth challenges.
What do you enjoy most about working with attorneys from the perspective of an outside coach?
We have the great fortune at Greiner Consulting Group to work with some of the most talented attorneys in the field. They are a smart, driven, and fully capable group. It is exciting to partner with them on their journey and to have a positive, and hopefully lasting, impact on their career. I find working with the lawyers we coach to be both stimulating and highly rewarding.
You hold an MSW alongside your coaching education; how has your training informed your approach to working with individuals and teams.
My MSW and my coach training have both increased my listening skills and improved my ability to frame questions that take the conversation and work we are doing to a deeper level. I think these qualities help ensure that I add value to the teams I’m on and they underpin my efforts to bring out the very best in my team members. The training I’ve received has helped me find my voice as a coach and ensures that voice is authentic.
What inspires you away from work?
My three young grandchildren! I am so very lucky to have the most precious and loving grandchildren. They add tremendous joy to every day. I’m also continuously inspired by New York City - the diversity of people, the energy of the city, and the endless variety of things to do and places to eat! I feel so lucky to have made NYC my home since I first entered the legal industry.
Our team
Jennifer Greiner
President & Founder
Carla Levinson, esq.
Consulting Partner, Coaching & Transition Services
Eve Balick
Director, Coaching & Transition Services
Kim Young
Director, Coaching & Transition Services
Erin Scherzer
Director, Coaching & Transition Services
AnnJoan Hyman
Consulting Partner, Executive Presence, Speech and Presentation Services
Mo Chanmugham
Consulting Partner, Coaching & Transition Services
Cathy Simpson
Consulting Partner, Coaching, Group Facilitation, and Training
Kate Edwards
Consulting Partner, Coaching & Business Services
Vira Bangaru
Operations Coordinator