Minority Powerbrokers Q&A: McDermott’s Tony Upshaw

Anthony (Tony) Upshaw, McDermott trial partner and co-chair of the racial and ethnic diversity and inclusion committee, spoke on the challenges that lawyers of color face at a senior level. “We are not just being watched by others generally, we are also being watched by other lawyers of color,” Mr. Upshaw explained. “Each of us knows that whatever we do, it will be attributed to us all. If one succeeds, we all succeed. The challenge then is to be consistent, professional, approachable, collegial, professorial, humble and all-around likeable at the same time … and remember in the end that no matter what we do, not everyone will agree with the result.”