Kim Khuu Dooley

Why did you decide to pursue a career as an attorney?

I always thought that I would be a middle school English teacher and had no dreams of being a lawyer when I was younger. I serendipitously chose this profession after I interned with a law firm in high school. My high school’s graduation requirement mandated seniors to volunteer at an organization in the local Worcester, Massachusetts community. I opened a phone book and called several businesses, one of which was a local solo practitioner who happily accepted the free help. It was my time at this firm answering calls, sorting mail and typing up legal descriptions for deeds that sparked my life long interest in the legal profession.

Are there any particular causes or issues within or outside of the legal profession that you are passionate about or actively involved in?

I am part of an organization called the Southeast Asian Coalition (SEAC) which provides academic, economic, emotional, social, and cultural resources to the members of the Worcester, Massachusetts community. I am particularly proud of my involvement in this organization as the community it serves reminds me of my own family. My parents were refugees who fled from Vietnam in their late teens and came to the United States with only the clothes on their back. My participation in SEAC is my way of honoring their sacrifice and serving my community.

What advice would you give to other women who are interested in a career in commercial real estate law?

The best advice I received is acknowledging and learning from your mistakes. If you never make a mistake, then you never truly learned anything.