I joined Starbucks 16 years ago, transitioning from private practice as a trial lawyer. My law firm was an exceptional place to work, with wonderful colleagues and fascinating clients. But while I was a fine advocate and a successful contributor to the firm, my heart was not in the business of private legal practice. Find out more about Lucy below.
Growing a Business Through the Lens of Humanity
Within a short time of becoming a Starbucks partner (what we call our employees), I knew I had found my heart. It wasn’t the product (although it’s a pretty sweet deal to have the world’s finest coffee at your fingertips), the innovative work or the positive “buzz” in the hallways. It was the sense that I was part of something bigger, a different kind of company. Since its beginning in 1971, Starbucks has reflected a culture of doing the right thing and acting with humanity and respect, positively impacting our partners, our customers, and our communities.
Download or view Lucy Lee Helm’s full article here.
Author Biography:
Lucy Lee Helm has been a partner (employee) at Starbucks for 16 years. She was appointed as Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary in May 2012. In her role, Lucy leads the global Law & Corporate Affairs department, including 210 legal and compliance partners in 16 offices around the world. In addition to her work at Starbucks, Lucy is a member of the Board of Directors of the global humanitarian agency Mercy Corps. She also serves on the Board of the Washington YMCA Youth & Government Program and the advisory board of Disability Rights Advocates, a non-profit disability law center in Berkeley, CA. In 2014, Lucy was a recipient of Legal Momentum’s Woman of Achievement award, and was recognized by the National Law Journal as one of America’s 50 Outstanding General Counsel.
