To do the work you love, you’ve got to unlock a few doors. UNLOCKED Stories are honest conversations with people who chose a path and made it happen.
A note from Ellen: I’m excited to feature this interview with Teresa Kokaislová, a young attorney based in NYC. As a former attorney myself, I know that getting through law school and landing a job in such a competitive, demanding industry is no joke. But Teresa is doing it — and not only that, she’s doing it while navigating life in a new country, living four thousand miles away from her family in the Czech Republic. She’s brave, hardworking, and I have a feeling you’ll be deeply inspired by her story.
What do you do?
[Teresa]: I’m a European attorney working in a NYC law firm.
What were you doing before you got your current job in NYC?
[Teresa]: I spent many years studying to become a lawyer and a law researcher. I studied in Prague, Vienna and then finally San Francisco. I also worked as a “lawyer in training” at the European Space Agency in Paris. And I worked as an intern for a branch of the United Nations in Vienna. It has been quite an international journey leading up to my current job!
What is your favorite part about what you are doing now?
[Teresa]: Living in NYC! It’s an amazing place. Practicing law is exciting, no matter where you’re based, but living in a place like New York City makes my work even more exciting and enjoyable. I love my current environment and the people I meet every week.
I love NYC, too! What are some of your favorite restaurants, businesses, museums, or parks? If I were visiting the city for a few days, where would you encourage me to go?
[Teresa]: I love walking around and exploring NYC by accident mostly. But some of my favorite places are the Highline, Riverside Park, and the NYU campus with its tiny hidden streets and even tinier houses. I also love Bakeri in Greenpoint, LIC Market in Long Island City and The Chocolate Room in Park Slope!
I know, from personal experience, that being an attorney is a very demanding profession. When you’re having a difficult or stressful day at work, how do you get through it?
[Teresa]: With tea and sweet treats. Also: I make a very detailed plan of everything that has to be done and follow it meticulously. Having a clear plan helps me to feel calmer.
What has been the most challenging chapter of your career so far? Have you ever experienced a “locked door” or a “roadblock” that was very difficult to get through?
[Teresa]: There have been quite a few! The most recent roadblock — one I wasn’t sure I could overcome — was getting my visa and work permit so that I could legally work in the US.
After I completed my studies and got admitted to the New York State Bar as an attorney, I was excited to finally become a US lawyer and couldn’t wait to start working.
But then my visa expired and getting a new one proved to be much more difficult and complicated than I expected.
For many months, I wanted to work but due to my visa status I could not accept a job.
Eventually — fortunately — I was able to get the visa that I needed, but it was quite stressful while I waited all those months. I definitely had moments where I wondered, “Am I going to have to leave the US? Then what? What’s going to happen? Where will I go?” The waiting period was an uneasy time.
How did you get through that stressful waiting period?
[Teresa]: It was not easy because I’d never experienced anything like it before. It took quite a while to realize that I needed to be patient, hopeful and just keep working on a solution.
I couldn’t have done it without my family and friends, who were very supportive and believed that everything would work out. To sum it up, I got through it thanks to patience, support and love from my family—and also my future employer’s generosity. They actually waited for me, and held a job open for me, for six months while I waited for my visa and work permit to get processed and come through!
These days, I do some “pro bono” [free] legal work, and I’ve been handling several immigration cases. It feels so good to provide legal guidance for my pro bono clients and help them with their immigration issues, because I understand what they’re going through and how stressful the immigration process can be. I am so happy that I can “give back” and help out!
Do you ever fantasize about having a totally different career? What would you do?
[Teresa]: I do! I’m not entirely sure what it would be but I often think about being a baker, a photographer or starting a small tea plantation — just big enough to have a year’s supply of tea.
You’re obviously a big tea lover! What’s one type of tea that you could not live without?
[Teresa]: I couldn’t live without Marco Polo from Mariage Frères, an old French tea house. It’s a beautiful flowery and fruity blend of black teas. I have also recently discovered Whittard Tea, a fine English tea company. Their Darjeeling is incredible. But I love so many teas, I could go on and on…
Who are your personal heroes and role models?
[Teresa]: My grandmothers, my friend and mentor Gisela, and Winnie-the-Pooh.
I love Winnie, too! He is a very wise bear. Speaking of books and fictional characters, what are the last three books that you read and loved?
[Teresa]: The History of Love by Nicole Krauss, Identity by Milan Kundera and Right Ho, Jeeves (or any story about Jeeves) by Pelham Grenville Wodehouse.
Getting back to Winnie… do you have a favorite Winnie-the-Pooh quote?
[Teresa]: Yes, I do! It’s for any day and any occasion:
“What day is it?” asked Pooh.
“It’s today”, squeaked Piglet.
“My favorite day”, said Pooh.
Last but not least: what’s your biggest piece of advice for anyone who wants to do amazing work in the world, stay motivated, and unlock major doors?
[Teresa]: Listen and be generous. I have learned that listening and generosity can unlock many doors. And, by being generous, you may even help to open doors for someone else.
Three questions to think about, write about—or talk about with a friend.
1. Teresa says that Winnie-the-Pooh is one of her heroes.
Do you have a fictional character who inspires you? Why do you admire that character?
2. Teresa was born in Europe but now lives and works in NYC.
If you could move to another country permanently or temporarily, where would you go and why?
3. Teresa says that “generosity can unlock many doors.”
When’s the last time you did something generous for someone else, with no strings attached? How did that feel? What happened next?
For more UNLOCKED interviews, click over here.
Know somebody that ought to be spotlighted? Write to me here.
See you next time for another inspiring conversation!