Careers

Rebecca Valentino, Silicon Valley Hiring Partner

Meet Rebecca

As Silicon Valley Hiring Partner, Rebecca Valentino helps recruit and develop talented future attorneys while supporting the continued growth of Alston & Bird's Silicon Valley office. A member of the firm's Corporate Transactions & Securities Group, Rebecca advises public and private companies on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising transactions, corporate governance, and securities matters. Drawing on her experience counseling clients through complex business transactions, she is committed to fostering the collaborative culture and professional development opportunities that help attorneys build successful careers at the firm.

Questions & Answers

Get to know Rebecca through this brief Q&A, where she shares insights about her legal career, her role as Hiring Partner, and what makes Alston & Bird a unique place to build a career.

1. Why did you choose to practice law and how did you decide to practice in your particular area of law?

   I was always interested in how the law shapes the world in which we live, especially with respect to business. I chose to pursue a joint JD/MBA program to better understand that intersection of law and business. I knew I wanted to have a corporate/transactional practice, and I thought the MBA would help me understand my future clients better. I also like the fact that, with a transactional practice, we are seeking to reach a deal where all parties are satisfied in the end as opposed to one party winning and the other losing. 

2. What do you like best about being Hiring Partner?

   I like meeting the newest generation of law students and getting to know their stories. I also enjoy having a role in shaping/maintaining the firm’s culture.
   

3. In your opinion, what makes Alston & Bird a great place to work?

   I know everyone says “the people,” but it is true. Specifically, the people I have met and worked with here are friendly, collaborative, supportive and encouraging. I joined as a lateral and I was impressed with how quickly I was able to get integrated into the firm and the support I felt from the corporate group.

4. If there was one piece of (career) advice you could provide to a law student, what would it be?

   For those that are first starting out, I like the saying that “your best ‘ability’ is ‘availability’.” While you may not know a lot about the substantive area of the law when you start, demonstrating that you are eager, willing and able to work will take you far.  

5. What was the most memorable recruiting experience for you personally as a law student?

   When I was a summer associate, we had an outing on a sailboat touring the Hudson River in NYC. It was a beautiful day with great views of the Statue of Liberty and the NYC skyline. I remember having a drink in hand and walking down the stairs while the boat was rocking. The hiring partner was standing on the landing below and I was repeating over and over to myself in my head, “do not spill red wine on the hiring partner!” 

6. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

   I have two very young children, so most of my free time is spent with them. We enjoy going to the local parks, libraries and zoos. I also enjoy working out (a bit of a Peloton addict) and watching sports, especially college football and gymnastics.

7. What is your favorite quote?

   “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.” – Dr. Seuss

8. Who inspires you and why?

   My mother inspires me. She is retired, and has been for a while, but she continues to take on a multitude of projects all aimed at helping people less fortunate than she is. She is one of the busiest retired people I know!