How I Made Partner: ‘Be Prepared to Pivot, Take Chances, and Dive In,’ Says Praveena Nallainathan of Pryor Cashman

Posted on July 23, 2025

In a dynamic legal landscape, Praveena Nallainathan, a newly elected partner at Pryor Cashman LLP, has carved a remarkable path to partnership through adaptability, risk-taking, and relentless dedication. Promoted on January 1, 2025, as part of the firm’s seven-member partner class, Nallainathan’s journey in the Immigration Group offers a blueprint for aspiring lawyers. Her mantra—“Be prepared to pivot, take chances, and dive in”—encapsulates her approach to overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities in a field as complex and ever-changing as corporate immigration. In an exclusive Law.com feature, Nallainathan shared insights into her career, emphasizing the importance of resilience, strategic networking, and a willingness to embrace new roles.

From In-House to Partnership: A Non-Linear Path

Nallainathan’s ascent to partner at Pryor Cashman, a premier midsized law firm headquartered in New York, was anything but conventional. With a practice focused on corporate immigration, nationality, and consular law, she advises multinational companies on employment-based visa petitions (H-1B, L-1, E-1/E-2, E-3, TN, O-1), permanent residency strategies, and compliance with I-9 regulations. Her expertise also extends to immigration policy development and the implications of corporate mergers and acquisitions, making her a go-to advisor for clients across industries like technology, finance, and entertainment.

Before joining Pryor Cashman, Nallainathan’s career spanned diverse roles that shaped her unique perspective. She served as Of Counsel at an Am Law 200 firm, where she honed her skills in corporate immigration. Earlier, she was Global Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at a major international firm, a role that deepened her understanding of organizational dynamics and inclusion. Her in-house experience as Associate General Counsel, Immigration & Head of Talent Mobility at IHS Markit, a publicly traded information services company, gave her a client-side perspective, enhancing her ability to craft practical, business-oriented solutions.

“I didn’t follow a straight line to partnership,” Nallainathan told Law.com. “Each role taught me to pivot—whether it was learning a new aspect of immigration law, navigating corporate priorities, or advocating for DEI. You have to be ready to adapt and take on challenges others might shy away from.”

Key Strategies for Making Partner

Nallainathan’s journey to partnership at Pryor Cashman, announced on January 7, 2025, alongside colleagues like Erica Allegretta and Michael Schimel, reflects a blend of preparation, boldness, and relationship-building. Her advice to aspiring partners, drawn from her Law.com interview, includes:

1. Be Prepared to Pivot

The legal industry, particularly immigration law, is shaped by shifting policies and global trends. Nallainathan credits her success to her willingness to adapt. For example, her transition from in-house counsel to a law firm role required learning new systems and client expectations. “When Canada launched its Tech Talent Strategy in 2023, I saw U.S. clients struggling to retain STEM talent,” she said, referencing her comments to Law.com about Canada’s H-1B visa program. “You have to stay ahead of policy changes and pivot your advice to meet client needs.”

2. Take Chances

Nallainathan’s career is marked by bold moves, such as taking on leadership roles in DEI and talent mobility without prior experience in those areas. “I wasn’t afraid to dive into uncharted territory,” she said. Her pro bono work with Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), where she was named Pro Bono Attorney of the Month in 2013 and featured in a promotional film narrated by Angelina Jolie, showcases her willingness to take on high-impact cases. “Don’t wait for the perfect opportunity—create it by saying yes to challenges,” she advised.

3. Dive In and Build Relationships

Networking and mentorship were critical to Nallainathan’s rise. She emphasizes the importance of building authentic relationships with colleagues, clients, and industry peers. At Pryor Cashman, she benefited from the firm’s collaborative culture, where associates work closely with partners on high-stakes matters. “You’re not just a cog in the machine here,” she noted, echoing sentiments from a 2024 Above the Law interview with managing partner Ronald Shechtman about the firm’s collegial environment. Nallainathan’s ability to connect with clients, from startups to Fortune 500 companies, has made her a trusted advisor, strengthening her case for partnership.

4. Be the Most Prepared Person in the Room

Drawing inspiration from Pryor Cashman’s first Black female partner, Rachel Shaw, who advised in a 2021 Law.com feature to “always be the most prepared person in the room,” Nallainathan prioritized deep expertise and client service. Her meticulous approach to visa petitions and compliance audits earned her a reputation for reliability, a key factor in her promotion.

Overcoming Challenges as a Woman of Color

As a woman of color in a field where leadership remains predominantly white and male, Nallainathan faced unique hurdles. “There’s an unspoken pressure to prove you belong,” she acknowledged. Her experience mirrors broader industry challenges, as seen in discussions about diversity in leadership roles, like those of Rekha Skantharaja at Tangram Insurance Services. By leveraging her DEI background, Nallainathan advocated for inclusive policies at prior firms, which informed her approach to building diverse teams at Pryor Cashman.

Her recognition as the 2001 Rookie of the Year by the NYC Administration for Children Services highlights her early commitment to impactful work, a trait that carried through to her partnership. “You have to show up, deliver, and let your work speak for itself,” she said, emphasizing resilience over external validation.

Pryor Cashman’s Supportive Culture

Pryor Cashman, a midsized firm with offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami, is known for its entertainment law roots and full-service capabilities. The firm’s promotion of seven new partners and six counsel on January 1, 2025, reflects its commitment to nurturing talent. Managing partner David C. Rose, who assumed the role on February 1, 2025, praised the group’s “vitality and growth,” noting their dedication to client service. Nallainathan credits the firm’s close-knit, less hierarchical structure for allowing her to take on significant responsibilities early, such as leading complex immigration strategies for multinational clients.

Advice for Aspiring Partners

Nallainathan’s journey offers actionable lessons for young lawyers:

• Stay Curious: Constantly learn about your field and adjacent areas to offer holistic solutions.
• Seek Mentors: Build relationships with senior colleagues who can guide and advocate for you.
• Embrace Risk: Take on high-visibility projects, even if they feel daunting.
• Prioritize Impact: Focus on work that delivers value to clients and the firm, whether through billable hours or pro bono efforts.

Looking Ahead

As Pryor Cashman expands, with recent partner additions like Paul J. Proulx in real estate and Katherine Reilly in white-collar defense, Nallainathan’s role in the Immigration Group positions her to shape the firm’s global mobility practice. Her insights on international talent strategies, such as Canada’s 2023 Tech Talent initiative, underscore her forward-thinking approach. With immigration policy under scrutiny in 2025, particularly under the Trump administration’s deregulatory agenda, Nallainathan’s expertise will be critical for clients navigating H-1B visa caps and global workforce challenges.

Conclusion

Praveena Nallainathan’s rise to partner at Pryor Cashman is a testament to her adaptability, courage, and commitment to excellence. Her advice—“Be prepared to pivot, take chances, and dive in”—is a clarion call for lawyers to embrace change and seize opportunities. As she continues to shape the immigration landscape, Nallainathan’s story inspires a new generation to break barriers and redefine success in the legal industry.

Call to Action: Inspired by Praveena Nallainathan’s journey? Share your own career pivots or advice for making partner in the comments below! For more on Pryor Cashman’s dynamic team, visit www.pryorcashman.com.

Disclaimer: This article draws on Law.com, Business Wire, Above the Law, and other sources. Career details and quotes are based on available reports, and readers should consult primary sources for the latest information.