Legal Lady Boss- Barbara Kolsun

Barbara Kolsun

You can’t look up fashion law without the name Barbara Kolsun populating your search. Barbara has had an impressive career leading the legal departments of fashion companies like Stuart Weitzman, Seven for All Mankind, and Kate Spade. She’s also an adjunct professor, editor of the pivotal textbook on fashion law, and co-director of Cardozo’s FAME program. Power woman doesn’t even begin to describe her. She’s a trailblazer in the legal industry coining the term “fashion law” and giving lawyers a seat at the business table at fashion companies.

Barbara, you've had a colorful career, but take us back to where it all started. Why pursue a career in the law in the first place?

It was an accident. I wanted to be a criminal defense lawyer and my mentor, Barry Scheck who founded The Innocence Project encouraged me to take a clerkship in the Second Circuit. After that I ended up turning down my offer from Legal Aid for financial reasons and while working at an IP boutique, was assigned Ralph Lauren work. That work and my contact with Lee Sporn, the then Assistant GC there, lead to many jobs, all in the fashion world.

There's a photo of you next to "fashion law" in the dictionary- you've worked at several fashion companies, edited the leading text on fashion law, teach fashion law at Cardozo Law School, and serve as the co-director of the FAME program. How did you end up cultivating this niche industry? Was it intentional? Did you have an interest in fashion?

The funny thing is I never was a fashionista. My aunt was a tailor and made all of our clothes and I appreciated fine clothing but as i said, this was a business I just fell into by accident.

During your time in-house at various companies, you had an extensive internship program. Tell us about the importance of interns and your desire to mentor and develop law students.

Because my law department at my first GC job at Kate Spade was just me and my wonderful paralegal Ann Wilson, I called my law school, Cardozo, and asked about engaging interns. In the course of my long career I worked with probably 150 interns, many from Cardozo, and many of whom are now the rising stars in the legal fashion world. They really were the young lawyers who made it possible to do my job.

Flipping the switch, who is one of your female mentors that comes to mind who helped shape your career?

Honestly, back in my day, there were not many. Karen Ash, now at Katten, was the only female partner at Amster, and not only hired me (with no experience in IP) but more importantly taught me all the basics about IP law and gave me great high level work and contacts with our clients. Cardozo's Dean, Melanie Leslie, is a great mentor and supporter of the FAME program and all I do at the school. I was the only lawyer at Kate Spade, Seven for All Mankind and Stuart Weitzman and i mentored my wonderful paralegal Ann Wilson and my many interns.

Times have changed for women in the legal industry. What are some changes you've noticed?

There is maternity leave (I went back to work 5 weeks after my son was born), flexibility with remote work, more diversity in the workplace, more women partners and women on boards.

As you look back on all you've accomplished, what are you most proud of?

Building the FAME program at Cardozo (with Lee Sporn in the beginning) and the course called Fashion Law, which is now taught all over the country (and world). And of course, my amazing interns like you!!

Please leave us with your best advice for women in the law.

Ask for what you want and need. Don't be afraid of change. Don't stay in a job you hate.