The Partner TrackHelen Wan2013

I had never wanted to belong to anything more than to that shimmering landscape of office towers lit up against the dark New York sky.

Ingrid Yung’s life is full of “firsts.” A first-generation Chinese-American, the first lawyer in her family, she’s about to collect the Holy Grail of “firsts” –she’s about to become the first minority woman to make partner at the venerable old law firm, Parsons Valentine & Hunt LLP.

Ingrid has perfected the art of “passing.” Seamlessly blending into the old-boy corporate culture, she gamely banters in the corporate cafeteria, plays in the firm softball league, and diligently racks up her billable hours. But when an offensive incident at the summer outing threatens the firm’s reputation, Ingrid’s outsider status is suddenly thrown into sharp relief. Scrambling for damage control, Parsons Valentine announces a new “Diversity and Inclusion Initiative,” commanding Ingrid to spearhead the effort just as she’s about to close an enormous acquisition that was to be her final step in securing partnership.

For the first time, Ingrid must question her own place at the firm, and her motivations for being there. Pitted against her colleagues, including her own “golden boy” boyfriend, Ingrid begins to wonder whether the prestige of partnership is worth breaching her ethics. But can she risk throwing away the American dream that is finally within her reach?

Titre original : The Partner Track (2013)