Her Story
About Chisa
Chisa Putman serves as senior prosecutor and solicitor for her municipality in Rock Hill, SC, overseeing the solicitor's office with a team that includes full-time and part-time solicitors, a victim's advocate, and paralegals. She has practiced law for 17 years after beginning as a paralegal and has taught as an adjunct instructor since 2010. Putman earned her undergraduate degree in political science and later a master's in administration, allowing her to teach both legal and public administration classes. Her path into law was inspired by her single mother's struggles with child support enforcement and her admiration for Perry Mason, leading her to initially pursue family law before advancing to her current prosecutorial role. Previously a judge, she now focuses on advocating for the law and helping community members through intervention programs, fines, or treatment while navigating challenges in a male-dominated field as a minority woman. Putman emphasizes treating legal work as business rather than personal and advises maintaining professionalism and respect in all interactions.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Chisa
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Being in the legal profession, don't take it personal. It's business. In the courtroom, it's business. You don't want to do something that you don't want to be so underhanded that the other person is not going to trust you.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Have thick skin and be yourself. Don't change for anyone or think you have to act a certain way just because you're a female or a lawyer. Treat everybody with respect and don't lose yourself because of what you've seen other people do. Be yourself and treat people with kindness.
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