Be your genuine self and seek to build relationships. That means asking questions, listening with intent and knowing how you can be a solution to someone else’s problem. I fundamentally believe that we’re all meant to help each other to better the world. Go deep, not wide in those relationships. — Samantha Villanueva-Meyer
Earlier this month, Ironclad hosted a Zoom panel for 1L and 2L students, featuring five lawyers who took different paths in their careers — from Wall Street trader to paralegal-turned-partner in biglaw, to educator teaching STEM in an urban school district in Houston.
Our panelists included:
- Simona Agnolucci, Litigation and Managing Partner at Wilkie Farr & Gallagher — responsible for managing firm business as well as complex litigation, including class action and white collar defense.
- Jason Boehmig, Ironclad’s CEO and Co-founder, who also teaches law as an adjunct professor at the University of Notre Dame.
- Efren Bonner, a graduate of Harvard School of Law, who partners with enterprise legal teams on implementation of the Ironclad platform in his role as a Legal Engineer.
- Samantha Villanueva-Meyer, a graduate of UC Hastings School of Law, who serves as Enjoy Technology’s Chief Legal Officer, managing global legal and compliance functions.
- Chris Young, a graduate of Berkeley School of Law, who serves as Ironclad’s General Counsel, overseeing contracting, patent filing and legal initiatives.
Hear their best, actionable advice on parlaying that law degree into a fulfilling career path (even one you might not have expected). Watch our on-demand video.
- How I Started My Career in Law – 7:16
- What Does It Mean to Be a Legal Professional – 25:24
- What Essential Foundations Does a Law Firm Provide? – 28:22
- Why Go In-House? 30:48
- Preparing for a Career in Business as a Lawyer 35:23
- How Do You Go About Pursuing Opportunities After Law School? 37:29
- Networking Tips 42:29
Be scrappy and be willing to put yourself out there. Jump off the cliff and do it because you never know what’s on the other side. For example, I got my appellate clerkship with a cold call. – Simona Agnolucci
Ironclad is not a law firm, and this post does not constitute or contain legal advice. To evaluate the accuracy, sufficiency, or reliability of the ideas and guidance reflected here, or the applicability of these materials to your business, you should consult with a licensed attorney. Use of and access to any of the resources contained within Ironclad’s site do not create an attorney-client relationship between the user and Ironclad.
