Can you tell us about your journey to becoming an in-house counsel? What inspired you to pursue a career in this field?

It was a combination of my passion for law and my desire to work closely with businesses. During my time in law school as well as early in my career, I had the opportunity to work in law firms where I honed my skills in legal research, writing, and oral advocacy. However, as I gained experience and explored different legal disciplines, I realised that my true passion lay in working directly with businesses and actively contributing to their success.

What continues to motivate me is the opportunity to leverage my legal knowledge to solve complex problems and guide strategic decision-making. This is particularly meaningful when it comes to balancing legal risk management with driving business growth and innovation. I take great satisfaction in developing collaborative relationships with stakeholders at all levels of the organisation, to align legal considerations with their business objectives.

In your role as an in-house counsel, what are the main responsibilities and tasks you handle on a day-to-day basis? 

I have been privileged to handle a wide range of responsibilities and tasks. I have developed a diverse skill set that allows me to effectively support various departments within the company. I work closely with cross-functional teams to identify legal business risks and develop strategies to mitigate them. This requires a deep understanding of the regulatory environment, industry standards, as well as the company’s risk tolerance.

My day-to-day tasks include serving as trusted legal counsel to various departments, managing legal risks, ensuring compliance, negotiating contracts and providing general legal support across the entire organisation. This diverse set of responsibilities allows me to leverage my extensive legal experience to support AT&T’s business objectives.

What are some of the key challenges you have faced as a rising star in-house counsel, and how have you overcome them?

Starting my career at a young age has presented both opportunities and obstacles, and I have learned valuable lessons on how to overcome them. One of the challenges I faced was gaining credibility and earning the trust of colleagues and clients. To overcome this, I focused on consistently delivering high quality work, demonstrating my knowledge and experience, and building strong relationships based on trust and professionalism.

In addition, I have faced the dynamic nature of the legal field itself. To overcome this challenge, I continually invest in professional development. This commitment to staying current enables me to provide informed and up-to-date advice. Overall, the key to overcoming these challenges has been a combination of hard work, perseverance, continuous learning and building strong relationships.

What steps have you taken to enhance your professional development and expand your legal skill set? 

I have continually prioritised professional development to broaden my legal expertise and stay at the forefront of industry trends. This commitment involves several key steps. I actively engage in the relevant legal associations and attend conferences and seminars that provide invaluable opportunities to learn from experts and share knowledge.

Furthermore, I make it a priority to keep abreast of legal developments by reading industry publications, participating in webinars and engaging in ongoing legal research. I seek challenging assignments that push me to learn new areas of law and to take on leadership roles. I deeply value mentorship and seek guidance from senior colleagues who have years of experience and knowledge to share. By taking these steps, I ensure that my professional development remains a continuous journey of growth, allowing me to bring a versatile and dynamic skill set to my work.