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Molly, Associate Counsel at JW Player: Advize Career Interview
A UCLA history graduate's unexpected journey to Associate Counsel at JW Player reveals a dynamic career path.
Early internships in diverse legal fields, including civil litigation, criminal law, and Senator Feinstein's office, ultimately led to a specialization in tech law and intellectual property.
This path involved navigating unexpected challenges, mastering crucial communication and problem-solving skills, and thriving in a fast-paced environment.
The work involves diverse daily responsibilities, collaboration with various teams, and adapting to the ever-changing tech landscape.
The interviewee highlights the importance of curiosity, adaptability, and honesty in navigating a legal career, emphasizing the value of entry-level positions like paralegal or legal ops for undergraduates interested in this field.
The ultimate lesson emphasizes prioritizing personal fulfillment and trusting one's intuition to shape a successful and rewarding career.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Molly Noreika
Associate Counsel
JW Player
UCLA 2015
University of Pennsylvania School of Law, 2020, JD
History, Art History
Technology
Legal
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans
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Career Path of an Associate Counsel at JW Player
Molly's career path, initially uncertain after a history degree from UCLA, involved diverse internships—civil litigation ("not a love connection"), criminal law (observing "a serial killer murder trial"), and Senator Feinstein's office—before a pivot to tech account management. This experience, combined with law school specializing in tech law and intellectual property, led to roles in big law and ultimately a current position as Associate Counsel at JW Player, demonstrating a successful transition from initial uncertainty to a fulfilling career in tech law.
Main Responsibilities Of An Associate Counsel At JW Player
Molly, an Associate Counsel at JW Player, a SaaS company with approximately 300 employees, handles a wide range of legal matters, "managing anything that comes up for the company" from marketing and HR questions to regulatory filings and recent acquisitions. This role involves collaboration with internal teams and external counsel to ensure the company's legal compliance across all aspects of operation.
A Day In The Life Of An Associate Counsel At JW Player
Molly, an Associate Counsel at JW Player, describes a varied workday filled with "fire drill" questions from various departments, ranging from HR issues to urgent contract reviews, highlighting the unpredictable nature of in-house legal work. Their mornings are dedicated to meetings across different teams, while afternoons focus on managing ongoing projects, external counsel, and preparing for the next day's inevitable urgent requests, emphasizing the importance of timely responses to company needs.
Most Important Skills For An Associate Counsel At JW Player
For an in-house counsel position, Molly emphasizes the importance of "managing expectations" and excellent communication skills, surpassing even strong legal knowledge; this involves active listening to understand underlying needs and "filtering through" questions to deliver effective solutions.
Favorite Parts Of Being An Associate Counsel At JW Player
Molly, Associate Counsel at JW Player, most enjoys the diverse collaboration with colleagues across teams, adapting communication style to individual preferences – "every conversation...I have to sort of change my like tone" – while appreciating a supportive work environment with strong work-life balance. This highlights the importance of both interpersonal skills and a positive company culture in career satisfaction.
Biggest Challenges Faced By An Associate Counsel At JW Player
Molly's biggest challenge as Associate Counsel at JW Player is effectively communicating legal advice; the key is remembering "I am part of this company," focusing on providing concise, actionable answers that help the business rather than showcasing legal expertise.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Tech Industry As An Associate Counsel
Molly, Associate Counsel at JW Player, finds the dynamism of the tech industry most rewarding; the constant adaptation required by unexpected events, such as the recent Silicon Valley Bank collapse ("no one saw that coming"), keeps the work interesting and challenging despite occasional stress.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Tech Industry According To An Associate Counsel At JW Player
Molly, an Associate Counsel at JW Player, identifies curiosity and adaptability as key traits for success in the tech industry, stating that those who thrive "are willing to look at a problem and not just accept, 'This is the way it's always been done.'" This constant questioning and drive to improve, even on a daily level, is what allows professionals to not only succeed but also maintain a stimulating career.
What an Associate Counsel at JW Player Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Tech Industry
Molly, an Associate Counsel at JW Player, advises aspiring legal professionals in tech to embrace uncertainty by admitting "I don't know," then outlining a thoughtful approach to the problem; this honesty often proves more valuable than a potentially incorrect guess, ultimately demonstrating a stronger problem-solving process. The willingness to say "I don't know but here's how I'm going to approach the question" shows initiative and a commitment to thoroughness, which is highly valued.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Paralegals
Molly, an Associate Counsel at JW Player, suggests that entry-level legal roles like "paralegals" or those in "legal Ops" offer great exposure to the industry. These positions, accessible to undergraduates, require "an interest in the law" and attention to detail, providing a pathway to explore a legal career before committing to law school, with many paralegals subsequently pursuing further legal education.
Significant Career Lesson From An Associate Counsel At JW Player
Molly's significant career lesson is that "you are the only one who has to live with your choices," emphasizing the importance of prioritizing personal fulfillment over external validation. This approach, involving adaptability and trusting one's intuition to pursue desired paths, even if challenging, has been key to their career success.
College Experiences That Helped an Associate Counsel at JW Player Succeed
Molly's undergraduate experience involved exploring various legal fields through summer internships, a process of elimination that ultimately shaped career choices; this experimentation, which Molly highly recommends, fostered adaptability and curiosity, valuable traits in any career. The willingness to "try it out" proved invaluable in focusing career interests and is a lesson Molly carries into their post-law school career.
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