Katie Simmonds is an experienced data and technology lawyer at international law firm Womble Bond Dickinson, specialising in data privacy, cybersecurity, digital regulation and technology transactions.
She is passionate about the development of other women in technology, having established a digital-focussed mentoring scheme at the firm. Here, she provides five top tips for women thinking about transitioning into tech based on her own journey.
Find Your Reason
My interest in tech was driven by a passion for innovation and positive change, and how it can impact the world, which sounds quite cheesy, but tech plays such a big role. For example, I remember being fascinated when IBM were developing their Watson computer for drug discovery, it was really instrumental and that got me really interested in tech. For anyone looking to get into tech, you have to find your reason. Whether it’s a love for coding, an interest in how tech plays out, or the complexities of negotiating tech agreements, having a clear motivation is crucial.
Use Your Voice
The tech industry can be male-centric, and I still often found myself in meetings dominated by men. That is changing as time moves forward, but it’s something that perhaps might seem a little daunting to people at the beginning. The best piece of advice I can give is to be prepared and have a plan to combat being spoken over or overlooked. Using your voice and being assertive is essential.
Try Different Roles
My journey into tech wasn’t straightforward – I don’t think I ever sat there when I was younger and thought ‘I wanted to be an AI lawyer or tech lawyer’. The firm I trained at didn’t have a tech practice so I explored different roles to gain experience and stand out. I took on a consultancy role at IBM which provided valuable exposure to project work. This experience, combined with having an open-minded approach, eventually led me back to law, where I’ve progressively took on more tech-focused roles
Upskill Yourself
This has been a critical aspect of my transition. I spent a lot of time writing articles, reading, and self-teaching to build my knowledge in areas like GDPR and taking a course at Oxford in AI law, and that’s when I realised what kind of work I really wanted to do. Putting this work in has helped me establish myself as a tech lawyer and fuelled my desire to help others follow a similar path.
Be The Driver
Mentoring is something we have piloted in the digital team at Womble Bond Dickinson and we’re looking to expand that more widely into the commercial team. But you have to be motivated. Having a good manager or mentor is beneficial, but it’s ultimately up to the individual to drive their own journey. Being motivated and proactive in seeking opportunities is key to success, and I think it’s also really important to look for quick, easy wins that can make you and your team look good.
