P2P

15 I L T A N E T . O R G How did you get interested in the field you are currently in? NICKI: I've been working in the legal field/law firms for almost two decades in varying roles and capacities, but grew into a technology role that started in document processing, then technology training, then business systems analysis, and finally technology writing for communication campaigns. This is where there is a unique intersect of my two passions: technology and writing. For example: I write/edit/send all messaging about technology initiatives at the firm. This includes high-level strategic messaging, education and training initiatives around data and tech, projects to update/ replace/train technology tools and platforms, departmental newsletters, outage notifications, posts on our firm intranet, etc. I also manage the brand and risk around brand reputation, ensure brand alignment and quality assurance, and help to build consistency and harmony across all messages regardless of the topic. MARION: When I went to law school and library school, I didn't know my field existed. I wasn't exactly sure where I'd end up, but "law librarian" seemed like the right general direction to be heading, and I also wanted to get at least a few years of practice experience right after law school. As a junior associate, I lucked into developing expertise in the new patent proceedings created by the America Invents Act. I created an FAQ, an annotated set of rules, and an index of key cases—in part to spare myself from repeating the same information over and over when people asked, but mostly because I enjoyed figuring out the new landscape, spotting trends, and organizing the information in a way that would connect with case strategy. When I learned that there were people doing that kind of work as their full-time job, and when I got the opportunity to do that work in an environment I enjoyed, things clicked into place. What led you to your career? Was there a defining moment? NICKI: I am very enthusiastic about my current role at Perkins Coie, IT Communications Manager, because I manage the IT Communications portfolio, run the function by evaluating change and where communication (and in what medium) is warranted, coordinate messages to ensure the most traction and reduce "comm collision", information overload, and change fatigue, and finally, write on a wide range of topics from innovation to strategic initiatives to new/improved tools and processes. It's fun for me because I love to write, I love technology and innovation, and I love "keeping it human" so I can evoke and engage my readership. There's always a refreshing challenge in writing creative, compelling messages that help to drive an important change or initiative – or create a passion for technology! MARION: Instead of a defining moment, it feels like a series of inf lection points where I followed the path that felt right at the time while keeping an open mind that what felt right might change. When I graduated from college, I moved to a skydiving dropzone in Florida and was never going to wear shoes again. When I started law school, I was sure I would never practice law. When I left my associate role to be a law librarian, I thought I'd never work at a law firm again. I do wear shoes, I enjoyed being a litigator, and I'm happily at a law firm now. Rather than focusing on specific roles or career paths, I've focused on identifying things I like doing that show up in different ways. I like helping people figure things out, and I like making overwhelming situations feel more manageable: That's a thread I can trace through teaching law students, keeping things organized for complicated cases, prepping clients for depositions, coaching new skydivers, and my current role building and leading a team that didn't exist a year and a half ago. What are you most proud of accomplishing? NICKI: I am proud of what I have achieved in my role as IT Communications Manager – strong read and engagement rate (data supporting) that is founded in a recognized, credible brand I worked hard to establish and maintain with each and every outreach to my readership, and being vetted against other industry writers to be top-ranked in my technology messaging. This is more than just a personal achievement or accolade; this is validation that our firm's technology communications are meeting, if not exceeding, industry standards/performance. The tech communications I did were vetted by a third-party communications auditor, and their findings concluded that the communications are exemplary, meeting standards and exceeding cross- market comparables.

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