The purpose of the series is to bridge the gap between junior and senior business lawyers in Oregon, fostering understanding and camaraderie. For this installment, we interviewed Catherine Meyer, General Counsel at Alliant Systems and Executive Committee member and Treasurer for the Corporate Counsel Section of the Oregon State Bar. Read on to learn more about her path to law, her current role, and what she’s learned about the field.
- Tell me about your path to being a lawyer. What inspired you to pursue this career?
Late in my undergraduate studies, I figured out I was going the wrong direction. It was around then I discovered an interest in public policy, and it ultimately led me to start thinking about practicing law. And the more I thought about it, the more it made sense for me. I wanted a career that would challenge me for the long-term and provide opportunities for a stable future, and my friends and family all told me they thought I had the right personality for it.
- What is your practice area?
I am a corporate/commercial attorney working as the only in-house with a construction company—so, sort of a transactional commercial generalist with a strong construction component. In my role, I help guide one specific company through a variety of legal issues that arise for them, allowing me to customize my advice to their specific needs. This is a solid departure from law firm culture, where law firm attorneys keep their very detailed legal advice separate from advice related more to business goals or processes.
- How long have you been in your current role?
Just over a year.
- How have you seen the practice change since you started practicing?
AI definitely brings up a lot of changes, although it seems to affect some areas of practice more than others. It seems like a great tool for improving and economizing document discovery.
- What do you wish you had known before you started working as a new lawyer?
I wish I had known how long it can take for new lawyers to feel at all comfortable in the role and to find a position that is a good fit. For me, I didn’t really enjoy practicing law until I went in-house five years after passing the bar.
- What are your career highlights?
I ran my own very small firm before joining another firm. After practicing in Oregon for three years, I moved to British Columbia and became licensed there and in Washington. My first in-house position was with a multinational consulting company, and I gained more and more responsibility for the broad variety of topics that arise as part of a small legal team. I also learned to work with internal stakeholders with a business focus—a rather different dynamic from working in a private firm.
I am proud to highlight one particular achievement. When I was still in private practice, I had the unique opportunity to help hone the arguments that prevailed on an appeal to the Oregon Supreme Court. I worked on a small team to research extensive legislative history, and was part of final logistical discussions with appeals counsel as to how to build that research into the arguments that won the case.
- What is your favorite part of the job?
I love being a resource for my teammates, to help them succeed in their mission.
- What parts of the job do you wish you could outsource to AI?
This is a tough question because, right now, I don’t trust AI to give me the right information. I currently use it only to get me pointed in the right direction. As AI improves, I hope to see that it could help reduce the time needed to review contracts.
- What advice would you give a new business lawyer?
We are all always learning, so do not worry too much about what you don’t know. Find a mentor who will invest in your success, and focus on building skills.
- What advice would you give a senior lawyer who is charged with mentoring a new lawyer?
Ask a lot of questions of the new lawyer; don’t assume the new lawyer’s experience is what you think you remember of your early years. The most valuable advice will vary by person, and understanding the new lawyer’s experiences, goals, and concerns can help make a mentoring relationship much more meaningful. ♦