On September 25th, Nike hosted a networking event at their headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, for Lewis & Clark Law students. Over sixty students spent the afternoon with their in-house attorneys, discussing career paths after law school and the future of the legal field in an era of emerging technology. The event is part of the Center for Business Law and Leadership, connecting law students with businesses.
After a tour of the beautiful Philip H. Knight campus, law students heard from several attorneys from Nike’s General Counsel about their respective career pathways and day-to-day responsibilities.
Jay Eckhardt (Global Marketplace Lead) hosted a Q&A session with Nike’s Chief Legal Officer, Rob Leinwand, who described his own professional journey from working in employment law to leading Nike’s global legal strategy. He emphasized the importance of humility and respect for fellow attorneys, clients, and especially legal support staff as vital to his professional development. Students then broke out into smaller “speed dating” groups with individual attorneys, gaining particular insight about the transition from law school to legal practice.
Jenna Rudoff (Global Litigation & Investigations) highlighted how high-pressure decision-making and practical workplace experience were some of the most important factors to her success at Nike. Additionally, she discussed how diversity and outreach efforts can impact a business or legal strategy. “You can’t tell a community what they need from you, or what you think will help,” Rudoff said. “Go into the community and listen to the people. Let them teach you what they need and how you can best support them.”
Tommy Chau (Global Contracting), a 2013 Lewis & Clark Law graduate, spoke about the challenges and capabilities of utilizing AI as a research tool in a work environment prioritizing speed and accuracy. He stressed the importance of acknowledging its usefulness in a fast-paced environment, but reminded students of the importance of developing the skills to properly utilize it.
Gina Atwood (Ethics & Compliance) shared her non-traditional career path, working in China and Singapore in compliance roles, to show that there was no single way into a position in business and corporate law. She underscored the importance of mentorship, especially with other women in business.
Many of the attorneys advocated for students to seek out positions that interest them rather than selecting a career they deem to be “optimal.” Instead, they encouraged students to approach their futures with an open mind and a keen eye for opportunities. Rudoff pointed to one of Nike’s core philosophies: fail fast. Take the risk, and if you fall down, stand up and make a quick recovery.
Students walked away from the networking event with new insight into the world of in-house legal and a look into one of the many avenues possible after graduation. Frank Manjaly, a 1L, called the event “surprisingly interactive” and spoke highly of the attorneys taking the time to connect with the students. Even for those not specifically interested in a career as an in-house attorney, the advice given by the speakers is wildly applicable to any student looking ahead to what the world will be for them post-bar exam. Nike’s networking event provides an excellent example of how connections outside the classroom provide important perspective into the years to come.
