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There's a shortage of women in science, technology, engineering and math. And there's still a 17 percent gender gap in pay—across the board—in all of legal (18 percent at Big Law). But within the legal technology community there are many women with thriving careers. Monica Bay interviews Portland, Maine's Nicole Bradick, 37, CEO at Theory and Principle, a legal technology product development firm.

Education: Virginia Tech, B.A., Political Science, 2002. University of Maine School of Law, J.D., 2006. She is a lawyer, admitted in Maine.

Current job: Theory and Principle is a software design and development shop focused on the legal industry. We work with clients globally to build web and mobile apps. For example, we may work with a foundation that cares about social justice issues, and wants an app to help people understand their legal rights. Or a large law firm that wants to build an application they can offer to clients as a value-add service. We also work with clients with existing digital products to help them improve the user experience and interface.

In school, did you consider a career in science, technology, engineering or math? I never did. My interest in technology began after I started practicing law. My dad had an engineering degree, but as a kid that always seemed to be a guy's career.

What was your first paid job? At 14, I worked at a health food store that was eventually closed due to health code violations, but I swear it wasn't my fault.

What was your “first seat at the table”? I only worked at one law firm, but left before I made partner. I was often the only female in the room. I would express my opinion about things, but I can't say that anyone listened. I started my first company early, at 30, so I created my own seat at the table.

First obstacle and how you overcame it: My first obstacle had more to do more with my lack of exposure to professional women. As a kid, I had a ton of drive, but never felt I could achieve big things. I felt that there was no way I could be smart enough to even attend law school, which was absurd in retrospect. My first job after college was working as a paralegal at the Attorney General's Office in Boston. When I saw two young female attorneys working there, I realized I could do the work. The benefit of exposure to other female professionals profoundly changed my career path.

Most flagrant sexism you encountered and how you address it? When I worked at a law firm after graduating law school, a partner treated me as his personal secretary. From the start, it felt wildly inappropriate. I was handling my own cases, and yet I would be asked to label exhibits and make copies for matters that I had no involvement. He did this to other female attorneys, but never to men. I complained to other partners, but the situation was never resolved. I tried to fix it (and other related issues) before I left so that other women wouldn't be affected. In the end, I think my advocacy was effective—but not before I left the firm.

Secret to your success: I am a persistent pain in the ass.

Advice for young women: If you have a personality, let it fly. When I was practicing law, I spent too much time putting on a very professional and boring veneer. My natural personality is more irreverent (and a little insane). I didn't start to achieve real professional success until I started letting it all hang out. On social media, in person, wherever, it's perfectly ok to do your thing. People will respond well (unless your thing is being a jerk).

Five favorite technology tools:

  1. Paper for sketching
  2. Slack for team collaboration
  3. Trello for project management
  4. Canva for quick collateral
  5. Coggle.it for mind mapping

Book that inspired you? There are two books that I think are really useful foundational books in the space of product development. The first is The Lean Startup by Eric Ries, and the second is Sprint by Jake Knapp.

Favorite charities: Right now, all of my charitable donations go to the American Civil Liberties Union. I care tremendously about the health of our democracy and civil rights, and the ACLU is out there doing some of the most impactful work to try to keep it all together.

Favorite vacation: Bali, hands down. I travel for culture, beauty, adventure, and good food. Bali has every one of those in the most serene, lovely package.

Your mantra: Don't ask, don't get.

Favorite quote: Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself;
(I am large, I contain multitudes.) —Walt Whitman, Songs of Myself.