Amy Sellars, lead counsel, Discovery Operations Group, Walmart
|

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 are many women with thriving careers. Monica Bay recently interviewed Amy Sellars, lead counsel in the Discovery Operations Group for Walmart Legal.

Education: Yale University, B.A., English. 1989. Rutgers College of Law, J.D., 2010. Lawyer: Oklahoma state, district, and Bankruptcy; Tenth Circuit.

During your education did you consider a career in science, technology, engineering or math? I never considered STEM as part of my formal education. My first love was (and always will be) the performing arts. It took maturity to understand the connection of technology and law. I am a data fiend—I love information—so my interest in tech grew along with my interest in aggregating larger sets of information.

Your first paid job? Pulling weeds. One penny a weed—no splitting weeds.

Your “first seat at the table.” I worked at an off-Broadway theater and did anything from errands or running the light board. One night I told the lighting designer that the stage was too bright, and I couldn't focus on the heroine. He told me I was right and dimmed the lighting. I learned that sometimes people don't see something right in front of them, and they are grateful when you point it out.

Most flagrant sexism you personally encountered and how you addressed it? Mine came from a judge in a rural court who repeatedly referred to me as “little lady” and “honey.” I am ashamed to say I did not address it. I often wondered if I would have addressed it if the hearing had not gone my way. I took the win for my client, but would I have blamed a loss on it?

The most pervasive sexism I encounter is the belief that working women should or will retain the role of primary caregiver to children. I see working women all around me who feel duty-bound to fill that road. Ask your partner to help. Until men embrace these priorities and women let them, women will always be at a disadvantage in the workplace.

Finally, don't let anyone say you are “emotional” because you are passionate about your work. You're damn right that I hate work done poorly.

Most important mentor: Jacques d'Amboise, principal dancer with the American Ballet Theater and later the founder and artistic director of National Dance Institute. D'Amboise was passionate about dance and passionate about children. He fired me several times, but never permanently. He told the children that he taught to dance, “I'm not mad at you! I'm mad at your feet!” I love the way he separates the person from the work to be achieved. He also taught me to figure out what you want first and figure out how later.

Book that inspired you: The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande. A great book that explains how the simplest tools can be the most powerful, with wonderful stories and examples. It sounds like the most boring book, but I have read it many times and it always engages.

Five favorite technology tools:

“Managing up:” Assume that you have to. Don't go ask what your manager's priorities are for your work. Figure out what your priorities are, tell her, and then tell her how she can help you achieve them.

Secret to your success: Enjoy your work, and if you don't, change it.

Advice for young women: Demand information, give it just as freely, and be kind.

Your mantra: Go into battle, but keep your soul at rest.

Favorite quote: “How do I know what I think until I see what I say?” – E.M. Forster

Monica Bay is a Fellow at CodeX: The Stanford Center for Legal Informatics. She is a columnist for Legaltech News and a freelance journalist (Alchemizing Law LLC). She is a member of the California Bar. In 2015, she retired from ALM (Editor-in-Chief at Law Technology News). She lives in Connecticut but can get to Yankee Stadium in two hours.