Olga Mack is a lawyer with a wide range of career experiences—she's worked in-house at start-ups and Fortune 500 companies, at nonprofits and law firms. And now, she's ready to add to that growing list.

On Friday, Mack, who recently left sales engagement company ClearSlide Inc., where she had been general counsel, was appointed to the California Law Revision Commission. The commission examines California's laws and recommends possible reforms to the state's legislature and governor.

Mack told the Recorder she jumped at the opportunity to join the commission. Service has been a big part of her life and career, she says, and it's the reason she went into law in the first place.

“Networking, substantive knowledge and visibility go along with [the position], but fundamentally you have to have a strong interest in the people that are serviced by the commission or board,” Mack said. ”All lawyers, no matter how far in their career, should pause and ask themselves, 'Why did you go to law school in the first place, and did you deviate 30, 40 years later?' Many of us have, and instead of regretting or daydreaming, you can take a substantial step in serving others.” 

This isn't Mack's first time merging public service and the law. She clerked for the commission during law school, and even though she never imagined herself in her new role at the time, she says she was inspired by the work the commission was doing.

Mack's also the co-founder of WISE: Women Support In-House Equality, the SunLaw Group and Women Serve on Boards, all three of which focus on increasing gender equity and leadership career opportunities for women. While Mack's new role is on a government commission rather than a corporate board or in a law department, she says the representation is still important.

“I think all leadership is related and when you serve [as] a government appointee or on a board, it's a leadership position. I would like to see more diversity in it, including women,” she said. “I think women, like everyone else, will benefit from those involvements in that type of service. They will gain visibility and leadership skills.” 

She also stressed that lawyers are never too young to get involved in government commissions or service. Often, she's seen lawyers wait until later in their career to give back in a public service-related way. But at 36 years old, she's on the younger side for appointees.

Lawyers can get involved at any point in their career, she says, and with varying degrees of commitment. Her new appointment is not a full-time role. Even though she left her most recent in-house job in December 2017, Mack says she's likely to return to another position while continuing to serve on the commission.

Mack's experience as in-house counsel, which has included positions at Zoosk Inc. and Visa Inc. has taught her skills that she believes will directly translate to her new gig on the commission.

“As a leader in a company, you learn to listen, to really appreciate other people's point of view. You learn how to balance and be fair and how to prioritize and how to ask the right questions,” she said. “Those are all important skills for a commissioner.”