Lyft driver lounge called the Hub. Located at 2300 26th Street in San Francisco. (Photo: Jason Doiy/ALM)

Sara Giardina, who is senior counsel, litigation at Lyft, has served as the company's principle IP litigation adviser for the past three years and has been the lead litigator on a wide variety of complex litigation matters including Telephone Consumer Protection Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, patent infringement, and worker misclassification matters. Additionally, she's been the architect of Lyft's Law Enforcement Request team, which was created to partner with and assist federal, state and local law enforcement.

What kinds of new technologies should tomorrow's lawyers be able to use effectively?

Lawyers should be taking advantage of all the tools available today that encourage communication and information sharing. There are a lot of incredible lawyers out there. Go learn from them.

What's one area of technology that you're most excited about and why?

Definitely autonomous vehicles. Other recent advancements in transportation technology have been life-changing, and I can't wait to see how the next innovations in transportation continue to improve the environment and accessibility for all.

Who is the most important mentor you've had thus far in your career? Why?

Lyft's head of litigation. She has a personality and working style that is similar to mine in many ways, and I think those similarities allow her to provide me guidance with empathy and kindness. She has not hesitated to express vulnerability and communicate her personal experience in ways that I can directly apply to my own career trajectory.

What's the best part of working in the tech sector?

I love the pace of the work, and that there is always a new challenge. We are lucky to work in an industry where the opportunities to learn and grow are never-ending, and we are surrounded by brilliant people from whom we can learn an enormous amount.

What's the biggest challenge?

We don't always have all the resources we might like, and it can be uncomfortable at times to not have the resources to deliver a “perfect” result. Over time, it becomes easier to assess what work truly does need to be fully resourced and which work can be handled adequately with what we have immediately at our disposal.

How do you describe what you do for a living to people you're meeting for the first time?

I work to solve Lyft's problems, legal or otherwise.

What's one way technology has made your life easier?

Ride-sharing! It's hard to even remember what my life was like without ride-sharing, even though it wasn't very long ago. It has truly changed how I function on a daily basis.

Name an important opportunity you've had in your career and what you did with it.

The first time I gave an oral argument in federal court, I was asked by the partner to handle the argument on about 18 hours notice. I wasn't sure if I was prepared to handle such a big responsibility under such a short time frame and considered declining, but I decided that I should seize the opportunity. The experience increased my confidence, and it showed me what I am capable of when given the opportunity.

What drew you to practicing law in the technology industry?

I loved (and still love) the idea of working in an industry that directly affects the lives of the everyday person. Technology is shaping humanity, and it's a privilege for all of us to be part of that.

What's the best piece of career advice anyone ever gave you?

Say yes to opportunities, even if it scares you, and even if it feels like it's outside the scope of “your job.” If you take on projects that push you outside your comfort zone, no matter the outcome, you will grow from those experiences. If you agree to work on something that is outside the scope of your expertise or your typical role, then you have an opportunity to not only grow as a person and lawyer, but also establish a reputation for yourself as someone who rises to the challenge.