CBA Record May-June 2023

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

Lawyers by Trade Embrace Entrepreneurship with Passion By Jin J. To

E ver wonder what a post-law career might look like? For me, I envision leading yoga retreats in Bali. For others, it may be creating delicious spir its or wholesome snacks. That is precisely what “Women Lawyers Embracing Entre preneurship” celebrated. In celebration of Women’s History Month, the CBA showcased female attorneys who have embraced entrepreneurship, followed their passions, and founded businesses in the food and beverage industry. The panel discussion was moderated by Amy Cook, Amy Cook Law LLC. Emily Groden, founder of Evergreen Waffles, retired from practicing law in August 2020 after a successful launch of her product at Whole Foods in March of that year. Mara Smith, founder of Inspiro Tequila, left the practice of law after many years at Mayer Brown and McDonald’s and, in February 2020, started Inspiro Tequila. Ashley Jackson, founder of Halo 7 Rum, is still practicing law as a data privacy and artificial intelligence expert at a corporation while propelling her “sipping rum” into the market. Regina Trillo, founder of Nemi Snacks, left her legal practice in Mexico City to start her next chapter in the U.S., elevating Mexi can food while working as the Director of Grant Compliance at the Heartland Alli ance International. What is admirable about the four women is their determination. Trillo immersed herself in Chicago’s food and beverage incubators and enrolled in vari ous trainings, such as “Retail Ready” and Target’s accelerator program. Jackson found herself getting creative with solv ing problems, particularly when it came to sourcing for her products. Smith was humbled by disappointments as she was creating her products. Groden worked 17 hour days to perform quality checks at a small manufacturer outside of the city for

Pictured from Left: Amy Cook, Amy Cook Law (panel moderator); Emily Groden, Evergreen Waffles; Mara Smith, Inspiro Tequila; Regina Trillo, Nemi Snacks; and Ashley Jackson, Halo 7 Craft Rum.

a period of time. As small business owners, the women find that they use their legal skills in their new careers. From drafting and reviewing contracts to doing compliance work by reviewing regulatory issues, each entre preneur echoed how she still practices law every day as a business owner. Having been in private practice, Groden, Smith, Jackson, and Trillo are finding themselves on the other side of the client-service rela tionship by hiring outside counsel to sup port their business. Smith explained that she needs counsel for marketing, trade mark, corporate, and liquor-related work because, in her industry, laws and regula tions surrounding spirits are quite compli cated and vary at the state level. Groden sought outside counsel to help with fun draising, particularly someone knowl edgeable in the start-up space and with consumer-packaged goods, because of the nuances to consider in that industry. Beyond their legal skills, Jackson, Smith, Trillo, and Groden had to branch out and learn the value of marketing and connecting with their communities to continue growing their businesses. Groden approached marketing from a

grassroots perspective and ensured that one of her first hires was for the role of business development and marketing. Smith is proactive and, through LinkedIn, found that connecting with people was much easier than she had expected. Jack son pushed herself to attend many events within the spirit industry and—through perseverance—found great partnerships with others like her in the community (including Smith!). Trillo, like the #boss lady she is, did her own marketing for the first year and a half. However, she recog nized that marketing, especially in the consumer-packaged goods space, requires time to develop expertise, so she asked an advisor/mentor to assist with this function. Trillo, Smith, Jackson, and Groden are real-world exemplars of how it is never too late to apply your primary trade to something you are passionate about.

Jin To is a labor and employment attorney at K&L Gates, LLP, representing companies in litigation and transactional matters. She is a vice chair of the YLS Women in Law Committee.

28 May/June 2023