Ep 163: How a Legal Mentor Can Change Your Career with Somi Umolu
We are joined by Somi Umolu, an accomplished corporate lawyer, consultant, and entrepreneur, who will also be a panelist at the upcoming JD Alternatives panel for the Break Into Law School Conference this June. Somi shares her journey from working in big law to exploring various entrepreneurial ventures, leveraging her law degree to create a fulfilling career. Learn about the value of mentors, the courage needed to make career transitions, and the importance of building a life that feels good, not just looks good. See how a legal mentor can change your life.
Meet Somi Umolu
Somi advises clients in connection with all manner of corporate, commercial and transactional matters. Somi was previously associated with Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP where she advised Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions, emerging companies and private equity funds on the negotiation, structuring and execution of over 40 corporate transactions involving mergers & acquisitions, intellectual property transactions and debt financings with an aggregate deal value surpassing $40BN.
Prior to law school, Somi worked as an investment analyst at J.P. Morgan Chase Bank curating investment portfolios for the bank’s high net-worth clients and advising on their investment decisions.
Episode Highlights
Somi discusses her transition from finance to law and eventually to entrepreneurship and consulting.
She decided to leave corporate law to explore entrepreneurial and consulting opportunities.
She works with emerging companies, including her family’s tequila business, and advises on legal and strategic matters.
Somi emphasizes the value of both naturally occurring and sought-out mentorship relationships.
Mentors provided guidance and support during critical decision-making moments, such as choosing law school and transitioning careers.
Mentors advocated for Somi in professional settings, speaking on her behalf and providing encouragement.
Highlighted the importance of mentors believing in one's capabilities and pushing them forward.
Somi describes mentorship as "priceless" and emphasizes the impact mentors can have on personal and professional growth.
Reflects on mentors who offered valuable insights, advice, and connections throughout her journey.
She encourages folks to pursue paths that align with their personal and professional goals.
Stresses the importance of building a life that feels good, not just looks good.
Tweetable Quotes
“Mentors are priceless. They push you forward, speak life into you, and know your capabilities. It’s hard to leap without their belief in you.”
“Make sure your life feels good. Make sure that it’s not just, you’re not just doing it for the resume. You’re not just doing it because other people think you should, or other people are like, ‘Oh my God, this is a great opportunity. Why would you leave?’ No, you’re doing it because you know the life that you want to have and the life that you want to build, that these are the decisions you need to make for it.”