Outside the Law: Alternate Career Paths
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
1:30-2:30 PM
Virtual
There are countless ways to use a law degree and legal experience. Come learn about a few--and connect with other HLS alumni interested in alternate paths.
This virtual panel discussion will bring together three HLS alumni (bios below) who have pursued non-traditional careers, each in a very different way. They will discuss their career paths; the role their legal backgrounds played in their careers today; advice for others making, or considering, a transition away from traditional post-JD careers; and advice about creative, intentional career-planning for those in traditional legal careers. The panel will be moderated by Erika Todd ('13).
After the panel, attendees will have the opportunity to register for small discussion groups to discuss their own non-traditional careers or thoughts about a possible career pivot.
Register Now
Panelists
Joy Batra ('14)
Joy Batra graduated with dual degrees from HLS and HBS, and she identifies as equally corporate and creative. Joy Batra is founder of Quartz Consulting, a freelance consulting firm that has advised start-ups, venture capital firms, and Fortune 500 companies. She previously worked at Goldman Sachs, Gunderson Dettmer, JioSaavn, briefly as a Bollywood actress (long story), and as Head of Legal at Syndicate Protocol. In addition to her ongoing consulting with Quartz Consulting, she currently serves as freelance Product Counsel for Coinbase, where she advises on retail products including debit card and payments. She recently published her first book, “The Freelance Mindset,” which combines real-world advice with examples of freelancers across fields and industries. Her book was featured in The Washington Post, Fast Company, and Oprah Daily. Joy has been named to the Thinkers50 Radar Class of 2024.
Machua Millett ('00)
Machua Millett represented clients as a commercial litigator for over ten years. His experience includes Bingham McCutchen, Skadden, and Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge. Machua then used his litigation expertise to transition into the insurance field. At Marsh JLT Specialty, he focused on management and professional liability issues, serving as a technical expert and claims advocate. Within a few years, he was appointed Chief Innovation Officer. In 2022, he joined Lockton Companies as its Chief Innovation Officer. At Lockton, he is responsible for leading services for several key client groups and developing new insurance products to address corporate financial exposure across industries.
Sally Wang Liang ('11)
Sally Wang Liang JD MPH is the US-based Investment Partner at Highlight Capital, co-leading life sciences VC at an internationally ranked Growth Equity and Venture Capital firm with a global footprint. She has been actively involved in the biotech startup ecosystem: as a Venture Partner at Viva Bioinnovator (VBI) and a board member/observer to eight early-stage biotechs, serves as Scientific Advisory Board member, and volunteered as Expert-in-Residence at the Harvard iLab. Previously, she was CEO and Co-founder of an international telemedicine company, and as Chief Strategy Officer and EVP of IP and Regulatory of a leading digital therapeutics company. As a lawyer, she practiced pharmaceutical patent litigation and IP licensing at Fitzpatrick Cella and clerked for SDNY Judge Charles Haight. She was at the Food and Drug Administration Office of Policy and the US Senate Health Education Labor Pension Committee Health Office. She began her career as a management consultant at Clarion Healthcare before law school. Sally received a A.B. in Biology from Harvard College, a J.D. from Harvard Law School, and an M.P.H. from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
