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Tell us a bit about yourself, background and your current role
My name is Flavia and I am the attorney for our San Francisco office. I support the local Sales and CX teams with their daily legal needs, from commercial matters to customer issues, as well as corporate items to keep the office running. I am originally from Belo Horizonte, Brazil and relocated to the USA 17 years ago. I am legally educated and hold Bar licenses in both Brazil and the USA, and have been with Worldpay for 15 months now.
On a typical workday, how do you start your day and how does it end?
My workday starts around 6:45am PST, when I wake up and check my emails. Being 8 hours behind London places me in a disadvantage that, if there is some urgent need coming from the UK, I have until 9am PST to address it. After ensuring there are no fires to put out, I get ready (and get the kids ready) and arrive at the office around 9am PST, and start handling our local matters. We usually call it a day around 6pm PST, when I run to my spinning class and squeeze in some exercise before heading home to put the kids to bed. After that is some time with the husband, another check on emails to make sure nothing came late that needs immediate attention, and lights out around 11:30pm PST.
Did you ever sit down and plan your career?
Not at all! I actually fell into Law by accident, as I really wanted to be a Veterinarian but could not withstand blood. After moving to the USA I faced many challenges, on first being legally educated in a different country, not being a native English speaker, and then being a woman in a male dominated profession. But time has proven to me that I could (and did) overcome these challenges, and I am very happy with the progression of my career.
What do you love about working for Worldpay?
The people for sure. Not to brag, but I have the BEST colleagues ever! I have worked in other companies in the Silicon Valley, and have been exposed to other Legal Departments, and the cohesiveness and willingness to help in our Legal team is just amazing. I tell them that every chance I get.
Have you faced any challenges along the way and if so, how did you overcome these challenges?
Absolutely! Challenges appear every day, they are never done. But the key is drive and perseverance. Know what you want, trust yourself against all odds, and go get it. My husband says that, when I want something, he usually steps out of the way because he knows I will speed towards it!
How have you benefited from coaching, mentoring or the sponsorship of others?
By learning how to approach difficult situations and present myself in the best light I can. It has definitely benefited my career.
Do you believe in the power of networking? If so, where do you network?
Most certainly! I have joined several local organizations in the Bay Area targeted at Law, Technology and Diversity. You can meet so many different professionals and make important connections to drive your career forward. One of my prior jobs was secured by meeting a colleague at a Legal function held by my Bar Association.
What advice can you give to our members about raising their profiles either inside or outside their own organisations?
Let your voice be heard as much as you can. If you sit back and wait for things to come to you, they will not come: you need to make them happen.
What advice would you give to those who aspire to a career in a similar field to you?
Be adaptable and creative. While Legal functions are usually seen as traditional and stagnate, it could not be further from the truth. Attorneys, especially in an in-house role, must keep up with the pace of business and technology, and find creative ways to apply the Law to said moving scenarios. It certainly keeps you on your toes, but I would not have it any other way!
What does the future hold for you?
Anything I wish! I am a firm believer that if you want something, you can achieve it.
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