Stories of Consequence
Lauren Morina ‘20L was born in Tampa, Florida. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida and served in the United States Navy doing intelligence work prior to attending W&L Law. After graduating law school, she began practicing law at Maynard Nexsen PC (formerly Maynard Cooper & Gale) in the firm’s Data Privacy and Cyber Security group based in Birmingham, Alabama. Lauren currently serves as Director, Corporate Counsel for Hibbett Retail, Inc., a leading athletic fashion retailer, where she represents Hibbett and other affiliated North American brands under the umbrella of its U.K. based parent company, J.D. Sports Fashion PLC.
Discuss your career path and how it led you to Hibbett.
I entered law school with a background in military intelligence. I knew I wanted to pursue a career that was intellectually stimulating and offered an opportunity to build on my experiences in the military. In the summer after my 1L year, I accepted an opportunity to clerk with the law firm Maynard Nexsen PC (then Maynard Cooper & Gale). It was there that I had the opportunity to work with the firm’s Data Privacy and Cyber Security group and felt an immediate call to the work based on my previous work in the military. I accepted a full-time position with the group after law school where I supported clients across all industry verticals with privacy compliance matters, data privacy policies, terms of use, data processing agreements, licensing agreements, and negotiating commercial agreements. I then moved to an in-house role with a retail-technology company where I had the opportunity to work on commercial contracts related to cutting edge technology. Now in my role at Hibbett, I get to do a blend of technology contracting and data privacy compliance work in the retail space.
What sort of legal issues do you handle on a day-to-day basis?
I primarily support the company’s business teams in negotiating contracts for technology solutions and advising on legal issues related to data privacy and compliance. A typical day for me might include negotiating a technology contract with a vendor, drafting or updating a company policy related to data privacy to reflect any changes in company practices or regulatory requirements, and advising business partners on legal issues related to data privacy.
What do you like about your current job?
What I enjoy most about my current role is the people I get to work with every day – both my colleagues on the legal team and my business partners across the company. The work itself is sophisticated and constantly evolving, which keeps me challenged, but I also really value the opportunity to be a problem solver and to help find practical solutions that support the business. Having a background in the military, I appreciate being part of a team that is working toward a shared goal. It’s very rewarding to see how the work I do contributes to the success of the company.
What are some practices you have in your daily life as an attorney to maintain wellness?
I’m a big believer that to be effective as an attorney, I need to take care of myself outside of work. I try to find time each day to unplug, and I’ve built some simple routines that help me reset – like prioritizing good sleep and making sure I get outside for a walk with my dog every morning and evening. It’s a great way to bookend the day. I also try to design my workday (where possible) around my natural rhythms. I’m a morning person, so I front-load larger, more complex tasks for when I’m at my sharpest and save lighter work for later in the day. And finally, I make time to “refill my cup” by spending time with loved ones and keeping up with hobbies I enjoy. Most of these are practices that started in law school that I’ve carried with me ever since. I think they help me stay balanced and energized so I can bring my best self to work every day.
Which W&L classes and/or experiences do you think were most helpful in preparing you for this job?
1L Contracts gave me the doctrinal backbone I still rely on when drafting and negotiating agreements and Business Associations was foundational in understanding corporate structures and governance. I would also say that my 3L clinic experience was extremely helpful in preparing me for practice. The clinic gave me the opportunity to start gaining experience working directly with clients and practice translating legal concepts into actionable legal advice.
What advice do you have for prospective law students?
My advice to prospective law students is to take the leap and truly enjoy every minute of it. I’ll forever cherish my three years in Lexington and at W&L Law –it was a special time in my life. Law school is challenging, but what makes it meaningful are the people you share it with. The same is true of legal practice after law school. Find your community, invest in them, take the time to support and care for one another – those relationships will stay with you throughout your career. Seek out good mentors and model yourself after the qualities you admire and respect in them. At the same time, stay open-minded about where your career might take you. The practice of law is wide-ranging, and some of the most rewarding opportunities may be the ones you never expected.