From Courtrooms to Code: My Journey into Data Analytics
After spending decades in the courtroom and leading legal teams, I’ve taken the time to reflect on my career and its core responsibilities. That reflection revealed something profound: data and data analytics have always played a significant role in my work and have been among the aspects I’ve enjoyed the most. This discovery inspired me to transition into the field of data analytics—a natural next step that builds on the analytical and problem-solving skills I’ve honed over the years.
Discovering the Role of Data in My Career
As a trial attorney, I use my analytical skills every day. Whether determining the relevance of evidence, constructing arguments, or training attorneys, I’ve relied on my ability to assess large volumes of information, identify key insights, and present findings in a clear and persuasive manner. These experiences taught me how to evaluate which data is useful, how to interpret it, and how to visualize it in ways that make it accessible to others.
One of my proudest accomplishments involved creating a program to address a subset of misdemeanor crimes that accounted for 20% of our caseload. By analyzing trends and restructuring how we handled these cases, we reduced their share to just 5% of the overall load. Additionally, I designed systems to balance workloads among prosecutors, ensuring efficiency and timely resolutions. These initiatives demonstrated the power of data to drive improvements and reinforced my passion for using information to solve problems.
Why Data Analytics?
My decision to focus my efforts on transitioning into a career in data analytics stems from a desire to help others use data to make better decisions. As I’ve learned through my legal career, our decisions are only as good as the information we have when we make them. Data analytics offers a way to ensure decisions are grounded in clear, actionable insights.
The Transferable Skills of an Attorney
At first glance, law and data analytics might seem worlds apart, but they share a surprising number of commonalities. Both fields require the ability to analyze large amounts of complex information, identify patterns, and draw logical conclusions. Both demand strong communication skills to effectively present findings to stakeholders in ways they can understand and act upon.
In my work as an attorney, I’ve cultivated critical thinking, analytical skills, attention to detail, research abilities, problem-solving expertise, and the ability to interpret and communicate complex information. These skills form the foundation of a successful data analytics career and give me a unique perspective as I make this transition.
Expanding My Skill Set
To build on this foundation, I’ve pursued certifications in Google Analytics, Excel, SQL, and Tableau and have applied these tools as a freelance digital strategist. This experience has allowed me to build and optimize online campaigns, analyze search query data, and improve landing page performance to achieve measurable results. While I continue developing my technical skills, including AI and Python, my ability to present data in clear, actionable formats has been a consistent strength throughout my career.
Looking Ahead
As I step into the field of data analytics, my goal is simple: to help others use data to make better decisions. I’m particularly excited about the opportunity to bring my unique blend of skills to roles that allow me to analyze data, identify trends, and create strategies that drive positive outcomes.
This journey isn’t just a career shift—it’s a continuation of what I’ve always loved doing: interpreting complex information, solving problems, and making an impact. I’m eager to embrace the challenges ahead and to see how this next chapter unfolds.
