Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Margolis pushes herself forward

By: Katherine Michalets//February 27, 2014//

Margolis pushes herself forward

By: Katherine Michalets//February 27, 2014//

Listen to this article

margolisWhen Vicki Margolis left private practice in 2007, she found the grass wasn’t immediately greener.

At first, she said, transitioning from working at a law firm to serving as in-house counsel for Kimberly-Clark Corp. was daunting. But she quickly grew to appreciate the role’s new challenges.

Margolis previously worked as co-chairwoman of the intellectual property litigation group at Washington, D.C.-based Venable LLP, where she focused on IP litigation and enforcement across a broad spectrum of technologies and industries.

She decided to change course, she said, because she was eager for something new after years spent working as a trial attorney and focusing primarily on patents and trademarks.

“I kind of wanted an opportunity and a challenge where maybe I could have an impact a little earlier on in the process,” Margolis said.

By helping to develop strategies earlier in the process, she said she hoped to, when possible, avoid court proceedings altogether.

Through the years, Margolis said she has been fortunate to work with people who gave her opportunities to help her get where she is today. She now aims to return the favor by volunteering her time to help other women succeed.

“My philosophy is that everyone should be able to have an equal opportunity to succeed and fail,” she said.

Margolis said she wants to help women build professional confidence. Women often look at the 10 qualifications listed for a job opportunity and focus on the ones they don’t have, she said, instead of the five they do possess.

It’s important, she said, that “women and girls know they can make that leap.”

Since 2009, Margolis has served on the board for the Women’s Fund for the Fox Valley Region Inc., and since 2012 she has been executive sponsor of Kimberly-Clark’s Neenah Women’s Interactive Network. While living in Maryland, Margolis also worked with Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Lillie Conrad, senior counsel at Kimberly-Clark, said Margolis sets a strong example for those around her.

“Vicki is an accomplished and brilliant attorney and she has been a huge supporter of women,” Conrad said. “In my work with Vicki, both through our legal work and employee resource group work, specifically the women’s network, I have appreciated her perspective and insight.”

As far as the future is concerned, Margolis said she plans to stay at Kimberly-Clark as long as they will have her.

“My plans and goals are always to keep learning,” she said, “and challenging myself.”

Polls

Should Steven Avery be granted a new evidentiary hearing?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Legal News

See All Legal News

WLJ People

Sea all WLJ People

Opinion Digests