Are You An Outlaw? Meet Rachel Shields Williams

WHO HAS REDEFINED WHAT IT MEANS TO THINK OUTSIDE THE LAW (AKA OUTLAW) AND IS HELPING EACH OF US IN THE PROCESS?

Meet Rachel Shields Williams, Knowledge Management Insights and Enablement Director at Sidley Austin. Having grown up as an active participant in her family-run business, she brings a proactive and entrepreneurial mindset, a solid commitment to service excellence, and an indelible sense of ownership to any project. Leveraging almost 20 years of experience in Business Development, Marketing, Sales, Knowledge Management, and Legal Technology, Rachel has a unique ability to understand the interrelationships between stakeholders and results. As a legal business professional, she has built her career around assessing and anticipating internal and external customer needs, leveraging cross-industry experience to bring new insight to everyday problems, and implementing operations and technologies that have had a meaningful, measurable impact on a global scale. She is a senior strategist who can translate vision into actionable goals and results, and is skilled in designing and implementing technology and process solutions that are both innovative and practical.

Rachel serves as Treasurer-Elect on the 2023 Legal Marketing Association International Board of Directors and on the International Legal Technology Association’s Program Planning Counsel.

Enjoy getting to know this Outlaw!

Q: Where would you like to live?
A: On a mountain, next to a small river (but still close to the ocean). Best of both worlds.

Q: What is your idea of happiness?
A: Nothing crazy! My ideal place to be is curled up on the couch with a book, a good glass of wine, and my pets, and to have my loved ones nearby - all healthy and happy.

Q: Who is your real-life hero?
A: It is a toss-up between my dad and my aunt. They were both general managers of our family business during my years working for them. They never asked anyone to do anything they weren’t willing to do themselves, which is a leadership quality that has stayed with me to this day. They have taught me so many lessons that have shaped who I am as a leader.

Q: What is your motto?
A: “Live and let live.”

Q: Finish this sentence: “If I could have one superpower, it would be…”
A: …oh this is easy! Teleporting - I could save so much time and money by not having to fly places. And I am giddy thinking of all of the places I could more easily visit.

Q: What got you into working in the legal industry?
A: Like many others, I got into the legal industry by accident. I was living in DC and commuting to Baltimore, and I wanted something closer to school and work. So, I applied to a law firm thinking all law firms were the same, and once I saw the number of vacation days, I decided this was the job for me until I finished grad school. Fast forward 14 years, and I am still at Sidley in my sixth role at the firm. I am still loving the challenges and opportunities in my role and in our industry.

Q: Your favorite virtue?
A: I had to look this up, and I identified most closely with the classic virtue of Fortitude. Wikipedia defined it as “also termed courage, forbearance, strength, endurance, and the ability to confront fear, uncertainty, and intimidation.” I think those are all traits of successful people in the legal ecosystem.

Q: What would you consider your greatest achievement?
A: Helping the people I have met along my journey! I get so excited when I see former team members, industry friends, and others crushing their goals and defining their own success.

Q: Finish this sentence: “If I won the lottery tomorrow, I would…”
A: Calmly call a lawyer and financial advisor to set up some trusts and investments. Once those items were squared away, I would give my notice, and on my last day, I would highlight every email and hit delete before turning in my badge.

Q: Who would you have liked to be?
A: I am not sure if Kurt Cobain said this, but I couldn’t agree more: “Wanting to be somebody else is a waste of the person you are.” If you don’t like where you are right now, you have all the tools to change the story; each day is a new page.