Unlocking a Career at the Intersection of Technology and Law through Axiom
September 2025
By
William Li
My career path has been anything but linear, but versatility has been the constant. I started as a full-stack developer during the first internet boom, and that experience still shapes how I think about technology and business today. I've moved from technology to law and sometimes both at once, always learning to pivot and adapt. Axiom recognized the value of that range and gave me the opportunity to bring it together in a way that feels both focused and comprehensive: legal practice informed by real-world technology experience.
Finding My Way to Axiom
When it comes to careers, you sometimes think you know where you're headed, and then life presents you with an opportunity that turns out to be exactly what you needed. That's been my experience with Axiom.
About two and a half years ago, Axiom reached out to me directly about an available opportunity. From the first conversation, I felt comfortable. The screening process felt more like a professional consultation than an interrogation. But when they offered me the opportunity, I actually didn't take it. I stayed with my current employer, unsure about whether I was ready to take the next step in my career. However, Axiom didn't write me off. They were patient. And when I was finally ready to make the move, they were ready to welcome me. Their patience and genuine desire for what was best for both their clients and me told me everything I needed to know about how much they value relationships.
Getting Started: Actually Painless for Once
Axiom's approach to onboarding was refreshingly human. My talent partner didn't just coordinate logistics like start dates, equipment, and paperwork. They actually cared about setting me up for success.
The beauty was in the details. Since I'd gone through the initial screening months earlier, we'd already handled a lot of the preliminary work. When I was ready to dive in, we hit the ground running. No endless forms, no redundant training sessions, no "welcome to corporate America" presentations that make you question your life choices.
What Stands Out About Axiom
I was already working remotely most of the time before joining Axiom, so I thought I understood what good remote culture looked like. Axiom taught me I'd been settling for mediocre.
The difference is intentionality. I have regular check-ins with my talent partner that go way beyond the typical, "how's work going?" We talk strategy, career development, and what I want to be doing next. I've had opportunities to get involved in business development, including a lunch-and-learn where I actually went on-site with the sales team to meet a prospective client. This and other similar opportunities demonstrated how both Axiom and the client view me as an embedded member of the team rather than a contractor.
There are also informal groups where people in similar practice areas can connect and share their stories. I helped develop a CLE course on cybersecurity. And here's something I'm particularly proud of: I got my first piece published in Law 360, and it happened because of genuine collaboration with Axiom colleagues. We brainstormed together, refined the ideas together, and celebrated together when it got published. That's real culture, not the manufactured stuff you see in most corporate environments.
đź’ˇ Your career doesn't have to follow a script. See where the Axiom path can take you.
Range, Scale, and Impact
One of the things I love most about the Axiom model is variety. I've been working primarily with a large technology company, but I've also picked up ad hoc engagements across different industries. While they're all tech-related, the contexts are wildly different. It keeps things fresh in a way that traditional in-house roles often can't.
Right now, I'm simultaneously working with both a massive software manufacturer and a much smaller one. They face remarkably similar problems, but the solutions couldn't be more different. Scale changes everything, not just the resources available, but the entire approach to problem-solving. The enterprise client has a sophisticated compliance infrastructure, but moves slowly. The smaller client can pivot quickly but needs to be strategic about where they invest their limited resources. Understanding how to navigate both scenarios has made me a much more versatile attorney.
Some of my work has been genuinely meaningful on a societal level. I helped a major healthcare provider expand their offerings for treating substance abuse. That's real impact: helping address a crisis that's affecting communities across the country. Without Axiom, I never would have had access to that type of work.
Practicing Law My Way
Working at the intersection of technology and law means operating in a space where the rules are literally being written in real time. It's equal parts thrilling and terrifying. Take AI regulation, for example. A year ago, we were all trying to figure out basic AI compliance frameworks. Now we're dealing with complex questions about liability, intellectual property, data governance, and algorithmic transparency. The law is evolving, public opinion is evolving, and business needs are evolving, all simultaneously.
đź’ˇ Explore the diverse work of Axiom lawyers.
My approach has been to lean into the uncertainty rather than fight it. If I can help my clients stay robust and aligned while their competitors are paralyzed by ambiguity, that's a real competitive advantage. It's like being a guide through unmapped territory. You need both technical knowledge and good instincts.
This is where my pre-law background becomes incredibly valuable. When a client is dealing with cybersecurity compliance, I don't just understand the regulatory requirements but also the architecture that makes compliance possible or impossible. When we're reviewing AI contracts, I can spot potential issues that might not be obvious to someone who hasn't built software systems.
Final Thought
The legal field is evolving, and Axiom is at the forefront of positive change. For me, it's been an opportunity to practice at the crossroads of law and technology. The key is being part of an organization that embraces this evolution and helps shape it in meaningful ways.
If you're a lawyer who wants to work on cutting-edge problems with sophisticated clients, Axiom might be exactly what you're looking for. The key is being open to a different way of practicing law, one where your career is shaped by your evolving interests and experience rather than arbitrary organizational hierarchies.
If you're a business leader looking for legal counsel who truly understands your industry and can help you navigate complexity rather than just point out problems, this is what Axiom attorneys do every day. We bring deep subject matter expertise, practical business judgment, and the agility to integrate quickly into your team. When you work with us, you're getting someone who has chosen this model specifically because it allows them to do their best work.
And honestly? It's been some of the most fun I've had throughout my career.
Posted by William Li
William Li is an attorney at Axiom Law in Seattle who combines extensive legal, technical, and business expertise to focus on AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and IT leadership, with a particular talent for translating complex legal requirements into practical business strategies. His career spans leadership roles including Senior Director of Risk Management and CISO at Advata and Head of Security Operations at Columbia University Medical Center, and he holds a J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center and a B.A. in Cognitive Science from Rice University, where he studied cognitive bias using early AI techniques. Li also serves as occasional guest faculty at the University of Washington Information School, teaching graduate courses in information security leadership and undergraduate courses in technology ethics and policy, and is recognized by colleagues for his thoughtful approach and mentorship in supporting long-term operational improvements.
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