Building Careers at the Intersection of Law and Technology: Insights from University of Dayton Online LL.M. Alumni
Technology is reshaping legal practice across every sector of the global economy. From data privacy regulation and artificial intelligence governance to fintech innovation and cybersecurity compliance, lawyers are increasingly called upon to guide organizations operating at the forefront of technological change.
For internationally educated attorneys considering an LL.M., the intersection of law and technology represents both opportunity and uncertainty. What roles exist in this space? Is a technical background required? How does U.S. bar licensure influence career prospects?
Online LL.M. alumni from the University of Dayton School of Law are actively answering these questions through their own professional journeys. Working across privacy, intellectual property, digital regulation, fintech, and emerging technologies, these graduates demonstrate that strong legal foundations, combined with adaptability and strategic positioning, can open meaningful pathways in this rapidly evolving field.
In this Article:
- What Does “Law & Technology” Really Mean?
- Breaking Into the Field as an International Lawyer
- Skills That Matter in Law & Technology
- The Role of the Online LL.M.
- The Impact of U.S. Bar Licensure
- Diverse Career Pathways
- Looking Ahead & Continuing the Conversation
What Does “Law and Technology” Really Mean?
The phrase “law and technology” often evokes images of coding or computer science. In reality, the field is far broader. It encompasses emerging issues such as generative AI in legal services, cross-border data privacy regulation, intellectual property protection in digital environments, algorithmic accountability, and the evolving global frameworks governing artificial intelligence and technological innovation — among many other developments shaping innovation worldwide. What does this breadth mean in terms of career opportunities for lawyers who may not come from technical backgrounds?
For 2022 Online LL.M. graduate Milo Poplar, who now runs a California-based business law firm serving startups and investors, working at the intersection of law and technology is less about technical specialization and more about perspective. “My legal skills are very much rooted in being a generalist business lawyer,” he explains. “To truly help startups, you need to be one. Quite to the contrary, being too much of a specialist in this role can actually work against you. Startups need someone who can see the full picture.”
For Andrea Agnese, an attorney in Italy specializing in banking and financial law and a 2024 Online LL.M. graduate, the intersection is deeply regulatory. Algorithmic credit scoring vs. the merit of credit, digital operational resilience, and cybersecurity compliance are no longer theoretical issues — they are central to modern financial systems. European courts and regulators continue to address these matters through landmark decisions and evolving frameworks such as the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), NIS II (cybersecurity), and the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). In this space, technology is inseparable from legal accountability.
Sangjin Kim, who graduated from the Online LL.M. program in 2023 and works in intellectual property at Samsung Electronics, sees law and technology as the bridge between innovation and legal protection. “Working with patents exposed me to a unique space where technical ideas are translated into legal rights,” he notes. “That process made me deeply interested in bridging law and technology.”
Monica Hayes, a 2020 Online LL.M. graduate and dual-qualified attorney in Brazil and the United States (D.C.), approaches law and technology through the lens of global data governance and artificial intelligence regulation. Specializing in data privacy, digital law, and AI compliance, she advises multinational organizations on frameworks such as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados (LGPD), CCPA/CPRA, and emerging AI-related regulations.
For Hayes, the field reflects not only technological advancement, but the evolving ways in which data is monetized, transferred, and regulated across jurisdictions. “The evolution of technology and its impact on society — particularly the use and monetization of data by different stakeholders — is what first sparked my interest,” she explains.
Law and technology encompasses roles such as:
- Privacy & Data Protection Counsel
- Data Protection Officer (DPO)
- Cybersecurity Counsel
- Technology Transactions Counsel
- Intellectual Property Counsel
- AI & Emerging Technologies Counsel
- Fintech & Digital Assets Counsel
- Digital Policy & Regulatory Counsel
What unites these roles is not technical expertise, but legal judgment applied to innovation.
Breaking Into the Field as an International Lawyer
For internationally educated attorneys, engaging with the U.S. legal market — whether through practicing in the United States or advising on U.S. law from abroad — can feel complex. Adding “technology” to that equation may seem even more daunting. Yet alumni consistently emphasize that their international background is an asset and that entry into this space does not require a background in engineering or computer science. Rather, it remains accessible to attorneys from diverse academic and professional backgrounds who bring strong legal reasoning, adaptability, and a willingness to learn.
“I have no clue how to code,” Poplar states candidly. “It is simply not a requirement. Willingness to learn matters far more than a computer science degree.” His own path evolved gradually — from working in an IT and IP team in Prague to advising technology-driven portfolio companies in private equity, and ultimately to founding his own startup-focused firm, Fellow, in California. Rather than a dramatic pivot, he describes it as “a natural thread” that consistently pulled him closer to the tech ecosystem.
Kim echoes this sentiment. While he holds a technical background in engineering, he emphasizes that many law and technology roles primarily require strong analytical thinking and the ability to understand technical concepts at a practical level. For internationally educated lawyers, positions in compliance, privacy, contract management, intellectual property support, and policy-related work often serve as realistic entry points.
Hayes similarly underscores that entry into the field is often strategic rather than technical. During her LL.M. studies, she supplemented her coursework with short-duration programs focused on technology and law. After completing the program and obtaining U.S. bar licensure, she secured her first law and technology role with Credit Suisse as an Assistant Vice President supporting privacy, intellectual property, and procurement legal functions.
For internationally educated lawyers, she identifies additional entry points such as targeted certifications, internships, pro bono work, and, critically, networking. “You do not need to be a master IT or science professional to succeed,” she notes. “Understanding the regulatory environment and building relationships is key.”
Agnese highlights that deep familiarity with regulatory frameworks can also create opportunity. In Europe, knowledge of evolving financial technology regulations — from crypto-asset frameworks to cybersecurity directives — positions lawyers to advise institutions navigating increasingly complex technological systems.
Rather than requiring a computer science or engineering degree, many roles demand lawyers who can interpret evolving legal standards, communicate clearly across disciplines, and translate regulatory obligations into actionable guidance.
Skills That Matter in Law & Technology
When asked which skills have proven most critical, alumni consistently identify analytical precision, adaptability, and the ability to communicate across disciplines.
Hayes emphasizes adaptability above all else. In privacy and AI governance, laws and regulatory guidance evolve rapidly across jurisdictions. “The capacity to adapt as laws and regulations change — often at a pace unlike other areas of law — has been essential in my role,” she explains. In global compliance environments, legal professionals must remain attentive to legislative updates while translating those changes into operational guidance for business teams.
For Poplar, clarity and agility are paramount. “The ability to simplify legal concepts — not just for today, but for issues that may come up later in a startup’s life — is critical,” he explains. “And startups move fast. Being able to give founders your thinking the same day, every time, is something they value enormously.”
Agnese emphasizes constant awareness of legislative developments and judicial decisions. For lawyers working in financial and regulatory technology spaces, staying current with European court rulings and regulatory updates is indispensable.
Kim points to the importance of translating between legal and technical perspectives. “Being able to understand complex technical concepts and communicate them clearly is particularly important,” he notes, especially in environments where engineers, business leaders, and legal professionals must collaborate closely.
Law and technology is not static; regulations evolve, technologies develop, and international standards shift. Professionals in this space must remain intellectually curious and responsive to change.
The Role of the Online LL.M.
Many alumni credit their LL.M. experience with strengthening both their technical knowledge and professional confidence.
For Poplar, studying U.S. law while continuing to practice in Europe allowed him to immediately apply what he was learning to client matters. The structure of the Online LL.M. program itself — remote, rigorous, and collaborative across time zones — became preparation for running a technology-driven practice. “The program forced me to develop strong self-discipline and remote collaboration skills,” he explains, competencies that are essential for managing a firm operating across jurisdictions.
Agnese notes that the program provided a solid foundation in American law and strengthened his legal writing and reasoning within a common law system, a valuable complement to his civil law training in Italy.
Similarly, Kim credits the Online LL.M. with refining his structured analytical approach. “My Online LL.M. experience strengthened my legal writing, analytical reasoning, and structured approach to complex issues,” he says, skills particularly valuable when navigating the intersection of legal doctrine and technological innovation.
Hayes also credits the Online LL.M. with providing both foundational knowledge of the U.S. legal system and the confidence to apply that knowledge within technology-driven practice areas. “The program gave me the U.S. legal base and the confidence that I could apply the core knowledge acquired to this new area of law,” she notes. For internationally educated lawyers pursuing privacy, AI, or digital compliance roles, that grounding can be pivotal.
For internationally educated lawyers, the program also provides:
- Familiarity with U.S. legal systems
- A pathway for qualified applicants to bar licensure in the US
- Exposure to emerging legal issues
- A global professional network
- Opportunities to engage in forward-looking discussions
These elements collectively position graduates to pursue opportunities in tech-focused practice areas.
The Impact of the U.S. Bar Licensure
For internationally educated lawyers, U.S. bar licensure can serve as a powerful catalyst for professional mobility, expanding not only where they practice, but how they engage with global markets. In the law and technology space, as in many other specializations, it can enhance credibility, flexibility, and access to opportunity
“I simply would not have been able to move to the U.S. and practice law here without it,” Poplar explains. Now based in California, he practices within one of the world’s most dynamic startup ecosystems — a progression made possible through bar qualification in California.
For Hayes, U.S. (D.C. Bar) bar licensure played a similarly transformative role. “Being licensed in the U.S. helped me land my first position and opened many subsequent opportunities,” she explains. In globally regulated sectors such as data privacy and artificial intelligence, dual qualification can enhance credibility and expand cross-border advisory capabilities.
Kim similarly notes that U.S. licensure (D.C. Bar) provided greater confidence and flexibility in navigating global legal environments, particularly in technology-driven industries where cross-border considerations are constant.
While Agnese currently practices in Italy and has not pursued U.S. bar licensure, he acknowledges that such qualification could broaden international opportunities depending on professional goals.
Diverse Career Pathways
The intersection of law and technology spans industries and roles. Alumni featured here work in areas including:
- Startup and venture advisory
- Financial regulation and fintech litigation
- Intellectual property and patent strategy
- Technology-focused corporate practice
- Compliance and regulatory advisory
This diversity reflects a broader truth: innovation requires legal guidance.
As these alumni demonstrate, working at the intersection of law and technology is not reserved for engineers or programmers. It is a space for lawyers who are adaptable, analytically rigorous, and prepared to engage with evolving regulatory landscapes.
Looking Ahead
Technology will continue to shape global markets, regulatory environments, and professional expectations. Lawyers who understand both legal doctrine and the realities of technological innovation around the world will remain essential participants in that evolution.
For internationally educated attorneys considering how to position themselves for the future, law and technology is not a distant specialization but rather an expanding opportunity. The experiences of these international Online LL.M. alumni demonstrate that with strong legal foundations (both overseas and in the US), intellectual curiosity, and strategic preparation, entering this field is both realistic and achievable.