This blog is part of our on-going Women in Technology series.
Maureen O’Neill is the Senior Vice President, Strategic Engagement. She has more than 25 years of experience in complex litigation, including almost 20 years of handling eDiscovery and information law issues. In 2010, she left private law practice and joined DiscoverReady, acquired by Consilio in 2018. Maureen earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Miami and her JD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is a member of the California and Georgia bars and holds the Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) certification for the United States and Europe. Maureen is an active participant in several working groups of the Sedona Conference and a member of the American Bar Association and the International Association of Privacy Professionals.
What is the most exciting aspect of working at Consilio?
Following DiscoverReady’s acquisition by Consilio, the most exciting aspect for me of working at my new company is our global reach, and how that opens up opportunities to serve clients in ways that I wasn’t able to before. Working with colleagues from around the world, I’ve found great satisfaction in witnessing the diversity of their perspectives.
What was your professional journey like to get you to where you are today?
A significant moment in my career occurred in the early-to-mid-2000s when litigators were preparing for the first set of amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure that addressed eDiscovery. As a result, eDiscovery was really brought into focus in federal court matters. I took this as an opportunity to create an area of expertise, enabling me to succeed at my law firm.
Several years after establishing my eDiscovery expertise, I then realized that eDiscovery could be a satisfying, successful career path—not just an adjunct to my litigation practice. I took advantage of that inflection point and made the decision to leave the law firm and join DiscoverReady.
What is the best advice you’ve received in a mentor-mentee experience?
Firstly, work towards getting that “seat at the table”— and don’t be afraid to ask for it. Once you’re there, speak up and actively participate. Seize every opportunity to show how knowledgeable, talented, and hard-working you are.
What is your advice for women working in a predominately male workplace?
Find a way to create a support structure for yourself that actively promotes the success of women. It might be women within your own company, but, it could also be colleagues at other companies. If you feel the need to go external to your company, there are many organizations that can help. For example, Women in eDiscovery is filled with bright, successful women in this field. These women are generous with their time and happy to help other women advance their careers.
When you’re not working, what do you do in your free time?
I enjoy food and wine, and I’m fortunate to live in Northern California with access to great quality products. I may spend the better part of a weekend browsing recipes, hitting the local farmers’ markets and food halls, tasting wine at nearby wineries, and cooking for family and friends. Then I relax over a terrific meal! (But I try to save time for a hike to burn off all those calories.)