UC Merced Alumna’s Legal Career Soars in Silicon Valley

"It was great," she said of the club. "UC Merced was very supportive." Several members of the club went on to pursue careers in legal fields, Wright said.

Wright graduated in three and half years, getting her political science bachelor's degree in fall 2008. The good news: She could focus on starting work on a law degree at UC Hastings. The "oops" news: She didn't walk the stage in the spring 2009 ceremony where First Lady Michelle Obama was the keynote speaker.

"It was fine, though, because I was very focused on starting law school," Wright said. "I went to the spring ceremony with friends and it was really fun."

At UC Hastings (since renamed UC San Francisco College of the Law), she received a Doctor of Law degree in 2013. She was a member of the Black Law Students Association and of the Pro Bono Society, providing more than 100 hours of pro bono services.

Initially, she saw her legal future behind a bench as a judge. Then an internship in the legal department of a tech company sparked her interest in Silicon Valley culture. Her first professional job was as a contracts manager with Intermedia Cloud Communications in Sunnyvale.

Less than a year later, a contract management role in another company drew Wright into the surging, shifting world of tech startups. She developed a reputation helping new ventures cement partnerships and contracts, ensuring agreements were legally sound.

Over the years, two of her employers went public with stock offerings and one was bought by a larger company - watershed achievements for Silicon Valley startups. Wright said she built a reputation for guiding young companies to a desired level of growth. Then, well, Silicon Valley still works like a small town; it's who you know.

"I would interact with a lot of customers and different companies. People see your work," she said. "Fortunately, I have many previous managers who speak highly of me."

Wright said the people at UC Merced supported her desire to leave a legacy and make a difference.

"I feel like I was celebrated, appreciated," she said. "Back then, they called us pioneers. I feel UC Merced still has that supportive, entrepreneurial spirit. I'm so happy to see it growing and flourishing."