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After supporting product launches for iPad, AirTag, and AirPods at Apple, Smita Rajmohan brought her legal expertise to Autodesk to serve as senior counsel. There, she is the lead legal business partner for artificial intelligence operations, providing guidance on generative AI governance, development, and adoption across the company.
She shares a common misconception people have about being an attorney, the importance of being thoughtful but “not overthinking it,” and her desire to empower the next generation of legal and technology professionals.
What is one of the biggest misconceptions about being an attorney or the legal function itself?
People tend to vacillate widely in their perceptions of what lawyers do. Some think that being an attorney is a compliance-oriented, paper-pushing, or gatekeeping role, while others watch Suits on Netflix and presume we walk around committing major ethical violations in Armani suits. The truth of course is neither as mundane nor as glamorous. I think an in-house lawyer can be in equal parts a product strategy advisor, a measured risk-taker, reputation-maker, and trust protector. It’s a cool job, but I don’t do it in Armani and heels. (Sorry to burst your bubble, reader!)
What’s a piece of unconventional advice you’ve received that was helpful?
Be thoughtful, but don’t overthink it. I’ve made many pivots in my career and challenged myself by moving into new practice areas, picking up hard projects others thought too stressful, and leaning into calculated risks. All of it has paid off and I can confirm that the dots do connect backwards. Make a pros and cons list if you must, but don’t agonize over it endlessly. Things don’t always go according to plan and the best thing you can do for yourself is to stay adaptable and agile—it makes you more stoic in the face of disruption, and you become a great person to have in the room when there’s a crisis.
What is the most meaningful case or pro bono experience you’ve worked on?
A couple of years ago I volunteered for a program called Homeless Connect organized by the Justice and Diversity Center of San Francisco. I helped unhoused individuals get access to state-issued identification cards. Holding these identification cards in their hands had the direct impact of providing these folks easy access to economic and social benefits but more importantly, it empowered them with a sense of self-worth. It was extremely satisfying to play a small part in changing lives through such an impactful project.
Find Rajmohan on LinkedIn.
