Beyond the Fine Print: Building a Career at the Intersection of Law, Technology and Regulation

When people think about a career in law, technology may not be the first industry that comes to mind. But as technology increasingly intersects with identity, data, financial services and regulation, the people interpreting the rules are becoming just as important as the people building the products.

For Cynthia Onwuegbuzie, Head of Legal and Regulatory Affairs at Seamfix, that intersection has shaped a career that goes far beyond contracts and compliance. Her role requires understanding regulation, anticipating risk, working across teams, and helping the business navigate complex decisions in fast-moving markets.

We spoke with Cynthia about building a legal career in technology, how her role has evolved, the lessons leadership has taught her, and what it takes to bring a legal perspective into rooms where important business and product decisions are being made.

1. When you started your career in law, did you imagine that you would eventually be working at the intersection of law, regulation and technology?

“When I started my career, I understood the traditional paths available to lawyers, but I don’t think I fully appreciated how much technology would eventually shape the profession. Working in technology has shown me that legal professionals don’t operate on the sidelines of the business. You have to understand the products, the markets, the regulators and the commercial objectives before you can provide advice that is genuinely useful.”

2. What has working in technology taught you about being a lawyer that law school or your earlier career couldn’t have taught you?

“One of the biggest lessons has been learning to operate in ambiguity. Technology moves quickly, and sometimes the business questions in front of you evolve faster than the regulations around them. You can’t always approach those situations by simply saying what the law says. You have to understand the intent behind the regulation, assess risk carefully and help the business find a responsible way forward.”

3. People sometimes see Legal as the team that says “no.” How do you approach being a legal partner to teams that are trying to move quickly and build new things?

“I think good legal counsel should help the business understand how something can be done responsibly, rather than simply identifying why it cannot be done. Of course, there will be situations where the answer has to be no, but often the more valuable question is, ‘What would need to be true for us to do this safely?’ That requires Legal to understand what Product, Sales and other teams are actually trying to achieve.”

4. What is one moment or project at Seamfix that has made you particularly proud?

“Some of my proudest moments have come from seeing initiatives move from complex conversations involving multiple stakeholders to something tangible for the business. Legal and regulatory work can happen quietly in the background, so seeing something progress because we successfully navigated the regulatory requirements, managed the risks and brought the right people together is incredibly fulfilling.”

5. As a woman in a senior leadership position, what has your journey taught you about finding and using your voice?

“I’ve learned that having expertise is only part of leadership; you also need the confidence to communicate your perspective clearly, particularly when the conversation is difficult. There may be moments when your position isn’t the easiest one in the room, but part of the responsibility is being willing to raise the issue, explain why it matters and stand behind your professional judgement.”

6. What advice would you give to a young lawyer—or any young professional—who wants to build a career in an industry that is constantly changing?

“Don’t limit yourself to understanding only your function. Learn the business. Understand the technology, ask questions about how products work, pay attention to what’s happening in the market and stay curious about disciplines outside your own. Your technical expertise gets you into the room, but understanding how your expertise connects to the bigger picture is what makes you valuable once you’re there.”