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In October 2022, the U.S. government imposed novel and complex semiconductor export control rules designed to limit Chinese access to advanced integrated circuits for artificial intelligence and other technology innovations with potential military applications. The 139-pages issued by the U.S. Commerce Department forced semiconductor companies to interpret and immediately comply with the massive new regulatory regime. Tokyo Electron, an $84 billion Japanese-based global innovative semiconductor production equipment maker with significant U.S. operations, turned to a 32-year-old Dallas lawyer only four years out of law school for guidance. Maria G. Alonso did not disappoint.
In this Q&A with The Lawbook, the 2023 DFW Corporate Counsel Rookie of the Year Award finalist offers insights for outside counsel.
Texas Lawbook: What are the biggest challenges facing corporate legal departments and law firms for accomplishing DEI objectives in today’s legal and political environments?
Maria Alonso: I think the biggest challenge is that the laws regarding DEI have changed at the state and national level.
Lawbook: What are the factors you consider when deciding about hiring outside counsel?
Alonso: One of the factors I consider when hiring outside counsel is how diverse their group of partners is because this shows me their commitment to DEI. At the associate level, many law firms hire a diverse group of attorneys, but if law firms do not provide the attorneys with the career opportunities to become partners, then I think there is room for improvement.
Another factor I consider is how outside counsel interacts with not only people at my company but at other companies. I would never hire outside counsel who is rude to others.
Lawbook: What does outside counsel need to know about you?
Alonso: Outside counsel should know that I am approachable and very reasonable.
Click here for the full profile of Maria Alonso.