From Intern to Data Privacy Counsel featuring Terrance Pryor

Terrance Pryor shares his inspiring journey from a career in IT at General Motors to transitioning into the legal field, all while pursuing his law degree part-time. Through his determination and strategic planning, Terrance navigated through various roles in data privacy and DevOps, showcasing his ability to adapt and excel in different areas of expertise. Join us as Terrance reflects on his experiences and the pivotal moments that shaped his career path.

LISTEN TO LEARN

  • The importance of being open to new opportunities and being proactive in pursuing them.
  • The significance of setting intentions and working towards specific goals, even if the path may not be straightforward.
  • The benefits of exploring different areas of interest and being open to unexpected career opportunities.

WE ALSO DISCUSS

  • The journey of transitioning from a career in IT to a legal role, including the challenges and successes along the way.
  • The intersection of IT and law, particularly in areas like data privacy and legal analytics.
  • The role of networking and building rapport with professionals in different fields to facilitate career transitions.

Want to start a podcast?

Save time and create faster with KD Creative. KD Creative offers done-for-you podcasting services by launching podcasts for small business owners and editing podcasts for existing podcasters. 

If you’re ready to get your content in the ears of your ideal customers, start working with KD Creative. Visit skiptheboringstuff.com to hire a podcast coach.

From Intern to Data Privacy Counsel featuring Terrance Pryor

<iframe width="100%" height="180" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" seamless="" src="https://share.transistor.fm/e/5f95d9f0"></iframe>

From Intern to Data Privacy Counsel featuring Terrance PryorFrom Intern to Data Privacy Counsel featuring Terrance Pryor

About This Episode

Terrance Pryor’s Background

Terrance Pryor, a driven and determined individual, has navigated a unique and inspiring career path that showcases his adaptability and perseverance. Starting his journey with a background in IT at General Motors, Terrance later pursued a law degree while working full-time, demonstrating his commitment to personal and professional growth. His transition from IT to law was not a conventional one, but Terrance's strategic approach and willingness to explore new opportunities led him to discover the intersection of law and technology, particularly in the field of data privacy. 

"I kind of don't want to gloss over that period of, you know, I'm done playing football to let me go get a job. That really was a tough period. That was a really, really tough period in my life because... I really built an identity and kind of laid out this vision for what I thought my life was going to be based off of that sport," shares Terrance Pryor on You Are A Lawyer.

In his pursuit of knowledge and growth, Terrance delved into electives in data privacy and legal analytics during law school, recognizing the potential for innovation and advancement in the merging fields of law and technology. His proactive approach to seeking out opportunities and his ability to adapt to new challenges have been key factors in his professional development. Terrance's story serves as a testament to the power of resilience and determination in carving out a successful career path that aligns with his passions and aspirations.

Why Law School

Terrance chose to pursue law school as a means to merge his passion for sports with his growing interest in the intersection of law and technology. Initially working in IT at General Motors, Terrance saw the potential for a unique career path that combined his technical skills with legal expertise.

"I kind of wanted to see maybe be a sports agent or something along those lines right or to kind of be a just a sports attorney. So that's kind of why I started to go into law school. And then I just needed a job when I started at General Motors and IT in January of 2015," reflects Terrance Pryor on Episode 139 of You Are a Lawyer.

As he delved into law school, taking electives in data privacy and legal analytics, Terrance realized the opportunities that lay ahead in the field of law and technology. His decision to enter law school was not just about becoming a sports attorney but about exploring the emerging field of data privacy and cyber law.

What Can You Do with a Law Degree

With a law degree, there are various career paths one can pursue, as demonstrated by Terrance Pryor's journey. From transitioning from IT to legal roles at General Motors to exploring data privacy and legal analytics, a law degree opens up opportunities beyond traditional legal practice. Terrance's experience showcases that a law degree can lead to roles in technology, data privacy, and even sports law.

"I wanted to explore different aspects of myself other than the sport and see how else I can expand," explains Terrance Pryor, on this episode of You Are a Lawyer.

Terrance's story emphasizes that with a law degree, individuals can venture into unique and evolving areas such as data privacy, technology, and analytics. As he discovered the intersection of law and IT, he found new opportunities to blend his legal knowledge with technology. This demonstrates that a law degree can provide a foundation for roles that require a combination of legal expertise and technical skills.

Lawyer Side Hustles

Side hustles for lawyers can be a great way to diversify income and explore different interests outside of the legal field. Terrance Pryor's journey from IT to law school and eventually landing a role as in-house counsel at General Motors showcases the potential for lawyers to pursue side businesses in various industries.

“I was always advocating for people. I was always taking up for people who didn't really know how to take up for themselves,” shares Terrance Pryor in Episode 139 of You Are a Lawyer.

Lawyers, like Terrance, demonstrate the importance of having a multifaceted career and exploring different opportunities beyond traditional legal roles. Side businesses can provide lawyers with additional skills, experiences, and financial stability. As Terrance's journey shows, combining legal expertise with other interests can lead to unique career paths and opportunities.

Join the FREE mailing list!

Get behind-the-scenes content from You Are A Lawyer. 

1) Visit www.youarealawyer.com

2) Add your email address to the Subscribe pop-up box OR

3) Enter your email address on the right side of the screen

4) Get emails from me (I won't fill your inbox with junk)!

Contact Terrance Pryor

Terrance Pryor is licensed to practice law in the State of Georgia.

Learn more about Terrance

Interact with You Are A Lawyer

Kyla Terrancenyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast. 

Follow the podcast:

YouTube: youtube.com/@youarealawyer

Instagram: instagram.com/youarealawyer

Twitter:  twitter.com/YouAreA_Lawyer

Website: youarealawyer.com

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mbNPwyv8fQ4" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Recent Episodes

Why I Never Mention my Yale Law Degree featuring Elisabeth Steele

Elisabeth Steele explains how to be confident in Zoom meetings and dodge questions about never taking the bar exam.
Read and listen here

How Technology is Changing Law Firms (and Why Lawyers Don’t Know It Yet) featuring Maya Markovich

Maya Markovich explains why networking is easy and how diverse law applicants will innovate the legal field.
Read and listen here

How to Knock Out the Bar Exam featuring Caroline Vickers

Caroline Vickers explains why she created Bar Prep Champs and the importance of working with first time bar exam takers.
Read and listen here

From $40k a Year to a Million Dollar Month featuring Ali Awad

Ali Awad explains how he gets his clients ‘a wad of money’ and how to appreciate the opportunities presented to Americans.
Read and listen here

How Food Consultants are Creating Stronger Farms with Candace Spencer

Candace Spencer explains why she became a food consultant and how food inequity hurts farmers.
Read and listen here

How SettleShark Helps You Get Your Money Back (Legally!) featuring David Orozco

David Orozco explains why he created the company SettleShark and the importance of not taking the bar exam if you do not plan to practice.
Read and listen here

Why I Moved to Dubai to Teach American Law featuring Michelle Words

Michelle Words explains the importance of changing your life to try new things and why she teaches business law in Saudi Arabia.
Read and listen here

How Filmmaking Taught Me to Advocate for Incarcerated Persons featuring Katherin Hervey

Katherin Hervey explains her frustration with the rigidity of law school and the importance of seeing humanity in everyone, even people who have committed acts of violence.
Read and listen here

Why Law Associates Hate Law Firms (and What Lawyers Can Do About It) featuring Frank Ramos

Frank Ramos believes in sharing his legal knowledge with others. As the creator of Miami Mentor, Frank offers free resources, trainings, books, and coaching to lawyers who feel stuck in their careers. After working in law firms for 23 years, Frank Ramos has learned a lot about what makes a great lawyer, what runs lawyers away from the practice, and what motivates lawyers. Frank has authored 18 books, hosted a podcast, and works as a partner in a product liability firm.
Read and listen here

How To Succeed as a Military Lawyer featuring Vernon W. Thomas

Vernon Thomas, a military attorney in the United States Army Reserves and a city prosecutor in New Orleans, shares his unique journey from aspiring English teacher to successful lawyer. In this episode, he reflects on the influence of his father, a prominent attorney, and discusses the importance of analytical skills in legal practice, as well as his unconventional approach to studying for the bar exam. Vernon also emphasizes the value of mentorship and the diverse opportunities that a law degree can provide.
Read and listen here

FAQs about Podcasting and Guest Bookings featuring Kyla Denanyoh

In this bonus episode, Kyla Denanyoh answers frequently asked questions from the podcast audience and social media posts. 
Read and listen here

How Yoga Helps Law Students Pass the Bar Exam featuring Dana Shaker

Dana Shaker explains her motivation to take the bar exam in two states and the importance of yoga for lawyers. 
Read and listen here

©2025 You Are A Lawyer LLC.
All rights reserved.