Attorney at Law Magazine sat down with Kristine Camron, senior vice president and general counsel of Formstack, for the latest In-House Spotlight in our Corporate Counsel series.
AALM: What drew you to Formstack? What are you most looking forward to in your new role?
KC: The opportunity to work in a team environment with genuine people who are incredibly smart and talented. I am an entrepreneur at heart, so I am looking forward to building an in-house legal department from scratch for a high-growth technology company.
AALM: Tell us about your work with the Camron Legal Group and Ice Miller. What prompted you to transition from private practice to an in-house role?
KC: I was looking for a new challenge. I had been in private practice for almost 25 years, and I wanted to do something different and develop a new skill set. At times I felt like I was working on auto-pilot, and I knew it was time for a change. Having the opportunity to come into a high-growth technology company and build a new department seemed like a great way to get that challenge I needed.
AALM: What kind of culture are you hoping to build in your legal department? What are some practices you’ll be bringing with you from your private practice firms?
KC: My vision for our culture is around the three Cs—collaboration, communication, and creativity. Our department is team-oriented, creative, and skilled at clear communication to support employees.
AALM: What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned over your career?
KC: Relationships matter—from top to bottom. It doesn’t matter if someone is the CEO or the janitor; we must treat everyone with respect and kindness.
AALM: Tell us about any mentors you’ve worked with through your career and the best advice they shared with you.
KC: I had a senior partner who took me under his wing and served as a mentor and personal advisor in my practice. Not only did he develop my technical skills, but he also taught me how to think through important issues and analyze complex problems. He showed me how to be curious, ask questions, and push further to get more information in order to make better-informed decisions.
AALM: If you could go back and change anything about your career what would it be?
KC: I wish I would’ve relaxed and enjoyed the process more. I was often reluctant to stop and enjoy positive outcomes and good moments. I was always looking for the next deal or new client. When I look back, I am grateful for the opportunities and challenges that I had—they shaped me into the person I am today.
AALM: You relocated to Indiana from Michigan after law school. What do you miss about Michigan? What drew you to Indiana?
KC: I miss the weather (primarily in the summer and fall) and the beautiful landscape. Of course, I also miss my friends and family. I came to Indianapolis to join Ice Miller’s Sports and Entertainment Group. I wanted to practice sports law but accidentally fell into corporate law and loved it.
AALM: Tell us about your life outside the office.
KC: I have a very busy life outside of the office. I have three children I adore and a very close group of friends. I like to stay physically active as much as possible. I play golf, do yoga and pilates, and paddleboard.
