Isabel J. Kim, a Dechert associate, is defying conventional expectations by choosing to remain in her legal role despite securing a seven-figure book deal and an executive producer title for an upcoming television adaptation. Kim, an Ivy League graduate from the University of Pennsylvania, has garnered attention for her speculative fiction novel “Sublimation,” as well as for her award-winning short stories and podcast hosting.
- Isabel J. Kim’s legal credentials and literary achievements are both impressive. She has an Ivy League education and works at Dechert. Alongside this, she has won awards such as the Shirley Jackson award for her short story “You’ll Understand When You’re a Mom Someday”.
- Her novel “Sublimation,” which explores cultural identity through a speculative fiction lens, recently led to a bidding war between major publishing houses. Tor Publishing Group secured the U.S. rights for her novel along with two future books in a lucrative deal.
- Universal International Studios has greenlit a TV series adaptation of “Sublimation,” in which Kim will serve as an executive producer. Kim remarked, “Adding executive producer to my titles is fun. I was not expecting it a few years ago, but I’m not mad about it.”
Although such success would typically be viewed as an exit from the rigors of Biglaw, Kim is determined to continue her legal career. In an interview with Law.com, Kim noted that there are aspects of legal work that she would miss, such as the collaborative and forward-moving nature of deal teams. “In writing, you’re alone… whereas working on deal teams is much more collaborative…I don’t want to close off any pathways,” she said.
Moreover, Kim finds that her dual career paths complement each other. Her legal expertise enhances her narrative skills, and fiction writing has improved her legal writing conciseness. Despite what seems to be an overwhelming workload, Kim is willing to tackle both worlds, at least for now.
For further details on Kim’s career and her plans, you can read the full article on Above the Law.