She did well in prep school and that led her to college. Her general lack of interest in the simpler parts of life lead her to the white collar pursuit of the legal profession. Being of above average intelligence, her studies came easily to her, but she got little satisfaction from her learning.
The level of social interaction involved in her job is the only thing she likes about it. She enjoys the game, and the dance of words in the courtroom. Cecelia depends on the money from her job to keep her in the lifestyle to which she is accustomed.
She has been rising up the ladder in her firm fairly quickly more out of her greed then her skill or sense of professional pride.
Her personal life is empty of any real attachments. Her apartment is beautifully kept and furnished but feels unlived in.
Becoming a vampire pulled her into a new world, where the rules seem to be the same as the old. Power is there to be earned. If she correctly plays the game.