The Legal Department

Goal Getter: How to Make a Career Pivot Shayna Bergman Executive Coach Aug 11, 2026 2268 Feeling unsettled at work? Things are "good enough" but not quite right... You have a nagging feeling that there's something different out there for you, but you're not sure what it is or how to find it.Or maybe, you know what you want to do, but you feel like you can't make a change. You've invested years working towards the career you have, can you pivot into something else?In this #GoalGetter e

Speed of Trust: How a CEO and His Lawyer Got a Supreme Court Win in 10 Months Rick Woldenberg, CEO Learning Resources, Inc. and Pratik Shah, Partner Akin Gump Jul 21, 2026 2752 Tariffs have been front page news since the 2024 presidential campaign. In February 2025 (and again in April 2025), President Donald Trump issued executive orders levying tariffs that threatened small and large businesses alike. But only one CEO of a small family business stepped forward...with only one major law firm.In this episode, Rick Woldenberg, CEO of Learning Resources, Inc. and Hand2Mind,

Goal Getter: How to Avoid a Career Flatline Sheila Murphy Executive Coach Jul 7, 2026 2193 Ever feel like you’re stuck in place? You have excellent technical skills, get the job done and do excellent work. So why aren’t you progressing? In this Goal Getter episode, executive coach and former GC Sheila Murphy is in The Legal Department to show you how to get noticed as “high potential.” Spoiler alert: no one hands you a promotion, you have to raise your hand. Sheila shares how stepping f

Office Hours: Questions From Aspiring GCs With Deborah Solmor, Founder, Ready Set GC [E96] Jun 23, 2026 2241 In this Office Hours episode, Deborah Solmor, founder of GC development program "Ready Set GC" is in The Legal Department to answer questions from aspiring general counsel. Tough questions include:How to show that you're a "strategic advisor"How your organizational skills change when you become general counselHow to keep your confidence up when you don't get a job you really wantHow and why y

Can You Pivot From Big Law To An Academic Career? Austen Parrish, Dean University Of California, Irvine School of Law [E95] Jun 9, 2026 1884 Have you ever thought about a career in academics? You've learned a lot from practicing law in the "real world," but do these skills translate into the classroom? And without an academic pedigree, can a practicing lawyer even break into the ivory tower?Dean Parrish believes that lawyers (especially in-house counsel) can be great teachers. Parrish says that legal skills are academic skills--writing

Will AI Kill The Billable Hour? With Jonah Perlin Professor, Georgetown Law [E94] May 26, 2026 2537 Are the bots coming for our jobs?  Will law firms crate when AI erodes the leverage model? Law professor Jonah Perlin advises us to keep calm and bill hours: AI is but another technology to add to the legal toolbox. In this episode, Perlin explains that time is but one element of the billing ecosystem. In this episode, we talk about the value of legal services and how lawyers and law firms ca

Stop Being Frustrated At Work: How To Set And Manage Expectations With Hanna Hart, Executive Coach [E93] May 12, 2026 2001 Ever wonder why people aren't performing the way you want them to, why your team hasn't gelled, why the project is delayed, or why or your boss never seems to be happy?There's a way to avoid all this frustration; start with expectations. Rarely do we take the time to think about what we really expect from others at work or communicate those expectations.Stop suffering in silence! Executive coach H

Goal Getter: The ABS Of Goal Setting: Janet Thompson Jackson, Founder Of Well Law [E92] Apr 28, 2026 2213 In this Goal Getter episode, Janet Thompson Jackson, executive coach and founder of attorney wellness platform "Well-Law" shares a three-part strategy she calls "ABS" to help you set and achieve goals that really matter. By Anchoring in what you really want, setting Boundaries to help you stick to it, and identifying the Steps needed to get there.Janet challenges us to ask ourselves how we are def

Goal Getter: Ask Big Questions To Get Big Goals: Charles Holmes, Executive Coach [E91] Apr 7, 2026 2230 In this Goal Getter episode, Stacy's executive coach, Charles Holmes, is in The Legal Department to explore how asking the right questions can lead you to the career you really want. He shares the three questions that can help you identify what you want and how to get there. Stacy and Charles also explore how "tolerable conflict" keeps us stuck between what we want and where we are today.

Office Hours: Stacy Answers Your Listener Questions Mar 25, 2026 909 In this Office Hours episode, Stacy answers listener questions about: (1) how to get up to speed in your first General Counsel job – including tips for holding successful meetings with your CEO; (2) whether you can switch industries and how to do so; and (3) in-house fundamentals on how to deliver a winning board presentation.Thanks to Filejet for supporting the Office Hours series!Submit your que

In-House Privilege Redux: Diana Feinstein, Partner, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP [E89] Mar 11, 2026 2046 Guarding the Attorney Client Privilege is an in-house fundamental, but it's also tricky. As we "level up" as in-house lawyers, taking on new functions and becoming a "strategic advisor," the lines are blurred.In this episode, veteran white collar litigator Diana Feinstein is back in The Legal Department to share step by step tips on how to maintain ACP and work product protections as an in-house a

Goal Getter: Look Back To Go Forward With Michael Melcher, CEO M2 Leaders And Author Of "Your Invisible Network" [E88] Feb 24, 2026 2214 Attention Goal Getters! Have you ever done a day-by-day review of your calendar to help you set goals for your future? Executive Coach Michael Melcher recommends using the "lookback method" to determine what's important for you in the new year. Instead of making a list of resolutions from what is top of mind, Michael recommends going through your calendar and reflecting on your wins for the prior

Ethics In The Legal Department With Ryan Little, Founder Little Legal And Former State Bar Prosecutor [E87] Feb 10, 2026 2096 Level-up on legal ethics for in-house lawyers on this episode with former state bar prosecutor, Ryan Little, founder of Little Legal. In this episode, we talk about some of the ethical traps in-house lawyers should watch out for, how to handle conflicts of interest, navigating who your client is, Upjohn warnings in internal investigations, and much more.

Goal Getter: The Happiness Factor Marla Persky Executive Coach, 2x GC And Independent Board Member [E86] Jan 27, 2026 2249 Do you feel like you're on a hamster wheel? Or climbing a career ladder that you're not sure you want to be on? In this Goal Getter episode, Executive coach and former public company GC Marla Persky joins Stacy Bratcher to share how setting career goals that align with your "happiness factor" can help us build the career we actually want. She urges lawyers to "own their careers" and set goals that

Contracting In The #Creator Economy: Brittany Ratelle, Ratelle Law [E85] Jan 14, 2026 2279 Is your company branching out into influencer marketing? Is your Chief Marketing Officer dying to engage with the latest TikTok sensation? Put down that red pen and prepare to approach marketing deals with a different eye. Brittany Ratelle of Ratelle Law has been representing creators for more than a decade. She's in The Legal Department to share tips on how to approach creator deals in a way that

Stuck At Work? Tips To Reboot Your Career With Ellen Yang Dec 30, 2025 2427 You're at a great company, with a fancy title and what seems from the outside to be exciting work. But all that glitters is not gold. No matter where you are in your career--whether you're just starting out or at the top of the career ladder, you can feel stuck. Ellen Yang shares advice for attorneys and managers alike on how to recognize that you (or your team) might be feeling stuck and how

ACC Replay: The Influential Counsel: Mastering Personal Branding In The Corporate World [E83] Dec 16, 2025 3127 In-house legal professionals are more than advisors – they’re strategic leaders. This episode of The Legal Department is a replay of a dynamic discussion about how personal branding and influence can elevate your impact, visibility, and career. Listen to the real-world strategies, lessons learned, and tools for building your brand authentically – both inside your organization and across your netwo

Escape From Meeting Hell: Run Better Meetings With Anita Kishore, Executive Coach [E82] Nov 23, 2025 1678 Former Bain consultant and executive coach Anita Kishore knows how to run a good meeting. When a CEO cancelled a standing meeting with her, Anita learned the hard way that planning ahead and communicating meeting objectives are essential for any meeting. As an executive coach, she helps executives maximize their effectiveness through good meeting hygiene. In this episode, find out the two secrets

Do This Before You Spend $$$ on Legal Tech With Lyndsey Cain Of LegalEng [E79] Nov 4, 2025 2150 Attention all legal operations professionals! This episode is for you. Legal Ops consultant Lyndsey Cain of LegalEng is in The Legal Department to talk about how to make your legal tech implementation a success. From identifying a non-IT leader, knowing your goals, having a comms plan, and an ongoing governance structure, Lyndsey shares that success is more than "just the tech." She also shares ti

Office Hours: How To Get Your First GC Job With Leah Huddleston And Candace Jackson [E81] Oct 21, 2025 2339 In this Office Hours discussion, Stacy Bratcher is joined by Leah Huddleston, Chief Legal Officer/Corporate Secretary at CBIZ, and Candace Jackson, Senior Vice President/General Counsel/Corporate Secretary of Silvaco. They share their journeys from associate general counsel and deputy GC to their current chairs, highlighting the most valuable lessons they learned along the way. Leah and Candace ex

Closed Mouths Don't Get Fed: Use Metrics To Tell The Story Of The Legal Department With Kathy Zhu, CEO And Co-Founder Of Streamline AI [E80] Oct 7, 2025 2732 Feeling like you're never going to get resources to support your legal function? Kathy Zhu has been there. Facing an endless demand for her time and limited resources to meet the business need at DoorDash, Kathy as head of Commercial Contracting, built relationships with her key customers and a process to help her team manage and communicate priorities within the company. She was so successfu

Leveling Up: My Conversation With Alex Su And Candice Reed On Leveraging Latitude Podcast [E78] Sep 23, 2025 2200 Host Stacy Bratcher steps onto the Leveraging Latitude podcast with Alex Su and Candice Reed to share her practical, hard-won tips for leveling up as in-house counsel. From building genuine relationships with business leaders to positioning yourself as a strategic partner, managing and inspiring your team, and being intentional about your own professional growth, Stacy offers an energizing roadmap

Make Your Legal Department A Revenue Generator With Greg McPolin And Andrew Johnstone [E77] Sep 9, 2025 2567 Tired of feeling like your legal department is a cost center? Fielding too many questions about the outside counsel spend, headcount and all the costs you generate? In this episode, you'll learn how to start an affirmative recovery program that can generate millions of dollars for your company. Veteran GC Andrew Johnstone, formerly in-house at Sears and US Foods, joins Greg McPolin of Burford Capi

No Really, This Is How To Use AI In The Legal Department With Sterling Miller, CEO & Author Of Ten Things You Need to Know As In-House Counsel (E76) Aug 26, 2025 2435 You may be thinking, "not another episode on AI! Haven't we covered that already?" Well, you're right. The Legal Department has covered AI, but we haven't talked practically or tactically about how you would actually use AI in an in-house legal department. In this episode, Sterling Miller, the OG of In-House, shares practical tips on how in-house departments can safely use AI.Other discussions inc

Direito Sem Fronteiras: Building A Global Legal Career With Juliana Calil (E75) Aug 11, 2025 1959 New to a global company? Working with lawyers in different parts of the world and struggling to connect? It's not just about understanding the language: to work cross-culturally, you need to understand the other party's culture. In this episode, Juliana Calil, former in-house attorney at Google, Intel, Disney and other big name companies shares her experience as a Brazilian lawyer learning how to

Office Hours: 2 GCs And A Law Firm Partner Answer Listener Questions Kate Dugan, GC Of Energizer Holdings and Joe Glynias, Chair Of Husch Blackwell (E74) Aug 5, 2025 3100 2 GCs and a Law Firm Partner answer YOUR questions. Kate Dugan and Joe Glynias return to join Stacy Bratcher in The Legal Department and share their views on maintaining and getting the best value out of in-house relationships. They talk about managing remote teams, crisis communications, and how to get up to speed managing a new function. Joe also reflects on the first year of Husch Blackwell's "

What Would The CEO Do? The Start-Up GC’s Mindset With Jonathan Levy, Y Combinator (E73) Jul 22, 2025 2230 Y Combinator is the tech incubator that has launched many of today's largest companies–Airbnb, DropBox, Door Dash, Open AI and many, many others. Jonathan Levy, Managing Director and former GC of YC had a role in many of them. On this episode of The Legal Department, Jonathan shares how legal can support start-up companies and help shape the future. He talks about adopting a CEO's mindset, keeping

From The Legal Department Into The Board Room With Jeanine Wright Former GC, Tech Founder & 5x Board Member [E72] Jul 8, 2025 2238 Ever wonder what the board of directors wants from their legal team? Or how you can move from the legal department into a board position? In this episode, triple-threat Jeanine Wright--former GC turned tech-company founder, former COO of podcast giant Wondery, and current board member at several companies--is in The Legal Department to help lawyers how to be great in the board room. Find out the 4

“Your Job is Not to Redline!” Innovation and The Legal Department Mick Ebeling, Founder & CEO Not Impossible Labs Jun 24, 2025 1964 If this episode doesn't wake you up about what it means to be a business enabler, nothing will. Mick Ebeling, three-time award winner of Time Magazine's Best Invention of the Year, has literally changed the world. Through their "help one, help many" approach, Mick and his team of innovators at Not Impossible Labs have built technology that has changed countless lives: Their inventions:Return

Use Your Voice And Build Influence With Kelley Barnett Of AmTrust Financial (E70) Jun 10, 2025 2246 Lawyers are busy! In-House lawyers don't need to do "extracurriculars," right? Think again. In this episode of The Legal Department, SVP and Senior Managing Counsel Kelley Barnett shares how building a nonprofit to help women lawyers helped her become a better lawyer and leader.She also shares how making what became a viral LinkedIn post spurred a conversation about bullying women on maternity lea

Legal Department Compensation REVEALED! John Gilmore, CEO Barker Gilmore May 27, 2025 2486 Curious about compensation trends for in-house legal roles? What are the different components of private company compensation, how do private equity companies structure equity, or how to evaluate a compensation offer? John Gilmore is a veteran executive recruiter. His firm, Barker Gilmore, conducts one of the industry's most comprehensive surveys on in-house compensation. In this episode, John pul

Office Hours: 3 GC's Answer Your Burning Questions Sterling Miller And Deborah Solmor (E68) May 13, 2025 2638 In this #OfficeHours episode, 3x general counsel and author Sterling Miller joins Deborah Solmor, 3x General Counsel and Founder of Ready Set GC to answer listener questions about life in #TheLegalDepartment. Topics include: the transition from Deputy GC to General Counsel, how to advocate for budget and headcount, how to set goals, how to get board experience when you're not the GC. Deborah

Lawyer Math, Truffle Sniffing And Other Lessons From Litigation Finance Eva Shang, Co-founder & CEO, Legalist (E67) Apr 29, 2025 2196 Too often, legal departments are on their heels defending litigation and managing unwieldy litigation budgets. Legal departments can generate an ROI for their companies by engaging in affirmative litigation. But who has the budget for that? At 20 years old, Eva Shang figured out how to turn litigation into investment returns and is now running a tech-enabled investment firm focused on litigat

Creating An Inclusive Legal Department: Tricia Montalvo Timm, Board Member, Former GC & Author Of Embrace The Power Of You, Owning Your Identity At Work Apr 15, 2025 2276 Tricia Montalvo Timm rose to the top of her game in The Legal Department, hiding her true identity as a Latina and mother of two. For years, she led legal teams and served on the executive teams of several companies "passing" as white, but not realizing the impact this would have on her. All that changed when she interviewed for a general counsel position at data analytics company, Looker, and all

Talk The Talk: How To Communicate With Sales And Drive Results + Office Hours With Alex Su, Chief Revenue Officer, Latitude Legal (E65) Apr 1, 2025 2300 Do you ever feel like you're speaking another language when you're talking to your sales team? Why can't they see the risks? How did they get this far into the deal without involving Legal? In this episode, Alex Su helps us understand the sales team and how to talk the talk and improve our company's results. Alex left a career in litigation to join the sales team of a legal tech start-up and

AI in Litigation Alex Alben UCLA Law School, 2x Tech GC and Former Chief Privacy Officer of Washington Mar 18, 2025 2328 AI and legal tech vendors are selling a new world where lawyers' work will be streamlined, more efficient, and more productive while also cutting down on legal fees. Most tools for in-house lawyers focus on improving workflows, contract review, and other transactional tasks.In litigation, news reports highlight the latest embarrassments—or even sanctions—of lawyers who relied on AI bots to write b

The "F" Word: Feedback in The Legal Department Hanna Hart Executive Coach and Forbes Contributor Mar 4, 2025 2671 Do you avoid tough conversations? Frustrated when your team doesn't deliver the work product you expected? Or did someone tell you to work on "executive presence" and you don't know how? In this episode, executive coach and Forbes contributor, Hanna Hart is in The Legal Department with a framework for giving and receiving feedback. Lawyers avoid feedback because they're busy, uncomfortable, or wan

Executive Presence In The Legal Department Joe Schohl Inside Counsel Academy And 2x Public Company GC (E62) Feb 18, 2025 2064 S is for soft skills—but what do they really mean for in-house counsel? In this episode, Inside Counsel Academy founder Joe Schohl joins Stacy Bratcher in The Legal Department to unpack executive presence—what it is, why it matters, and how to develop it for leadership success.Plus, in this special Office Hours segment, Joe tackles a tricky listener question: What should you do if your boss gives

Deputies: From DGC To GC + Office Hours With Candace Jackson, SVP And General Counsel, Silvaco (E61) Feb 4, 2025 2396 You've been a deputy general counsel, served at the right hand of the GC, and know the business—are you ready to take the next rung of the in-house career ladder? In this episode of The Legal Department, Candace Jackson dives into her journey from deputy general counsel to general counsel of a newly public company. She discusses how deputies can position themselves for GC roles, from optimizing Li

C-Suite Series: What The CEO Wants In The Legal Department With Evan Wong, CEO Checkbox Jan 28, 2025 2317 The CEO is the General Counsel's most important client, but do we truly understand what they need from their lawyer? In this episode of the C-Suite Series, Evan Wong, CEO of legal tech firm Checkbox, joins The Legal Department to help lawyers understand what CEOs want. Evan shares insights on how lawyers can deliver value during "wartime" and "peacetime," how to provide advice that supports the bu

Brass Tacks Of Litigation Management: Adwoa Ghartey-Tagoe Seymour, VP Litigation, Albertsons Companies (E59) Jan 14, 2025 2125 Overwhelmed by how to organize your company’s litigation portfolio? Unsure how to strike the right balance in your board’s legal reports? Or are you a law firm lawyer struggling to craft the perfect pitch to a corporate client?In this episode of The Legal Department, veteran litigator Adwoa Ghartey-Tagoe Seymour, VP of Litigation at Albertsons Companies, shares actionable advice to tackle all thes

Bonus Episode: Personal Jurisdiction Replay With Allison Freedman And Hallie Ritzu (E58) Jan 1, 2025 3123 Kick off the New Year with a bonus episode of The Legal Department! This episode features a lively discussion with Allison Freedman and Hallie Ritzu, the hosts of the popular legal podcast, Personal Jurisdiction. They interview Stacy Bratcher, Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer for Cottage Health, to get her insights on succeeding as in-house counsel.Stacy shares her unique career journ

Shake Down Repellent: How To Survive A Class Action Lawsuit Chris Chorba, Co-Chair Class Actions Practice Group, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher (E57) Dec 17, 2024 2654 Defending litigation is a core function of The Legal Department, but class action cases are different. The stakes are higher, the risks are greater, and all eyes are on the General Counsel to steer the ship through what can be the highest litigation exposure a company can face. Not to worry, Chris Chorba, an expert class action defense lawyer at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, is here to help steady

The "Why" And "How" Of Delegating With Elizabeth Smith And Michael Albino Of Major, Lindsey & Africa (E56) Dec 10, 2024 2345 Overwhelmed by an unexpected vacancy on your team? Struggling with how to get the work done now that you're leading your own team? Too many of us fall into a trap thinking we have to "do it ourselves" and don't ask for help. But research shows that effective leaders delegate. In this episode, Elizabeth Smith and Michael Albino of Major, Lindsey & Africa share why delegating is critical in

More Than Just OK: Great Lawyers Give Opinions - Tracey Lesetar-Smith TLSK Advisory, Former NASCAR GC (E55) Dec 4, 2024 2645 “What do you think we should do?" Many in-house lawyers dread this question from business colleagues. What's the best response? Spoiler alert, it's not, "It's a business decision!"Tracey Lester-Smith, former General Counsel of NASCAR and Bellator MMA, joins The Legal Department to help lawyers confidently give opinions. Tracey argues that providing thoughtful opinions is a key differentiator betwe

AI for the Legal Department: Laura Jeffords Greenberg, Senior Legal Director Worksome and Legal AI Consultant (E54) Nov 20, 2024 2331 Worried that the AI bots are going to make lawyers obsolete? In-house tech lawyer and AI-thought leader Laura Jeffords Greenberg is in The Legal Department this week to help alleviate those big feelings. She shares practical AI use cases for in-house legal departments, offers advice for how to approach this new (and sometimes scary technology) and shares tips for scoping AI solutions. If you've be

The First 90 Days In The Legal Department: Michael Watkins, Executive Coach, Professor & Author Of The First 90 Days (E53) Nov 12, 2024 2615 Starting a new job or joining a new company is exciting—but too often, leaders fail to plan. In this episode, Michael D. Watkins, author of the international bestselling book "The First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for Getting up to Speed Faster and Smarter," shares his advice on how lawyers can successfully navigate job transitions. We talk about how to "negotiate success" with your boss, why it's

Flirting with AI and Tech In The Legal Department Ari Kaplan Ari Kaplan Advisors (E52) Nov 5, 2024 2639 Feeling overwhelmed by the endless legal tech solutions? Bombarded by vendors offering the latest shiny tools? In this episode, Legal tech analyst and writer Ari Kaplan, with over 18 years of expertise, shares practical advice on evaluating legal tech solutions for your department. Ari discusses how to work effectively with vendors, streamline legal operations, and assess your department’s needs t

How To Be Productive In The Legal Department: Sterling Miller CEO Hilgers Graben 6x Author (E51) Oct 29, 2024 2498 Sterling Miller, a seasoned expert in in-house counsel, shares actionable tips, hacks, and systems to boost legal productivity. From taming the email monster to avoiding time-wasting meetings and mastering your calendar, Sterling offers practical strategies that will help you get more done every day. By implementing a "not-to-do list" and focusing on the "little things," you’ll elevate your produc

Why We Need Creativity In The Legal Department – Anne Jacoby, CEO Of Spring Street And Author Of Born To Create (E50) Oct 22, 2024 2080 In this episode, Anne Jacoby, CEO of Spring Street and author of Born to Create, dives into the importance of Creativity Legal. Together with host Stacy, they explore how creativity can help lawyers rethink traditional practices, overcome common creativity blockers, and handle crises with fresh perspectives. Anne also shares her journey in the legal field, from starting at Axiom to now guiding leg

Deputies: How To Position Yourself For A GC Role With Brittney McDonough, BarkerGilmore (E49) Oct 15, 2024 2547 Are you stuck on the “broken rung” of the in-house career ladder, unsure how to make the jump from deputy GC to the GC role? In this behind-the-scenes episode, executive legal recruiter Brittney McDonough shares how to position yourself for GC opportunities. She shares resume tips–how to highlight executive presence and other soft skills, how to present yourself in interviews, including how t

Don't Say "No" Ask How: Developing a Team in The Legal Department Kate Dugan Energizer (E48) Oct 8, 2024 2487 Struggling with managing or developing a legal team? Unsure how to set effective goals and keep your team motivated? Feeling drained? Fear not! Kate Dugan, General Counsel of Energizer, joins The Legal Department to energize your approach to legal team management. In this episode, Kate shares her strategies for creating impactful Individual Development Plans (IDPs), coaching soft skills, and foste

Wellness In The Legal Department: Janet Thompson Jackson, CEO Paraplu Wellness And Founder Of The Well-Law App (E47) Oct 1, 2024 2608 Attorney wellness seems like a trend, but until recently, lawyers had few obvious resources to deal with stress and burnout from this challenging career. Law professor and wellness coach Janet Thompson Jackson is working to change that. A pivotal experience with a struggling law student opened her eyes to the urgent need for better wellness support. In this episode of The Legal Department, Ja

How To Build An Advocacy Practice In The Legal Department: Chad Golder General Counsel, The American Hospital Association (E46) Sep 24, 2024 2231 Think you're too busy managing legal work to get involved in public policy? Think again. In this episode, Chad Golder, General Counsel of the American Hospital Association, shares why it's important for lawyers (especially in-house counsel) to develop relationships with trade associations and share their company's perspectives with policy makers. A former clerk to Justice Stevens, Golder shares pe

Do You Want To Be A GC? Taking The Next Step In The Legal Department: Julie Kinch And Deborah Solmor Ready Set GC (E45) Sep 18, 2024 2786 The General Counsel role is the brass ring in the in-house career. How do you know if you want it? In this episode, veteran GCs Julie Kinch and Deborah Solmor share their insights on the General Counsel role—what makes it unique compared to other in-house positions and how to know if it's right for you. They describe how the GC role is different than other in-house roles: It's more business an

C-Suite Series: How to Partner with the CIO and IT Sarah Richardson This Week Health (E44) Sep 10, 2024 2325 Are you tired of the friction between IT and Legal? In this episode of The Legal Department podcast, Sarah Richardson of This Week Health, shares her insights on what the CIO wants in a GC partner. Discover how IT and Legal can become strategic allies, collaborating on everything from cybersecurity to vendor negotiations. Learn about the importance of proactive communication, clear advice, and a s

NSFW? Emojis and The Legal Department: Eric Goldman Professor, University of Santa Clara School of Law (E43) Aug 27, 2024 2356 A "Thumbs Up" might seem like a harmless response to a text message, but it turns out it might not be so safe for work after all. In this episode, Professor Eric Goldman delves into the legal implications of emojis and how they can influence the outcome of a case. He offers valuable tips on handling discovery when emojis are critical evidence and explains why you should be cautious when expressing

C-Suite Series: What The CFO Wants In The Legal Department Kevin Rubin, CFO BetterUp (E42) Aug 20, 2024 2104 The CFO is one of the most important partners for the General Counsel. To maximize this relationship, legal teams must understand the CFO's priorities. In this C-suite conversation with Kevin Rubin, CFO of BetterUp, discover how in-house counsel can deliver tangible value to the finance function. Learn to position legal as a strategic partner, effectively communicate complex risk landscapes, and b

The Goldilocks Of Authentic Communication In The Legal Department: Dina Denham Smith, Cognitas Consulting (E41) Aug 13, 2024 2215 These days, we're expected to bring our "whole selves" to work, right? Well, not always. Leaders often find themselves in an "authenticity paradox" where they are expected to share just the "right" amount with their teams, peers and leadership. Executive Coach Dina Denham Smith says that this emotional labor is taxing on leaders, especially lawyers. This often unacknowledged labor takes its toll a

Level Up And Hold On: Leading The Legal Department Of A Start Up To IPO: Eric Lentell Archer Aviation (E40) Aug 6, 2024 2190 Hold on tight! The Legal Department is going on a wild ride of acquisitions, IPOs, and spinouts with Eric Lentell, General Counsel of Archer Aviation. At the start of Eric's legal career, the GC informed him that the company had been sold and he no longer had a job. Since that first role, he has ridden the roller coaster at companies like Fitbit, DISH Network, and Google, taking companies to IPO a

Level Up Your Negotiation Skills And Ask for More With Alex Carter Professor, Columbia Law School And Author Ask For More (E39) Jul 30, 2024 2751 Negotiation skills are fundamental for lawyers, but how many of us really know what it takes to get the most out of a mediation? Alex Carter, Professor and Director of the Mediation Center at Columbia Law School, mediator, and author of the Wall Street Journal bestselling book, "Ask for More," shares her insights on negotiation and how to succeed in mediation. Turns out, it's not just knowing you

What's Next: Career Transitions In The Legal Department - Michelle Banks Barker Gilmore (E38) Jul 23, 2024 2164 Michelle Banks has "been there, done that" in The Legal Department. The former General Counsel of The Gap led a global legal and compliance team for the largest specialty retailers in the U.S. Now, she's an executive coach, helping other in-house lawyers navigate their roles. In this conversation, Michelle shares advice on how to position yourself for a general counsel position if you haven't had

C-Suite Series: How to Move from The Legal Department into the Business: Michelle Johnson-Tidjani CAO, CommonSpirit Health (E37) Jul 16, 2024 2420 Tired of being "just a lawyer"? If you're thinking about moving from the legal department into a business role, this episode is for you. Michelle Johnson-Tidjani served for years as General Counsel of Henry Ford Health and before that at top healthcare companies such as The Cleveland Clinic and Tenet Healthcare. With a true passion for learning the business and supporting company objectives, Miche

C-Suite Series: How to Partner with the Chief Human Resources Officer/CHRO Jim Dunn LD Human Capital Consulting (E36) Jul 9, 2024 2133 Forget the stereotype of lawyers toiling away in isolation. Buckle up, legal eagles, because you're about to become strategic partners with the C-suite! This episode of C-Suite dives deep with Jim Dunn, CEO and President of LD Human Capital Consulting. Jim pulls back the curtain on the Chief Human Resources Officer role, offering a treasure trove of practical advice for the legal department to bec

Own Your Own Professional Development: Sapna Pandya Red Bull (E35) Jun 25, 2024 2175 Sapna Pandya is executive vice president and general counsel of Red Bull North America--one of the most iconic beverage companies. But the company is much more than that, covering media, events, marketing, and distribution. Pandya's team provides legal support for this complex business. In this episode, Sapna shares how to foster a culture of professional development in The Legal Department and wh

Level-Up Contracting In The Legal Department With Laura Fredrick (E34) Jun 18, 2024 2327 Contracting is the "meat and potatoes" of in-house practice, but sometimes it seems to lack sizzle, yet Laura Fredrick disagrees. She's so passionate about contracting that she founded How to Contract, a contract training business focused on helping lawyers and in-house contract teams learn real-world contracting skills. Laura is no stranger to in-house practice, having spent seven years leading T

Level-Up Ethics And Compliance By Putting People First: Jen Brewer, ActivisionBlizzard (E33) Jun 11, 2024 2561 Activision's Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer Jen Brewer is in The Legal Department to share her experience leading a global ethics and compliance function. An award-winning corporate governance and compliance professional, Jen led a cultural transformation at Activision Blizzard and engaged 140+ "heroes" in the company to promote a culture of openness, transparency, and listening. In this epis

Leading Teams In The Legal Department: Michele Mollkoy Cottage Health (E32) Jun 4, 2024 2195 From the first day of law school, you were trained to be the one with the answer, with little to no training about working on a team. But in the workforce, you should work with others, and as the saying goes, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." In this episode of The Legal Department, change management consultant Michele Mollkoy shares how curiosity, listen

Prioritize Happiness: Building Effective Outside Counsel Relationships: Tim Reimers Sheppard Mullin (E31) May 28, 2024 2069 Prioritize happiness is not the advice you'd expect from a real estate partner in Big Law. But Tim Reimers isn't In the average bear. In this episode of The Legal Department, we talk about how to build a mutually beneficial relationship with outside counsel and how in-house counsel and GC's can set the tone in deals to keep the team focused on the mission at hand. Above all, Tim underscores that r

How Big Law Is Helping Develop The Legal Department: Joe Glynias Husch Blackwell (E30) May 21, 2024 2351 ICYMI, there's a sea change happening at law firms. Progressive firms like Husch Blackwell are recognizing that law practice isn't a one-size-fits-all career. After noticing that colleagues who left the firm for in-house roles were unprepared or maybe didn't find the right fit, Glynias worked with the professional development team led by Sommer Bougie and in-house lawyers from the firm's clie

Show Me The Money: Understanding Incentive Compensation In The Legal Department: Eric Clark BCWM (E29) May 14, 2024 2218 Considering a job with Are you struggling to understand the difference between restricted stock, options and appreciation rights? How should you evaluate a compensation package that includes equity? It all comes down to risk tolerance and timing. Eric Clark, CEO of financial planning firm BCWM is in The Legal Department to demystify these and other common incentive compensation vehicles. A for

Using DEI To Level-Up The Legal Department: Valerie Portillo, Diversity Lab (E28) May 7, 2024 2190 Valerie Portillo leads the legal department and law firm integration at Diversity Lab, the organization that pioneered DEI for the legal profession. The Diversity Lab convened a hackathon of legal leaders at Stanford Law School, where the Mansfield Certification was developed. This framework has become "the" standard to measure diversity and inclusion at more than 300 law firms nationwide. In

How To Land A Seat On A Corporate Board: Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire 50/50 Women On Boards (E27) Apr 30, 2024 2195 In this jam-packed episode, Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire, President of 50/50 Women on Boards, pulls back the curtain on what it takes to land a seat on a corporate board. In a conversation tailored specifically for lawyers, Betsy discusses why lawyers need more than governance experience to serve on corporate boards. She shares why building a network of business contacts

What It Takes To Be A Good Lawyer In The Legal Department: Dana Lira Warner Brothers Discovery (E26) Apr 23, 2024 1862 The client's definition of “a good lawyer” is different than yours." "Harry Potter's Lawyer" in-house veteran Dana Lira SVP Legal at Warner Brothers Discovery shares tactics for being a good business partner and building relationships with clients. We talk about why communication is one of the hardest "soft skills" to master in-house and how you can grow your career by finding the white space in e

Leadership, Team Building, And Career Pivots In The Legal Department: Scott Becker Becker's Healthcare (E25) Apr 16, 2024 2366 Scott Becker created a massive media company while working as a lawyer. Over several decades, he and his CEO, Jessica Cole, built Becker's Healthcare, the largest media company focused solely on the healthcare industry. Today, with several daily newsletters, podcasts, conferences, and other events, Scott and Jessica develop an essential community for all healthcare business leaders. In this episod

Network Building Is Essential In The Legal Department: Michael Melcher, Author, Your Invisible Network (E24) Apr 9, 2024 2382 In this "how to" episode, Michael Melcher, executive coach and author of Your Invisible Network, is in The Legal Department to share strategies for building your network. Relationships are essential to career success and can be a source of joy and fulfillment in life. In Your Invisible Network, Michael says that "relationships are a form of wealth under your control." While sometimes the path to

How To Use Legal Operations To Level-Up The Legal Department: Mary O'Carroll Chief Community Officer Ironclad (E23) Apr 2, 2024 2264 If you’re a busy GC and you think you don’t have the time to think about legal operations, then you’re probably the very person who needs it the most. It’s a force multiplier that many GCs don’t know existed. On today's episode of The Legal Department Mary O'Carroll, former director of legal operations for Google, offers the "why" for GCs considering whether to invest in legal operations. Mary sha

6 Steps To Make Your Organization Cyber Safe And Future Proof With Dominique Shelton Leipzig, Mayer Brown (E22) Mar 26, 2024 2384 Are you overwhelmed with worry about looming cyber threats and feel like your organization is a sitting duck? Dominique Shelton Leipzig, a privacy and cybersecurity partner at Mayer Brown, and also one of the world's leading thought leaders in digital privacy and data governance is here to give you a plan of action. On today's episode, Dominique shares a 6-step action plan for how The Legal Depart

Intentional Professional Development In The Legal Department: Scott Westfahl, Director Harvard Law School Executive Education (E21) Mar 19, 2024 2222 Lawyers focus on developing technical skills and learning the law, but few of us spend much time on developing ourselves as leaders or cultivating a network. Scott Westfahl, Professor of Practice and Director of Executive Education at Harvard Law School, is here to tell you that technical skills are only one leg of the stool – to succeed in The Legal Department, lawyers must develop their leadersh

What The Legal Department Needs To Know About Appeals: M.C. Sungaila Appellate Specialist (E20) Mar 12, 2024 1993 Litigation management is meat and potatoes for most in-house legal departments, but it's a rare case that goes up on appeal. The stakes are higher in those cases, and you need expert counsel to help navigate the process. Appellate specialist M.C. Sungaila is in The Legal Department to tell you what you need to know. She has appeared before many state and federal appellate courts, including the U.S

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