The Legal Department (Stacy Bratcher)

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 been sitting on the sidelines waiting for an invite to an AI in-house party, this episode is for you.

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 and management and less lawyering and legal work. They share examples of the additional duties "as assigned," including what it's like to lead a cultural transformation.
• Why building your team and delegating is essential; and
• The different "soft skills" and communication needed to succeed.

But these skills aren't out of reach. Julie and Deborah are designing share a new program to help aspiring GCs. As a new GC, Deborah founded Ready Set GC, a professional development program aimed at helping women GCs succeed in the role and connect with peers in a safe, collaborative environment. Identifying a gap in the market for emerging in-house leaders (deputies, associate GCs, etc.), Ready Set GC is also developing the Ready Set DGC to GC Program to elevate the next generation of leaders.

If you’re considering the next step in your in-house career, this episode of The Legal Department is for you.

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, Michelle accumulated legal adjacent functions throughout her career, overseeing legal, compliance, risk, insurance, cyber, and government relations. She took that passion and experience and is leading administrative operations for one of the nation's largest health systems, CommonSpirit Health. Her bottom line advice--get close to the business, care about people, raise your hand to do more, and above all, bet on yourself.

Building relationships extends outside of The Legal Department. In this episode, legal recruiters Edina Beasley and Heather Fine of Major Lindsey & Africa take us behind the curtain to learn what companies are looking for in their next general counsel or chief legal officer. Heather and Edina share how to build a relationship with recruiters, how to position your LinkedIn profile to get noticed and how to answer tough questions during the recruiting process – including how to negotiate compensation.  

https://www.mlaglobal.com/en

It’s too easy in our profession to be a little too stuck in our identity as lawyers. But once we get outside the four walls of the legal department, who are we, really? Who are you going to be if you suddenly woke up tomorrow and you’re no longer a lawyer? In this episode from the Professional Development series, executive coach and leadership development consultant, Carol Fabrizio talks about finding identity outside the legal department. She shares insights on how to move away from achievement-based thinking to find greater satisfaction and fulfillment at work and in life. She also explains how a coaching relationship can give you a safe space to do introspection work and find out who you really are. Tune in for more!     

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 the role before, and how to build relationships and support the CEO and other leaders. We also talk about career transitions, building a portfolio career, and working through the fear of making a transition.

Antitrust is a highly technical area, but with increasing scrutiny from state and federal agencies, it’s an area that in-house counsel needs to know. In this in-depth episode, Antitrust expert Leigh Oliver of Clifford Chance breaks down four key areas for in-house counsel. Tune in and find out what should be on the "worry wall” in The Legal Department. 

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 to ensure successful tech implementation. Plus, hear his thoughts on AI in legal and why embracing this game-changing technology is crucial for staying ahead in the industry.

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 the board incorrect advice?

Get expert insights and practical strategies from Inside Counsel Academy to strengthen your in-house legal career.

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 former college baseball player, Eric shares his thoughts on managing risk and knowing when to swing for the fences in compensation decisions.

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. Supreme Court and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. M.C. also knows a lot about the bench after interviewing more than a hundred judges and justices for her award-winning podcast, The Portia Project. Listen through to the end to find out where you can get a "free" moot court exercise.

Do you want to level up your profile as a legal thought leader? Gain exposure and showcase your knowledge and experience by getting a speaking gig at a conference. If this sounds like a stretch goal, Nas Panwar, Chief Production Officer of the International Performance Management Institute, offers concrete tips to get you there. Nas has produced thousands of events, conferences, and expert panels in a variety of industries, including legal, compliance, privacy, human resources, IT, and many others. In this episode, Nas offers suggestions on elevating your professional profile and landing a speaking opportunity at various conferences. She also shares tips on making your session shine by learning how to become a great panelist and moderator.

On this episode of The Legal Department, Chris Weber, Managing General Counsel of the iconic McDonald's corporation underscores again why building strong relationships is crucial to success in-house. Whether he is navigating tough governance issues, working with board members, or advising on executive comp under the Golden Arches, Chris shows why fostering a state of trust at your company is an essential skill. For professional development and team building, he also recommends reflecting "in the moment" on what worked and where there are opportunities for improvement.

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 Department can help make organizations cyber safe and future proof. Dominique's passion for data leadership will motivate you to take action. A lifelong champion of women, Dominique also co-founded NxtWork, a non-profit helping women land corporate board seats.

“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 between good lawyers and truly great ones.

In this episode, Tracey shares how working with civil rights icon Elijah Cummings and her MMA training empowered her to give opinions as the first lawyer in a male-dominated combat sports company. She also discusses her transition from the racetrack to a year-long family journey around the world, and how she learned to take her hands "off the wheel."

If you're ready to elevate your legal advice and become an indispensable advisor, this episode is a must-listen.

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 enthusiasm with an emoji string. Welcome back to class.

Brandon Neal, Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of Walgreens Boots Alliance, shares his experience moving between industries, ultimately into an executive role in one of the largest global companies.  After working on Wall Street, Brandon transitioned into an in-house position at Wells Fargo where he led a team of 100 lawyers to develop “living wills” for the bank following the financial crisis.  He pivoted again to a health system and eventually landed an executive role in the legal department of Walgreens Boots Alliance right before the COVID-19 pandemic.  Brandon provides practical advice for how to succeed when making a transition, learning to “live with your decisions” in-house and why in-house counsel’s role is to “run into the fire.” Brandon credits his volunteer work on the board of a non-profit museum with expanding development of his leadership skills.  He also used this role to build relationships and broaden his technical governance experience.  If you’ve ever wondered how to navigate a career transition, this is the episode for you!

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 to answer the tough questions like “tell me about yourself,” without talking too much, and what the C-suite is looking for in their next general counsel. Don’t miss this great nuts and bolts episode!

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 LinkedIn profiles to showcasing relevant industry expertise. In the Office Hours segment, Candace offers actionable advice for navigating career development roadblocks, especially when working under a boss who may be holding you back. Whether you’re a deputy looking to grow or an in-house counsel aspiring for the top, this episode is packed with insights tailored to your journey.

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 business, and why asking questions is crucial to demonstrating a genuine interest in the business. We also discuss what CEOs look for in prospective board members. This is a must-listen conversation you won't want to miss.

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 client base to develop a program to help its own attorneys explore in-house careers.  The firm estimates that 42% of its business comes through in-house alumni.  But the business case wasn't the "why" for creating this program, Joe and Husch Blackwell have a passion for developing attorneys. 

In this episode, we'll explore this innovative program and how its triple aim benefits firm lawyers, the firm, and ultimately, their clients. Joe also shares his thoughts on how to build a relationship with outside counsel that is mutually beneficial for the client and the firm.  It all comes down to communication and using the Golden Rule in your relationships.

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 has since been in sales for more than 14 years. A rare breed who understands what drives sales people and what makes lawyers tick, Alex helps us understand how to serve this important part of the business.

Bonus: Alex answers an Office Hours question for a law firm partner trying to build their book of business.

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 shared understanding of the business. Plus, hear Sarah's personal story of navigating a challenging situation involving a vendor-imposed solution. Don't miss this episode for valuable tips on building a stronger partnership between IT and Legal.

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 episode, she talks about how to build trust after crisis, how to work with diverse teams, and do the right thing for the culture and the company. She shares why patience, understanding, and listening are key ingredients to a functional culture and why transparency is the new imperative in investigations. And like Sia, Jen is "Unstoppable" facing any challenge.

It is quite the leap to go from in-house counsel to the board of directors. The transferable skills are definitely there, but there are governance essentials you have to practically learn on the job. We talk about this fascinating topic with today’s guest. Lisa Hatton Harrington has been Corporate Secretary and Chief Legal Officer to global, publicly traded companies, privately held companies and is on the board of directors of public companies, private companies and several non-profits. In this episode, she shares governance essentials for The Legal Department and also offers tips for landing your first board seat. Tune in!

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 fostering a collaborative team environment. Learn how to effectively delegate stretch projects, provide growth opportunities, and become a supportive leader your team can rely on. Her mantra, “Don’t say no, ask how,” is bound to become your go-to in-house tagline for leading a successful and motivated legal team. Don’t miss out on these game-changing insights for building a thriving in-house legal department!

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, listening, and self-awareness are crucial for lawyers leading teams. Whether you're the leader or a team member, you need to be curious about others on your team, what motivates them, and how to align team strengths to department goals. It's good to be curious about what's important to the boss. Tune in to this episode for insights on moving from an individual contributor to a team leader.

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 your nerves. Intelligent, creative, and passionate, Chris shares his insights on how to best position your company to defend class action lawsuits and how an arbitration agreement can be your best shakedown repellent. From choosing defense counsel to selecting a claims administrator, Chris shares what you need to know to steady the ship.

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 exploring a new area.

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 journey, from her early days in government to her current leadership role. She offers advice on cultivating curiosity, the importance of building strong relationships in the legal field, and why your first job doesn't have to define your career path. Tune in for valuable perspectives and inspiration for lawyers at all stages of their careers.

Jeannine Taylor of Keck Medicine of USC shares her journey into a senior leadership position at a top 20 academic medical center in this episode of The Legal Department podcast. While leading the legal team at a $3 billion health system, Jeannine also serves as president of the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, California's largest women's bar association. Her leadership development in the legal department showed how she values the feedback from her team, which paved her growth. Jeannine also touches on coaching, retreat sessions, techniques, and experiences she walked through with her coach. Join Jeannine Taylor in this captivating episode and be an inspired woman to stand in a leadership position today.

Detroit Lions Senior Vice President and General Counsel Maggy Carlyle shares how she started her career in sports and landed an internship with the Kansas City Chiefs during the financial crisis and roles at the San Jose Sharks, PAC 12 Conference, and the San Francisco 49ers. She shares what it means to be a sports lawyer, her day-to-day as a senior legal executive of an NFL team, and how to demonstrate ROI of your legal department. She also offers tips for The Legal Department on what to do when Taylor Swift comes to your stadium. 

Employment law matters, especially #metoo complaints and investigations are meat and potatoes for an in-house attorney. In this episode, veteran employment lawyer Allison West shares the fundamentals of workplace investigations. She provides best practices for engaging investigators including how to avoid legal traps, ensuring independence and maintaining credibility throughout the process. Allison is an investigator, trainer, and coach who has conducted workplace investigations and harassment prevention training for major corporations, including CBS and their 60 Minutes franchise. She is a national speaker who has appeared on CBS This Morning with Gayle King and Nora O'Donnell. Tune in as she breaks down the legal department fundamentals of #metoo and other employment law concerns.

What do you do when a crisis hits your organization? Anne Marie Malecha, CEO of crisis communications firm Dezenhall Resources, shares tips on how to survive. Starting from aligning internally on the key objectives and using those as a north star to align legal and comms to weather the storm. Anne Marie provides concrete advice on establishing crisis objectives, a communications protocol, setting up engagements and also paying attention to self-care in the heat of battle. You won't want to miss this engaging conversation!

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, Janet explores the 5 domains of wellness, how to manage expectations, the importance of regular check-ins to balance your well-being, and why lawyer assistance programs go beyond substance abuse. She also introduces a powerful tool designed to provide essential legal wellness resources. Janet’s warmth and expertise make this conversation both insightful and encouraging—you won’t want to miss her inspiring journey toward improving legal wellness for lawyers like you.

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 episode, hear how Scott built Becker's by doubling down on his passion and motivation for team building and developing people. He shares why having incredible people skills and being a warm and nice person is essential for all leaders. He talks about moving away from the "traditional" law firm partner approach towards a place of generosity, sharing opportunities with his team, and giving credit to those who do the work. You won't want to miss this engaging conversation.

Joe Schohl set out to become a public company GC before turning 40. He wrote this goal on a piece of paper and carried it in his pocket until he landed a General Counsel role at the nation's largest dialysis provider, Davita, at age 34. He later became Chief Legal Officer of Radiology Partners and also founded the health law firm General Counsel West, where he currently serves as Chairman. A lifelong learner, Joe recently became an ICF-certified executive coach. In this episode, he shares his journey into his first general counsel role and the lessons he learned along the way. Inspired by his LinkedIn Post "7 Things I Did to Become a General Counsel," this episode offers concrete advice for attorneys aspiring to the lead in-house role.

Deborah Solmor worked as a litigator at Skadden Arps and later as deputy general counsel and chief compliance officer of a public company. Despite these 20+ years of legal experience, the General Counsel role was "like nothing I had done in my career." Finding few resources for women lawyers new in their GC role, Deborah took the unlikely step of building an educational program tailor-made for women GCs and created "Ready Set GC." Ready Set GC is dedicated to supporting women in their early careers as General Counsel. They provide support, professional development, and a community to help these women reach their full potential. They do this through programs and community-building opportunities in cities across the country. Tune in to learn more about how Deborah and Ready Set GC are helping the next generation of legal leaders. 

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 your bottom line. Her brilliant 10 questions from Ask for More can help lawyers avoid a "one car accident" and get more for their clients and in their careers.

She shares practical, actionable advice for succeeding in mediation, including the key steps of doing your homework and identifying the problem you're trying to solve before you enter the room.

She also offers tips for finding the right mediator to resolve your case, preparing for mediation, and the magic that can occur from joint sessions.

Finally, we talk about career growth--how to think broadly about what you want and why it's important to "ask for more" at work.

Her beautifully written book, Ask for More, is a must-read. With 10 simple questions, Alex shows us how we can find the "more" in business, law, and life.

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 Tesla's contracting function, in addition to roles at other companies. These experiences honed her business skills, and she learned how the contracting process helps advance business goals. In this episode, Laura shares practical tips for managing risk in the contracting process and delivering value to the business and coaches me on how to get "pumped up" about contracting. She also grew her business almost entirely through posting on LinkedIn--every day for almost four years. She may not have a pump-up song, but her passion for contracting makes this a "must-listen" episode.

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 most important to learn and connect in the initial months in a role and how to build a relationship with a new CEO. As an added bonus, Michael also shares his thoughts about artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential and perils for our culture and how lawyers can help companies navigate ethical use of this transformational technology.

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 relationships matter and that building the team is what it's all about. If you do these things, you'll avoid "big misses" in real estate matters and elsewhere in The Legal Department.

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 productivity and create a more efficient workflow in the legal department. Tune in for advice you can apply immediately to transform your daily routine.

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 is an essential asset for your board search, why lawyers need to develop a specialty in an area that companies want, and how to talk to people in your network about your interest in board opportunities.

Betsy has devoted much of her career to helping women advance in their profession and into the boardroom. This episode is a “must listen” for anyone seeking a place in the board room. Check out 50/50 Women on Boards and their amazing educational events for aspiring board members.

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 this episode, we dive into the Mansfield Certification and how to engage with law firms on staffing and advancement for all attorneys. However, DEI is more than a buzzword. In this conversation, the components of a DEI program are good business. By prioritizing transparency, broadening the playing field for stretch projects, and being intentional about work assignments, the General Counsel and other in-house leaders deliver a better working environment and a better bottom line. And it's no coincidence that Valerie's pump-up song is "Level Up" by Ciara.

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 success is not always so clear, building and leveraging your network is something you can do to level-up. Tune in to learn how you to develop your network, build relationships and use your own network to be a "benefactor" and help others. 

A lot has changed in the general counsel role in the past few decades. In today’s day and age, in-house lawyers have to learn how to establish human connection with the people they’re dealing with. Unfortunately, there is a serious lack of training in people skills in both law school and even in legal practice. That needs to change. In this episode of The Legal Department, Aarash Darroodi, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the iconic American company, Fender Instruments, explains why the ability to connect with people is essential for lawyers, especially for those in in-house roles. He also discusses why growth is essential for all in-house roles, how outside counsel can "Build a Rain Machine" for business development, and more. Tune in and learn all about one of the biggest predictors of in-house counsel success in our age!

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 why growing in your career takes more than being great at your role. She also describes how to create a strategic plan for your legal department in a way that encourages ownership and development of the team. This episode has Wiings.

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 shares the six key metrics all GCs should track to demonstrate the value of the legal department and how to use legal operations to level-up The Legal Department and deliver more value to your organization. Mary was also a co-founder of the Corporate Legal Operations Consortium, the largest organization of legal operations professionals. CLOC provides in-depth resources for legal operations, including the CLOC Core 12 framework to help you explain "what is legal operations?" to your CFO. Tune in and learn a ton from her insights!

It can seem like a sleepy topic, until it isn't. Insurance is an asset that all organizations need, so it is incumbent on in-house attorneys to understand insurance fundamentals. In today's episode of The Legal Department, insurance specialist Jacque Burke from Cooley LLP breaks down the basics of insurance with Stacy Bratcher, as well as what in-house attorneys need to know to protect and optimize this essential asset.

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 The Legal Department and how interim talent can help you keep your head above water. Elizabeth and Michael lead interim placements for MLA and have seen hundreds of legal teams. They share best practices for onboarding, how temporary help refreshes a legal team and brings a consultant's mindset to the department, and how interim work can be an on-ramp to an in-house career. If you're feeling overwhelmed and need an extra set of hands, this episode is for you.

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 briefs with hallucinated, made-up cases. In this episode, Alex Alben, a two-time tech GC and the former Chief Privacy Officer of the state of Washington, helps us understand how AI tools can be used responsibly in litigation. He also shares how in-house counsel can ensure law firms are using them appropriately and provides clues for identifying AI-generated content before it's filed.

Alex also discusses how law firms can use their own data to evaluate performance in different courts, assess the effectiveness of arguments, and more. He suggests firms "mine their own data" and consider hiring a data scientist to access this untapped resource.

Tune in to hear about the potential for AI to improve litigation outcomes.

Artificial Intelligence has undeniably transformed so much of how we do things that we can only conclude it is here to stay. For the legal profession, this means it is only a matter of time, if you haven’t already, for us to confront and accept this added dimension to our work. Our guest in this episode already foresees that every lawyer will someday become an AI lawyer. Alya Sulaiman of McDermott Will & Emery joins Stacy Bratcher to give us the basics of AI, demystifying this technology that is shaking up our lives. Alya is one of the legal thought leaders in artificial intelligence. She breaks down AI for in-house counsel as well as other ways that AI can help you in your legal department. Showing the ropes of how AI shows up, especially in healthcare, Alya then tackles privacy and data stewardship obligations as well as liability frameworks that lawyers must take into consideration. The legal profession may have gotten quite complex with the advent of this new technology, but it holds promise for the necessity of what we do. Tune in as Alya takes us deeper into the intersection of AI and law.

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 these challenges and more.

Whether your company is large or small, your budget is limited, or your legal technology is basic, this episode delivers practical tips to streamline litigation management and boost efficiency. Don’t miss it!

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 and through other major transitions. In his current role, Eric is leading legal and government affairs for an electric airplane company that is disrupting the established and highly regulated aviation industry.

In this episode, you'll learn Eric's suggestions for selecting and managing outside counsel for "bet the company" litigation and M&A, how to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, and how to vet opportunities to join the legal department of a start-up. Eric's energy and passion are sure to get you pumped up.

Optimal performance in The Legal Department requires optimal health and wellness. In this bonus episode, health and wellness expert Jenn Zerling shares the five anchors for optimal health. Known as the "JZ High Five," these five steps will help you level up at work and in life. You should have a strong foundation of optimal health and avoid gambling with the disease. Nutrition, Hydration, Fitness, Sleep, and Management are the five areas you need to look at for optimal health. Be sure to listen to the bonus episode for a deeper dive into each anchor of the JZ High Five. Jenn's insights could provide valuable tools and strategies to elevate your health and well-being at work and in all aspects of your life.

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 perspectives on the court and what it was like to get feedback from Stevens' beach reads.

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 and often appears as frustration, short temperedness or lashing out--not leveling-up behaviors! In this episode of The Legal Department, Dina shares how leaders can offload some of this labor and stay true to core values (and get the work done). If you're feeling overwhelmed by keeping a smile on your face during a shitstorm, this episode will give you some tools to steady the ship.

As digital communications become more advanced and complicated, protecting confidential information and documents also becomes a more complex process to accomplish. In this in-house fundamentals episode, litigation partner Diana Feinstein of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher breaks down what you need to know to protect the attorney-client privilege in your in-house Legal Department. She shares concrete tips on setting up the stage for confidential communications, especially when outside counsel is not directly involved.

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 legal teams to embrace creativity and thrive. Tune in for insights on transforming your legal department’s culture and approach.

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 want people to like them. This is counterproductive. This episode provides concrete suggestions for making a feedback conversation something that helps both parties improve and build a better relationship.

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 build a compelling case for increased legal resources. Rubin underscores the CFO's desire for legal counsel who provides sound advice and offers strategic insights and decisive recommendations. He also shares some tips for maximizing your success at budget time.

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 become the CHRO's ultimate wingman. Jim's book, "101 Lessons in Leading with Laughter," teaches us how humor can be a leader's superpower. Plus, his recent Newsweek article champions trust as the cornerstone of any healthy business culture. Be ready to unlock the powerhouse partnership and join Jim Dunn to take your legal game to the next level.

Success isn't just about winning cases; it's finding fulfillment, breaking free from the legal box, and having the courage to trust yourself. Today's guest is Glenn Llopis, executive coach, Forbes contributor, best-selling author and former talent scout for Love Connection. He discusses breaking free from professional constraints and unleashing your true potential. As he shares his story, he shows the significance of self-awareness and the courage to challenge societal norms. Glenn emphasizes the need for professionals, particularly those in the legal field, to break free from the standardized mold and embrace their individuality. Throughout the episode, Glenn shares a powerful reflection on success versus significance, challenging listeners to redefine their personal and professional goals. Tune in now and learn how to live your life with your mind and your heart. 

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 leadership skills and build relationships. And of course, we must invest in developing our teams. Scott shares concrete, practical tips on how to do this. If you can't make it to Cambridge for the Harvard corporate counsel program, this episode is a sample of the great content it offers.