Shows
The Legal DepartmentACC Replay: The Influential Counsel: Mastering Personal Branding In The Corporate World [E83]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 network. Whether you're climbing the ladder or looking to lead from where you are, this session will help you position yourself for influence and opportunity. Topics:Why Influence MattersWhy personal brand and internal influence are str...
2025-12-1652 min
The Legal DepartmentEscape From Meeting Hell: Run Better Meetings With Anita Kishore, Executive Coach [E82]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 to make any meeting a hit. From project meetings, all-hands, staff meetings or 1:1s, Anita shares strategies for how to maximize effectiveness of any meeting.In this episode, you'll learn:...
2025-11-2327 min
The Legal DepartmentDo This Before You Spend $$$ on Legal Tech With Lyndsey Cain Of LegalEng [E79]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 tips on vendor engagement, negotiating those implementation services, and how to navigate tech updates.
2025-11-0435 min
The Legal DepartmentOffice Hours: How To Get Your First GC Job With Leah Huddleston And Candace Jackson [E81]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 explain why a GC must truly know the business inside out and why they sometimes need to act as ethical supervisors. They also discuss how GCs can develop an executive presence and how they must handle the leadership development of...
2025-10-2138 min
Reputation NationMedia Strategy, Missteps, & Reputational FalloutReputation Nation hosts Anne Marie Malecha and Stacy Bratcher examine high stakes litigation through the Blake Lively v. Justin Baldoni case, exploring the critical relationship between legal strategy and crisis communications when every filing makes headlines and every statement goes viral. They break down why "no comment" is never neutral, crisis management as a containment discipline and the use of litigation websites as strategic first-strike tools to frame narratives. The episode covers the pressure to speak versus the benefits of staying quiet, publicity for different stakeholder types and practical advice on vetting crisis firms. Episode 5. Lively v. B...
2025-10-1623 min
The Legal DepartmentClosed 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]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 successful in showing her team's value (and their resource needs), her clients actually donated their own headcount to the legal department so she could serve them better. Se...
2025-10-0745 min
Reputation NationGovernance, Board Resignations, and Crisis Comms Lessons from 23andMeIn this episode of Reputation Nation, Anne Marie Malecha and Stacy Bratcher dive into how 23andMe’s breach escalated into a governance and trust crisis, including mass board resignations, founder dynamics, and a communications response that blamed users and arrived late on key safeguards like multifactor authentication (MFA). The hosts explain why a $30M class action is small next to the brand’s reputational debt, how boards should manage fiduciary duties under pressure, and what “do no harm” looks like in the first 24 hours of a crisis. The conversation closes with a practical Fast Four on accountability, legal realities in bankru...
2025-10-0221 min
Reputation Nation23andMe's Data Breach, Legal, Privacy, and Reputational Fallout with Alya SulaimanIn this episode, the conversation delves into the legal and crisis management challenges faced by 23andMe following a significant data breach. The discussion highlights the importance of trust, governance, and effective communication strategies in managing crises, particularly in sectors dealing with sensitive personal data. The Reputation Nation hosts, Anne Marie Malecha and Stacy Bratcher, bring in data privacy attorney Alya Sulaiman to analyze the implications of the breach, the company's response, and the lessons learned for future crisis management. Episode 2. 23andMe.
2025-10-0240 min
Reputation NationData Rights, Oversight & Founder Control in 23andMeThis episode dissects how 23andMe’s data breach spiraled into a governance and trust crisis: board resignations, founder buyback optics amid bankruptcy, and a public response that blamed users. Hosts Anne Marie Malecha and Stacy Bratcher detail why entity-based health privacy expectations collided with a consumer retail DNA product, how directors’ fiduciary duties and D&O coverage factor into risk, and why the first 24 hours require empathy, precision, and audience segmentation. The Fast Four closes with clear, memorable guardrails for leaders handling high-sensitivity data. Episode 1. 23andMe.
2025-10-0219 min
The Legal DepartmentLeveling Up: My Conversation With Alex Su And Candice Reed On Leveraging Latitude Podcast [E78]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 for success. She also reveals two fun facts about herself and the pump-up songs that keep her going. This episode first appeared on Leveraging Latitude: Cultivating a Full Life in the Law, a podcast by L...
2025-09-2336 min
The Portia ProjectStacy BratcherStacy Bratcher, General Counsel of Cottage Health, and now host of the acclaimed The Legal Department podcast, in conversation with host M.C. Sungaila, shares her journey to in-house leadership and dives into the role of bar associations in shaping professional connections, skills development, and career advancement. She also discusses the pivotal role played by general counsel in organizations. Tune in to be inspired.
2025-09-1551 min
The Legal DepartmentMake Your Legal Department A Revenue Generator With Greg McPolin And Andrew Johnstone [E77]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 Capital to share the "how" and "why" of building an affirmative recovery program in your in-house legal department. If you're not pursuing affirmative claims for your company, you're leaving money on the table. Tune in...
2025-09-0942 min
The Legal DepartmentNo 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)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 include: How to deal with confidentiality and attorney client privilege with AI toolsPractical, step-by-step suggestions for drafting prompts for different tasksAI use-cases for in-house lawyersHow to navigate e-discovery ...
2025-08-2640 min
The Legal DepartmentDireito Sem Fronteiras: Building A Global Legal Career With Juliana Calil (E75)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 practice in the US and eventually taking that experience back to Brazil. As Juliana shares, working internationally takes more than being bilingual. She shares how many of the in-house fundamentals are still key in international roles...
2025-08-1132 min
The Legal DepartmentOffice 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)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 "HB In-House" program, including some hot takes about what it is like to be in-house counsel. Got a burning question for Office Hours? Reach out at hello@legaldepartmentpod.c...
2025-08-0551 min
The Legal DepartmentWhat Would The CEO Do? The Start-Up GC’s Mindset With Jonathan Levy, Y Combinator (E73)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 your opinions (and attitude) in check and not letter fears of what might go wrong prevent you from seeing what might go right. YC is also seeding several legal tech companies–Jona...
2025-07-2237 min
The Legal DepartmentFrom The Legal Department Into The Board Room With Jeanine Wright Former GC, Tech Founder & 5x Board Member [E72]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 things board members want in their lawyers. Jeanine also shares her journey from legal into business roles and the practical advice that helped her reach the board room and offers advice on how...
2025-07-0837 min
The Legal Department“Your Job is Not to Redline!” Innovation and The Legal Department Mick Ebeling, Founder & CEO Not Impossible LabsIf 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 the joy of music to the deafHelped a paralyzed artist draw againProvide affordable, ongoing access to prosthetics for those most in need, and off-the-grid, in war-torn South Sudan.Connect the h...
2025-06-2432 min
The Legal DepartmentUse Your Voice And Build Influence With Kelley Barnett Of AmTrust Financial (E70)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 leave, which also helped her build influence inside her organization and out.Kelley and Stacy share tips for making time for career development activities outside of...
2025-06-1037 min
The Legal DepartmentLegal Department Compensation REVEALED! John Gilmore, CEO Barker GilmoreCurious 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 pulls back the curtain on compensation trends and how GC compensation benchmarks against other roles. He also shares strategies for negotiating compensation and how to nail tough interview questions about comp and other topics.
2025-05-2741 min
The Legal DepartmentOffice Hours: 3 GC's Answer Your Burning Questions Sterling Miller And Deborah Solmor (E68)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 and Sterling also tackle a sticky political issue in the c-suite.If you have an Office Hours question, please contact The Legal Department at hello@legaldepartmentpod.c...
2025-05-1343 min
The Legal DepartmentLawyer Math, Truffle Sniffing And Other Lessons From Litigation Finance Eva Shang, Co-founder & CEO, Legalist (E67)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 litigation funding. Legalist, the company she co-founded with Christian Haigh at Y Combinator, now manages $1.5 billion in alternative investments in litigation funding, bankruptcy, and government receivables. In this episode, Eva, now the firm's CEO, shares h...
2025-04-2936 min
The Legal DepartmentCreating An Inclusive Legal Department: Tricia Montalvo Timm, Board Member, Former GC & Author Of Embrace The Power Of You, Owning Your Identity At WorkTricia 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 allowed her true identity to shine through. A natural leader, Tricia started the company's diversity and inclusion program, serving as its executive sponsor. After leading a $2.6 billion transaction to...
2025-04-1537 min
The Legal DepartmentTalk The Talk: How To Communicate With Sales And Drive Results + Office Hours With Alex Su, Chief Revenue Officer, Latitude Legal (E65)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 t...
2025-04-0138 min
Becoming the GCWhat It Takes To Embrace A Leadership Role With Stacy BratcherEmbracing any leadership role requires not only the necessary skills or knowledge. It is also about taking initiative, building relationships, and driving actual results. Joseph Schohl welcomes Stacy Bratcher, Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer at Cottage Health, to discuss her journey from private practice to leading a legal team of a billion-dollar health system. She shares how she navigated career transitions, handled challenges with leading, and built a reputation for getting things done. Stacy also reveals the key habits that set her apart from other general counsels, including her approach to time management, decision-making, and team development...
2025-03-2631 min
The Legal DepartmentAI in Litigation Alex Alben UCLA Law School, 2x Tech GC and Former Chief Privacy Officer of WashingtonAI 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...
2025-03-1838 min
Leveraging Latitude: Cultivating a Full Life in the LawLeveling Up In-House: Leadership, Strategy, and Professional DevelopmentLeveraging Latitude hosts Candice Reed and Alex Su sit down with Stacy Bratcher, Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer at Cottage Health. Stacy shares her journey from law firm associate to in-house leader, offers actionable advice on aligning legal goals with business objectives, and emphasizes the importance of professional development. Learn how to build strategic partnerships, position legal departments as value-driven business units, and identify growth opportunities within your organization.Interested in more from Stacy Bratcher? Tune in to her podcast The Legal Department, which delivers advice on what busy in-house lawyers need to know to...
2025-03-0443 min
The Legal DepartmentThe "F" Word: Feedback in The Legal Department Hanna Hart Executive Coach and Forbes ContributorDo 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.
2025-03-0444 min
The Legal DepartmentExecutive Presence In The Legal Department Joe Schohl Inside Counsel Academy And 2x Public Company GC (E62)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.
2025-02-1834 min
The Legal DepartmentDeputies: From DGC To GC + Office Hours With Candace Jackson, SVP And General Counsel, Silvaco (E61)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 yo...
2025-02-0439 min
The Legal DepartmentC-Suite Series: What The CEO Wants In The Legal Department With Evan Wong, CEO CheckboxThe 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...
2025-01-2838 min
The Legal DepartmentBrass Tacks Of Litigation Management: Adwoa Ghartey-Tagoe Seymour, VP Litigation, Albertsons Companies (E59)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...
2025-01-1435 min
The Legal DepartmentBonus Episode: Personal Jurisdiction Replay With Allison Freedman And Hallie Ritzu (E58)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...
2025-01-0152 min
The Legal DepartmentShake Down Repellent: How To Survive A Class Action Lawsuit Chris Chorba, Co-Chair Class Actions Practice Group, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher (E57)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...
2024-12-1744 min
The Legal DepartmentThe "Why" And "How" Of Delegating With Elizabeth Smith And Michael Albino Of Major, Lindsey & Africa (E56)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 o...
2024-12-1039 min
The Legal DepartmentMore Than Just OK: Great Lawyers Give Opinions - Tracey Lesetar-Smith TLSK Advisory, Former NASCAR GC (E55)“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...
2024-12-0444 min
The Legal DepartmentAI for the Legal Department: Laura Jeffords Greenberg, Senior Legal Director Worksome and Legal AI Consultant (E54)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.
2024-11-2038 min
The Legal DepartmentThe First 90 Days In The Legal Department: Michael Watkins, Executive Coach, Professor & Author Of The First 90 Days (E53)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 ar...
2024-11-1243 min
The Legal DepartmentFlirting with AI and Tech In The Legal Department Ari Kaplan Ari Kaplan Advisors (E52)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.
2024-11-0543 min
Personal JurisdictionLet's Get Personal with Stacy Rummel Bratcher, Chief Legal Officer at Cottage Health and Host of The Legal Department PodcastStacy Rummel Bratcher is the Chief Legal Officer at Cottage Health in California, where she has worked for over four years. Prior to joining Cottage Health, Stacy held many in-house roles during her nearly fifteen years at the University of Southern California. Stacy started her legal career at Hooper, Lundy & Bookman, PC (in Los Angeles), the nation's largest healthcare firm. Stacy hosts The Legal Department Podcast, a show aimed at in-house practitioners, where they can get real world advice from leading legal executives, executive coaches, and other thought leaders on how to grow their careers and deliver m...
2024-11-0551 min
The Legal DepartmentHow To Be Productive In The Legal Department: Sterling Miller CEO Hilgers Graben 6x Author (E51)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.
2024-10-2941 min
The Legal DepartmentWhy We Need Creativity In The Legal Department – Anne Jacoby, CEO Of Spring Street And Author Of Born To Create (E50)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.
2024-10-2234 min
The Legal DepartmentDeputies: How To Position Yourself For A GC Role With Brittney McDonough, BarkerGilmore (E49)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!
2024-10-1542 min
The Legal DepartmentDon't Say "No" Ask How: Developing a Team in The Legal Department Kate Dugan Energizer (E48)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 taglin...
2024-10-0841 min
The Legal DepartmentWellness In The Legal Department: Janet Thompson Jackson, CEO Paraplu Wellness And Founder Of The Well-Law App (E47)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 p...
2024-10-0143 min
The Legal DepartmentHow To Build An Advocacy Practice In The Legal Department: Chad Golder General Counsel, The American Hospital Association (E46)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.
2024-09-2437 min
The Legal DepartmentDo You Want To Be A GC? Taking The Next Step In The Legal Department: Julie Kinch And Deborah Solmor Ready Set GC (E45)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 le...
2024-09-1846 min
The Legal DepartmentC-Suite Series: How to Partner with the CIO and IT Sarah Richardson This Week Health (E44)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.
2024-09-1038 min
The Legal DepartmentNSFW? Emojis and The Legal Department: Eric Goldman Professor, University of Santa Clara School of Law (E43)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.
2024-08-2739 min
The Legal DepartmentC-Suite Series: What The CFO Wants In The Legal Department Kevin Rubin, CFO BetterUp (E42)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.
2024-08-2035 min
The Legal DepartmentThe Goldilocks Of Authentic Communication In The Legal Department: Dina Denham Smith, Cognitas Consulting (E41)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...
2024-08-1336 min
The Legal DepartmentLevel Up And Hold On: Leading The Legal Department Of A Start Up To IPO: Eric Lentell Archer Aviation (E40)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...
2024-08-0636 min
The Legal DepartmentLevel Up Your Negotiation Skills And Ask for More With Alex Carter Professor, Columbia Law School And Author Ask For More (E39)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. ...
2024-07-3045 min
The Legal DepartmentWhat's Next: Career Transitions In The Legal Department - Michelle Banks Barker Gilmore (E38)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...
2024-07-2336 min
Legal LeadersEP 10: Stacy Bratcher - Chief Legal Officer at Cottage HealthStacy Bratcher is the chief legal officer of Cottage Health, one of the largest healthcare providers in California. She has over 20 years of experience in the field of healthcare law.
Stacy’s path to success in the legal world of healthcare started when she worked on healthcare policy in college. From there, she’s held positions at law firms, USC, and most recently Cottage Health.
She also has a podcast called ‘The Legal Department’ where she holds discussions with in-house lawyers about topics ranging from employment law, to leadership, and executive recruiting. You can check out her show here: www.thel...
2024-07-1843 min
The Legal DepartmentC-Suite Series: How to Move from The Legal Department into the Business: Michelle Johnson-Tidjani CAO, CommonSpirit Health (E37)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...
2024-07-1640 min
The Legal DepartmentC-Suite Series: How to Partner with the Chief Human Resources Officer/CHRO Jim Dunn LD Human Capital Consulting (E36)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...
2024-07-0935 min
The Legal DepartmentOwn Your Own Professional Development: Sapna Pandya Red Bull (E35)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...
2024-06-2536 min
The Legal DepartmentLevel-Up Contracting In The Legal Department With Laura Fredrick (E34)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...
2024-06-1838 min
The Legal DepartmentLevel-Up Ethics And Compliance By Putting People First: Jen Brewer, ActivisionBlizzard (E33)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...
2024-06-1142 min
Accelerate Your VisionEpisode 138: Connecting Through Podcasting with Stacy BratcherStacy Bratcher is a senior vice president and chief legal officer of a large health system headquartered in Santa Barbara. She's also the host of The Legal Department podcast. Not only does Stacy share great podcasting tips for anyone interested in starting their own podcast, but she has a pretty unique take on how podcasts create connection.
2024-06-1035 minAccelerate Your VisionEpisode 138: Connecting Through Podcasting with Stacy BratcherStacy Bratcher is a senior vice president and chief legal officer of a large health system headquartered in Santa Barbara. She’s also the host of The Legal Department podcast. Not only does Stacy share great podcasting tips for anyone interested in starting their own podcast, but she has a pretty unique take on how podcasts create connection.
2024-06-1035 min
The Legal DepartmentLeading Teams In The Legal Department: Michele Mollkoy Cottage Health (E32)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 o...
2024-06-0436 min
The Legal DepartmentPrioritize Happiness: Building Effective Outside Counsel Relationships: Tim Reimers Sheppard Mullin (E31)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...
2024-05-2834 min
The Legal DepartmentHow Big Law Is Helping Develop The Legal Department: Joe Glynias Husch Blackwell (E30)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 Black...
2024-05-2139 min
The Legal DepartmentShow Me The Money: Understanding Incentive Compensation In The Legal Department: Eric Clark BCWM (E29)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.
2024-05-1436 min
The Legal DepartmentUsing DEI To Level-Up The Legal Department: Valerie Portillo, Diversity Lab (E28)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...
2024-05-0736 min
The Legal DepartmentHow To Land A Seat On A Corporate Board: Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire 50/50 Women On Boards (E27)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...
2024-04-3036 min
The Legal DepartmentWhat It Takes To Be A Good Lawyer In The Legal Department: Dana Lira Warner Brothers Discovery (E26)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.
2024-04-2331 min
The Legal DepartmentLeadership, Team Building, And Career Pivots In The Legal Department: Scott Becker Becker's Healthcare (E25)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...
2024-04-1639 min
The Legal DepartmentNetwork Building Is Essential In The Legal Department: Michael Melcher, Author, Your Invisible Network (E24)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...
2024-04-0939 min
The Legal DepartmentHow To Use Legal Operations To Level-Up The Legal Department: Mary O'Carroll Chief Community Officer Ironclad (E23)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 Depa...
2024-04-0237 min
The Legal Department6 Steps To Make Your Organization Cyber Safe And Future Proof With Dominique Shelton Leipzig, Mayer Brown (E22)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...
2024-03-2639 min
The Legal DepartmentIntentional Professional Development In The Legal Department: Scott Westfahl, Director Harvard Law School Executive Education (E21)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 Ha...
2024-03-1937 min
The Legal DepartmentWhat The Legal Department Needs To Know About Appeals: M.C. Sungaila Appellate Specialist (E20)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 a...
2024-03-1233 min
The Legal DepartmentGovernance And Executive Comp Under The Golden Arches: Why Relationships Matter In The Legal Department With Chris Weber Of McDonald's (E19)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.
2024-03-0533 min
The Legal DepartmentCrisis Communication And The Legal Department: Anne Marie Malecha CEO Dezenhall Resources (E18)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!
2024-02-2739 min
The Legal DepartmentYou're In The Legal Department, Now What? Building Your Confidence As A GC Deborah Solmor Founder Of Ready Set GC (E17)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 r...
2024-02-2038 min
The Legal DepartmentThe Legal Department Fundamentals: Handling #metoo Matters with Allison West Employment Practices (E16)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...
2024-02-1335 min
EdUp Legal100. Making LegalEASY: A Conversation About Campus Health Risk Management with Stacy BratcherWelcome to America's leading higher education podcast where we talk trending legal, regulatory and compliance matters - EdUp Legal!
YOUR host is Deborah Solmor
In this episode, her guest is Stacy Bratcher, Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer at Cottage Health, past Managing General Counsel at the University of Southern California, and host of the Legal Department podcast.
Listen in each week to get the buzz on the trending higher education legal, regulatory, and compliance questions without the legalese.
Join YOUR EdUp community at The EdUp Experience!
We make Education YOUR business
2024-02-0827 min
The Legal DepartmentWhat The Legal Department Needs To Know About Antitrust: Leigh Oliver Of Clifford Chance (E15)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.
2024-02-0637 min
The Legal DepartmentBonus Episode: Optimal Health In The Legal Department With Jenn Zerling Of JZ Fitness (E14)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...
2024-01-3140 min
The Legal DepartmentFrom The Legal Department To The Conference Stage: How To Land And Deliver As A Speaker: Nas Panwar Chief Production Officer IPMI (E13)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 a...
2024-01-3032 min
The Legal DepartmentWhat The Legal Department Needs To Know About Insurance: Jacque Burke Of Cooley LLP (E12)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.
2024-01-2338 min
The Legal DepartmentWhat Recruiters Are Looking For In The Legal Department: Edina Beasley And Heather Fine Of Major Lindsey & Africa (E11)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
2024-01-1642 min
The Legal DepartmentLeadership Development In The Legal Department With Jeannine Taylor, Deputy General Counsel Of Keck Medicine Of USC (E10)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...
2024-01-0930 min
The Legal DepartmentExecutive Coach Glenn Llopis On Why Trusting Yourself Is Essential To Success In The Legal Department (E9)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...
2024-01-0233 min
The Legal Department7 Things I Did To Become A General Counsel: Joe Schohl On His Path To The Legal Department (E8)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...
2023-12-1934 min
The Legal DepartmentRun The Board: Governance Essentials For The Legal Department With Lisa Hatton Harrington (E7)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. Tu...
2023-12-1235 min
The Legal DepartmentDetroit Lions GC Maggy Carlyle On Getting A Job In Sports, Being A Strategic Partner And What To Do When Taylor Swift Comes To Your Stadium (E6)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.
2023-12-0533 min
The Legal DepartmentRunning Into The Fire: Brandon Neal Of Walgreens Boots Alliance On How To Make A Career Pivot In The Legal Department (E5)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 trans...
2023-11-2832 min
AHLA's Speaking of Health LawFinancial Analysis: Best Practices for Health Care OrganizationsJoe Wolfe, Attorney, Hall Render Killian Heath & Lyman PC, speaks with Stacy Bratcher, Vice President and General Counsel, Cottage Health, and Kelsey Jernigan, Partner, K&L Gates LLP, about compliant ways that health care organizations can analyze financial data related to referrals and other types of financial information. They discuss how health care organizations should approach financial analysis, some of the risks tied to analyzing financial data, and how to mitigate risk. Stacy and Kelsey authored an AHLA Bulletin on this topic last year. From AHLA’s Fraud and Abuse Practice Group.Essential Legal Updates, Now in...
2023-11-2822 min
The Legal DepartmentFinding Identity Outside The Legal Department: Executive Coach Carol Fabrizio On Finding The Life You Want (E4)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...
2023-11-2138 min
The Legal DepartmentCrumbs, Silver Bullets & Google Docs: How To Protect The Attorney-Client Privilege In The Legal Department With Diana Feinstein Of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher (E3)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.
2023-11-1436 min
The Legal DepartmentAI Fundamentals: What The Legal Department Needs To Know About Artificial Intelligence With Alya Sulaiman Of McDermott Will & Emery (E2)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 th...
2023-11-0738 min
The Portia ProjectStacy BratcherStacy Bratcher, General Counsel of Cottage Health, in conversation with host M.C. Sungaila, shares her journey to in-house leadership and dives into the role of bar associations in shaping professional connections, skills development, and career advancement. She also discusses the pivotal role played by general counsel in organizations. Tune in to be inspired.
2023-11-0651 min
The Legal DepartmentHuman Connection And Business Acumen: Aarash Darroodi Of Fender Instruments On What Matters In The Legal Department (E1)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-h...
2023-10-3134 min