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Practical, efficient and fun, The Legal Department podcast delivers the bottom line of what busy in-house attorneys need to know to level up their career. Whether you’re the general counsel or just starting a career in a corporate law department, The Legal Department podcast is the place to get real world advice from leading legal executives, executive coaches, and other thought leaders on how to grow your career and deliver more value to your clients.
Through conversations with prominent general counsel, chief legal officers and select law firm thought leaders, you’ll get to the bottom line of what you need to know about front page legal issues like digital privacy, cybersecurity and AI. Guests will share their strategies for managing the legal team, budgets, and navigating tricky company politics. Episodes will also tackle in-house fundamentals like the attorney client privilege, litigation, M&A, governance and working with boards of directors and the c-suite.
The Podcast will also feature guests from the c-suite, executive coaches, and other thought leaders who will offer practice insights for attorneys seeking to fuel their own professional development and build those elusive “soft skills.” Each episode of The Legal Department will provide practical tips and takeaways that you can use to take your in-house career to the next level.
The Legal Department podcast provides practical, concise, and actionable insights for busy in-house attorneys. Whether you're a seasoned general counsel or a new corporate law professional, each episode of The Legal Department offers the essential tools, information, and resources to enhance your professional skills. Elevate your career and deliver value to those you serve.
Each episode features in-depth conversations with prominent general counsel and chief legal officers, and select law firm thought leaders who share war stories from their own careers. Learn how to tackle any situation with finesse and confidence, no matter how delicate or politically challenging. Accelerate your journey towards a fulfilling legal career through these podcast conversations.
Guests will share key insights and strategies for effectively managing legal teams, budget oversight, navigating company politics, and mastering in-house fundamentals like privilege, litigation, M&A, governance, and board interactions.Becoming an in-house leader requires more than legal knowledge and experience. It requires business acumen, executive intelligence, and being a team player within your company and with your partners. The Legal Department podcast will help you level up your career.
Host Stacy Bratcher, a general counsel and chief legal officer with nearly twenty years of in-house experience, has fun and engaging conversations about legal careers within in-house legal departments. The Legal Department podcast delivers informative, relatable, and practical advice from thought leaders. As she explores topics with exceptional attorneys, c-suite executives, and other key business partners, you will gain a deeper understanding of front-page legal issues, become more familiar with the impact of today's technology on your practice, and learn to cultivate stronger relationships to position yourself as an approachable and effective legal partner.
No matter where you are in your career, The Legal Department is here to help you tackle whatever comes your way. Join Stacy in these episodes filled with inspiring stories, valuable advice, and tips to elevate your legal practice. Become an invaluable asset to your organization or law firm and establish yourself as the dependable professional they can't afford to lose. Level up your legal career with The Legal Department podcast.
78 Episodes
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![Leveling Up: My Conversation With Alex Su And Candice Reed On Leveraging Latitude Podcast [E78]](https://s3.castbox.fm/ce/cc/5c/2b0c67d5e54fa6c78b665d4e4bd5ded313_scaled_v1_400.jpg "Leveling 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 Latitude. Learn more at LATITUDELEGAL.COM.
![Make Your Legal Department A Revenue Generator With Greg McPolin And Andrew Johnstone [E77]](https://s3.castbox.fm/b4/7b/2f/241779efcf297db8dcf08ed5b35ddb45ba_scaled_v1_400.jpg "Make 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 to learn how to generate positive cash flow and an ROI from your in-house legal work.
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 Sterling also shares his favorite AI tools for legal departments–put together after 2 years of research, so you don't have to! This is an episode you won't want to miss. Bookmark it and listen on a flight so you can take notes!
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 and how being curious about the other party's culture ensures success. We also tackle key differences in how US and Brazilian companies handle IP issues. Estou empolgado com isso!
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.com
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–Jonathan shares his thoughts about some of these and why they might disrupt the current market leaders. Join us for another episode on how lawyers support innovation.
![From The Legal Department Into The Board Room With Jeanine Wright Former GC, Tech Founder & 5x Board Member [E72]](https://s3.castbox.fm/21/c1/e2/926b7df06d3c802b8f03f00234e7fad36a_scaled_v1_400.jpg "From 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 you can get there too.
If this episode doesn't wake you up about what it means to be a business enabler, nothing will. Mick Ebeling, three-time award winner of Time Magazine's Best Invention of the Year, has literally changed the world. Through their "help one, help many" approach, Mick and his team of innovators at Not Impossible Labs have built technology that has changed countless lives: Their inventions:Return 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 hungry with sustainable sources of food In this conversation with Stacy Bratcher, Mick shares why understanding the big picture and connection with humanity is fundamental for innovating. Put down your red pen, turn off track changes, and learn how to be the lawyer who helps turn the impossible into reality.
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 your 9-5, while raising a family.Additionally, Kelley addresses a listener's Office Hours question about how to get management experience in a flat legal department.If you've been wondering whether you need to be "out there," this episode is for you.
Curious about compensation trends for in-house legal roles? What are the different components of private company compensation, how do private equity companies structure equity, or how to evaluate a compensation offer? John Gilmore is a veteran executive recruiter. His firm, Barker Gilmore, conducts one of the industry's most comprehensive surveys on in-house compensation. In this episode, John 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.
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.com
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 how litigation funding works, how Legalist's "truffle sniffer" technology sources litigation cases for her team of in-house attorneys to underwrite and evaluate for investment. Eva shares insights on how to evaluate cases and "pick a winner", how to get litigation counsel to set and stick to a budget, and how her team that a "win" will be collectable at the end of the day. And as a bonus, Eva shares insights of what the CEO wants from their lawyers. Turns out, mitigating risk isn't at the top of the list.
Tricia Montalvo Timm rose to the top of her game in The Legal Department, hiding her true identity as a Latina and mother of two. For years, she led legal teams and served on the executive teams of several companies "passing" as white, but not realizing the impact this would have on her. All that changed when she interviewed for a general counsel position at data analytics company, Looker, and 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 sell the company to Google, Tricia wrote "Embrace the Power of You, Owning Your Identity at Work," to help others live their true identity and flourish in their careers in life.In this episode, Tricia shares advice for:How to create an environment that supports all employees and builds a cohesive team;How to be a sponsor and help others reach their career aspirations; andHow the General Counsel can address inappropriate comments and navigate uncomfortable situationsNow a board member at top SaaS company, Salsify, Tricia shares how lawyers can overcome the identity of "lawyer" and land a corporate board seat. She also answers a sticky Office Hours question about how to deal with friction between a GC and their C-suite peer.
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.
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.
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.
1S 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.
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.
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!
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