In-House Legal: Uncovered

Kirk Coleman and Thanh Nguyen dive into the dynamic world of legal recruiting. In this insightful episode, they discuss the evolving market trends, the impact of AI on legal departments, and the ongoing shift towards hybrid work models. They also share valuable advice for candidates and reflect on their personal and professional accomplishments. Don't miss this engaging conversation that offers a comprehensive overview of the legal recruiting landscape and what to expect in 2025.

Paul Williams, whose distinguished career includes roles as a Fortune 500 director, chief legal officer of Cardinal Health, and legal recruiter, shares insights with Michael Sachs about his professional journey. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing various 'seasons' within one's career and the necessity of self-awareness to seize new opportunities. Paul then elaborates on his boardroom experiences, detailing the roles and responsibilities of board members, and offers practical advice to General Counsel interested in joining a board.

With a rich and diverse background in law and psychology, Kevin Agnew, Director of Attorney Career Services at Latham & Watkins, chats with Michael Sachs about his unique career journey, the importance of alignment in career decisions, and the challenges and rewards of career coaching in the legal industry. Kevin also shares his insights on the evolving nature of legal careers, the significance of curiosity and compassion in professional development, and the holistic approach to supporting attorneys at Latham & Watkins.

From majoring in accounting and finance with aspirations of becoming an FBI agent to clerking for Justice Clarence Thomas at the U.S. Supreme Court to navigating the financial crisis in the White House and now leading legal and corporate affairs at Circle, Heath Tarbert has had an illustrious career that is a fascinating blend of ambition, hard work and serendipity. In this episode, he shares with Michael Sachs valuable insights on the importance of leadership, the evolving nature of the legal profession, and the future of financial systems on the Internet.

In this episode of In-House Legal: Uncovered, Michael Sachs sits down with Paula Spada, EVP and Chief Legal Officer at White Lodging. Paula shares her unique career trajectory, from starting law school in Argentina to leading legal operations in a top hospitality company. Discover how she transformed challenges into opportunities, her philosophy as a Chief Legal Officer, and the emotional and professional complexities of navigating a company through a pandemic and the loss of a visionary leader.

Deneen Donnley went to jury duty and in that moment decided that becoming a lawyer would be a path she’d enjoy—rather than getting an MBA. She shares with Michael Sachs her journey to becoming a general counsel and her advice on what it takes to lead a thriving legal team.

Paulette Dodson always believed in giving back, which is what appealed to her about becoming a public company board director. She shares with Michael Sachs her journey to becoming a board member and how her experience as a GC prepared her to be active in the boardroom.

Hiring in the legal industry took a dramatic shift in 2023 compared to the previous two years of intense hiring and movement. Major, Lindsey & Africa’s Thanh Nguyen and Kirk Coleman join Michael Sachs to look back at what mattered most to candidates and clients this year, including D&I, remote work, office time, and geographic moves.

Hatsuki Miyata, EVP, General Counsel and Secretary for Balchem Corporation, believes that above all else a general counsel must give sound legal advice, but she must also be growing and developing her team in a way that highlights their talents and capabilities. In this episode of In-House Legal: Uncovered, she discusses her approach to leadership with Michael Sachs and explores the power of a global perspective.

Kurt Loring, CHRO of Applied Industrial Technologies, has spent his entire career hiring personnel for a variety of organizations and departments within them. In this episode of In-House Legal: Uncovered, he shares with Michael Sachs his insights into what hiring managers are truly looking for in legal candidates—and executives, in particular.

Ramji Kaul took a bold step in his career and left the practice of law to help future lawyers find their way in the profession. Now as Assistant Dean for Career Planning at the University of Michigan Law School, he has come to realize how far the Career Services offerings have come since his days as a student. In this episode of In-House Legal: Uncovered, Ramji chats with Michael Sachs about what is on students’ minds, how much has changed and yet how much has stayed the same over the years.

Cherée H. Johnson, Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel and Secretary of Dentsply Sirona, has had an accomplished career as not only a lawyer but initially as a chemical engineer. She has learned from some of the best about what it takes to lead legal and shares the five characteristics she believes it takes to be successful as a general counsel. In this episode of In-House Legal: Uncovered, she also discusses with Michael Sachs her leadership style, her personal board of directors and her predictions for what is on the horizon.

Deb Steiner, Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer & Corporate Secretary for RR Donnelley, started her career as a litigator but has grown into a people leader responsible for functions well beyond legal. In this episode of In-House Legal: Uncovered, she chats with Michael Sachs about the qualities needed to be a people leader and how that has played out in her role at RRD, particularly through the pandemic and now.

As a general counsel for a global organization, the role requires more than just legal knowledge. Ed Sebold, general counsel and company secretary for Kyndryl Holdings, talks with Michael Sachs about the nuances of working globally and how you need to not only understand how to operate business around the globe but also the culture norms for the employment relationship, approaches to risk and more.

What does it take to be a true leader? Affan Arain shares his view of leadership with Michael Sachs in this first episode of In-House Legal: Uncovered. With a focus on Affan’s personal experiences, they explore the responsibilities of a GC, what the hardest part of leading is, and where a leader goes for support and guidance.