In this episode, Billy Rusteen, a former Microsoft, GitHub, and Databricks lawyer, shares how he transitioned from litigation to in-house and built My In-House Coach to help others do the same. Billy explains what hiring managers really look for, how to write resumes that stand out, and how to make your first 90 days as an in-house counsel count.

We discuss in-house legal strategy, career pivots, tech industry growth, and practical tips for lawyers moving from law firms to corporate teams.

What you will learn:

How to move from firm to in-house successfully
Resume tips that attract real interviews
Product counsel and commercial contract insights
Why curiosity and learning agility matter more than pedigree
First 90 days: what to focus on for early wins
Building credibility in tech and global companies
Career advice for new and mid-level lawyers

Keywords for search:
in house lawyer, product counsel, tech law, Microsoft legal, GitHub legal, Databricks legal, legal career transitions, legal resume, in house playbook, law students, legal mentorship, how to go in house, My In-House Coach, Billy Rusteen, legal careers podcast

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and early career lessons
06:40 From litigation to in-house
14:10 Resume mistakes and how to fix them
22:00 The 90-day in-house roadmap
34:00 Lessons from Microsoft, GitHub, and Databricks
42:00 Coaching lawyers to succeed
50:00 Building authentic visibility online

Breaking In, Leveling Up, and In-House Wins with Billy Rusteen