Notes To My (Legal) Self

In this full episode of Notes to My (Legal) Self, Olga V. Mack sits down with Basha Rubin, CEO and Co-Founder of Priori to explore how legal marketplaces are transforming the way in-house teams find, hire, and manage outside counsel.Basha shares her journey from Yale Law School during the 2008 recession to co-founding Priori in 2013, and how the company evolved from serving individuals and small businesses to partnering with Fortune 10 enterprises. Together, Olga and Basha dive into the rise of legal marketplaces, the role of data and AI in decision-making, and why alternative providers are reshaping the future of legal services.Together, Basha and Olga explore:• Why the traditional big law model underserves many clients• How in-house teams can categorize legal work by risk and complexity• Practical benefits of marketplaces for efficiency, cost savings, and expertise• The growing importance of data-driven, defensible legal decisions• How AI and technology are shaping the future of outside counsel managementKey Learning Outcomes:• Understand how legal marketplaces provide alternatives to big law firms• Learn strategies for smarter allocation of legal work across risk levels• Discover how data and scorecarding can improve outside counsel selection• Gain insight into the impact of AI on in-house counsel decision-making• Explore the future of legal services through Priori’s marketplace model. If you’re an in-house lawyer, legal ops professional, or legal leader seeking innovative ways to manage outside counsel, Basha’s insights offer a roadmap for embracing efficiency, transparency, and strategic value.

In this episode of Notes to My (Legal) Self, Olga Mack sits down with Adriana Dulic, Chief Compliance Officer at a leading fintech company, to explore the powerful intersection of legal compliance, leadership, and service.Adriana shares her journey from private practice to a long-term in-house and compliance career, shaped by the dynamic world of financial technologies and regulatory change. But beyond her corporate role, Adriana offers a compelling case for why lawyers should make pro bono and community engagement a core part of their professional lives.In this conversation, you'll learn:What a day in the life of a CCO in fintech really looks likeHow compliance careers evolve with tech innovation and global oversightWhy pro bono work builds leadership skills and business acumenHow community service can ground legal careers in purpose and perspectiveWhat lawyers need to thrive in highly regulated, fast-paced industriesWhether you're charting a path in compliance, looking to make a meaningful career pivot, or seeking ways to serve beyond billable hours, this episode offers practical strategies and heartfelt insights on leading with integrity and impact.

The boundaries of a legal career are wider than you think. In this episode, Avril Sisk—independent corporate director and former judge—joins Olga Mack to explore how legal professionals can lead beyond traditional practice and reshape industries, communities, and boardrooms.With a career spanning public policy, nonprofit leadership, the judiciary, and corporate governance, Avril shares her inspiring journey and offers strategies for applying legal expertise across diverse sectors. If you've ever wondered how to take your legal career to new heights, this episode is for you.In this conversation, you'll learn:Why interdisciplinary skills are key to modern legal careersHow to transition into executive and non-legal leadership rolesThe value of community engagement in long-term professional successHow to pivot your career with resilience and purposeWhy viewing yourself as a client can transform personal developmentWhether you’re a lawyer exploring new horizons, a business leader looking to integrate legal insight, or someone passionate about community impact, Avril’s story will inspire you to reimagine the possibilities of a legal career.

In the season finale of Notes to My (Legal) Self, Olga Mack is joined by Tara Emory—former big law antitrust attorney, general counsel, and legal tech consultant—for a candid conversation on how legal teams can overcome cultural and organizational resistance to GenAI.With two decades of experience at the intersection of law and technology, Tara shares her evolution from litigator to legal innovator. Drawing on her in-house and consulting work, she breaks down what it really takes to bring GenAI into legal workflows in a way that sticks.In this conversation, you'll learn:Why legal tech adoption is as much about culture as it is about codeHow in-house teams evaluate legal tools through a cost–value lensReal-world use cases for GenAI—from drafting contracts to redline comparisonsHow to align GenAI initiatives with company culture and strategic goalsWhy GenAI should enhance human clarity, not replace legal judgmentWhether you're a GC evaluating tools, a legal ops leader planning implementation, or a skeptic wondering where GenAI fits in, this episode offers practical insights to guide your next steps.

The future of in-house leadership is bold, efficient, and business-driven. In this episode, Vinaya Ganesan, General Counsel for Europe at Firstsource Solutions, joins Olga Mack to share how GCs can do more with less—without compromising impact, innovation, or team morale.Drawing on her experience leading legal strategy for billion-dollar deals in tech and global outsourcing, Vinaya redefines what it means to be a modern, business-minded GC. From operationalizing legal strategy to empowering legal teams at every level, she shares actionable insights to elevate legal’s role across the enterprise.In this conversation, you'll learn:How to turn “more for less” into a legal leadership strategyHow to uncover hidden business pain points—and solve them proactivelyWhy empowering legal team members, including paralegals, fuels innovationWhat it takes to build trust and redefine the GC role as a business partnerScalable strategies to embed legal in operations and drive business outcomesWhether you’re a solo counsel, part of a lean legal team, or leading legal at the enterprise level, this episode is packed with insights on building agile, purpose-driven legal functions.

The path to a fulfilling legal career doesn’t have to be paved with burnout. In this episode, longtime trial lawyer turned coach Gary Miles joins Olga Mack to discuss how lawyers can transform stress into success and frustration into freedom.With over 45 years of legal experience, Gary shares practical tools and mindset shifts to help legal professionals manage imposter syndrome, avoid burnout, and build purpose-driven careers. Whether you're a new in-house counsel or a seasoned legal leader, this episode offers strategies to reclaim time, confidence, and clarity.In this conversation, you'll learn:How imposter syndrome manifests for in-house lawyers—and how to overcome itWhich key performance indicators (KPIs) lawyers should be trackingHow to structure your day for productivity and reduce burnoutThe value of unstructured time—and how to protect itHow to lead through service, not just conflictWhether you’re navigating your first legal role or rethinking your career after decades in practice, Gary’s insights are a powerful reminder that stress doesn’t have to define success in law.

The path to truly inclusive legal teams starts with one powerful trait: curiosity. In this episode, Niti Nadarajah—a former in-house lawyer turned leadership coach and DEI advocate—joins Olga Mack and co-host Memme Onwudiwe to unpack what it takes to build equity and belonging in the legal profession.With honesty and nuance, Niti challenges traditional hiring practices, exposes the hidden biases professionals of color face, and shares practical ways leaders can foster inclusion by asking better questions and listening more deeply.In this conversation, you'll learn:Why traditional “big law” pipelines fall short in building diverse teamsHow listening—really listening—can uncover blind spots and biasesHow healthy conflict can be a catalyst for innovation and better legal outcomesHow visual and verbal cues reveal hidden assumptions about socioeconomic statusStrategies for widening hiring funnels and redefining what it means to be “qualified”Whether you're building a legal team, mentoring future leaders, or navigating your career from an underrepresented background, this episode offers actionable insight for those serious about equity in law.

In this episode of Notes to My (Legal) Self, Olga Mack sits down with Shanti Ariker , a trailblazing Chief Legal Officer and tech veteran, to explore what it means to be the first lawyer at a fast-moving public company. In “First In-House,” Shanti reflects on her journey from Wall Street law firms to leadership roles in Silicon Valley’s most iconic tech companies.Shanti shares how she navigated legal practice in the early days of tech, when in-house legal teams were small or nonexistent, and how that experience shaped her strategic approach to business, compliance, and innovation. With deep experience at companies like Twilio, Zendesk, and JFrog, she opens up about translating legal risk into business value, building legal functions from scratch, and the power of understanding your product from the inside out.In this conversation, you’ll learn:What it takes to lead as the first and only in-house counsel at a public companyHow in-house legal teams have evolved in Silicon Valley over the last two decadesWhy staying close to the business and earning cross-departmental trust is keyHow to thrive in high-growth environments with complex tech stacksWhy calculated risk-taking and product fluency are essential for modern legal leadershipWhether you’re an aspiring General Counsel, early-career in-house counsel, or a legal leader navigating fast-paced industries, this episode offers practical strategies and candid insights on building legal teams, aligning with business strategy, and leading with confidence at the intersection of law and technology.

In this episode of Notes to My (Legal) Self, Olga Mack continues the Legal Operations series with Minh Merchant, a three-time General Counsel and mission-driven legal leader in the healthcare industry.In “Leading with Intent,” Minh joins Olga to unpack what it really takes to become—and remain—a public company GC. From writing earnings scripts and navigating securities disclosures to conducting career “true-up” conversations, Minh shares how she’s built a business-aligned legal path by leading with clarity, courage, and intentionality.In this conversation, you’ll learn:How to “true up” your experience when pursuing a stretch roleWhat hiring managers actually look for in a general counselThe mindset shift from qualified to capableHow to tap into your network for mentorship and accelerated growthWhy asking “Do I still want this?” is key to long-term career alignmentWhether you're preparing for a leap into a new role, transitioning into a different industry, or refining your career blueprint, Minh offers a thoughtful, practical framework for legal leadership that lasts.This episode is for:In-house counsel mapping their next moveLegal ops professionals with executive ambitionsLegal leaders seeking growth beyond traditional career laddersTune in to explore what it means to grow your legal career intentionally—on your terms, and in alignment with where you’re headed next.

The legal world can be intense—especially when you're the only lawyer in the room. In this episode, Tara Trantham joins Olga Mack to share her powerful story of navigating legal leadership, federal investigations, and mental health challenges without the safety net of a law firm or legal tech.With over 23 years as in-house counsel in financial services, Tara brings hard-won insights into how legal professionals can survive and thrive under pressure. From managing legal, compliance, and HR teams to advocating for mental health in high-stress environments, she delivers a candid look at what it takes to lead with resilience.In this conversation, you'll learn:How to survive high-stakes internal investigations as a solo GCWhy legal tech is essential—and what it costs to go without itHow to make a compelling case to the board for legal ops investmentWhat outside counsel can do to truly support in-house teamsWhy mental health advocacy is non-negotiable in today’s legal landscapeWhether you're a solo in-house lawyer, a GC managing change, or an advocate for wellness in the legal profession, this episode offers a clear, human roadmap to legal resilience and leadership.