Notes To My (Legal) Self

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.

In this episode, Tyler Quillin, Product and Regulatory Counsel at Xbox, joins Olga Mack to kick off Season 12 of Notes to My (Legal) Self with a powerful conversation on how legal professionals can better align with product teams, regulators, and executives in today’s fast-paced tech world.Drawing on his background as both an educator and in-house attorney, Tyler shares how a teaching mindset—paired with business fluency—can help legal teams collaborate more effectively, build executive trust, and deliver solutions that move the business forward.In this conversation, you'll learn:How to simplify legal guidance through analogies, visuals, and storytellingWhy early engagement with regulators can give your company a strategic edgeHow legal can say “yes” while managing risk and driving innovationPractical ways to systematize mentorship and leadership developmentHow to build trust across departments and become a true business partnerWhether you're an aspiring product counsel, a legal ops professional, or a tech-savvy in-house attorney, this episode offers a roadmap for adding real business value—without compromising on legal integrity.

Have you ever wondered how in-house legal teams can navigate the rapidly shifting landscape of AI and ESG? Join us in this episode with Christine Uri, Chief Legal and Sustainability Officer, as she reveals how legal leaders are shaping the future of their departments through innovation, governance, and purpose.In this conversation with Olga Mack, Christine shares her unconventional journey—from artificial intelligence governance to corporate sustainability—and explores how today’s legal professionals can thrive by embracing the unexpected.Tune in to discover:Why AI and ESG are no longer optional—they’re essential for legal teams.How legal leaders can balance innovation with governance.Why collaboration and proactive risk management are the keys to success.Practical steps for building effective AI oversight frameworks within legal departments.Don’t miss this chance to learn from Christine’s wealth of experience and her insights into how in-house lawyers can drive innovation while maintaining responsible oversight. Whether you're leading a legal department or just beginning your in-house journey, this episode will give you the tools to future-proof your career and your company.

The future of legal education is here! In this episode, Linsey Krolik joins Olga Mack to discuss how law schools can adapt to the rapidly changing landscape of legal operations and technology. Together, they explore how GenAI, legal ops, and tech adoption should be integrated into law curricula to better prepare students for in-house roles.Linsey shares her vision for reshaping legal education to equip the next generation of lawyers with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in modern legal departments. If you're passionate about the future of legal education, this episode is for you.In this conversation, you'll learn:How GenAI is reshaping legal education and what law schools can do to adaptWhy legal operations is a critical area of focus for future lawyersHow law students can develop skills that make them valuable contributors to legal techThe importance of hands-on experience and internships in preparing for legal ops rolesStrategies for continuous learning and adapting to the changing legal tech landscapeWhether you're a legal educator, an in-house lawyer, or simply passionate about the future of legal ops, this episode will give you a roadmap for the changes needed in legal education.

Ready to make AI work for your legal team? In this episode, Navin Mahavijiyan unpacks the magic (and the challenges) of implementing and maintaining legal chatbots that are not just functional—but truly aligned with your team’s culture and tone.Continuing our Legal Operations series, Navin joins Olga Mack to share actionable insights on designing chatbots that help, not hinder. From the first step of chatbot implementation to scaling and ongoing maintenance, Navin gives you the roadmap for making AI a trusted ally in your legal ops toolbox.In this episode, you’ll learn:The real first step to chatbot implementation (spoiler: it’s not technical!)Why bot maintenance is critical for long-term successHow to humanize bots to fit your team’s unique language and valuesHow to use real-world scenarios to train your bot for greater impactWhy chatbots can amplify your team’s work, not replace itIf you're ready to dive into the world of legal chatbots, this episode offers everything you need—from initial setup to keeping your bot aligned with your evolving needs.

What if data could create a stronger sense of belonging in the legal profession? In this episode, Flo Nicolas shows how people analytics and bold leadership can transform legal teams from the inside out.Continuing our Legal Operations series, Flo joins Olga Mack to share her inspiring journey from traditional law practice to becoming a trailblazer for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in legal ops. With a mix of candor and strategic wisdom, Flo breaks down how data, risk-taking, and community-building can fuel real, lasting change.In this episode, you’ll learn:How people analytics can power smarter, more inclusive legal operationsWhy risk tolerance matters in building a modern legal careerHow setbacks and failures can become stepping stones to innovationStrategies for using data to bridge the gap between business and legal functionsWhy authentic networking is key to driving legal transformationIf you're passionate about building stronger, more inclusive legal teams—or curious about how data and human capital intersect—this episode offers actionable insights and inspiration for the future of legal leadership.

Think lawyers hate legal tech? They don’t—they just don’t know how much they need it yet. In this episode, Chad Aboud reveals how to sell legal tech into corporate legal departments and drive adoption that actually sticks.Continuing our Legal Operations series, Chad joins Olga Mack for a candid conversation about what really works (and what doesn’t) when bringing new solutions into legal teams. From building internal champions to avoiding post-sale burnout, Chad shares a playbook grounded in empathy, curiosity, and community-building.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to sell into legal without selling out your valuesWhy pre-agreeing on “wins” smooths tech rolloutsHow to build first versions that leave room for growthWays to engage sales, finance, and account management post-saleHow to become a trusted sounding board for lonely legal teamsIf you're ready to turn resistance into momentum—and move legal teams from “maybe” to “let’s go”—this episode is your essential guide. Tune in for real-world strategies, fresh perspective, and a smarter way to sell and implement legal tech.