Innovative Legal Leadership

Nonprofit in-house legal teams are the Davids in a world full of Goliath corporate legal departments and private law firms. But their passion for leaving the world a better place than they found it continually drives out-of-the-box thinking and innovation. That’s exactly what Phyllis Harris, General Counsel and Chief Compliance, Ethics, and Government Relations Officer at the American Red Cross, and her team are doing in the post-Covid era. Phyllis shares how focusing on strategic partnerships with donors and pushing for in-house innovation have propelled the organization to achieve greater outcomes. Join us as we discuss: - Winning hearts and minds in the pursuit of in-house innovation (9:55) - Advice for young attorneys seeking full-time nonprofit work (22:38) - Doing more with less in a volunteer-driven environment (28:21) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Phyllis Harris - American Red Cross - Association of Corporate Counsel Award Winners (2021) - Financial Times — North America Innovative Lawyers Award Winners (2022) Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player.  Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The globalization of many in-house legal teams has become one of the greatest individual challenges for up-and-coming legal professionals. Yet, Michael Hoffman, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Counsel at NXP Semiconductors, realized early in his international career that law is a universal language. Michael shares his insights on recognizing cultural differences and how in-house leaders can be good business partners in a cross-functional environment.   Join us as we discuss: - Appreciating hindsight when leaving your comfort zone (6:03) - Cultural challenges in an overseas legal department (12:00) - Leveraging data and technology on a cross-functional team (24:12) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Co-Elevation with Keith Ferrazzi Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player.  Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Like so many other young legal professionals, Demetrio Zema was beaten down by the competitive pressures and disregard for client outcomes in fixed fee arrangements. So in 2015, the Melbourne native left traditional legal teams behind and founded Law Squared, a firm built around an alternative business model that rewards outcomes over billed hours. As the Director of this forward-thinking global firm, Demetrio gives an exclusive look into the highs and lows of pioneering change in legal fee arrangements and conventional egoistic cultures.   Join us as we discuss: - Building a corporate model focused on collaboration and digital innovation (7:19) - Why legal teams are rewarding the wrong cultural behaviors (16:53)  - The firm’s recruitment pitch and unlearning process (25:11) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Demetrio Zema - Law Squared Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player.  Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Ann Kappler found a passion for in-house people management while on her journey to becoming the EVP and General Counsel at Prudential Financial. She takes pride in helping develop successful teams because, in her words, it’s seeing individuals come together and contribute that satisfies her the most in her work. Ann gives us an exclusive look at how she pivoted her policy-making experience from Washington, D.C., into driving economic and DEI initiatives at a global insurance agency.   Join us as we discuss: - Key differences in law firms and in-house legal teams (7:47) - Investing in financial education for underserved communities (13:22) - A legacy of mentoring successful in-house teams (22:39) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Ann Kappler - Prudential Financial Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player.  Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In-house legal teams are constantly tested by contemporary challenges, so it takes a special team to consistently drive in-house legal innovation alongside normal operations. Yet, that’s exactly what Rishi Varma, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and his team are doing. As the Financial Times’ North America Innovative Lawyers Awards winners for Most Innovative In-House Legal Team in 2022, Rishi’s team is developing exciting new solutions for legal professionals and it’s our pleasure to welcome him back to the show. Join us as we discuss: - Blending lawyers and technologists in innovative projects (5:58) - The benefits of virtual reality in a globalized workforce (14:19) - Data metrics and objectifying availability versus usage (19:55) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Rishi Varma - Hewlett Packard Enterprise - North America Innovative Lawyers Awards 2022 Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player.  Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

As an eager young attorney at a large corporate firm, Laura Spalding quickly became disillusioned by unattainable billable hour quotas. But her experience in a space where nightmarish workloads drove promotions and bonuses inevitably sparked her burning passion for helping innovate the legal space. Now the Director of the Legal Advisory Team at PERSUIT, Laura talks about how she and other young legal professionals have been victimized by the billable hour. Join us as we discuss - How the billable hour promotes a false perception of work (00:24) - Delighting clients by placing value over timecards (11:16) - Why no matter is too complex for alternative fee arrangements (17:13) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Laura Spalding - PERSUIT - Law Squared Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player.  Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In early 2021, I. Stephanie Boyce made history as the first woman of color to become President of The Law Society of England and Wales (LSEW) in its 200-plus year history. Although her tenure as acting President is over, her work to advance the DEI discussion by putting words into action is just beginning. The President of the Leicester University Law Society and Board of Trustees member for JUSTICE shares her incredible insights on in-house legal challenges and the future of DEI. Join us as we discuss: - Stephanie’s journey to becoming President of LSEW (2:09) - Her contributions to DEI initiatives during her tenure (9:18) - Being a steady voice in leadership during times of crises (17:10) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - I. Stephanie Boyce - The Law Society of England and Wales Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player.  Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

From Oslo to New York to Japan, Bjarne Tellmann has lived a life worthy of a Viking saga. Early in his legal journey, the General Counsel of Haleon embraced a philosophy of serendipity, seeing every opportunity as a new adventure. And that’s because nobody ever wrote about the man or woman who played it safe. The author of Building an Outstanding Legal Team: Battle-Tested Strategies from a General Counsel shares incredible stories from his expansive career and insights into the exponential changes in legal. Join us as we discuss: - How Bjarne’s love of storytelling led him to legal (8:13) - The inspiration behind writing Building an Outstanding Legal Team (25:01) - Why the human connection will supersede technology (39:47) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Bjarne Tellmann - Building an Outstanding Legal Team: Battle-Tested Strategies from a General Counsel Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player.  Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Lisa Mather had no intentions of becoming a lawyer when she started college. But her first academic love of science drew her to environmental law and, ultimately, a successful career in legal. Lisa traversed the world with her two children while working at several international firms before taking her current position as Global General Counsel at Mars Wrigley in 2022. She shares her insights on being a career-driven mother, her passion for ESG efforts, and setting her team up for success in a polycrisis world. Join us as we discuss: - Why family shouldn’t be a roadblock to international opportunities (8:35) - Immediate priorities in her new GC role and ESG commitments (19:21) - Instilling the need for diversity in future generations (29:35) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Lisa Mather - Mars Wrigley Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player.  Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

As a younger legal counsel, the transition from law firm to in-house can certainly be a bumpy one. As the realization of daily expectations sets in, the workload volume can seem overwhelming. When Sneha Desai, Chief Legal Counsel of Global Litigation & Employment at Stryker, senses that anxiety in her juniors, she imparts the advice passed down to her: do what makes sense. Sneha talks with us about her early struggles in-house, her commitment to pro bono work, and the importance of empathy in relationships.      Join us as we discuss: - Empowering junior talent to take control of DEI initiatives (10:12) - Why team awareness is an essential leadership trait (19:47)  - Advice for in-house leaders on alternative fee arrangements (28:36) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player.  Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.