The PERSUIT Podcast

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 on 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 on 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 on 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 on 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 on 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 on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The pandemic forced the entire world to pivot on a moment’s notice, but perhaps no other industry felt the brunt of its impact like procurement. Procurement and legal have always had a rocky partnership. But the pandemic reset expectations by driving innovation, both in technology and relationships. Dr. Elouise Epstein, Partner at Kearney and author of Trade wars, pandemics, and chaos, shares how procurement was forced to fast-forward its digital transformation in a world turned upside down. Join us as we discuss: - How the pandemic accelerated procurement’s evolution (2:42) - Bridging the legal-procurement gap through relationships (20:20) - The impact of ESG initiatives on the future of procurement (32:55) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Dr. Elouise Epstein - Kearney - Trade wars, pandemics, and chaos: How digital procurement enables business success in a disordered world 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 on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Cynthia Lareine, Director of Community Development at PERSUIT, fanned a fire in her resolve from a young age. The daughter of proud Nigerian parents, Cynthia endured discrimination from students and teachers alike while attending boarding school. Later, she handled her share of well-meaning depreciation and racial assumptions as a junior associate. Today, she’s applying the lessons she’s learned to help improve legal relationships and push the industry toward a brighter future. Cynthia shares how her formative experiences pushed her to where she is today and her passion for bridging the gaps in legal-client services.    Join us as we discuss: - How childhood discrimination influenced her career path (3:44) - The pressures endured by junior associates at large firms (10:02)  - Her work with the African legal community and PERSUIT (23:00) - Cynthia’s future as the podcast’s host (37:03) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Cynthia Lareine - PERSUIT 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 on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

For Sabrina Nguyen , General Counsel and CCO at Danone UK & Ireland , the odds were stacked against her on day one. Born in post-war Vietnam, she and her mother spent three years in refugee camps before finding a new life in America. But after growing up among the farmlands of Missouri, she felt the pull back to her international roots. Sabrina shares the experiences of her career journey across three continents and the impact her cultural immersion has had on her work and with her teams. Join us as we discuss: How Sabrina’s background influenced her career journey (5:14) Peeling back cultural layers in international teams (14:07) Weighing potential against experience when evaluating talent (26:18) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Sabrina Nguyen Danone UK & Ireland 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 on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

When Doug Barnard , Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary at CF Industries , joined the company in 2004, he was already fighting an uphill battle. On the verge of bankruptcy, the owners of CF were determined to sell the company. But Doug saw an opportunity - why not take the company public? In 2005, Doug’s vision became a reality as CF Industries presented its IPO, turning CF’s fortunes around in the process. In this episode, Doug shares his experience participating in his first successful IPO and what legacy he’d like to leave behind. Join us as we discuss: Drafting the CF Industries IPO prospectus (6:48) A harrowing four-way takeover battle (14:05) Recruitment and retention of in-house legal talent (23:56) Leaving a proud legacy with your team (30:31)  Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Doug Barnard  CF Industries   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 on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.