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Becoming the GC

Becoming the GC

Written by: Joe Schohl
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General Counsel and Chief Legal Officers hold some of the highest-ranking and most vital executive roles within any company or organization. These positions are both prestigious and deeply impactful, making them a pinnacle aspiration for many corporate lawyers. However, the journey to earning these titles is complex, demanding not only technical legal expertise but also exceptional leadership and strategic vision.

Welcome to Becoming the GC, hosted by Joseph Schohl, a growth-focused General Counsel dedicated to uncovering the diverse and inspiring paths taken by those who have reached these esteemed positions. Each episode provides practical advice, compelling real-life stories, and actionable roadmaps to guide aspiring GCs and CLOs in achieving their professional goals.

Hear from successful General Counsels and Chief Legal Officers as they recount their journeys to the top, sharing lessons learned, challenges overcome, and insights into how they mastered the blend of legal acumen and leadership skills required to excel in the role. Becoming the GC bridges the gap between technical expertise and the softer skills essential for success, offering listeners a unique perspective on what it takes to thrive in this coveted position.

Whether you’re already leading a legal department and wondering how to claim the GC title, or you’re frustrated by external hires bypassing your hard work, this podcast serves as your trusted guide. It demystifies the steps needed to distinguish yourself as a standout candidate and equips you with the tools to navigate the complexities of the corporate legal landscape.

Be inspired by the real-life experiences of General Counsels and lawyers who candidly share the pivotal moments, triumphs, and challenges of their careers. These stories reveal that success as a GC isn’t just about legal prowess—it’s also about perseverance, adaptability, and the willingness to embrace bigger goals and responsibilities.

Discover how to prepare yourself for the multifaceted role of a General Counsel. Learn to become a constant learner capable of adapting to new legal domains and solving complex challenges that span diverse areas of expertise. Through thought-provoking conversations, Becoming the GC helps you evolve into a lawyer who can handle anything with confidence and skill.

Alongside his exceptional roster of guests, Joseph Schohl shares his own journey to the General Counsel role, offering valuable insights from his experience working with Fortune 500 healthcare companies, private equity-backed organizations, top-tier law firms, and entrepreneurial ventures. As the founder and chairman of General Counsel West, Joseph provides world-class legal assistance to businesses transforming healthcare. Having become a GC of a Fortune 500 company at just 36 years old, Joseph brings a wealth of experience and actionable advice for those ready to take their careers to the next level.

The role of General Counsel is reserved for the best of the best—a true test of one’s skills, resilience, and vision. If you aspire to lead as a GC or CLO, Becoming the GC offers the guidance, motivation, and inspiration you need to make that dream a reality. With Joseph’s expertise and the wisdom of his accomplished guests, you’ll gain the tools to set yourself apart and excel in this transformative career path.

Ready to take the first step? Tune in to Becoming the GC at https://insidecounselacademy.com/podcast/ and start shaping yourself into the exceptional leader your organization needs.

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Careers Economics Personal Success
Episodes
  • Hands-On Leadership: How Ben Huddleston Rolls Up His Sleeves For 28 Companies
    Jan 27 2026

    Navigating a dynamic general counsel career demands an almost James Bond-like dedication, a hands-on leadership with the ability to embrace the unknown. Host Joe Schohl reconnects with seasoned GC Ben Huddleston, whose path spans from advising fast-growing, pre-IPO companies to building and leading group legal teams at a $6B+ enterprise like DaVita. Ben shares his candid, real-world advice on managing major M&A at Quorum Health and ultimately becoming the first General Counsel for a complex group of 28 international businesses. He dives into pivotal moments, explaining how to learn new industries on the fly and the secret to maintaining attorney-client privilege while acting as a trusted business partner. Ben concludes by detailing the vital role of equanimity and continuous improvement in leadership, including his unique internal time-tracking method for accountability across multiple entities.


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    42 mins
  • From Litigator To Leader: David Shapiro On Seizing Opportunity And Building Teams
    Jan 13 2026

    The path to becoming a top executive in in-house legal leadership is rarely conventional, but always a masterclass in career agility. David Shapiro, the General Counsel who shaped legal strategy and culture at major companies like DaVita, Vail Resorts, and Ibotta, sits down to share his remarkable journey. He reveals why accepting a massive pay cut to join the Department of Justice was the pivotal move that changed his entire career trajectory. You'll learn about the intense process of leading the billion-dollar acquisition of Whistler Blackcomb at Vail Resorts. You'll also learn what it takes to guide a company like Ibotta through its IPO process. David shares his invaluable, non-traditional advice for aspiring GCs: the power of "collecting experiences," building a unique professional brand, and learning to bring "calmness to a chaotic world."


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    44 mins
  • From IVF Law To Ultra-Distance Rides: Lessons In Leadership And Being Yourself From Margaret Howell
    Dec 17 2025

    To excel in your professional spaces, you must not only learn how to do your work with persistence and determination. Being yourself at all times without trying hard is also key. Joseph Schohl sits down with Margaret Howell, a general counsel in the fertility space, to talk about the power of showing up in your authentic self. She shares how this mindset allowed her to help expand a business internationally after just one transaction. Margaret also explains the benefits of having a good contract management system and talks about her passion as an ultra-distance cyclist.


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    40 mins
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