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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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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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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Michael Geroe’s legal journey saw him work from the West Coast to the East Coast, as well as a good chunk in the middle of the country. This taught him a ton of powerful career lessons, which greatly helped in building his own startup. He joins Joseph Schohl to look back on his story so far, filled with learnings about resilience, reinvention, and fulfillment. Mike also shares how he shaped himself to become an effective problem solver for his clients and found the best opportunities in the most unexpected places.

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Sterling Miller has spent decades turning real-world experience into wisdom that every lawyer can use. From his early lessons in Nebraska to leading major legal teams and mastering AI for lawyers, Sterling’s journey shows how curiosity and courage shape lasting success. In this conversation with Joseph Schohl, he reflects on the pivotal moments that defined his career—from learning to follow his own instincts to saying yes when others said no—and how his love of writing, teaching, and sharing continues to impact the legal world. Whether he’s breaking down complex ideas, mentoring the next generation, or exploring new technology, Sterling reminds us that growth begins when we decide to keep learning, no matter where we are in the game of life.

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When you land in the GC chair, you cannot sit back and relax. If you want to perform well in your role and inspire others to do the same, you must learn to embrace lifelong learning. Joseph Schohl sits down with Carlos Lindo, a newly minted general counsel at Lucet, to talk about the importance of being a constant learner who does not back down from all kinds of challenges. He explains the right way to educate your team and why being comfortable with the unconventional is the path to becoming a GC. Carlos also emphasizes the importance of managing your time, emails, and relationships well to become a highly effective general counsel.

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Authentic leadership starts with knowing who you are and leading from that truth. C.E. Rhodes, General Counsel of Frost Bank, shares how purpose, empathy, and consistency have guided his journey from early influences to executive leadership. He reflects on the lessons learned from connecting the legal function to the business, mentoring others with humility, and showing up as the same person in every room. His story is a testament to the idea that authentic leadership isn’t about position or power—it’s about integrity, humanity, and staying grounded in what matters most.

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A general counsel’s work, even though not without its fair share of challenges, is truly a worthwhile one. Joseph Schohl is joined by Chuck Kable, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary at Innovative Renal Care, who shares his career path from litigation to in-house counsel. Looking back to his numerous GC positions, he discusses how this legal role has evolved over the years, particularly with the adoption of AI technologies. Chuck also talks about the importance of being uncomfortable with uncertainty, the right way to manage your time efficiently, and why continuous learning is essential in growing as an effective leader.

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