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Counsel

Counsel

Written by: Mel Storey
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 The Counsel Podcast is for in-house lawyers who want honest conversations and practical insights about life inside legal teams. Host Mel Storey chats with leaders across the profession and shares tips to help you grow and thrive in-house. Connect with Mel on Instagram @CareerBigSis or LinkedIn. Thank you for being here!Copyright Mel Storey Careers Economics Management Management & Leadership Personal Success Social Sciences
Episodes
  • 48. From Law School to In-House Success: Irene Kuo's Journey

    48. From Law School to In-House Success: Irene Kuo's Journey
    Jan 20 2026
    In this engaging conversation, Irene Kuo shares her unique journey from law school to becoming a successful in-house lawyer. She discusses her early influences, the challenges faced in the legal profession, and her transition to in-house practice. Irene emphasises the importance of community involvement, networking and self-expression in her career. She also reflects on the future of in-house practice, particularly the role of technology and AI. The conversation concludes with a rapid-fire round, highlighting Irene's vibrant personality and insights on various topics. Takeaways: - Irene's legal journey began with encouragement from her father. - She faced challenges in securing a graduate position after law school. - Her experience in litigation confirmed her preference for in-house roles. - Irene emphasises the importance of understanding one's personality in career choices. - She advocates for community involvement among in-house lawyers. - Networking can be intimidating, but it's essential for growth. - Self-expression, including her pink hair, plays a significant role in her identity. - Irene believes that colour in the workplace is underrated. - The future of in-house practice will likely involve AI and technology. - Building a supportive network is crucial for resilience in the legal profession. Download the New to In-House Survival Guide: https://www.counselpodcast.com/store/p/newtoinhouse (use code BigSisEnergy for a special discount) All of Mel's Big Sis Briefings can be found here: https://www.counselpodcast.com/big-sis-briefings Connect with Mel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melstorey Counsel Podcast Page on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/67479008/admin/feed/posts/ Instagram & TikTok: @careerbigsis Subscribe to the Counsel Podcast so you don’t miss upcoming conversations with leaders who are redefining what it means to be a lawyer today!
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    48 mins
  • 47. Navigating Life After Corporate: A Personal Journey with Mel

    47. Navigating Life After Corporate: A Personal Journey with Mel
    Jan 7 2026
    In this episode, your host, Mel Storey, reflects on her transition from corporate life to building a new career as a content creator and media company. She shares her experiences, the challenges faced and the lessons learned during this journey so far. Mel discusses the importance of leadership, personal growth, and the need for better support within the legal profession. She also highlights her future aspirations, including the development of resources for law students and the importance of community engagement. TAKEAWAYS: - The transition from corporate life can be challenging and filled with mixed emotions. - Rest is essential after leaving a high-pressure environment. - Building a new career requires resilience and adaptability. - Lawyers often struggle with identity confusion and burnout. - Leadership is about making decisions and influencing others, not just holding a title. - Clear information and support are crucial for lawyers navigating their careers. - Community feedback is vital for personal and professional growth. - The legal profession is evolving, and new pathways are emerging. - It's important to recognise the value of legal judgment over mere output. - Engaging with diverse voices in the legal field enriches the profession. Download the New to In-House Survival Guide: https://www.counselpodcast.com/store/p/newtoinhouse (use code BigSisEnergy for a special discount) All of Mel's Big Sis Briefings can be found here: https://www.counselpodcast.com/big-sis-briefings Connect with Mel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melstorey Counsel Podcast Page on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/67479008/admin/feed/posts/ Instagram & TikTok: @careerbigsis Subscribe to the Counsel Podcast so you don’t miss upcoming conversations with leaders who are redefining what it means to be a lawyer today!
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    22 mins
  • 46. In-House Outside the Box: Heather Stevenson on leaving BigLaw, Career Pivots and in-house practice in VC land

    46. In-House Outside the Box: Heather Stevenson on leaving BigLaw, Career Pivots and in-house practice in VC land
    Nov 12 2025
    In this episode, Mel connects with Boston-based lawyer and creator Heather Stevenson for a candid conversation about career reinvention, online visibility, and modern in-house leadership. Heather shares her journey from Big Law litigator at Sullivan & Cromwell to juice-bar founder to General Counsel at Red Cell Partners, a venture firm building companies in healthcare, cybersecurity and national security. Together, they talk about taking unconventional career paths, how social media has reshaped opportunity and why being “too nice to be a lawyer” is a myth worth retiring. Key themes: ✨ Moving from Big Law to entrepreneurship to in-house ✨ Learning business by building one ✨ The role of LinkedIn in modern career growth ✨ The future of in-house law and innovation ✨ Purpose, identity, and redefining professional success Outsourcing, boundaries and building systems that work for your life Favourite moments: Heather explaining how she pitched her way into the Boston Globe after running a juice bar Why she believes “done” is better than “perfect” on LinkedIn and in leadership Her philosophy on using LinkedIn as scalable mentoring The rise of GC-plus roles like GC-COO and GC-Chief Strategy Officer Why “too nice to be a lawyer” is not a weakness Connect with Heather: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherlstevenson/ Subscribe to her newsletter: https://www.newsletter.inhouseoutsidethebox.com/subscribe Download the New to In-House Survival Guide: https://www.counselpodcast.com/store/p/newtoinhouse (use code BigSisEnergy for a special discount) All of Mel's Big Sis Briefings can be found here: https://www.counselpodcast.com/big-sis-briefings Connect with Mel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melstorey Counsel Podcast Page on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/67479008/admin/feed/posts/ Instagram: @careerbigsis Subscribe to the Counsel Podcast so you don’t miss upcoming conversations with leaders who are redefining what it means to be a lawyer today!
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    54 mins
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