In this episode, I sit down with Natasha Bowman, General Counsel of NeilMed Pharmaceuticals to talk through her transition from litigation to leading the legal function of a family-owned business.

We discuss: building legal systems from scratch; navigating the realities of being the sole in-house counsel; how AI is actually being used in day to day legal work; practical advice for networking and career growth; and unique considerations when supporting a family-owned business

Her perspective as a sole GC in a family-owned business is especially insightful.

In this episode, Valissa Turner Howard, Chief People Officer & General Counsel at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and I talk about:

• Building a nontraditional path from law school to executive leadership

• Lessons from the Inspector General’s office that still shape her decisions today

• What it really looks like to lead both legal and HR

• Using your legal career as a vehicle for community impact

One of my favorite takeaways: “Think intentionally about impact—not just title”

In this episode, Kristen Nelson, General Counsel at Chase Properties, joins me on In-House Counsel Chronicles to share her path from private practice to leading the legal function in a real estate organization.

We talk about what it really means to be in-house:
• Being part of the business, not just advising it
• Building a team that fits your culture
• Navigating change and growth

One of my favorite takeaways: “Be patient and always bet on yourself.”

If you're in-house or thinking about the move, this one is worth a listen.

In this episode of In-House Counsel Chronicles, host Shawna Rosner speaks with Jason Hollander, Senior Vice President and General Counsel at Diebold Nixdorf, about his journey from business litigation in private practice to leading an in-house legal function. Jason shares insights on the realities of in-house work, the importance of serving as a trusted business partner, and how understanding both the business and regulatory landscape allows legal teams to deliver practical solutions. He also discusses the leadership skills that shape successful in-house lawyers, and how curiosity, mentorship, and openness to opportunity have influenced his career. The conversation explores the evolving role of AI in legal departments, highlighting both its efficiency benefits and the need for thoughtful human oversight. Jason closes with advice for aspiring in-house attorneys: stay curious, develop expertise, and focus on adding real value to the business.

In this episode, I sit down with Omair Khan to explore a legal career shaped by curiosity, adaptability, and strategic risk taking.

Omair shares how he built a strong foundation at two of the biggest law firms and ultimately transitioned in house at Trusted Health and Iodine now Waystar during a time of unprecedented change.

We discuss:

What tax training teaches you about business strategy

Navigating regulatory compliance in healthcare during COVID

Building a legal function inside a high growth company

Why AI governance is becoming essential for trust and innovation

The power of networking and mentorship for law students and junior lawyers

Join me as I dive into Sara Horvath's journey from law school to becoming a powerhouse in-house attorney! Sara opens up about her journey from law school to becoming a General Counsel and how embracing a non-linear career path shaped her growth along the way. In this episode, Sarah reflects on building her foundation at Sidley Austin, transitioning in-house at Whirlpool, and stepping into a role with Ranpak that blends legal, business, and HR leadership. We talk about what it really means to be a “utility player,” how to navigate work-life integration, and why mentorship and curiosity matter so much early in your career.

💡 Key takeaway: Your career path might not be linear, and that’s perfectly okay! Embrace unexpected turns and new opportunities.

In this episode of In-House Counsel Chronicles, host Shawna Rosner sits down with Celaena Powder, General Counsel at Seismic, a global leader in revenue enablement software.

Celaena shares her journey from private practice to the in-house world, reflecting on the challenges and rewards of building a legal team from scratch and the leadership philosophy that guides her work. She discusses identifying opportunities for improvement within the legal department, navigating early-career responsibilities, and the importance of fostering a positive team culture.

The conversation also explores her experiences with M&A, the value of learning through trial and error, and how in-house roles demand a broader strategic mindset than traditional outside counsel work.

Beyond the office, Celaena gives us a glimpse into her personal passions—from woodworking in her own wood shop to her deep love of comic books, proving there’s a genre for everyone.

Whether you're an aspiring in-house attorney or a seasoned legal professional, this episode offers practical insights and thoughtful guidance.

In this episode, I sit down with Diane Gabl Kratz, JD, Director of IP Strategy & Operations at Dolby. Diane’s journey from studying physics at Cornell to leading an 18-person team at an IP powerhouse. Diane’s insights into leadership, technical expertise, and in-house strategy make this episode a standout.