A strong compliance background with Elon Musk’s Tesla and Solar City prepared Susannah Stroud Wright for her first CLO role at Credit Karma.
Taking on the role of chief legal officer at Kelly Services, Hannah Lim-Johnson discusses the value of strong mentorship in preparing to take on the top job.
Leading the legal function for Fortune 100 agricultural cooperative, CHS, James Zappa shares his journey from specialist to generalist following a mid-career move in-house.
From long-time private practice litigator to general counsel, Lori Schechter shares her personal perspective on moving in-house, as well as how legal teams can transition from business inhibitors to value generators.
A distinct lack of diversity at the upper levels of private practice led Bradley Gayton in-house straight from college. He shares his experience of coming into the top job at Ford as a life-long employee.
‘I always focus on the “counsel” part. You cannot come to this role and think of yourself as a lawyer. You have to think of yourself as a counselor and partner who can provide legal advice – but also general counsel to your business partner on legal, business, policy and reputational issues.’ – Tony West, chief legal officer, Uber.
A company split-up presented the opportunity for Hazel-Ann Mayers to take the steps that would ultimately lead to her becoming GC. Now in the top job at Simon & Schuster, she extols the values of a litigation background when moving in-house and developing a more diverse legal profession.
After nearly 20 years at PepsiCo, Inc, David Yawman was promoted to general counsel. He shares his perspective on the pros and cons of taking on the top job after an extended internal tenure.
The opportunity to join an industry in its infancy finally lured space law expert Brian Israel from the public to the private sector last year. He shares his journey from the US State Department to Planetary Resources in pursuit of his personal next frontier.
Amy Sandgrund-Fisher joined the Clinton Foundation in 2017, having previously specialized as an in-house employment lawyer. She details the transition from a specialist role to a generalist one, as well as life at the prominent charity founded by former US President, Bill Clinton.