The boundaries of a legal career are wider than you think. In this episode, Avril Sisk—independent corporate director and former judge—joins Olga Mack to explore how legal professionals can lead beyond traditional practice and reshape industries, communities, and boardrooms.

With a career spanning public policy, nonprofit leadership, the judiciary, and corporate governance, Avril shares her inspiring journey and offers strategies for applying legal expertise across diverse sectors. If you've ever wondered how to take your legal career to new heights, this episode is for you.

In this conversation, you'll learn:

• Why interdisciplinary skills are key to modern legal careers

• How to transition into executive and non-legal leadership roles

• The value of community engagement in long-term professional success

• How to pivot your career with resilience and purpose

• Why viewing yourself as a client can transform personal development

Whether you’re a lawyer exploring new horizons, a business leader looking to integrate legal insight, or someone passionate about community impact, Avril’s story will inspire you to reimagine the possibilities of a legal career.

The path to a fulfilling legal career doesn’t have to be paved with burnout. In this episode, longtime trial lawyer turned coach Gary Miles joins Olga Mack to discuss how lawyers can transform stress into success and frustration into freedom.

With over 45 years of legal experience, Gary shares practical tools and mindset shifts to help legal professionals manage imposter syndrome, avoid burnout, and build purpose-driven careers. Whether you're a new in-house counsel or a seasoned legal leader, this episode offers strategies to reclaim time, confidence, and clarity.

In this conversation, you'll learn:

• How imposter syndrome manifests for in-house lawyers—and how to overcome it

• Which key performance indicators (KPIs) lawyers should be tracking

• How to structure your day for productivity and reduce burnout

• The value of unstructured time—and how to protect it

• How to lead through service, not just conflict

Whether you’re navigating your first legal role or rethinking your career after decades in practice, Gary’s insights are a powerful reminder that stress doesn’t have to define success in law.

The path to truly inclusive legal teams starts with one powerful trait: curiosity. In this episode, Niti Nadarajah—a former in-house lawyer turned leadership coach and DEI advocate—joins Olga Mack and co-host Memme Onwudiwe to unpack what it takes to build equity and belonging in the legal profession.

With honesty and nuance, Niti challenges traditional hiring practices, exposes the hidden biases professionals of color face, and shares practical ways leaders can foster inclusion by asking better questions and listening more deeply.

In this conversation, you'll learn:

• Why traditional “big law” pipelines fall short in building diverse teams

• How listening—really listening—can uncover blind spots and biases

• How healthy conflict can be a catalyst for innovation and better legal outcomes

• How visual and verbal cues reveal hidden assumptions about socioeconomic status

• Strategies for widening hiring funnels and redefining what it means to be “qualified”

Whether you're building a legal team, mentoring future leaders, or navigating your career from an underrepresented background, this episode offers actionable insight for those serious about equity in law.

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In this episode of Notes to My (Legal) Self, Olga Mack continues the Legal Operations series with Minh Merchant, a three-time General Counsel and mission-driven legal leader in the healthcare industry.

In “Leading with Intent,” Minh joins Olga to unpack what it really takes to become—and remain—a public company GC. From writing earnings scripts and navigating securities disclosures to conducting career “true-up” conversations, Minh shares how she’s built a business-aligned legal path by leading with clarity, courage, and intentionality.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• How to “true up” your experience when pursuing a stretch role

• What hiring managers actually look for in a general counsel

• The mindset shift from qualified to capable

• How to tap into your network for mentorship and accelerated growth

• Why asking “Do I still want this?” is key to long-term career alignment

Whether you're preparing for a leap into a new role, transitioning into a different industry, or refining your career blueprint, Minh offers a thoughtful, practical framework for legal leadership that lasts.

This episode is for:

• In-house counsel mapping their next move

• Legal ops professionals with executive ambitions

• Legal leaders seeking growth beyond traditional career ladders

Tune in to explore what it means to grow your legal career intentionally—on your terms, and in alignment with where you’re headed next.

The legal world can be intense—especially when you're the only lawyer in the room. In this episode, Tara Trantham joins Olga Mack to share her powerful story of navigating legal leadership, federal investigations, and mental health challenges without the safety net of a law firm or legal tech.

With over 23 years as in-house counsel in financial services, Tara brings hard-won insights into how legal professionals can survive and thrive under pressure. From managing legal, compliance, and HR teams to advocating for mental health in high-stress environments, she delivers a candid look at what it takes to lead with resilience.

In this conversation, you'll learn:

• How to survive high-stakes internal investigations as a solo GC

• Why legal tech is essential—and what it costs to go without it

• How to make a compelling case to the board for legal ops investment

• What outside counsel can do to truly support in-house teams

• Why mental health advocacy is non-negotiable in today’s legal landscape

Whether you're a solo in-house lawyer, a GC managing change, or an advocate for wellness in the legal profession, this episode offers a clear, human roadmap to legal resilience and leadership.

In this episode, Tyler Quillin, Product and Regulatory Counsel at Xbox, joins Olga Mack to kick off Season 12 of Notes to My (Legal) Self with a powerful conversation on how legal professionals can better align with product teams, regulators, and executives in today’s fast-paced tech world.

Drawing on his background as both an educator and in-house attorney, Tyler shares how a teaching mindset—paired with business fluency—can help legal teams collaborate more effectively, build executive trust, and deliver solutions that move the business forward.

In this conversation, you'll learn:

• How to simplify legal guidance through analogies, visuals, and storytelling

• Why early engagement with regulators can give your company a strategic edge

• How legal can say “yes” while managing risk and driving innovation

• Practical ways to systematize mentorship and leadership development

• How to build trust across departments and become a true business partner

Whether you're an aspiring product counsel, a legal ops professional, or a tech-savvy in-house attorney, this episode offers a roadmap for adding real business value—without compromising on legal integrity.

Have you ever wondered how in-house legal teams can navigate the rapidly shifting landscape of AI and ESG? Join us in this episode with Christine Uri, Chief Legal and Sustainability Officer, as she reveals how legal leaders are shaping the future of their departments through innovation, governance, and purpose.

In this conversation with Olga Mack, Christine shares her unconventional journey—from artificial intelligence governance to corporate sustainability—and explores how today’s legal professionals can thrive by embracing the unexpected.

Tune in to discover:

• Why AI and ESG are no longer optional—they’re essential for legal teams.

• How legal leaders can balance innovation with governance.

• Why collaboration and proactive risk management are the keys to success.

• Practical steps for building effective AI oversight frameworks within legal departments.

Don’t miss this chance to learn from Christine’s wealth of experience and her insights into how in-house lawyers can drive innovation while maintaining responsible oversight. Whether you're leading a legal department or just beginning your in-house journey, this episode will give you the tools to future-proof your career and your company.