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.