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.

The future of legal education is here! In this episode, Linsey Krolik joins Olga Mack to discuss how law schools can adapt to the rapidly changing landscape of legal operations and technology. Together, they explore how GenAI, legal ops, and tech adoption should be integrated into law curricula to better prepare students for in-house roles.

Linsey shares her vision for reshaping legal education to equip the next generation of lawyers with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in modern legal departments. If you're passionate about the future of legal education, this episode is for you.

In this conversation, you'll learn:

• How GenAI is reshaping legal education and what law schools can do to adapt

• Why legal operations is a critical area of focus for future lawyers

• How law students can develop skills that make them valuable contributors to legal tech

• The importance of hands-on experience and internships in preparing for legal ops roles

• Strategies for continuous learning and adapting to the changing legal tech landscape

Whether you're a legal educator, an in-house lawyer, or simply passionate about the future of legal ops, this episode will give you a roadmap for the changes needed in legal education.

Ready to make AI work for your legal team? In this episode, Navin Mahavijiyan unpacks the magic (and the challenges) of implementing and maintaining legal chatbots that are not just functional—but truly aligned with your team’s culture and tone.

Continuing our Legal Operations series, Navin joins Olga Mack to share actionable insights on designing chatbots that help, not hinder. From the first step of chatbot implementation to scaling and ongoing maintenance, Navin gives you the roadmap for making AI a trusted ally in your legal ops toolbox.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The real first step to chatbot implementation (spoiler: it’s not technical!)

• Why bot maintenance is critical for long-term success

• How to humanize bots to fit your team’s unique language and values

• How to use real-world scenarios to train your bot for greater impact

• Why chatbots can amplify your team’s work, not replace it

If you're ready to dive into the world of legal chatbots, this episode offers everything you need—from initial setup to keeping your bot aligned with your evolving needs.

What if data could create a stronger sense of belonging in the legal profession? In this episode, Flo Nicolas shows how people analytics and bold leadership can transform legal teams from the inside out.

Continuing our Legal Operations series, Flo joins Olga Mack to share her inspiring journey from traditional law practice to becoming a trailblazer for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in legal ops. With a mix of candor and strategic wisdom, Flo breaks down how data, risk-taking, and community-building can fuel real, lasting change.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How people analytics can power smarter, more inclusive legal operations

• Why risk tolerance matters in building a modern legal career

• How setbacks and failures can become stepping stones to innovation

• Strategies for using data to bridge the gap between business and legal functions

• Why authentic networking is key to driving legal transformation

If you're passionate about building stronger, more inclusive legal teams—or curious about how data and human capital intersect—this episode offers actionable insights and inspiration for the future of legal leadership.

Think lawyers hate legal tech? They don’t—they just don’t know how much they need it yet. In this episode, Chad Aboud reveals how to sell legal tech into corporate legal departments and drive adoption that actually sticks.

Continuing our Legal Operations series, Chad joins Olga Mack for a candid conversation about what really works (and what doesn’t) when bringing new solutions into legal teams. From building internal champions to avoiding post-sale burnout, Chad shares a playbook grounded in empathy, curiosity, and community-building.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to sell into legal without selling out your values

• Why pre-agreeing on “wins” smooths tech rollouts

• How to build first versions that leave room for growth

• Ways to engage sales, finance, and account management post-sale

• How to become a trusted sounding board for lonely legal teams

If you're ready to turn resistance into momentum—and move legal teams from “maybe” to “let’s go”—this episode is your essential guide. Tune in for real-world strategies, fresh perspective, and a smarter way to sell and implement legal tech.