Inhouse Counsel Guests' Mottos - A Compilation Episode
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Show Notes
In the demanding world of in-house counsel, where navigating complex legal issues and supporting a business are daily realities, staying motivated and focused can be a challenge. But what keeps these legal leaders going? We spoke to a range of inspiring in-house counsel and discovered the mottos they use to persevere, tackle challenges, and ultimately achieve success. From unwavering resilience to the power of kindness, get ready to be inspired by the guiding principles that propel these legal powerhouses forward.
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Annaliese Fleming, Lisa Lang, Sheila Murphy, Focus Forward, Joanne Caruso, Anne Kapler, Erin Wilson, Suzette Torres, Michelle Banks, Stacy Bratcher, Kelsey Rutherford, Monica Palko, Caryn Schenewerk
Transcript
Welcome to the third installment of the show’s In-house Counsel series. This installment of the series compiles some of our in-house counsel guests’ mottos, which we ask all of our guests at the end of each episode. Enjoy.
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Annaliese Fleming - General Counsel of the ABA
Annaliese Fleming, General Counsel of the American Bar Association.
I don’t know what I think about it in this world all of the time, but it is persevere. Things can always get better. Sometimes they get worse but they can always get better, too. If you get stuck in a moment, you can remain there. I prefer to always think ahead, try to figure out how to improve things, and how I want to get where I’m going even if I have some setbacks or things that I have to contend with along the way. It is to persevere, keep trying, keep going, and keep moving forward. That is a lot of words, but the motto can be summed up as persevere.
Lisa Lang - General Counsel, Ohio Northern University
Lisa Lang, General Counsel of Ohio Northern University.
Slow is sometimes faster. People have to learn to be patient. Sometimes in your hurry to get stuff done, you cause things to take long.
Sheila Murphy - Fortune 50 In-House Counsel, Executive Coach
Sheila Murphy, Fortune 50 In-House Counsel and now, Executive Coach.
It's why I came up with the name of the company, which is called Focus Forward. That's probably my motto. It's something I've used as a mantra for myself when I doubt myself or I'm thinking what do I want to do next or is this the right decision? I try to focus on going forward. That might be my motto. No matter what you're going through at that moment, there's always something better if you focus on what you want and your strengths, and forget some of the other nonsense.
Joanne Caruso - EVP, Chief Legal and Administrative Officer at Jacobs
Joanne Caruso, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal and Administrative Officer of Jacobs Engineering.
I have a couple, but the one that I am going to say is the one on my cup that I look at every day, which is, “Keep calm and carry on.” I got this cup when I was over in London, as I said, one of my favorite cities. Also, involved in a very difficult contentious case that was challenging for any number of reasons. I love looking at this because it is the motto that I try to live by. It’s to keep calm and carry on.
Ann Kappler - EVP and General Counsel at Prudential Financial
Anne Kapler, Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Prudential Financial.
Be kind to everyone because you don’t know what they’re going through. I’ve been doing a lot of work on mental health and mental awareness. Something that was instilled in me in a lot of ways, I’ve realized now from my parents and my mother in particular, it doesn’t matter how smart you are if you’re not kind. You’re not worth much basically. t’s the way I was brought up, but it’s been brought home now. Being in a leadership role, you got to care for your people. How do you have the empathy that enables you to be a good listener and non-judgmental listener?
Erin Wilson - General Counsel at CU Direct
Erin Wilson, General Counsel of CU Direct.
My motto is, “Take the shot.” That is always my motto, you take the shot. That’s in many different ways. Opportunity can present itself and you need to take it. If it knocks and it’s something you want to do, don’t think it’s going to come around again because most likely it won’t. If you have the chance to do something you want to do in this life, do it. Take it. I’m very big on that. I am not super risk averse. I am conservative in my financial practices because I don’t want to be left destitute but I will go for it. You should.
Also, if you have something to say and you’re afforded the opportunity to say it. You take that opportunity. Those chances do not always come around. Sometimes your voice needs to be heard. That’s very important, especially those of us who have views on things who can present them in a well thought out manner, who maybe have the opportunity to influence.
Suzette Torres - General Counsel at Lennar Title Group LLC
Suzette Torres, General Counsel for Lennar Title Group LLC.
My motto is, “Only because I’m on a diet doesn’t mean I can’t look at the menu.” I used to use it before for eating, like when I was on a diet. I’ll tell you, it also applies in business and almost everyday life. It is. It’s not self-sabotage. Don’t limit yourself to anything. Open yourself up to the opportunities there. You shouldn’t say no. Look around what’s out there. Even if you’re at your dream job. It doesn’t hurt to keep one ear to the ground and to look at what else is out there because you just never know. Things change and you should be able to flow and adapt as the world changes. Again, just because you’re on a diet does not mean you can’t look at the menu. Enjoy life.
Inhouse Counsel Mottos: Things change. You should be able to flow and adapt as the world changes.
Michelle Banks - Global General Counsel of The Gap, Executive Coach
Michelle Banks, former General Counsel of the GAP and now Executive Coach.
Probably help people. Give generously. Those two would be maybe buying, giving generously or helping people. They mean the same thing, just different phrasing.
Stacy Bratcher - Vice President and General Counsel at Cottage Health
Stacy Bratcher, General Counsel of Cottage Health and Host of The Legal Department Podcast.
I don’t know that it’s a motto, but it’s advice that I give a lot of people and try to remind myself, and that’s pay attention. We didn’t talk about this but the GC role and all of us as citizens of the world to look up and see the bigger picture and the small details. There’s a lot of beauty in life if we pay attention and focus on that. There’s a lot of opportunities for us to make a difference if we focus on that. The Ferris Bueller line, “if you don’t stop and look around it might just pass you by.”
Kelsie Rutherford - Former Regulatory Counsel at SES Satellites
Kelsey Rutherford, former Regulatory Counsel at SES Satellites.
Everything happens for a reason. That is my motto. It’s gotten me through so much. It’s a security blanket because I know whenever things are going sideways or in a very challenging situation or I feel down. I think, “Everything happens for a reason.” I know that I’m going through this situation or being faced with this challenge and it’s only going to make me stronger. It’s only going to enable me to handle a similar situation or even more challenging situations in the future down the road. That’s my motto that I go by.
Monica Palko - Chief Legal & Administrative Officer of York Space Systems
Monica Palko, Chief Legal and Administrative Officer of York Space Systems.
My motto is bloom where you’re planted. We moved around when I was a kid. Not as much as many military brats. You won’t necessarily be able to choose, for example, if you’re an assistant, where they need you, as I mentioned. The company you work for might struggle with regulatory compliance but there you are. There’s always something good to get from it. You can always thrive in any environment. I would say my motto is bloom where you’re planted.
Bloom where you are planted. You can always thrive in any environment.
Caryn Schenewerk - Former VP of Regulatory Affairs and Government Affairs at Relativity Space
Caryn Schenewerk, former Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Policy at Relativity Space and formerly of SpaceX.
Being resilient. I can do hard things is a big motto for me.
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Thank you for joining us in this episode. We hope this empowered you to succeed. Hear more stories of inspiring women in law and business by subscribing to the show at ThePortiaProjectPodcast.com. Don’t forget to leave a positive rating and share it with your friends and join us for the next episode. The next woman to revolutionize law, business, or the judiciary could be you.