Cockpit Counsel Podcast

Alissa Harrington, Deputy General Counsel at All Elite Wrestling (AEW), joins us on this episode of Cockpit Counsel. We’ll dive into the unique challenges of working in sports and entertainment law, from intellectual property and risk management to the evolving role of AI in the legal space. Whether you’re interested in the behind-the-scenes legal work of professional wrestling or looking for insights on navigating a dynamic in-house legal career, this episode is packed with expert advice and compelling stories from the industry.

Key Takeaways:

- Navigating legal challenges in sports and entertainment

- Balancing good vs. bad use of AI

- Pulling back the curtain on the legal team the day of a show

- Intellectual property considerations in professional wrestling

- Tips for breaking into the sports and entertainment field

- And much more!

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to handle legal matters in the high-energy world of professional sports, this episode is for you.

Ashley Adams, Director, Legal Operations, returns again to share her expertise and deliver even more invaluable insights. This time, she’ll offer actionable strategies for building and leading high-performing legal operations teams, nurturing talent, and forging meaningful connections across your organization—all aimed at advancing your career to new heights.

Key takeaways:

- How to lead with purpose and position yourself for your next career goal

- Strategies to build stronger connections within your organization

- Tips for identifying mentors who can guide and support your professional growth

- Approaches to overcome career challenges with confidence

- And much more!

Don’t miss this engaging and actionable discussion designed to help you unlock new opportunities and accelerate your career.

Nina Blackshear, Senior Counsel at Spark Therapeutics and Certified Executive Coach, joins us on this episode of Cockpit Counsel to discuss transferable skills essential for in-house legal professionals. From advice for overcoming imposter syndrome to discussing what it means to be an authentic leader, Nina offers practical career advice for navigating the in-house legal landscape.

Key takeaways:

- How to identify transferable skills to help in the transition to in-house careers

- Tips on connecting and building relationships across different teams within the company

- Advice on how to leverage “authentic leadership” as a first-time leader

- And more!

Don't miss this inspiring and practical discussion designed to help you thrive in your career! Watch now!

Learn more about LinkSquares here: www.LinkSquares.com

Matt Nolan, Assistant General Counsel at Honeywell, joins us on this episode of Cockpit Counsel to share his insights on managing an in-house legal career. From evaluating career opportunities to thriving in new roles, Matt offers practical advice for navigating the unique challenges of the in-house legal world with curiosity and flexibility.

Key Takeaways:

• How to evaluate opportunities at different stages of your career
• Questions to ask during interviews and early in a new role
• Building relationships and adapting to new cultures as an in-house lawyer
• Tips for transitioning to leadership and staying marketable in your career
• Knowing when it’s time to take on your next challenge

Whether you’re new to in-house roles or looking to level up your career, this episode is packed with actionable advice and strategies for success. Tune in!

Rosemary Kuperberg, VP, Privacy (Chief Privacy Officer) and Deputy General Counsel at Demandbase, joins us on this episode of Cockpit Counsel. We’ll explore what every in-house legal professional needs to know about building a rock-solid privacy program. Whether you’re mapping out compliance strategies or navigating the notoriously tricky balance between business goals and regulatory requirements, this conversation delivers a wealth of practical advice straight from an expert in the field.

Key Takeaways:

• Why every in-house counsel is (like it or not) a privacy lawyer
• Essential steps to building and maintaining a compliance program
• Staying ahead of evolving privacy laws and regulations
• Problem-solving tips for aligning business goals with compliance needs
• And so much more!

If you’ve been looking for ways to sharpen your privacy law expertise—or just survive the next wave of GDPR-style updates—this episode is for you. Tune in!

Mitch Bragg, General Counsel and VP of Commercial Operations at Q-Centrix, joins us on this episode of Cockpit Counsel. We’ll talk leadership, the art of managing a high-impact lean legal team, and much more. Tune in to discover insights on retaining and developing talent within legal teams, along with effective strategies for navigating increased workloads and tight deadlines with limited resources.

Key Takeaways:

• How to create a cohesive team in a remote environment

• Key traits to consider when hiring new talent

• Effectively prioritizing tasks and responsibilities

• And more!

Get valuable tips to take your legal team to the next level. Tune in!

Shai Mehani, CEO and Co-Founder of In-House Connect, joins us on Cockpit Counsel to chat about networking, entrepreneurship, and more. With years of experience as in-house counsel and daily interactions with leaders from various organizations, Shai shares valuable insights and lessons learned from building and maintaining a community for in-house pros.

Key Takeaways:

• How to build cross-functional relationships in a new role
• Staying up to date on changing regulations and industry trends
• Thoughts on building your brand as a legal pro
• And more!

Tune in for practical networking tips and some career inspiration.

Greg Anderson is Vice President and Chief Privacy Officer at The E.W. Scripps Company. In this 30-minute webinar, Greg will discuss insights from his career as a technology lawyer, share his perspective on what it means to be a connected company, and the role contracts play in that vision.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of contextualizing data
• Ensuring the legal team is viewed as a value-add
• Building relationships and earning trust across the organization
• And more!

Tune in to this conversation on becoming a connected company.

Meet Matt Pinkham, the CLO at Specialty Program Group. He was previously an M&A Attorney and brings his expertise to the show, with a focus on being a problem-solver in the in-house world. Tune in for his perspective on M&A, building strong relationships, and more.

Key Takeaways:

• Approaching an acquisition and how Matt’s strategy has evolved
• Transitioning from a firm to an in-house leadership role
• Why you can’t simply advise as an in-house legal leader
• And more!

In this short episode, Tim gives his take on how to close the year strong and shares his thoughts on end-of-year negotiations.