Counsel

In this episode, your host, Mel Storey, reflects on her transition from corporate life to building a new career as a content creator and media company. She shares her experiences, the challenges faced and the lessons learned during this journey so far.

Mel discusses the importance of leadership, personal growth, and the need for better support within the legal profession. She also highlights her future aspirations, including the development of resources for law students and the importance of community engagement.

TAKEAWAYS:

- The transition from corporate life can be challenging and filled with mixed emotions.

- Rest is essential after leaving a high-pressure environment.

- Building a new career requires resilience and adaptability.

- Lawyers often struggle with identity confusion and burnout.

- Leadership is about making decisions and influencing others, not just holding a title.

- Clear information and support are crucial for lawyers navigating their careers.

- Community feedback is vital for personal and professional growth.

- The legal profession is evolving, and new pathways are emerging.

- It's important to recognise the value of legal judgment over mere output.

- Engaging with diverse voices in the legal field enriches the profession.

Download the New to In-House Survival Guide: https://www.counselpodcast.com/store/p/newtoinhouse (use code BigSisEnergy for a special discount)

All of Mel's Big Sis Briefings can be found here: https://www.counselpodcast.com/big-sis-briefings

Connect with Mel:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melstorey

Counsel Podcast Page on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/67479008/admin/feed/posts/

Instagram & TikTok: @careerbigsis

Subscribe to the Counsel Podcast so you don’t miss upcoming conversations with leaders who are redefining what it means to be a lawyer today!

In this episode, Mel connects with Boston-based lawyer and creator Heather Stevenson for a candid conversation about career reinvention, online visibility, and modern in-house leadership. Heather shares her journey from Big Law litigator at Sullivan & Cromwell to juice-bar founder to General Counsel at Red Cell Partners, a venture firm building companies in healthcare, cybersecurity and national security.

Together, they talk about taking unconventional career paths, how social media has reshaped opportunity and why being “too nice to be a lawyer” is a myth worth retiring.

Key themes:

✨ Moving from Big Law to entrepreneurship to in-house

✨ Learning business by building one

✨ The role of LinkedIn in modern career growth

✨ The future of in-house law and innovation

✨ Purpose, identity, and redefining professional success

Outsourcing, boundaries and building systems that work for your life

Favourite moments:

Heather explaining how she pitched her way into the Boston Globe after running a juice bar

Why she believes “done” is better than “perfect” on LinkedIn and in leadership

Her philosophy on using LinkedIn as scalable mentoring

The rise of GC-plus roles like GC-COO and GC-Chief Strategy Officer

Why “too nice to be a lawyer” is not a weakness

Connect with Heather:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherlstevenson/

Subscribe to her newsletter: https://www.newsletter.inhouseoutsidethebox.com/subscribe

Download the New to In-House Survival Guide: https://www.counselpodcast.com/store/p/newtoinhouse (use code BigSisEnergy for a special discount)

All of Mel's Big Sis Briefings can be found here: https://www.counselpodcast.com/big-sis-briefings

Connect with Mel:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melstorey

Counsel Podcast Page on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/67479008/admin/feed/posts/

Instagram: @careerbigsis

Subscribe to the Counsel Podcast so you don’t miss upcoming conversations with leaders who are redefining what it means to be a lawyer today!

In this episode, Chloe Giamadakis shares her journey in the legal field, discussing her ambition, the importance of a supportive network and how she overcomes "imposter syndrome".

She emphasises the value of continuous learning and the significance of working in a meaningful industry to you.

Chloe also provides insights into regulatory work and offers advice for aspiring lawyers, highlighting the importance of networking and gaining practical experience.

Happy Birthday Chloe and enjoy planning your upcoming wedding! We love a #2026Bride

Connect with Chloe:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-giamadakis-a1953a159/

Download the New to In-House Survival Guide: https://www.counselpodcast.com/store/p/newtoinhouse (use code BigSisEnergy for a special discount)

All of Mel's Big Sis Briefings can be found here: https://www.counselpodcast.com/big-sis-briefings

Connect with Mel:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melstorey

Counsel Podcast Page on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/67479008/admin/feed/posts/

Instagram: @careerbigsis

Subscribe to the Counsel Podcast so you don’t miss upcoming conversations with leaders who are redefining what it means to be a lawyer today!

In this episode, Mel sits down with Brisbane-based in-house lawyer and all round good human Simon Playford to explore what it means to bring purpose, agility and humanity to legal work.

Simon’s career has spanned private practice, commercial and IP law and now the not-for-profit sector with the Heart Foundation, an organisation that means a great deal to him personally.

Together, they talk about moving from corporate to cause-driven work, the realities of in-house life in a charity and how lawyers can make a difference without sacrificing professional growth.

Mel also announces that she’s donating $1 for every download of this episode within the first 24 hours to the Heart Foundation. 💖

Key themes:

✨ Making the leap from corporate to not-for-profit law

✨ How to measure impact without billables

✨ Purpose-driven careers and redefining success

✨ Agility, imperfection and “good enough” lawyering

✨ Building community in the in-house and NFP space

✨ Why connection is at the heart of great legal work

This is a full-circle story about purpose, legacy and finding meaning in work

Connect with Simon:

LinkedIn

Donate or learn more about the foundation here

Download the New to In-House Survival Guide here!

Connect with Mel:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melstorey

Counsel Podcast Page on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/67479008/admin/feed/posts/

Instagram: @careerbigsis

In this episode of the Counsel Podcast, Mel reunites with long-time friend and former colleague Anna Tichborne for a candid conversation about career evolution, leadership and the courage to step outside the traditional lawyer path.

Anna’s career has spanned more than two decades across New Zealand, Australia and the US. From General Counsel to Chief Operations Officer and now building her own consulting practice, she has consistently embraced change, backed herself and carved out space beyond the confines of “lawyer in a box.”

Together, we dive into:

Anna’s transition from GC to COO and what it’s like to move from advising to decision-making

The mindset shifts needed to step into executive leadership outside of legal

Learning to let go of the lawyer identity while still drawing on those skills

The role of mentors, sponsors and having someone in your corner who sees your potential

What skills transfer seamlessly from law to operations, and what you need to unlearn

Anna’s current chapter working with early-stage businesses and tech founders

Why culture, people, and community are the real drivers of successful organisations

This episode is packed with insights for lawyers curious about broader executive opportunities or anyone navigating identity shifts and new career chapters.

Resources and Links:

Connect with Anna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-tichborne-a9647946/

Download the New to In-House Survival Guide: https://www.counselpodcast.com/store/p/newtoinhouse (use code BigSisEnergy for a special discount)

All of Mel's Big Sis Briefings can be found here: https://www.counselpodcast.com/big-sis-briefings

Connect with Mel:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theinhouselawyer/

Counsel Podcast Page on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/67479008/admin/feed/posts/

Instagram & TikTok: @theinhouselawyer

Subscribe to the Counsel Podcast so you don’t miss upcoming conversations with leaders who are redefining what it means to be a lawyer today.

The Counsel Podcast is back for Season 5! In this opening episode, Mel Storey shares a deeply personal update: leaving her role as Head of Legal (APAC) at Pax8 to step into self-employment for the very first time.

Mel reflects on:

Why she chose to resign after 15 years in the law

The breadcrumb trail of signs that told her it was time for a reset

What it feels like to de-institutionalise from corporate life

The messy but exciting process of building a portfolio career

How this podcast planted the seed for coaching, content and speaking

What’s coming up in Season 5, including incredible guests and honest solo episodes

This is an honest behind-the-scenes look at career change, identity and learning to back yourself even when you don’t have the whole map.

Resources and Links:

Download the New to In-House Survival Guide: https://www.counselpodcast.com/store/p/newtoinhouse (use code Big Sis Energy for a special discount)

All of Mel's Big Sis Briefings can be found here: https://www.counselpodcast.com/big-sis-briefings

Connect with Mel:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theinhouselawyer/

Counsel Podcast Page on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/67479008/admin/feed/posts/

Instagram & TikTok: @theinhouselawyer

Subscribe so you don’t miss upcoming episodes featuring in-house leaders, founders and lawyers taking unconventional paths.

James d'Apice is a commercial and litigation lawyer who recently launched a new law firm, Gravamen.

James is also passionate about sharing engaging and nuanced legal updates through his video series 'Coffee and a Case Note' which you can find wherever you get your social media fix.

Mel gets the inside scoop from James on everything from rap battles to his new law firm and working with external counsel.

Connect with James:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesdapice/

Instagram: @coffeeandacasenote

Connect with Mel:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theinhouselawyer/

Counsel Podcast Page on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/67479008/admin/feed/posts/

Instagram & TikTok: @theinhouselawyer

About Our Guest:

Elisabeth Flett is the General Counsel and Company Secretary of Cancer Council NSW.

Elisabeth and Mel discuss finding purpose and passion in your career, including Elisabeth's break from the law to study veterinary science and what drew her back to legal practice. Elisabeth was recently awarded 2023 General Counsel of the Year by the Association of Corporate Counsel.

Connect with Elisabeth:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisabethflett/

Instagram: @the.me.shaped.lawyer

Connect with Mel:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theinhouselawyer/

Counsel Podcast Page on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/67479008/admin/feed/posts/

Instagram & TikTok: @theinhouselawyer

About Our Guest:

Yosr Hamza is Head of Legal and Director of Legal and Compliance at Gartner.

In addition to her work as a lawyer and business advisor, Yosr is a proud caregiver and advocate for her son, who lives with a rare disease.

Connect with Yosr:

Blog: https://docket.acc.com/author/yosr-hamza

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yosrhamza/

Connect with Mel:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theinhouselawyer/

Counsel Podcast Page on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/67479008/admin/feed/posts/

Instagram: @theinhouselawyer

Support:

Thank you to Markster for supporting this episode. Visit markster.com.au or email [email protected].

Thank you also to InCounsel for supporting this episode. Visit incounsel.com.au for more.

Cate Bennett is currently Global General Counsel & Company Secretary for Movember, a Not-For-Profit operating across six jurisdictions with a focus on men's health.

Cate also has a background in the public sector, having worked across public transport, justice and health services

Movember is the leading charity changing the face of men's health working across mental health & suicide prevention as well as prostate and testicular cancer support.

To see more of their work, and to donate or get involved, visit their website https://au.movember.com/about/testicular-cancer

Connect with Cate

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catebennett/

Connect with Mel:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theinhouselawyer/

Counsel Podcast Page on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/67479008/admin/feed/posts/?feedType=following

Instagram: @theinhouselawyer

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Thank you to Markster for supporting this episode. Visit markster.com.au or email [email protected].

Thank you to InCounsel for supporting this episode too. Visit incounsel.com.au.

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