In this episode of Ivory GC, Charles Kwalwasser, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel at Camp: The Family Experience Store, shares his path through financial services, consumer tech, and immersive retail. With early roots in patent law and IP at Clifford Chance and Lehman Brothers, Charlie moved from banking to consumer innovation—leading legal teams at Quirky and BarkBox before joining Camp at its inception. As CAO, he wears multiple hats, overseeing legal, real estate, construction, and show production for Camp's experiential retail locations. He reflects on the challenges of scaling systems in fast-moving startups, managing complex licensing partnerships, and balancing risk with creative innovation. From tech-forward product development to kid-friendly physical spaces, Charlie shows what legal leadership looks like when you’re shaping business at every level.

We hope you enjoyed this episode! :)
- The Ivory GC team

#InHouseCounsel #LegalStrategy #CorporateLaw #IvoryGC #BusinessLaw #LegalCareers #LawyerLife #GeneralCounsel #CorporateGovernance #LegalAdvice #LegalProfessionals #InsideCounsel #LegalLeadership #LegalInnovation

Alexis Freeman, General Counsel at Lindblad Expeditions, recounts her transition from a background in corporate restructuring to leading the legal function within the dynamic adventure travel and ecotourism industry. She provides a detailed account of the unique legal challenges faced by a global tourism operator, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and shares insights into how the industry has adapted. Alexis reflects on joining Lindblad just before the pandemic, dealing with unprecedented operational shutdowns, and navigating complex international regulations.
She also discusses her experience with mergers and acquisitions, the breadth of legal issues she manages, and the critical importance of educating and collaborating with various departments within the company. Alexis offers valuable advice and insights into the skills and experiences that have contributed to her success as an in-house counsel.

We hope you enjoyed this episode! :)
- The Ivory GC team

#InHouseCounsel #LegalStrategy #CorporateLaw #IvoryGC #BusinessLaw #LegalCareers #LawyerLife #GeneralCounsel #CorporateGovernance #LegalAdvice #LegalProfessionals #InsideCounsel #LegalLeadership #LegalInnovation

Ryan McElduff, General Counsel at ICC Industries, provides insights into his transition from commercial litigation to leading the legal department of a global chemical company. He shares strategies for managing diverse legal challenges and emphasizes a cooperative, problem-solving approach. Ryan's litigation experience prepares him for the dynamic demands of his in-house role, enabling effective risk management and compliance.
Ryan discusses ICC's transformation from a chemical trading operation to a manufacturing powerhouse, highlighting sectors like plastics and specialty chemicals. He underscores the importance of communication and collaboration within the organization for successful legal and business outcomes.
Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-mcelduff-3462b65

We hope you enjoyed this episode! :)
- The Ivory GC team

#InHouseCounsel #LegalStrategy #CorporateLaw #IvoryGC #BusinessLaw #LegalCareers #LawyerLife #GeneralCounsel #CorporateGovernance #LegalAdvice #LegalProfessionals #InsideCounsel #LegalLeadership #LegalInnovation

In this episode of Ivory GC, Neela Paykel shares her journey as a legal executive with over 20 years of in-house leadership experience spanning MedTech, autonomous vehicles, and digital health. Currently serving as Tech General Counsel in Residence at Mayer Brown, Neela discusses her unique role in bridging the gap between law firms and in-house counsel, leveraging her expertise to enhance legal strategies for tech-driven industries.
Throughout the episode, she reflects on her pivotal career moments, including her time as General Counsel at Hyperfine, where she helped bring the world’s first portable MRI system to market, and her tenure at Waymo, where she worked on legal frameworks for autonomous vehicles in a highly regulated space.
Neela also provides valuable insights into navigating regulatory challenges, striking the balance between legal risk and business innovation, and fostering diversity in legal teams. Plus, she offers practical advice for young attorneys looking to transition in-house and thrive in fast-paced, high-growth industries.

We hope you enjoyed this episode! :)
- The Ivory GC team

#InHouseCounsel #LegalStrategy #CorporateLaw #IvoryGC #BusinessLaw #LegalCareers #LawyerLife #GeneralCounsel #CorporateGovernance #LegalAdvice #LegalProfessionals #InsideCounsel #LegalLeadership #LegalInnovation

In this episode of Ivory GC, Valerie Chianuri, General Counsel and Head of People & Operations at nTopology Inc., shares her journey from financial services to leading legal and operational functions in high-growth tech companies. With over 20 years of experience spanning American Express, Deloitte, Curb Mobility, and Exusia, Valerie has built a career at the intersection of law, business, and technology.
During the conversation, she provides an inside look at nTopology, a computational design and engineering software company transforming advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and medical industries. She discusses how she navigates legal risk, compliance, and information security while also overseeing HR and people operations in a fast-growing organization.
Valerie also dives into the evolving role of legal operations, sharing how her team leverages contract lifecycle management tools, process automation, and AI-driven analytics to improve efficiency. She offers practical insights into managing legal functions within scaling companies, handling complex customer contracts, and leading high-performing teams.
For young lawyers, she shares valuable advice on curiosity, strategic thinking, and finding the right environment to grow in-house.

We hope you enjoyed this episode! :)
- The Ivory GC team

#InHouseCounsel #LegalStrategy #CorporateLaw #IvoryGC #BusinessLaw #LegalCareers #LawyerLife #GeneralCounsel #CorporateGovernance #LegalAdvice #LegalProfessionals #InsideCounsel #LegalLeadership #LegalInnovation

In this episode of Ivory GC, Ling-Ling Nie shares her remarkable journey as a legal and compliance leader across corporate, government, and academic sectors. From serving as Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel at Aura to holding key legal roles at Georgia Tech, Panasonic North America, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Ling-Ling has built a career focused on compliance, risk management, and business strategy.
Now, as the Founder & CEO of Tender Cosmetics, she has made the bold leap into entrepreneurship, bringing her legal expertise and business acumen into the beauty industry. In this episode, she reflects on how legal professionals can develop business fluency, the importance of relationship-building across industries, and how in-house counsel can drive company culture and ethics.
Ling-Ling also shares invaluable career advice for young lawyers, discussing early career struggles, navigating non-traditional paths, and developing the mindset needed for long-term success.

Find Ling-Lling on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ling-ling-nie-6aa7a64a/

We hope you enjoyed this episode! :)
- The Ivory GC team

#InHouseCounsel #LegalStrategy #CorporateLaw #IvoryGC #BusinessLaw #LegalCareers #LawyerLife #GeneralCounsel #CorporateGovernance #LegalAdvice #LegalProfessionals #InsideCounsel #LegalLeadership #LegalInnovation

This episode of Ivory GC features Viravyne Chhim Bip, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at MGG Investment Group, a private credit investment firm managing over $6 billion in assets. With a career spanning Latham & Watkins, Credit Suisse, GSO Capital Partners, and Blackstone Credit, Viravyne brings a wealth of experience in structured finance, investment management, and regulatory compliance. In this conversation, she shares her journey from Big Law to in-house leadership, offering insights into the complexities of managing legal and compliance functions in the fast-paced world of private credit. She discusses how shifting regulatory frameworks impact investment strategies, the importance of legal teams being strategic business partners, and the challenges of leading a lean but high-performing legal department. Viravyne also highlights the skills and business acumen that legal professionals need to succeed in the financial sector, along with practical advice for those looking to transition into in-house roles or advance within investment firms. 

Find Viravyne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/viravynechhim/

We hope you enjoyed this episode! :)
- The Ivory GC team

#InHouseCounsel #LegalStrategy #CorporateLaw #IvoryGC #BusinessLaw #LegalCareers #LawyerLife #GeneralCounsel #CorporateGovernance #LegalAdvice #LegalProfessionals #InsideCounsel #LegalLeadership #LegalInnovation

This episode of Ivory GC features Marla Crawford, General Counsel at Simplify, a leading provider of integrated legal services and technology. With over 35 years of experience at Jones Day and Goldman Sachs, Marla shares her journey from pioneering legal technology to leading strategic initiatives in a fast-growing company. She discusses how AI and automation are reshaping legal operations, improving efficiency, and helping legal teams manage risk more effectively. Marla also highlights the evolving role of in-house counsel, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between law firms, corporate legal teams, and service providers. She provides valuable leadership insights on balancing legal oversight with business growth and navigating the challenges of adopting new technologies and key takeaways for legal professionals looking to stay ahead in an increasingly tech-driven industry. 

Find Marla on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marla-crawford-57243a/

We hope you enjoyed this episode! :)
- The Ivory GC team

#InHouseCounsel #LegalStrategy #CorporateLaw #IvoryGC #BusinessLaw #LegalCareers #LawyerLife #GeneralCounsel #CorporateGovernance #LegalAdvice #LegalProfessionals #InsideCounsel #LegalLeadership #LegalInnovation

In this special episode of Ivory GC, Brian Becker sits down with Luis Vacanti, Chief Legal Officer at Analytic Partners, to discuss the impactful collaboration between Analytic Partners and Ivory Law Group. Luis shares his experience as the company's first in-house legal hire, the challenges of transitioning from a heavily outside counsel-reliant model, and how Ivory Law Group has seamlessly integrated into his team. He highlights Ivory’s plug-and-play approach to scaling legal operations, the value of their senior and offshore attorneys, and their ability to consistently meet aggressive SLAs. The conversation showcases how Ivory’s cost-effective, high-quality legal support enhances efficiency, streamlines contract management, and ultimately makes Luis look good to his stakeholders. Brian and Luis close with mutual appreciation for the partnership and the benefits of a well-structured, adaptable legal team.

To watch the second part of the case study, check out the video on youtube! https://youtu.be/8SZWrEtc-mc

We hope you enjoyed this episode! :)
- The Ivory GC team

#InHouseCounsel #LegalStrategy #CorporateLaw #IvoryGC #BusinessLaw #LegalCareers #LawyerLife #GeneralCounsel #CorporateGovernance #LegalAdvice #LegalProfessionals #InsideCounsel #LegalLeadership #LegalInnovation

In this episode of Ivory GC, Helena Cawley, General Counsel at First Street™, delves into the company’s mission of quantifying climate risk through financial modeling. She discusses First Street’s transition from a nonprofit to a public benefit corporation, a strategic move that enabled venture funding for global expansion. Helena shares insights into the legal complexities of this transition, including executing a reverse triangular merger and introducing employee stock options. She also explores First Street’s business model, which involves licensing climate risk data to financial institutions, the federal government, and real estate platforms. Additionally, Helena reflects on her unique career path—from BigLaw to entrepreneurship and climate tech—offering advice to junior lawyers and emphasizing the importance of aligning legal work with personal passion and impact.

We hope you enjoyed this episode! :)
- The Ivory GC team

#InHouseCounsel #LegalStrategy #CorporateLaw #IvoryGC #BusinessLaw #LegalCareers #LawyerLife #GeneralCounsel #CorporateGovernance #LegalAdvice #LegalProfessionals #InsideCounsel #LegalLeadership #LegalInnovation