Join me as I dive into Sara Horvath's journey from law school to becoming a powerhouse in-house attorney! Sara opens up about her journey from law school to becoming a General Counsel and how embracing a non-linear career path shaped her growth along the way. In this episode, Sarah reflects on building her foundation at Sidley Austin, transitioning in-house at Whirlpool, and stepping into a role with Ranpak that blends legal, business, and HR leadership. We talk about what it really means to be a “utility player,” how to navigate work-life integration, and why mentorship and curiosity matter so much early in your career.

💡 Key takeaway: Your career path might not be linear, and that’s perfectly okay! Embrace unexpected turns and new opportunities.

In this episode of In-House Counsel Chronicles, host Shawna Rosner sits down with Celaena Powder, General Counsel at Seismic, a global leader in revenue enablement software.

Celaena shares her journey from private practice to the in-house world, reflecting on the challenges and rewards of building a legal team from scratch and the leadership philosophy that guides her work. She discusses identifying opportunities for improvement within the legal department, navigating early-career responsibilities, and the importance of fostering a positive team culture.

The conversation also explores her experiences with M&A, the value of learning through trial and error, and how in-house roles demand a broader strategic mindset than traditional outside counsel work.

Beyond the office, Celaena gives us a glimpse into her personal passions—from woodworking in her own wood shop to her deep love of comic books, proving there’s a genre for everyone.

Whether you're an aspiring in-house attorney or a seasoned legal professional, this episode offers practical insights and thoughtful guidance.

In this episode, I sit down with Diane Gabl Kratz, JD, Director of IP Strategy & Operations at Dolby. Diane’s journey from studying physics at Cornell to leading an 18-person team at an IP powerhouse. Diane’s insights into leadership, technical expertise, and in-house strategy make this episode a standout.