This episode features insights from three distinguished general counsels (Bryan Phillips, Dorothy Capers, and Kevin Armstrong) discussing their career paths, the importance of diversity in the legal profession, and the evolving role of general counsel in corporate leadership. They share personal stories, strategic advice, and the significance of mentorship and relationship-building in advancing in the legal field.

This Conversation Matters honors attorneys for International Be Kind to Lawyers Day, held annually the second Tuesday in April.

Guest 1: Dorothy Capers, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at CH Robinson

Guest 2: Kevin Armstrong, General Counsel and Advisory Board Director of Spectrum Robotics

Guest 3: Bryan Phillips, Sr. Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, and Chief Compliance Officer at Inspire Medic

keywords: Legal careers, Diversity in law, General counsel, Corporate leadership, Mentorship, Legal profession, Black lawyers, Career development, Law industry, Diversity and inclusion

key topics

• Career pathways for lawyers
• Diversity and inclusion in the legal industry
• The evolving role of general counsel in corporations

titles

• From Civil Rights to Corporate Leadership: The Journey of Black GCs
• Building Diversity in Law: Insights from Top General Counsels

Sound Bites

• "The number of Black GCs has risen from 1% to 5%."
• "GCs need a general sense of enough areas of law."
• "Relationship building is key to success in law."

Chapters

00:00Introduction to Legal Diversity and Inclusion

02:34Career Pathways in Law

11:50The Role of General Counsel

18:21The Importance of Mentorship and Relationships

20:21Insights from Kevin Armstrong on Legal Careers

27:39Navigating Legal Risks and Responsibilities

30:48The Importance of Networking in Law

33:21Empowering Black Lawyers in Securities Law

34:53Building a Legal Function in a Growing Company

36:20The Journey to Law: Family Influence and Education

41:39The Impact of Law on Lives and Society

44:09Embracing a Generalist Mindset in Law

46:42Increasing Representation of Black General Counsels

50:54The Ongoing Importance of Diversity and Inclusion

51:41 Beyond the Story: Shayla Michelle on Echoes in the Distance

Listen at 6 p.m. on Power1047.fm on Tuesdays or follow on YouTube @ShereeCurryMedia

Resources

• Black General Counsel 2025 Initiative
• Howard University School of Law
• Thomson Reuters Legal Tech Panel
• Spectrum Robotics
• Inspire Medical Systems

“When Black and Brown women are safe, all women are safe.” - Lakeisha Lee

Learn how Lakeisha Lee turned the tragedy of the 2013 murder of her sister into advocacy through the Brittany Clardy Foundation.

In this conversation, we explore Lakeisha’s journey, the foundation’s mission, and how community involvement can drive significant change in addressing violence against women, particularly Black women.

Takeaways

• Advocacy for Black and Brown women
• Intersectionality of issues
• Importance of community support

Chapters

• Introduction and Background - 2:10
• Brittany's Disappearance - 2:30
• Family's Efforts and Challenges - 5:21
• Athena's Story - 7:54
• Finding Strength and Advocacy - 11:52
• Brittany's Foundation and Initiatives - 17:12
• Legislative Efforts and Task Force - 21:36
• National Advocacy and Partnerships - 24:53
• Public Awareness and Support - 46:20
• Solidarity with Indigenous Communities - 49:07
• Beyond the Story: 51:41
  

Listen at 6 p.m. on Power1047.fm on Tuesdays or follow on YouTube @ShereeCurryMedia

Lakisha Lee shares the tragic loss of her sister, Brittany Clardy, and the impact it had on her life. In this short clip, she emphasizes the perpetual injustice faced by Black women. Her full story can be found in Episode 4 of This Conversation Matters. The episode coincides with the Day on the Hill, supported by The Minnesota Office for Missing and Murdered Black Women, founded in part because of Brittany Clardy's tragic murder.

Find full episodes on podcast platforms and subscribe on the YouTube channel of host Sheree Curry. https://www.youtube.com/@ShereeCurryMedia

Takeaways

• Cultural sensitivity in storytelling
• Advocacy for justice and safety of Black women