In-House Humans
Meet the humans behind in-house law.
Conversations with in-house lawyers who are bringing more authenticity, purpose, and innovation to the legal world.
Why Not Me?
Mona Shah spent 18 years at Kellanova (formerly Kellogg) during which she worked in 3 countries, rose to North America General Counsel, and helped close a $36 billion acquisition by Mars, one of the largest food and beverage deals in history. Zak Biggs sat down with Mona to talk about regulatory chaos, self-doubt, and embracing a challenge.
A conversation with Mona Shah
The Dent You Make
Jonathan Cullen spent 18 years at Pfizer, rose to GC of the Year, and helped bring a COVID vaccine to market – then walked away to coach lawyers. Zak Biggs sat down with him to talk impact, intentionality, and the mark a career leaves.
A conversation with Jonathan Cullen
What if it all works out?
Chad Aboud has spent years helping lawyers find careers that actually fit. As Chief Commercial Officer at 鶹Ƶ, he's found the ideal vehicle for his mission. Zak Biggs spoke with him about finding your natural gift, and the question every lawyer should be asking — of others, and themselves.
A conversation with Chad Aboud
Practicing What You Preach
Thelma Zindoga took an unconventional path into Biglaw—and an intentional path out. Today, she’s an employment lawyer working fractionally with in-house teams. Zak Biggs sat down with her to talk creative persistence and career design.
A conversation with Thelma Zindoga
Let Go of the Holy Grail Clause
Across 30 years in law firms and in-house, Laura Frederick built her niche: contracts. Today, she runs How to Contract, helping lawyers sharpen real-world skills. Zak Biggs spoke with her about education gaps, the hill she’ll die on, and why memes work.
A conversation with Laura Frederick
Driving Change in Cars, Fatherhood and Lawyer Mental Health
Steven Ngo, Senior Counsel at Rivian, sat down with Zak Biggs to discuss lawyer wellness, the stigma surrounding dads taking parental leave, and why his work is more tech than tires.
A conversation with Steven Ngo
Pearl Takes Home the First Green Jacket
From the ShamWow to billion-dollar cannabis deals — Pearl Chan’s legal career has been anything but boring. Zak Biggs spoke with her about flexibility, loving work, and being named 鶹Ƶ of the Year.
A conversation with Pearl Chan
Telling Your CEO They're Wrong – And Other Ways to Build Trust as a GC
After 18 years as General Counsel at MNP, Charmaine Toms, K.C. knows how to speak truth to power. Three weeks in, she told her then-CEO his plan was “all wrong” — and still landed a seat at the exec table. She sat down with Zak Biggs to talk trust, budgets, and what comes next.
A conversation with Charmaine Toms
Shari and the Chocolate Factory
Shari Hosaki led legal teams at Cadbury and HarperCollins. Now she’s a values-driven fractional GC shaping a better future for the profession. Zak Biggs caught up with her. ZB: You were GC at Cadbury and HarperCollins — what were your favourite parts of those roles?
A conversation with Shari Hosaki
We're lawyers, and we're humans. Both matter. That's what I love about the In-House Humans segment in the 鶹Ƶ newsletter. It makes space for both sides, and shines light on the parts of our careers and lives we don't usually talk about.
Fractional · Vancouver
Thelma Z.
Employment Lawyer & Fractional Counsel · Founder, Greyston Law