A Paragon Legal webinar put three top lawyers on the spot: Jessica Nguyen of Sandstone, Ron Bell of Collective Health and Paloma Ahmadi of Athena. The theme: the skills that got you promoted won’t carry you as general counsel or chief legal officer. Ahmadi’s old boss told her to quit explaining the law and just make the call. Harsh. Correct.
The practical bits are the gold for any new general counsel. Nguyen deleted an NDA requirement for first sales calls, and deals moved about a week faster. Ahmadi won’t open a full-time role unless the work will last two years; otherwise she goes fractional. And spend your first 90 days listening before you reorganize anything. Eyeing the top job? Our guide on how to become a general counsel maps the path, and new General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer jobs post every day.
“She said she is reluctant to open a full-time position unless she believes the work will support a meaningful role for at least two years.”
Read: The Skills That Get Lawyers Promoted Aren’t Always the Ones That Make a Successful General Counsel at Paragon Legal