Legal Chutney (Formally Brown Girl Power)

The Leap In-House: What They Don't Tell You

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In this episode, Jagdeep Sekhon sits down with Rippi Karda to share what life as in-house counsel at Verizon really looks like — the rewarding, the demanding, and everything in between. Rippi opens up about her journey from law firm life to a senior role at one of the country's largest corporations, and why making that shift changed the way she thinks about law entirely.

Together, they dig into what it actually takes to thrive in-house: showing up as a true business partner, letting go of the law firm mindset, and navigating the very real challenges that women and people of color continue to face in the legal profession. Rippi also reflects on the relationships — mentors, sponsors, and peers — that helped her get to where she is today.

Whether you're a law firm associate dreaming about making the jump, or simply curious about what in-house counsel actually do day-to-day, this conversation is packed with honest insight and hard-won advice.

In this episode:

  • What the transition from law firm to in-house really feels like — and what most people don't see coming
  • How Rippi built her career at Verizon and what the role of Associate General Counsel actually involves
  • The importance of networking and mentorship at every stage of your legal career
  • The unique challenges faced by women and people of color in the profession — and how to navigate them