
Listen and learn from Chris Batz’s bi-weekly podcast, The Future is Bright.
Enjoy a front-row seat as Chris speaks with thought-provoking C-Suite executives and leaders from corporations, both public and private, professional service firms, and of course, the legal industry from around the United States.
“It was a true pleasure joining Chris for his podcast. Chris brings a creative and energized approach to his exploration of management issues facing the legal industry, and his podcast captures invaluable perspectives from a cross-section of tenured law firm and law department leaders.”
“Chris was great to work with. He was easy to talk to and made the experience fun for me. If I was looking for an attorney Chris would be my first call”
“Before serving as a guest on Chris’ podcast, I had been an avid listener. Chris has an engaging approach with each guest that will immediately draw you in. I appreciate the variety of thought leaders he features. Listening to his podcasts allows me to be sure I am continuing to grow as a leader and lawyer.”

In-House Team, Talent and Career Advice with Kim Yapchai and Dennis Garcia
It takes time to build that psychological safety, but I think it’s a more important area than ever before in the modern workplace,” explains Dennis Garcia, Assistant General Counsel of Microsoft. Today, Dennis and Kim Yapchai, former SVP, Chief Environmental, Social, and Governance Officer at Tenneco Inc., discuss their career advice for developing in-house talent. Trust is something that …

Matt Saur | CoFounder and Partner of Woolery & Co on Pushing Boundaries and Advising Family Offices
Anyone that knows me throughout my career would see that it’s really been about trying to push the boundaries. And in our part of the market, I think we really are driving and pushing the boundaries of what is possible and what clients want,” explains Matt Saur, strategic and institutional advisor, co-founder and partner of Woolery & Co. Today, Matt shares his career journey, the challenges …

Susanne Meline | CoFounder Francis Capital Management-Launching a Hedge Fund & Active Board Service
Hedge funds, if you do it right and you set up a really good compliance and operational structure, it’s a scalable business,” explains Susanne Meline, co-founder of Francis Capital Management. Prior to going into hedge fund management and serving on several boards, she worked as an investment banker and as a lawyer. Today, Susanne shares how she first became involved with hedge funds, how …

Bill Ryan | SVP Assistant GC of AT&T Services Inc. on Contextualizing Work and Family
I always try to make sure I’m contextualizing what I do on a day-to-day basis. And my personal priority is my family all the time,” shares Bill Ryan, SVP. Bill is the Assistant GC of AT&T Services, Inc., but has held many roles from working as a bilingual educator to becoming an attorney and working in-house at DirectTV. Today, he shares his professional journey and how he has built a …

Amy Harris | EVP Chief Legal Officer of UMB Financial on Doing What Gives You Energy
Not enjoying the day-to-day was what prompted me to think about what I was doing. I then really started to try to focus on what I did enjoy,” explains Amy Harris, EVP. Amy is the Chief Legal Officer at UMB Financial, the largest bank in Kansas City. Today, she shares her journey from starting college as a musical theater major to going into political science and becoming a lawyer, and …

Recruiting Law Partners and The Current Legal Market with Sharon Mahn and Gary Miles
The law firms usually take their cues from their clients. If there’s layoffs at the big banks and financial institutions, there’s going to be a slowdown in the corporate work as well,” explains Sharon Mahn,CEO and Founder of Mahn Partners. Today, Sharon and Gary Miles, president and CEO at Miles Partner Placement, combine their experience to discuss the current legal market, predictions …

Fred Stein | Chief Legal Officer Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment – Strapped to a Rocketship
If you’re going to take a leap, you better at least like the people you’re working with,” explains Fred Stein, Chief Legal Officer of Chicken Soup for the Soul. Today, Fred explores his extensive career journey, from law school to his private practice experience to his passion for writing. By reflecting on his experiences, Fred reveals how his time at Redbox was a rocket ship of growth, …

Sahang-Hee Hahn | Head of Strategy & Planning Haven Life Insurance – Being Playful With Your Career
Put yourself out there before an opportunity arises,” explains Sahang-Hee Hahn, Head of Strategy & Planning at Haven Life Insurance Agency. Before her current position, Sahang-Hee started her career in singing and acting, big law, and got her MBA at Wharton. Reflecting on her varied experiences, she discusses taking risks and being playful with her career. When you push away your fear of …

Ori Solomon | Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary of Resilience Value First
When you help others, they have the desire to come back and help you,” explains Ori Solomon, Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary at Resilience. During Covid, Ori joined Resilience, a transformative pharma manufacturing company. With this transition in mind, Ori shares what it means to add value to your company and the world. Ori advises listeners to add value to …

Meredith Ritchie | SVP GC, Chief Ethics/Govt Affairs Officer Alliant Credit Union – Career Portfolio
With hard work and determination, you can really accomplish a lot” explains Meredith Ritchie, SVP GC, Chief Ethics & Government Affairs Officer. Starting her career as a paralegal, Meredith has developed an exciting career portfolio. Today, she shares the upcoming projects she has ahead and her dedication to volunteerism. Through her position at Alliant Credit Union, Meredith has had an …
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