Modern Counsel

March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the trailblazing women shaping the legal industry. 🚀

Meet eight legal leaders making an impact across IP, compliance, employment, litigation, and M&A—driving change in healthcare, tech, and manufacturing. Their expertise and leadership are shaping the future of the profession.

Featured:
Trisha Cole: Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel at Medtelligent.
Erica Davila: General Counsel at Transcarent.
Heather Manderson: Corporate Counsel at Aflac.
Melissa Oberkfell: VP and Chief Counsel of Digital First Banking at Candescent.
Vanessa Patel: Division VP, Deputy General Counsel, and Global Head of Employment, Litigation & Privacy at TaskUs.
Tiffany Archer: President and Founder of Eunomia Risk Advisory Inc.
Michele Connors: Senior Assistant General Counsel and Director of Compliance & Sustainability at Cirrus Logic.
Karina Tiwana: VP of Legal at Infinera.

📖 Get to know the executives to watch: https://hubs.la/Q039gsg30

Know someone who should be on our radar? Introduce us!

Lauren King’s approach to employment law is all about partnership. As director and assistant general counsel at Cboe Global Markets, she is focused on proactive solutions that strengthen the company’s already strong workplace culture.

As Cboe’s first dedicated employment attorney, King has built her role from the ground up—collaborating closely with HR, senior executives, and the legal team to navigate evolving regulations and drive impactful initiatives.

Learn more about her journey and leadership in The Purpose Issue: 📖 https://hubs.la/Q034Vbgh0
🔗 Explore The Purpose Issue: https://hubs.la/Q034Vh-f0

At Extended Stay America, Erin Young has embraced the dynamic challenges of managing litigation for over 600 hotels across the US. Since stepping into the role in 2022, the senior litigation counsel has leveraged her two decades of private practice experience to craft a cohesive litigation strategy while handling everything from slip-and-fall cases to the unexpected presence of exotic birds in hotel rooms.

“You need to realize that you belong in the room and that your perspective matters,” says Young.

Learn more about Erin's journey in Modern Counsel’s Purpose Issue:
📖 Full article: https://hubs.ly/Q032-TCF0
📘 Explore the Purpose Issue: https://hubs.ly/Q032-Y4w0

ICYMI: We’re proud to announce that Modern Counsel’s Purpose Issue is here—and it’s led by none other than Elena Stein, our Cover Story.

Elena, general counsel for the Americas at Dyson, exemplifies purpose-driven leadership. From her early roles as a track coach and bartender to her current work as a strategic partner and team leader, Elena’s people-first approach has always been her foundation.

In this issue, she shares how her experiences shaped her ability to lead with empathy, build connections, and foster growth across her team.

Dive into Elena's story here: https://hubs.la/Q03234mc0
Explore the full Purpose Issue: https://hubs.la/Q03236jK0

Elena Stein puts people first at Dyson - Modern Counsel Elena Stein shares her journey to law, her leadership philosophy, and her proudest moments from her tenure as general counsel

Rick Hansen’s career includes impressive names like Perkins Coie, Amazon, Chevron, General Motors, and now HP, where he serves as Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel – Corporate, and Corporate Secretary. He thrives at the intersection of law, business, and public policy on a global stage.

Hansen takes inspiration from advice given by a notable CEO he once worked with. “This amazing person told me she didn’t have a clearly plotted career path but got to the CEO chair by never saying no to an opportunity, regardless of how difficult it seemed,” Hansen recalls. “By doing so, she became indispensable and always had a seat at the table for critical decisions. I’ve modeled much of my career based on that advice.”

At HP, Hansen oversees a broad portfolio, including board operations, securities regulation, capital markets, M&A, corporate governance, and more. His role is dynamic, often taking on special projects that push him beyond his comfort zone.

Discover more about Rick Hansen’s journey and his role at HP Inc.: https://hubs.la/Q02KgknZ0

Rick Hansen Is a True Public Company Lawyer - Modern Counsel Rick Hansen never experiences the same day twice at HP Inc., which is just how he likes it