Legal Chutney (Formally Brown Girl Power)

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Legal Chutney , I had the pleasure of speaking with Neel Chatterjee , Partner and Co-Head of the IP Litigation Practice at King & Spalding . We had a powerful conversation on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal industry and how authenticity, skill, and results drive long-term success. We covered: The evolving role of DEI in law firms and the busine...

Send us Fan Mail Thinking about making a lateral move in law or wondering if you even should? In this episode of Legal Chutney, host Jagdeep Sekhon sits down with Bryson Malcolm, a former attorney turned legal recruiter, for a candid conversation about navigating the legal job market with clarity and confidence. Bryson pulls back the curtain on what really goes into a successful lateral hire — fro...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Jagdeep Sekhon sits down with Bhakti, Assisant General Counsel at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, to explore what two decades as an in-house attorney actually looks like — the strategy, the complexity, and the moments that shape a legal career. Bhakti opens up about her journey into in-house work and how immersing herself in commercial contracts, data privacy, and hig...

Send us Fan Mail 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. Toge...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Jagdeep Sekhon sits down with Mannat to share life as an in-house lawyer, the good, the challenging, and everything in between. Mannat opens up about her journey from the structured world of corporate law to a product counseling role at a tech company, and why that leap changed everything. Together, they dig into what it actually takes to thrive in-house: building...

Send us Fan Mail Whether you're quietly exploring options or actively ready to make a lateral move, this episode is your insider's guide to navigating the legal hiring market. Allie Sisson Erstad, a seasoned legal recruiting expert, pulls back the curtain on what law firms are actually looking for, how to position your resume to stand out, and what the current market signals mean for att...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Legal Chutney , I sat down with Heather Reese , a personal injury attorney, model, and community advocate, for a candid conversation about redefining what it means to be a lawyer and giving yourself permission to be more than one thing. We talked about balancing multiple passions in a demanding profession, challenging outdated ideas of professionalism, and the i...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Legal Chutney , I sat down with Ajaypal Singh for a thoughtful and candid conversation about the realities of being a Sikh student in law school and navigating the legal profession while staying true to one’s identity. We talked openly about the unique pressures Sikh law students face, including the weight of representation, visibility, and the constant balancin...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Legal Chutney , I sat down with Jima Fahnbulleh for an honest and deeply personal conversation about the realities of preparing for the bar exam especially as a repeat test taker. We talked candidly about the emotional toll of failing, the pressure that comes with trying again, and how easily confidence can erode during the process. Jima shared powerful insights...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Legal Chutney , I sat down with Benson Lee, Manager of Early Career Recruitment at White & Case, for an inside look at how law firms really approach OCI interviews and candidate evaluation. We had an honest, practical conversation about what separates a strong interview from a forgettable one and how students can show up prepared, confident, and authentic th...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Legal Chutney , I sat down with Brian Potts, a partner at Husch Blackwell, for a candid conversation about navigating the legal job market and the often-misunderstood power of networking. We talked about the realities of rejection, standing out in a competitive profession, and why building genuine relationships matters just as much as having strong credentials....

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Legal Chutney , I sat down with Danielle Thompson, a Columbia Law graduate and legal recruiter, for an honest conversation about one of the most overlooked challenges in the legal field: mental health. We unpacked the intense pressures of law school and legal practice, explored how grades and performance often become tied to self-worth, and discussed how these e...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Legal Chutney , I sat down with former bar grader turned bar tutor Jay Bijlani to talk candidly about one of the most difficult and emotional parts of the legal journey: preparing for the bar exam as a repeat taker. We unpacked the realities of bar prep, challenged common misconceptions about what it really takes to pass, and explored how mindset, strategy, and...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Legal Chutney , I had the pleasure of speaking with Danielle Thompson , a legal recruiter who works closely with law firms and truly understands the recruiting landscape. She shared invaluable insights on navigating one of the most stressful parts of the law school journey: the new OCI timeline. Danielle opened up about the unique challenges students face when a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Legal Chutney, I had the pleasure of speaking with Gurpreet Singh , who shared his insights on navigating one of the toughest parts of the law school journey: finals season . He opened up about the unique challenges law students face, how to approach exams strategically, and the mindset shifts that make all the difference. We had an insightful conversation about...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Legal Chutney , I had the pleasure of speaking with Milana Dostanitch ,  Senior Of Counsel and founder of I Will . She shared her journey of building community for women in law and the inspiration behind creating a space that empowers and connects others in the profession. We had an insightful conversation about the importance of community, the challenges women...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Legal Chutney, I had the pleasure of speaking with Savleen Kaur, an international lawyer and LLM graduate, who shared her experience pursuing an LLM  and navigating the opportunities and challenges that come with it. We had an insightful conversation about the value of global legal education, the role of networking, and how building meaningful relationships can...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Legal Chutney , I had the pleasure of speaking with Suhansi Perera , an attorney at Latham and Watkins who shared her journey navigating different practice groups and finding her place in the legal world. We had a thoughtful conversation about growth, mentorship, and the power of being proactive in shaping your own career path. We covered: The process of transit...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Legal Chutney , I had the pleasure of speaking with Veena Bansal , an attorney and small business owner, who shared how she balances her legal career with her passion for Indian heritage through her business, Sangemar . We had an inspiring conversation about blending professional life with personal identity, and how creativity and community support can help make...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Legal Chutney , I had the pleasure of speaking with Dinesh Melwani a Patent Parter at Bookoff McAndrews, who shared his journey of attending law school part-time while working full-time. We had an insightful conversation about balancing work, personal life, and education, especially for those with family or financial responsibilities. We covered: The realities o...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Legal Chutney , I had the pleasure of speaking with Kameron Monet , a lawyer turned tech entrepreneur and founder of Social Docket , a platform connecting law with the creator economy. We had a thoughtful conversation on her journey from law school to tech, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. We covered: Transitioning from law to tech and the challenges...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Legal Chutney , I had the pleasure of speaking with Neeta Sahadev, Partner at  White & Case about the role of mentorship and sponsorship in the legal profession. We had a thoughtful conversation on how to build, maintain, and grow professional relationships that can shape your career. We covered: The difference between mentorship and sponsorship and why both...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with Tarlochan Rakhra, Legal Counsel at a Private Equity fund to explore the idea of work-life balance in law school and legal practice. We talk about the pressure students and lawyers face, the myth of “perfect balance,” and practical ways to manage stress while building a sustainable career. Tarlochan shares his own journey, lessons learned, and advic...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Legal Chutney , I had Albert from Lateral Hub join us to discuss how junior associates can navigate their legal careers. We had a practical conversation for anyone planning their next legal career move.   We covered: Why Lateral Hub was created and how it differs from traditional recruiting. Three key priorities for incoming associates. When to start thinking ab...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Legal Chutney, I sit down with Allie Sisson Erstad, an experienced attorney and mentor, to talk about what it takes to succeed as a first-year associate. Allie previously served as the Associate Director for the Center for Professional Development at Seattle University School of Law and is now the Legal Recruiting Manager at Perkins Coie. Allie shares her insigh...