About me

When I was a little girl, I really wanted to be President of the United States.  That was a big dream for someone whose parents didn’t attend college and whose sisters both dropped out of high school during economically trying times for the family.  But thanks to some encouragement from my favorite Uncle Larry, I put my nose to the grindstone and graduated high school with good grades while maintaining a near-full time job and helping to support the family. 

That was the beginning of a work ethic that has allowed me to go from a sometimes homeless kid to a lawyer at a growing technology company.  Along the way, I realized that I would never be President -largely because I’m too practical, willing to compromise and unwilling to get personal when talking about big policy issues - not to mention, I'm kinda boring with a quirky sense of humor.  With the allure of politics fading, law soon became my new obsession.  So, I went to law school. 

At law school, I quickly figured out that I was not really a ‘firm’ lawyer.  I liked the business side too much.  Even in mock issues and hypotheticals, I identified too much with the clients and became too invested in the outcomes and what it practically meant for the client instead of what it meant for the firm.  So I headed in house at the coolest company I could find.

I’ve been in house ever since and loved every minute of it.  I’ve been lucky enough to have some amazing mentors who have taught me how to merge my love of business with my love of law.  I’m blessed to be in a profession where I truly enjoy my job.  I’ve worked for internet companies, big tech companies, small divisions of global powerhouses and small/mid-size private companies.  I’ve lived through tough economic times and reductions and booming growth – each side of the coin presenting its own challenges.  At every stage of my career I’ve learned something new and grown as an employee, a lawyer and a person.  I hope this holds true for the rest of my professional journey.

Along the way I’ve also been blessed with three beautiful boys.  Their arrivals have altered my outlook on life and my work.  Like most working moms, I sometimes struggle with work life balance and mommy guilt.  I’d like to say I’ve got it all worked out, but as soon as I do something will change and I’m out of whack again. 

With this blog, I hope to share my experiences and thoughts on both a professional and personal level and maybe learn something from those who bother taking the time to read it.  Don't expect substantive legal analysis, this is more about the practical side of being in house and dealing with business people.  Drop me a line at Tanya(at)InHouseOutTakes(dot)com to let me know how I’m doing.

And since I'm a lawyer, I have to add the following or I'd by lynched by my colleagues:

This blog represents the thoughts and musings of me, myself and I.