Attorney Spotlight: Linda Menzel, Paragon Legal Attorney

In this Attorney Spotlight, Attorney Development Associate Dana Shaker sits down with Paragon attorney Linda Menzel to discuss her experience supporting in-house legal teams through project-based and interim legal roles.

Linda shares insights on adapting quickly to new organizations, building strong relationships with stakeholders, navigating complex legal challenges, and leveraging AI and legal technology to work more efficiently. Watch the full conversation to hear her perspective on flexibility, continuous learning, and delivering value in dynamic legal environments.

Read the Full Conversation

Prefer reading over watching? Below is the complete transcript from our Attorney Spotlight interview with Linda Menzel, Paragon Legal Attorney.

Dana Shaker: Welcome, Linda. We’re thrilled to have you for this Paragon Spotlight today. Thanks so much for making the time.

Linda Menzel: Of course. Thank you!

Dana Shaker: What is one thing, either personally or professionally, that you would want every client to know about you?

Linda Menzel: For me, especially at this stage of my career, it’s about having passion for what I’m doing. I want to make sure I’m working with a company whose mission and work I’m excited about. That excitement and passion are the biggest things for me.

Dana Shaker: I love that because I feel like when you’re excited about what you do, you never work a day in your life, right? That’s awesome. You’ve been on a number of projects with us and have worked with some very happy clients. You’ve been excited about the work, and they’ve been excited about having you on the team.

Dana Shaker: Tell me about a time when you were on a Paragon project and had a problem to solve. How did you end up addressing it?

Linda Menzel: When you’re in a project-based role, you’re often thrown right into the middle of things. You don’t know how the company operates, so navigation is key.

I stepped into a role when the general counsel went out on maternity leave. It was a new experience because I wasn’t just helping with overflow contract work. I was handling all the responsibilities of the GC role. I’d been a GC before, but every company is different.

We had a situation involving a long-standing partner relationship that was experiencing challenges. I had to determine who needed to be involved and how to escalate the issue appropriately. Normally, that would have been handled by the GC. For me, it was about navigating the organization and making sure the right decision-makers were involved.

Dana Shaker: In project work, you’re often the new person on the team. What do you do to help make those first days go smoothly?

Linda Menzel: Communication is always key. I’ve been fortunate that the people I’ve worked with in these project-based roles have done a great job with onboarding. They make sure I understand the platforms they use, whether it’s Slack, Teams, or other communication tools.

Learning those systems early is important because you don’t want to miss information or be disconnected from the team. Having the right connections and understanding how people communicate helps you get up to speed quickly.

Dana Shaker: What’s one thing you do to build rapport and trust with a new team?

Linda Menzel: I reach out to the appropriate people and set up introductions. I let them know who I am, why I’m there, and that I’m available to help however I can. I also take guidance from my supervisor about the best way to make those connections. The goal is to make sure everyone understands how I can support them.

Dana Shaker: What’s one thing you genuinely enjoy about project-based work and the Paragon environment?

Linda Menzel: I’ve been an in-house general counsel, and I’ve also worked as outside counsel in a traditional law firm. As outside counsel, you help with projects, but you don’t always get to see how a company operates day to day. As a GC, you’re deeply involved in the business.

What’s unique about project-based work is the opportunity to step into different organizations and see how each one operates. Every company approaches things differently. Seeing those different approaches broadens your perspective and helps you build skills and ideas that can be applied elsewhere. The variety is what makes it so rewarding.

Dana Shaker: What do you think clients are most surprised about after they start working with you?

Linda Menzel: My ability to jump into unfamiliar situations and adapt quickly. Every company operates differently, so flexibility is critical. I think clients are often surprised by how quickly I can learn their environment, adjust to their processes, and become part of the team.

Dana Shaker: Are there any tools or technologies, particularly around AI, that you’ve started using more? How do you think about using them responsibly in a client environment?

Linda Menzel: Absolutely. AI has become a valuable tool. I also use resources like Law Insider when I’m looking for examples of clauses or dealing with something I haven’t encountered before.

Of course, we all have templates and resources we’ve built throughout our careers, but AI can be a great starting point. If there’s a new law or regulation, AI can help you quickly understand the basics. As lawyers, we always verify the information because AI isn’t always perfectly accurate, but it can significantly speed up the research process. Combined with legal resources and professional judgment, it’s incredibly useful.

Dana Shaker: What do you like about working at Paragon specifically?

Linda Menzel: First, everyone is amazing. The team is incredibly supportive, and it’s a great company to work for.

I also love the variety of work. I get opportunities to tackle new challenges while also applying the skills and experience I’ve built over the years. Being able to support different clients and work with different teams keeps the work interesting and rewarding.

Dana Shaker: What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received, and why?

Linda Menzel: My father gave me this advice: work hard and support yourself.

That has always stuck with me. If you work hard, people appreciate it. You won’t always have all the answers, and it’s okay to say, “Give me a minute, I need to look into that.” Being honest, working hard, and taking responsibility for yourself are the most important things.

Dana Shaker: Thank you so much for your time today, Linda. We really appreciate this conversation and are excited to share it with our clients, attorneys, and legal professionals.

Linda Menzel: Thank you so much!

Dana Shaker: Absolutely.