In this episode of GC Sidebar, Bita Goldman, Global General Counsel at UNiDAYS, the world’s leading student affinity network serving over 20 million members across 115 markets, joins host Trista Engel for a sharp conversation about transforming in-house legal from reactive problem-solver to strategic growth partner.
From embracing technology and navigating global privacy complexity to balancing risk with business momentum, Bita shares why patience, a steady hand, and solution-orientation are essential to modern GC leadership. She traces a path from advocacy at the Urban Justice Center to her first GC role (and a pivotal stint as VP of Operations) at Quantum Networks, and on to leading the global legal function at UNiDAYS, with a nod to Vinny Gambini as a reminder that relentless dedication wins the day.
Prefer reading over watching? Below is the complete transcript from our GC Sidebar interview with Bita Goldman Global General Counsel at UNiDAYS.
Trista Engel:
Hi, I’m Trista Engel, CEO of Paragon Legal, and welcome to GC Sidebar, a short and sharp conversation series with today’s most forward-thinking general counsel, in just four questions. We cover the legal industry, leadership, careers, and a little fun.
Today I’m joined by Bita Goldman, Global General Counsel at UNiDAYS, the world’s leading student affinity network, serving over 20 million members across 115 markets.
Bita began her legal career at the Urban Justice Center, representing victims of domestic violence, and later moved in-house to Quantum Networks. She rose to her first general counsel position at Quantum before joining UNiDAYS in 2018.
She leads a global legal function, speaks at industry conferences, parents five kids from ages two to eleven, does executive coursework at HBS, and still manages to find time to share her wisdom with us. Bita, welcome, and thank you so much for joining me.
Bita Goldman:
Thank you for having me.
Trista:
What’s the biggest challenge facing GCs and in-house legal teams today?
Bita:
I think the biggest challenge that in-house legal teams face is the shift in how legal teams are viewed. Historically, in-house legal was a reactive function. Something went wrong, the legal team was called in. Now we are more like strategic innovators. We are embracing technology, whether it is AI, we are navigating global complexity, we are talking about privacy laws across the world.
From the outset, GCs need to step out of that comfort zone of this is legal and this is not, and really think strategically about balancing risk and growth for the business, to make sure that we are able to enable the business to move forward successfully with what they are trying to do.
Trista:
I love that. It is a big shift, and legal really has a vantage point across the entire business, which gives it that unique perspective you are talking about. What is the most valuable lesson you have learned as a GC?
Bita:
I do not know if it is as a GC or as I have gotten older, but I learned to be patient, and be solution-oriented. GCs need to be level-headed. They need to be practical problem solvers.
When a crisis comes up, or when an issue happens, moving too fast, wanting to make a point, not taking a second to breathe and assess the situation, will actually hurt you in the long run. The most valuable lesson I have learned as a GC is to pause, take a second, reassess what is going on, and think long-term. You do not need to be reactive in your decision-making.
Trista:
That is great advice for so many things in work and in life, particularly when dealing with challenges at work. For folks who are high achievers, who are fast movers, it can be really hard to remember to pause.
Bita:
Yes, that is it. You have to have a steady hand, and the business has to see you as that steady hand.
Trista:
What is one career moment that changed your trajectory?
Bita:
I love that you asked this question. I became a VP of Operations when I joined Quantum Networks. The business was an e-commerce business, and they were one of Amazon’s leading sellers.
I stepped into a role that I had no experience doing, so it seemed like I was being derailed from my legal career. At the same time, it was probably the moment that changed my trajectory. I started to understand how the law intersects with business. I started to think about the bigger picture.
In-house, you are in a position where you are across every function, working with all different teams. Becoming a VP of Operations, where I was managing a warehouse, doing hiring, managing aged inventory, I started to have a business mindset, an entrepreneurial mindset, for how I was going about things.
Every day, when I look at a commercial contract, or when someone on my team brings me a legal issue, I am hooked back into that VP of Operations role. I am thinking, how is this going to affect our work, how is it going to affect efficiency, what kind of cost will this come with, and the legal risks that come with that. It gave me that holistic view of what we are here to do and what the business is here to do. It has been tremendous.
Trista:
That is fantastic. I have spoken to people who have taken on roles outside their comfort zone and in different practice or focus areas within legal. This is something else entirely. You really got to see how the business runs. What a great way to get real operational understanding that I am sure has been invaluable in your role.
What is something people watching might not know about you?
Bita:
I am five foot three, but I played point guard for my high school basketball team, and my kids make fun of me about it. They think it is hilarious that someone so small was point guard. It was a great opportunity to get out there and be in it.
I think that was the early sign of being a lawyer. We can handle the heat, we can handle the pressure, we need to know where everything is, so we have an eye on where to pass the ball and what is going on. Most people would not believe me, but I have my jacket and my history there at the high school. It was a great experience. It definitely built a lot of character in me.
Trista:
You must be exceptionally talented at basketball.
Bita:
Come over, we will shoot some hoops.
Trista:
I will take you up on that. I am a huge proponent of the learnings you get from team sports. I love what you said about seeing the whole court and knowing where to pass. There are so many business and life skills to be learned from those experiences.
Alright, bonus question. Who is your favorite fictional lawyer?
Bita:
My favorite fictional lawyer, I was like, oh, it is people from Suits, because sometimes I pretend I am in Suits, but then I realize I am not. Then I thought, no, it must be, I started thinking about all these different shows and movies, the ways that lawyers are portrayed, but really, at the heart of it, I am Vinny, Vinny Gambini from My Cousin Vinny. I grew up in New York, I get the attitude, I get that sometimes you have to be relentlessly dedicated to something, and who does not love an underdog lawyer. I would have to say that is my favorite one.
Trista:
You are going to have to start putting on the accent.
Bita:
You know, it is funny, my kids go to New York City now and they are not big fans. They say it smells or they do not love it, and it actually hurts my feelings.
Trista:
That is amazing. This was really fun. Bita, thank you so much for sharing your stories and your journey. That was great.
Bita:
Thank you for having me.
Trista:
Alright, that is a wrap on today’s episode of GC Sidebar. Catch more great conversations on our website at paragonlegal.com. Thanks for tuning in.
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