I was overwhelmed by what I didn’t know after moving in-house

Maria Crabb joins Counsel Without Borders to discuss her journey from private practice to becoming Palo Alto Networks’ sole employment lawyer across Asia-Pacific. Maria explains why non-compete are among her favourite issues to deal with, why understanding local culture is just as important as knowing the law – especially in South Korea! – and how to handle sensitive complaints when there is no easy answer. The conversation also explores how AI is making even routine matters more complex, what she values in external counsel, and how the role and expectations of in-housers have fundamentally shifted. Along the way, Maria discusses mentorship, leadership, and what keeps her awake at night.