In this Q&A with The Texas Lawbook, Victoria Nwankwo discusses the traits she seeks in outside counsel, what outside counsel need to know when working with her and more.
Texas Lawbook: What advice would you give younger lawyers thinking about going in-house?
Victoria Nwankwo: First, build your technical expertise. You need a strong foundation so you can issue spot seamlessly without constantly having to research basic laws. My law firm background in litigation gave me the confidence to identify risks quickly. That said, in-house work requires translating legal risk into business impact. Your clients need to understand not just what the law says, but what it means for their decisions.
However, for complex issues, don’t feel pressured to give an immediate answer. It is perfectly appropriate and necessary to say, ‘I don’t have the answer right now, but I will dig into it and get back to you.’ I have heard everyone from junior attorneys to general counsels use that line. We cannot know everything. In-house, you’re a trusted partner, not a magic answer machine — your clients value judgment and thoroughness over speed.
Finally, if you need to correct past advice, do it quickly and transparently. We all make mistakes; owning them builds trust. When you’re in-house, you’re building long-term relationships where integrity matters more than being right every time.
Lawbook: What do you look for in hiring outside counsel?
Nwankwo: In tech, things move fast, so I look for counsel who is responsive and pragmatic. We try to avoid lengthy legal memos in favor of crisp, brief and relevant recommendations that appropriately weigh the risks — the same style of communication we deliver to our internal clients. I also value counsel who invests in understanding our business context and risk appetite, so their advice is tailored rather than generic.
Lawbook: What does outside counsel need to know about working with you?
Nwankwo: I move quickly and value proactive communication. If something is taking longer than expected or you’re waiting on information, let me know early so I can manage expectations internally or help remove obstacles. I’d rather hear ‘I need two more days to give you a thorough answer’ than hear nothing and wonder where things stand. And if you spot an issue I haven’t asked about yet, please flag it for me. I value counsel who thinks ahead and keeps me informed.
Lawbook: What are your pet peeves with outside counsel?
Nwankwo: A lack of adaptability. Specifically, when outside counsel doesn’t adjust their approach after I’ve clearly communicated our expectations. For example, delivering a lengthy research memo when I’ve asked for a practical and crisp recommendation, or defaulting to the most conservative position when I’ve explained our risk appetite. I’m happy to provide context about how we work, and I value counsel who incorporates that feedback.
Lawbook: What are pro bono or public service efforts that you would like us to highlight?
Nwankwo: I am deeply passionate about voter protection work. I have volunteered with organizations to help remove barriers to ballot access and ensure voters understand their rights. This has included educating voters on registration requirements and deadlines, explaining their rights if challenged at polling places and providing information about accessibility accommodations.
Lawbook: What question am I not asking that I should be asking?
Nwankwo: You might ask, ‘How do you define success in your role?’ For me, success isn’t about winning arguments or being the smartest person in the room. It’s when my clients feel equipped to make informed decisions, when they seek my input early rather than as a last resort, and when they trust me enough to share the messy, complicated situations before they become crises. That’s when I know the partnership is working.
Click here to read the Lawbook profile of Victoria Nwankwo.