Key Insights

‍

1. Legal Ops Is a Strategic Lever — Not a Cost Center

When April became GC, the bottleneck wasn’t legal expertise — it was operational lift. She prioritized hiring paralegals and legal ops early, which dramatically increased capacity, sped up execution, reduced outside counsel spend, and delayed the need for more lawyers.

Her framing: legal ops isn’t support work — it’s infrastructure for scale.
‍

2. Hire Lawyers for Judgment, Not Just Knowledge

Carta’s hiring philosophy goes beyond résumés, pedigrees, or subject-matter mastery. April uses role plays and scenario-based interviews to evaluate adaptability, curiosity, communication style, and problem-solving approach.

She wants lawyers who can collaborate with business partners—not “answer machines.”
‍

3. Transparency Is the Regulatory Strategy

Operating in financial services means constant oversight — SEC, FINRA, and global regulators. April’s approach is proactive, relationship-driven, and built on open communication. She leverages strong external counsel selectively, not as a crutch, but as strategic intelligence during expansion and licensing.
‍

4. Leadership Requires Making Hard Decisions Humanely

Carta experienced layoffs early in COVID—and April emphasizes clarity, respect, and support as ethical obligations. Their “Next Chapter” severance program helped employees transition, reinforcing dignity and trust even in difficult moments.
‍

5. International Expansion Requires Local Expertise

Entering Europe, APAC, and Singapore wasn’t a legal research exercise—it required hiring in-market experts and running RFPs to find aligned outside counsel. April views global growth as a team sport, not a legal silo.
‍

6. Equity Data Can Shape Fairer Corporate Outcomes

Carta’s data insights work—led by Peter Walker—surfaces trends around equity distribution, diversity, compensation, and ownership. April sees this as a social responsibility: transparency pushes companies toward more equitable decision-making.
‍

7. Careers Don’t Have to Be Linear to Be Successful

April did not set out to become a fintech GC. FINRA shaped her path, mentors guided her choices, and curiosity opened unexpected doors. Her advice: follow interest, not expected milestones—and be willing to take smart risks.
‍

8. Closing Insight

The modern GC doesn’t scale by adding more lawyers—they scale by designing a legal system. April’s blueprint: empower ops, hire wisely, stay transparent, and lead with humanity.

‍