Rookies to Rockstars
GovCon is full of rules, red tape and make-or-break moments—but how do you go from a rookie struggling with acronyms to a rockstar closing deals and leading strategy? "Rookies to Rockstars" is the podcast where industry experts share the advice they wish they had starting out.
Co-hosts Amanda Ziadeh and Camille Tuutti bring on GovCon leaders who get real about the lessons, missteps and strategies that shaped their success. In 20-minute episodes, guests break down what they’ve learned about winning contracts, building relationships and navigating the GovCon world.
Whether you’re figuring out your next career move or setting your sights on the C-suite, these leaders share the hard-won advice they wish they knew earlier—how to manage risk, lead with confidence and make decisions that drive real impact in GovCon.
Rookies to Rockstars
What 'Suits' Gets Wrong About the Law (and What Saul Goodman Gets Right), According to Jim Rittinger
Don’t believe everything you see on TV. Courtrooms aren’t stages for finger-pointing theatrics — and if you try that in real life, you’ll probably get tossed out.
On this week’s "Rookies to Rockstars," Amanda Ziadeh and Camille Tuutti sit down with Jim Rittinger, general counsel and corporate secretary at Empower AI.
Jim spent a decade grinding 3,000 billable hours a year at a top litigation firm before becoming one of the youngest general counsels Ross Perot ever hired. Along the way, he:
- Learned to unlearn “default aggressive” litigation habits when moving in-house
- Faced imposter syndrome at 36 running legal for a billion-dollar company
- Made mistakes (like winning a battle but losing a working relationship) that taught him the value of diplomacy
- Realized the best lawyers aren’t just advocates—they’re problem solvers
And yes, he even admits there’s something to admire about Saul Goodman’s creativity.
Tune in to hear Jim’s candid lessons on surviving 100-hour weeks, navigating corporate culture shifts, and redefining success as a lawyer in GovCon.