Mostly Legal

The Mostly Legal podcast is back for season 3 and we are starting this season off with a true bang! Have you ever wondered what coaching softball and the legal industry could have in common? Starting off for this season, Michael Cohen, an ALA fan favorite, sits down with Amanda and Rob to address everything from sports to the stigmas behind mental health. Michael has found that his experiences outside the workspace have benefited and opened the door to other opportunities within the legal industry. As a true family man, Michael shares what he is passionate about and what continues to motivate him every single day. Do we have your attention yet? Time to listen to the first episode of the highly anticipated season 3!

This week's guest on the Mostly Legal Podcast is proof that you really can have it all. Suzy Klepac (Office Administrator, Kirk & Chaney PLLC) has served in multiple administrative roles at various law firms for the last six years, but she recently embarked on her greatest challenge – working remotely full time with a newborn. Working parents everywhere will be inspired to hear Suzy's story of work-life balance in the fast-paced legal industry, which, according to her, is a little like living life like someone left the gate open. But, make sure you don't let the goats out! 

This week, Rob and Amanda have the pleasure of talking to Amylyn Riedling (Paralegal, Office Manager, and Bookkeeper at Robin H. Balsam P.S.) who went back to school to become a paralegal because her friend was doing it and she thought it sounded fun. However, through the course of her career, Amylyn has found that her experiences outside of the classroom have been just as beneficial to her success as lectures and tests. How did her job operating rides at an amusement park when she was 16 set her up to be a paralegal later in life? You'll have to listen to the episode to find out!

Most people start their careers with the dream of changing people and the world. This week's guests, Julie Logan (Director of Strategic Workforce Planning & Development, Thompson Coburn LLP) and Karen Griggs (Executive Director, Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice, LLC), have discovered that you can't necessarily change people, but you can give them the tools they need to succeed. Join us for this discussion on learning to be adaptable in the ever-changing legal administration landscape. Julie and Karen both have unique perspectives to share on mentorship and hiring a new generation of talent. Your mindset will be forever changed after hearing what these two have to say.

Imagine this… you're a junior in college and all signs are pointing to you being selected as a top 30 NFL draft pick. Right before the rest of your life is supposed to start, you sustain a life-threatening injury that leaves you with a paralyzed arm. What would you do? Many of us would probably want to give up, but not this week's guest! We had the honor of speaking with Inky Johnson (Host, Serendipity with Inky Johnson Podcast) about maintaining strength and resilience in the face of adversity, and we can't wait to share his story with all of you.

This week's guest needs no introduction. As a long-time member and past president of the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA), Teresa Walker's (CEO, Tennessee Private Trust Services) legacy precedes her. Teresa has been at the same law firm for 45 (yes, you read that right!) years and she's on the mic this week with lots of knowledge to share. You'll want to hear what she has to say about what has changed in the legal industry over the years; some of it may even surprise you!

It's not often a podcast guest is introduced via poetry, but this week, you're going to hear exactly that. Take a trip down memory lane with us as one of our beloved Season 1 guests, Jenna Carter (Director of Administration, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP) introduces us to Maria Stanfield (Founder, My Sister CEO) to the tune of Maya Angelou. A speaker, executive career coach, and bestselling author with a heart for service, Maria's message for us is simple: it's never too late to realize your full potential.

What superpower do you want to have? Most people would say flying or the ability to read minds. Debbie Foster (Partner, Affinity Consulting Group) has a superpower of her own: getting people to make a change without explicitly telling them a change is necessary. As a consultant in the legal industry, reluctance to change is an attitude she knows all too well. This week, Debbie takes the mic and shares her tips for making law firms a great place to work – one change at a time. 

How far would you go to get the career you've dreamed of since your childhood? In high school, Kyle Weigand (Director of Operations, Brouse McDowell, LPA) wrote letters (yes, back when snail mail still existed!) to 40 law firms in the Cleveland area and got one response. He started in that firm's mailroom soon after. Kyle's personal touch paid off; from there, it's been a steady rise from paralegal to director to helping start a law firm from the ground up for this go-getter. Join us for this fascinating discussion on why transparency and communication for all levels of employees is crucial to a firm's success. Kyle brings a unique perspective to this topic and gives us all a lot to think about.

How do you earn the nickname “Major Problem Solver” throughout the course of your career? We won't say it comes solely from holding a variety of positions and working your way up in the legal industry, but that's a great place to start. Brandi Hobbs (Director of Operations and Process Improvement at Offit Kurman) started her career thinking she was going to be an attorney, but now she's a strategic change innovator and has a Master of Professional Studies in Law Firm Management from the George Washington University, one of the only schools to offer such a program. You won't want to miss this fascinating discussion on the sheer power and impact marketing can have on law firms. Brandi has some wild insight to share that just might blow your mind! 

The Mostly Legal Podcast is back for season 2 and we're starting this second go around off with a bang! How do you know when it's time for a career change? Maybe you're not enjoying the work you're doing, not happy at your current employer, or perhaps you're in the wrong industry all together. Alex Su (Head of Community Development for Ironclad) thinks you're much more likely to be successful in your career if you focus on doing something that's aligned with your strengths instead of trying to fix your weaknesses. A former lawyer now working in legal technology, Su found one of his many strengths was social media, and before he knew it, he had almost 70,000 followers on TikTok watching his jokes about the legal industry. But there's so much more to him than just some content poking fun at BigLaw…Join us for this discussion on what it means to find your own path and be successful, even if it's not what you initially envisioned.

If we asked you right now who your mentor is, would you be able to give us an answer? Would you without a shadow of a doubt be able to name a person who has not only inspired you but has personally had a hand in your professional success? Statistically, not many people claim to have a mentor, so if you don't, that's okay you're not alone. But in this final episode of our inaugural season, we interview Amanda Koplos's lifelong mentor, Winston Williams (Partner at CWP Entertainment Management), and discover why having a mentor is not only crucial but may also determine your success in life.

What's the difference between passion and perseverance? Passion only takes you so far and perseverance takes you the rest of the way. Take Jenna Carter (Director of Administration for K&L Gates, LLP, Washington, D.C.) and Chassidy Deckard (Director of Administration for the Texas region of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP) for example. Their perseverance has gotten them to where they are today and through the adversity of a high-pressure job, to overcoming the obstacles and blazing their own trail, these two powerhouse women show us what it looks like when the rubber truly meets the road.

Which question would you rather have the answer to: where do you find the best firm administrators or how do you gain loyalty from a large group of people? Fortunately, you don't actually have to choose because Katya Adams (Office Manager, The Watkins Firm, APC) and Gail Fredrickson (Firm Administrator, Rossway Swan) give us answers to both. Pull up a chair because we dive into a whole host of other questions too and you won't want to miss what they have to say.

In this episode we are taking a turn to explore the business of law from the legal technology side of things. Melissa Chambers (Vice President of Enterprise Solutions, LawPay/Affinipay) and Mike West (Vice President of SMB Sales, NetDocuments) unveil the real truth behind the uniqueness of law firms and the real pain points that they have. Now, imagine yourself with only 2 minutes to make your pitch to a firm. What is the first thing you lead with? You're going to have to listen to find out because Mike and Melissa said it best. 

What would you do if, 48 hours before the most important event of the year, someone asked you to fill in for the keynote speaker? Would you pass up the opportunity or would you make it to the stage and give the best speech of your life? What if, after 20 years at a small firm, you made a leap and moved to a large firm? Would you be ready for the challenges that came with that transition? What about getting buy-in from attorneys and partners? How do you sell yourself in a way that gets you what you need? Take it from us, we can't answer those questions, but Judy Hissong (President, Nesso Strategies) and April Campbell (Executive Director, Association of Legal Administrators) can. They take on the mic and bring us the wisdom we never knew we needed.

Buckle your seatbelts, because there is a lot to unpack in this episode! Holly Pulido (Chief Operating Officer at Slack Davis Sanger LLP) and Eric Hightower, CLM SPHR (Director of Operations at Wright, Constable & Skeen, L.L.P.) take us through a jam-packed, 60-minutes' worth of award-worthy entertainment. From uncovering the real myth behind the legal management profession and navigating mergers and acquisitions, to learning how to prioritize an onslaught of requests, this episode will remind you why you do what you do. And, as a bonus, you'll also discover what really happens when the light bulb during a Kmart blue light special goes out... Take it from us, if the hosts of our show suddenly become Holly and Eric, you'll know why!

Finding the love of your life is rare. It isn't something you can search for or pull out of thin air, and sometimes, people go through their entire lives without it. But that wasn't the case for Mark Bridgeman (HR Manager, ShuffieldLowman Attorneys and Advisors). From the Navy to Chief Legal Records Manager to three ALA chapter leadership positions, Mark has seen it all. But what he didn't see coming was Steven Wingert. From a love born out of a Starbucks line, to defying the odds, and navigating pancreatic cancer, Mark takes us through a love story that continues to live on through their children, grandchildren, and Steven's leadership legacy. It will be remembered as the deepest and purest form of love, partnership, and hope.   This episode is dedicated to and in loving memory of Steven Wingert, CLM, PHD. (FEBRUARY 7, 1960 – MARCH 18, 2019)

Michael Bumgarner (President of ALA) and Debbie Elsbury (former President of ALA) join the show to discuss everything from the hurdles that come with huge career transitions to the power of titles within a firm. They also discuss how one can progress into leadership within ALA. In the legal community, it's easy to feel like the dumbest person in the room because, let's face it, you're surrounded by so many great minds and imposter syndrome is real. But both Debbie and Mike have some tips on how to overcome this. And if that wasn't enough to pique your interest, they also have a haunted house story!

Everyone knows you should always maintain a professional relationship with your coworkers, but what happens when your coworker also happens to be a great friend? From a floating Walmart to comfortable tensions, Rob and Amanda speak with long-time friends Tina Terrian (Executive Director at Pirkey Barber PLLC) and Chris Sims (Director of Finance at Pirkey Barber PLLC) to explore the dynamics of a friendship that defies the odds in an industry that can leave you feeling rather lonely – not to mention a discovery about the true difference between casinos in Vegas and the ones on cruises. And if we were betting folks, we'd bet that you didn't know this either.

Lyn Calu (Regional Office Administrator at Dinsmore & Shohl) and Michael Keatts (Regional Office Administrator at Bowman and Brooke) began their friendship at Bowman and Brooke where they navigated the waters of a firm with over 300 people. In this inaugural episode, Lyn and Michael discuss what it's like managing teams through two different lenses and juggling the dynamics that inevitably emerge from working at a firm of such magnitude. From crazy Tarzan-themed ALA parties to creating the glue that leads to lasting bonds, Rob, Amanda, Lyn, and Michael laugh their way through stories about loincloths and the Vegas Strip, all while uncovering the secrets to standing out in a crowded world and getting the job done.

You may be asking yourself, why should I listen to a podcast about legal management? The answer is simple: as a pioneer in law firm tech sales and a seasoned law firm leader, Rob and Amanda have combined experience of almost 25 years in the legal industry. These two industry titans have seen it all and have some crazy stories to tell with guests that won't fail to keep you on your toes. But this show won't be about academic issues surrounding legal management, unruly clients, or the practice of law itself; instead, it will focus on the lives of the people who make law firms run, the ones who humanize an industry that is arguably the most cutthroat in the world. So buckle your seatbelts, we're about to take a ride. Don't believe us? Find out for yourself.

You may be asking yourself, why should I listen to a podcast about legal management? The answer is simple: as a pioneer in law firm tech sales and a seasoned law firm leader, Rob and Amanda have combined experience of almost 25 years in the legal industry. These two industry titans have seen it all and have some crazy stories to tell with guests that won't fail to keep you on your toes. But this show won't be about academic issues surrounding legal management, unruly clients, or the practice of law itself; instead, it will focus on the lives of the people who make law firms run, the ones who humanize an industry that is arguably the most cutthroat in the world. So buckle your seatbelts, we're about to take a ride. Don't believe us? Find out for yourself.