Podcasts about big law

In this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, host Galen Hair sits down with business attorney Matthew Fornaro, a commercial litigation and business law attorney who left Big Law to help small and mid-sized businesses prevent legal disasters before they start.   Matthew shares what business owners get wrong about contracts, compliance, and professional budgeting—and why DIY agreements, AI-generated contracts, and "take it or leave it" commercial leases are ticking time bombs. He also breaks down the mindset shift required to treat your business like a profession—not a hobby—and why proactive legal strategy is always cheaper than reactive litigation.   Highlights: • Why Big Law overstaffing creates hidden inefficiencies • The danger of AI-generated and DIY contracts • Common red flags in commercial leases • Why small businesses must budget for legal professionals • Proactive vs reactive legal strategy • How to build loyalty and long-term client relationships • Managing compliance before enforcement actions begin • Representing lawyers as clients (and why some can't turn it off) • Integrating AI responsibly into a law firm • What it really means to level up as a business owner   Episode Resources: • Connect with Matthew Fornaro • https://fornarolegal.com • Connect with Galen M. Hair • https://insuranceclaimhq.com • hair@hairshunnarah.com • https://levelupclaim.com/

Building that long-term leverage can be difficult with short bursts of visibility. You need to consistently show up, make yourself known, and build relationships before you need them. In today's CMO Series Rainmakers episode, we are joined by Laurie Burlingame, a Corporate Partner at Morse, who shares her grounded view on what rainmaking really looks like in this current legal market as proactive networking becomes more crucial than ever. With a background that spans science, an MBA in finance and accounting, and nearly two decades in Big Law during the explosive growth of Boston's life sciences sector, Laurie has built her practice at the intersection of technical complexity, capital, and client trust. She shares her hard-earned advice on the importance of valued relationships, having a clear understanding of shifting client expectations, and why thought leadership is a non-negotiable for leaders. Alex and Laurie discuss: Her scientific approach to client problem-solving The effect of AI on shifting client expectations How to maintain momentum and stay top of mind with clients The importance of cross-selling to build trust internally Structural differences between Big Law and smaller firms Effective networking advice to build long-term relationships

SCOTUS just struck down Trump's global tariffs—so who gets the $133B back, and how can firms capture advisory fees helping clients claim refunds? Blake and David unpack importer-of-record refunds, contingency-fee questions, and why “that's pure profit.” Plus: taxpayers' trust in AI tax prep is falling, creators' $205B economy is a prime niche, TurboTax's Uber-to-the-office play, Big Law's $3,400/hour AI squeeze, and Dawn Brolin's nonprofit sending first-timers to conferences you can support.SponsorsDigits - http://accountingpodcast.promo/digitsCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayUNC - http://accountingpodcast.promo/uncChapters(00:00) - TAP 476 (02:53) - Who Gets the Tariff Refunds? Importer of Record & Profit Impact (05:28) - Big Opportunity for Accounting Firms: Tariff Refund Advisory & Fees (08:55) - Flashback Clip: We Called the Tariff Ruling Months Ago (12:59) - Sponsors + Trump's Next Move: New Tariff Authority Workarounds (15:04) - Live Q&A: If Tariffs Were Passed to Buyers, Who Gets Paid Back? (16:46) - IRS Update: Average Refunds Up, But Median Still Unknown (18:13) - Taxpayers Trust AI Less for Filing + Creator Economy Tax Niche (22:13) - TurboTax + Uber Rides: The Customer Experience Arms Race (27:12) - Sponsor Break + Business Tax Shift: FASB Country-by-Country Disclosures (30:19) - IRS Still Drowning in Paper: Digitization Goals Missed (31:41) - Gambling Loss Deduction Cut to 90%: Why Break-Even Gamblers Still Owe Tax (32:58) - Skims vs. New Jersey: Sales Tax ‘Technical Error' and the $200K Penalty (34:06) - Big Law's Billable Hour Squeeze: AI Cuts Hours, Partners Jack Up Rates (36:12) - DIY Legal Work with ChatGPT: When a $30 Subscription Replaces a Lawyer (37:51) - Big Tech's AI Data Centers Create a Depreciation Blind Spot for Investors (41:50) - KPMG Partner Fined for Using AI to ‘Cheat' on an AI Exam (43:21) - Congress Targets the Pentagon's Audit Failures: The ‘RECEIPTS Act' (47:52) - Only 2–3 Hours of Deep Work a Day: Meetings, App Overload, and Hybrid Teams (50:17) - Interview: Accounting Cornerstone Foundation Helps First-Timers Attend Conferences (52:09) - How the Foundation Works: Funding, Emotional Support, and Picking Awardees (56:36) - Impact Stories & What's Next: Alumni Mentorship, Fundraising, and Growing the Mission (01:00:16) - Wrap-Up: How to Support + Earn CPE/CE Credits in the Earmark App  Show NotesSupreme Court Rules 6-3 That IEEPA Does Not Authorize the President to Impose Tariffshttps://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-1287_4gcj.pdf Supreme Court Strikes Down Most of Trump's Tariffs in a Major Blow to the Presidenthttps://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-strikes-trumps-tariffs-major-blow-president-rcna244827 Supreme Court Strikes Down IEEPA Tariffs — What Now?https://www.wilmerhale.com/en/insights/client-alerts/20260220-supreme-court-strikes-down-ieepa-tariffs-what-now IRS Average Refunds Up $200 This Filing Seasonhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/taxpayers-hesitant-to-trust-ai-to-prepare-tax-returns Most Taxpayers Trust Tax Pros Over AI for Tax Preparation, Survey Findshttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/02/19/most-taxpayers-trust-tax-pros-over-ai-for-tax-preparation-survey-finds/178412/ Online Creators Worried About Finances and Income Taxes — A Growing Opportunity for Tax and Accounting Proshttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/02/19/online-creators-worried-about-finances-and-income-taxes-a-growing-opportunity-for-tax-accounting-pros/178423/ Intuit TurboTax Delivers the Ultimate "Done-For-You" Tax Experience Powered by AI and Human Intelligence With Uber Rideshttps://investors.intuit.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1304/intuit-turbotax-delivers-the-ultimate-done-for-you-tax-experience-powered-by-ai-and-human-intelligence-with-uber-rides US Companies Pay More Taxes Abroad Than Herehttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/us-companies-pay-more-taxes-abroad-than-here IRS Falls Far Short on Paperless Processing Goalhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/irs-falls-far-short-on-paperless-processing-goal Will the OBBBA Gambling Deduction Change Be Reversed?https://www.natptax.com/news-insights/blog/will-the-obbba-gambling-deduction-change-be-reversed/ Kim Kardashian's Clothing Company Settles New Jersey Sales Tax Allegationshttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/01/20/kim-kardashians-clothing-company-settles-new-jersey-sales-tax-allegations/176590/ Big Tech Accounting Creates a Blind Spot in the AI Boomhttps://news.futunn.com/en/post/68828373/big-tech-accounting-creates-a-blind-spot-in-the-ai KPMG Partner in Australia Fined Over Using AI to Pass AI Testhttps://www.irishtimes.com/business/2026/02/16/kpmg-partner-in-australia-fined-over-using-ai-to-pass-ai-test/ Lawmakers Seek to Penalize DoD if It Fails to Pass a Clean Audithttps://federalnewsnetwork.com/congress/2026/02/lawmakers-seek-to-penalize-dod-if-it-fails-to-pass-a-clean-audit/ New Hubstaff Research Finds Workers Average Only 2–3 Hours of Focus Time Per Day

Shanin Specter's $25 million verdict against Boeing last November is just one example of his approach to tort: It's not just about compensation and deterrence. It's also about sharing important public information. The son of former Pennsylvania senator Arlen Specter, Shanin weighs the different avenues for effecting change – whether it's in public service, like his father, or in the private sector – in this conversation with host Ben Gideon. Tune in for Shanin's thoughts about the role of lawyers today (find opportunities to litigate against the Trump administration) and his advice to law students (you don't have to get swallowed up by BigLaw).Learn More and Connect☑️ Shanin Specter | LinkedIn☑️ Kline & Specter on LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | X | YouTube☑️ Ben Gideon | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram☑️ Gideon Asen on LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram☑️ Rahul Ravipudi | LinkedIn | Instagram☑️ Panish Shea Ravipudi LLP on LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram☑️ Subscribe: Apple Podcasts |

In der 353. Episode von IMR sind Dr. Shigeo Yamaguchi und Dr. Friedrich Gebert von ARQIS zu Gast. Shigeo ist Gründungspartner und heute Senior Partner der Kanzlei, Friedrich ist Managing Partner und Leiter der Fokusgruppe Regulatory. Im Gespräch berichten sie von der Entwicklung der Kanzlei seit der Gründung 2006, dem Wachstum von rund 20 auf über 200 Mitarbeitende und dem Anspruch, als Big Law Boutique Exzellenz mit klarem Fokus zu verbinden. Die beiden geben Einblicke in den Aufbau neuer Praxisbereiche, in strategische Entscheidungen innerhalb der Partnerschaft und in die Neuaufstellung der Kanzleiführung mit einem Senior Partner für Strategie und einem Managing Partner für das operative Geschäft. Was bedeutet es konkret, eine Big Law Boutique zu sein? Wie entstehen Fokusgruppen und warum ist unternehmerisches Denken für Anwältinnen und Anwälte zentral? Welche Rolle spielen Ownership und Mindset für den Berufseinstieg? Wie gelingt nachhaltiges Wachstum ohne starre Umsatzvorgaben? Und wie positioniert sich eine Kanzlei zwischen Spezialisierung und Transaktionsstärke? Antworten auf diese und viele weitere Fragen erhaltet Ihr in dieser Folge von IMR. Viel Spaß!

Hey Powerhouses! This week we're talking about what happens when you wake up and realize you're living someone else's perfect life—and what it takes to create one that actually fits. Wendy Meadows, seasoned family law attorney, former litigator, certified life coach, mediator, and author of the bestselling book Sparkling Grit, joins us to share her journey from BigLaw burnout to building a practice (and life) on her own terms.We dive into why Wendy left her firm after 13 years (spoiler: asking permission for vacation was the last straw), how Beachbody coaching taught her more about running a business than law school ever did, and why so many lawyers who go solo end up making MORE money while working fewer hours than they ever imagined. Wendy breaks down the math (yes, there's a spreadsheet), walks us through the hardest part of going solo (the breakup conversation with your partners), and explains why hiring an assistant before you think you need one is non-negotiable.We also talk about the Sparkle and Grit framework—why you need both the feminine (sparkle) and masculine (grit) energy to succeed, how to recognize burnout before you hit the wall, and why 2026 is Wendy's year of "ease." Plus, Wendy gets real about her divorce, redefining success on her own terms, and learning to let opportunities flow to her instead of grinding for them.And yes, she wore two different shoes to court. Twice.Sparkling Grit Book: Available on Amazon Connect with Wendy Meadows: LinkedIn: Wendy S. Meadows Instagram: @wendy_s_meadows Website: WendySMeadows.comWendy works with lawyers going solo, provides strategic coaching and systems consulting, and speaks at law firms on burnout prevention and retention. She also coaches high-achieving women who've checked all the boxes but still feel stuck.Work with Erin Gerner:Erin coaches high-achieving female attorneys who are successful on paper but struggling with burnout, identity crisis, and knowing what's next—helping them redefine success on their terms without sacrificing family or wellbeing.Stay connected with Erin Gerner:Website: eringerner.comLinkedIn: Erin GernerInstagram: @eringernerFacebook: Erin Gerner

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Evelyn Ackah discuss:Reframing challenges as opportunitiesBuilding security through owning your book of businessDesigning a firm around delegation and technologyProtecting culture by hiring and leading with intention Key Takeaways:Success begins with asking whether challenges are happening to you or for you. A growth-oriented mindset is not optional for entrepreneurs and rainmakers. Those who thrive train themselves to see obstacles as openings, not endings.Relying solely on servicing others' clients limits mobility and control. Developing your own clients creates long-term security and professional freedom. Rainmaking is a learnable skill built through systems, discipline, and study.High-value leaders focus only on work they alone can do. Everything else can be delegated, automated, or systemized through tools and virtual teams. Intentional tech stacks and strong delegation enable autonomy, even four-day workweeks.Skills can be trained, but values and attitude determine long-term fit. Toxic hires damage momentum and must be addressed quickly. Great leaders invest in coaches, mentors, and team development to sustain growth. "Your staff are your dream builders. They help you create your dream. And so you want to invest in them just as much as they're investing in your success." — Evelyn Ackah Check out my new show, Be That Lawyer Coaches Corner, and get the strategies I use with my clients to win more business and love your career again. Ready to go from good to GOAT in your legal marketing game? Don't miss PIMCON—where the brightest minds in professional services gather to share what really works. Lock in your spot now: https://www.pimcon.org/ Thank you to our Sponsor!Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/Lawyer.com: https://www.lawyer.com/ Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/ About Evelyn Ackah: Evelyn Ackah is the Founder and CEO of Ackah Business Immigration Law, a cross-border firm representing corporations and professionals in Canadian and U.S. immigration matters. With more than 25 years of experience—including leadership roles in Big Law and at Ernst & Young—she delivers strategic, business-focused immigration solutions tailored to her clients' goals.Originally from Ghana and raised in Canada, Evelyn brings both personal insight and professional depth to her work in global mobility. She is passionate about legal entrepreneurship, leveraging technology and innovative systems to build a scalable, client-centered practice.Evelyn is also the host of the Ask Evelyn Ackah Immigration Lawyer podcast, where she interviews industry leaders on immigration and related business topics. Connect with Evelyn Ackah: Website: https://www.ackahlaw.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AckahBusinessImmigrationLaw/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ackahlaw/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ackah-business-immigration-law/ & https://www.linkedin.com/in/evelynackah/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ackahlaw/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw7M2pQKwsRteq-nThuaELQ   Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Akshay Verma, COO of SpotDraft explores his non-linear journey through the legal industry. From his early days as a big-law paralegal to lawyer to a business development role to leading legal operations at tech leaders like Facebook and Coinbase, Akshay shares his unique perspective on why the most successful legal departments prioritize process over technology. The conversation dives deep into the realities of Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM), the evolution of the "agentic" legal tool, and why change management is the biggest hurdle for legal innovation. Akshay also discusses the "underdog mentality" that drew him to the startup world and the future of AI in legal workflows. Key Takeaways: Process First: Technology is not a "magic pill" for broken workflows; centralized repositories and defined approval chains must come first. The Power of BD: Business development skills (evangelism and resilience) are critical for successful legal operations leaders. The "Holy Trifecta" of Legal Tech: Every department needs a CLM, a Spend Management tool (at scale), and an agentic Workflow/Intake tool. AI vs. Lawyering: AI will replace non-legal tasks, not the lawyers themselves, making AI literacy a new standard for the profession. Episode Credits Editing and Production: Grant Blackstock Theme Music: Home Base (Instrumental Version) by TA2MI  

And law students finally get some good news. With a Biglaw firm officially blaming staff layoffs on AI, what is it going to look like if and when layoffs come for lawyers? It's unlikely to look the same for every Biglaw business model. And it could look even more different for boutiques. Embattled Goldman Sachs chief legal officer Kathryn Ruemmler announced that she'd be leaving her role after her Jeffrey Epstein connections came out in the last file dump. And we found out that the late Ken Starr thought of Epstein as a brother, which tracks. We also saw the first majr firm strike a blow against the expedited law school recruiting cycle.

In this episode of Great Women in Compliance, Dr. Hemma R. Lomax speaks with Sam Flynn, co-founder of Josef, about the transformation of legal and compliance functions through technology. They discuss the importance of human-centered design, the role of AI in legal architecture, and the need for trust in AI tools. Sam shares his journey from creating Myki Fines to building self-service legal solutions that bridge the access-to-justice gap. The conversation emphasizes the importance of user experience, governance practices, and the need to rethink traditional professional roles in the legal field. Takeaways: Legal and compliance functions must evolve to be more human-centered. AI can significantly enhance legal decision-making processes. Trust in technology is crucial for successful implementation. User experience should be prioritized in legal tech solutions. Automation can free up valuable time for legal professionals. Access to justice is a critical issue that can be addressed with technology. Rethinking traditional roles in law can lead to better outcomes. Data-driven insights can improve compliance practices. Collaboration between experts and end-users is essential for success. Legal technology should focus on delivering real value to users. Sound Bites: "AI should unleash human potential." "Trust is the key to unlocking value." "We need to build trust in our technology." Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Legal Transformation 02:32 The Journey of Sam Flynn and Mickey Finds 05:30 Rethinking Legal Systems and Design 08:10 Substance Over Form in Legal Processes 10:56 The Role of AI in Legal Architecture 13:39 Building a Legal Front Door 16:24 User Experience in Compliance 18:54 Engagement and Data Utilization 21:56 The Future of Legal Workflows 24:29 Deciding Between Automation and Human Input 26:56 Navigating High-Risk Inquiries 27:50 Strategic Automation for Stakeholder Engagement 28:58 The Importance of Human Expertise in AI 30:57 Transforming Fear into Opportunity with AI 32:59 Building Trustworthy AI in Legal Settings 36:56 Governance Practices for AI Deployment 43:51 Access to Justice: Bridging Gaps with Technology Guest Biography: Sam Flynn is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Josef, a legal automation platform that empowers legal and compliance teams to create reliable, self-serve tools — no coding required. In his role, Sam leads Josef's business operations, governance, marketing, and customer success functions, scaling both product impact and organizational trust. An ex-BigLaw litigator and experienced legal technologist, Sam has long been passionate about using technology to bridge the access-to-justice gap and elevate the delivery of legal services. In 2016, he built Myki Fines, a public-facing legal tech solution that attracted more than 60,000 users in its first month and helped catalyze reforms to unfair laws. At Josef, Sam combines legal expertise with product and operational leadership to help teams rethink how legal and compliance work gets done — shifting from inbox-driven bottlenecks to strategic architectures that deliver decision-useful guidance at scale. He is a frequent speaker on generative AI in legal, a board member of the Center for Legal Innovation, and an advocate for human-centered legal design.

Last month, Michael Gerstenzang concluded a nine-year run as managing partner of Cleary Gottlieb, one of the world's leading law firms. During his tenure, he guided the firm through the Covid-19 pandemic, geopolitical turbulence, and the early stages of the AI transformation—an area where Cleary has emerged as an industry leader, reflected in its development of ClearyX and acquisition of Springbok AI.In this episode, Michael shares insights on firm leadership, the increasingly active lateral market, and how AI is already transforming—and will continue to transform—the hiring, training, and day-to-day work of lawyers. I learned a tremendous amount from our conversation, and I'm grateful to Michael for his thoughtful perspectives.Show Notes:* Michael A. Gerstenzang bio, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP* Thoughts on Managing the AI Transformation, by Michael A. Gerstenzang for Cleary Gottlieb* Cleary Makes Generative AI Play With Springbok Legal Tech Buy, by Roy Strom for Bloomberg LawPrefer reading to listening? For paid subscribers, a transcript of the entire episode appears below.Sponsored by:NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment@nexfirm.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davidlat.substack.com/subscribe

This episode is recorded live, and is best enjoyed on YouTube. Watch the episode here.   While Bob is visiting San Francisco for two weeks, he is sitting down for conversations with legal tech innovators and entrepreneurs "in their natural habitats" – places in the Bay Area they consider special. Today, in the first in this series, Bob sits down for lunch with Alex Su, chief revenue officer at Latitude Legal, over Thai iced tea and tofu dishes at Phnom Penh House, a Cambodian restaurant in Alameda that Alex considers something of a personal institution, frequenting it for both family meals and business meetings.   Alex's career path is anything but linear. He started as an associate at Sullivan & Cromwell in New York, clerked for a federal judge in Chicago, then drifted through a plaintiff's firm, a brief solo practice, and ultimately a leap of faith into legal tech sales – joining e-discovery company Logikcull in 2016. From there, he moved to Everlaw, then to Ironclad, where he served as head of community development, building a reputation that spread well beyond any job title.   That reputation was shaped in large part by TikTok, where Alex's comedic, self-effacing videos skewering law firm culture – partners, associates, privilege logs and the absurdities of BigLaw – earned him more than 100,000 followers, got shared inside Ironclad's internal Slack, and ultimately helped land him his next job. It's a story of accidental virality and deliberate reinvention that mirrors the broader shifts he sees in the legal profession.   Now at Latitude Legal, an ALSP providing on-demand legal talent to law firms and corporate legal departments, Alex represents a kind of poetic symmetry: a lawyer known for championing "alternative careers" working at an "alternative legal services provider" — a label he thinks has outlived its usefulness, given how mainstream flexible legal talent has become.   Bob and Alex also dig into the current state of legal AI – what's overhyped, what's underhyped, and why the pandemic was arguably a bigger inflection point for legal tech adoption than generative AI. Plus, Alex and Bob reflect on Bob's three decades of covering legal innovation, the stubborn persistence of the billable hour, and why the justice gap remains stubbornly wide despite all the talk of disruption.   It is a wide-ranging and candid conversation – one you may want to watch on video instead of just listening to the audio.    Thank You To Our Sponsors This episode of LawNext is generously made possible by our sponsors. We appreciate their support and hope you will check them out. Paradigm, home to the practice management platforms PracticePanther, Bill4Time, MerusCase and LollyLaw; the e-payments platform Headnote; and the legal accounting software TrustBooks. Briefpoint, eliminating routine discovery response and request drafting tasks so you can focus on drafting what matters (or just make it home for dinner). Legalweek, March 9-12, North Javits Center, New York City.   If you enjoy listening to LawNext, please leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts.   Chapters 00:00 Intro to Today's Lunch: A Special In-Person Series 04:45 Career Transitions: From Law to Legal Tech 23:27 Going Viral: The TikTok Journey 25:10 Balancing Humor and Professional Identity 26:54 Redefining Career Paths for Lawyers 28:39 The Evolution of Legal Careers 30:35 Innovation in Legal Practice 34:07 The Impact of the Pandemic on Legal Technology 34:28 The Future of Legal Technology and AI 38:10 Navigating Uncertainty in Legal Services 40:18 The Ongoing Relevance of Traditional Legal Models 42:11 Personal Reflections and Future Outlook  

In this episode of Big Law Life, I break down three of the most powerful unwritten systems inside large law firms that every lawyer needs to understand to navigate their career strategically. I share why staffing is one of the main currencies firms use to allocate value; how you can't rely on just on your past successes but always need to be actively refreshing leadership's understanding of what you bring to the firm; and why the culture of a firm, not its policies, is what truly matters. If you want to understand how BigLaw actually operates beyond what its says in manuals, through policies and in written guidance, and how to position yourself for growth, visibility, and long-term success, this episode gives you a clear framework for reading the system and responding strategically. At a Glance 01:20 Why BigLaw runs on unwritten rules, not just formal policies 01:46 Staffing as currency and how lawyers are quietly "traded" 02:11 Why being constantly busy can actually stall advancement 03:06 How becoming the "reliable solution" associate turns into a trap 04:02 Why firms reuse high performers instead of protecting them 04:49 The real difference between being needed and being valued 05:15 Why constant work without development signals optimization, not growth 05:41 How institutional memory fades faster than lawyers expect 06:11 Why BigLaw operates on recency, not career-long performance 07:26 How visibility determines staffing, reviews, and promotion narratives 08:40 Why your firm's story about you is only a snapshot unless you shape it 09:32 How to refresh your value through outcomes, not effort 10:29 Why written policies matter less than real culture 11:22 How knowing culture can impact career trajectories 12:29 What culture actually rewards versus what policies technically allow 13:26 How perceptions form and quietly limit opportunities 14:48 Why smart lawyers study who uses policies safely, not what's permitted 15:34 What BigLaw's unwritten rules are really incentivizing Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? Here are ways to reach out to her: www.lauraterrell.com  laura@lauraterrell.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/  Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast

Straight out of law school, many young lawyers dream of the prestige and fast pace of BigLaw – but Sally Callander flips the script, revealing how practising in the bush can offer career-defining skills, deeper client connections, and a lifestyle you'll never get in the city. In a recent episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Grace Robbie speaks with Sally Callander, principal and owner of DLH Solicitors, about her journey from practising in Sydney's legal scene to regional NSW, explores her experience practising law in the bush for the past 14 years, delves into the rewarding lifestyle and full career she has been able to create, and points out the practical skills and expertise she has been able to gain that aren't typically available in city practice. Callander also highlights the growing trend of young lawyers reckoning the value of spending time practising in regional areas, discusses how such experiences can fast-track professional development, debunks the notion that moving to the bush is career-limiting, and shares practical advice for young lawyers considering this path and want to embrace this opportunity.

In this episode of Pearls On, Gloves Off, Mary sits down with Mike Abbott, Head of the Thomson Reuters Institute, to unpack the paradox: how can firms be thriving on paper while the ground shifts beneath them? Clients are tightening spend. Work is moving down-market and in-house. AI adoption is accelerating, especially on the client side, yet most of the industry still can't measure ROI beyond "time saved." And the biggest unresolved question hangs over everything: when tech makes legal work faster, who gets the benefit? Mike brings the data, the patterns, and the historical context, plus a sobering signal: late 2025 showed a sharp dip in M&A alongside a rise in countercyclical practices. If you're trying to understand what's actually coming in 2026, this is your listen. In this episode: Record profits… and warning lights: Why a "great year" can still mask real risk (and why it feels eerily familiar). The work is moving: Not just in-house, down-market into the second hundred and mid-size firms. AI as an efficiency engine (for now): Adoption is surging, but ROI tracking is still immature across the ecosystem. The billing model stalemate: If ~90% of billing is still hourly (with "creative" hourly flavors), what happens when AI collapses time-to-deliver? Value gap reality check: The uncomfortable stat: one in four clients say they've never experienced a law firm that delivers value - and what "value" actually means to clients. Legal ops as the bridge: Why the legal ops function is more critical than ever, and why it's unlikely to be a passing trend. Join Mary's Substack Community Follow Mary on LinkedIn Rate and review on Apple Podcasts  

This is likely only the beginning of the reckoning. ----- As predicted on last week's episode, Brad Karp left the top post at Paul Weiss following the disclosure of friendly correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein. But Karp wasn't the only Biglaw lawyer in the files, nor were his conversations the most troubling. A former Clifford Chance trainee drafted a sex contract with Epstein, Goldman Sachs GC Kathy Ruemmler made a joke with Epstein that normally you wouldn't make with someone who already pleaded guilty to child prostitution charges, and Alan Dershowitz managed to drag Paul Weiss into the case again when people found sex tourism legal analysis in the files from a now-Paul Weiss partner... passing along Dershowitz's thoughts. Meanwhile in Minnesota, a DOJ lawyer called out the broken immigration system before literally asking to be held in contempt so she could get some sleep. which is what happens when an administration breaks the legal system so thoroughly that even its own lawyers can't keep up with the chaos. And legal tech took a financial jolt as Anthropic announced its entry into the legal tech space. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is fueled by a lot of coffee.We're joined by Alana Matthews, former BigLaw litigator, trailblazing sports executive, and founder & CEO of Alautus. She's a woman who runs on instinct, grit, and an impressive amount of caffeine. The girl whose mother cut her hair short and snuck her onto a boys' hockey team at age seven has never waited for permission since.After graduating from law school, Alana began her career in BigLaw litigation, but a Google search for “how to become a general manager” led her to buy a $150 hockey history book from what looked like a sketchy website with a single “buy now” button. The book was written by the Dallas Stars' COO. Six months later, she was hired.Alana spent over eight years with the Dallas Stars, rising to Executive Vice President of Business Operations and General Counsel and becoming the youngest GC in major league sports. From leading operations through COVID to navigating the pressure of a Stanley Cup run, her career has been built in high-stakes environments where preparation, confidence, and endurance matter.Today, Alana is channeling that same energy into Alautus, a women's personalized clothing company born from her own experience returning to work as a new mother and executive when finding clothing that actually fit, functioned, and felt powerful proved harder than it should have been.Building Alautus hasn't exactly been all glitz and glamour — more like pallets of fabric overtaking her garage and costly trial-and-error moments — but a 15-espresso train ride across Italy to meet her fabric supplier is the kind of caffeine-fueled highlight we respect.☕️ Favorite BrewBlack coffee (almond milk optional), British tea from heirloom cups, and Italian espresso—sometimes in quantities that raise eyebrows (but who's counting?)This episode is about stamina, instinct, and backing yourself even before you feel “ready.”“Go for it.”

Hey Powerhouses! This week we're diving into the wild world of legal tech with Colleen Joyce, CEO of Lawyer.com. From interviewing A-list celebrities at Popstar.com to building one of the leading online legal marketplaces, Colleen brings authenticity, energy, and a growth-first mindset to everything she does—including her new ice skating lessons (yes, really).We talk about riding the AI wave instead of getting crushed by it, why your competitors are already using AI and what you need to know, and how Colleen runs Lawyer.com like a startup with a flat organizational structure where anyone can bring an idea to the table. The conversation highlights the importance of leading by example, creating a culture where fun is a pillar (hello, dress-up days!), and why community and networking are some of the biggest growth levers you can pull.Colleen and I delve into the challenge of being a beginner at something, the power of testing every AI platform out there (even if you don't buy anything), and why understanding your baseline metrics is critical for growth. We also discuss how the legal tech space has shifted from buttoned-up lawyers to a more casual, Google-style startup environment, and why joining masterminds and communities—even when it's uncomfortable—is what builds longevity in business.Plus, Colleen shares her legally blonde moment of walking into a glass wall while scrolling on her phone (we've all been there), and invites us all to embrace the chaos, have fun, and maybe even lace up some ice skates.Connect with Colleen Joyce and Lawyer.com: LinkedIn: Colleen Joyce Website: Lawyer.com Phone: Give Lawyer.com a call—you might get Colleen herself!Stay connected with Erin Gerner: Website: eringerner.com LinkedIn: Erin Gerner Instagram: @eringerner Facebook: Erin GernerKey Takeaway: If you're not using AI, your competitor is. Start with something fun to build your foundation, test every platform out there, and join community—it's one of the biggest growth levers you can pull. Oh, and maybe take up ice skating. Life's too short not to try new things.

In this episode of "The Free Lawyer," host Gary interviews Yeve Chitiga, a former lawyer turned certified executive and leadership coach. Yeve shares her journey from big law and in-house roles to launching her own coaching practice. Together, they discuss the challenges lawyers face with people-pleasing, boundary-setting, and aligning career success with personal fulfillment. Yeve offers insights on overcoming burnout, reconnecting with inner values, and supporting women in law. The episode highlights the transformative power of coaching for lawyers seeking greater joy, confidence, and authenticity in their professional and personal lives.Yeve leads Yevedzo Coaching and Consulting, an executive and leadership coaching and consulting practice that supports high-achieving women and senior leaders who want to lead with clarity, confidence, and alignment. A lawyer with Big Law and in-house counsel experience and a former financial institution internal auditor in both the US and UK, Yeve brings deep corporate experience to her coaching. As an ICF Professional Certified Coach she blends empathy and strategy to help clients elevate their leadership, strengthen their presence, and align their work with their values and vision.The Power of Coaching (00:03:33)Personal Trainer for the Heart, Mind, and Soul (00:06:11)Redefining Success: Internal vs. External Validation (00:09:04)Listening as a Superpower (00:11:41)Challenges for Women Lawyers and Leaders (00:16:28)People Pleasing and Burnout (00:21:11)Setting and Maintaining Boundaries (00:24:42)Reconnecting with Inner Wisdom (00:28:43)Achieving Alignment, Not Just Success You can find The Free Lawyer Assessment here- https://www.garymiles.net/the-free-lawyer-assessmentWould you like to learn what it looks like to become a truly Free Lawyer? You can schedule a complimentary call here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-callWould you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy? https://www.garymiles.net/break-free

This is likely only the beginning of the reckoning. ----- As predicted on last week's episode, Brad Karp left the top post at Paul Weiss following the disclosure of friendly correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein. But Karp wasn't the only Biglaw lawyer in the files, nor were his conversations the most troubling. A former Clifford Chance trainee drafted a sex contract with Epstein, Goldman Sachs GC Kathy Ruemmler made a joke with Epstein that normally you wouldn't make with someone who already pleaded guilty to child prostitution charges, and Alan Dershowitz managed to drag Paul Weiss into the case again when people found sex tourism legal analysis in the files from a now-Paul Weiss partner... passing along Dershowitz's thoughts. Meanwhile in Minnesota, a DOJ lawyer called out the broken immigration system before literally asking to be held in contempt so she could get some sleep. which is what happens when an administration breaks the legal system so thoroughly that even its own lawyers can't keep up with the chaos. And legal tech took a financial jolt as Anthropic announced its entry into the legal tech space.

If you work in BigLaw, you already expect weekends to be part of the job. But you find that not all weekend work is created equal. In this episode, I walk through the difference between healthy, role-appropriate weekend demands and the kind of constant disruption that signals deeper management and culture problems inside a firm. I explain the three traits that define normal weekend work: a real reason tied to client reality, a clearly scoped task, and a true endpoint. We then unpack what dysfunctional weekend work looks like in practice, including poor planning disguised as urgency, perpetual low-grade emergencies, and being kept mentally on call even when no real deadline exists.  I break down how these patterns show up differently in transactional versus litigation practices and why weekend culture is one of the strongest predictors of burnout and reactive exits. Finally, I share concrete strategies for setting boundaries that actually work in BigLaw by shaping timelines, preempting chaos earlier in the week, and using seniority to delegate rather than absorb endless work. At a Glance 01:20 Why the real issue isn't working weekends but how and how often 02:09 The three traits that define normal weekend work in BigLaw 02:41 Why real deadlines feel different from anxiety-driven urgency 03:10 How scoped tasks and clear endpoints protect your time and sanity 04:03 How poor planning gets passed down as "emergencies" 05:16 What perpetual urgency without deadlines actually signals 05:46 When firms stop buying labor and start renting your nervous system 06:13 Why constant weekend work becomes a structural problem 06:38 How weekend chaos at senior levels signals stagnation, not growth 07:11 How transactional and litigation practices show dysfunction differently 08:25 Why weekend culture predicts burnout and rushed exits 09:35 The clear difference between purposeful intensity and endless chaos 10:24 Why the goal isn't fewer weekends but fewer bad weekends 10:51 How structured availability reshapes expectations without backlash 11:21 How anticipatory communication prevents most weekend emergencies 12:22 Why reliability during real crises earns boundary credibility 12:53 How delegation becomes the senior lawyer's real boundary tool 13:17 How to read firm reactions to boundaries as cultural data Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? Here are ways to reach out to her: www.lauraterrell.com  laura@lauraterrell.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/  Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast

Every Big Law attorney eventually faces a defining moment—whether they talk about it openly or keep it quietly tucked away. It's the point where the partner track feels closer than ever, yet somehow less appealing. Titles loom. Expectations shift. Compensation math stays murky. And the question becomes unavoidable: Is this really what success looks like?In this episode of Inventive Journey, host Devin Miller sits down with attorney Matthew Fornaro to explore that exact crossroads. Matthew shares his candid journey from Big Law associate to firm owner, unpacking the realities most attorneys don't learn until they're already deep inside the system.The conversation pulls back the curtain on partnership economics—how bonuses are calculated, why firm-wide performance can outweigh individual results, and how “making partner” often comes with strings attached that aren't discussed in recruiting brochures. Matthew explains why the prestige of Big Law doesn't always translate into autonomy, clarity, or control.From there, the discussion shifts to what happens when attorneys choose the exit ramp. Starting a firm doesn't mean instant freedom—it means responsibility. Revenue resets to zero. Systems disappear. You become the attorney, marketer, operations manager, and strategist all at once. Matthew walks through what those early years actually look like, including lean periods, uncomfortable learning curves, and the slow process of building momentum.A major theme of the episode is the business education gap in law. Law school teaches legal analysis, not client acquisition or firm management. Matthew shares how targeted entrepreneurship programs and hands-on experience helped him close that gap, turning trial-and-error into systems and sustainability.Technology also plays a key role in modern firm ownership. Matthew discusses how tools—especially when used responsibly—can dramatically reduce overhead, improve efficiency, and allow solo and small firm attorneys to compete without recreating Big Law infrastructure. He's also clear about the limits: AI is a tool, not a replacement for judgment, and careless use can do real damage.This episode isn't anti–Big Law. It's pro–intentional decision-making. Some attorneys thrive on the partner track. Others realize that ownership, flexibility, and equity matter more than titles. The real risk isn't choosing one path over the other—it's drifting into a future by default.If you're an attorney questioning the long-term tradeoffs of partnership, curious about firm ownership, or simply trying to define success on your own terms, this conversation offers an honest, grounded perspective from someone who's lived both sides.To chat about this one-on-one, grab a free consult at strategymeeting.com

Law firms are quietly rewriting the rules on growth power and ownership as consolidation, private capital and talent pressure push the industry toward a fundamentally different future. Chris Batz and Howard Rosenberg step back from deal headlines to talk about what 2025 revealed beneath the surface of the legal market. Mergers are no longer driven by geography alone and private capital is no longer a fringe topic whispered about behind closed doors. The conversation centers on how managing partners are being forced to rethink scale strategy and long-term value in an environment where standing still is no longer an option. The episode also unpacks why enterprise value has entered the law firm vocabulary and why partners are beginning to question a model that pays well annually yet offers little on the way out. With investors circling smaller and mid-sized firms first, Chris and Howard explore what private capital really wants from law firms and what law firms may gain or risk by engaging it. Is this about cashing out or about building something durable that attracts talent and creates optionality over time? Looking ahead to 2026, the discussion widens to include boutique firms, venture-backed legal platforms and a talent market that no longer respects seasonality. New firms will launch. Others will combine. Some will struggle to adapt. The episode leaves listeners with a clear takeaway. The legal industry is no longer debating whether change is coming. The real question is who is preparing for it with intention and who is hoping yesterday's rules still apply.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Reflecting on 2025: A Year of Change 03:11 Mergers and Acquisitions: The New Landscape 10:30 Private Capital: A Game Changer for Law Firms 18:27 The Future of Law Firms: Trends and Predictions 25:52 Innovations in Legal Services: The Rise of Tech Companies   Connect with Howard Rosenberg: Connect with Howard on LinkedIn Howard's Company Web Profile   Connect with Chris Batz: Connect with Chris on LinkedIn  Follow Columbus Street on LinkedIn Columbus Street Website  MergerWatch Website   Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm  

Georgia Lawyers for the Rule of Law explains why fear and internal pressure inside large law firms make this moment so complicated. Rather than attacking Big Law, the group is focused on confronting the real issue: ongoing assaults on the rule of law and the chilling effect those pressures create across the legal profession. This clip highlights why silence has consequences and why speaking up still matters. Full episode: https://seeyouincourt.podbean.com/e/georgia-lawyers-for-the-rule-of-law-with-seth-kirschenbaum-and-lynne-borsuk/

When lawyers look back at why they entered the profession, they often find the answer is less about a lifelong passion and more about a lack of other plans. Dan Branagan, a former bankruptcy associate turned data analyst, describes his journey into law as a classic example of the "conveyor belt" metaphor. As a liberal arts major with an interest in history and political science, law school seemed like the next logical step that promised both prestige and a high salary. It wasn't until he was working through the self-examination process in the Collab that he realized how passive he had been in his own career path.The disillusionment began during law school, where he first encountered the all-consuming culture of Biglaw. While his peers seemed 100% focused on their identity as attorneys, Dan realized early on that having a life outside of work was essential to his well-being. He found that the "gifted kid" track often conditions people to ignore their own needs in favor of high expectations, but he was never able to shake the feeling that something was internally off.See show notes at formerlawyer.com/248

Episode DescriptionWhat happens when you start a law firm with zero clients, zero contacts, and a vision that doesn't fit anyone else's mold? Gabriela Smith did exactly that—and built it so successfully that her anesthesiologist husband retired from medicine to join her. In this powerful conversation, Gabriela shares how she transformed from a BigLaw litigator who hated asking permission for vacation into an entrepreneur building a tech-powered, human-centric M&A law firm that's rewriting the rules. She talks about legal subscriptions replacing billable hours, why AI can't replace human intuition, creating a law firm "umbrella" for entrepreneurial attorneys who want freedom, and what it really takes to walk through the thick mud of reinvention. This is for every attorney who's ever felt like they don't fit the traditional mold—because you don't have to.Connect with Gabriela SmithInstagram: @thegabbysmith LinkedIn: Gabriela Smith Email: gsmith@gnslawplc.com Podcast: Exit Ed PodcastGabriela mentors moms and entrepreneurs—reach out if you want to connect. For attorneys interested in joining the GNS Law umbrella model, contact her husband Tim (he handles those conversations).Work with Erin GernerErin coaches high-achieving female attorneys who are successful on paper but struggling with burnout, identity crisis, and knowing what's next—helping them redefine success on their terms without sacrificing family or wellbeing.Contact: @eringerner on Instagram | Book a Free CallKey Takeaway: You don't have to fit the traditional mold. Start where you are, walk through the thick mud, and create what works for YOU. Legal subscriptions, AI-powered tools, entrepreneurial freedom—the future of law is human-centric, and it doesn't look like BigLaw anymore.

Episode 294 focuses on the gap between “we have great culture” and the day-to-day behaviors people actually experience inside a firm. Scott interviews Alejandra Ramirez, founder of Ready Cultures and a longtime internal communications leader in big law, on what it really means to “walk the culture talk.” Her definition is simple but demanding: culture is credibility—aligning stated values with observable actions. She argues firms should start by auditing whether claimed values (like collaboration or transparency) show up in real behaviors (cross-selling between practices, sharing information with BD teams, etc.). Culture isn't a slogan; it's a set of conditions leadership actively creates, and when words and actions don't match, trust erodes and performance suffers. Alejandra then lays out how leaders close the gap: clear, consistent, actionable communication; active listening and feedback loops; and tying culture initiatives to measurable outcomes like engagement, retention, risk reduction, and cost savings. She emphasizes that firms recruit laterals on numbers but often lose them on fit—so culture must be evaluated explicitly during hiring through behavioral questions and by ensuring the “recruiting experience” matches the lived experience after arrival. Her three action steps: lead with curiosity (listen and ask questions), audit your internal communication system (tools, messages, measurement), and treat culture as a verb, not a noun—something you repeatedly do through choices, behaviors, and reinforcement. She also offers a practical “3H” framework (Head, Heart, Hands) to help leaders communicate change: facts, why it matters, and what to do next. Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/iwev7mcnzcw ----------------------------------------

If you're my age, you'll recall the story of Bernhard Goetz. On a New York City subway car on December 22, 1984, Goetz shot four Black teenagers from the Bronx at point-blank range. Accused of attempted murder, Goetz went to trial—and was acquitted on the most serious charges, after claiming he acted in self-defense.Goetz became internationally famous—or infamous, as the case may be—and folks who were around in the ‘80s will surely be interested in looking back on his case, seeing where he is now, and the like. But even if you're not familiar with Bernie Goetz, the issues his actions raised remain very relevant to our current moment.If you're interested in exploring these important subjects, I have a reading recommendation for you: Five Bullets: The Story of Bernie Goetz, New York's Explosive ‘80s, and the Subway Vigilante Trial That Divided the Nation, by Elliot Williams. A former prosecutor turned CNN legal analyst, Williams is perfectly positioned to delve into the Goetz case—and connect it to current controversies.Thanks to Elliot for writing Five Bullets. And thanks to him for joining me—for a wide-ranging discussion covering his fascinating career as a lawyer turned journalist, his compelling new book, the Goetz case, and what's going on right now in Minnesota (Elliot is a former senior official at ICE)—on the Original Jurisdiction podcast.Show Notes:* Elliot Williams bio, Penguin Random House* Five Bullets: The Story of Bernie Goetz, New York's Explosive ‘80s, and the Subway Vigilante Trial That Divided the Nation, Amazon* The Subway Vigilante Who Never Left Is Back (gift link), by David Segal for The New York TimesPrefer reading to listening? For paid subscribers, a transcript of the entire episode appears below.Sponsored by:NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment@nexfirm.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davidlat.substack.com/subscribe

By the time you reach mid-level or senior associate status, the Cravath Scale often stops feeling like a promise and more like a moving target. In this episode, I break down what the scale actually governs, what it never covered, and how discretion quietly replaces transparency as you become more experienced. I explain why base salary uniformity masks wide variation in bonuses, timing, and opportunity, and how firms use the language of "market" and "culture" to justify outcomes that feel inconsistent year to year and group to group. We walk through concrete bonus scenarios, how hour thresholds quietly drift upward, and why performance reviews are comparative rather than absolute.  I also unpack the role of discretionary and special bonuses, including when they signal genuine investment versus when they function as golden handcuffs. Finally, I explain why salary compression at the senior level is structural, not accidental, and how to assess whether staying on scale still makes sense given your responsibilities, leverage, and future prospects. At a Glance 01:20 Why the Cravath Scale feels predictable early and flexible later 02:37 What the scale actually standardizes and what it never promised 03:35 How discretion replaces transparency for mid- and senior-level associates 04:02 Why bonuses are the first place cracks appear 04:32 How billable hour thresholds quietly move beyond the stated minimum 05:43 Why performance ratings are comparative, not absolute 06:31 How practice group and firm overlays affect identical profiles differently 07:53 How firms "shade around" the scale without openly breaking from it 09:41 When bonuses become forward-looking signals, not rewards 10:42 How to tell reward bonuses from golden handcuffs 12:22 Why senior-level salary compression is structural 13:22 Why waiting without clarity is no longer neutral 14:16 How comp reveals if the firm sees a future partner or a long-term senior associate 14:47 How to assess your effective compensation and leverage over time 15:47 The real question long-tenured associates need to ask themselves Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? Here are ways to reach out to her: www.lauraterrell.com  laura@lauraterrell.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/  Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast

Mary O'Carroll kicks off a new era of Pearls On, Gloves Off - independent, sponsor-curious, and still laser-focused on what's actually changing in legal. Her first guest in this new chapter is the person many listeners will recognize instantly: Alex Su. Former litigator, ex-legal tech sales leader, early "legal influencer," and now Chief Revenue Officer at Latitude. This episode is a blunt conversation about the gap between buying innovation and actually using it. Mary and Alex dig into why legal excellence by itself doesn't deliver business value, why so much AI adoption is still "innovation theater," and why integration (not hype) is the make or break factor for legal tech, legal services, and legal careers. In this episode The core thesis: Legal excellence alone doesn't cut it. If a lawyer, ALSP, or AI tool isn't embedded in the workflows, it won't stick. AI reality check: 2025 was the year of "buying"; 2026 will be about renewals, retention, and ROI. CLM is back: "Agents will replace workflows" didn't land (yet). Real SaaS infrastructure still matters, and AI works best layered into it. Disaggregation/right-sourcing is accelerating: Big Law moves upmarket, expanding room for ALSPs, flexible talent, and tech-enabled delivery. The Innovator's Dilemma for firms: Dropping "lower-value" work can erode stickiness, and invite new providers to move up the chain. Training is the looming issue: As work shifts and automates, the profession has to rethink where reps and apprenticeship come from. For those thinking seriously about legal transformation, technology, and where the industry is headed, this conversation lays out what actually matters next. Follow Mary on LinkedIn Rate and review on Apple Podcasts  

Think about the lessons that shaped you early, the voices that influenced how you see the world, and what it would mean to have those reflections preserved over time.Walter Pryor brings warmth, humor, and thoughtful vulnerability to every interaction. A public service leader, corporate executive, community advocate, and author of This Leaves Me Okay, his career reflects not just professional milestones, but a lineage shaped by nearly 30 years of handwritten letters from his grandmother, Mama Ceal, written with care, consistency, and intention.In this episode of Branding Room Only, Paula sits down with Walter to explore resilience, legacy, and the role personal relationships play in building a grounded, accessible personal brand. Along the way, the conversation surfaces lessons on leadership, parenting, partnership, and what it means to honor those who came before us while being intentional about what we leave behind. This episode is both a reflection on authenticity, mission, courage, and connection, and an invitation to consider how your past quietly shapes how you lead and show up for others today.1:12 – How Walter defines personal brand, how he'd describe himself, his chosen quotes that offer grounding and guidance, and the song that makes him move6:04 – How small-town Arkansas shaped Walter's worldview and gave him both humility and ambition9:09 – A pivotal family loss that redirected Walter's educational path 10:52 – The non-linear evolution from Biglaw to government, Capitol Hill, and corporate leadership14:44 – How Southern Bancorp's mission felt like a full-circle homecoming that ties into Walter's brand17:10 – How personal relationships can influence your leadership 20:54 – What parenting young adults teaches you about mentoring as a leader23:34 – The spark that led to Walter's memoir (and the decades of handwritten letters at its heart)27:14 – Lessons about connection, influence, and resiliency from Mama Ceal's letters32:27 – How Mama Ceal's life reflects a broader civil rights narrative and why telling that story now is urgent35:21 – The importance and responsibility of being a custodian and guardian of family history36:16 – Walter's vision of the legacy he wants to provide to any future grandchildren38:24 – Walter's joy, the grounding trait he refuses to compromise, and the quality that fills a room when he fully shows upMentioned In The Personal Brand You Carry: Legacy, Leadership, and Letters with Walter PryorWalter Pryor This Leaves Me Okay by Walter Pryor Pyramid Art, Books & Custom FramingSign up for Paula's Upcoming WebinarsSubscribe and leave a quick review.Want more branding insights? Join Paula's newsletter for expert tips and exclusive content! Subscribe HereMy Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today.Sponsor for this episodePGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotesWe're starting off 2026 with a bang with my New Year's Intention and Goal Setting session on January 3rd, and then my new three-part series, LinkedIn Strategy for Lawyers: Build a Brand that Works for You, running January through March. Reserve your seat at paulaedgar.com/events.

In this episode of the Powerhouse Lawyers podcast, host Erin Gerner interviews Amy Terwilleger, a certified sex and relationship coach. They discuss Amy's unique journey from law to coaching, the common struggles faced by high achievers regarding intimacy, and the importance of pleasure in both personal and professional life. Amy shares insights on how to enhance intimacy, the coaching process, and the significance of addressing grief and loss during transitions. The conversation emphasizes the need for open discussions about sexuality and the link between pleasure and success.Key Topics CoveredAmy's journey from engineer to Women's Studies to BigLaw partner to sex coachLiving the "perfect life on paper" but feeling empty insideThe midlife reawakening (not crisis) that so many women experienceWhat high-achieving women aren't talking about: libido decline and intimacy strugglesWhy 80% of women don't orgasm from penetration alone (and why that's NORMAL)The difference between sex coaching and therapyHow sex education failed us (all negative, zero pleasure)Why we're taught to be prim and proper but expected to be sex goddessesThe science behind pleasure: oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin, endorphinsHow pleasure literally heals your body (backed by science)Why you should schedule sex (and why spontaneity is overrated)Responsive desire vs. spontaneous desireThe 20-second hug that releases oxytocinSolo play as self-discovery (yes, we're talking about masturbation)Holding space for grief even when you're moving forwardThe loss of identity when you leave the lawPermission slips for pleasure, joy, and prioritizing yourselfWork with Amy Terwilleger: Amy provides sex and relationship coaching for driven professionals, power couples, and individuals. Amy offers a judgment-free space where you can talk openly about sex, intimacy, and pleasure without shame. Her sessions are goal-oriented, forward-looking, and results-driven—with homework assignments to help you take action (because you have to take action to get action).Ready to prioritize pleasure and reclaim intimacy?Website: ConfidentConnections.netInstagram: @MillennialDrRuthAmy reads all her DMs and is available for discovery calls. If you're a high-achieving professional who's been putting everyone else first and is ready to prioritize yourself—Amy gets it. She's been there. Reach out.Work with Erin Gerner:Erin coaches high-achieving female attorneys who are successful on paper but struggling with burnout, overwhelm, and identity crisis. If you're questioning whether this is "all there is," feeling stuck in your career, or ready to reclaim your time and set boundaries without sacrificing your family or wellbeing—Erin can help.Erin's approach is direct, no-nonsense, and challenges traditional legal culture norms. She focuses on calling out broken systems rather than helping you optimize within them. If you're ready to stop "shoulding" all over yourself and start building on YOUR terms—let's talk.Ready to stop apologizing and start building the life you actually want?Instagram: @eringernerLinkedIn: Erin GernerWebsite: www.eringerner.comBook a Free Powerhouse Connection CallErin reads every DM and email. If you're feeling stuck, burned out, or ready for something different—reach out. You're not alone. And you don't owe anyone an explanation for how you build your life.

For more than a decade, Brad Karp has led Paul, Weiss during a period of significant growth and change, including its emergence as one of the most profitable firms in BigLaw. In this episode, Karp describes how large law firms are built, governed, and sustained over time.Karp discusses how Paul, Weiss evolved from a litigation-heavy firm into a more diversified platform spanning private equity, public M&A, restructuring, and regulatory defense; how major client relationships influenced firm strategy; and how consensus governance and partnership norms operate as firms grow in size and complexity. The conversation also addresses senior-level recruiting, practice-group development, geographic expansion, and the challenges of making long-term investments while maintaining institutional culture.Executive Order Insights: The podcast concludes with a candid discussion of the impact and decision make in the wake of the executive actions directed at major firms such as Paul, Weiss, and what those events revealed about risk, resilience, and structures inside large partnerships.This episode is part of New Law Order, a TalksOnLaw limited series and standalone podcast co-hosted by Joel Cohen and John Morley, whose scholarship focuses on the structure and economics of law firms.How to Earn CLE CreditListen to the full program, note the verification code announced during the recording, then log in to your TalksOnLaw account to record attendance and download your certificate.At the time of publication, this podcast is approved for 1 hours of General MCLE credit in California. Check your jurisdiction for reciprocal credit. MCLE certificates are issued only to TalksOnLaw Premium or Podcast members. Visit www.talksonlaw.com to learn more.

For more than a decade, Brad Karp has led Paul, Weiss during a period of significant growth and change, including its emergence as one of the most profitable firms in BigLaw. In this episode, Karp describes how large law firms are built, governed, and sustained over time.Karp discusses how Paul, Weiss evolved from a litigation-heavy firm into a more diversified platform spanning private equity, public M&A, restructuring, and regulatory defense; how major client relationships influenced firm strategy; and how consensus governance and partnership norms operate as firms grow in size and complexity. The conversation also addresses senior-level recruiting, practice-group development, geographic expansion, and the challenges of making long-term investments while maintaining institutional culture.Executive Order Insights: The podcast concludes with a candid discussion of the impact and decision make in the wake of the executive actions directed at major firms such as Paul, Weiss, and what those events revealed about risk, resilience, and structures inside large partnerships.This episode is part of New Law Order, a TalksOnLaw limited series and standalone podcast co-hosted by Joel Cohen and John Morley, whose scholarship focuses on the structure and economics of law firms.How to Earn CLE CreditMCLE certificates are eligible only for TalksOnLaw Premium or Podcast members. To earn credit, listen to the full program, note the verification code announced during the recording, then log in to your TalksOnLaw account to record attendance and download your certificate at www.TalksOnLaw.com/podcast. Approved for 1.0 hour of General Illinois MCLE credit at the time of publication. Please visit TalksOnLaw to check whether older courses remain active for MCLE reporting purposes.

Being told you ready for partnership creates expectations that are hard to unlearn. In this episode, I walk through what it really means when you are encouraged, guided, and perhaps even implicitly promised by firm leadership, only to be told at the end of the cycle that you did not make partner. This is not just a professional disappointment. It often feels like a betrayal of an assumed agreement, especially when you followed the roadmap you were given and told if you followed that this was your year. I explain why this situation is far more common in BigLaw than firms admit, including how headcount, internal politics, profitability pressures, and decision-making power can quietly override performance. I unpack why encouragement is not the same as influence, why firms often avoid hard truths during partnership conversations, and how vague feedback keeps lawyers stuck in uncertainty. I also outline how to approach post-decision conversations strategically, what questions actually surface usable information, and how to distinguish between fixable gaps, moving goalposts, and structural ceilings in determining whether you actually make partnership at your firm. At a Glance 01:20 What it means to be "in consideration" for partnership 02:08 Why doing exactly what you were told would mean partnership can still mean "no" 03:01 Why missing partnership feels like a broken narrative, not just rejection 04:23 How reliance on firm guidance costs lawyers optionality and time 05:29 Why encouragement is not the same as decision-making power 06:18 How firms avoid hard truths through vague feedback 07:21 How to prepare for partnership conversations without burning bridges 07:48 Why post-decision meetings are about information, not catharsis 08:16 The exact process questions that surface real explanations 09:09 How to determine whether issues are fixable or structural 10:21 What a fixable partnership gap actually looks like in practice 11:25 How to recognize when the goalposts are always moving 12:20 What it means to hit a structural ceiling in the firm that may block partnership 14:26 Why quietly exploring external options is rational, not disloyal 16:11 How to reframe not making partner as information, not failure Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? Here are ways to reach out to her: www.lauraterrell.com  laura@lauraterrell.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/  Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast

Conner is a Touro University Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center graduate and currently works as a Litigation and Enforcement Associate at Ropes & Gray. Conner's journey to Law School and the Law is a story of a desire to help others, make a bit more money, and get the experience to work in the greatest city in the world. In this episode, Conner and I discussed his reasons to go to Law School, growing up on Long Island (fellow Long Islanders), his unique experience as part of the part-time evening program, and his 1L experience. As well, Conner spoke about his day-to-day life as a Litigation associate in BigLaw, dispelling some BigLaw myths, and his exceptional experience thus far. All in all, Conner preaches the importance of having a schedule, staying organized, and executing at every step of the way! Conner's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conner-purcell-790193150Be sure to check out the Official Sponsors for the Lawyers in the Making Podcast:Rhetoric - Empowers your teaching and training with AI that strengthens learning, protects integrity, and proves authentic understanding, for students and professionals alike, with CICERO. Find them here: userhetoric.comThe Law School Operating System™ Recorded Course - This course is for ambitious law students who want a proven, simple system to learn every topic in their classes to excel in class and on exams. Go to www.lisablasser.com, check out the student tab with course offerings, and use code LSOSNATE10 at checkout for 10% off Lisa's recorded course!Start LSAT - Founded by former guest and 22-year-old superstar, Alden Spratt, Start LSAT was built upon breaking down barriers, allowing anyone access to high-quality LSAT Prep. For $110, you get the Start LSAT self-paced course, and using code LITM10, you get 10% off the self-paced course! Check out Alden and Start LSAT at startlsat.com and use code LITM10 for 10% off the self-paced course!Lawyers in the Making Podcast is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Lawyers in the Making Podcast at lawyersinthemaking.substack.com/subscribe

Supreme Court hacking and the end of a Biglaw era. ------ The Biglaw world continues to watch single-tier partnerships slip away with Sullivan & Cromwell joining the income partner trend. Will the industry have any single-tier firms left by the end of the year? Also former Senator and current Hogan Lovells lawyer Kyrsten Sinema tagged with an alienation of affection tort from her former bodyguard's soon-to-be ex-wife. Come for the bad soap opera plot, stay for the MDMA-inspired psychedelic trip allegations. Finally, the Supreme Court got hacked, but federal law enforcement managed, a couple years after the fact, to track down the culprit whose social media handle was "ihackedthegovernment." Cracker jack work all around. Subscribe to Above the Law - Thinking Like a Lawyer: https://play.megaphone.fm/lpff6i7nq9wlb-pkdudwtw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From running a radio station in undergraduate school to running an “IP litigation ambulance” as a young lawyer to running a platform that fights the Trump administration's attacks on law firms, Neel Chatterjee has had a remarkable journey. In this wide-ranging conversation with host Rahul Ravipudi, Neel shares insights about developing his nationally recognized IP practice, litigating in Big Law, and leveraging his background in social media to create “Law Firm Partners United” on LinkedIn.Learn More and Connect☑️ Neel Chatterjee | LinkedIn☑️ King & Spalding on LInkedIn | Instagram | X☑️ Rahul Ravipudi | LinkedIn | Instagram☑️ Panish Shea Ravipudi LLP on LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram☑️ Ben Gideon | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram☑️ Gideon Asen on LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram☑️ Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | SpotifyProduced and Powered by LawPodsSponsored by SmartAdvocate,

Hey listeners, picture this: it's been a whirlwind few days in the courts, with President Donald Trump's legal battles dominating headlines from the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., all the way to Capitol Hill. Just two days ago, on Wednesday, January 21, I was glued to the live updates from SCOTUSblog as the nation's highest court dove into Trump v. Cook, a blockbuster case over Trump's bold move to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook from the Board of Governors. The arguments kicked off at 10 a.m. sharp in the majestic Supreme Court chamber, with Trump administration lawyers defending the president's authority to remove her, claiming it's essential for executive control over the independent Fed. On the other side, Lisa Cook's powerhouse attorney, Paul Clement—the guy often called the LeBron James of the Supreme Court for his wins under President George W. Bush—argued fiercely that Fed governors serve 14-year terms protected by statute, shielding them from political whims.Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell showed up in person, drawing fire from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who blasted it on CNBC as a mistake that politicizes the Fed. Bessent said, and I quote from the report, "If you're trying not to politicize the Fed, for the Fed chair to be sitting there trying to put his thumb on the scale, that's a mistake." Bloomberg Law highlighted Clement's role, noting his recent clashes with the Trump team on everything from Big Law firm executive orders to Harvard's foreign student visa fights. The justices grilled both sides intensely—Justice Amy Coney Barrett even pressed a lawyer on disagreements with the government's brief—leaving everyone buzzing about a potential ruling that could reshape presidential power over economic watchdogs.But that's not all. Shifting to Congress, yesterday, Thursday, January 22, the House Judiciary Committee in the 2141 Rayburn House Office Building held a tense 10 a.m. hearing titled "Oversight of the Office of Special Counsel Jack Smith." Lawmakers zeroed in on Smith's office, scrutinizing his past investigations and prosecutions of President Trump and his co-defendants in cases tied to the 2020 election and classified documents. Tension was thick as Republicans pushed for accountability, while Democrats defended the probes' integrity—echoes of Smith's indictments that rocked the nation before Trump's return to the White House.Meanwhile, other Trump-related fights simmer. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco scheduled a June hearing on Trump's appeal of an Oregon federal judge's injunction blocking National Guard deployment to Portland, after the Supreme Court sided against a similar Illinois push last month, per The Oregonian. Lawfare's Trump Administration Litigation Tracker noted a dismissal as moot on January 14 in a case over dismantling the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, one of dozens tracking the administration's court clashes. And don't forget the Supreme Court's recent denials of gun rights petitions, though they punted on one involving a woman's old check-forgery conviction—Trump's influence looms large even there.As these battles unfold, from Fed independence to prosecutorial oversight, the stakes feel sky-high for our democracy and economy. Will the justices side with Trump's firing power? What's next for Jack Smith's legacy? Listeners, thanks for tuning in—come back next week for more updates. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for more, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.aiThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

In this engaging conversation, Erin Gerner interviews Heather Reese, a Philadelphia-based attorney, speaker, content creator, and plus-size model. Heather shares her journey from disliking school to becoming a lawyer, emphasizing the importance of multi-dimensionality in professional careers. She discusses her cultural identity as a Latina and her commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices in the legal field. The conversation highlights the significance of community support, mentorship, and the power of women supporting women in overcoming challenges. Heather also shares her modeling journey and the lessons learned about self-confidence and breaking self-imposed limits, looking forward to a bright future in 2026. KEY TAKEAWAYS Heather's journey to law school was inspired by a family friend who was a lawyer.The importance of being a multi-dimensional professional in today's world.Cultural identity plays a significant role in shaping one's career and advocacy.Advocating for BIPOC communities is essential in the legal field.Mentorship and community support are crucial for young professionals.Women supporting women can lead to incredible outcomes in the workplace.Navigating challenges as a female lawyer requires resilience and support.Modeling has opened new opportunities and connections for Heather.Self-imposed limits can hinder personal growth and success.The future is bright, and opportunities are meant to be seized.Want to connect with Heather about BIPOC-owned brands, modeling, being a multi-dimensional professional, or just need another female attorney who gets it? She's your person. DM her on Instagram.Instagram: @heather_r_xoxoDMs are OPEN - Heather reads all her messages and is available to mentor young attorneys and modelsLooking to volunteer and help aspiring attorneys or models—reach out!Connect with ErinInstagram: @eringernerLinkedIn: Erin GernerWebsite: www.eringerner.comBook a Call: Powerhouse Connection Cal

Supreme Court hacking and the end of a Biglaw era. ------ The Biglaw world continues to watch single-tier partnerships slip away with Sullivan & Cromwell joining the income partner trend. Will the industry have any single-tier firms left by the end of the year? Also former Senator and current Hogan Lovells lawyer Kyrsten Sinema tagged with an alienation of affection tort from her former bodyguard's soon-to-be ex-wife. Come for the bad soap opera plot, stay for the MDMA-inspired psychedelic trip allegations. Finally, the Supreme Court got hacked, but federal law enforcement managed, a couple years after the fact, to track down the culprit whose social media handle was "ihackedthegovernment." Cracker jack work all around.

How would you react if you saw Jack Smith, the former special counsel who prosecuted Donald Trump, at Costco?It might just happen. Last week, Jack Smith launched his own litigation boutique, along with three other former federal prosecutors: Timothy Heaphy, David Harbach, and Thomas Windom. A new law firm is like a startup, where the founders have to do many things themselves—so on Tuesday of last week, Tim Heaphy and two of his partners went to Costco to buy paper towels. Jack Smith didn't join them—he was busy preparing for his testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, taking place tomorrow—but according to Heaphy, Smith's on deck for the next Costco run.This was one of several fun tidbits that Tim Heaphy (pronounced HAY-fee) shared with me in the latest episode of the OJ podcast. We covered a number of interesting subjects, including Heaphy's service as both a U.S. attorney (W.D. Va.) and as chief investigative counsel to the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack; what Heaphy, a former partner at Willkie Farr, thought about the firm's settlement with the Trump administration; and what the mysterious Jack Smith is like as a person.This is an episode you won't want to miss—especially if you're interested in the intersection of law and politics during the second Trump administration.Show Notes:* Timothy J. Heaphy bio, Heaphy, Smith, Harbach & Windom LLP​* Jack Smith's New Venture Shuns Label as Anti-Trump Attack Dog, by Justin Henry for Bloomberg Law* Jack Smith's New Law Firm Opens Its Doors, by Abigail Adcox for Law.comPrefer reading to listening? For paid subscribers, a transcript of the entire episode appears below.Sponsored by:NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment@nexfirm.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davidlat.substack.com/subscribe

Junior associates in BigLaw often ask for more client exposure early in their careers, but what they really need most is a clearer understanding of how clients actually operate and make decisions. In this episode, I speak with Lynda Galligan and Josh Klatzkin, both members of Goodwin's management and executive committees, and co-chairs of the firm's Business Law Department, about why the firm's early client immersion program for junior associates addresses this key development and training issue. Lynda and Josh explain how traditional BigLaw training can delay meaningful client exposure, why business undersanding is assumed rather than a differentiator, and how understanding of a client's business needs and concerns must be learned. We also discuss how Goodwin's structured training program makes early immersion viable, what clients gain from working with junior lawyers, and how early exposure reshapes the way associates approach client relationships throughout their careers. At a Glance 01:20 Why junior associates ask for more hands-on client experience 02:17 Why traditional BigLaw training can delay better understanding of what juniors need to know about working with clients 02:52 How Goodwin's client immersion program differs from the usual secondments 03:24 Why empathy is a core legal skill that law school cannot teach 06:30 The role of intensive first-year training in preparing juniors for client work 07:31 Why doing excellent legal work is the baseline, not a competitive advantage 08:08 What associates learn by seeing clients as people with careers and pressures 09:52 Why consistent early training matters more than ad hoc learning 11:02 How immersion opportunities are identified and matched 13:35 The criteria clients must meet to participate in the program 15:39 Why clients repeatedly request junior associates after trying the program 16:26 What happens when immersion leads to in-house offers 18:16 How immersion strengthens firm-client relationships in unexpected ways 21:52 Addressing associate concerns about missing firm relationship-building 24:42 How partners evaluate the value of early client immersion 26:27 Why firms may need to rethink associate training more broadly 29:06 How early client exposure builds confidence long before partnership is in view Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. Reach Lynda Galligan: https://www.goodwinlaw.com/en/people/g/galligan-lynda LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynda-galligan-41ab058/  Reach Josh Klatzkin: https://www.goodwinlaw.com/en/people/k/klatzkin-joshua LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-klatzkin-a186022/  Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? Here are ways to reach out to her: www.lauraterrell.com  laura@lauraterrell.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/  Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast

What does it take to build a high-stakes litigation firm that wins without Big Law scale while staying lean, values-driven, and firmly in control of its future? Chris Batz and Howard Rosenberg speak with Natasha Harrison, founder and managing partner of Pallas Partners, about what it takes to rethink the traditional law firm model from the ground up. Natasha shares why she left Big Law to build a focused litigation boutique rooted in senior judgment, clarity, and results rather than size or leverage. The conversation challenges the assumption that growth and prestige come from scale, offering a sharper view of what sophisticated clients actually value today. At the heart of the discussion is deliberate design. Natasha explains why culture must be set from day one and why discipline around growth protects both people and performance. They explore the tension between expansion and identity, raising thoughtful questions about limits, leadership, and the risks of drifting into the middle ground between boutique and Big Law. The takeaway is clear: focus is a strategic advantage. The episode closes with a forward-looking perspective on leadership and longevity. Natasha reflects on resilience, trust, and building a firm that can thrive beyond its founder, while Chris and Howard draw out insights on technology, succession planning, and the changing definition of success in law. Change is inevitable, and those who lead with intention are best positioned for what comes next.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Rethinking the Big Law Model 02:39 Designing Culture in a Boutique Firm 09:05 Resilience and Entrepreneurial Leadership 11:50 What Sophisticated Clients Value 14:02 High-Stakes Litigation in Volatile Markets 16:55 Technology and the Future of Legal Teams 22:10 Leadership, Succession, and Longevity Connect with Natasha Harrison: Connect with Natasha on LinkedIn Natasha's Company Web Profile Connect with Howard Rosenberg: Connect with Howard on LinkedIn Howard's Company Web Profile   Connect with Chris Batz: Connect with Chris on LinkedIn  Follow Columbus Street on LinkedIn Columbus Street Website  Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Welcome to the first Original Jurisdiction podcast episode of the new year, an opportune time to both reflect on 2025 and look ahead to 2026. To kick things off, I decided I wanted to interview a Biglaw leader, to get a sense of both the challenges and opportunities facing large law firms today.I was delighted to be joined by Jon Van Gorp, who has served as the chair of Mayer Brown since 2021. A member of both the Am Law 100 and the Vault 100, Mayer Brown has around 2,000 lawyers, $2 billion in revenue, and 150 years of history. As for Jon, he's a Chambers-ranked, leading practitioner in structured finance—and we began our conversation by discussing his distinguished career in practice.We then moved on to discuss his leadership of Mayer Brown, which Jon views as a way of giving back to an institution that has given so much to him. We covered his approach to leadership, the firm's strategic plan, and its approach to AI adoption.But Jon was also willing to tackle topics that other Biglaw leaders have been avoiding, such as partner pay and the (rather fraught) relationship between the Trump administration and large law firms. Thanks to Jon for his time, insight, and willingness to discuss delicate—but incredibly important—issues.Show Notes:* Jon D. Van Gorp bio, Mayer Brown LLP* Beyond cold hard cash, warm fuzzies are the way to a lawyer's heart, firm chair says, by Jenna Greene for Reuters* Mayer Brown Chair On Why Law Leaders Need To Listen More, by Kevin Penton for Law360Prefer reading to listening? For paid subscribers, a transcript of the entire episode appears below.Sponsored by:NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment@nexfirm.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davidlat.substack.com/subscribe

 hear this question constantly: do you actually have to be a rainmaker to succeed in BigLaw? The short answer is no, but the longer, more important answer is that success depends on whether your firm truly rewards lawyers who help win, grow, and retain clients without personally originating them.  In this episode, I break down what that looks like in practice. I explain why firms that rely on a handful of star originators are more vulnerable over time, and also why many firms say they value collaboration and the contrbutions of many to major firm clients but quietly reward something very different. I walk through how non-originating lawyers can become force multipliers by expanding existing clients, owning client problems instead of just matters, and positioning themselves as essential to client growth rather than execution alone. I also explain how to diagnose whether your firm will actually promote and reward this type of lawyer by looking at promotion histories, credit allocation practices, compensation structures, and who really holds power inside the firm. This episode is about clarity: understanding what success looks like at your firm before you invest years playing the wrong game. At a Glance 01:20 Why rainmaking dominates BigLaw conversations and why firms still need more than originators 02:39 Why firms dependent on a few rainmakers become vulnerable over time 03:17 How non-rainmakers succeed by acting as force multipliers inside client relationships 03:43 Growing existing clients instead of chasing cold starts 04:22 Becoming the lawyer rainmakers cannot afford to exclude 05:07 Owning client problems, not just discrete matters 06:12 Building internal political capital through client expansion 06:40 Why "supporting" a client is the wrong way to describe your role 07:25 How to articulate leadership and revenue impact without origination credit 07:52 How to assess whether your firm really values non-originating partners 08:16 What to look for in recent partner promotions 09:20 Credit allocation, shared origination, and what collaboration actually looks like 10:42 Warning signs that your firm has a structural ceiling for non-originators 12:26 The non-equity partner tier and what it really means at your firm 13:12 Who holds real power over comp, promotion, and clients 14:07 The core diagnostic question every lawyer should ask about partnership success Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? Here are ways to reach out to her: www.lauraterrell.com  laura@lauraterrell.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/  Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast

Brett M. Amron and Jeffrey Bast sit down with Jim Robinson, Partner at White & Case LLP in Miami, where he leads the firm's Americas Litigation Section and serves as Chair of the Americas Operations Council. Jim represents U.S. and international clients in complex, high-stakes commercial disputes and is widely respected as a tenacious litigator who believes you do not have to be difficult to be effective.Jim shares his remarkable path to the law, from growing up on a cattle ranch in Southwest Florida with professional rodeo parents to discovering his passion for litigation during law school. He reflects on the mentorship that shaped his career, why he has spent more than two decades at one firm, and what truly makes lawyers successful in Big Law and beyond. The conversation also dives into defending lawyers in malpractice matters, the importance of proactive lawyering, taking ownership of cases, clear client communication, and building strong teams through leadership and recognition.The episode closes with a personal look at life outside the courtroom, including community service, faith, family, and the joy of becoming a grandfather. This is a thoughtful and engaging conversation on professionalism, grit, and practicing law with purpose.Streaming on  YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Podcasts. We are also in the top ten percent of listened-to podcasts globally.

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HEREAre you on a journey of success and need some helpful tips? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Tyson chats with Marc Brown, a former big law insurance defense attorney who shares his inspiring journey to founding a successful personal injury firm and co-owning a restaurant. The conversation explores his career pivots, marketing strategies and the challenges of competing with national firms. Marc shares his experience in pivoting in his career and what success means when starting a new path. Because he was unhappy with his career as a lawyer, he decided to leave to become an entrepreneur and found a new path of happiness. Success can come in many ways and for Marc, it was knowing he achieved his goal of being a lawyer but deciding on a new goal and pursuing it. It is completely fine to want to change your direction in life and if you decide to do so, put as much good energy out there to ensure it comes back to you when you are working on something new.Marc and Tyson discuss personal brands and the need to stay true to yours. It is important to understand your own DNA and what you represent. Once you determine this, make it your personal brand. Learn your capabilities, what makes you happy and what you can offer people. That way, people are getting to know you for you and not only for what you offer. Being true to yourself will always lead to success!Listen in to learn more!1:46 Redefining Success and Career Direction 11:31 Advice Lawyers Facing Tough Choices23:46 Billboard Marketing Pitfalls 28:41 Adapting to Competition 33:19 Staying True to Your Personal Brand Tune in to today's episode and checkout the full show notes here. Connect with Marc:Website Instagram Facebook  Linkedin  

Journalist and political commentator Molly Jong-Fast joins Marc Elias to discuss Trump's declining political power, the myth of a governing mandate, and the growing backlash heading into the 2026 midterm elections. They examine corporate and billionaire collaboration with Trumpism, the retreat of Big Law, escalating voter suppression and election subversion, DOJ efforts to access voter files, and the legal fight to protect voting rights and democracy. The discussion also dives into the collapse of U.S. media, disinformation, Section 230, the erosion of expertise, billionaire influence on social media, AI misinformation, and why journalism has been undermined by policy choices. Support independent journalism: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/member-youtube Stay informed with the latest news and political analysis: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/youtube Follow Democracy Docket: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/democracydocket.com Instagram⁠: https://instagram.com/democracydocket Facebook⁠: https://facebook.com/democracydocket X/Twitter⁠: https://twitter.com/DemocracyDocket TikTok⁠: https://tiktok.com/@democracydocket Threads: https://www.threads.net/@democracydocket

Welcome to another dumpster fire of a year. ----- We begin the year by peering into our crystal balls and issuing some predictions for 2026. Who will be fired? What's going to happen with law schools? Is a big change on the horizon for Biglaw? Our predictions will inevitably be wrong, but we'll offer them with a lot of confidence -- just like AI would. Also a whole lot of sports talk for a law podcast.