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In today's episode of the Wealthy Woman Lawyer® podcast, it is my pleasure to interview Elise Holtzman of The Lawyer's Edge.Elise is passionate about attorney success and happiness! She is a former practicing lawyer, professional coach and trainer, and the CEO of The Lawyer's Edge. The Lawyer's Edge helps law firm grow by helping lawyers become better business developers and leaders.Elise is also the creator of The Lawyer's Edge podcast and frequently speaks for law firms and bar associations. She's also the creator of the Lawyers Making it RainTM program and the Ignite Women's Business Development Accelerator.In today's episode, we discuss…Elise's journey from pre-med to law school, and then Big Law attorney to professional coach and trainerHow she defines marketing and business development—and distinguishes between the twoHer expert advice for lawyers who hate marketing and networkingThe mindset shift that can completely transform your business development resultsHow she thinks the pandemic has challenged and transformed law firm marketingChallenges (and advantages) unique to women rainmakersSpecific tasks you can delegate to others to help you with your business development (Hint: You don't have to do it all.)The biggest mistake Elise observes lawyers make when it comes to business developmentAnd much more!Links to Love:***Check out The Lawyer's Edge on Apple Podcasts and reach out to Elise and her team if you'd like to learn more about how The Lawyer's Edge can help you become a better rainmaker for your law firm business.***Book a Practice Growth Assessment call with me.***Head over to our website and add yourself to our email list by grabbing a copy of our popular guide: What Wealthy Woman Law Firm Owners Know That You Don't. www.wealthywomanlawyer.com***Please Leave a Review and Share. If you love the Wealthy Woman Lawyer® Podcast we'd be ever so grateful if you'd: 1) Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, and 2) Share your favorite episode with another woman law firm owner you know will benefit from it!***Want to Scale Your Law Firm to 1MM or More? The Wealthy Woman Lawyer® Podcast is sponsored by Wealthy Woman Lawyer, LLC. We help women law firm owners scale their law firm businesses to and thru 1MM with total ease. If you'd like help to scale your law firm business, we invite you to JOIN US IN THE WEALTHY WOMAN LAWYER LEAGUE or, if you have already reached $500K or more in gross annual revenue, but haven't yet hit that $1M mark, to apply for private coaching with me.
Kathryn interviewed Elise Holtzman, President of The Lawyer's Edge, who shares her journey from pre-med to law and discusses challenges faced by lawyers. She highlights the pressure being overwhelming leading to visible stress, but advises breaking down goals into smaller achievable tasks. Elise also points out that self-doubts often block individuals from expressing their needs or setting boundaries, and stresses the need to ignore such doubts as they are not based on reality. She encourages lawyers to seek help when stuck and to realize that progress requires new skills and habits, even if changing these seems hard. Highlights Why Elise decided to move from medical school to law school The idea of conducting "mini experiments” and trying a few new things like learning to delegate more or showing up with solutions rather than just problems. Law firms' responsibility to communicate their expectations upfront to their associates and to give them a clear roadmap for professional development Ways individuals can develop a macro perspective on their legal career while dealing with daily tasks, such as finding quiet time to reflect or discussing with a friend Spending time with like-minded individuals who can provide motivation and support in aspiring career advancements The challenges of being stuck in a rut in the legal field and suggests making small changes to gradually improve the situation The importance of pacing oneself and not trying to make dramatic changes all at once The mental roadblocks or "gremlins" that prevent people from making much-needed changes in their careers Episode Resources https://thelawyersedge.com/about-us/meet-elise-holtzman/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliseholtzman Episode Sponsored By https://www.lexisnexis.com/lexisplus Subscribe, Share and Review To get the next episode subscribe with your favorite podcast player. Subscribe with Apple Podcasts Follow on Spotify Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
Tanner Jones, your host and Vice President of Business Development at Consultwebs, welcomes you to another episode of the LAWsome Podcast by Consultwebs. In today's episode, Tanner is accompanied by Elise Holtzman, the CEO of The Lawyer's Edge, a former practicing lawyer, and professional coach and trainer. Elise hosts The Lawyer's Edge Podcast and regularly speaks for bar associations and law firms. She is also the founder of The Lawyers Making Rain Program and the Ignite Women's Business Development Accelerator. Prior to founding The Lawyer's Edge, Elise practiced law in New York City with AmLaw 100 firms Fried Frank and Lewis. In addition to her impressive work, she also joined some of the most prestigious firms in the country and has coached thousands of lawyers from small to big firms. Join us for a captivating session as Elise walks us through her best insights and experiences. Drawing from her expertise, she'll provide knowledge on how to build effective connections in the legal field. Key Takeaways: 00:22 - Introduction 1:00 - Journey as a CEO of The Lawyer's Edge 1:42 - The 3 pillars of business development success 7:59 - How networking can work for an introvert 12:40- Synergy between new and existing clients 16:02 - How lawyer differentiate their practice from the crowd 26:00 - How lawyers today can be more strategic 22:05 - Final thoughts Best way to contact Elise Holtzman : https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliseholtzman www.thelawyersedge.com Discover More About the Podcast and Consultwebs: Subscribe to the LAWsome Podcast by Consultwebs on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify Visit the LAWsome website. Follow Consultwebs on social for legal marketing updates: Facebook Instagram Twitter Linkedin YouTube Learn more about Consultwebs at the links below. Law Firm Marketing Agency Services Law Firm SEO Law Firm Web Design Law Firm PPC Law Firm Social Media Law Firm Email Marketing Law Firm Digital Marketing Consultwebs 8601 Six Forks Rd #400, Raleigh, NC 27615 (800) 872-6590 https://www.consultwebs.com https://www.google.com/maps?cid=13646648339910389351
Would you like to generate more business? Elise Holtzman is founder of The Lawyer's Edge, a leadership development firm that helps attorneys become more proactive about business development and career acceleration.
Would you like to generate more business? Elise Holtzman is founder of The Lawyer's Edge, a leadership development firm that helps attorneys become more proactive about business development and career acceleration.
Elise Holtzman is a former practicing lawyer, executive coach and consultant, and the CEO of The Lawyer's Edge, where for the past 15 years she and her team have worked with law firms to grow thriving businesses by helping lawyers become better business developers and leaders. Check out her podcast HERE!She is the creator of the Lawyers Making Rain program for law firms and the Ignite Women's Business Development Accelerator for women partners and counsel. Elise speaks frequently for law firms and bar associations and is the host of The Lawyer's Edge podcast. She also writes articles for publications such as Law.com and Law360. Elise earned a BA in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and her JD from Columbia Law School where she was a senior editor of the Columbia Law Review and is now a Vice President of the Columbia Law School Association. Prior to founding The Lawyer's Edge, Elise practiced law in New York City with Fried Frank and Morgan Lewis. She is passionate about helping lawyers grow and thrive, both personally and professionally. Smells Like HumansLike listening to funny friends discuss curious human behavior.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showFollow us on Instagram @theladieswholawpodcast
Elise Holtzman is passionate about attorney success and happiness! She is a former practicing lawyer, professional coach and trainer, and the Founder & CEO of The Lawyer's Edge®, which works with law firms to grow thriving businesses by helping lawyers become better business developers and leaders. In addition to hosting The Lawyer's Edge podcast and speaking frequently for law firms and bar associations, Elise is the creator of the Lawyers Making Rain™ program and the Ignite Women's Business Development Accelerator. Elise earned a BA in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and her JD from Columbia Law School, where she was a senior editor of the Columbia Law Review and is now a Vice President of the Columbia Law School Association. Prior to founding The Lawyer's Edge, Elise practiced law in New York City with AmLaw 100 firms Fried Frank and Morgan Lewis. https://thelawyersedge.com/about-us/meet-elise-holtzman/ Emily is available for coaching! Visit Beyondthelegallens.com
Welcome to the RE Social Podcast, your source for real estate investing tips! Get ready for this NEW episode as Host Vince sits down with the real estate investor and lawyer, Jack Duffley, from Duffley Law LLC. Jack is on a mission to build a portfolio of businesses and real estate ventures, and he's here to share his wisdom and experiences with you! Jack takes us on a journey through his success story, shedding light on house hacking, owner-occupying properties, and MORE. He shares invaluable insights on smart investments, sharing insider tips to help you buy and sell profitable ventures in business and real estate. Tune in for more of these exclusive insights! Don't forget to leave a five-star review, and let us know what you think. Key Takeaways 00:00:00Who is Jack Duffley 00:00:40Jack as a lawyer and investor 00:02:01Full scholarship to Law School 00:03:19The evolution of his portfolio 00:06:31Going into real estate investing 00:08:41Financing options for owner-occupants 00:12:01Starting with limited funds 00:15:54Overcoming fear in new ventures 00:19:50Taking risks and making a difference 00:21:09Defensive to offensive investments 00:25:12Business expenses and cash flow 00:26:46Challenges and opportunities in buying 00:28:17Real value in small businesses 00:30:43Increasing value and finding your niche 00:33:58Business listings on Biz Buy Sell 00:35:34Contacting listing agents and owners 00:36:29The process of buying a business 00:37:36Why successful businesses sell 00:39:01How to source business data 00:41:48Leveraging creative financing methods 00:44:01Having a double business combo 00:46:10PRO TIP: Try to find your niche 00:47:49Expanding your network 00:50:30Jack's YouTube Channel 00:51:00Where to connect with Jack Resources and Links LoopNet https://www.loopnet.com/ Biz Buy Sell https://www.bizbuysell.com/ Jack Duffley's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/JackDuffley Connect with Jack: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackduffley/ https://www.instagram.com/jackduffley/ https://www.facebook.com/JackDuffley https://twitter.com/JackDuffley https://jackduffley.com/ https://jackduffley.com/links/ https://duffleylaw.com/ Learn more about AnVi Invest
What does your management style say about you? Do you demand perfection from your team? Is perfectionism a double-edged sword? Partners Tracey Diamond and Evan Gibbs sit down with Elise Holtzman, founder of The Lawyer's Edge, to talk about the classic movie, The Devil Wears Prada, and the difference between pursuing perfectionism and pursuing excellence.Hear all this and more in Episode 18 of the Hiring to Firing Podcast! Check out all of our previous episodes and subscribe now.
The question that keeps lawyers up at night is: “How do I get clients?” All my attorney clients joke that they don't teach you business development in law school… In this episode, we're going to cover a framework for building a business development plan for attorneys. (And even if you're not an attorney, these strategies will help you, too…) My guest Elise Holtzman, CEO of The Lawyer's Edge, is an expert at growing thriving law practices. She's here to break down the 3 pillars of business development and share how you can leverage relationships to get more clients.
Elise Holtzman is an experienced attorney, a certified professional coach, and the Founder of The Lawyer's Edge, a boutique firm that provides professional development services to individual attorneys and legal organizations. Elise has a JD from Columbia Law School. She practiced commercial real estate transactional law before shifting her focus to empowering lawyers as they navigate their growing careers. She's dedicated the last 12 years to helping lawyers and law firms be proactive about business development, leadership, and career acceleration. Elise has hosted The Lawyer's Edge Podcast for over two years, interviewing top lawyers, legal marketing specialists, business leaders, and authors. Now, she's celebrating the podcast's 100th episode by reflecting on her podcasting journey and the lessons she's learned along the way. In this episode… When it comes to law firm development, career advancement, brand marketing, and leadership, lawyers are not often the first to jump on the newest trend or opportunity. Many feel as though they have to do things the way it's always been done. However, being a great lawyer is not dependent on legal industry traditions. Over the past couple of years, Elise Holtzman has interviewed many experts in the legal space, and they've all shared inspirational and insightful stories on finding success in the legal arena. The truth is, you can create a path through the legal field and pursue opportunities when you want and how you want — regardless of what's been done in the past. In this 100th episode of The Lawyer's Edge Podcast, Chad Franzen interviews host Elise Holtzman to reflect on stand-out episodes from the last two years. Elise also talks about what inspired her to start the podcast, the amazing guests she's had on, and the guests' practical tips for growing as a lawyer and leader.
In this episode of the Legal Marketing 2.0 Podcast, Guy is joined by Elise Holtzman, a former practicing attorney, certified executive coach, and the founder of The Lawyer's Edge, where she and her team help law firms grow thriving businesses by helping lawyers become better business developers and leaders. Elise is the creator of the Lawyers Making Rain program for law firms as well as The Lawyer's Edge Ignite, a business development program for women lawyers that is launching in 2023. In addition to coaching, training, and consulting, Elise speaks frequently for legal organizations and writes articles on the subject of business development for publications such as Law.com and Law360. She is also the host of The Lawyer's Edge podcast, where Guy Alvarez was a recent guest!
Toya Gavin is the Founder of Legally Bold, a coaching and consulting firm for lawyers, and she's the Founder of Woke Up Worthy, a life coaching firm for women of color. Toya is also part of The Lawyer's Edge coaching team. On top of these accomplishments, Toya is the Founder of the Law Office of Toya Gavin, which serves the needs of micro-businesses. In 2014, Toya attended a conference that helped push her to live her dreams. She describes this conference as “a leap of faith,” which led to her quitting her job, starting her own law practice, and becoming a certified coach. Through the years, Toya realized just how momentous that leap was and now helps others do the same. According to Toya, it's important to seek support in navigating your goals, working through your fears, and taking that leap (even if you don't know all the steps in between). Toya holds a JD from the George Washington University Law School and a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering from Rutgers University. She's licensed to practice law in New York and New Jersey and has been featured in outlets such as ABA Magazine, DC Entrepreneur, the Generation Why Podcast, and the Former Lawyer Podcast. In this episode… Many lawyers know what they want — whether it's making partner, changing firms, or finding harmony between their personal and professional lives. However, lawyers can get stuck in the “how” phase, wondering what steps they need to take to reach their goals. Caught in the fear of the unknown, people might find themselves stuck in a rut and no closer to achieving their objectives. So how do you work through it? Toya Gavin is here to share her expert tips on navigating your goals and reaching your biggest dreams without getting caught up in the “how.” According to Toya, you don't need to work towards your goals alone. Hiring a coach is one of the best ways to follow through on your plans, hold yourself accountable, and see progress in achieving your objectives. Working with a coach gives you the space and time to focus on yourself and build a fulfilling career that aligns with your personal values. In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman is joined by Toya Gavin, Founder of Legally Bold and Woke Up Worthy, to talk about the benefits of hiring a coach. Toya describes her transition into coaching, why lawyers should use a coach to set goals and work through challenges, and why you don't need to have every step planned out before taking a leap of faith.
In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we're talking about perfectionism. Perfectionism seems (falsely) to have many rewards, particularly as we're growing up. But the costs of perfectionism are often higher than we realize. My guest this week, Elise Holtzman, and I explore the roots of perfectionism, how it keeps us playing small and what we can do about it.About My GuestElise Holtzman is a former practicing attorney, certified executive coach, and the founder of The Lawyer's Edge, where she and her coaching team work with law firms to grow thriving businesses by helping lawyers become better business developers and leaders.Prior to practicing law at Fried Frank and Morgan Lewis, Elise earned a BA in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and her JD from Columbia Law School, where she was a senior editor of the Columbia Law Review.In addition to providing consulting, training and coaching for her clients, Elise speaks frequently for legal organizations such as state bar associations, ABA Women Rainmakers, and the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD). She writes articles on the subject of business development for publications such as Law.com and Law360 and is the host of The Lawyer's Edge podcast.~Connect with Elise:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliseholtzman/Website: https://thelawyersedge.com/Brave, Not Perfect by Reshma Saujani~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://yourcareersuccess.com/impostor-syndrome-challenge/ Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://yourcareersuccess.com/leading-humans-discussion-group/Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6 Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/ Websites:https://yourcareersuccess.comhttps://impostorsyndromefiles.com
Mary Balistreri is the President and CEO of More Business Today (MBT), which offers coaching, professional development programs, and facilitation services. Mary is a certified Conversational Intelligence (C-IQ) Coach, a Diversity to Belonging Facilitator, and a key member of the coaching team at The Lawyer's Edge. Mary has more than 20 years of experience in law as an internal business development and leadership coach. She was the first Director of Business Development at an AmLaw 200 firm, where she helped create industry teams, client service teams, a target marketing program, and a coaching program, among many other initiatives. The heart of Mary's coaching practice lies in supporting individuals and teams to achieve their potential and build belonging into business. She has witnessed the power of conversation to clarify, communicate, and create improvements. Mary says that as long as clients are committed and ready to put the work in, coaching can transform their lives. In this episode… According to Mary Balistreri, the #1 most successful tactic to improve individuals and teams is coaching. Although Mary is a coach, this isn't a self-fulfilling prophecy. Throughout her 20 years of experience, she's witnessed countless transformations — both for the individual and their business. In Mary's very first year of coaching, she took on 13 attorneys who were drowning in work. Of those 13, five of them became top rainmakers in their firm. Since then, she's worked with numerous attorneys and other professionals who embraced the power of coaching to help them achieve their loftiest goals. But what makes coaching so beneficial? It comes down to three things: individual solutions, accountability, and a goal-centered approach that propels you into action. In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman talks with Mary Balistreri, President and CEO of More Business Today (MBT) and Coach at The Lawyer's Edge. Mary discusses the benefits of coaching and how it differs from other counseling, the impact conversations can have on business, and why commitment is key to beginning your coaching journey.
James (Jim) Persing is a former practicing lawyer who has been coaching professionals for more than 20 years. He supports clients through a collaborative process of designing, effectuating, and sustaining change. Jim married his law experience with his passion for coaching clients in a variety of professions to help others envision, achieve, and maintain success. Much of his work focuses on helping early and mid-career professionals develop their leadership vision and produce positive action. As someone who launched and ran a successful law practice, Jim is a specialist in helping other solo and small-firm attorneys succeed. In addition to working in the legal profession, Jim works with clients in healthcare, finance, and government agencies. He is a member of the coaching team at The Lawyer's Edge, and he's also partnered with BetterUp Coaching, Thrive Partners UK, The Wall Street Coach, Wellspan Health, and more. In this episode… Law school doesn't teach you how to run a practice, develop your business skills, or foster relationships with other lawyers and leaders in your industry. For many lawyers, you have to learn these skills on your own while balancing your law practice, your personal life, and everything in between. The truth is that you don't have to go it alone. Working with a coach can help you build on opportunities, see things from a different perspective, and sustain the success you desire. Instead of working tirelessly on your own, a coach brings an unbiased opinion to help you get clear on where you want to be, how to get there, and how to see continued success. In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman is joined by professional coach Jim Persing to talk about the benefits of working with a coach. Jim shares how a coach can help you shift your perspective, illuminate blindspots, and strategize a plan of action. He also discusses the importance of integrating wellness practices into your life, getting intentional with your goals, and tackling new opportunities.
Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a big consumer of podcasts. For me, podcasts are a significant part of my own ongoing professional development. As someone who is not a big reader, I have also found podcasting an entertaining way to keep up on law, politics, marketing, and a host of other subjects that interest me including behavioral economics, psychology, mindfulness, true crime, health, and pop culture. And so I was very excited to stumble upon The Lawyer's Edge Podcast a few years ago. My guest, Elise Holtzman, is the host of that podcast and I've now become a regular listener. I was even fortunate enough to be one of Elise's guests last year. More importantly, I have been learning a LOT from Elise and her guests about a broad range of career and marketing topics. Lately, Elise has been focusing a lot of her conversations on the advancement of women in the law and given the depth of Elise's own knowledge on the subject, I thought it would be great to invite her on to talk about some of the challenges that women face when trying to advance their careers. We talk about how the pandemic has impacted women, how her coaching helps women and non-women alike to develop the non-practice specific skills they need to be successful. Elise Holtzman is a former practicing attorney, certified executive coach, and the founder of The Lawyer's Edge, where she and her coaching team help lawyers become better business developers and leaders. Elise began her career as a commercial real estate attorney at two AmLaw 100 firms. She brings a deep understanding of the practice of law (and the demands of operating a firm) to her work. Elise frequently speaks and writes on the subject of business development and career acceleration and as I already mentioned, she is host of a GREAT podcast. Additional Resources Episode 68-Are there Gender Differences in Legal Marketing?—What Men and Women Can Learn From Each Other About Building a Law Practice
Elise Holtzman is a former practicing attorney, certified executive coach, and the Founder of The Lawyer's Edge, where she and her coaching team work with law firms to grow thriving businesses by helping lawyers become better business developers and leaders. Prior to practicing law in large New York law firms, Elise earned a BA in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and her JD from Columbia Law School, where she was a member and Senior Editor of the Columbia Law Review. In addition to providing consulting, training, and coaching for clients, Elise speaks frequently for women groups and legal organizations such as State Bar Associations, ABA Women Rainmakers, and the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity. She writes articles on the subject of business development for publications such as the New York Law Journal and Law360. She is also the host of The Lawyer's Edge Podcast. In this episode… Building a successful business requires managing many key pieces, from handling finances to tackling sales and marketing, hiring and managing employees, and scaling the business. However, no one can be an expert in all of these areas — regardless of how smart they are. So what should growing entrepreneurs do? According to Elise Holtzman, this is where having a coach or mentor comes into play. Connecting and learning from a mentor who has gone through similar challenges is invaluable. It helps business owners network with like-minded people, grow both personally and professionally, and learn how to take on uncomfortable situations. In this episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show, Andrea Heuston is joined by Elise Holtzman, the Founder of The Lawyer's Edge, to talk about the importance of coaching and working with a mentor. Elise shares her journey to entrepreneurship, her secret to success, and the value of networking with like-minded people. Stay tuned.
Many attorneys will avoid investing in a business coach or participating in sales for fear of feeling disingenuous to their clients. What they don't realize is the opportunities they are throwing away in the process. Ian Garlic talks to Elise Holtzman, the President and Founder of The Lawyer's Edge, about how lawyers can unlock their unlimited potential and uncover internal obstacles in order to succeed. Elise explains the big question you should be asking before you ask clients for more business as well as the upcoming opportunities for law firms in 2022.What You'll Learn:Why Most Attorneys Avoid Business CoachingHow to Find the Right Business CoachUnlocking Your Unlimited Potential as a LawyerUncovering Internal Obstacles to SucceedThe Misconception of the S**** Word in LawHow to Sell Without Feeling SleazyThe Big Question You Need to Ask Before Asking for More BusinessThe Big Opportunity in 2022 for Your Law FirmConnect with Elise:The Lawyers EdgeLinkedInResources:Connect with IanBook a Discovery Call Today with Our ExpertsSubscribe to the YouTube Channel See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Leslee Cohen is the Founding Partner of AllRise Lawyers, a boutique law firm in Chicago founded 11 years ago that helps startups, entrepreneurs, and small businesses with their early-stage fundraises, day-to-day contract needs, and mergers and acquisitions. Leslee has over 20 years of experience as a corporate and securities lawyer. Before co-founding her firm, Leslee spent seven years on Wall Street and 13 years at a large law firm in Chicago, where she formed and led the Women's Initiative. In addition to providing sophisticated legal advice at fair rates, the team at AllRise cares tremendously about each other and their clients. The firm's six lawyers are all women seizing the opportunity to do high-level legal work while continuing to be hands-on moms, daughters, sisters, wives, and friends. In this episode… What does it take to become a Rainmaker? How can you deliver value and build your book of business, even if you're just starting out? When Leslee Cohen began developing her firm, she realized that she was not alone in her journey; many other leaders fear the challenges of building a business. Now, as a successful founder, Leslee is here to share the steps she took to overcome self-doubt and grow her firm. For Leslee, the most important ways to gain confidence and develop your business are through networking, focusing on your unique selling proposition, and getting involved in industry organizations. In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge, Elise Holtzman is joined by Leslee Cohen, Founding Partner of AllRise Lawyers, to talk about developing leadership skills and building a book of business. Leslee shares how her firm is empowering others, advice for other lawyers looking to grow, and the best practices for delivering value to your clients. Stay tuned!
Elise Holtzman is a trusted attorney and a certified coach. She is best known as the President and Founder of The Lawyer's Edge — a boutique firm that provides guidance and resources to both attorneys and organizations. She has been coaching and consulting lawyers for over 13 years, drawing from her own experience in law. Elise is also the host of The Lawyer's Edge Podcast, where she interviews successful attorneys, legal marketing specialists, business leaders and authors. Elise has worked for multiple law firms, including Morgan, Lewis & Bockius as well as Fried Frank. She has worked extensively in commercial real estate as a lawyer. Her degree is from Columbia Law School where she also worked as an editor of the Columbia Law Review. In this episode: Lawyers are a highly specialized workforce. Thousands of hours are put into knowing the law and how to survive in a difficult industry. Experience and hard work remain the consistent keys to success. Many lawyers have these but their law firm continues to struggle. So what's holding them back? While there could be a myriad of factors, one of the most common is business development. At the end of the day, law firms are businesses, subject to the same needs and obstacles that come with the territory. It's easy to ignore the development of your firm until it's too late, having to play catch-up with the other firms around you. There needs to be a greater emphasis on business development, and that's exactly what Elise Holtzman specializes in. In this episode of the Spill the Ink! podcast, Michelle Calcote King speaks with Elise Holtzman of The Lawyer's Edge to hear her thoughts on business development for law firms. The two go over some of the common pitfalls and the three pillars to focus on to avoid them. They also dive into topics like marketing, setting new goals and women in the legal industry. Stay tuned to hear it all for yourself!
Allison Williams is the CEO and Founder of Law Firm Mentor, a company that provides business coaching to help law firm owners become more efficient, increase revenue, and build successful firms. Allison is also the Founder of Williams Law Group, which grew to become a multimillion-dollar company in just three and a half years. Allison has received many accolades, including the LawFirm500 award, ranking 14th among the fastest-growing law firms in the nation, and she was voted NJBIZ's Top 50 Women in Business. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, is certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Matrimonial Law Attorney, and is certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in Family Law. The motto of Law Firm Mentor is #NeverStopGrowing, and Allison intends to help attorneys do just that. While working with solo and small law firm attorneys, Allison helps them get their life back and spend less time with clients by growing their business, putting systems in place to crush chaos, and improving profitability. In this episode… Are you looking to become the CEO of your law firm? Do you want to spend less time in your business and more time on your business? When your name is on the door, it can be challenging to let go of control. In order to grow, Allison Williams says that you have to shift your mindset. It's not about taking what you have and handing it over — it's about training your associates and partners to execute the quality work your clients desire. Once you let go of your ego, prepare your employees and clients for the transition, and banish perfectionism. You'll be able to focus less on the exhaustive tasks and more on the impact of your business as a whole. In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge, Elise Holtzman sits down with Allison Williams, Founder and CEO of Law Firm Mentor, to talk about finding freedom in your business. Allison discusses how systematization, team-centered processes, and effective communication can help you gain more profit while working fewer hours. She also shares stories of how sought-after lawyers escaped the demands of the practice — and how you can, too! Stay tuned.
Cole Silver is the Chief Client Officer at Blank Rome, an Am Law 100 firm that provides a full range of legal and advocacy services to clients worldwide. Before going in-house, Cole ran his own multi-state law firm called The Silver Law Group. For over 25 years, he served as General Counsel to several high-growth companies, providing an insider's view of clients' real-world concerns and a unique market perspective that drives business and client growth. Cole has also authored books and trained hundreds of professionals in the areas of client development and service, helping them transform their business and impact. To succeed in this climate, Cole advises that the older generation must pay attention to the trends and adapt like their innovative younger counterparts. As the Chief Client Officer at Blank Rome, Cole provides strategic guidance to lawyers, ensuring that the client experience is memorable and exceeds their expectations in value, delivery, and results. In this episode… There are many trends directly impacting the law industry, including technological advancements, generational conflicts, as well as social, political, and cultural changes. So, what actions can your firm take to stay on top of these trends? And how can you continue driving change within your field? According to Cole Silver, younger, forward-thinking lawyers are succeeding because they're able to adapt. The older generations who are more resistant to change risk losing employees, clients, and the future of their business. But what can these younger and older generations learn from each other? For Cole, it's all about engaging with employees, receiving feedback, and training new leaders to build an enduring firm. In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge, Elise Holtzman talks with Cole Silver, Chief Client Officer of Blank Rome, about the importance of innovation. Cole discusses the ways your firm can adapt to changes, where to invest in your business, and why your clients are more valuable now than ever before. Plus, Cole shares his tips on bridging generational leadership differences while being open to industry developments. Stay tuned.
Pieter van der Hoeven is the Co-founder and CEO of Clocktimizer, a company that helps law firms streamline operations, improve firm-wide profitability, and build and scale pricing and legal project management teams. Pieter has a background as an attorney-at-law, working at firms including DLA Piper and KPN, both based in the Netherlands. During that time, he spent evenings pouring over data and spreadsheets to provide his clients with transparency, which prompted the desire to automate instead of manually transferring data. It wasn't long before the idea to begin a business came to fruition. Pieter van der Hoeven and his team at Clocktimizer help law firms and the people within them streamline operations and improve firm-wide profitability. They can do this by optimizing data-driven technology to improve efficiency without all the messy work so you can concentrate on what matters most — the client. In this episode… Are you in a law firm that hasn't implemented any technology and feels that you're falling behind? How can software improve client relationships? What technology is out there that can help lawyers with any legal service? Pieter van der Hoeven can tell you. Pieter van der Hoeven is the Co-founder and CEO of Clocktimizer, providing lawyers with data-driven solutions to budgeting, pricing, operations, and more. As a previous attorney and M&A lawyer, Pieter knows the changing landscape of the legal industry. It's no secret that technology is booming in law, and Pieter is here to tell you how to implement it into any firm. On this episode of The Lawyer's Edge, Elise Holtzman has a conversation with Co-founder and CEO of Clocktimizer, Pieter van der Hoeven, about technology in the legal field. They discuss how to adopt technology into law firms, what software can do to streamline law, the intersection between technology and relationships, and much more. You won't want to miss this jam-packed episode!
Liel Levy is the Co-founder and Head of Partnerships at Nanato Media, a bilingual digital marketing agency specializing in the US Hispanic market. Nanato Media focuses on helping law firms across the country run relevant campaigns targeting local Hispanic markets. After a career in the food and hospitality space, Liel entered the marketing industry, working as the Assistant Food and Beverage Director and MUZE Restaurant Manager at Mandarin Oriental and Restaurants Manager at Meliá Hotels International. Liel Levy is the Co-author of the book Beyond Se Habla Español: How Lawyers Win the Hispanic Market and the Co-host of the In Camera Podcast. Liel helps law firms dominate their market through ambicultural digital marketing strategies that lead to exponential business and brand growth. He has all the tools to teach you why and how to market to the Hispanic community and is here to tell you all about it. In this episode… Law firms across the country use marketing materials for advertising to clients new and old. Most probably feel confident in their marketing materials. However, there is a whole chunk of the American population that law firms often don't have the tools to market to — the Hispanic community. Liel Levy noticed this and decided to do something to change the landscape. Liel Levy has been ingrained in Hispanic culture from the day he was born, living in New Mexico and watching his uncle create a law firm specifically for Hispanics. Now, Liel is the Co-founder of Nanato Media, a digital agency focused on helping law firms across the country run relevant campaigns targeting local Hispanic markets. He has all the tools to teach you why and how to market to the Hispanic community and is here to tell you all about it. On this episode of The Lawyer's Edge, Elise Holtzman talks with Co-founder and Head of Partnerships at Nanato Media, Liel Levy, all about marketing law firms to the Hispanic community. They discuss increasing focus on connecting with Hispanic clients, successful marketing strategies for each sect of the Hispanic community, sensitivity and stress around effective translation, and so much more. You won't want to miss this impactful episode!
Erin Lawler is the Head of M&BD, Americas at Hogan Lovells, an international law firm that operates at the intersection of business and government. She has over 20 years of experience in Am Law 100 firms, and this is her third leadership role at Hogan Lovells. Erin has established “best in class” client programs and increased collaboration in her previous role as the Global Head of M&BD Operations and Business Management. Prior to Hogan Lovells, Erin worked in Business Development for Norton Rose Fulbright and WilmerHale, where she developed client retention strategies and other programs to drive revenue growth. Erin lives in Connecticut with her partner and their eight-year-old daughter. In this episode… The pandemic disrupted life and business as we know it, including the legal industry. A business that was once face-to-face needed to adjust to virtual contact. This change created a lasting impact on how to engage with clients. How did the pandemic impact your business? Professional services that were dependent on interaction needed to reassess, and Erin Lawler saw an opportunity for improvement. Coming out of the pandemic, she realized the mechanisms of client communication needed to change. Erin implemented the use of client feedback by changing the mindset of how to conduct a client listening session, and she uses it to strengthen and establish strong relationships to improve the legal industry. In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge, Elise Holtzman is joined by Erin Lawler, Head of M&BD, Americas at Hogan Lovells, to discuss the impact of client communication. Erin has over 20 years in the industry and is passionate about providing top-level client services. Together they discuss how to focus on business objectives and imperatives, establishing credibility, and delivering top-level client service through feedback. Stay tuned!
Stacey Brown Randall is the Founder of the Brown Randall Group, where she helps business owners generate referrals without asking. As a self-proclaimed Referral Ninja Master, Stacey brings her decades of experience in talent management, marketing, and strategy to teach clients her 5-step formula for gaining referrals in a way that honors and fosters relationships. Before starting her company, Stacey was an Adjunct Professor at Queens University of Charlotte and Chief Talent Officer at HF Financial, among many other executive roles. Stacey is the author of the award-winning book Generating Business Referrals Without Asking and has been recognized in Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Business Daily. In this episode… Do you struggle with feeling bothersome or needy when attempting to get referrals? Have you considered throwing that marketing strategy out the window? You won't worry anymore after meeting Stacey Brown Randall. Stacey Brown Randall was working in a corporate job when she decided to leave it all when she discovered the magic of referrals. She now teaches business owners and sales professionals the secrets to generating referrals without even asking, and she's here to tell you all about it. In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge, Elise Holtzman has a conversation with the Founder of the Brown Randall Group, Stacey Brown Randall, about the world of referrals. They discuss why referrals matter, steps of the referral process, consistency and growth in marketing, and so much more. Stay tuned!
Chelsea Bonini is the Chief Legal Officer for the Conscious Inclusion Company, a woman-owned, minority-operated business dedicated to helping organizations do well from a business perspective while encouraging equality in the workplace. Chelsea founded her law firm, Kiski Law, in 2010 and serves as the CEO. She is also the Chief Legal Officer at Freeman Means Business. Chelsea was recently elected to the San Mateo County Board of Education in California and serves on the county's Commission on Disabilities. Chelsea Co-founded a nonprofit in 2017 called Not Without Us, which is dedicated to increasing awareness of ableism and to inspiring community action to ensure that all persons with disabilities have equitable and inclusionary opportunities for success in life. In this episode… Diversity, equity, and inclusion should be at the forefront of any workplace's values. However, many legal practices put DEI at the back of their minds, especially when it comes to upper management. How can law firms increase awareness about DEI and create change for the better? Chelsea Bonini can tell you how. Chelsea Bonini advocates for education, housing, mental health awareness, disability rights, and inclusive communities. She has spent her vast career working as a Chief Legal Officer and lawyer at companies dedicated to inclusion and giving people with disabilities equal opportunities. She's here to talk about improving DEI awareness and give you tips on how you can rid your unconscious bias. In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge, Elise Holtzman talks with Chief Legal Officer at Conscious Inclusion Company, Chelsea Bonini, all about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. They discuss the importance of understanding DEI and ableism, our collective unconscious bias, how law firms can make a difference, and much more. Stay tuned!
Dr. Heidi Gardner is the Co-founder of Gardner & Co, a research and advisory firm that helps clients across professional services, industry, government, and nonprofit drive change through smarter collaboration. In addition to this, Dr. Gardner is a Distinguished Fellow at Harvard Law School and a Faculty Chair of the school's Accelerated Leadership Program and Sector Leadership Masterclass. She was previously a professor of Organizational Behavior and the Assistant Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. Dr. Gardner is also the author of multiple books and academic articles, including the best-seller, Smart Collaboration. She has worked on four continents and has served as a Fullbright Fellow, the Engagement Manager for McKinsey & Company, and more. In this episode… How can lawyers improve their collaboration skills, especially when working in different sectors of law? And, what are the benefits of working more collaboratively in 2021 and beyond? Ask Dr. Heidi Gardner, a renowned expert on smart collaboration. Dr. Heidi Gardner has spent years researching smart collaboration and how it relates to lawyers. She discovered that by collaborating more intentionally and deliberately, lawyers and law firms can reap a number of rewards — from financial to cultural. With her advisory firm Gardner & Co, Dr. Gardner helps firms achieve success through smart collaboration, and now she's here to share her tips with you. On this jam-packed episode of The Lawyer's Edge, Elise Holtzman sits down with Dr. Heidi Gardner, the Co-founder of Gardner & Co, to talk about everything you need to know about smart collaboration. They discuss Dr. Gardner's tips for building an inclusive workplace culture, why firms should implement industry groups, and how to utilize smart collaboration to drive change and achieve success today. Stay tuned!
Sarah Nichols is the Founder and Managing Attorney at Nichols Law, P.C. Sarah has over 20 years of experience in HR and employment law and provides effective legal representation to employers and employees alike. Before founding her own firm, Sarah worked at Ogletree Deakins as an Employment Attorney. Sarah has held many positions in the legal field at firms such as Littler Mendelson P.C., Fisher & Phillips, LLP, and Morrison & Foerster LLP. She has also worked as a Lecturer of Law at UC Berkeley and an Adjunct Fellow at the University of California's Hastings College of the Law. Sarah is a skilled public speaker, author, coach, and the host of her own podcast, The Women's Advocate. In this episode… The topics of sexism and workplace discrimination are never easy to bring up. If you're a member of the legal industry, you may have experienced it firsthand — or seen it happen to female colleagues. While it's easy to feel as though you have no voice, Sarah Nichols is here to change all that. As a seasoned attorney and the founder of her own employment firm, Sarah helps both employers and employees with cases of wrongful termination, discrimination, and more. She's a strong advocate for women's rights and is passionate about helping women navigate complex and frustrating workplace challenges. So, what is Sarah's advice to women looking to gain confidence and become better advocates for themselves at work? On this episode of The Lawyer's Edge, Elise Holtzman sits down with Sarah Nichols, the Founder and Managing Attorney at Nichols Law, P.C., to talk about her strategies for becoming a stronger advocate for yourself in the workplace. Together, they discuss common challenges women face at work, how to effectively negotiate your salary, and why employers need to invest in diverse teams. You won't want to miss this episode!
Vishal Agnihotri is the Chief Knowledge Officer at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, a national law firm with over 400 lawyers. Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP delivers a sophisticated legal practice with emphasis in litigation, consumer financial services, environmental law, and much more. As the CKO, Vishal oversees the firm's knowledge management, legal product management, and research services. Before joining Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Vishal held a variety of executive leadership positions, including Chief Knowledge Officer at Akerman LLP and Associate Director of Global Knowledge at KPMG. She has also served as an Advisory Board Member for Rutgers Business School and Bloomberg BNA. In this episode… Why does knowledge management matter in the legal industry? How can legal professionals effectively navigate the spread and growth of technology in 2021 and beyond? As Vishal Agnihotri says, it's all about wielding the right information at the right time. As a Chief Knowledge Officer in the legal field, Vishal has seen technology grow exponentially in the past two decades. She explains that information is power — as long as you know how to wade through the excess to find the right data. Now, she's here to share her expertise on knowledge management and explain how you can leverage the information explosion happening at this very moment. On this exciting episode of The Lawyer's Edge, Elise Holtzman talks with Vishal Agnihotri, the Chief Knowledge Officer at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, about how to navigate the spread of technology and information overload in the legal field. They discuss why knowledge management is essential for lawyers, how to adapt to ever-evolving technology, and her tips for leveraging data to gain a competitive advantage in your field. Stay tuned!
Mary Abbajay is the President of Careerstone Group, LLC, a full-service organizational and leadership development consultancy that delivers leading-edge talent development solutions to business and government. Mary has over 20 years of leadership experience and is a frequent contributor to print, radio, and television publications such as Forbes, The New York Times, and the BBC. In addition to this, Mary currently serves on the Greater Washington Market President's Board of BB&T Bank and is a past Chairman of the Board for Leadership Greater Washington. She is also the author of the best-selling book, Managing Up: How to Move Up, Win at Work, and Succeed with Any Type of Boss. In this episode… Do you get along with your boss? If not, how much do these workplace relationships impact your career trajectory? And, what are some strategies to start improving your communication with your managers—especially if you're working remotely? While there's no blueprint for workplace relationships, getting along with a boss may be more important for your career than you think. With over 20 years of leadership experience, Mary Abbajay is an expert in all things managing up. As she says, the people above us have a huge amount of influence over our workplace opportunities and success. Today, Mary's here to outline everything you need to know to have a better relationship with your boss and start managing your way up in your organization. On this episode of The Lawyer's Edge, Elise Holtzman talks with Mary Abbajay, the President of Careerstone Group, LLC and author of the best-selling book, Managing Up: How to Move Up, Win at Work, and Succeed with Any Type of Boss. Mary discusses the concept of managing up and shares her tips for dealing with difficult bosses, avoiding toxic workplaces, and communicating effectively while working remotely. Stay tuned!
Kate Mortensen is the Chief Legal Officer at Xact Data Discovery (XDD), a leading international provider of eDiscovery, data management, and managed review services for law firms and corporations. In this role, Kate is responsible for leading corporate strategic and tactical legal initiatives, managing outside counsel, and offering support across all business units. Kate is also the Assistant Director for the Phoenix chapter of Women in eDiscovery, a nonprofit organization that facilitates advancement, change, and leadership for women professionals in the legal and technology industries. Before this, Kate held executive roles at various other law firms and corporations and ran a travel blog while traversing through South America with her husband. In this episode… Are you looking to make a change in your career? Have you wanted to explore an executive role, but don't know how to pivot out of your current position? Do you want to be more intentional with your personal and professional goals? Kate Mortensen did, and now she is the Chief Legal Officer at Xact Data Discovery. Kate was a litigation lawyer for 12 years before realizing she needed a change. Having both an MBA and JD, she decided to switch gears and take on more business-related roles at various corporations—but she still wasn't sure exactly which path to take in her career. Then, in 2015, Kate and her husband dropped everything and trekked across South America for over a year. Kate returned to the States with a renewed spirit, professional clarity, and a fresh set of career goals. On this episode of The Lawyer's Edge podcast, host Elise Holtzman talks with Kate Mortensen, the Chief Legal Officer at Xact Data Discovery. Kate discusses her journey from litigation lawyer to business executive, the life lessons she learned from her trek across South America, and her tips for succeeding in an executive role. She also shares everything you need to know about eDiscovery in the legal industry. Stay tuned.
Michael Swanson is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors at Advocate Capital, Inc., a litigation finance firm that provides funding to law firms, lawyers, and plaintiffs for legal disputes. Michael's daily role covers a wide variety of responsibilities, including client relations, strategic planning, marketing, and public relations. Before joining Advocate Capital, Inc., Michael was the President of Wellgen Standard LLC, a private equity firm, and the Vice President and General Manager of Champion America, Inc. Michael is the author of How David Beats Goliath: Access to Capital for Contingent-Fee Law Firms, and he also hosts the How David Beats Goliath Podcast. In this episode… Where do you turn when you don't feel confident about the finances of your business? Is there a way to gain capital outside of your firm? Most importantly: what do you need to know in order to stop stressing about your finances in 2021? As the Chief Executive Officer of Advocate Capital, Inc., Michael Swanson knows that lawyers often struggle with financial and business issues. That's why he decided to help lawyers manage their financials so they can get the best possible results for their clients and their businesses. With his expertise and insights, you can be more confident about your finances—without having to become an accounting expert. On this episode of The Lawyer's Edge podcast, host Elise Holtzman sits down with Michael Swanson, the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors at Advocate Capital, Inc., to discuss everything lawyers need to know about loans, capital, and finances in 2021. Michael outlines common mistakes lawyers make when dealing with finances, his tips for applying for a loan, and the importance of increasing your net worth outside your law firm. Stay tuned.
Shawn Swearingen is the Chief Innovation Officer at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, a top 50 law firm with locations across the US, the UK, and China. In this role, Shawn collaborates with the executive and operations leadership teams to create a culture of innovation and design. Shawn has an ITIL Foundation Certification and a white belt in Legal Lean Sigma, and in 2011 she was awarded the Minnesota Lawyer Unsung Legal Hero award. Shawn previously held the position of Senior Director of Technology at Faegre Drinker. With a focus on e-discovery and research, she led teams responsible for intranet, document automation, project management, legal process improvement, and more. In this episode… Is there a tried-and-true way to build personal connections between practice groups at your law firm? How can design thinking improve the way you approach and understand your clients' needs? And, what does a Chief Innovation Officer do for a firm? Discover the answers to all of these questions and more on this episode of The Lawyer's Edge podcast with guest Shawn Swearingen! Shawn is an expert at building stronger relationships—both between teams and between lawyers and their clients. As the Chief Innovation Officer at Faegre Drinker, she has implemented a variety of innovative systems and processes to improve her firm's workplace culture and drive it's success. As she says, it's all about communication, collaboration, and working toward the same big picture goals. Shawn Swearingen, the Chief Innovation Officer at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, joins Elise Holtzman in this episode of The Lawyer's Edge to discuss her strategies for creating a culture of innovation at your law firm. Shawn talks about the importance of maintaining a communal workplace culture, how to shift your focus to design thinking, and why lawyers should put trust in their operational leadership teams. Stay tuned for more!
Kelly Purcaro is a practicing attorney and Partner at A.Y. Strauss, a law firm based in New York and New Jersey. She is Co-chair of the Litigation Group, specializing in complex and commercial litigation across the United States, as well as the Chair of the Class Action practice group. Kelly has over a decade of experience as a skilled trial lawyer and dynamic litigator, representing both individual and institutional clients on matters including consumer fraud, breach of contract, commercial disputes, and more. Before pursuing law, Kelly earned a Master of Social Work at Rutgers University and served as the Director of Government Relations for a non-profit. In addition to her current role at A.Y. Strauss, she also works as a pro bono attorney for victims of domestic violence, serving trial counsel through Alternatives to Domestic Violence (ADV) in New Jersey. In this episode… Is there a set path to becoming a lawyer? How do you choose your niche in the field? And, is defense work really the dark side of practicing law? When Kelly Purcaro first began her path to becoming a lawyer, she had a degree in social work and a dream. Now, after years of hard work and a wide variety of side jobs, Kelly is a Partner at A.Y. Strauss, where she specializes in complex civil and commercial litigation. For Kelly, there was no set path to practicing law, and even now she tries to trust her gut when it comes to the evolution of her career. So, what is Kelly's advice to new or practicing lawyers looking for their niche in the legal field? On this episode of The Lawyer's Edge podcast, Elise Holtzman talks with Kelly Purcaro, Partner at A.Y. Strauss, about her unique path to becoming a Rainmaker for her firm. Kelly discusses her experience as both a plaintiff and defense attorney, how being a woman shaped her career, and why giving back is a vital aspect of her role as Rainmaker. Tune in for all this and much more!
Uri Gutfreund is the Founder and Moderator of The Managing Partner RoundTable™, a proactive forum where law firm leaders can share their best practices and seek advice from their peers. This unique program has quickly become a leading venue for thought leaders in the legal industry and is the largest regional peer-to-peer professional development group. Uri is a frequent speaker at legal industry conferences and Bar Association events and writes on law firm leadership, business practices, and risk management. Uri is the National Law Firm Practice Leader at Risk Strategies, a top 15 National Insurance Brokerage. At Risk Strategies, Uri is responsible for the development and execution of insurance and risk management services for the company's law firm clients. In this episode… How open are you with other lawyers in your field? Do you like to share your insights with your peers, or would you rather keep things close to your chest? When Uri Gutfreund first started The Managing Partner RoundTable™, he was faced with this obstacle: will industry leaders be willing to share their strengths? What about their failures? After some strategizing, he discovered that when the members of a group aren't in direct competition with one another, the answer is yes—and then some. So, what are the benefits of opening up to your peers, and how can you start making more valuable connections in 2021? Join Elise Holtzman in this episode of The Lawyer's Edge as she sits down with Uri Gutfreund, the National Law Firm Practice Leader for Risk Strategies and the Founder and Moderator of The Managing Partner RoundTable™. Together, they talk about what inspired Uri to create The Managing Partner RoundTable, the insight he's gleaned from his conversations with managing partners, and the trends he foresees in the legal industry for 2021. Stay tuned for more!
John Mitchell is a lawyer, leader, and the Owner of KM Advisors and Quandary Consulting. John is also a Member of the Core Faculty for the Fellows Program at the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity and an Advisory Board Member and Co-Creator of the CBA Leadership Institute for the Chicago Bar Association. Known as “The Purple Coach,” John specializes in helping lawyers and unsung leaders discover and maximize their leadership potential to continuously develop themselves in pursuit of changing the world. In addition to helping individuals, John also works with organizations to create and maintain a culture that attracts and retains the best talent in the industry. In this episode… What does resilience look like to you? Is it the ability to roll with the punches? To keep your head above water? To persevere no matter what? More importantly, how are you and your team staying resilient in the face of the current social, medical, and global crises? For most people, the answer is pretty simply: resilience is the ability to bounce back. But, John Mitchell's take goes a bit deeper. John explains that resilience is the ability to move forward and end up in a better place after your setback. He's focused on helping his clients not just overcome the challenges of the past year, but become better leaders because of them. How can you apply this definition of resilience to your team, so you can grow stronger in the new year? In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge, Elise Holtzman sits down with John Mitchell, a lawyer, leader, and the Owner of KM Advisors and Quandary Consulting, to talk about building resilience in the face of adversity. John discusses the successes and failures he's seen in the leadership response to COVID-19, the various ways technology can help—and harm—company culture, and the importance of taking care of your mental health. Keep listening for more of John's winning leadership strategies!
Mark Goldstein is a Partner at Reed Smith's New York Labor & Employment Group, where he helps companies in New York and around the world manage their workplace needs. Mark defends employers in a wide range of employment litigation matters and advises clients on a variety of day-to-day and big-picture workplace issues, including policy development, risk assessment, and litigation avoidance. Mark is also a passionate mental health and wellness advocate, particularly in the legal profession. He has written for numerous legal publications, speaks at conferences and Bar Association events, and was recently selected as a member of ALM Media/Law.com's Mental Health Advisory Board. In this episode… When you're feeling physically ill, do you call out of work for the day? What about when you're not feeling well mentally? Do you still reach out to your firm when you need to take time off to work on your mental health? In the legal industry, and within BigLaw in particular, there is often a badge of honor for working yourself to the bone. Lawyers are lauded for lack of sleep, long hours, and neglected vacation time. But, this type of work environment is a recipe for burnout—and a serious detriment to your mental health. Mark Goldstein, Partner at Reed Smith, says that while physical ailments and mental health issues may appear different, both should be handled with respect in the workplace. In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge, Elise Holtzman sits down with Mark Goldstein, Partner at Reed Smith's Labor & Employment Group, to talk about mental health in the legal industry. They discuss Mark's experience diagnosing, treating, and maintaining his mental health, the advocacy work he's done in the years since his diagnosis, and how being open about his health has opened doors for him in his career. Plus, Mark shares some practical tips on how you can address your mental health in the workplace.
Jeffrey Stern is the Co-Chair of Structured Finance Practice at Winston & Strawn LLP, an international law firm with over 900 attorneys in financial hubs around the world. Jeffrey has more than 25 years of experience in structured finance and derivatives, focusing on bespoke transactions and esoteric assets. Jeffrey is a regular writer and speaker on topics related to structured finance and previously served as the Chair of the Structured Finance Committee of the New York City Bar Association. Before entering law, Jeffrey performed as a jazz pianist, studied the Old Testament in Jerusalem, and worked in a commercial bakery. In this episode… How did you enter the legal industry? Did you always know you wanted to practice law? Or, did you pivot from a previous career? We all know that there are many different paths to becoming a lawyer. But, what is not as often discussed are the advantages of working in a different sector before going to law school or joining a practice. Jeffrey Stern lived multiple lives before becoming a practicing attorney—from studying the Old Testament in Jerusalem to working in a commercial bakery for a year. According to him, this unique background not only gave him invaluable life experience, but it also helped him grow and succeed in his law practice. Join Elise Holtzman in this episode of The Lawyer's Edge as she talks to Jeffrey Stern, the Co-Chair of Structured Finance Practice at Winston & Strawn LLP, about his path—and ultimate success—in law. They discuss lateral hiring, Jeffrey's strategies for success in business development, and the due diligence necessary for maintaining healthy and successful relationships with your clients and colleagues. Stay tuned!
Jennifer Rosa is a Partner in the New York office of Mayer Brown's Litigation & Dispute Resolution Practice. Her practice focuses primarily on the banking and financial services sector where she represents financial institutions in complex commercial and securities litigation in federal and state courts. Jennifer's experience also includes representing clients in government agency proceedings and internal investigations. Jennifer is an active participant in Mayer Brown's Women's Forum, hiring committee, and mentoring and training programs. She is also one of the leaders of the New York office's wellness initiatives and a board member of the Fordham Law Alumni Association. In this episode… It's a new year, which usually means one thing: resolutions. Now is the time to think about the things we'd like to change, the habits we'd like to make and break, and the ways we can continue evolving for the better—both personally and professionally. For those of us in demanding careers like law, these resolutions usually center around how we can improve our work practices. But, what about our health? According to Jennifer Rosa, one of the best ways to be a better lawyer in the new year is to prioritize your mental and physical health and wellness. In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge, Elise Holtzman sits down with Jennifer Rosa, Partner at Mayer Brown's New York office, to talk about an important trend in the legal industry: health and wellness. Together, they discuss Jennifer's journey prioritizing her health after a cancer diagnosis, the changes she's made in her professional and personal life since then, and the key to developing new habits—and making them stick. Keep listening for more!
Lori Marks-Esterman is a commercial litigator and the Chair of the Litigation Practice Group at Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP. Lori has more than 20 years of expertise in litigating complex commercial disputes and has substantial trial experience in New York's commercial divisions and the Delaware Chancery Court. She represents a wide range of clients, including hedge funds and private equity companies, shareholder activists, and real estate developers. Her practice emphasizes corporate governance disputes, mergers and acquisitions litigation, director and officer liability, and more. Lori is a Fellow of Litigation Counsel of America, an invitation-only trial lawyer honorary society. She was named in Notable Women in Law by Crain's New York Business, and frequently appears in the New York Super Lawyers list. In this episode… How do you move up the leadership ladder at your firm? Do you jump at any opportunity presented to you at the drop of a hat? Or do you hang back and wait until someone approaches you personally with an offer? According to Lori Marks-Esterman, Chair of the Litigation Practice Group at Olshan Frome Wolosky, you're doing your career—and yourself—a disservice if you're doing the latter. In her 20 years as a seasoned trial attorney, she has progressed from Litigator to Partner, and she did this successfully despite being in contradiction to senior professionals. What made her so successful in navigating her way through a cut-throat business and profession? In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge, Elise Holtzman interviews Lori Marks-Esterman, Chair of Litigation Practice Group at Olshan Frome Wolosky, about her strategies for progressing to a leadership role at her firm—and how you can do the same in yours. Lori also discusses whether women approach leadership differently, the biggest and most common obstacles between you and career advancement, and why she believes it's okay to ask questions as long as you come prepared before you approach anyone with them.
Andrea Markstrom is the CIO at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, a law firm with over 600 attorneys located in the Midwest. As CIO, Andrea is responsible for leading firm-wide technology and security initiatives across all tax practices and geographies. She has more than 25 years of technology leadership experience, including 15 years in the legal industry. Before entering the legal space, Andrea spent 13 years leading technology departments for the Target Corporation. A recognized leader in her field, Andrea was awarded the NYC CIO of the Year Award from the CIO Inspire Leadership Organization in 2019. She is also the Founder and CEO of i.WILL (Inspiring Women Igniting Leadership & Learning), a professional women's networking organization focused on mentoring, advancing and supporting women in their careers. In this episode… How did your firm handle the onslaught of COVID-19? More likely than not, there was a bit of scrambling. But, after the initial shock of what was going on, was your practice able to take on the challenges presented by the pandemic—and turn those obstacles into opportunities? CIO Andrea Markstrom was quick to find the silver linings and organizational opportunities in 2020. As a renowned technology leader, she is no stranger to innovation, and her responses to the changes at her firm were no different. So, what are Andrea's expert strategies for implementing a bit of fun, unity, and authenticity during a crisis? In today's episode of The Lawyer's Edge, Elise Holtzman sits down with Andrea Markstrom, the CIO of Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, to talk about how her firm was able to adjust—and improve—as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, they discuss the changing role of a CIO, the importance of knowledge management and knowledge sharing systems, and the challenges Andrea has faced as a woman in her career—and how she's working to empower others. Stay tuned!
Ben Lieber is the Founder and Managing Partner of Potomac Law Group, an all-remote national law firm with an innovative approach to law firm management and technology. Ben has wide-ranging experience in both business and law, having practiced as a Strategy Consultant at McKinsey & Company, a Tax Attorney at Covington & Burling, and General Counsel of several private companies before founding Potomac Law Group in 2011. Ben received his bachelor's degree in Engineering from Cornell University and his J.D. from Georgetown University, where he was a member of the Georgetown Law Journal. In this episode… With the pandemic forcing many industries to change the way they work, the legal industry has had to scramble to find ways to continue providing clients with quality service and representation from their own homes. For many law firms, learning how to operate in a virtual world has been a new and challenging obstacle in 2020. However, this isn't all that new for some: Ben Lieber created a firm with a virtual model before COVID-19 ever happened—10 years before, to be exact. So, what is Ben's advice to law firm leaders and attorneys who are currently faced with the challenge of transitioning to remote work? Elise Holtzman is joined by Ben Lieber, the Founder and Managing Partner of Potomac Law Group, in this episode of The Lawyer's Edge. Together, they discuss the legal industry's current transition to remote work and what inspired Ben to shift to a virtual workplace almost 10 years ago. Ben also talks about the role technology has played in his law firm's success and the lessons he has learned along the way. Keep listening!
Anushree Bagrodia is a Vice President for Mastercard and the Lead Lawyer for Mastercard's Legal Transformation department. She leads a global cross-functional team to identify and implement contract processes, technology, system efficiency, and transformation. Anushree has held several roles for Mastercard between New York and London and has also worked in mergers and acquisitions and commercial transactions at Sidley Austin's London office. In addition to her work as Vice President, Anushree has volunteered her time as Chair of the Mastercard UK Women Leadership Network. She is currently an active member of the Asian American Bar Association of New York and sits on the Finance Committee of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD). In this episode… How did you decide on your career path? Did you seek out advice from a trusted mentor? Maybe you knew someone who was also a lawyer and felt an attraction to the field? Or, did you simply say “yes” to every opportunity that presented itself to you? Anushree Bagrodia has traveled far and wide throughout her career, handling different roles at each turn. Her work has taken her from India to London, and then to New York—and while she admits that there was a fair bit of risk-taking involved in her decision-making, she also believes that there was another element at play each time she met a fork in the road: intention. Listen to this episode of The Lawyer's Edge as Elise Holtzman is joined by Anushree Bagrodia, Vice President and Lead of Legal Transformation at Mastercard, to talk about making deliberate moves for your career. They discuss Anushree's role at Mastercard, how she ended up where she is today, and the mentor who helped her along the way. Plus, they chat about current legal industry trends and Anushree's curse of knowledge. Stay tuned.
Caroline Berdzik is a Partner at Goldberg Segalla, where she also serves as the Chair of the firm's Employment and Labor and Health Care Groups, the Chair of the Women's Initiative, and a member of the management committee. She represents companies in diverse industries like healthcare, transportation, and insurance, as well as nonprofit organizations and educational and religious institutions. Before joining Goldberg Segalla, Caroline was the Assistant General Counsel for New Jersey's largest privately-held long-term-care company. Based in Princeton and active throughout New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and more, Caroline has received local and nationwide recognition for her work. She was named one of the “Best 50 Women in Business” by NJBIZ and a “Top Women in Law” by the New Jersey Law Journal, among many other awards. In this episode… It can be a struggle to get your firm on board with investing in business development efforts. Many lawyers think the practice is unnecessary and don't believe they have the time or energy outside of their client work. What's more, if you are able to convince your firm to take the plunge, the work is typically restricted to one or two higher-level individuals, leaving other attorneys in the shadows. Caroline Berdzik thinks that business development is not only a necessary practice for your firm, but that it should be a team effort that spans every level of your organization. According to Caroline, crafting a strategy around this approach will help you better develop your clients and arm your practice with highly skilled individuals who will only have more to offer over time. So, what are her best practices for implementing intentional and successful business development efforts today? Join Elise Holtzman in this episode of The Lawyer's Edge as she sits down with Caroline Berdzik, Partner at Goldberg Segalla. Together, they discuss the importance of business development and the different strategies for successfully developing your client roster. Caroline also talks about the differences in business development between men and women, the upcoming changes in the legal industry, and how you, too, can become a Rainmaker. Keep listening!
Dr. Michelle Stein Teer is the Founder and Director of Rhetoric Academy, a professional training and coaching organization that specializes in effective communication and rhetoric skills. In addition to this, Dr. Stein Teer is the Head of the Rhetoric Art prestigious Executive Program at IDC in Herzliya, Israel, and a scholar and professor of Political Rhetoric and Cognitive Psychology at the Schools of Communication and Business at IDC, Bar-Ilan University, and Tel Aviv University. Dr. Stein Teer is a renowned feminist and an establishing Co-partner of Supersonas, an organization focused on creating a balanced presence of women at all decision-making levels and leadership positions. She also co-founded the groundbreaking She Speaks academy, which certified 400 women lecturers in the art of rhetoric within two years. In this episode… Have you heard the phrase “Zoom fatigue”? Odds are, you have—and you've probably experienced it first-hand. With COVID-19 forcing offices to transition to a remote work model, most, if not all, of our communication has shifted to Zoom and other digital platforms. But, with video conferencing becoming more commonplace and even mandatory, many of us are starting to feel drained from this new form of communication. According to rhetoric expert Dr. Michelle Stein Teer, that's because one hour on Zoom equals four hours in a classroom or office. Dr. Stein Teer believes that if we're going to be using these kinds of tools to interact with one another, we need to start learning how to communicate effectively in the virtual realm. Join Elise Holtzman in this episode of The Lawyer's Edge as she sits down with Dr. Michelle Stein Teer, the Founder and Director of Rhetoric Academy. Dr. Stein Teer shares her expertise in effective communication and rhetoric, including her tips on how women can speak more fruitfully in public. Together, they also discuss the importance of communication, why rhetoric is something that requires practice, and how everyone can start improving their speaking skills today.
Jay Linder is the Director of Marketing and Communications at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, a law firm with 16 offices around the world. With over 20 years of legal industry experience, Jay provides balanced direction related to brand reputation, client engagement, content marketing, creative services, and internal and external communication strategies. As a leader of Cleary Gottlieb's global marketing and business development function, Jay is focused on attracting, developing, retaining, and empowering talent to grow their careers while advancing the firm's goals. Outside of his work for Cleary Gottlieb, Jay is a proud volunteer for autism and special needs advocacy efforts in New York City, prioritizing aid for fathers and male caregivers. In this episode… It's no surprise that COVID-19 has shifted our day-to-day lives. Everything from going to the grocery store to connecting with others is a different experience than it used to be. For lawyers, however, the daily activity that has been affected most by the pandemic is the way we work. Jay Linder's law office transitioned into a remote workforce early on in the year. With the increased desire to stay connected with one another during a time of turmoil, the added element of humanity that crisis has brought to the world at large, and help from technology like Zoom, Jay believes the transition was for the better. But does this mean that the way the legal industry works has changed for good? Join Elise Holtzman and Jay Linder, the Director of Marketing and Communications at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, in this episode of The Lawyer's Edge as they talk about the different challenges and opportunities that the legal industry has faced this year. Jay shares his thoughts on law as a relationship business, his techniques for talent development, and what he is keeping in mind for the year to come.
Basha Rubin and Mirra Levitt are the Co-founders of Priori, a legal marketplace that is changing the way in-house teams find, hire, and manage outside counsel. Priori's clients include Fortune 500 enterprises and leading technology companies, such as Dreamhost, Via, Artsy, and Brex. The company was named a Financial Times Intelligent Business in 2018 and 2019 for its work in reducing legal spending for the Hearst Corporation. In addition to co-founding the company, Basha is also the CEO of Priori. She speaks and writes extensively on how technology is changing the marketplace for legal services and has had her work featured in outlets like Forbes and TechCrunch. She met her Co-founder and the CPO of Priori, Mirra, at Yale Law School. In 2018, Mirra was named an ABA Journal Legal Rebel for her work using data to dynamically match in-house counsel with the right lawyers for projects. Before Priori, Mirra was a Financial Analyst at Goldman Sachs and a Henry Luce Scholar in the microfinance program in Save the Children's Hanoi, Vietnam office. In this episode… Do you think artificial intelligence will take over the legal industry and make lawyers obsolete? Is it possible that data-driven processes and new technology will cause disruptions in the legal space that we'll never be able to navigate? Basha Rubin and Mirra Levitt certainly don't think so. In founding their company, Priori, their mission isn't to replace any processes, but instead to maximize the outcomes to your specific needs. There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to legal services—and Priori is here to establish this as an industry norm. In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge, Elise Holtzman sits down with the Co-founders of Priori, Basha Rubin and Mirra Levitt, to talk about the innovative mission behind their legal tech start-up. Basha and Mirra chat about starting the company as two law school graduates, how the Priori marketplace model works, and why they believe technology is transforming the legal industry for the better. Keep listening.
Dr. Lauren Tashman is a Performance Coach and the Founder of Align Performance, an organization focused on helping clients learn the science behind mindset, leadership, and team culture in order to better align their performance with their potential. She is also a Master Coach for Valor Performance and an expert in the science of performance coaching. Dr. Tashman's background is in sports psychology and performance, and she currently teaches graduate sports psychology courses at John F. Kennedy University. Dr. Tashman has also co-edited three books and written countless articles in her areas of expertise. In this episode… You may be the most successful lawyer at your firm, the highest-grossing salesperson at your company, or the player with the most points on your team. But, once you advance to a leadership role, how do these skills carry over? Do they play a role in your new position, or do you need to gain some new expertise? Although you may not know it, there is a lot of psychology behind being a leader. High performers aren't necessarily natural-born leaders, and the two roles require vastly different skill sets—including some that you may not have acquired in your initial position. According to Dr. Lauren Tashman, what's important here isn't necessarily that you immediately know what you're doing; what matters is your intention. Join Elise Holtzman in this episode of The Lawyer's Edge as she sits down to talk with the Founder of Align Performance, Dr. Lauren Tashman. Dr. Tashman discusses her work as a mental performance coach, the different kinds of confidence that play a role in your success, and the way perfectionism can both help and hurt you. Stay tuned as they explore leadership and how to navigate the shift from being a good performer to a great leader.
Leaving the life of a private practicing lawyer behind to pursue an executive coaching business via The Lawyer's Edge, Elise Holtzman draws from her own life and legal experiences to guide lawyers to identify opportunities and challenges to achieve professional and personal success. Listen in as Elise and Chief Changemaker Kimberly Rice discuss how to leverage the valuable intersection of mindset + action for maximum professional success and positive changemaking.
Gina Rubel is the President and CEO of Furia Rubel Communications, an award-winning, woman-owned public relations and marketing agency that specializes in high-stakes public relations, reputation management, crisis planning, and incident response support for lawyers and law firms. Gina founded Furia Rubel in 2002, making it the first Pennsylvania marketing and public relations agency with a niche in the legal industry. Gina has written two books on public relations for lawyers and currently works with clients in 28 states and five countries. She founded and co-chairs the Philadelphia Bar Association's Law Firm Risk Management Committee and was recently inducted into the College of Law Practice Management as a fellow. Gina is also the host of the popular podcast, On Record PR. In this episode… We've all heard this argument before: law is a practice, not a business. There is often a heavy resistance in the legal industry when it comes to marketing and public relations, but, according to Gina Rubel, this can be detrimental to the future of your practice and your present business. Gina is the President and CEO of Furia Rubel Communications, one of the top legal marketing agencies in Pennsylvania. After starting her career in law as a judicial clerk and later diving into litigation, she noticed that there was a space in the industry that needed to be remedied: communications. Join Elise Holtzman on this episode of The Lawyer's Edge as she sits down with Gina Rubel, the President and CEO of Furia Rubel Communications. Gina talks about her transition from a career in law to a career in communications, her strategies for crisis and reputation management, and the importance of internal training when it comes to public relations. Keep listening.
Elise Holtzman is an experienced attorney, a certified professional coach, and the founder of The Lawyer's Edge, a boutique firm that provides professional development services to individual attorneys and legal organizations. Elise has a J.D. from Columbia Law School. She practiced commercial real estate transactional law before shifting her focus to empowering lawyers as they navigate their growing careers. In this episode… When we think about sales, it's easy to only focus on the negative connotations: the used car sales person, or the telemarketer who calls at all hours of the day, to name a couple. But in the ever-evolving landscape of law, it's important now more than ever to learn how to market and sell your services. That's why Elise Holtzman, founder and president of The Lawyer's Edge, wants to help burgeoning lawyers level up their business without feeling pushy or overbearing. She assists her clients with mastering the skills they didn't learn in law school: namely, how to be a successful sales person. On this week's episode of The Lawyer's Edge Podcast, Elise is interviewed by Rise25 co-founder, Smart Business Revolution podcast founder, and business networking expert John Corcoran about the importance of clearly and professionally selling your services. Elise and John get into the nitty gritty of quoting your prices with confidence, avoiding the commodity trap, and being okay with letting certain clients walk away. Stay tuned.
Anna McGrane is a former practicing lawyer and the current COO and Co-founder of PacerPro, a workflow automation and experience capture platform. PacerPro has become the standard for BigLaw and leading litigation boutiques when it comes to integrating federal court data into workflow and knowledge systems. Anna speaks frequently on issues of law, technology, enterprise change management, workflow, and clean data capture. She has been featured in Lawyers Who Code and “Women of Legal Tech” and is an organizing member of the NYU Law & Tech community. In this episode… Historically, integrating innovation into the legal industry has always been a challenge. Whenever a new technology emerges, lawyers (and firms) at large are usually hesitant to try it out, and some even cling to their old workflows—regardless of how inefficient this makes them. When it comes to new technology, you could be saving time, money, and most importantly, stress! So, why is the legal industry so slow to innovate? Former practicing lawyer and current legal tech expert Anna McGrane has a few ideas. In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge, Elise Holtzman sits down with the Co-founder and COO of PacerPro, Anna McGrane, to talk about how technology can streamline and enhance BigLaw. Together, they chat about the features of Anna's automation platform, whether or not the legal industry is becoming more open to innovation, and Anna's suggestions for law firm leaders who are ready to introduce new tech into their practices.
Domenic Cervoni is the Vice President of Legal and Senior Legal Counsel for HSBC, where he handles litigation and regulatory enforcement for the company's global banking and markets business. Domenic has also developed a passion for employee health and well-being, with a particular focus on matters of mental health in the legal industry. This deep interest led him to pen his first book, From Tragedy to Triumph, and he is donating 100% of the proceeds to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. In this episode… What does it take to be a better lawyer? Do you have to know the ins and outs of every case at your firm? Should you focus on making partner, no matter how many late nights it requires? Do you have to subtract vacations out of the equation to make it to the top? According to Domenic Cervoni, the key to success is, instead, focusing on your mental health. A public speaker and Vice President of Legal at HSBC, Domenic believes that prioritizing your well-being is exactly what will make you a better lawyer and, ultimately, the best version of yourself. Join us on this episode of The Lawyer's Edge as Elise Holtzman sits down with Domenic Cervoni, the Vice President of Legal and Senior Legal Counsel at HSBC. Domenic talks about his passion for focusing on your mental well-being, why the legal industry isn't the best at handling health issues, and how firms and other organizations can start to shift toward a culture with less burnout and higher retention. Stay tuned.
Corey Gray is a commercial litigator with Boies Schiller Flexner, and he is also a board member on the firm's diversity council. Corey specializes in high-stakes contract, antitrust, and energy litigation that often involves issues of first impression. With a mindset focused on serving the people, he's also active in pro bono outreach. Before becoming an attorney, Corey served as an Officer in the U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division and was deployed twice to Iraq. It was during his second deployment, when his service included a counterinsurgency strategy course, that his moral compass pointed him toward law school. Today, Corey continues to serve as Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves. In this episode… When Corey Gray saw the second plane hit the World Trade Center on September 11th, something stirred inside him. Seeing the towers fall over the television screens as he walked through his college campus—and experiencing an anthrax scare while interning for a U.S. senator just a little while later—left him wanting to make a difference. So, he joined the military. Two deployments to Iraq and one law degree later, Corey regards his (ongoing) time in the military and his career shift into BigLaw as a love letter to the citizens of America. He carries those same principles of servitude, leadership, and the protection of our inalienable rights in everything he does, whether he's in the courtroom or the field. Join us in this episode of The Lawyer's Edge as Elise Holtzman sits down with commercial litigator and Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves Corey Gray to talk about what it means to be a true leader. Corey shares what he learned during his second deployment in Iraq, his work with the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, and his perspective on the current protests against systemic racism. Keep listening.
Laurence Whittam is a Business Advisor with Anchin, regarded as one of the “best of the best” accounting firms in the country. He is also a Profit Enhancement Leader for CostMarc, a consulting group affiliate of Anchin. Fresh out of college, Laurence was chosen to launch the American subsidiary of a UK firm, growing the company from a startup to a thriving business with $2 million in annual revenue in just five years. Since then, he has worked with over 250 professional service firms and has produced yearly savings of over $7.5 million across his clients. Laurence is an authority on what a business should and should not outsource in order to stay efficient and effective. When he's not helping to implement strategies for profit enhancement, he volunteers with the KinderSmile Foundation and spends time with his wife and daughter. In this episode… When you hear the phrase “expense reduction,” what is the first thought that pops into your head? Did you think of layoffs? Or, did the idea of cutting technology or letting go of some work culture comforts cross your mind? According to Laurence Whittam, none of these should get the ax. In his work as a Business Advisor and Profit Enhancement Leader, Laurence has learned that the bottom line isn't as clear cut as it may seem. That's why his mission is to help companies reduce expenses in a way that optimizes their operations and transforms the way they do business. In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge, Elise Holtzman sits down with Laurence Whittam, Anchin Business Advisor and the Profit Enhancement Leader for CostMarc. Together, they talk about expense reduction and what that should look like for your law firm. Laurence also shares the importance of relationship building and an inclusive work culture, and his thoughts on why lawyers are a few years behind accountants. Keep listening.
Michelle Calcote King is the Principal and President of Reputation Ink, an award-winning B2B and professional services marketing and public relations agency. Although she is based out of Jacksonville, Florida, Michelle works with both nationwide and global firms to help them build their reputations, communicate their expertise, and grow their businesses. Before founding Reputation Ink in 2011, Michelle managed a team of 18 senior-level consultants at Jaffe PR, a national PR firm that provides services for lawyers and law firms. Michelle has held a series of positions in marketing and public relations over the past two decades, and in 2015, she was named a “Woman of Influence” by the Jacksonville Business Journal. In this episode… It can be confusing to learn how to market your law firm, whether you've been in the business for years or are just starting out. Should you focus your efforts on blogging? Is it necessary to engage on LinkedIn? Would you benefit from reaching out to media outlets? Michelle Calcote King has the answers to all of these questions, and more. As the Principal and President of Reputation Ink, a B2B and professional services marketing and public relations agency, Michelle has valuable expertise on everything from the early days of blog-mania to the modern trends of thought leadership. Now, she wants to share her advice with you. In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge, Elise Holtzman sits down with Michelle Calcote King, the Principal and President of Reputation Ink, to talk about all things marketing and public relations. Michelle discusses the importance of consistent and ongoing thought leadership, her thoughts on PR in 2020 (hint: you should be doing it!), and her research on whether your marketing efforts should be prioritized or left on the backburner during times of crisis. Keep listening.
Elise Holtzman is an experienced attorney, a certified professional coach, and the founder of The Lawyer's Edge, a boutique firm that provides professional development services to individual attorneys and legal organizations. Elise has a J.D. from Columbia Law School. She practiced commercial real estate transactional law before shifting her focus to empowering lawyers as they navigate their growing careers. In this episode… As a lawyer, it's not enough to keep your head down and do good work anymore; instead, you need to be seen and noticed, both online and off. As president and founder of The Lawyer's Edge, Elise Holtzman knows the importance of visibility for lawyers and law firms. She helps her clients get noticed for their hard work so that they can develop their business and achieve professional success. In this week's episode, Elise is interviewed by business networking expert and founder of Rise25 and the Smart Business Revolution podcast, John Corcoran, about how to prioritize visibility in and out of the office. They discuss the importance of creating a LinkedIn account, how to network during the pandemic, and whether or not you should hire a PR professional. Stay tuned.
Joe Giovannoli is the founder and CEO of 9Sail, a digital marketing firm that specializes in project-based and ongoing SEO management for service firms. Joe has almost 10 years of marketing experience, having previously held positions at firms and agencies such as Red Clover and Inflexion Interactive. With 9Sail, Joe focuses not only on providing quality service and results for his clients, but also prioritizing the company culture for his team. Alongside the office pup, Dunkin, Joe is working to make 9Sail the leading provider of search marketing services for law firms in New Jersey. In this episode… When building your company, it's important to provide a useful service to your clients and remain attentive to their needs. However, focusing solely on the requirements of your clientele may cause you to forget about the other important component of your business: your team. 9Sail founder and CEO Joe Giovannoli believes that creating an effective company culture revolves around determining your “why.” According to Joe, when you work with people whose purpose and motivation aligns with your own, the outcome is a holistic and collaborative process that delivers better results to your clients. This is the foundation that has helped Joe rapidly grow his digital marketing firm to new and exceptional heights. In this week's episode of The Lawyer's Edge, host Elise Holtzman sits down with Joe Giovannoli of 9Sail to talk about the importance of crafting an intentional company culture at your law firm. They chat about letting clients go who aren't a good fit for your company, how to find the “why” behind your business, and what lawyers need to know about digital marketing. Stay tuned.
Dr. Larry Richard is the founder and principal consultant for LawyerBrain LLC, a consulting firm that specializes in improving lawyer performance through personality science. With LawyerBrain, Larry focuses on building and fostering lawyer resilience, leadership development, change management, and other people-related issues when it comes to managing lawyers. After practicing law as a trial attorney for ten years, Larry earned his Ph.D. in Psychology from Temple University. Larry is now recognized as the leading expert on the psychology of lawyer behavior. In this episode… Finding the right fit for your career can be difficult. On one hand, you want to choose the career path that lives up to the old adage: if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life. On the other hand, there is the ever-present doubt: does your perfect job really exist? If you're a lawyer struggling with these concerns, expert psychologist Dr. Larry Richard may be able to help. He has gathered personality data on thousands of lawyers in order to better understand who is fit for a career in law, and what makes them tick. With his management consulting firm, LawyerBrain LLC, Larry now helps law firms and practices solve their people issues and develop better lawyers. In this week's episode of The Lawyer's Edge, host Elise Holtzman sits down with Dr. Larry Richard, founder and principal consultant of LawyerBrain LLC, to talk about the personality science behind happy and effective lawyers. Join the conversation as they discuss the personality type that is most common amongst lawyers, as well as the importance of aligning your career identity with the work that you do.
Elise Holtzman is an experienced attorney, a certified professional coach, and the Founder of The Lawyer's Edge, a boutique firm that provides professional development services to individual attorneys and legal organizations. Elise has a J.D. from Columbia Law School. She practiced commercial real estate transactional law before shifting her focus to empowering lawyers as they navigate their growing careers. In this episode… Do you feel like there's more you need to do to become a partner at your firm, but you're unsure of what they are? Are you looking to grow your firm, but aren't yet comfortable with networking? Elise Holtzman's boutique firm, The Lawyer's Edge, can help you get the solutions to these problems and more. Elise helps both individual attorneys and legal organizations overcome the fears of business development so that they can achieve personal and professional success. On this episode of The Lawyer's Edge podcast, Elise Holtzman talks with business networking adviser and Founder of Rise25 and the Smart Business Revolution podcast, John Corcoran, to discuss the business development skills that aren't covered in law school. They dive into how to use social media to your advantage, the best way to manage your time as both a lawyer and a marketer, and some networking strategies for introverts. Stay tuned.
Carrie Fletcher is a leadership and strategy coach with unmatched experience at the intersection of law and leadership. After receiving her law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and practicing at major law firms for 12 years, Carrie decided to switch gears and pursue professional development. She joined Harvard Law School Executive Education, where she was the executive director. Now, Carrie splits her time between the US and the UK, where she recently earned her Master's in Leadership and Strategy at The London School of Business. Carrie currently works with law firms, corporate legal departments, and other organizations on their leadership and strategic goals. In this episode… When was the last time you met a challenge with an open mind and relinquished your attachment to control? Even if you don't consider yourself a risk taker—and most lawyers don't—there can be serious benefits to stepping outside of your comfort zone and embracing new opportunities. Leadership and strategy coach Carrie Fletcher has experienced these benefits first hand. After transitioning from a decade-long career in law to a new path in professional development, Carrie has learned how to embrace new opportunities. Now, these opportunities have taken her across the pond, and she is currently living, working, and studying with her family in London. On this episode of The Lawyer's Edge, host Elise Holtzman sits down with longtime friend and leadership development rockstar Carrie Fletcher to discuss the importance of keeping an open mind when it comes to your career. Carrie talks about the benefits and challenges that have come with pivoting from law to leadership coaching, uprooting her life from the US to the UK, and stepping out of her comfort zone. Stay tuned.
Steve Hirschfeld is a founding and co-managing partner of Hirschfeld Kraemer, LLP, an employment law boutique based in San Francisco. He is also the founder and CEO of the Employment Law Alliance (ELA), the world's largest provider of employment law solutions. The ELA's attorneys number more than 3,000 and hail from six continents and over 100 countries. On top of all of that, Steve is an avid vacationer, adventurer, and, more recently, winemaker. In this episode… What inspired you to become a lawyer? For many, this decision follows a similar pattern: you are about to graduate from college and, unsure of what else to do, opt for law school. Or, you decide to go into law in pursuit of big paydays. However, according to Steve Hirschfeld of the Employment Law Alliance (ELA), pursuing law for all the wrong reasons is what leads to burnout, unhappiness, and a lack of camaraderie in your field. That's why he founded the ELA: to facilitate referrals, fellowship, and friendship among lawyers. In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge, Elise Holtzman sits down with Steve Hirschfeld, founder and CEO of the Employment Law Alliance (ELA), to chat about how to build a happy and successful career in law. Listen in as Steve discusses how food and wine have factored into his success, why he identifies so heavily with the millennial generation, and the importance of prioritizing time off.
Educated in undergraduate psychology at Penn and law at Columbia, Elise shares her thoughts on coaching lawyers and answering the question: where's my next client coming from?We discussed the three things small firm leaders need to do:One. High-level legal workTwo. Run your businessThree. Marketing and Business DevelopmentWe talk leadership development, business development, and some important tips on connecting with real humans – your future referral partnersShe is available for individual or group coaching and does lots of speaking and workshops – check with your Bar Association. Enjoy!
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