Counsel to Counsel - Career Advice for Lawyers
Stephen Seckler: attorney career, marketing and leadership coach 100 episodes Nov 9, 2026
Counsel to Counsel is a podcast hosted by attorney career and marketing coach Stephen Seckler. It focuses on career development, marketing, and leadership issues facing lawyers at firms of all sizes, as well as in-house counsel and law students. Episodes feature interviews with consultants, career professionals, marketing experts, and successful attorneys who share practical insights. The show grew out of Seckler's long-running blog and aims to help individual lawyers build more satisfying careers and stronger professional skills.
Episodes
Episode 187: Starting Your Own Law Firm Has Never Been Easier, with T.J. Henry
For many lawyers, the idea of leaving a large law firm to start their own practice is appealing. Greater independence, more control over their careers, and the opportunity to build something of their own can be powerful motivators. But launching a law firm also means taking responsibility for technology, billing, accounting, human resources, and countless other administrative functions that larger
Episode 186: Building a Law Practice by Design, Not by Default with Susan Guthrie
What if you could start your law practice all over again? Would you build it the same way? Many lawyers build successful practices without ever consciously deciding what they want those practices to look like. They inherit systems from previous employers, follow traditional approaches to billing and marketing, and develop habits that may not serve their clients or their own professional satisfacti
Episode 185: Why Lawyers Resist AI and How Law Firms Can Overcome It, with Dr. Gleb Tsipursky
Artificial intelligence is changing the practice of law. Lawyers are increasingly using AI for legal research, drafting, business development, and a growing number of other tasks. But while some lawyers are enthusiastically embracing these tools, others remain skeptical, concerned about confidentiality and accuracy, or worried about what AI will mean for their careers. My guest on this episode of
Episode 184-Stepping Off the Treadmill: Ginny Johnson on Sabbaticals, Career Transitions, and the Future of Legal Careers
What happens when a successful lawyer decides to step away from a demanding career without having the next job lined up? My guest on this episode of Counsel to Counsel, Ginny Johnson, did just that. After more than two decades in the legal profession, including senior positions at major law firms and leadership roles at several corporations, Ginny decided to take a sabbatical. She used the time
Episode 183: From Practicing Law to Consulting with Law Firms on Strategy, Operations, and Growth
One of the questions I hear most frequently from lawyers who are unhappy practicing law is: What else can I do with a law degree? Making that transition can be difficult, particularly when you've spent years building expertise and credibility as a lawyer and suddenly find yourself trying to convince employers that your skills translate to something very different. My guest on this episode of
Episode 182: How Lawyers Can Develop a Thicker Skin and Become More Resilient—with Dr. Larry Richard
Why are lawyers so good at spotting problems and sometimes so bad at letting them go? For more than two decades, I've followed the research of Dr. Larry Richard, widely recognized as the leading expert on the psychology of lawyer behavior. His work has had a profound impact on my own career and provides a foundation for much of the coaching work I do with lawyers. His research has helped me unders
Episode 181: Legal Marketing for New Law Firm Launches with Michele Correnti
In this episode, Stephen Seckler speaks with Michele Correnti about branding, websites, LinkedIn, content marketing, and how AI is changing the way law firms market themselves. They discuss what lawyers should do before and after launching a solo or small firm to build visibility, attract the right clients, and stay top of mind with referral sources. Michele Correnti, founder and CEO of Corrent
Episode 180-Thinking About Starting Your Own Law Firm? Avoid These Ethical Mistakes (With Mike Rossi)
Starting your own law firm can be one of the most exciting and rewarding career moves a lawyer can make. But amid the excitement of choosing a name, finding clients, and building a practice, it's easy to overlook ethical and operational issues that can create problems down the road. In this episode, Steve Seckler speaks with Mike Rossi, a partner at the law firm Conn Kavanaugh in Boston. Mike fo
Episode 179: Beyond Law Firms: Careers in Law Schools and Nonprofits
Many lawyers assume their career options begin and end with practicing law. In this episode, Steve speaks with Tony Waller, a lawyer, educator, former nonprofit CEO, and career development leader whose career demonstrates the many ways a legal education can lead to meaningful and rewarding work. Tony discusses his journey from private practice to recruiting, law school career services, nonprofit
Episode 178-Becoming a Legal Recruiter: Navigating an Alternative Legal Career with Matt Miller
In this episode, Steve sits down with Matt Miller to discuss Matt's unconventional journey from practicing lawyer to what he describes as an "accidental tourist" in legal recruiting. They explore why he doesn't subscribe to the familiar "recovering lawyer" narrative, what he has learned from observing thousands of legal careers, the surprising value of a legal education, and how our priorities, d
Episode 177-Understanding Executive Functioning and Its Impact on Lawyers' Performance
In this episode, Steve Seckler speaks with Dr. Sarah Alsaidi, a psychologist, executive coach, and creator of the Brain in Mind Method, a coaching framework that integrates neuroscience and psychology to help high-performing professionals better understand how their brains work and perform at their best. Dr. Alsaidi explores the critical role of executive functioning in high-performing legal pro
Episode 176-What Makes for a Happy Lawyer or Successful Associate?
In this episode, Steve's guest, Paul Karvanis, delves into redefining success and happiness within the legal profession. Paul, a former lawyer turned coach, speaker, and author, shares his journey from practicing law to coaching, emphasizing the importance of aligning career goals with personal values. His books, The Happy Lawyer and The Successful Associate, provide a roadmap for lawyers seeking
Episode 175-Making Strategic Lateral Moves: Insights for Law Firm Partners from a Top Legal Recruiter
In this episode, Scott Love, a renowned legal recruiter and host of the Rainmaking Podcast, delves into the complexities of lateral partner transitions within law firms. Scott shares his wealth of experience, offering listeners a roadmap to navigate these high-stakes decisions effectively. From understanding the motivations behind partner moves to the strategic importance of building trust and co
Episode 174-How Self-Awareness Increases Your Effectiveness in Managing Your Legal Team
Self-awareness is an important and often overlooked skill in a lawyer's toolkit. Personality and behavioral assessments like DISC can be used in a practical, grounded way to help lawyers better understand their strengths, spot blind spots, improve communication, and show up more effectively with clients, colleagues, and prospects. To unpack how these tools can be used well (and where they can be m
Episode 173-Managing a Demanding Career While Caring for an Aging Parent
In this episode, Steve Seckler speaks with Amy Mariani, a Boston-based mediator and former litigator. She shares her deeply personal journey navigating her professional life alongside caring for her mother with dementia. Her story offers valuable guidance for professionals facing similar challenges, emphasizing resilience, resources, and the importance of community. This episode underscores the
Episode 172-Boundaries, Burnout, and Building a Sustainable Legal Career with Gary Miles
In this episode, Gary Miles delves into the pervasive issue of burnout in the legal profession and offers practical strategies for establishing healthy boundaries. Drawing from his extensive experience, Gary discusses the role of perfectionism and fear in contributing to lawyer stress and burnout. He emphasizes the importance of shifting from external validation to internal authority, which can si
Episode 171-A Career in Legal Operations with Jeff Kruse
Legal operations has evolved from a back-office function into a strategic discipline that is reshaping how legal services are delivered. In this conversation, Stephen Seckler speaks with legal operations consultant Jeff Kruse about how technology, process improvement, and artificial intelligence are transforming the way law firms and legal departments work. Jeff shares insights from his career pat
Episode 170-Shauna Bryce on How to use (and Not to Use) AI in a Job Search
In this episode, Steve talks with Shauna Bryce of Bryce Legal about finding the right balance between AI tools and old-fashioned relationship-building in today's legal job market. Shauna shares concrete examples of how AI can speed up research, clarify goals, and help lawyers target the right employers. They also dig into the common missteps lawyers make, especially relying on AI to write résumés
Episode 169-Creating a Blueprint to Launch Your Solo Law Practice--with Anthonia Berry
In this episode, Stephen Seckler interviews Anthonia Berry, a legal marketing and business development strategist, about her new program, Building Your Own Practice Blueprint. The program is designed to help lawyers transition from traditional employment to running their own practices. They discuss the challenges lawyers face in launching a practice, the importance of mindset, and the necessity of
Episode 168-Matt Selig of Health Law Advocates: Practicing Public Interest Law
In this episode, Stephen Seckler interviews Matt Selig, the Executive Director of Health Law Advocates (HLA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving healthcare access for vulnerable populations in Massachusetts. They discuss HLA's mission, various advocacy programs, the evolution of healthcare policies, and the challenges faced in public interest law. Matt shares insights from his career
Episode 167-From Litigation to Mediation with Oran Kaufman
In this episode, Stephen Seckler speaks with Oran Kaufman, a mediator with an extensive background in family law. They discuss Oran's journey from litigation to mediation, the skills required to be a mediator, and how mediation has changed over the last 30 years. Oran shares insights on the differences between mediation and litigation, the importance of listening, and the challenges of building a
Counsel to Counsel-Coming in Late January 2026
We are taking a pause until mid-late January 2026 for some upgrades. We are adding a YouTube feed to our mix for listeners who prefer video and we are lining up some great guests to talk to you about your legal career. We are grateful to our listeners and guests who have made Counsel to Counsel a labor of love. Until then, best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year!
Episode 166-Marketing for Introverts with Saja Raoof, Border Wall Destroyer
In this episode, Steve speaks with Saja Raoof, an immigration lawyer based in the Bay Area, about how introverted lawyers can build thriving practices without pretending to be extroverts. A self-proclaimed introvert and creative marketer, Saja shares how she transformed networking anxiety into authentic relationship-building through her "Wallflower Power" approach and how coaching and ProVisors pl
Episode 165-Retirement on Trial with Steve Herman
In this episode of Counsel to Counsel, Stephen Seckler speaks with Steve Herman, a civil litigator and documentary filmmaker from Vancouver, Canada. After more than 35 years in practice, Steve turned the camera on himself to explore one of the biggest transitions lawyers face—retirement. His film, Retirement on Trial, which he produced with his filmmaker wife, Evelyn Neaman, uses humor and introsp
Episode 164-Experiencing Renewal in the Jewish New Year
In this episode of Counsel to Counsel, I reflect on some of the themes of the Jewish New Year and the importance of self reflection (and the fact that you get to do it twice a year if you happen to be Jewish!)
Episode 163- How to Use Book Publishing to Build Your Brand-with Melanie Herschorn
Publishing a book may feel like an overwhelming project, but for lawyers it can be one of the most effective ways to build credibility, attract new clients, and open doors to new opportunities. In this episode of Counsel to Counsel, host Stephen Seckler speaks with Melanie Herschorn, publisher and book marketing strategist, about how attorneys can transform their expertise into a powerful marketin
Episode 162-"What Do Lawyers Really Want?" with Philippe Danielides
Many lawyers are clear about what they don't want in their career. But they struggle to define what they do want. In this episode of Counsel to Counsel, Steve Seckler speaks with Philippe Danielides, former Biglaw associate, communications consultant, coach, and author of The Lawyer's Guide to Freedom: A Six-Step Plan to Discover What You Actually Want. Philippe shares insights from his own care
Episode 161- Managing Law Firms Across the Generations with Daya Naef
In this episode of Counsel to Counsel, Steve Seckler speaks with attorney, entrepreneur, and legal business strategist Daya Naef, founder of The Success Partner, about how law firms can navigate the generational handoff in leadership. As founding partners prepare to step back, younger attorneys are stepping up—bringing fresh perspectives on technology, especially AI, and new expectations for work-
Episode 160- How AI is Disrupting Digital Marketing for Lawyers with Annie Stern
Artificial intelligence is dramatically changing how legal services are marketed—and how clients find lawyers. In this episode, Steve Seckler speaks with Annie Stern, a seasoned digital marketing strategist, about what lawyers need to know to stay relevant in the AI era. Key Takeaways: AI tools like ChatGPT are reshaping how clients discover and vet lawyers, including those who rely heavily on r
Episode 159-How (Not) to Communicate Like a Lawyer
As lawyers, we are trained to analyze, critique, and mitigate risk — all essential skills in practice. But when we bring that same mindset into our everyday conversations, we can unintentionally undermine connection and trust. In this episode, Stephen Seckler explores how the habits that make us successful advocates can backfire in networking, business development, and even personal relationships.
Episode 158-Marketing and Selfcare are Habit Forming
In this solo episode, attorney Stephen Seckler reflects on the importance of building small, consistent habits—both for professional success and personal wellbeing. Drawing on his own efforts to reduce news and screen time, improve sleep hygiene, and maintain dental health, Stephen underscores how selfcare routines can create calm and clarity in stressful times. He also highlights how the same pr
Episode 157-Planning Your Exit From the Law
Many lawyers find themselves questioning whether the traditional practice of law is the right long-term fit. In this episode, host Stephen Seckler speaks with Kim Fine and Neil Handwerker, co-founders of ex judicata, a platform designed to help lawyers explore and transition to non-legal careers. Kim Fine brings a wealth of experience as a legal industry executive, including her time as Managing
Episode 156-Think Like a Lawyer, Act Like an Entrepreneur – Chapter One
In this special solo episode of Counsel to Counsel, I take a break from my usual interview format to share something personal: the audio version of Chapter One of my new book, Think Like a Lawyer, Act Like an Entrepreneur, just published by the American Bar Association. This book is a field guide for lawyers who are skeptical about marketing and allergic to the idea of "sales." It's designed to h
Episode 155: From Lawyering to Legal Tech with Ben Chiriboga
In this episode of Counsel to Counsel, Steve speaks with legal tech executive and former practicing attorney Ben Chiriboga, founding team member of Nexl, a legal CRM platform built specifically for law firms. Ben shares how Nexl is transforming how lawyers manage client relationships and streamline business development—and offers a candid look at his own journey from litigator to legal tech ent
Episode 154- The Latest Research from the NALP Foundation and What it Means for Your Career
In this episode, Steve speaks with the administrative team at the NALP Foundation, a nonprofit research organization focused on the advancement of the legal profession. They explore recent data on associate hiring, attrition, and retention—highlighting what lawyers can learn from these trends to shape more satisfying careers. 💡 Topics Covered: Why lawyers are leaving law firms—and why some are
Episode 153- The Role of Job Boards in Career Exploration
In this episode, I take another break from interviewing guests to share some quick thoughts on how to use job boards effectively in your job search. While I spend a lot of time encouraging clients to make networking the central focus of their career exploration, job postings still have value—if used strategically. I share practical tips on how to leverage listings for market research, generate new
Episode 152: Practical Applications for AI in Your Law Practice with Jonathan White
In this episode, Steve Seckler speaks with Jonathan White, a Boston-based trusts and estates attorney and a self-described AI enthusiast. Jonathan shares practical insights into how he is using artificial intelligence tools to streamline his law practice and enhance client service. He also reflects on his career transitions—from litigation to insurance defense, to real estate, and finally to trust
Episode 151-Why I Wrote Think Like a Lawyer, Act Like an Entrepreneur
In this episode, I'm taking a break from interviewing guests to share some exciting news—my new book, Think Like a Lawyer, Act Like an Entrepreneur, is being published by the American Bar Association in late March! If you've ever struggled with marketing yourself or felt uncomfortable with business development, this book is for you. As lawyers, we're trained to be analytical and risk-averse—great
Episode 150-Growing Your Law Firm with Dominic Grew
In this episode, business coach Dominic Grew returns to discuss how solo and small firm lawyers can strategically grow their practices without overextending themselves. Dominic shares practical insights on leveraging time, outsourcing non-billable tasks, and using fractional resources before committing to full-time hires. Key Topics: When to consider hiring support staff or associates The benefit
Episode 149—Turning Business Conversations into Business—a Role-Play with Gary Johnson
In this episode, host Stephen Seckler welcomes back Gary Johnson, president of J2 Marketing Consultants, for a dynamic session of role-playing client intakes. They explore how lawyers can turn initial business conversations into productive relationships. Gary, an expert in coaching attorneys on growing their practices, shares practical techniques for understanding client needs, building trust, an
Episode 148-Strategic Marketing for Law Firms with Carrie Flynn
In this episode, host Stephen Seckler sits down with Carrie Flynn, a fractional CMO and growth marketing consultant, to explore the evolving landscape of marketing for lawyers and law firms. Carrie brings over eight years of experience helping professional service businesses scale their revenue and impact through tailored digital and traditional marketing strategies. Together, they unpack the esse
Episode 147-Your Legal Career: If It's Broke, Fix It or Move On?
In this episode of Counsel to Counsel, host Stephen Seckler is joined by Susanne Aronowitz, a senior consultant with Beard Strategies and a Professional Certified Coach, to discuss career transitions and job satisfaction for lawyers. Susanne shares her journey from employment attorney to career coach, offering insights drawn from her 25 years of experience. Together, they explore how lawyers can
Episode 146-Nancy Capistran on Using Peer Advisory Groups and Individual Coaching to Build Leadership Skills
In this episode of the Counsel to Counsel podcast, host Stephen Seckler engages with Nancy Capistran, founder of Capistran Leadership and a Vistage chair, to delve into the transformative impact of peer advisory groups and executive coaching. Nancy, an internationally certified executive coach and crisis advisor, is renowned for her commitment to Expanding Human Excellence®. She is also the
Episode 145-"Earley" Mistakes to Avoid When Starting Your Own Law Practice
Starting your own law practice is a bold and rewarding move, but it comes with its share of challenges. In this episode of Counsel to Counsel, host Stephen Seckler sits down with Chris Earley, a Massachusetts-based personal injury attorney and business coach, to discuss lessons from his journey building the Earley Law Group from scratch. Chris shares insights from his ABA article, "Five Mistakes
Episode 144-Turning Business Contacts into Business: Lessons From the 2024 Election
In this episode of Counsel to Counsel, host Stephen Seckler shares insights from his recent experiences volunteering during the 2024 election. Drawing lessons from the power of listening in political campaigns, Steve explores how lawyers can apply the same principles to business development. He emphasizes that active listening and understanding client concerns are key to building trust and turning
Episode 143-The Longevity Revolution with Judith Kurnick
In this episode Steve Seckler speaks with Judith Kurnick, an executive transition coach who specializes in guiding late-career lawyers, executives, and business owners as they navigate career transitions. Judith delves into the "longevity revolution," the idea that professionals in their 60s can expect to live and thrive for another 25-30 years. She shares strategies for overcoming challenge
Episode 142-Winning in Your Own Court with Dena Lefkowitz
In this episode of Counsel to Counsel, host Stephen Seckler welcomes Dena Lefkowitz, a professional coach and former practicing attorney who helps lawyers navigate the complexities of career development, marketing, and finding professional fulfillment. Dena practiced law for over 20 years before transitioning to coaching and has authored the book Winning in Your Own Court, published by the America
Episode 141-Co-Mediation with Jeff Soilson, Esq. and Ashleigh Louis Ph.D.
In this episode of Counsel to Counsel, I am joined by Jeffrey Soilson, Esq. and Ashleigh Louis, Ph.D., founders of Quantum ADR, an innovative co-mediation practice. Quantum ADR takes an interdisciplinary approach to conflict resolution by combining Jeff's 25 years of family law expertise with Ashleigh's deep understanding of psychology. Together, they offer a unique "two-coach" model that addresse
Episode 140- Naïs Mouret on Emotional Intelligence, Physical Well-being, and the Practice of Law
In this episode of Counsel to Counsel, host Steve Seckler interviews Naïs Mouret, a global leadership advisor and certified emotional intelligence consultant. Naïs shares insights on the critical role of emotional intelligence (EI) and physical well-being in the legal profession. Drawing on her experience working at the United Nations and her extensive background in leadership consulting, she high
Episode 139-Conquering Perfectionism in the Practice of Law with Jordana Confino
In this episode of the Counsel to Counsel podcast, host Stephen Seckler is joined by Jordana Confino, a certified professional coach and founder of JC Coaching & Consulting. Together, they explore the pervasive issue of perfectionism within the legal profession, discussing how it often leads to anxiety, burnout, and career stagnation. Jordana shares her personal journey from practicing law while
Episode 138-Thought Leadership and Careers in Business Law with Lana Manganiello
In this episode Stephen Seckler speaks with Lana Manganiello, author of the new book Careers in Business Law: Forging Your Path to Success (American Bar Association 2024). Lana shares insights from her extensive experience working with AmLaw 200 firms on business strategy, attorney development, and implementing innovative growth initiatives. They discuss the evolving landscape of business law, the
Episode 137-Summertime, Time Blocking, and Checking Things Off of Your To Do List
In this episode of Counsel to Counsel, I'm taking a summer pause from interviewing to catch up on some projects. I share with you my thoughts on using time blocking as a way to get to the things that are important but not urgent. Related Episodes Episode 123-Setting Your 2024 Goals and Creating Your "To Don't" List with Jennifer Forester and Wendy Merrill Episode 57- Billable Work v. Investm
Episode 136- Aliant, a New Global Model for Practicing Law with Jacob Stein
Law is a conservative profession where change happens slowly. Law firms generally lag far behind accounting firms in creating new models. But since the explosion of the internet in the late 1990s, that rate of change has begun to accelerate. And with the rapid proliferation of ChatGPT and other AI tools, law will surely undergo a lot more change in the next five years. In this episode, we dive i
Episode 135-Tackling Mental Health Issues in the Law with Amy Levine and LCL
Attorney well-being continues to be a hot topic in the legal community. While the most severe effects of the pandemic are now behind us, mental health continues to be a significant issue in our profession. But there is a lot being done to address these challenges. To provide some context, several years ago, the Report of the Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being, issued by the American Bar Associatio
Episode 134-Law Firm Succession Planning with David Wood
As the baby boomer generation of lawyers approaches retirement, many firms are facing the looming challenge of ensuring a seamless transition for their clients. This process is not just about maintaining business continuity but also about safeguarding the firm's legacy and client relationships. Unfortunately, many firms are not adequately addressing these issues, which can lead to significant dis
Episode 133-Transitioning to In-house From Litigation and Building a Legal Team—With Matt Campobasso
For many lawyers in private practice, going in-house is the ultimate goal. For transactional lawyers and for some specialties like employment law, the path to a corporate role is more obvious. For litigators, less so. Most companies outsource a lot of their litigation because the need tends to fluctuate. But litigators can bring valuable skills to a corporate environment. And there are many exa
Episode 132-My Return to Live Conferences
I was beginning to think that live conferences were in my rear view mirror...until I attended the Annual Education Conference of the National Association for Law Placement. It was my first live conference in over four years. And I was like a kid in a candy shop. While I've made a point of going to an occasional live event, especially in the last two years (including speaking at live events), I h
Episode 131-Becoming Memorable with Merry Neitlich
We've talked a lot on this show about sales and marketing and how selling legal services is different than selling a product. That's good news for those of us in the legal industry because many of us don't like the thought of being a salesperson. Selling legal services is about relationships building. The challenge, however, is that clients generally don't need your services all the time. You
Episode 130-Emotional Intelligence and EQ i-2.0 With Susan Schwartz
I've had a number of guests on this show speaking about leadership. A large part of this is that I'm very interested in the subject. But I also feel that this is a skill set that is often neglected in the legal profession. As lawyers, we learn a lot about our craft in law school and even more once we are in practice. As professionals, we are taught to analyze the law and help our clients to ide
Episode 129-Law Firm Leadership with Kristi Royse
The practice of law has evolved a lot in the three decades since I graduated from law school. Technology has replace many monotonous functions and computers have replaced paper. The internet has revolutionized how legal research is done and how law firms market themselves. It has enabled remote work and interaction in a way that was unimaginable in the 1980s. At the same time, there are some f
Episode 128-Here Comes the Judge- the Honorable Paul Wilson (ret.)
For a long time, I've been meaning to invite a judge onto Counsel to Counsel to talk about judicial careers. Going on the bench is a logical next step for many litigators and I wanted to speak to a judge who could offer some practical wisdom on the subject. When I met Paul Wilson at an ABA conference in late 2022, I realized right away that I had a great prospect. At the time, Paul was still
Episode 127-Law Firm Operations and Launching Your Own Firm-With Diane Camacho
In the legal press and even in popular media, larger law firms tend to get a most of the attention. In truth, a high percentage of lawyers in the United States practice in firms that are under 20 attorneys. And many of those are solo practitioners or very small firms that have broken away from larger firms. While I know that there are many lawyers who are satisfied with practicing in a large o
Episode 126-Embracing Legal Technology with Colin Levy
When I graduated from law school in the late 1980s, there was no internet, no email, and fax machines were widely in use. I used a Dictaphone to generate correspondence and had an assistant to transcribe the tapes. While working remotely was possible because of the telephone, going into an office was the norm. In the intervening years, the rate of technological change has been truly astoundin
Episode 125-James Grace on Financial Planning After the Bar
We talk a lot on this program about finding ways to build a more satisfying legal career. While many attorneys are drawn to the profession because they care about justice, they like the idea of becoming a trusted advisor, or they just enjoy the intellectual rigor of being an attorney, status and money are important too. But if you are like me, one of the reasons you chose law school rather tha
Episode 124-Lauren Rikleen on Social Justice and Defending American Democracy
In this episode, I speak with my first "threepeat" guest, Lauren Rikleen. This is Lauren's third appearance on Counsel to Counsel. She was actually one of my first guests when I launched the show in 2018. In that episode, we spoke about success strategies for women and the work she has done on that issue. In the Spring of 2022,I invited Lauren back to talk more about her legal career includ
Episode 123-Setting Your 2024 Goals and Creating Your "To Don't" List with Jennifer Forester and Wendy Merrill
December is a great time to take stock, hit the reset button, and do some planning. With 2024 around the corner, I've been speaking with my clients about setting goals for the new year. I'm not talking about making New Year's resolutions. It's important to understand that resolutions and goals are not the same. Resolutions often lack specificity and a plan of action, making them easy to ab
Episode 122-For the Sake of Your Mental Health, Stop Thinking (and Acting) Like a Lawyer
As attorneys, we share many qualities that make us effective in representing our clients. Our skepticism, aversion to risk, sense of urgency, competitiveness, and pessimism, can all be good for out clients. But when it comes to building a practice, advancing our careers, or taking on leadership roles, we are more effective when we remove our lawyering hats. As it turns out, these qualities can al
Episode 121-John Buckley on Building Your Executive Presence
It is axiomatic that if you want to have a successful legal career, you need to learn your craft. Most areas of legal practice require highly refined analytical abilities coupled with good judgment. For the most part, the first developmental task of any new lawyer is to learn how to practice law. But if you want to advance in your career, you need to be more than a good technician. Demonstrating
Episode 120-Scaling Your Law Firm with AI
Artificial Intelligence continues to be a big unknown in the legal space. It holds tremendous promise for streamlining the delivery of legal services and is already being deployed to expedite discovery, to help draft contracts, to assist with client intake, and to streamline many other functions that once required a lot more human labor. AI is now being used by some lawyers to help assess the st
Episode 119-From Law Firm Associate to In-House Operations-With Shawn Hoyt
In the past year, I've done a number of interviews with lawyers who have transitioned from the traditional practice of law into other corporate or consulting roles. In this episode, I speak with Shawn Hoyt about how to transition into an operations role in a corporate environment. Shawn is someone who has thought a lot about managing his own career and he has a unique perspective on career advance
Episode 118-Paths to Partnership in 2023 and Beyond-With Laura Terrell
Achieving partnership was once the goal of most law firm associates. The rules were relatively simple. Work hard, do a good job, and after several years, get rewarded by being elevated. Today the law firms are more complex. Many associates entering the practice of law do not aspire to become partners, at least not at the first firm they join. And at many firms, there are different paths to suc
Episode 117-Nailing the Job Interview-A View From Both Sides of the Table with Amy Katz and Nancy Reiner
Job interviews can cause a lot of stress. Over the years, I've come to appreciate that this is true whether you are the candidate or the interviewer. The stakes can feel high. Both sides are trying to assess whether they are right for each other. The candidate may be imagining that they are interviewing for their dream job. They may be worried about the competition. The interviewer may have
Episode 116-Why Do Rankings and Awards Matter? It's Not What You Think!
The Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Reader Rankings Awards are out, and I'm pleased to report that once again, I did very well. This year I came in first for Lawyer Outplacement and for Business Development Coach. I also came in second for Executive Coaching. So the subject of awards is top of mind for me this week. I'm happy to be in the winner's circle and very thankful for the great clients
Episode 115-Legal Hiring in 2023-A View From the Recruiters Desk with Emily Witt
It has been over a year since I finally left the legal recruiting business to focus exclusively on coaching. Since the market has changed a lot since early 2022, I thought this would be a good time to invite someone who is still in the business to talk about the state of legal hiring. I also thought this would be a good time to revisit the topic of legal recruiting in general and who can benefi
Episode 114-From Biglaw to In-house to Business Role and Back Again with Carl Berglind
In the last two episodes of Counsel to Counsel, I spoke with a lawyer who left corporate practice for management consulting and a trial lawyer who has built a trial consulting business but continues to try cases. In this episode, I speak with a corporate lawyer who cut his teeth at international law firms, went in-house, moved into a business role, and is back again at an international law firm.
Episode 113-From Litigation to Trial Consulting with Marc Diller
In Episode 112 of Counsel to Counsel, I spoke with David Lesser, a corporate lawyer who transitioned into management consulting and quit his day job as a corporate lawyer. In this episode, I speak with a litigator who has transitioned into jury and trial consulting while keeping his day job as a litigator. Marc Diller is the managing partner of Diller Law, LLP. He concentrates his practice on
Episode 112-From Corporate Counsel to Management Consultant-Leveraging Your Legal Career with David Lesser
When lawyers approach me to speak about their careers, one question they often ask is "what else can I do with my law degree". The answer to that question is of course complex. As lawyers, we are trained to spot legal issues, evaluate risk, document deals, and litigate disputes. Most employers are not actively recruiting lawyers to do anything other than practice law. But that is not to say t
Episode 111-Finding C.H.I.L.L. Referral Partners to Grow your Network and Your Business
Relationship building is the key to growing your practice. But who should you be focusing on when it comes to relationship building? In this episode, Steve Seckler explains how the acronym C.H.I.L.L. can help you to make smart choices in finding the "right" professional relationships to cultivate. Additional Resources Episode 100-Word of Mouth Marketing with Michael Katz Episode 85-Peristence, F
Episode 110-Dominic Grew on "Getting to No"-Turning Leads into Business and Other Ways to Succeed in Private Practice
Like most lawyers, I went to law school because I wanted to enter an honorable profession. I wanted to have a career where the emphasis is on intellect and not on business. Not long after graduation, I realized that law IS a business and if you want to be successful, being a great lawyer is not enough. You need to learn how to run your practice efficiently. You need to learn how to manage peo
Episode 109-Sarah Tetlow on Delegating and Dealing with Distraction
This episode was recorded during Well-Being Week in Law 2023. In Massachusetts and around the country, there are a lot of programs being offered to get lawyers thinking about the many mental health challenges that are widespread in the legal community. This particular week was designated to align with Mental Health Awareness Month which is May, and many organizations ran workshops and gathering
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