Young Lawyer Rising

Judge Jessica Fehr on Credibility, Courtroom Prep, and Career Advice Aug 21, 2025 2321 After three years behind the mic, host Montana Funk is moving on to the next exciting adventure in her career. But, before going, Montana sits down with Judge Jessica Fehr, a district court judge in Billings, Montana, who presides over a full caseload of civil and criminal matters.Judge Fehr offers an exclusive look at the legal profession from the bench, sharing her journey from a young

Master Lawyer Business Growth Now with Jared Correia Jul 24, 2025 2208 Montana is joined by legal business development expert Jared Correia to demystify business development for young lawyers and equip them with strategies to thrive in a rapidly evolving legal landscape. Jared clarifies the nuances between client and business development, emphasizing the importance of setting aggressive "stretch goals" for both referral networking and web-based marketing.Key

Unlock Your Next Role: The Young Lawyer's Guide to Legal Recruiters Jun 19, 2025 1735 Are you a young lawyer wondering how to snag that dream role?Host Montana Funk welcomes Gianne Falvo Mangiro, a top legal recruiter at LHH and a former practicing attorney, to demystify the world of legal recruitment.Gianne pulls back the curtain on how recruiters work, why they're not just for senior lawyers, and how they can seriously fast-track your job search. We'll cover everything f

Solo & Social: Building Your Law Firm’s Brand from Scratch May 22, 2025 2229 Tristian Shannon took an unexpected route to the legal profession, trading the world of real estate for the courtroom. He joins us to discuss that journey, revealing the challenges that propelled him toward law and the entrepreneurial spirit that led him to build his own firm. Beyond the traditional legal landscape, Tristian is a proponent of modern connection, explaining how social media

Why the ABA Matters for Lawyers and Everyone Apr 24, 2025 1893 Bill Bay, President of the American Bar Association, joins Montana to discuss the role the ABA plays in supporting lawyers, promoting justice, and advocating for the rule of law. Regardless of where you are in your career, the ABA offers not only a wealth of material for you to improve your practice and serve your clients better, but also an opportunity to get involved, get inspired, and

How a Toxicology Expert Witness Can Make or Break a Case with Dr. Chris Spaeth Mar 20, 2025 1786 As young lawyers, you’re motivated to impress, to seem like the smartest person on the team. But no one person can know enough to succeed entirely on their own. We rely on the assistance and expertise of those around us, building a community of trusted allies who can help ensure we’re capable of fully serving our clients’ interests. Expert witnesses are one such invaluable resource in

Mastering Your Money Mindset: Financial Strategies For Young Lawyers Feb 20, 2025 2003 Financial expert Melissa Cecchine joins host Montana Funk to discuss the essentials of conscious financial management. Melissa shares insights into overcoming financial fears and building smart wealth strategies. Whether you're a young lawyer just starting your financial journey or you’re just looking to improve your approach to your finances, Melissa's practical advice on managing money,

Avoiding Burnout: Understanding Adrenal Fatigue with Dr. Lauren Skattum Jan 23, 2025 2451 Being a lawyer is a tough job. We’ve all heard the term “burnout”, maybe we even see it as just “something that happens occasionally” given our jobs, but most of us aren’t familiar with what all this stress is really doing to our bodies. Montana is joined by Dr. Skattum to discuss the impacts of adrenal fatigue, burnout, and stress on the body, particularly for high-performing individual

How to Be the Best Mentee and Mentor Dec 19, 2024 1755 Stacey Scrivani discusses the concept of mentorship in the legal profession, exploring what it means to be a mentor or mentee, and how these relationships can be mutually beneficial with Montana Funk. Stacey shares her insights on the various forms mentorship can take, from formal programs to informal peer support, and emphasizes the importance of a give-and-take dynamic. Whether you're s

How to Create Opportunities and Master Networking Nov 21, 2024 2018 Stefania Lessen joins host Montana Funk to share her journey from law school to a successful legal career, emphasizing the importance of networking at every stage. From leveraging local bar associations to utilizing social media platforms like LinkedIn, Stefania offers practical advice and personal anecdotes to help law students and new attorneys build and maintain a strong professional n

How New Lawyers Can Fit In and Exceed Expectations at Their Firms | Special Release from Litigation Radio Oct 24, 2024 2029 Learn how to exceed expectations and thrive as a new lawyer from a panel of seasoned attorneys who are open and honest about what it takes to make partner, navigate your career, and excel in the legal field. Special thanks to our friends over at Litigation Radio, ABA's Section of Litigation and Podcast Host Dave Scriven-Young for sharing this special episode with us. For more conversation

A Rising Attorney's Career in Data Protection Sep 19, 2024 3137 Everybody wants your data, from companies to hackers to governments. Guest Lexi Lutz is senior corporate counsel, and privacy watchdog, at Nordstrom. She advises the company on the legal implications of AI, cybersecurity, privacy, and data protection. As computers get smarter and capabilities expand, it’s more important than ever to maintain legal guardrails and understand potential pitfa

How Lawyers Can Have a Legal Career and a Family Aug 22, 2024 1884 One challenge young lawyers encounter—especially in demanding corporate roles—is starting a family while advancing in their careers. Managing and balancing work and family isn’t something they teach in school. Guest Kimberly “Kim” Maney is a busy, successful in-house corporate attorney for a global corporation. She’s also a mom and a spouse who taught herself how to balance 10-hour days a

One Lawyer's Journey from France to an Associate in New York City Jul 25, 2024 2486 Guest Nancy Maurice shares her unique background as she followed her curiosity and leaned on her courage to explore several countries throughout her education—ultimately landing a position as an associate with a New York-area law firm.Maurice is a native of France, where she learned English while growing up. She crossed the English Channel and earned her first law degree in England, a LL.

First Native American Woman President of the ABA: Mary Smith's Incredible Career Jun 20, 2024 1692 Guest Mary Smith is an accomplished attorney and the first Native American woman to become president of the American Bar Association. In addition to a distinguished career in legal leadership for billion-dollar organizations, including CEO of the national organization Indian Health Services, she is also active in many civic organizations, including the Caroline and Ora Smith Foundation, d

Making A Difference Through The Offices of the Inspector General May 23, 2024 1901 As a new lawyer, have you ever considered a career in government oversight? It’s a broad, important field that ensures a wide range of agencies work as designed while protecting public funds and interests.Guest Lucy Lang is a former prosecutor now serving as the New York Inspector General. She is charged with overseeing investigations into corruption, fraud, and abuse in the New York Stat

Environmental Law: An Exciting, Dynamic Field For Newer Lawyers Apr 25, 2024 2053 Environmental law is a dynamic field that evolves rapidly with new challenges as they emerge but also against the backdrop of the politics of state and federal administrations. Regulatory focus shifts from administration to administration and crisis to crisis, creating a challenging area of law for those who practice it. Our guest, David Mandelbaum, is a shareholder with the firm of Green

This Lawyer Embraces Her Disability. Now She Fights For Others. Mar 21, 2024 1789 Guest Evita Nwosu-Sylvester focuses on the civil rights and fair lending needs of middle- to low-income earners in their quest for affordable housing. She works in multifamily fair lending operations at Freddie Mac (the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.).But Nwosu-Sylvester is also a fighter for rights, fair hiring needs, and workplace accommodation for those embracing disabilities.Nwosu-S

Making a Difference Through a Career in Civil Rights Law Feb 22, 2024 2043 Guest Michael Kippins is a Boston-based civil rights attorney with Lawyers For Civil Rights. Driven by a desire to advocate for those too often left without robust representation, Kippins made the courageous jump from a big law setting to his civil rights practice and hasn’t looked back.In one of his high-profile cases, Kippins is challenging what the suit describes as Harvard University’

2023’s Lessons Learned: Your Inspiring Stories Jan 25, 2024 1837 Happy New Year, and what a year that was. Host Montana Funk sits down with Tamara Nash, chair of the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, to review 2023 and share stories from listeners about the past year.For listeners, it was a year of lessons learned. Learning how to separate work and life is difficult, but in one case, a young lawyer reported that an unexpected health issu

Insights from a Transactional Tax Attorney on a Career In Tax Law Dec 21, 2023 1466 It’s been said there are only two things in life that are certain: death and taxes. Guest Anthony DeRiso can help with one of them. He’s a tax attorney.It may sound like a daunting career path, but it really isn’t, DeRiso says. It’s about helping people chart a course to a desired outcome. Being a transactional tax attorney makes you the “coach,” drawing up plans as teams of attorneys dea

Going from Law School to the Air Force JAG Corps Nov 27, 2023 1786 Professor Tony Ghiotto went from the battlefield to the classroom. He started his legal career in the Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps, and he explains how his career took him from Afghanistan to a law school classroom. Saddled with student debt, and after an unexpected meeting with a JAG representative, Ghiotto found himself in the Air Force. Within his first two weeks as a full me

Latina Lawyer Charts Her Own Path: A Conversation about Cannabis Law and Self Advocacy Oct 20, 2023 2024 Is practicing law all dusting off established precedents and applying old case law? No way. Guest Jessica Gonzalez shares how she broke free, followed her passions, and found herself a pioneer in the wildly evolving arena of cannabis law.Gonzalez started in the usual practice of law for a firm after graduating. Contracts, paperwork, and a less-than-satisfying experience. Then, she started

Immigration Law: From Corporate Visas to Pro Bono Sep 21, 2023 1532 Host Montana Funk (herself a Canadian living and working in the United States) talks with immigration lawyer Stephanie Baez about the many facets of immigration law—a field that has been in the public eye a lot recently.Immigration law covers an array of niches, including employment and business immigration, student visas, and removal defense—fighting for desperate clients against deporta

When Life Gets In The Way, Press On. Fail The Bar? Regroup. Aug 24, 2023 2877 Guest Alexandra Graves tells her story, and it’s unreal. Bad things happen to good people. She was experiencing headaches and vision issues as a 2L and discovered she had a brain tumor. She needed neurosurgery and had to withdraw from classes. Then she started over. If you hit obstacles, and you will, you can overcome them. Life can throw you for a loop. You can fight back. You are not al

Tips From The Master For Criminal Trial Attorneys Jul 20, 2023 2458 If you’re getting started, or thinking about getting started, trying criminal trials, this episode is a gold mine. Learn from one of the most noted and experienced trial attorneys out there, guest Paul Mark Sandler, a longtime attorney, author, and lecturer. This is an opportunity to hear from one of the best. Lessons on ethics and insider courtroom tips. Learn about your relationship wit

Pushing Yourself Too Hard? Your Health And Wellness Matters Jun 22, 2023 2193 Mental health, wellness, and managing burnout made headlines during and after the pandemic. But what did we learn? Guest Richard Rivera, a highly successful partner at a Florida law firm, knows we should. Many of us work too much and too hard and push beyond reasonable limits.Rivera knows firsthand. He was a fourth-year associate in a litigation focused firm, and he said yes to everything

Overcoming Addiction: Insights and Advice for Attorneys with Brian Cuban May 25, 2023 2356 From the depths of addiction to helping attorneys overcome their own, lawyer and author Brian Cuban joins the show to share his personal journey, as well as shed light on the often overlooked issue of substance abuse within the legal community.Drawing from his own struggles, Brian highlights the unique pressures, stressors, and challenges which can commonly lead lawyers down the path of a

Mastering Your Money: Financial Planning for Lawyers Apr 20, 2023 1720 As legal professionals, many lawyers make a good income but struggle to build wealth or achieve financial stability. In this episode, we are joined by Rho Thomas, a lawyer turned financial coach and host of the Wealthyesque podcast. Rho shares her expertise and strategies for how lawyers can master their money to achieve financial independence and freedom in their lives.Learn common mista

Building a Career you Love as a Young Lawyer Mar 23, 2023 2621 For young lawyers looking to start and build their career, there are several key factors to consider. From finding an area of law that interests you, to seeking out opportunities to gain experience, build your network, and grow professionally, the start of your legal career can be challenging. In this episode of Young Lawyer Rising, special guest Tracy Lesetar-Smith joins the show to disc

Pro Bono: When to take a case, How to Get Involved, and Common Misconceptions Feb 16, 2023 1456 In this special episode of Young Lawyer Rising, host Montana Funk is joined by law firm owner and adjunct professor, Karen Lapekas, to discuss the ins and outs of pro bono work. The two cover a wide range of topics, including: What is Pro Bono? Why Does it Matter? When to Take a Case? How to Get Involved? Pro Bono Burnout, Benefits of Pro Bono Work, and Common Misconceptions. Don't miss t

Seeking a Career in Public Interest and How to Stand Out Jan 19, 2023 2157 You want to help people, and you want to use the law to do it. More and more, public interest law has become a popular career path for young lawyers. But how do you become a public interest lawyer? And what steps can you take to stand out in pursuing a public service legal career? To help answer these questions, Civil Rights Attorney, Public Policy Expert and Author, Portia Allen-Kyle joi

Why Lawyer Mental Health and Wellness Matters Dec 22, 2022 1651 The demanding hours and stressful work environments of the legal industry can often have detrimental effects on lawyers and legal professionals. Mental health issues among lawyers are notoriously prevalent, as are suicide, substance abuse and addiction. So, what exactly attributes to the severe stress, high burnout rates and mental health concerns among lawyers? And, why does mental healt

Some Advice to the New, or Soon to be Lawyer Nov 25, 2022 2378 Launching your legal career after law school is exciting, energizing, and—let’s face it—discombobulating. And no matter how long you’ve been practicing, there's always something new to learn. In this episode of the 'Young Lawyers Rising' podcast, host Montana Funk is joined by litigation attorney, Erin Rhinehart to discuss:Ways to standout in the workplace as a junior associateHow to succ

Breaking Barriers: Women in Criminal Law Oct 20, 2022 1979 Women in the criminal justice system continue to face a number of different challenges and career barriers; especially as it relates to hiring, retention, and promotion. So, why are women lawyers underrepresented in criminal justice? Why do so many women leave the practice of criminal law? And, what can we do about it? Joining the podcast to discuss these issues is law professor and autho

Top Tips for Young Lawyers: How to Survive and Thrive in Your Legal Career Sep 22, 2022 1939 Are you a fresh grad about to start working as a lawyer, or a relatively junior lawyer still figuring things out? The road to becoming a lawyer certainly isn’t an easy one; and the shift from studying law to actually practicing law can seem a bit intimidating. In this episode of Young Lawyer Rising, guest and litigation attorney Dave Scriven-Young shares top tips for starting your legal c

The Need to Support Law Students and Lawyers with Disabilities Sep 22, 2022 2548 How can the legal profession be more supportive of law students and lawyers with disabilities? In a profession already marked by the hypercompetitive pursuit of performance and achievement, young lawyers often face pressure to downplay their disabilities. In addition, access to accommodations for law students and lawyers with disabilities can be difficult, adding a lot of stress to an alr

Offsetting the Financial Effects of Inflation Feb 7, 2022 1613 On average, everything you are buying today costs 7% more than it did a year ago. In this show of the Young Lawyer Rising Podcast, financial speaker-writer-consultant Eric Rosenberg joins host Mathew Kerbis to discuss the effects of rising inflation and how best to beat these effects through good investment decisions and mitigated risk. Learn how to fine tune your portfolio to offset infl

The Criminal Justice System Jan 6, 2022 2031 Sonia Russo is joined by Shawn Hoover (a first chair trial attorney with the Georgia Capital Public Defenders), Anthony Santos (a deputy district attorney in Jefferson County, Colorado), and U.S. Army Major Earl Wilson (the chief of military justice at the first cavalry division at Fort Hood, Texas). Together, they deep dive into the criminal justice system from the perspective of lawyers

Happy Credit, Happy Life! Nov 15, 2021 1788 Regardless of your financial situation, the beginning of your career is a terrific time to build credit. Great credit affords you critical opportunities when you fund your practice or buy a home. It’s not about what you’re earning, it’s about the payment mechanisms. Financial speaker-writer-consultant Eric Rosenberg joins our very own Mathew Kerbis for a deep dive on establishing and buil

What I Wish I’d Known Oct 11, 2021 2570 Most lawyers remember what their first two years of practicing law were like. There’s a lot to learn and sometimes not much guidance. What do you know now that you wish you knew then? Sonia Russo sits down with a panel of young lawyers who have been practicing for several years. They share wisdom on topics like setting boundaries at work and recovering from mistakes. Whether you’re in you

Season 2 Trailer Sep 15, 2021 83 Sonia Russo returns for a special announcement about upcoming season two. Stay tuned for new episodes.

Legal Education Aug 9, 2021 1959 Mathew Kerbis, of the ‘Financial Wellness Minute’, talks about a topic near and dear to his heart (legal education) with Kyle McEntee, the co-founder and executive director of Law School Transparency. Together they discuss the inputs and outputs that can impact a career before it gets started. Issues like cost, school ranking, and licensing can all play a part in those early job options b

Financial Wellness (Part 2) Jul 14, 2021 1894 In this part two of two, Sonia continues her conversation with Ravi Ramanathan and Mathew Kerbis about financial health. In this episode, they discuss what you need to consider before refinancing your student loans, the recommended savings everyone should have, and whether or not the Nintendo Switch can save you money. {hint} ... It’s about less subscriptions and more Mario. Special thank

Financial Wellness (Part 1) Jul 14, 2021 2545 In this part one of two, Sonia Russo is joined by her friend and unofficial financial advisor Ravi Ramanathan as well as our financial wellness segment host Mathew Kerbis to talk about ways to become and remain financially healthy (even early in your career). Among the many topics of discussion are higher cost of living, managing student loans, and living within your means. {hint} ... It’

Tech Fiction’s Future Law (Part 2) Jun 14, 2021 2318 In this part two of two, Sonia Russo talks with Hema Lochan who participated in the American Bar Association’s Legal Tech Fictional Writing Competition. Together, they discuss her short story ‘F(A.I.)LED US’ which is about the unintended consequences for using artificial intelligence (instead of a lawyer) in a future criminal justice system. Stay tuned for the Financial Wellness Minute wh

Tech Fiction’s Future Law (Part 1) Jun 14, 2021 2170 In this part one of two, Sonia Russo talks with the winner of the American Bar Association’s Legal Tech Fictional Writing Competition, Theresa Yuan, about her winning dystopian-future short story ‘In The Matter of Infinite Monkeys’ and how it cautions against over-trusting predictive algorithms to determine what kind of person a child will become. Stay tuned for the Financial Wellness Min

Racism in the Legal Profession May 17, 2021 3206 As far as the legal profession has come, there are still elements of racial inequality and it’s not always easy to see. Host Sonia Russo talks with attorneys Tiana Towns, Andrew Hairston, Paulina Vera, and Jerome Crawford about their personal experiences with racism while practicing law. Stay tuned for the Financial Wellness Minute when contributor Mathew Kerbis shares practical tips for

COVID Apr 12, 2021 2480 What can we learn from the pandemic to advance ourselves and our careers? Special thanks to our sponsor, The Velvet Hammer.

Civility Apr 12, 2021 3057 Toxic people can be a danger to your career. What is the best way to handle them? Special thanks to our sponsor, The Velvet Hammer.

Trailer Apr 6, 2021 257 Meet the hosts of Young Lawyer Rising, a brand new podcast from the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division. Sonia Russo and Mathew Kerbis tell us about the show’s mission and give us a preview of early episode topics. Stay tuned for episode 1...

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