Shows
Counsel to Counsel - Career Advice for Lawyers"What Do Lawyers Really Want?" with Philippe DanielidesMany 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 career journey—spanning Biglaw, corporate communications, solo coaching, authorship, and now his current role with the Career Design team at Latham & Watkins. He explains why career clarity is often so elusive, how lawyers...
2025-08-1942 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersManaging Law Firms Across the Generations with Daya NaefIn 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-life balance, flexibility, and firm culture. Steve and Daya explore The tensions and opportunities between senior and next-generation lawyers Succession planning strategies that work (and those that don’t) Practical ways to start small with AI adoption in law f...
2025-08-1031 min
BE THAT LAWYERStephen Seckler: Smart Strategies for Lawyers Who Hate SellingIn this episode, Steve Fretzin and Stephen Seckler discuss:How lawyers can better align their personalities with business developmentNavigating career transitions within the legal professionHow meaningful networking creates long-term career momentumLeveraging authenticity and consistency to build a professional brand Key Takeaways:Lawyers who struggle with traditional selling can ease into business development by focusing on small, genuine actions like reconnecting with familiar contacts and writing about subjects they care about.Clarifying which types of clients, cases, and activities energize or drain you is an essential first step before deciding where and how to focus y...
2025-08-0735 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersHow AI is Disrupting Digital Marketing for Lawyers with Annie SternArtificial 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 referrals. A strong digital footprint—updated bios, accurate directories, and mentions on reputable sites—is now critical for visibility. Traditional SEO isn’t dead but must be complemented by AI-readi...
2025-07-2836 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersEpisode 159 - How (Not) to Communicate Like a LawyerAs 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. Stephen breaks down some of the most common communication traps lawyers fall into: Leading with skepticism instead of curiosity Listening to respond instead of truly listening to understand Correcting others unnecessarily Over-sharing your own experiences instead of showing em...
2025-07-1308 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersMarketing 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 principle applies to business development: splashy efforts are no substitute for consistent outreach and visibility. Whether it's connecting with referral sources, posting on LinkedIn, or attending networking events, success comes from showing up regularly.
2025-06-2309 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersPlanning 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 Director at ALM (American Lawyer Media). Neil Handwerker is a former practicing attorney and seasoned legal recruiter who has advised lawyers on career transitions for decades. Together, they launched ex judicata to address...
2025-06-0733 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersPractical Applications for AI in Your Law Practice with Jonathan WhiteIn 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 trusts and estates—and how his current involvement with Atticus is helping him and other lawyers build more fulfilling and profitable practices. 🎧 Topics Covered: Jonathan’s career path: from civil litigation to trusts and estates What inspired him to em...
2025-03-2640 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersTurning 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, and addressing objections. Role-play scenarios include consultations with a restaurant owner expanding his business, a divorcing client navigating complex emotions and custody issues, and parents of a special needs child seeking estate planning advice. Each scenario highlights the importance of active...
2025-01-2849 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersStrategic Marketing for Law Firms with Carrie FlynnIn 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 essential elements of building a robust marketing plan that balances relationship-building with digital tools. Key Topics Discussed: Marketing Fundamentals for Law Firms: How to identify your ideal client and develop targeted messaging to stand out in a competitive market. The...
2025-01-1936 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersYour Legal Career with Susanne Aronowitz: 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 address career dissatisfaction, identify whether issues are fixable within their current role, and recognize when it’s time to move on. Susanne also provides actionable advice on navigating involuntary job loss, reframing layoffs as opportunities for growth, and le...
2025-01-0736 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersNancy 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 author of the best-selling book Open Your Eyes and LEAD: Hardship and Wisdom Shape the Best Leaders in Life, which offers insights into overcoming challenges to achieve exceptional results. In this conversation, Nancy shares how group c...
2024-12-0935 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for Lawyers“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 to Avoid When Starting Your Law Practice," and offers actionable advice for attorneys looking to take the leap into entrepreneurship. Chris recounts the early days of his practice, launching in 2005 with...
2024-11-2434 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersTurning Business Contacts into Business: Lessons From the 2024 ElectionIn 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 relationships into business opportunities. Steve breaks down practical strategies for lawyers: Ask open-ended questions to uncover client needs. Help clients articulate the urgency of solving their problems. Position yourself as a problem-solver, not a salesperson. Build trust by...
2024-11-1208 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersThe 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 challenges like ageism, health concerns, financial planning, and maintaining relevance while transitioning from demanding roles. The episode provides practical advice on shifting mindsets, exploring new roles, and developing personalized plans to stay productive, engaged, and fulfilled in later...
2024-10-2740 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersWinning in Your Own Court with Dena LefkowitzIn 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 American Bar Association. The book has garnered notable recognition, including the Nautilus Silver Award for Inner Prosperity & Right Livelihood. Together, Stephen and Dena discuss key insights from the book, focusing on how lawyers can take control of their careers, improve w...
2024-10-1433 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersNaïs Mouret on Emotional Intelligence, Physical Well-being, and the Practice of LawIn 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 highlights how empathy, resilience, and mindfulness are essential tools for both professional success and personal satisfaction. Naïs emphasizes the importance of developing EI to better connect with clients and colleagues, particularly in high-pressure environments like law firms. Naï...
2024-09-1431 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersConquering 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 grappling with perfectionism to discovering the transformative power of positive psychology, which helped her redefine success and well-being in her career and life. Jordana delves into the cultural and psychological roots of perfectionism in la...
2024-08-2442 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersCareers in Business Law and Thought Leadership with Lana ManganielloIn 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 importance of aligning career choices with personal values, and how thought leadership can be a powerful tool for lawyers. Whether you're a law student, early-career lawyer, or seasoned professional, this episode offers valuable advice on navigating and succeeding in...
2024-08-1531 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersSummertime, Time Blocking, and Checking Things Off of Your To Do ListIn 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. Investment Hours (Dr. Sarah Reiff-Hekking on Time Management)
2024-07-2107 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersAliant, 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 into the innovative legal model of Aliant with Managing Partner Jacob Stein. Aliant is a global network of independent mid-sized law firms that combines the credibility of a...
2024-07-1031 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersTackling 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 Association, Conference of Chief Judges, and other legal organizations, called well-being an essential element of a lawyer’s duty of competence. In Massachusetts, Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers plays a vital rol...
2024-06-2525 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersLaw 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 disruptions. In this episode, I speak with a consultant who is working with law firms to change this. David Wood is a former senior partner with an AmLaw 100 firm, who planned and executed the succession of his entire $6...
2024-06-1244 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersTransitioning 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 examples of litigators who have gone on to have successful in-house careers. In this episode I speak with Matt Campobasso, a litigator who has built a solid in-house legal career after having a...
2024-06-0436 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersMy Return to Live ConferencesI 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 had pretty much give up on conferences. Attending the NALP conference changed that for me. The quality of the networking and the quality of...
2024-05-0606 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersBecoming 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 don’t know when a client, potential client, or referral source will have a need or hear of a need. That’s why it is imp...
2024-04-2037 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersEmotional 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 identify legal risks. Our job is to be skeptical and to apply dispassionate reasoning to the situation so t...
2024-04-1136 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersLaw 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 fundamental things that have not changed. The practice of law is still a service business that requires a lot of human interaction. Law firms are still challenging places to...
2024-03-2340 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersHere 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 sitting on the bench, so we decided to wait until he reached mandatory retirement. Paul is in f...
2024-03-0948 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersLaw 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 or mid-sized firm, as technology has continued to improve over the last two decades, I have seen many attorneys realize the benefits of running their ow...
2024-02-2438 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersEmbracing 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 astounding. And while the internet, email, and social media have continued that evolution, in my opinion, the explosion of AI in the practice of law has been the most sig...
2024-02-0533 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersJames 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 than business school is because math is not your jam. If you are a lawyer who has been practicing for a few years and th...
2024-01-2047 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersLauren 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 including working in the field of environmental law as it was just taking off. We also spoke about what inspired her to make a career shift away...
2024-01-0740 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersSetting Your 2024 Goals and Creating Your “Not To Do 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 abandon. On the other hand, setting clear, well-defined goals lays a foundation for measurable progress and sustained success. In this episode, I’m pleased to w...
2023-12-0945 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersFor the Sake of Your Mental Health, Stop Thinking (and Acting) Like a LawyerAs 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 also have a pernicious effect on our mental health. In this episode of Counsel to Counsel, I share my thoughts on why it is important to stop thinking a...
2023-11-3006 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersJohn Buckley on Building Your Executive PresenceIt 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 executive presence is also key. In this episode, I am pleased to introduce John Buckley, Board Secretary and General Counsel for the North Carolina o...
2023-11-0551 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersScaling Your Law Firm with AIArtificial 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 strength of their cases, to expedite legal research, and to draft pleadings. I know that I myself am using ChatGPT to help me prepare for presentations, craft social media po...
2023-10-2139 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersFrom Law Firm Associate to In-House Operations-With Shawn HoytIn 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 advancement. Shawn Hoyt is a Vice President at OutSystems. He began his legal career as a corporate associate at a large law firm. In 1999, I actually rec...
2023-10-0837 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersPaths to Partnership in 2023 and Beyond-With Laura TerrellAchieving 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 success which don’t include equity partnership. So, how should a young associate navigate these new realities? What is the path to partne...
2023-09-1640 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersNailing 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 a desperate need to fill a role and there are few candidates with the right mix of skills and personality. Or worse, they made a bad hi...
2023-09-0238 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersWhy 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 and colleagues who took the time to support me. But do awards really matter? Listen in to this episode of Counsel...
2023-08-2806 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersLegal 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 benefit from working with a recruiter. Emily Witt is a legal recruiter with over 20 years of experience. She began her career as an in...
2023-07-2841 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersFrom 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. Carl Berglind is a Shareholder with Greenberg Traurig’s Health Care & FDA group. He is based in Denver, Colorado. He focuses his practice on M&A...
2023-07-2334 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersFrom 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 plaintiff side wrongful death and catastrophic bodily injury cases. As a partner with Total Trial Solutions in Massachusetts, he also acts as a trial consultant to other well-respected t...
2023-07-0737 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersFrom 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 that lawyers are destined to be lawyers for eternity. As a lawyer, you do develop transferable skills that can make you valuable in other ways. The...
2023-06-2738 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersFinding C.H.I.L.L. Referral Partners to Grow your Network and Your BusinessRelationship 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, Follow-Up, and Avoiding Fatal Attraction-Tips for Building Your Business Relationships Inexpensive Ways to Build Business Relationships
2023-06-0609 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersDominic Grew on “Getting to No”-Turning Leads into Business and Other Ways to Succeed in Private PracticeLike 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 people. And you need to learn how to sell your services. If you can master those skills, your chances of success will greatly incre...
2023-05-1736 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersSarah 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 gatherings to talk about depression, substance abuse, anxiety, stress and a host of other topics. Underlying many of these issues is having too much to do and too little time to get it done. Many lawyers nee...
2023-05-0239 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersSteve Seckler: Coaching Superstar Lawyers (from the Be That Lawyer Podcast)In this Episode of Counsel to Counsel, I'm bringing you the feed from Steve Fretzin's great podcast, Be That Lawyer. Steve is an outstanding business development coach for attorneys. He is an author and friend who has taught me a lot about BD coaching. In this episode, Steve interviews me about why coaching can be a great tool to help lawyers achieve higher levels of career satisfaction and marketing success. I talk about one of my favorite topics: why lawyers need to wear a different hat when they are not giving out legal advice (and w...
2023-04-2042 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersChatGPT and Trends in Legal Marketing Technology-with Jared Correia I don’t spend a lot of time talking about technology on this podcast. But I use technology all the time to manage my business and to increase my marketing efficiency. In fact technology is a critical reason why I am able to operate as a solo and while I don’t have to outsource much of my own marketing. While I haven’t focused on technology on Counsel to Counsel, my interest in technology is actually high. And when the next shiny object comes into my consciousness, I’m often intrigued. In general, I’m not an ea...
2023-04-0146 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersCoaching for Lawyers with Seven Levels of Energy Management Coaching is a field that has exploded since I graduated from law school in the late 1980s. There are now life coaches, business coaches, executive coaches, marketing coaches, career coaches, and coaches like me who borrow a little from each. Coaching is about achieving your goals and moving past roadblocks that are getting in the way of your success. A good coach is a sounding board and holds you accountable to your stated goals. But not every coach uses the same tools or focuses on the same things. My own focus is helping lawyers to sto...
2023-03-2029 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersCareer Services at Latham & Watkins-How One Law Firm is Creating New Models for Success (Part 2) In this episode, I'm very pleased to welcome back Kevin Agnew. I spoke with Kevin just about a year ago about his career path. We talked about the career services program he runs at one of the largest firms in the world, and he shared many pearls of wisdom for lawyers who are navigating their careers in private practice. If you haven’t heard it, you may want to go back and listen to Episode 83 first. Kevin Agnew is Director of Attorney Career Services at Latham and Watkins, an international law firm with almost 3000 lawyers. He r...
2023-03-0847 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersFreelance Lawyering and Returning to Work with Montage Legal I really enjoy stories about lawyers who have taken their careers on a less traditional path. I especially enjoy speaking with lawyers who have done some very unlawyerly and more entrepreneurial things. At the same time, I’m always looking for guests who can speak to my audience about alternative ways to practice, particularly when it involves better work life balance. My guest in this episode, Erin Giglia, has deep knowledge about both subjects. Erin practiced at several major firms in Southern California until she co-founded Montage Legal Group in 2009. Montage Legal Group is a...
2023-02-2243 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersBen Sachs on Building High-Performance Legal TeamsIn this episode, I speak with Ben Sachs of the Landing Group. Ben is the author of a terrific new book entitled: All Rise-Practical Tools for Building High-performance Legal Teams. In the conclusion of the book Ben writes: For many attorneys, the legal work is their comfort zone. They would rather be consumed by case law, deal papers, policy memos, or other traditional billable tasks then have to navigate a tricky issue of team dynamics or dysfunction. In this episode, Ben addresses those issues head on and why good leaders need to change these attitudes. He al...
2023-02-0452 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersMultichannel Marketing- À Chacun Son GoûtIn this episode, I'm coming off of a string of marketing successes. Therefore, instead of interviewing someone else, I've decided to share my experiences. The Reader's Digest version is that most lawyers who achieve marketing success do so through a variety of channels. The important thing is to choose the channels where you'll find your clients and referral sources. But it is equally important to choose activities that you like. In the end, you won't be able to predict which ones will work and which ones won't. And that is to be expected.
2023-01-2308 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersCareer Wisdom from a Former Federal ProsecutorWhen I work with lawyers who are doing career exploration, I always encourage them to have informational interviews with attorneys who can give them some perspective. The lawyers who have the best career perspective are attorneys who have varied work experience. My guest, Linda Ricci, is an attorney who has A LOT of that perspective. Linda Ricci is a partner with the law firm Greenberg Traurig which she joined in the Spring of 2021. Prior to that, she spent 15 years as an Assistant United States Attorney in Boston. Linda began her legal career with two federal cou...
2023-01-0842 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersWord of Mouth Marketing with Michael KatzIn this episode, Michael Katz, returns to Counsel to Counsel after a 3 year hiatus. In 2019, Michael and I spoke about how to use newsletters as an effective marketing tool. Check out Episode 29 of this podcast. Newsletters have only grown in value, especially during the pandemic when in-person marketing went away. As many of us have resumed in-person activities, however, live relationship building is moving back to center stage. Of course it never truly went away and Zoom made sure of that. But more than ever, we now have the chance to build strong referral relationships...
2022-12-1842 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersA Conversation with Rudy RiveraThe pandemic was a mixed bag for me. As some of my listeners know, both of my parents died of COVID in April 2020. While that was very sad, it wasn’t tragic. My dad was 95, my mom was 94, neither suffered, and neither knew the other one was gone. At the same time, the lockdown created some great new opportunities to expand my network both here in New England and throughout the country. Zoom existed long before COVID. But going on-line in March of 2020 dramatically expanded my professional connections. Through my ProVisors business network, I...
2022-12-0841 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersSaying Thank You and Overcoming Intertia in 2023IMHO, the two most important words in the English language are "Thank You". As lawyers, we can be stingy in offering thanks to our colleagues and the people who support our work. In addition, as we enter the holiday season and are thinking about showing more gratitude, now is a great time to start thinking about the changes we'd like to make in the coming year. In this special addition of Counsel to Counsel, I share my thoughts for Thanksgiving in the run up to 2023.
2022-11-2206 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersWhat Law Firms Can Learn From Corporate America About Well-Being The subject of attorney well-being is a topic of conversation at most major law firms today. Several years ago, the Report of the Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being was issued by the American Bar Association, Conference of Chief Judges, and other legal organizations. It called well-being an essential element of a lawyer’s duty of competence. More recently, Law.com and ALM Intelligence conducted a survey of lawyers and staff members, mostly from large firms, has found that anxiety, depression, and isolation remain at concerning levels. And about 74% of the respondents thought that their work enviro...
2022-11-0642 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersDavid Abromowitz-Practicing Law in the Public Interest at an AmLaw200 FirmIs it possible to practice in the public interest at a major law firm? How can you build a legal career working on complex commercial real estate deals while serving a higher purpose? David Abromowitz has been doing that for almost 40 years. David Abromowitz is a real estate attorney who is nationally known for his work on complex development and finance deals. A major focus of his practice has been on affordable housing and economic development. He also has significant experience in workforce development issues supporting youth opportunities. David is a longtime partner in t...
2022-10-2251 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersMisty Leon on Going In-house With a Speciality In the 25 years that I’ve been coaching attorneys, one of the common themes I hear is the desire to go in-house. We have spoken a number of times on this podcast about that. Conventional wisdom says that going in-house means becoming more of a generalist and many of the in-house counsel I have interviewed have found that their work broadened a lot once they left private practice. My guest in this episode, Misty Leon, took a different path. She has parlayed a niche practice into a great in-house role. In this interview, we...
2022-10-0544 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersSusan Ibitz-The Human Behavior Hacker One of the things I love most about doing this podcast is that I get to meet really interesting people and interview them. My guest in this episode takes the meaning of “interesting” to a whole new level. Susan Ibitz is a face reading profiler who describes herself as a Human Behavior Hacker. Through her company, Human Behavior Lab, Susan has trained, consulted, and worked with lawyers, politicians, law enforcement, managers, sales teams, and literally anyone who wants to be more effective in reading body language. She was trained in profiling by the CIA, F...
2022-09-2453 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersPlanning for Retirement with Julie Jason, The Discerning Investment AdvisorRetirement today is very different than it was 50 years ago. People are living longer, and lawyers, like many other knowledge workers, have the ability to work well into their 60s, 70s and beyond. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was productive well into her late 80s. But for many lawyers, continuing to work is a default option rather than something that has been carefully planned out. Part of the reason is that lawyers have very strong professional identities. Part of the reason is finances. As high-income earners, many lawyers fear that they won’t have enough...
2022-09-0842 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersAn Expat Lawyer and Podcast Host Reflects on Her Career in JapanThe pandemic put a damper on international travel. It also reduced the opportunities for American lawyers to practice law overseas. But as travel has returned, the demand for legal talent trained in the United States has never been stronger in the Far East. One country where the need is particularly strong is Japan. So what does it mean to practice in Japan? How do you find opportunities? What are some of the cultural differences and what do lawyers who are thinking about an international adventure need to know? My guest, Catherine O'Connell, has practiced law in...
2022-08-1758 min
Inside DivorceE0061: Inside Divorce with Stephen SecklerIn this episode, Hindell speaks with Stephen Seckler, an attorney and President of Seckler Attorney Coaching. Steve has over 25 years of experience of coaching attorneys on marketing, career transitions, and leadership. Hindell and Steve discuss the parallels between divorce and leaving a job. They agree that it is worthwhile to try to make things work with your current spouse or your current job first. However, if your attempts are not met with success, it may be time to make a change. Steve gives advice on how to leave a job as gracefully as possible. Steve’s podcast, blog, and contact in...
2022-08-1529 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersTransitioning Your Legal Career to In-house and Beyond With Amy KatzOver the last 25 years, I’ve spoken to many lawyers who have expressed interest in going in-house. When I graduated from law school in the late 1980s, opportunities to work in a corporate environment were more limited. Today, there are many more lawyers working in-house. So what has changed? And more importantly, what does it mean to leave behind a law firm job. Since most in-house jobs are no guarantee of lifetime employment, how should lawyers position themselves for future career success after they shift their careers in-house? My guest, Amy Katz, is someone whose career...
2022-08-0648 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersScaling Your Law Practice with Coach RockwellIn the legal profession, AmLaw100 law firms get most of the attention. With eye popping salaries now being given to first year associates, it is easy to conclude that getting one of these jobs means you are at the pinnacle of the legal profession. While starting your career at a major firm has a lot advantages salary, and otherwise, the open secret is that many lawyers who work at these firms will end up leaving by the time they are midlevel associates. Some will go in-house, some will go to the public sector, and others will go t...
2022-07-2453 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersCarol Marzouk-The Executive Lion TamerIn law school, we learn how to think like a lawyer. We develop the analytical skills we need to analyze a case, draft documents, research legal issues and provide sound legal advice to our clients. But like many professionals, we don't spend a lot of time studying the human component of the practice of law. While some of us come to the practice with strong interpersonal skills, many of us have not been in a position to lead prior to entering the profession. As lawyers move up the ranks this can create problems. Lawyers who are indiv...
2022-07-1044 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersFrank Rudewicz-The InvestigatorIf you listen to this podcast or spend any time around me, you know that I am an enthusiastic member of ProVisors, a nationwide business networking group that is home to some great lawyers, accountants, financial planners, bankers, and many other trusted advisors. The thing I love most about the group is that I get to meet great professionals from all over the country. One of those individuals who I met early on was Frank Rudewicz. If you meet Frank, it won’t take you long to like him. He is the consummate professional who truly enjoys what...
2022-06-2142 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersThe Advancement of Women in Law with Elise HoltzmanAnyone 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 podca...
2022-06-0659 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersCareer and Life Lessons from Jim Durham-A Pioneer in Legal MarketingI met Jim Durham in the early 1990s when legal marketing was just taking off in law firms. For decades before, law was thought of more as a profession. And while it is still very much profession, there has been a dramatic shift in the way law firms think about marketing. While there a few remaining firms that rely on longstanding institutional relationships to keep associates and partners busy, most firms today are actively looking for ways to promote their reputations. The most successful and most highly compensated lawyers are the ones who have figured out how to...
2022-05-1753 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersPeristence, Follow-Up, and Avoiding Fatal Attraction-Tips for Building Your Business RelationshipsIf I had to name one thing I work on with almost every client, it would be FOLLOW UP! Follow up and persistence are critical if you want to build your business relationships, generate referrals, find that great in-house job, or get alignment from the partners you are trying to lead. The explosion of email and the added proliferation of spam filters, has made this all the more challenging. If you add in the fact that many lawyers don't like "sales", follow up is challenging....but critical. If you want to generate work, leverage your...
2022-05-0609 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersEpisode 84-How Lawyers Can Think Like Their Best Clients and Grow Their PracticeBruce La Fetra calls himself The Client Whisperer. He works with the leaders of law, finance and other professional services firms who can't scale or can't exit because they depend on a single rainmaker. His tag line is “Think Like Your Best Clients”. According to Bruce, the ability to consistently attract great clients sets the best lawyers far above their peers. Your best clients are: 💲 Easier to manage 💲 More profitable 💲 Quicker to buy 💲 Provide more referrals 💲 More fun to work with Sounds simple. But as it turns out, it takes work to figure out who th...
2022-04-2432 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersCareer Services at Latham & Watkins-How One Law Firm is Creating New Models for Success We speak all the time on this podcast about the many ways, lawyers can advance their careers and find more satisfaction in an out of the law. If you at a law firm that emphasizes professional development, chances are, you are learning how to be successful in your practice area. If you are fortunate to have a good mentor, perhaps you are also learning how to succeed at your firm and maybe how to begin to build your own practice. But if you are like most law firm associates, it is on you to decide w...
2022-04-1047 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersPersonal Branding for LawyersThere is a lot of talk in my business networking group ProVisors about building a personal brand. But what is a personal brand? How can it help you build your law practice? Why should all lawyers create one? In this episode, I speak with an expert on branding. Barbara Kaplan is CEO of BSK Strategies, a business development consulting practice helping individual lawyers and law firms build their brands, target and win new and higher-value work, establish thought-leadership, and develop innovative strategies and approaches to distinguish themselves in a competitive marketplace. She brings to her con...
2022-03-2036 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersLauren Rikleen-Rebel with Many CausesLauren Rikleen knew from a very early age that she was destined to become a lawyer. She was the one in her family who was always questioning. She was the one who was always concerned about injustice. One of her earliest childhood memories was trying to stop bullying on the playground. Today, Lauren is President of the Rikleen Institute for Strategic Leadership. She is a nationally recognized expert on developing a thriving diverse and multi-generational workforce. I recently sat down with Lauren to reflect on her career and what she has been doing since she left...
2022-03-0643 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersLeadership for Lawyers-Moving Up in Your Law Firm or Corporate Law DepartmentWe talk a lot on this podcast about marketing and career management. While great lawyers have great technical skills, getting the work you want and advancing your career, requires a different set of skills. The same is true for lawyers who move from being an individual contributor to taking on leadership roles in their firm or in their corporate law department. In this episode, I speak with an expert on how to make a successful transition into leadership. We discuss the things you should be thinking about if you have already made that move. Whether you are cha...
2022-02-2036 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersDigital Marketing for Your Law Firm: Getting the Right Mix It has never been easier to create digital content to market your law practice. But what is the right mix? How much should you be leveraging LinkedIn and other social media platforms to build your visibility. Are email newsletters effective? Should you be using SEO to get more visitors to your website? What about podcasting? What should you being doing yourself and when should you outsource? In this episode, I speak with Marc Apple, a real expert in digital marketing. Marc is the owner of Forward Push, a marketing agency that creates dynamic websites and manag...
2022-02-0739 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersTransitioning to General Counsel-Career Lessons from a LitigatorI speak to a lot of lawyers who are interested in moving into in-house roles. While not every in-house lawyer is happy leaving private practice, on the whole, I find that the in-house lawyers I meet have higher levels of career satisfaction. In-house lawyers generally don’t keep track of their time, at least not in the same way. And while the hours can still be demanding, lawyers who work in corporate law departments often have more predictability. In-house lawyers also enjoy having an ongoing relationship with a client that they get to know on a deeper leve...
2022-01-1842 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersGoing Solo with Employment Law and Workplace Investigations Launching your own law practice can be both energizing and scary. For lawyers who are accustomed to earning a steady paycheck, hanging a shingle means saying goodbye to security. Leaving a large firm means that there is no one between you and the client. You need to figure out how to advise them without the help of partners who are just down the hall. You also need to develop your own infrastructure. At the same time, starting your own practice means having a lot of flexibility and a chance to really build something of your...
2022-01-0942 min
The Lawyer's EdgeStephen Seckler | Getting Senior Lawyers’ Buy-In for Succession PlanningStephen Seckler is a seasoned marketing coach, career coach, and legal recruiter. He is the President of Seckler Attorney Coaching, where he advises attorneys on how to advance their careers and coaches them to take action towards their goals. Stephen has over 25 years of experience working with hundreds of partners, associates, and in-house counsel. He has been the Author of the blog Counsel to Counsel since 2005 and more recently started the Counsel to Counsel Podcast, where he interviews leading attorneys and consultants. Stephen founded The Next Stage coaching program to help senior lawyers determine what co...
2021-12-1436 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersSetting Actionable Goals for 2022Early December is a great time to start planning for the New Year. Creating S.M.A.R.T. goals is a great way to make sure that you achieve what you set out to do. In this special edition of the Counsel to Counsel Podcast, I define S.M.A.R.T. goals and then share with you my own S.M.A.R.T. goals for 2022.
2021-12-0505 min
Higher CallingsHelping Lawyers Find Their Callings: Career Coach Stephen SecklerMy most recent guest for Higher Callings is Stephen Seckler. After graduating from law school, Steve took a job with Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, where he organized hundreds of educational programs for lawyers over several years. He then formed his own business, helping lawyers learn how to market their services, serving as a legal recruiter, and serving as a career coach for lawyers. Steve also has an excellent podcast called Counsel to Counsel, where lawyers can find career advice from Steve and the impressive guests he interviews. When I spoke with Steve about appearing on this podcast, w...
2021-11-3043 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersShifting Your Litigation Practice to Mediation When I speak to lawyers about the changes they would like to make in their careers, there are a number of repeating themes. One theme I often hear from litigators is that they are tired of the conflict and petty discovery disputes. They are frustrated in having to deal with opposing counsel who seem more interested in winning than in justice. One path for these lawyers is alternative dispute resolution. So where is mediation today and what are the career opportunities for lawyers who want to shift their careers in that direction? In th...
2021-11-2030 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersTurning Business Conversations into Business We have spoken a lot on Counsel to Counsel about the importance of building business relationships. But we have not spent much time discussing how to turn those relationships into actual paying work. In this episode, I am joined by Gary Johnson who understands a lot about selling legal services. We discuss a series of common hypothetical situations where there may be opportunities to generate business. Gary walks us through the process for identifying needs and doing so in a way that does not exert pressure on a client, prospective client, or referral source. ...
2021-11-0644 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersManaging and Advancing Your Law Firm Career In thinking about guests to invite to this podcast, I’m always on the lookout for attorneys who have taken alternative career paths. I also try to find both practicing attorneys and former practicing attorneys who have great advice to share with my audience. Today’s guest is in the latter category. Amy M. Gardner is a certified career and career transitions coach and team development and leadership consultant with Apochromatik. She works with employers to reengage teams and help them thrive. She also works with lawyers one-on-one and in small group masterminds to advance in th...
2021-10-2344 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersSelling a Law Practice With the Law Practice ExchangeIn the past year, I’ve been talking a lot on this show about The Next Stage, my program to help senior lawyers figure out what comes next. My guests have discussed ways that lawyers can find meaning later in their careers. One topic that we’ve addressed is succession planning, or ways that lawyers can ensure that what they have built will live on as they scale back or exit the practice of law. In larger firms, succession planning may mean handing the reins of leadership over time to the next generation and starting a process of tra...
2021-10-1052 min
The 1958 LawyerStephen Seckler: Coaching Can Make All the Difference!In this episode, Stephen E. Seckler, Esq. talks about how lawyers should adopt marketing strategies that feel comfortable and how hiring a coach make a big difference in building a law practice. Steve also talks about how he coaches lawyers through career transitions. He describes the work he is now doing with senior lawyers who are trying to decide what comes next. Steve is host of his own podcast, Counsel to Counsel. He is a lawyer who has dedicated his entire career to helping attorneys find more career satisfaction. Timestamps:How young lawyers can overco...
2021-09-1437 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersThe Humble Rising Lawyer, Arivee VargasThere are a lot of unhappy lawyers in our profession. But when I started this podcast three years ago, it was my firm belief that there are many happy attorneys as well and we can all learn from them. In this episode, I speak with Arivee Vargas, an attorney who really works at trying to find more fulfillment in her career. She is also someone who inspires others through her own coaching work. I met Arivee for the first time when I sat in on a career panel that was sponsored by Region I of t...
2021-09-1355 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersDoing Well and Being Well in the LawThere are many efforts underway around the country to help lawyers address stress in the practice of law. Several years ago, the Report of the Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being was issued by the American Bar Association, Conference of Chief Judges, and other legal organizations. It called well-being an essential element of a lawyer’s duty of competence. In Massachusetts, there is an organization called Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers which helps attorneys deal with substance abuse and some of the underlying causes of attorney anxiety and depression and there are similar organizations in many states. In January of...
2021-09-1241 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersLessons Learned from David Rosenblatt-The Managing Partner Who Outlasted Them AllThere are many paths to success in a law firm. I’ve emphasized on this podcast that growing your practice is a good place to start. Having your own clients gives you a sense of ownership that is hard to achieve when you are just servicing firm clients. If you have your own book of business, there is more opportunity to focus on the work you enjoy and the clients you like. For some, getting involved in the management of a firm is another way to find more fulfillment. But it is not for everyone. I once h...
2021-08-2241 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersAre there Gender Differences in Legal Marketing?—What Men and Women Can Learn From Each Other About Building a Law PracticeThere are many ways to build a law practice. Legal marketing is not a one size fits all. Lawyers have different personalities and interests. Different practice areas lend themselves to different marketing techniques. Beyond this, there can be some gender differences in the way men and women approach marketing. In this episode, I speak with Lana Manganiello who has put a lot of thought into this subject. Lana is a business development coach with Equinox Strategy Partners. We met through our business networking group ProVisors and I’ve been learning a lot from her. Lana works with attorn...
2021-08-1540 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersRetirement By Design (for Lawyers)Aging baby boomers now fill the senior ranks of many law firms across the United States. Because of this, hundreds of partnerships will be facing succession planning issues in the next decade. How can firms make successful transitions and ensure the long-term viability of their practices? How will senior partners transition their clients to younger partners, so the clients are well served in the future? How will the next generation assume responsibility for managing the firm of tomorrow? Underpinning all this is a reality: Lawyers are living longer, lawyers have very strong professional identities, and many senior...
2021-07-251h 00Counsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersGoing In-house with David Sclar For many lawyers, going in-house continues to be an attractive career option. But the lawyers I speak to have a lot of questions about making a transition to in-house. They ask me about the timing, how to find good in-house jobs, how practicing in a corporate law department differs from private practice and how in-house jobs differ from each other. In this episode, I speak with David Sclar who has a lot to say on the subject. David is author of Workplace Strategies for Technology Lawyers, and he is joins me from Washington DC...
2021-07-1043 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersLive Big with Rochelle Seltzer On Counsel to Counsel, I speak with attorneys and consultants who share their advice about advancing your legal career. We discuss practical issues to help you build the career that you want. In recent episodes we have talked about how to build relationships in a virtual environment, how to leverage the LinkedIn platform, how to go in house, how to manage your time more effectively, and how to create a side hustle while practicing law. In this episode, we take a step back to look at much bigger existential issues (how we find meaning in our...
2021-06-2041 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersBuilding Your Practice and Your Management Skills with Mindful CommunicationBeing a great communicator is essential to your success as a lawyer. Whether you are counseling a client, managing paralegals or associates, giving a presentation, or just trying to cultivate relationships that might lead to business, effective communication is everything to your success. If you are like me, in law school, you learned to think like a lawyer. You cultivated your legal research and writing skills and learned to interpret the law. When you entered the real world, you soon learned that you need a whole different set of skills to succeed. And a lot of that has...
2021-06-0648 minCounsel to Counsel - Career Advice for LawyersLinkedIn in 30 Minutes (with Kristyn Brophy)LinkedIn is a critical marketing tool for lawyers. This has been underscored this year as the world of in-person networking has remained largely shut down. But as the world opens up and we find ourselves at conferences, networking functions, meeting for lunch or coffee, LinkedIn will continue to be an important tool in the marketing tool bag. In this episode episode, we do a quick dive into LinkedIn and talk about how to make the most of LinkedIn. My guest Kristyn Brophy has a lot to say about using the platform more effectively. Kristyn has wo...
2021-05-1633 min
Lawyer Boss LifeFinding Your Niche with Stephen SecklerIn this episode, Alay Yajnik and Stephen Seckler, President of Seckler Legal Recruiting and Coaching, discuss: Why all lawyers should strive to build a book of business How to get started with business development The benefits of having a clearly-defined niche or focus to your...
2020-12-1029 minLawyer Boss LifeFinding Your Niche with Stephen SecklerIn this episode, Alay Yajnik and Stephen Seckler, President of Seckler Legal Recruiting and Coaching, discuss: Why all lawyers should […]
2020-12-1029 min