The Lawyer's Edge (Elise Holtzman)

Dina Mastellone is the Partner and Chair of the Human Resources Counseling & Compliance Group at Genova Burns LLC. She is also a member of the Employment Law & Litigation and Criminal Defense, Investigations & Compliance practice groups. 

At Genova Burns LLC, Dina works with regional and national clients, counseling them on employment matters and auditing human resources policies, handbooks, and procedures. She has extensive experience training businesses on issues involving anti-harassment, diversity policy compliance, best human resources practices, hiring, and much more.

Dina has held various positions with the New Jersey State Bar Association and the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association, where she further became an advocate for mentoring and advancing women lawyers and increasing the involvement of women in professional and charitable organizations. As a leader within these associations, Dina is here to show how they can benefit lawyers at any level in their careers.

In this episode…

Is the bar association still relevant today? According to Dina Mastellone, there are many benefits for lawyers who get involved in bar associations. So what are these benefits, and how can they help you build your business?

For Dina, joining industry associations helped her find friends and colleagues in her field and led to some fantastic opportunities. However, you should join an organization you are passionate about; this will allow you to be fully present in your career while gaining visibility to those outside of your firm. Dina’s most impactful piece of advice for lawyers? Get involved and show up, even if it scares you.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman has a conversation with Dina Mastellone, Partner and Chair of Human Resources Counseling & Compliance Group at Genova Burns LLC. Dina explains why everyone should join an association, what she learned through her journey in a male-dominated field, and how lawyers can develop their reputation and build their business. Stay tuned! 

Tracey Diamond is a Partner at Troutman Pepper, where she helps clients structure their workforces in the most efficient and effective way possible. Tracey is skilled in many areas, including workplace issues, harassment training, internal investigations, drafting policies and procedures, and negotiating employment and severance agreements. 

Before joining the firm, Tracey was Director of Human Resources and Operations for a large nonprofit organization, where she was responsible for all HR issues for over 1,000 employees. She was also General Counsel for a national retail optical company and has previous legal experience in the Southern District of New York. Tracey speaks and writes frequently about a multitude of employment law issues. She is the Editor of the Hiring to Firing Law Blog, and she is a member of Troutman Pepper’s COVID-19 Response Team. 

The pandemic has affected Tracey’s clients, who primarily consist of in-house counsel and HR executives across numerous industries. She’s helped guide them in navigating regulations, client loyalty, remote employees, and all other challenges that the pandemic has brought about. If anyone can lead you through managing your law firm in these uncertain times, it’s Tracey Diamond.

In this episode…

COVID-19 has heavily impacted businesses across all industries. Many are waiting for the return to normal. However, Tracey Diamond says you shouldn’t assume it will be “business as usual” ever again. So, what can you do to navigate these unprecedented challenges? How can you support your employees and clients through all of the changes?

Especially with the new variants, misinformation floating around, and differences of opinion amongst colleagues, it can be hard for businesses to manage their regulations while keeping everyone happy. According to Tracey, there are a few key components you should focus on: maintaining your culture, creating a safe and sustainable workplace, concentrating on your people, and cultivating flexibility. With these elements in mind, you’ll be able to set a clear path for your business and continue growing — even through the pandemic. 

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman has a conversation with Tracey Diamond, a labor and employment partner at Troutman Pepper, about managing your business during the COVID-19 era. Tracey shares her advice for retaining clients, avoiding “The Great Resignation” within law firms, and tending to the needs of your employees. Plus, Tracey tackles the difficult questions and legal issues around in-office, hybrid, and fully remote environments. Stay tuned.

Lori Mihalich-Levin is the Founder and CEO of Mindful Return, a movement that helps new parents navigate the uncertain terrain of working parenthood. Currently, 92 employers offer the Mindful Return program to support employees in their transition to working parenthood.

Additionally, Lori is the author of Back to Work After Baby: How to Plan and Navigate a Mindful Return from Maternity Leave and created the Mindful Return Maternity Leave E-Course. She also co-hosts the Parents At Work podcast and is a healthcare lawyer in private practice at her own firm, The GME Group, PLLC. Lori’s thought leadership on issues related to working parenthood has been featured in publications including Forbes, The Washington Post, and New York Times Parenting.

As a working parent of two boys, Lori understands the need for a supportive community of working parents — especially when you’re first transitioning from parental leave. Her mission is to help parents feel empowered to make thoughtful choices and be present both with their babies and in their careers.

In this episode…

Working parents wear many hats and often struggle to find the support needed to thrive in both their personal life and professional career. After transitioning back to work after parental leave, numerous parents deal with the guilt of leaving their children, logistical challenges of finding childcare, and a lack of confidence that they can show up the way they used to at work. Can new parents find success in both areas of their life without sacrifice?

When Lori Mihalich-Levin was a new mom transitioning back into her legal career, she found many resources focused on the baby but nothing about personal and professional identity transition. Desperate for help as a working parent, Lori created her own program, Mindful Return, which helps new parents gain support from other working parents and find the resources needed to grow in all areas of their life. But Mindful Return doesn’t stop with the parents — Lori and her team are on a mission to help employers retain new parent talent and keep their employees’ careers on an upward trajectory.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman sits down with Lori Mihalich-Levin, the Founder and CEO of Mindful Return, to talk about working parenthood and parental leave. Lori discusses the importance of destigmatizing parental leave for both men and women, how employers can help new parents navigate the transition, and how Mindful Return is helping both new and experienced parents succeed in their personal and professional life.

Daniel Wiig is a sought-after attorney with demonstrated expertise in the legal, nonprofit, and academic sectors. He is also Host of the Amicus Curiae Podcast, a recently-launched series from the New York County Lawyers Association (NYCLA).

By day, Daniel is the Associate General Counsel for the City University of New York (CUNY), where he handles various legal affairs affecting the largest urban university system in the US. By night, he is Chair of the Commercial and Federal Litigation Section for the New York State Bar Association.

As someone heavily involved in various associations, committees, and in-house legal practices, Daniel has a grasp on the benefits and drawbacks when it comes to deciding if in-house or private practice lawyering is the right choice for you. Whichever path you choose, he offers this advice for young and experienced lawyers alike: be involved and efficient in your professional career, but don’t overextend yourself.

In this episode…

With so many career-building options, it can be difficult for lawyers to decide which track to take. Should they go the in-house or private practice route? Are industry associations the right way to build a career? What associations should they join? 

Daniel Wiig is here to share how lawyers can figure out their path to improvement. According to Daniel, neither in-house nor private practice are better than the other — it all depends on a lawyer’s preferences. However, joining associations can help all lawyers build their network, gain referrals, and develop a positive reputation. 

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast,  Elise Holtzman sits down with Daniel Wiig, Associate General Counsel for the City University of New York and Chair of the Commercial and Federal Litigation Section for the New York State Bar Association. Together, they discuss how Daniel’s involvement in the industry has shaped his career, the differences between in-house and private practice, and how bar associations can cater to the new generation of lawyers.

Andrea Markstrom is the CIO at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, a law firm with over 600 attorneys located in the Midwest. As CIO, Andrea is responsible for leading firm-wide technology and security initiatives across all tax practices and geographies. She has more than 25 years of technology leadership experience, including 15 years in the legal industry. Before entering the legal space, Andrea spent 13 years leading technology departments for the Target Corporation.

A recognized leader in her field, Andrea was awarded the NYC CIO of the Year Award from the CIO Inspire Leadership Organization in 2019. She is also the Founder and CEO of i.WILL (Inspiring Women Igniting Leadership & Learning), a professional women’s networking organization focused on mentoring, advancing and supporting women in their careers.

In this episode…

How did your firm handle the onslaught of COVID-19? More likely than not, there was a bit of scrambling. But, after the initial shock of what was going on, was your practice able to take on the challenges presented by the pandemic—and turn those obstacles into opportunities?

CIO Andrea Markstrom was quick to find the silver linings and organizational opportunities in 2020. As a renowned technology leader, she is no stranger to innovation, and her responses to the changes at her firm were no different. So, what are Andrea’s expert strategies for implementing a bit of fun, unity, and authenticity during a crisis? 

In today’s episode of The Lawyer’s Edge, Elise Holtzman sits down with Andrea Markstrom, the CIO of Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, to talk about how her firm was able to adjust—and improve—as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, they discuss the changing role of a CIO, the importance of knowledge management and knowledge sharing systems, and the challenges Andrea has faced as a woman in her career—and how she’s working to empower others. Stay tuned!

Saish Setty is the General Counsel at Parallaxes Capital, an emerging alternative asset manager focused on TRAs (Tax Receivable Agreements) and esoteric assets. As a senior member of the company’s deal team, he spearheads the development of TRA strategies, a complex alternative asset class. Parallaxes has deployed more than $250 million across its various funds. 

After graduating with a BA in economics from Princeton, Saish earned his JD from Harvard Law School. Before joining Parallaxes, Saish was an Associate at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP and began his legal career in the restructuring and finance department at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. 

As an authority in the legal industry, he has been featured in Fitch Solutions’ LevFin Insights, the Reorg Radio podcast, and Forbes. Saish has spoken at events and conferences, including ones sponsored by the Practicing Law Institute and the CFA Society’s High Yield Bond Master Class. Having transitioned from corporate law to a growing startup, he can instruct junior associates on making the shift. 

In this episode…

Some lawyers are content in their roles at private practices, whereas others want to make a more significant impact. These driven professionals are often attracted to startups, where they can contribute to long-term growth. However, transitioning from BigLaw to business is not a hasty decision, as substantial career changes can be a difficult adjustment. Before trading your law firm duties for a fast-growing startup, what should you consider?

With more impact comes additional responsibility, which Saish Setty experienced firsthand after moving from BigLaw to an emerging alternative asset startup. You may be required to lead pivotal decisions for growth and innovation, undertaking projects in new disciplines without prior experience. Before making the shift, Saish says to uncover the origin of your interest in the legal business. This helps you identify potential doubts and adjust your mindset to prepare appropriately. If your drive is authentic, acquire skills, experience, and knowledge in sales by joining client pitches and attending networking events.

Tune in to this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast as Elise Holtzman sits down with Saish Setty, Parallaxes Capital’s General Counsel, to talk about transitioning from BigLaw to the startup space. Saish addresses the functional and cultural differences between business and BigLaw, how a background as a private practice lawyer translates to a general counsel role, and investors’ interest in TRAs.  

Sarah J. Jacobs, Esq. is the Co-founder of Jacobs Berger, LLC, a boutique law firm dedicated to helping families before, during, and after divorce. Through practical, goal-oriented advice, Jacobs Berger de-stresses the divorce process by encouraging families to weigh options and plan long-term solutions. 

Sarah is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a matrimonial law attorney and qualified as a family law mediator. With nearly 20 years of experience practicing law throughout New Jersey, she concentrates on litigation involving child custody and relocation issues and the role of experts, evaluations, parent coordination, and mediation in family law matters. As a family law mediator and litigator, Sarah works with negotiation-minded clients in cooperative settings.

Sarah maintains the importance of family and preserving relationships during tumultuous times. This belief has allowed her to cultivate a mission-driven firm that provides a solutions-guided approach to all aspects of family law.

Jamie N. Berger, Esq. is the Co-founder of Jacobs Berger, LLC, which she manages with the goal of providing high-quality services customized for each client’s unique needs. She practices exclusively in the area of family law, including divorce, mediation and arbitration, alimony, and marital settlement agreements. 

As a member of the New Jersey State Bar Family Law Section, Jamie has extensive experience in the litigation of family and appellate court proceedings. Before entering private practice, she served as a law clerk for the Honorable Eugene A. Iadanza, J.S.C. in the Monmouth County Superior Court, Family Part. 

With a strong belief in promoting healthy relationships between children and their parents or guardians, Jamie encourages her clients to look beyond hardships to focus on the future. By leveraging this perspective in her practice approach, she can grow and sustain a thriving, goal-oriented firm. 

In this episode…

While law firms are businesses that strive to make a profit, lawyers also recognize the importance of serving clients with conviction and consideration for their individual situations. How can you grow your practice by positioning your law firm with a mission-driven, client-focused approach?

With a demonstrated history of helping clients navigate family law issues with less stress, Sarah Jacobs and Jamie Berger focus on alternative dispute resolution and mediation by connecting with clients to understand their end goals. By rebranding their firm with this service-based approach, the duo has developed specialized solutions for clients and an exclusive scaling method for their business. As an advocate for clients, it’s crucial to acknowledge their needs and make them feel empowered to find the best solution.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman chats with Sarah Jacobs and Jamie Berger, the Co-founders of Jacobs Berger, LLC, about how their mission to de-stress the divorce process has benefited their firm. Together, they discuss evolving marriage and divorce trends, how to reposition your law firm with a purpose, and how having a mission facilitates personal satisfaction. 

Jennifer Cona, is the Founder and Managing Partner of Cona Elder Law, an award-winning elder law and estate planning firm located in Melville, New York. Celebrating 25 years in business, Cona Elder Law has been consistently ranked the number one elder law and trust in-estate firm on Long Island. Jennifer has won many awards, including the New York Law Journal Award for Top Women in Law.

She and her firm are committed to corporate social responsibility, and she has held roles on the board of trustees of the Long Island Alzheimer's and Dementia Center, the United Way of Long Island, and the executive leadership team of the American Heart Association.

Jennifer has also been featured in many publications such as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, and has appeared on radio and TV. She also writes a monthly column for the Long Island Press called Power of Your Attorney. Jennifer Cona's dedication to Elder Law and her impact on her community are a testament to her outstanding career.

WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE ABOUT HOW TO GROW FROM SOLO PRACTICE 

Many lawyers dream of opening their own practice. It takes a lot, though, to go from working for someone else’s firm to starting your own, especially if you have no one with experience to guide you.

Jennifer Cona didn’t grow up in an entrepreneurial family who could show her the ropes. But going on guts, she managed to open an elder law practice and successfully grow it from a solo operation to a boutique. And even she will tell you it looked like she did it by the seat of her pants at times!

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge podcast, you’ll discover how Jennifer launched and grew a law firm while creating a culture built to last. She’ll also reveal how everyone at Cona Elder Law reinforces the core values of the firm, how they focus on the local community even outside of serving clients, and the challenges and opportunities presented by younger generations in the workplace and the advent of artificial intelligence.

2:16 - How Jennifer went from working at someone else’s firm to starting her own within five years of practicing law

5:26 - Why Jennifer felt the need to move her solo firm out of Manhattan to Long Island and expand to a 35-lawyer boutique

10:37 - Jennifer’s leadership style and how her firm focuses on corporate social responsibility

13:57 - How the core values of Jennifer’s practice are constantly reinforced and make it much easier to hire (or fire) people

16:42 - The generational issue Jennifer thinks is the greatest challenge these days

22:31 - How Jennifer uses AI now, how she plans to use it in the future, and why she’s excited about it when many others are wary

26:08 - The difficulty of growing a law firm (especially when you’re also trying to raise a family)

29:39 - Why you’re always answering to somebody even if you own a law practice

MENTIONED IN HOW TO GROW FROM SOLO PRACTICE TO AWARD-WINNING BOUTIQUE WITH JENNIFER CONA

Cona Elder Law

“Power of Your Attorney” archives | Long Island Press

Get Connected with The Coaching Team at hello@thelawyersedge.com

The Lawyer’s Edge

SPONSOR FOR THIS EPISODE…

Today’s episode is brought to you by the coaching team at The Lawyer’s Edge, a training and coaching firm which has been focused exclusively on lawyers and law firms since 2008. 

Each member of The Lawyer’s Edge coaching team is a trained, certified, and experienced professional coach AND either a former practicing attorney or a former law firm marketing and business development professional. Whatever your professional objectives, our coaches can help you achieve your goals more quickly, more easily, and with significantly less stress. 

To get connected with YOUR coach, just email the team at hello@thelawyersedge.com.

Cathy Miron is a seasoned leader and business mentor with experience in Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and nonprofits. She is known for her expertise in data protection, cybersecurity, and digital transformation.

Cathy is the President and CEO of eSilo, a data protection company that offers managed backup and cybersecurity solutions. In this role, she works with business owners, CEOs, and CFOs to educate staff and deploy turnkey security and data protection solutions.

Cathy has worked with many of the country’s premier law firms, accounting firms, financial advisors, consultants, healthcare institutions, and country clubs, implementing technologies that protect vital information. A cyberattack can happen to anyone at any time, so it’s essential to prepare before disaster strikes. That’s why Cathy is educating industries on all things cybersecurity — because you may not be as protected as you think.

In this episode…

As the digital world evolves, small and large organizations alike are seeing more threats to their data. According to Cathy Miron, cyberattacks have tripled in recent years. So what can you do to protect your data and your clients? 

There are surprising — yet common — mistakes that can lead to cyberattacks, system failures, or loss of data, and Cathy has seen it all. From email phishing scams to cats walking across computers to billion-dollar ransomware threats, there are so many factors that could lead to a major loss. What will save you from this? Data backups, encryption, and disaster plans. Since data is one of your most important assets, you have to make sure you’re secure across the board.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman is joined by Cathy Miron, President and CEO of eSilo, to talk about cybersecurity best practices. Cathy shares the most common mistakes that lead to data loss, how firms of all sizes can be affected, and the crucial investments that can protect you from cyberattacks and security threats.

Erin Kuzz is a Founding Partner and Lawyer at Sherrard Kuzz LLP, a labor and employment law firm. In her practice, she assists employers in various aspects of the employment relationship, including pre-screening and hiring, employment contracts, training and development, and employment standards issues. Erin also consults with non-union employers and helps unionized employers manage issues like bargaining and grievance arbitration and ending employment relationships.

Erin is recognized as one of Canada’s leading labor and employment lawyers by Lexpert, Chambers Global, Who’s Who Legal, and Best Lawyers. As a leading lawyer, she is a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers and the former Chair of the Labor and Employment Section of the Ontario Bar Association. 

Erin speaks frequently at national conferences about various labor and employment law topics and has taught at Canada’s leading law schools. Having founded Sherrard Kuzz in 2001 and practiced for over 25 years, she understands that investing in your lawyers’ personal and professional growth is crucial for firm success. 

In this episode…

Traditionally, attorneys remained loyal to a single firm, advancing from junior associate to partner. Today, lawyers shift from firm to firm to pursue greater development opportunities with leaders who prioritize their personal and professional endeavors. In particular, women lawyers struggle to balance raising children, caring for aging parents, and excelling in their careers. How can law firms invest in their attorneys to retain top talent?

As a seasoned attorney, Erin Kuzz received backlash and harsh demands from male senior lawyers. After taking the reins and becoming a partner, she gained the respect of her peers. Having witnessed young lawyers leave firms that don’t nurture their abilities and needs, Erin recommends these firms remain flexible to allow attorneys to prioritize responsibilities and explore additional growth opportunities. Even if your lawyers leave your firm to pursue other possibilities, they’re more likely to return when you invest in their personal and professional development.

In today’s episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman hosts Erin Kuzz, the Founding Partner and Lawyer at Sherrard Kuzz LLP, to talk about the investments law firms should make in their lawyers. Erin shares her initial mistakes as a partner, how to manage burnout as a female lawyer, and the lessons she learned from some of her most valued mentors. 

Michael Ellenhorn founded Decipher Investigative Intelligence to help clients create safer, more productive, and more profitable workplaces through reliable investigative intelligence. He counsels clients on mitigating risks associated with the hiring process and is a frequent speaker on the topic of lateral hiring, integration, and talent acquisition strategy. Under his leadership, Decipher has been recognized by St. Louis Business Journal’s “Best Places to Work” and honored for his innovation in corporate philanthropy.

As Chief Growth Officer at Decipher, Julie Henson empowers law firms to make strategic growth decisions. Whether it’s lateral hiring, exploring new markets, or seizing M&A opportunities, she helps firms elevate client service, mitigate risk, boost revenue, and foster vibrant cultures. With more than 20 years of legal industry experience, including in business development strategy and as a Chief Client Officer at an AmLaw 100 firm, she offers unparalleled insights into fostering growth and maximizing potential for law firms and other legal organizations.

WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE ABOUT STRATEGIC LATERAL HIRING

Did you know that 50% of lateral partner hires fail within a few years? Most law firms are focused on growth, whether it’s through increased head count or better approaches to profitability, but law firms often make decisions based on what feels right. Growth requires a strategic approach, not one based on gut feeling or limited information. Collecting and analyzing data through investigative intelligence helps you make accurate decisions in talent acquisition that also align with your company’s culture.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge podcast, Elise Holtzman sits down with the CEO and Chief Growth Officer of Decipher Investigative Intelligence, Michael Ellenhorn and Julie Henson, to talk about the importance of using investigative intelligence in decision-making for growing and sustaining law firms. You’ll learn about various growth strategies, the challenges of integrating lateral partners, avoiding cultural mismatches, and much more!

1:59 - What investigative intelligence is and two ways you can use it to gather the information you need

8:07 - How to define growth and success for your law firm

12:09 - How to start determining the best path for growing through mergers and acquisitions

14:35 - Examples of how cultural divides within a merged organization can create problems

16:52 - Other common mistakes made with lateral hires, mergers, and acquisitions

23:06 - The challenge of finding game-changing lateral partners to fill certain needs in your law firm

25:20 - One way to drastically get ahead of your competition when hiring and how Decipher utilizes information to help

29:11 - Dos and don'ts for successful lateral hiring and integration in your law firm

39:53 - The importance of kindness in your interactions and paying attention to red flags in the hiring process

MENTIONED IN GROW YOUR LAW FIRM THROUGH STRATEGIC LATERAL

Decipher Investigative Intelligence

Michael Ellenhorn on LinkedIn

Julie Henson on LinkedIn

Get Connected with The Coaching Team at hello@thelawyersedge.com

The Lawyer’s Edge

SPONSOR FOR THIS EPISODE…

Today’s episode is brought to you by the coaching team at The Lawyer’s Edge, a training and coaching firm which has been focused exclusively on lawyers and law firms since 2008. 

Each member of The Lawyer’s Edge coaching team is a trained, certified, and experienced professional coach AND either a former practicing attorney or a former law firm marketing and business development professional. Whatever your professional objectives, our coaches can help you achieve your goals more quickly, more easily, and with significantly less stress. 

To get connected with YOUR coach, just email the team at hello@thelawyersedge.com.

Emily Witt is the Managing Director of Whistler Partners, a matchmaking firm focused on counseling leading attorneys in their careers. In her role, she facilitates women’s advancements in tech, healthcare advocacy, and life sciences. With over 20 years of industry experience, Emily has served as a legal recruiter at one of the world’s most preeminent law firms and now brings her expertise and advice to the agency side of the profession.

Emily began her legal recruiting career as a Senior Recruiting Coordinator at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, where she worked alongside some of the most admirable attorneys in the country. At Wachtell, she became the designated career professional, advising associates on role progression. 

Emily’s legal recruiting approach involves connecting with attorneys and guiding them to follow their instincts when making decisions. As a naturally skilled professional matchmaker, she counsels and encourages women to pursue their dream careers. 

In this episode…

With so much volatility in the job market, law firms and in-house legal departments have become even pickier about their hiring standards. Whether you are looking for a role as a private practice lawyer or are interested in going in-house, it’s critical that you understand the hiring landscape and prepare yourself to stand out from a crowded marketplace for legal talent. As you evaluate your options, how can you prepare to transition into your dream career?

Seasoned legal recruiter Emily Witt recognizes business priorities and attorneys’ professional demands. Emerging lawyers often begin their careers in-house, where they’re required to possess agility, leadership skills, and the ability to communicate clearly and succinctly. Conversely, law firms value culture and professional growth, making these environments more attractive to experienced attorneys. When making this shift, Emily says to embellish your skill sets, research the firm, and assess your value proposition. You can also leverage legal recruiters to attain your career goals.

In today’s episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman interviews Emily Witt, a Managing Director of legal recruiting firm Whistler Partners, who shares advice on how lawyers can best position themselves to succeed in a job search. Emily describes the different skills law firms and in-house legal departments look for in candidates, how to evaluate legal recruiters, and how to consider job opportunities.

Heidi K. Brown is the Associate Dean for Upper Level Writing at the New York Law School and a former litigator in the construction industry. As a University of Virginia School of Law graduate, she earned her master’s degree in applied positive psychology in 2021. Heidi is an internationally recognized speaker and the author of three books about lawyer and law student well-being, including The Introverted Lawyer, Untangling Fear in Lawyering, and The Flourishing Lawyer.

Having struggled with performance anxiety as a law student, attorney, and new law professor, Heidi untangled her fears and embraced authenticity as a powerful asset in teaching and practicing law. She advocates for openly discussing stressors, anxieties, and fears in the legal profession. 

Heidi has garnered several awards for her work, including recognition for outstanding contributions to well-being and legal education from the Association of American Law School’s section on balancing well-being and legal education. She helps quiet and anxious law students and lawyers harness individual strengths to become advocates for work and achieve optimal performance and well-being. 

In this episode…

When facing public speaking anxiety and other stressors, lawyers and law students are often told to fake it until they make it or simply conquer their fears. Yet this advice is futile for introverts who rely on quiet spaces to recharge. How can lawyers (whether or not they are introverts) overcome these anxieties by leveraging their authentic personas, and how can law firm leaders support this practice?

Having wrestled with introversion, social anxiety, and shyness, legal well-being advocate Heidi K. Brown struggled to overcome deeply embedded fears of judgment and criticism that caused her to shut down. After researching these widespread experiences, she learned that while these lawyers often can’t perform in the same manner as their extroverted counterparts, they can harness unique skills through legal writing and creative problem-solving to gain confidence and execute their authentic selves. This requires deconstructing fears by identifying their physical manifestations. When law firm leaders encourage creativity and authenticity, they benefit from optimal performance, potential, and intelligence.

In today’s episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman interviews Heidi K. Brown, a prolific author on how lawyers thrive and the Associate Dean for Upper Level Writing at the New York Law School, about promoting lawyer and law students’ performance and well-being. Heidi describes the difference between introversion and shyness, how she honed an authentic public speaking persona, and notable takeaways from her books.

Uri Gutfreund is the Founder and Moderator of The Managing Partner RoundTable™, a proactive forum where law firm leaders can share their best practices and seek advice from their peers. This unique program has quickly become a leading venue for thought leaders in the legal industry and is the largest regional peer-to-peer professional development group. Uri is a frequent speaker at legal industry conferences and Bar Association events and writes on law firm leadership, business practices, and risk management.

Uri is the National Law Firm Practice Leader at Risk Strategies, a top 15 National Insurance Brokerage. At Risk Strategies, Uri is responsible for the development and execution of insurance and risk management services for the company’s law firm clients.

In this episode…

How open are you with other lawyers in your field? Do you like to share your insights with your peers, or would you rather keep things close to your chest? 

When Uri Gutfreund first started The Managing Partner RoundTable™, he was faced with this obstacle: will industry leaders be willing to share their strengths? What about their failures? After some strategizing, he discovered that when the members of a group aren’t in direct competition with one another, the answer is yes—and then some. So, what are the benefits of opening up to your peers, and how can you start making more valuable connections in 2021?

Join Elise Holtzman in this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge as she sits down with Uri Gutfreund, the National Law Firm Practice Leader for Risk Strategies and the Founder and Moderator of The Managing Partner RoundTable™. Together, they talk about what inspired Uri to create The Managing Partner RoundTable, the insight he’s gleaned from his conversations with managing partners, and the trends he foresees in the legal industry for 2021. Stay tuned for more!

Rob Toomey is the president and co-founder of TypeCoach, which helps companies and individuals achieve their business and organizational goals through the application of personality types. After five years as a practicing attorney, Rob started his unique coaching business with his wife (and co-founder!) Carly Toomey, using online programs as well as in-person training to help his clients maximize their potential.

Rob is also the founder of An Extraordinary Life, a company that is focused on helping professionals navigate complex career transitions. In 2005, Rob joined forces with SpeedReading People, which allowed him to grow his clientele to include more than 20 Fortune 500 firms.

In this episode…

Do you ever walk out of a meeting unsure of what is expected of you? Do you sometimes find yourself confused or frustrated when a colleague doesn’t understand what you’re talking about? Is it difficult to get your point across when speaking to certain people in your organization?

These experiences are more common than you think—and the answer might lie in the personality type of you and those around you. We all have different personalities and ways of thinking, and this affects our communication styles. So, how can you use your personality type and the personalities of others to better communicate in your workplace? 

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, host Elise Holtzman sits down with the president and co-founder of TypeCoach, Rob Toomey, to discuss how to maximize potential at your law firm through the application of personality types. Listen in as they chat about which personality types help lawyers thrive in the different stages of their career, the importance of cognitive diversity in your practice, and the communication style that Rob believes is conducive to the most success.

Roy Sexton is the Director of Marketing at Clark Hill, a law firm with more than 650 lawyers spread across 27 offices in the US, Ireland, and Mexico. Roy is also the 2022 President-Elect of the Legal Marketing Association (LMA) and will become the President in 2023, previously serving as a board member, content expert, and presenter. 

Roy has a passion for solving problems, improving culture, facilitating business growth, and collaborating on long-term strategies. He has nearly 20 years of experience in marketing, communications, and strategic planning across a range of industries. Roy has also written two books, Reel Roy Reviews volumes one and two, which is a compilation of his essays and reviews on movies and cinema.

After supporting the rebranding of Clark Hill, Roy realized just how magical the combination of branding and culture development can be. In the process of branding, you’re uniting company values, the customer experience, and a diverse team, which, in turn, helps develop the true, authentic culture of your organization.

In this episode…

Branding (and rebranding) requires more than just updating a logo. Likewise, culture requires more than just checking off a box and labeling your firm as diverse. So, how do you effectively develop your brand and culture in a way that unites all segments of your law firm?

According to Roy Sexton, affirming your brand has the magical power of galvanizing your culture and showing clients your true, authentic selves. First, you must take stock of who you are now and who you want to become. Once you gain clarity in those areas, you can craft your messaging and unite your culture in an open and transparent way. 

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman sits down with Roy Sexton, Director of Marketing at Clark Hill and President-Elect of the Legal Marketing Association. Roy discusses the process of branding and rebranding, how it’s connected to culture, and why these are key areas for creating a cohesive firm. He also shares marketing and social media tips and the powerful theater lessons that apply to business.      

Leslie Berkoff is a Partner at Moritt Hock & Hamroff, a full-practice law firm with 80 attorneys and offices in Long Island, New York, and Naples, Florida. After graduating with her Doctor of Law from Hofstra University, Leslie completed two clerkships with federal judges and went on to Moritt Hock & Hamroff, where she has practiced for more than 25 years. She is the Chair of the firm’s Dispute Resolution Practice Group and concentrates on bankruptcy and restructuring litigation and corporate workouts. 

Leslie is an experienced mediator and arbitrator, serving on the Mediation Panels for the Eastern, Southern, and Northern Districts of the United States Bankruptcy Courts in New York. She also serves on the American Arbitration Association’s National Roster of Arbitrators and the Second Circuit United States Court of Appeals Pro Bono Appellate Mediation Panel.

In this episode…

When it comes to developing client business, more often than not, lawyers find themselves struggling. Most aren’t taught the business of law during their studies, and there is typically a schism between lawyers who prefer to carry on with their practice traditionally versus those who want to actively work on business development within their firm. 

But, what if the secret to finding—and retaining—clients isn’t as difficult as it seems? For Leslie Berkoff, the strategy is simple: foster a collaborative and genuine relationship with your clients and colleagues. So, what is Leslie’s advice to lawyers who want to become successful rainmakers in their industry? 

Join us as we kick off our special Women Rainmakers series with Leslie Berkoff, Partner at Moritt Hock & Hamroff. In this episode, Elise Holtzman sits down with Leslie to talk about her strategies for maximizing business development. Together, they discuss Leslie’s experience practicing at the same firm for more than 25 years, the importance of building a culture both internally and externally, and her success as a rainmaker. Stay with us!

Mary Balistreri is the President and CEO of More Business Today (MBT), ​​which offers coaching, professional development programs, and facilitation services. Mary is a certified Conversational Intelligence (C-IQ) Coach, a Diversity to Belonging Facilitator, and a key member of the coaching team at The Lawyer’s Edge. 

Mary has more than 20 years of experience in law as an internal business development and leadership coach. She was the first Director of Business Development at an AmLaw 200 firm, where she helped create industry teams, client service teams, a target marketing program, and a coaching program, among many other initiatives.

The heart of Mary’s coaching practice lies in supporting individuals and teams to achieve their potential and build belonging into business. She has witnessed the power of conversation to clarify, communicate, and create improvements. Mary says that as long as clients are committed and ready to put the work in, coaching can transform their lives.

In this episode…

According to Mary Balistreri, the #1 most successful tactic to improve individuals and teams is coaching. Although Mary is a coach, this isn’t a self-fulfilling prophecy. Throughout her 20 years of experience, she’s witnessed countless transformations — both for the individual and their business. 

In Mary’s very first year of coaching, she took on 13 attorneys who were drowning in work. Of those 13, five of them became top rainmakers in their firm. Since then, she’s worked with numerous attorneys and other professionals who embraced the power of coaching to help them achieve their loftiest goals. But what makes coaching so beneficial? It comes down to three things: individual solutions, accountability, and a goal-centered approach that propels you into action.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman talks with Mary Balistreri, President and CEO of More Business Today (MBT) and Coach at The Lawyer’s Edge. Mary discusses the benefits of coaching and how it differs from other counseling, the impact conversations can have on business, and why commitment is key to beginning your coaching journey. 

Erin Lawler is the Head of M&BD, Americas at Hogan Lovells, an international law firm that operates at the intersection of business and government. She has over 20 years of experience in Am Law 100 firms, and this is her third leadership role at Hogan Lovells. Erin has established “best in class” client programs and increased collaboration in her previous role as the Global Head of M&BD Operations and Business Management. 

Prior to Hogan Lovells, Erin worked in Business Development for Norton Rose Fulbright and WilmerHale, where she developed client retention strategies and other programs to drive revenue growth. Erin lives in Connecticut with her partner and their eight-year-old daughter.

In this episode…

The pandemic disrupted life and business as we know it, including the legal industry. A business that was once face-to-face needed to adjust to virtual contact. This change created a lasting impact on how to engage with clients. How did the pandemic impact your business?

Professional services that were dependent on interaction needed to reassess, and Erin Lawler saw an opportunity for improvement. Coming out of the pandemic, she realized the mechanisms of client communication needed to change. Erin implemented the use of client feedback by changing the mindset of how to conduct a client listening session, and she uses it to strengthen and establish strong relationships to improve the legal industry.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge, Elise Holtzman is joined by Erin Lawler, Head of M&BD, Americas at Hogan Lovells, to discuss the impact of client communication. Erin has over 20 years in the industry and is passionate about providing top-level client services. Together they discuss how to focus on business objectives and imperatives, establishing credibility, and delivering top-level client service through feedback. Stay tuned!

Dr. Lauren Tashman is a Performance Coach and the Founder of Align Performance, an organization focused on helping clients learn the science behind mindset, leadership, and team culture in order to better align their performance with their potential. She is also a Master Coach for Valor Performance and an expert in the science of performance coaching. 

Dr. Tashman’s background is in sports psychology and performance, and she currently teaches graduate sports psychology courses at John F. Kennedy University. Dr. Tashman has also co-edited three books and written countless articles in her areas of expertise.

In this episode…

You may be the most successful lawyer at your firm, the highest-grossing salesperson at your company, or the player with the most points on your team. But, once you advance to a leadership role, how do these skills carry over? Do they play a role in your new position, or do you need to gain some new expertise?

Although you may not know it, there is a lot of psychology behind being a leader. High performers aren’t necessarily natural-born leaders, and the two roles require vastly different skill sets—including some that you may not have acquired in your initial position. According to Dr. Lauren Tashman, what’s important here isn’t necessarily that you immediately know what you’re doing; what matters is your intention. 

Join Elise Holtzman in this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge as she sits down to talk with the Founder of Align Performance, Dr. Lauren Tashman. Dr. Tashman discusses her work as a mental performance coach, the different kinds of confidence that play a role in your success, and the way perfectionism can both help and hurt you. Stay tuned as they explore leadership and how to navigate the shift from being a good performer to a great leader.

Verne Harnish is the Founder and CEO of Scaling Up, a global executive education and coaching company with over 180 partners on six continents. Verne chairs the annual ScaleUp Summits and serves on several boards, including Chair of The Riordan Clinic, Co-founder and Chair of Geoversity, and Board Member of the Million Dollar Women community.

Verne is the Founder of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), a peer-to-peer network for entrepreneurs with over 14,000 members worldwide. He is also a keynote speaker and the Author of multiple best-sellers, including Mastering the Rockefeller Habits and Scaling Up — which has been translated into 23 languages and won eight major international book awards.

With his most recent book, Scaling Up Compensation, Verne details the importance of mastering the art of compensation to attract, retain, and motivate talent. Although compensation is one of your largest expenses, designing an effective system can be a strategic advantage.

In this episode…

What are the benefits of designing a non-traditional compensation plan? How do you go about crafting a plan that’s right for your business? 

Many businesses within the legal industry abide by the “you eat what you kill” motto. In addition to this, many traditional leaders are not risk-takers, which makes a compensation plan shift seem impossible. However, Verne Harnish is here to share how anyone — including lawyers — can create a fair compensation plan that will attract the right talent, retain top employees, and drive success. 

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman is joined by Verne Harnish, Founder and CEO of Scaling Up, and Co-hosts John Corcoran, Dr. Jeremy Weisz, Joshua Chin, and Adi Klevit to talk about designing a compensation plan that’s right for your business. Verne emphasizes the importance of aligning incentives with the customers’ needs, shares examples of real-life companies’ non-traditional compensation methods, and discusses the steps you can take to differentiate your compensation plan.

James (Jim) Persing is a former practicing lawyer who has been coaching professionals for more than 20 years. He supports clients through a collaborative process of designing, effectuating, and sustaining change.

Jim married his law experience with his passion for coaching clients in a variety of professions to help others envision, achieve, and maintain success. Much of his work focuses on helping early and mid-career professionals develop their leadership vision and produce positive action. As someone who launched and ran a successful law practice, Jim is a specialist in helping other solo and small-firm attorneys succeed.

In addition to working in the legal profession, Jim works with clients in healthcare, finance, and government agencies. He is a member of the coaching team at The Lawyer’s Edge, and he’s also partnered with BetterUp Coaching, Thrive Partners UK, The Wall Street Coach, Wellspan Health, and more.

In this episode…

Law school doesn’t teach you how to run a practice, develop your business skills, or foster relationships with other lawyers and leaders in your industry. For many lawyers, you have to learn these skills on your own while balancing your law practice, your personal life, and everything in between.

The truth is that you don’t have to go it alone. Working with a coach can help you build on opportunities, see things from a different perspective, and sustain the success you desire. Instead of working tirelessly on your own, a coach brings an unbiased opinion to help you get clear on where you want to be, how to get there, and how to see continued success. 

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman is joined by professional coach Jim Persing to talk about the benefits of working with a coach. Jim shares how a coach can help you shift your perspective, illuminate blindspots, and strategize a plan of action. He also discusses the importance of integrating wellness practices into your life, getting intentional with your goals, and tackling new opportunities.

Chris DeSantis is a speaker, author, and consultant specializing in workplace interventions. With nearly 30 years of experience as an independent organizational behavior consultant, Chris is a trusted partner to some of the world’s largest companies in the professional services, tech, and pharmaceutical industries. When working with clients, his goals are to dig deeper, treat the root causes, and offer user-friendly solutions aligned with company initiatives. 

Before becoming an independent consultant, Chris was the Director of Management Development and Training for the American Medical Association and a Human Resources Development Manager at Brunswick Corporation. Chris has a BBA from the University of Notre Dame, an MA in organizational behavior from Loyola University in Chicago, and an MBA from the University of Denver.

Chris is the Author of Why I Find You Irritating: Navigating Generational Friction at Work. He’s also the Host of the Cubicle Confidential podcast, where he and Co-host Mary Abbajay share advice on outrageous workplace questions, comments, and concerns.

In this episode…

When it comes to generational differences, we’re all generalizing and fitting each other into categories — because it makes society easier to navigate. Based on these generalizations, we develop perceptions of others and judge them through the lens of who we are. However, these perceptions often cause friction in the workplace. So, what can you do to maneuver generational challenges?

Chris DeSantis says we need to embrace the differences. If we want to get rid of generational tensions, we should reserve judgment, think rationally, and give people the benefit of the doubt. We’re all complex human beings whose experiences and characteristics amount to more than just a generational category. 

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman is joined by speaker, author, podcaster, and consultant, Chris DeSantis, to talk about strategies for navigating generational differences in the workplace. Chris discusses where generational characteristics are derived, advice for accepting other generations, and how embracing differences can help create more diverse, collaborative workplaces.

Michelle Calcote King is the Principal and President of Reputation Ink, an award-winning B2B and professional services marketing and public relations agency. Although she is based out of Jacksonville, Florida, Michelle works with both nationwide and global firms to help them build their reputations, communicate their expertise, and grow their businesses. 

Before founding Reputation Ink in 2011, Michelle managed a team of 18 senior-level consultants at Jaffe PR, a national PR firm that provides services for lawyers and law firms. Michelle has held a series of positions in marketing and public relations over the past two decades, and in 2015, she was named a “Woman of Influence” by the Jacksonville Business Journal.

In this episode…

It can be confusing to learn how to market your law firm, whether you’ve been in the business for years or are just starting out. Should you focus your efforts on blogging? Is it necessary to engage on LinkedIn? Would you benefit from reaching out to media outlets?

Michelle Calcote King has the answers to all of these questions, and more. As the Principal and President of Reputation Ink, a B2B and professional services marketing and public relations agency, Michelle has valuable expertise on everything from the early days of blog-mania to the modern trends of thought leadership. Now, she wants to share her advice with you. 

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge, Elise Holtzman sits down with Michelle Calcote King, the Principal and President of Reputation Ink, to talk about all things marketing and public relations. Michelle discusses the importance of consistent and ongoing thought leadership, her thoughts on PR in 2020 (hint: you should be doing it!), and her research on whether your marketing efforts should be prioritized or left on the backburner during times of crisis. Keep listening.

Many lawyers dismiss conferences as a drain on time and money. And frankly, they’re right—unless you know how to make the most of them. With the right approach, conferences can transform from missed opportunities into a cornerstone of your business development strategy.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge podcast, Elise Holtzman shares actionable insights on how to unlock the full potential of industry conferences. She provides a clear, step-by-step roadmap for maximizing every phase of the event, ensuring your efforts yield measurable results. Discover how to turn conference attendance into a powerful tool for rainmaking and client attraction.

WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE ABOUT GETTING THE MOST ROI FROM CONFERENCES

2:29 - Two primary reasons why conferences are worth attending from a business development perspective

5:46 - Some of the potential downsides to attending industry conferences and why it’s worth looking at this issue

7:53 - Intentional questions to ask yourself before going to your next conference so you can wring every bit of value possible out of attending

13:32 - How to create a timeline and take action before the conference (and how most approach this incorrectly)

18:28 - The importance of setting aside time to recharge (especially if you’re an introvert)

20:38 - Timeline creation and actions to consider taking during your next conference (including how to exit uncomfortable conversations gracefully)

23:03 - How to handle the aftermath of a conference and why people lose a tremendous amount of opportunity at this stage

26:14 - A consideration once you determine a conference is a good fit for you and a brief word about raising your profile at conferences

MENTIONED IN HOW TO GET THE MOST ROI FROM YOUR NEXT CONFERENCE

3 Essential Pillars of Business Development For Lawyers

Managing Partner Forum

John Remsen | Essential Characteristics of Effective Law Firm Leaders

Legal Marketing Association

Get Connected with The Coaching Team at hello@thelawyersedge.com

The Lawyer’s Edge

SPONSOR FOR THIS EPISODE…

Today’s episode is brought to you by the Ignite Women’s Business Development Accelerator, a 9-month business development program created BY women lawyers for women lawyers. Ignite is a carefully designed business development program containing content, coaching, and a community of like-minded women who are committed to becoming rainmakers AND supporting the retention and advancement of other women in the profession. 

Early Bird Registration is now underway for our 2025 Ignite cohorts. If you are interested in either participating in the program or sponsoring a woman in your firm to enroll, learn more about Ignite and sign up for our registration alerts by visiting www.thelawyersedge.com/ignite.

Pieter van der Hoeven is the Co-founder and CEO of Clocktimizer, a company that helps law firms streamline operations, improve firm-wide profitability, and build and scale pricing and legal project management teams. 

Pieter has a background as an attorney-at-law, working at firms including DLA Piper and KPN, both based in the Netherlands. During that time, he spent evenings pouring over data and spreadsheets to provide his clients with transparency, which prompted the desire to automate instead of manually transferring data. It wasn’t long before the idea to begin a business came to fruition.

Pieter van der Hoeven and his team at Clocktimizer help law firms and the people within them streamline operations and improve firm-wide profitability. They can do this by optimizing data-driven technology to improve efficiency without all the messy work so you can concentrate on what matters most — the client.

In this episode…

Are you in a law firm that hasn’t implemented any technology and feels that you’re falling behind? How can software improve client relationships? What technology is out there that can help lawyers with any legal service? Pieter van der Hoeven can tell you.

Pieter van der Hoeven is the Co-founder and CEO of Clocktimizer, providing lawyers with data-driven solutions to budgeting, pricing, operations, and more. As a previous attorney and M&A lawyer, Pieter knows the changing landscape of the legal industry. It’s no secret that technology is booming in law, and Pieter is here to tell you how to implement it into any firm.

On this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge, Elise Holtzman has a conversation with Co-founder and CEO of Clocktimizer, Pieter van der Hoeven, about technology in the legal field. They discuss how to adopt technology into law firms, what software can do to streamline law, the intersection between technology and relationships, and much more. You won’t want to miss this jam-packed episode!

Domenic Romano is the Managing Partner of Romano Law PLLC, a modern transactional and litigation law practice focused on business, disputes, employment, media, and sports and entertainment law. He is also the Founding Member of the Business Lawyers Group, the Managing Lawyers Group, and the Entertainment Lawyers Group, all diverse networks of seasoned attorneys. Before founding Romano Law, Domenic was a Corporate Lawyer at Jones Day and Brown Raysman Millstein Felder & Steiner, LLP, where he focused on business transactions for private and public companies.

As a legal commentator, Domenic has been featured in major news outlets, including NBC, CBS, CNN, and Fox Business News. He has also been quoted in The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Independent, TIME, and Entertainment Weekly. Domenic has been named to the New York Metro Super Lawyers list consecutively since 2015. In 2022, he was awarded Martindale-Hubbell’s AV Preeminent Rating, ranking at the highest level of professional excellence for his legal expertise, communication skills, and ethical standards. 

As an experienced corporate lawyer and entertainment attorney, Domenic advises clients on business structuring, divorce, purchases and sales, litigation, employment disputes, licensing, film finance, and complex contract negotiation. By providing legal advice as an entrepreneur, he helps other entrepreneurs scale their businesses and guides creative professionals to advance their careers. 

In this episode…

In law school, lawyers are taught to eliminate risk and restrain any entrepreneurial impulses. Consequently, many attorneys struggle to manage their businesses and overlook profitable opportunities. How can you transition from a lawyer to an entrepreneur to power your firm?

As a seasoned attorney and entrepreneur, Domenic Romano helps lawyers relinquish traditional law firm practices and implement processes to scale their firms. Rather than focusing exclusively on billable hours and client acquisitions, Domenic says to build, retain, and scale a team of A-players by identifying their motivations and investing in their professional development. It’s also critical to set expectations with clients regarding prompt payments and contractual agreements. When you gain the respect of your team and clients, you can manage your firm effectively. 

In today’s episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman invites Domenic Romano, Managing Partner of Romano Law, to discuss how he began managing his law firm with an entrepreneurial mindset. Domenic shares how to transition from a lawyer to a law firm owner, strategies for managing and scaling a law firm, and expert advice for lawyers turned entrepreneurs. 

Joshua Wurtzel is a commercial and real estate litigation partner at Schlam Stone & Dolan LLP, a Manhattan boutique law firm that represents businesses, non-profits, and individuals in complex and corporate matters. He has successfully represented public and private companies and prominent individuals in both federal and state court. With his focus on aggressive litigation and his ability to develop creative and novel solutions to complex disputes, he brings a unique, out-of-the-box perspective to his clients’ most pressing legal needs.

Before joining Schlam Stone & Dolan, Josh was an associate at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in its Securities Litigation and Corporate Governance group. He also previously worked as an intern for the Honorable Kiyo A. Matsumoto of the Eastern District of New York. He’s a regular contributor to several legal publications (such as the New York Law Journal) and lectures on cutting-edge legal issues in the commercial real estate sector.

WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE ABOUT HOW TO GET STARTED AS A RAINMAKER - AND SUCCEED!

Bringing new clients into a law firm not only drives a law firm’s growth, but can also provide you with greater professional autonomy and an increased ability to call the shots in your own career. Despite the clear benefits to becoming a consistent business developer, many lawyers don’t pursue business development success or struggle to achieve it.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge podcast, Elise Holtzman sits down with Joshua Wurtzel, a commercial and real estate litigation partner at Schlam Stone & Dolan LLP, to discuss his experience with building a book of business. Josh shares the challenges he faced on his journey to becoming a rainmaker and explains how networking and coaching have been instrumental in refining his approach to business development, team-building, and client relationships.

2:50 - Why Josh decided to start building his book of business and the early challenges and successes he encountered

6:22 - The impact of developing his book of business on Josh’s approach to client relationships

9:18 - How Josh landed his first clients and honed his networking skills

11:42 - The importance of building trust over time and different strategies for developing lasting relationships

15:22 - The business development challenges that Josh continues to focus on overcoming

18:23 - How Josh has adapted his business development strategies over time and why he prioritizes business development

25:02 - How Josh maintains the momentum of his business development efforts when immediate results don’t materialize

28:07 - The importance of building a team to support business development and manage client relationships

33:59 - Advice for associates, counsel, and junior partners looking to start building their own book of business and advance in their careers

38:29 - The role of self-confidence and belief in your success as a lawyer and aspiring rainmaker

MENTIONED IN HOW TO GET STARTED AS A RAINMAKER - AND SUCCEED!

Schlam Stone & Dolan LLP | Joshua’s Profile

Joshua Wurtzel on LinkedIn

Joshua Wurtzel on Instagram

Business Networking International (BNI)

USA 500 Clubs

Get Connected with The Coaching Team at hello@thelawyersedge.com

The Lawyer’s Edge

SPONSOR FOR THIS EPISODE…

Today’s episode is brought to you by the Ignite Women’s Business Development Accelerator, a 9-month business development program created BY women lawyers for women lawyers. Ignite is a carefully designed business development program containing content, coaching, and a community of like-minded women who are committed to becoming rainmakers AND supporting the retention and advancement of other women in the profession. 

Early Bird Registration will be opening this fall for our 2025 Ignite cohorts. If you are interested in either participating in the program or sponsoring a woman in your firm to enroll, learn more about Ignite and sign up for our registration alerts by visiting www.thelawyersedge.com/ignite.

Barnaby Merrill is an Editor for The Legal 500, one of the world’s leading legal directories, which annually updates its comprehensive research to provide insights into the global legal market. The publication assesses the strength of law firms in more than 150 jurisdictions. As editor of The Legal 500’s US-related content, Barnaby is responsible for the annual rankings of more than 300 US law firms across various practice areas. 

He joined The Legal 500 after receiving a BA in history and politics and a Masters in US foreign policy. With experience in writing, interviewing, and research, Barnaby has conducted research for several Legal 500 guides and contributed to its magazine as a writer. He also hosts The Legal 500 Podcast, where he interviews lawyers and law professionals about key issues, including social mobility and ESG. 

Barnaby, an active participant in the coverage of the US legal market, analyzes long-term law firm strategies. The primary focus of his work is to assess the 15-year success rate of top firms. His research and expertise enable him to provide valuable insights into the trends and patterns that shape the US legal market. Through his work, Barnaby contributes significantly to understanding the strategies that lead to long-term success in the legal industry. 

In this episode…

Amid economic volatility, clients spend less, and law firms try to maintain profitability while adapting to emerging trends and demands. As the industry focuses on technology investments and developing ESG principles and internal culture, it may seem difficult to prioritize these initiatives. How can you ensure the ongoing success of your law firm well into the future?

With a deep understanding of the US legal market, Barnaby Merrill notes that leading law firms forecast and analyze overall market trends to develop long-term strategies. Rather than observing adjacent law firms in your sector, it’s wise to assess the larger business community for client needs, emerging work styles, and culture integrations. To remain successful over the next 15 years, you must listen to clients, legal talent, and the legal and business market to establish a robust culture and future-proof your firm.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman chats with Barnaby Merrill, Editor for The Legal 500 United States, about how to assess and drive law firm success. Barnaby explains how The Legal 500 assesses law firm efficacy, how to select qualified law firm leaders, and strategies for addressing client demands. 

Stephanie Scharf is the Founding Partner of Scharf Banks Marmor LLC, a nationally prominent women-owned law firm that represents corporate clients across a range of litigation and corporate matters. Stephanie is also a Founding Principal of The Red Bee Group, a consulting firm that helps businesses, organizations, and law firms achieve their growth goals. 

Stephanie was the Chair of the American Bar Association’s Commission on Women in the Profession from 2017 to 2020 and was the 2015-2016 Advisor to the American Bar Association’s Presidential Commission on Diversity and Inclusion 360. She has over 30 years of experience in complex litigation. Previously, she was a Partner at Jenner & Block and a Partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP.  

Stephanie has published innovative research on topics such as the success of law firms in retaining and advancing lawyers, attributes of effective leadership, and strategies for growth and talent development. She understands the importance of data and how it can help law firms be an advocate for change, diversify their workforce, and achieve the concrete goals of their entire team. 

In this episode…

How can you initiate change in your law firm? Why is sponsorship important for both leaders and growing lawyers? What role does data play in achieving your firm’s goals? Stephanie Scharf is here to share her insight into these difficult questions.

As an industry thought leader with more than 30 years of experience in law, Stephanie understands the need for change — and the tools law firms can use to initiate change. Amidst the many moving parts of a law firm, one thing is for sure: if you are expecting change, you need to measure it. In her many years of research, Stephanie has discovered that data and metrics are major components of change. But the process doesn’t have to be complicated. Shape your goals around the needs of the team, craft a strategy to achieve them, and measure your progress each step of the way to decide what works.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman is joined by Stephanie Scharf, Founding Partner of Scharf Banks Marmor LLC and Principal of The Red Bee Group. Stephanie shares insight into her research, discusses strategies to create change in your law firm, and talks about the importance of measuring data and metrics to reach your goals. She also explains how sponsorship is mutually beneficial — and why every lawyer should have a sponsor. 

Morris Tabush is a community activist, tech hobbyist, and serial entrepreneur. Growing up passionate about technology and helping others, he turned that passion into a business in 2000 by founding the Tabush Group with a mission to simplify IT for businesses. He oversees all aspects of the firm’s business and focuses on delivering outstanding service to clients.

Darragh Fitzpatrick was born in Limerick, Ireland. As a teenager, he aspired to help business owners solve their issues more efficiently. He earned his BSC in computer science, worked in IT for over 20 years, and focused on understanding the business value of technology, particularly for small businesses.

A chance meeting with Morris led to their partnership at Tabush Group, where Darragh serves as its executive vice president. Together, they built the company on the principle of providing IT solutions that align with clients’ values and business needs.

WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE ABOUT LAW FIRM TECHNOLOGY OVERLOAD

In today’s rapidly evolving legal landscape, the adoption of technology is no longer a choice, but a necessity for law firms striving to stay competitive. However, the abundance of available tools can make it difficult to choose the right technology without compromising your firm’s culture or client relationships. Navigating this complex landscape requires a thoughtful approach that balances innovation with the core values of your practice.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge podcast, Elise Holtzman hosts Morris Tabush, Founder of the Tabush Group, and Darragh Fitzpatrick, Executive Vice President, to discuss the critical technological issues legal organizations face. Together, they explore the foundational technologies that every firm should implement, analyze the trends that are reshaping the industry, and consider the impact of AI on the future of legal practice.

2:11 - How Tabush Group provides IT solutions for businesses and the technology trends they see in the legal industry right now

7:50 - The appetite in the legal community for implementing what’s technologically available for better decision-making purposes

11:32 - Essential systems law firms need in order to have a solid technological foundation and cybersecurity considerations for your organization

16:40 - What the next level looks like for a law firm leader who has all the foundational tools in place

23:13 - Why you shouldn’t be worried about the cloud and the AI bubble we’re living in right now

27:56 - What firms are currently using AI for and the next step to using AI in legal organizations

32:03 - Upcoming technology that’s going to help law firms do more with less

37:32 - Final pieces of advice from Darragh and Morris that people in law firms need to hear

MENTIONED IN FINDING CLARITY AMIDST LAW FIRM TECHNOLOGY OVERLOAD

Tabush Group

Morris Tabush on LinkedIn

Darragh Fitzpatrick on LinkedIn

Get Connected with The Coaching Team at hello@thelawyersedge.com

The Lawyer’s Edge

SPONSOR FOR THIS EPISODE…

Today’s episode is brought to you by the coaching team at The Lawyer’s Edge, a training and coaching firm which has been focused exclusively on lawyers and law firms since 2008. 

Each member of The Lawyer’s Edge coaching team is a trained, certified, and experienced professional coach AND either a former practicing attorney or a former law firm marketing and business development professional. Whatever your professional objectives, our coaches can help you achieve your goals more quickly, more easily, and with significantly less stress. 

To get connected with YOUR coach, just email the team at hello@thelawyersedge.com.

Kori Carew is the Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer at Seyfarth, an international Am Law 100 firm with more than 900 attorneys. In this role, she leads efforts to expand the firm’s culture of inclusion and advance diversity within their partnership. 

Using advocacy and organizational strategy to address structural barriers to diversity in the workplace, Kori brings an incisive voice, unapologetic questioning of the status quo, and a lifelong fascination with human potential to her work. She's a nationally sought-after speaker on topics of diversity, inclusion, belonging, inclusive leadership, talent engagement and development, authenticity, and leveraging power. On top of that, Kori is a self-described disrupter, womanist, and social justice advocate. 

Kori has a powerful TEDx Talk, “Just Belonging: Finding the Courage to Interrupt Bias.” According to Kori, the path to racial healing, justice, diversity, and inclusion requires courage. And choosing courage to create belonging is not an easy task — it’s a practice and process. 

In this episode…

A firm’s team is likely comprised of people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, races, genders, and classes. But we often fail to recognize that the differences between people don’t necessarily indicate different needs — it just means that the way we create a sense of inclusion might be different. So, as a leader, how do you create an inclusive environment? 

Kori Carew says that inclusive leadership requires courageous conversations. It calls upon leaders to be in a constant state of curiosity and learning, understanding that we won’t always know everything and we’ll often make mistakes. Inclusive leadership is also about being vulnerable, listening to your people, and seeking to understand their perspectives. By choosing courage over comfort, leaders can address obstacles and create high-performing, well-cared-for teams.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman is joined by Kori Carew, the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Seyfarth, to talk about having courageous conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion. Kori discusses the trends and challenges she sees in the space, the important traits of inclusive leadership, and why it’s crucial to have conversations about race, differences, and inclusion. 

Nir Yerushalmi is the Founder and Co-managing Partner at Precise, the leading financial management and control service provider for architectural and engineering firms and law firms. Precise has 300 employees, operates in four countries, and works with 70 law firms around the world. For over 25 years, Nir has established Precise as a lifelong financial partner, as demonstrated by its 98% customer loyalty rate and a range of in-sourcing, out-sourcing, and consulting options available to suit any company.

As the company’s Founder and Co-managing Partner, Nir is responsible for its business development, standards, culture, and service-oriented approach. With a wealth of legal, leadership, and financial experience, he understands how to optimize company operations, increase business performance, and enhance decision-making.

After observing his employees and customers struggling with inefficient business processes, Nir developed Lawyal, a cloud-based platform that offers an effortless and stress-free billing process to empower legal and financial departments for success. As the platform’s Founder and CEO, he has pioneered change in law firms’ management processes by leveraging optimized methods and advanced technological tools to drive results.

In this episode…

As a law firm, managing your finances is critical in maximizing profitability, optimizing productivity, and delivering value to clients. But, many firms lack the appropriate methods to manage statements and work-in-progress (WIP), ultimately inhibiting effective decision-making. So, what strategies can you leverage to increase revenue and streamline operations for your law firm?

Having worked with 70 law firms to organize their finances, Nir Yerushalmi knows how to manage law partners and solve firms’ most pressing financial challenges. He says that to make informed financial decisions, you should first evaluate four KPIs (key performance indicators): revenue per lawyer, income per hour, hours per associate, and revenue per potential revenue. Analyzing these metrics allows you to gauge your profit margin and establish a clear budget. With a wealth of leadership skills, Nir emphasizes the importance of compiling monthly reports to inform partners and associates of important KPIs, ideal budgets, expenses, and profitability rates.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman interviews Nir Yerushalmi, Founder and Co-managing Partner of Precise, about how to raise revenue through effective decision-making. Nir shares the common operational challenges law firms face, how billing chain management generates profit losses, and tips for managing finances and increasing revenue.

Erin Higgins is a Litigation Partner at Conn Kavanaugh, a Boston-based law firm representing individuals, families, and organizations in litigation, tort defense, construction, estate planning, family law, and professional liability. In her role, she oversees the firm’s operations and manages the growth of its practice areas and professionals. As a civil trial lawyer with 30 years of experience, Erin represents lawyers, insurance agents and brokers, and other professionals in defending against errors and omissions claims. 

Having served a four-year term on the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers, she advises and represents lawyers on ethical issues and disciplinary matters. Erin speaks routinely on professional liability and ethics topics and wrote a regular column on ethics for Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. She also handles business litigation and insurance coverage issues and defends manufacturers against product liability claims. As an experienced appellate advocate, Erin has argued before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. 

Erin understands the importance of reputation for lawyers and professionals and works on resolutions to protect that element. She is invested in her attorneys’ development and success and focuses on creating strategies to attract and retain talent for the firm. 

In this episode…

Many law firm leaders are concerned about lawyer attrition and wonder how to create an environment that promotes loyalty and career longevity. Loss of legal talent can impact a firm’s bottom line and negatively impact clients and other law firm team members. How can you adapt to a generational shift in lawyers’ needs and wants so you can attract and retain the best talent?

While most law firms rely on consistent, diligent attorneys working fixed hours, seasoned litigation partner Erin Higgins says you can provide accommodating hybrid work environments to mitigate attrition. She also maintains the value of building an intellectually stimulating culture that delivers purposeful services. This involves supporting associates' professional development through outside training opportunities, mentoring, and sponsorship programs, encouraging them to pursue their passions. Establishing and managing expectations is also crucial to ensure lawyers can acquire experience through the appropriate channels.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman is joined by Erin Higgins, Litigation Partner at Conn Kavanaugh, to discuss how to retain top associates at your firm. Erin explains the value of DEI efforts, how legal industry trends impact talent attraction and retention, and how to identify and address mental health challenges among attorneys.

Anca Munteanu is the Marketing Director at Moses & Singer LLP, a firm that provides legal services to prominent companies, individuals, and families. In this role, Anca is responsible for overseeing all aspects of marketing and business development.

Anca has a long successful track record of driving growth and building a corporate brand, with expertise in strategic marketing, niche and industry marketing, marketing training for professionals, among many other areas. Before joining Moses & Singer, Anca was a Marketing Director for NRI, Citrin Cooperman, Mahoney Cohen & Company, and Lazar Levine & Felix LLP. 

Not even her 25 years of industry experience could prepare Anca for what would happen in 2020: the global pandemic. On top of that, Anca encountered severe health issues that heavily impacted her work and personal life. However, she turned these misfortunes around to shift her priorities, strengthen relationships, and put health first.

In this episode…

Across the globe, people have seen their work-life change due to the pandemic. But are these changes permanent? And how do you seek out the good when catastrophe strikes? 

For Anca Munteanu, it’s all about strengthening relationships, putting self-care first, and using passion to drive your work. In addition to the shock of a global pandemic, Anca had to undergo brain surgery at the beginning of 2020. This event forced her to reflect and shift her priorities. Instead of overworking herself, Anca found that it benefitted everyone (clients included) to implement a more wellness-centered work-life balance. Her advice to lawyers? Don’t put off the health of yourself, your clients, and your business when a crisis hits — use it to deepen the connection of your network and lift each other up.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman is joined by Anca Munteanu, the Marketing Director at Moses & Singer, to talk about turning crisis into opportunity. Anca shares her personal story of turning a health scare into powerful personal development, how to continue developing amidst the pandemic, and the value of integrating wellness practices into your daily life. 

Molly Kremer is a certified life coach and former Biglaw litigator. As a high-achieving lawyer for 16 years, she made mistakes in how she approached billing her time which resulted in unintended and unsatisfactory outcomes. When she pursued her life coaching certification in 2021, she started understanding the real reasons behind her unhelpful billing practices and retrained herself to bill more consistently and contemporaneously.

Now as a billing coach, Molly helps attorneys go from stressfully struggling with their billing (and hating the process) to finally solving all of their unhelpful billing habits. Through her proven models and strategies, her clients effortlessly keep track of their hours and earn more money while reducing stress and anxiety.

WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE ABOUT HOW TO STOP LOSING BILLABLE TIME!

It’s the end of the month, and you haven’t billed your time. You can’t remember which case or client you worked on and for how long, and you are feeling all kinds of anxious and perhaps even working overtime to make up for untracked time. 

For many lawyers, this isn’t a hypothetical scenario, it’s a recurring nightmare. The billing struggle is real, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck in this cycle forever.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge podcast, Elise Holtzman speaks with Molly Kremer, a former Biglaw litigator turned life and billing coach, about how to capture and count more of your billable time, so you can increase your earnings, reclaim your time, and build confidence in your practice. Molly shares why so many attorneys develop unhelpful billing habits, the most common struggles lawyers face, and how shifting your approach to billing can impact both your productivity and your peace of mind. She also offers practical strategies to help you get off the billing struggle bus for good.

2:18 – What inspired Molly to transition from litigator to billing coach for attorneys

6:24 – The most common billing struggles lawyers face—and why they persist

12:12 – How Molly helps attorneys uncover hidden reasons behind their billing challenges and create lasting change

16:02 – The role of mindset and self-discipline in achieving billing success

22:40 – The long-term benefits Molly has seen in attorneys who have transformed their billing habits

25:32 – A simple but crucial reminder from Molly that every lawyer needs to hear

MENTIONED IN A GUIDE TO HIGHER HOURS AND LOWER STRESS

Molly Kremer | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

Get Connected with The Coaching Team at hello@thelawyersedge.com

The Lawyer’s Edge

SPONSOR FOR THIS EPISODE…

Today’s episode is brought to you by the Ignite Women’s Business Development Accelerator, a 9-month business development program created BY women lawyers for women lawyers. Ignite is a carefully designed business development program containing content, coaching, and a community of like-minded women who are committed to becoming rainmakers AND supporting the retention and advancement of other women in the profession. 

Early Bird Registration is now underway for our 2025 Ignite cohorts. If you are interested in either participating in the program or sponsoring a woman in your firm to enroll, learn more about Ignite and sign up for our registration alerts by visiting www.thelawyersedge.com/ignite.

Business development can often feel daunting. Even lawyers who recognize its importance frequently grapple with where to begin and how to execute effectively. Without a well-defined strategy, it’s easy to become overwhelmed, discouraged, and ultimately disengage from the process.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge podcast, Elise Holtzman breaks down the process with her 3 Pillars of Business Development—a proven, straightforward framework that gives attorneys the clarity, tools, and focus necessary to build a thriving book of business. By applying these pillars, you'll be able to channel your time and energy into high-impact activities, making business development less intimidating and far more rewarding.

Tune in to discover how you can make BD a manageable and achievable part of your practice—and start seeing the results you’ve been aiming for.

This is an episode you won’t want to miss!

WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE ABOUT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FOR LAWYERS

1:48 - Four reasons why I developed the three pillars of business development success and a quick rundown of what they are

10:30 - How to actively nurture and grow relationships with clients and prospects

13:12 - How to establish credibility and position yourself as an authority in your field

16:58 - The three Ts of leadership advancement and how they contribute to effective business development in legal

23:29 - How to use the pillars to grow and advance into a consistent business developer or rainmaker for your law firm

28:30 - The curse of knowledge about business development I have that I want to share with you

MENTIONED IN 3 ESSENTIAL PILLARS OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FOR LAWYERS

Myers-Brigg | TypeCoach Verifier

“How to Cultivate a Business Development Mindset”

Get Connected with The Coaching Team at hello@thelawyersedge.com

The Lawyer’s Edge

SPONSOR FOR THIS EPISODE…

Today’s episode is brought to you by the coaching team at The Lawyer’s Edge, a training and coaching firm which has been focused exclusively on lawyers and law firms since 2008. 

Each member of The Lawyer’s Edge coaching team is a trained, certified, and experienced professional coach AND either a former practicing attorney or a former law firm marketing and business development professional. Whatever your professional objectives, our coaches can help you achieve your goals more quickly, more easily, and with significantly less stress. 

To get connected with YOUR coach, just email the team at hello@thelawyersedge.com.

Steve Fretzin is the President of Fretzin, Inc., where he provides legal business development services for attorneys. With over 20 years of coaching experience, Steve works with lawyers in all practice areas, ranging from startups to attorneys at large firms amassing over $6 million in billable hours annually. As a best-selling author and the host of the Be That Lawyer podcast, he has been featured in the Chicago Tribune and Entrepreneur.com and has appeared on NBC News and WGN Radio. 

Steve has authored four books on legal business development and written articles for the Attorney at Law magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association. Focusing exclusively on advancing lawyers’ business development skills, he offers two programs: an MBA-level coaching and training session on business development and a peer advisory roundtable for experienced attorneys looking to further their success.

Steve collaborates directly with lawyers to create custom plans that deliver tangible results based on their specific business goals. His methods help attorneys develop a more successful law practice, and he shows them how to turn contacts into clients.

In this episode…

Most lawyers aren't well-versed in the art of sales, which can hinder their firms' growth potential. They join associations to develop connections but can become uncomfortable when faced with soliciting clients and partnerships. How can you obtain the most value from these opportunities and acquire new clients to grow your practice?

Although not a practicing attorney, Steve Fretzin has spent his entire career coaching attorneys on networking, client acquisition, and business development. He encourages lawyers to shift their approach and target their ideal audience. This includes engaging with prospective clients, referral sources, and circles of influence to build trust and likeability. But true business growth occurs when you convert associates and friends into clients. Steve suggests listening to and understanding your prospects' needs and demonstrating authority to establish relationships.

Join Elise Holtzman in this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast as she interviews Steve Fretzin, the President of Fretzin, Inc., about turning friends into law firm clients. Steve shares the most recent business development trends in the legal industry, how to influence buying decisions, and how to avoid discomfort when asking clients for referrals. 

Lori Marks-Esterman is a commercial litigator and the Chair of the Litigation Practice Group at Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP. Lori has more than 20 years of expertise in litigating complex commercial disputes and has substantial trial experience in New York’s commercial divisions and the Delaware Chancery Court. She represents a wide range of clients, including hedge funds and private equity companies, shareholder activists, and real estate developers. Her practice emphasizes corporate governance disputes, mergers and acquisitions litigation, director and officer liability, and more. 

Lori is a Fellow of Litigation Counsel of America, an invitation-only trial lawyer honorary society. She was named in Notable Women in Law by Crain’s New York Business, and frequently appears in the New York Super Lawyers list.

In this episode…

How do you move up the leadership ladder at your firm? Do you jump at any opportunity presented to you at the drop of a hat? Or do you hang back and wait until someone approaches you personally with an offer?

According to Lori Marks-Esterman, Chair of the Litigation Practice Group at Olshan Frome Wolosky, you’re doing your career—and yourself—a disservice if you’re doing the latter. In her 20 years as a seasoned trial attorney, she has progressed from Litigator to Partner, and she did this successfully despite being in contradiction to senior professionals. What made her so successful in navigating her way through a cut-throat business and profession?

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge, Elise Holtzman interviews Lori Marks-Esterman, Chair of Litigation Practice Group at Olshan Frome Wolosky, about her strategies for progressing to a leadership role at her firm—and how you can do the same in yours. Lori also discusses whether women approach leadership differently, the biggest and most common obstacles between you and career advancement, and why she believes it’s okay to ask questions as long as you come prepared before you approach anyone with them.

Anushree Bagrodia is a Vice President for Mastercard and the Lead Lawyer for Mastercard’s Legal Transformation department. She leads a global cross-functional team to identify and implement contract processes, technology, system efficiency, and transformation. Anushree has held several roles for Mastercard between New York and London and has also worked in mergers and acquisitions and commercial transactions at Sidley Austin’s London office.

In addition to her work as Vice President, Anushree has volunteered her time as Chair of the Mastercard UK Women Leadership Network. She is currently an active member of the Asian American Bar Association of New York and sits on the Finance Committee of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD).

In this episode…

How did you decide on your career path? Did you seek out advice from a trusted mentor? Maybe you knew someone who was also a lawyer and felt an attraction to the field? Or, did you simply say “yes” to every opportunity that presented itself to you?

Anushree Bagrodia has traveled far and wide throughout her career, handling different roles at each turn. Her work has taken her from India to London, and then to New York—and while she admits that there was a fair bit of risk-taking involved in her decision-making, she also believes that there was another element at play each time she met a fork in the road: intention. 

Listen to this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge as Elise Holtzman is joined by Anushree Bagrodia, Vice President and Lead of Legal Transformation at Mastercard, to talk about making deliberate moves for your career. They discuss Anushree’s role at Mastercard, how she ended up where she is today, and the mentor who helped her along the way. Plus, they chat about current legal industry trends and Anushree’s curse of knowledge. Stay tuned.

Ben Lieber is the Founder and Managing Partner of Potomac Law Group, an all-remote national law firm with an innovative approach to law firm management and technology. Ben has wide-ranging experience in both business and law, having practiced as a Strategy Consultant at McKinsey & Company, a Tax Attorney at Covington & Burling, and General Counsel of several private companies before founding Potomac Law Group in 2011. 

Ben received his bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Cornell University and his J.D. from Georgetown University, where he was a member of the Georgetown Law Journal.

In this episode…

With the pandemic forcing many industries to change the way they work, the legal industry has had to scramble to find ways to continue providing clients with quality service and representation from their own homes. For many law firms, learning how to operate in a virtual world has been a new and challenging obstacle in 2020. 

However, this isn’t all that new for some: Ben Lieber created a firm with a virtual model before COVID-19 ever happened—10 years before, to be exact. So, what is Ben’s advice to law firm leaders and attorneys who are currently faced with the challenge of transitioning to remote work?

Elise Holtzman is joined by Ben Lieber, the Founder and Managing Partner of Potomac Law Group, in this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge. Together, they discuss the legal industry’s current transition to remote work and what inspired Ben to shift to a virtual workplace almost 10 years ago. Ben also talks about the role technology has played in his law firm’s success and the lessons he has learned along the way. Keep listening!

Stephanie Grober is the Content and Public Relations Manager for Horowitz Agency, a marketing and public relations firm that works exclusively with corporate and entertainment law, financial and production firms, and select individuals across the US and Canada. 

Stephanie has been in the digital marketing and communications space for nearly 10 years. She joined Horowitz Agency in 2021 after serving as the Marketing Communications Manager for a top 50 accounting firm in New York City. 

Working with law firm clients ranging from big law to boutique, Stephanie and the Horowitz team design and execute content and communication strategies that generate measurable bottom-line growth. Stephanie also delivers high-quality earned media placements for clients by leveraging deep relationships with the press. She knows that becoming a leading authority in your field requires more than keeping your head down and grinding out the work. To boost your profile, it’s crucial to get clear on your content strategy, take on new marketing and PR opportunities, and get your name out there.  

In this episode…

Every lawyer wants to get in front of prospective clients and referral partners and generate more revenue for the firm. To do so, you must become a recognized name and ensure you aren’t a best-kept secret. So what are the top strategies to showcase your expertise and grow your business? 

Stephanie Grober distinguishes content and PR strategy as valuable tools to increase revenue and become a recognized thought leader. From written content and press appearances to awards and nominations, lawyers can build content and PR strategies that cater to their unique skills, time commitments, and audiences. The key is to share content regularly. Content marketing isn’t just a one-and-done approach — you build momentum over time by seeking out new opportunities. 

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman is joined by Stephanie Grober, Content and Public Relations Manager for Horowitz Agency, to talk about the best strategies to develop content and PR initiatives. Stephanie discusses the different aspects of content strategy that generate awareness, tips to develop and repurpose content within a busy schedule, and how to overcome common content creation challenges. 

William (Bill) Barrett is the CEO and Partner of Mandelbaum Barrett PC, which represents clients in all aspects of real estate, including transactions, leasing and land use, and business litigation. He has over 20 years of experience representing diverse businesses, specializing in mergers and acquisitions. Bill also serves as outside general corporate counsel to clients, advising them on issues concerning contracts, employment law compliance, and business succession and related tax planning.

As an authority in the healthcare space, Bill is recognized nationally as a transactional lawyer in dental and medical practice transitions, practice sales and purchases, and the structuring of dental and management services organizations. He is the author of Pain Free Dental Deals and The DSO Decision. Bill has also written many articles addressing licensed professionals and facilities’ legal and business needs and regularly speaks on various topics at professional trade shows and dental and medical schools. His expertise makes him well-versed in the rules and regulations governing the healthcare industry.

With a reputation as a deal maker, Bill is known for the personal attention he provides clients and his energetic and creative approach to transactions. This has allowed him to manage the purchase or sale of hundreds of businesses, professional practices, and facilities. Bill’s personalized approach to client relationships helps him cultivate a world-class team of experienced attorneys.

In this episode…

Many law firms focus on profitability and productivity and neglect culture and client experiences. But with succession planning and attorney attraction and retention top priorities for many firms, developing a scalable strategy for long-term prosperity is crucial. How can your firm benefit by nurturing client relationships and creating an atmosphere that attracts and retains top talent? 

Business transaction and law firm culture strategist Bill Barrett says the key to a prosperous firm is the relationships between the clients and their attorneys. Clients who have an enjoyable experience keep coming back, the law firm grows, and you retain productive and satisfied top attorneys who can advance their careers within your firm. This starts by fostering a culture that attracts, supports, respects, and adequately compensates legal talent. When you have attorneys who develop their skills to cultivate transparent client communications and relationships, your firm will thrive.

Join Elise Holtzman in this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast as she interviews William (Bill) Barrett, Partner and CEO of Mandelbaum Barrett, about attracting and retaining top legal talent. Bill shares how to leverage feedback to boost relationships, fostering opportunities for associate attorneys, and the value of kindness for employee attraction and retention. 

Rob Kates is the Executive Producer at Kates Media, a video production company creating videos for lawyers, law firms, health care education, professional speakers, consultants, trainers, and professional service companies. With over 20 years of video production experience, Kates Media has produced various media forms, including web videos, TV commercials, and indie films. The company’s work has appeared in online publications like the Legal Intelligencer and the ABA Journal. 

Rob’s 30 years of experience in print, film, television, and commercial production allows him to create high-quality and valuable content for businesses and professionals. As a media and video steering and technology committee volunteer at the Legal Marketing Association, he advises lawyers and law firms on using video content to increase visibility and revenue. 

In this episode…

Video has become more prominent than ever. From video streaming platforms and internet content to large-screen TVs in living rooms and lobbies, this digital medium is surpassing other marketing channels. While lawyers can be slow to adopt new technology, many are posting videos to their social media pages. How can you leverage video to market your law firm?

With deep expertise in video production for lawyers and law firms, Rob Kates has observed a significant surge in video content among these professionals. Video generates client engagement and drives traffic to your website at higher rates than written content. You can shoot scripted videos or record live speaking engagements and repurpose them as short-form thought leadership content on your social media pages. Analyzing video engagement through likes, comments, and shares allows you to measure and boost ROI.

In today’s episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman invites Rob Kates, the Executive Producer at Kates Media, to share video marketing advice for lawyers and law firms. Rob explains the benefits of this medium, the most effective video forms for law firms, and how to identify and select a video production company. 

Mariana Loose is the Chief Marketing Officer at Alston & Bird Law Firm. The firm develops, nurtures, and assembles the strongest legal talent to meet client needs in an ever-changing and fast-paced environment. Alston & Bird has been recognized as one of the nation’s top law firms in the 2023 edition of U.S. News Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms.”

As Alston & Bird’s Chief Marketing Officer, Mariana leads the strategy and execution of the firm’s marketing, branding, and business development initiatives. She manages a team responsible for client service initiatives, business development coaching and training, digital and traditional marketing, communications, and public relations. These responsibilities allow her to analyze market trends and conduct intelligence to identify new business opportunities.

With over 20 years of experience as a marketing and business development executive, Mariana is skilled in developing client relationships, increasing brand awareness, and delivering results. She holds an MBA in international business and marketing, allowing her to apply academic concepts to formulate and execute successful marketing and business development strategies for law firms.

In this episode…

Marketing and business development (BD) are integral to a law firm's growth. Yet, many firms lack an adequate understanding of these components and, as a result, separate their marketing and BD departments, leading to siloed strategies. So, how can you leverage these teams to achieve long-term growth inside your firm?

As an accomplished marketing and business development executive, Mariana Loose understands how to identify growth opportunities for law firms. She proposes partnering with marketing and BD teams to communicate ideas and establish crucial business goals to focus your efforts. Once you’ve developed effective marketing and BD plans for your firm, these departments can help you locate networking and development resources to support your initiatives.

In today’s episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman chats with Mariana Loose, Chief Marketing Officer at Alston & Bird Law Firm, about developing relationships with marketing and BD teams to grow law firms. Mariana discusses the difference between these functions, the role of communications professionals in law firms, and advice for partnering with BD and marketing professionals to achieve business goals.

Stefanie Marrone is the Fractional Marketing Director of Social Media and Marketing and Business Development Strategist at The Social Media Butterfly. In these roles, she helps law firms, individual lawyers, accounting and recruiting firms, and other business professionals build their brands and generate revenue.       

As an outsourced Chief Marketing Officer and Social Media Consultant, Stefanie helps small and mid-sized law firms find their unique voices and tell their story. Her expertise derives from previous work at some of the most prominent law firms in the world, where she developed and executed internal and external communication strategies, including media relations, branding, multi-channel content, marketing, and thought leadership campaigns.

Stefanie believes that many law firms are only scratching the surface of content marketing and social media. From her 20-year legal marketing career, she knows how both big and small law firms operate — and how they can improve strategies to get things done efficiently. She has particular experience in helping companies effectively utilize social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for business development, revenue generation, and visibility. 

In this episode…

Compared to big law firms, small and mid-sized firms have fewer resources, deals, staff, and matters to write about for awards. So, as a smaller law firm, how can you effectively market yourself and compete with the big firms — even when you have fewer in-house experts and resources? 

Social media and marketing expert Stefanie Marrone says you need to get creative and strategic. Think about your goals as a lawyer or a law firm and shape your strategy around that. You don’t need to be a content machine and post daily on all social channels, but you do need to put your name out there. To elevate your brand visibility, it’s important to find where your clients are, start building your profile, and cultivate your network.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman is in conversation with Stefanie Marrone, Fractional Marketing Director of Social Media and Marketing and Business Development Strategist at The Social Media Butterfly. Stefanie discusses how small and mid-sized law firms can best market themselves, tips for creating content that reaches your audience, and the top tools and channels to build your professional brand. 

Elise Holtzman is an experienced attorney, a certified professional coach, and the Founder of The Lawyer’s Edge, a boutique firm that provides professional development services to individual attorneys and legal organizations. 

Elise has a J.D. from Columbia Law School. She practiced commercial real estate transactional law before shifting her focus to empowering lawyers as they navigate their growing careers.

In this episode…

Do you feel like there’s more you need to do to become a partner at your firm, but you’re unsure of what they are? Are you looking to grow your firm, but aren’t yet comfortable with networking? 

Elise Holtzman’s boutique firm, The Lawyer’s Edge, can help you get the solutions to these problems and more. Elise helps both individual attorneys and legal organizations overcome the fears of business development so that they can achieve personal and professional success. 

On this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge podcast, Elise Holtzman talks with business networking adviser and Founder of Rise25 and the Smart Business Revolution podcast, John Corcoran, to discuss the business development skills that aren’t covered in law school. They dive into how to use social media to your advantage, the best way to manage your time as both a lawyer and a marketer, and some networking strategies for introverts. Stay tuned. 

Sarah Nichols is the Founder and Managing Attorney at Nichols Law, P.C. Sarah has over 20 years of experience in HR and employment law and provides effective legal representation to employers and employees alike. Before founding her own firm, Sarah worked at Ogletree Deakins as an Employment Attorney. 

Sarah has held many positions in the legal field at firms such as Littler Mendelson P.C., Fisher & Phillips, LLP, and Morrison & Foerster LLP. She has also worked as a Lecturer of Law at UC Berkeley and an Adjunct Fellow at the University of California’s Hastings College of the Law. Sarah is a skilled public speaker, author, coach, and the host of her own podcast, The Women’s Advocate.

In this episode…

The topics of sexism and workplace discrimination are never easy to bring up. If you’re a member of the legal industry, you may have experienced it firsthand — or seen it happen to female colleagues. While it’s easy to feel as though you have no voice, Sarah Nichols is here to change all that.

As a seasoned attorney and the founder of her own employment firm, Sarah helps both employers and employees with cases of wrongful termination, discrimination, and more. She’s a strong advocate for women’s rights and is passionate about helping women navigate complex and frustrating workplace challenges. So, what is Sarah’s advice to women looking to gain confidence and become better advocates for themselves at work? 

On this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge, Elise Holtzman sits down with Sarah Nichols, the Founder and Managing Attorney at Nichols Law, P.C., to talk about her strategies for becoming a stronger advocate for yourself in the workplace. Together, they discuss common challenges women face at work, how to effectively negotiate your salary, and why employers need to invest in diverse teams. You won’t want to miss this episode!

Toya Gavin is the Founder of Legally Bold, a coaching and consulting firm for lawyers, and she’s the Founder of Woke Up Worthy, a life coaching firm for women of color. Toya is also part of The Lawyer’s Edge coaching team. On top of these accomplishments, Toya is the Founder of the Law Office of Toya Gavin, which serves the needs of micro-businesses.

In 2014, Toya attended a conference that helped push her to live her dreams. She describes this conference as “a leap of faith,” which led to her quitting her job, starting her own law practice, and becoming a certified coach. Through the years, Toya realized just how momentous that leap was and now helps others do the same. According to Toya, it’s important to seek support in navigating your goals, working through your fears, and taking that leap (even if you don’t know all the steps in between). 

Toya holds a JD from the George Washington University Law School and a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering from Rutgers University. She's licensed to practice law in New York and New Jersey and has been featured in outlets such as ABA Magazine, DC Entrepreneur, the Generation Why Podcast, and the Former Lawyer Podcast.

In this episode…

Many lawyers know what they want — whether it’s making partner, changing firms, or finding harmony between their personal and professional lives. However, lawyers can get stuck in the “how” phase, wondering what steps they need to take to reach their goals. Caught in the fear of the unknown, people might find themselves stuck in a rut and no closer to achieving their objectives. So how do you work through it?  

Toya Gavin is here to share her expert tips on navigating your goals and reaching your biggest dreams without getting caught up in the “how.” According to Toya, you don’t need to work towards your goals alone. Hiring a coach is one of the best ways to follow through on your plans, hold yourself accountable, and see progress in achieving your objectives. Working with a coach gives you the space and time to focus on yourself and build a fulfilling career that aligns with your personal values.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman is joined by Toya Gavin, Founder of Legally Bold and Woke Up Worthy, to talk about the benefits of hiring a coach. Toya describes her transition into coaching, why lawyers should use a coach to set goals and work through challenges, and why you don’t need to have every step planned out before taking a leap of faith.    

Do you struggle to connect with audiences in your public speaking engagements and legal presentations? You can continue to struggle or learn how to be a more engaging and memorable presenter.

Valerie Madamba knew she had to overcome a huge learning curve as a public speaker if she wanted to be happy and successful as a lawyer. Once she figured out how to connect with an audience and help them solve their problems, she started learning to love being on stage and owning that as part of her career development.

Now, having gone from regulatory lawyer to legal presentation coach, Valerie has so many great tips, suggestions, and pieces of advice to help you stand out as a thought leader, public speaker, and presenter. And she’s here to talk about the benefits of public speaking as a lawyer who’s a go-to expert in your field.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge podcast, you’ll learn about how to raise your profile as a visible expert and be known as a leading authority other people seek out. You’ll discover why stories are such a critical vessel and how to use them in your presentations, the most common mistake to avoid in presentations, and steps you can take to begin building a better experience for your audience.

1:10 - The surprising thing that sparked Valerie’s interest in presentations and public speaking

4:09 - Why lawyers need to be persuasive speakers, elevate their voices, and tell stories that people will remember

11:53 - The mistake lawyers make when they deliver their presentations and how to flip it around so that you increase engagement with your material

18:02 - Where to start if you want to create more engaging presentations and present on a complex topic without dumbing it down

26:04 - Public speaking trends that have emerged post-pandemic and the impact they’re having on attorneys

30:25 - Suggestions for making conversations more comfortable for people who are asked to share their experiences

34:27 - One thing you have to be prepared for as the person leading the presentation

36:13 - One thing to keep in mind when delivering engaging presentations that position you as a leading authority in your practice area

Connect with Valerie Madamba

Valerie Madamba brings a wealth of experience as a former food and drug regulatory lawyer, having navigated roles in the federal government, Biglaw, and in-house settings. Founding her own legal presentation coaching consultancy, Valerie now resides in Brussels with her family, assisting lawyers worldwide in refining their presentation skills to bolster their practices and brands.

Valerie Madamba

Valerie Madamba on LinkedIn

Mentioned In How to Stand Out as a Thought Leader By Becoming a Better Presenter

Get Connected with The Coaching Team at hello@thelawyersedge.com

The Lawyer’s Edge

SPONSOR FOR THIS EPISODE…

Today’s episode is brought to you by the coaching team at The Lawyer’s Edge, a training and coaching firm which has been focused exclusively on lawyers and law firms since 2008. 

Each member of The Lawyer’s Edge coaching team is a trained, certified, and experienced professional coach AND either a former practicing attorney or a former law firm marketing and business development professional. Whatever your professional objectives, our coaches can help you achieve your goals more quickly, more easily, and with significantly less stress.

To get connected with YOUR coach, just email the team at hello@thelawyersedge.com.

Jay Linder is the Director of Marketing and Communications at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, a law firm with 16 offices around the world. With over 20 years of legal industry experience, Jay provides balanced direction related to brand reputation, client engagement, content marketing, creative services, and internal and external communication strategies. As a leader of Cleary Gottlieb’s global marketing and business development function, Jay is focused on attracting, developing, retaining, and empowering talent to grow their careers while advancing the firm’s goals. 

Outside of his work for Cleary Gottlieb, Jay is a proud volunteer for autism and special needs advocacy efforts in New York City, prioritizing aid for fathers and male caregivers.

In this episode…

It’s no surprise that COVID-19 has shifted our day-to-day lives. Everything from going to the grocery store to connecting with others is a different experience than it used to be. For lawyers, however, the daily activity that has been affected most by the pandemic is the way we work.

Jay Linder’s law office transitioned into a remote workforce early on in the year. With the increased desire to stay connected with one another during a time of turmoil, the added element of humanity that crisis has brought to the world at large, and help from technology like Zoom, Jay believes the transition was for the better. But does this mean that the way the legal industry works has changed for good?

Join Elise Holtzman and Jay Linder, the Director of Marketing and Communications at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, in this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge as they talk about the different challenges and opportunities that the legal industry has faced this year. Jay shares his thoughts on law as a relationship business, his techniques for talent development, and what he is keeping in mind for the year to come.

Linda Perez Clark is the Managing Partner of Kean Miller and the Program Director for Kean Miller Connection, an annual law school preparatory program for traditionally underrepresented individuals in law school and law practice.

Linda has more than 20 years of experience representing clients in a wide variety of transactional matters, including engineering, procurement, construction-related contracts, asset and stock acquisitions, and commercial leases. 

Linda is listed among the top Corporate/M&A lawyers in the state of Louisiana by Chambers USA 2020. She’s also on the Lawyers of Color’s (LoC) power list 2020. As the first female partner at Kean Miller, Linda is dedicated to diversity, inclusion, and leading with gratitude.

In this episode…

As the first-ever female managing partner at her firm, Linda Perez Clark diligently leads with transparency, gratitude, and a commitment to help other minorities receive support to grow in their careers. What has she learned from being a managing partner, and what are her top lessons for current and aspiring leaders? 

Mentored by great lawyers and professionals, Linda had a front-row seat to inspirational leadership. As a trustworthy, hard worker, she earned the role of managing partner, vowing to elevate the firm and bring educational opportunities to the community. What has helped her thrive in this position? Linda says it’s vital to open your mind and heart to opportunities that will help you learn and grow. Most importantly, Linda advises you to lead with gratitude, acknowledge others’ contributions, and share thanks for the people who support you along the way. 

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman sits down with Linda Perez Clark, Managing Partner at Kean Miller, to talk about leadership lessons and share top tips for those in the legal industry. Linda discusses her journey to become Managing Partner, the challenges she faced transitioning from lawyer to partner, and why gratitude and relationships are vital to success.

Mary Abbajay is the President of Careerstone Group, LLC, a full-service organizational and leadership development consultancy that delivers leading-edge talent development solutions to business and government. Mary has over 20 years of leadership experience and is a frequent contributor to print, radio, and television publications such as Forbes, The New York Times, and the BBC. 

In addition to this, Mary currently serves on the Greater Washington Market President’s Board of BB&T Bank and is a past Chairman of the Board for Leadership Greater Washington. She is also the author of the best-selling book, Managing Up: How to Move Up, Win at Work, and Succeed with Any Type of Boss.

In this episode…

Do you get along with your boss? If not, how much do these workplace relationships impact your career trajectory? And, what are some strategies to start improving your communication with your managers—especially if you’re working remotely?

While there’s no blueprint for workplace relationships, getting along with a boss may be more important for your career than you think. With over 20 years of leadership experience, Mary Abbajay is an expert in all things managing up. As she says, the people above us have a huge amount of influence over our workplace opportunities and success. Today, Mary’s here to outline everything you need to know to have a better relationship with your boss and start managing your way up in your organization.

On this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge, Elise Holtzman talks with Mary Abbajay, the President of Careerstone Group, LLC and author of the best-selling book, Managing Up: How to Move Up, Win at Work, and Succeed with Any Type of Boss. Mary discusses the concept of managing up and shares her tips for dealing with difficult bosses, avoiding toxic workplaces, and communicating effectively while working remotely. Stay tuned! 

Jennifer Rosa is a Partner in the New York office of Mayer Brown’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution Practice. Her practice focuses primarily on the banking and financial services sector where she represents financial institutions in complex commercial and securities litigation in federal and state courts. Jennifer’s experience also includes representing clients in government agency proceedings and internal investigations. 

Jennifer is an active participant in Mayer Brown’s Women’s Forum, hiring committee, and mentoring and training programs. She is also one of the leaders of the New York office’s wellness initiatives and a board member of the Fordham Law Alumni Association. 

In this episode…

It’s a new year, which usually means one thing: resolutions. Now is the time to think about the things we’d like to change, the habits we’d like to make and break, and the ways we can continue evolving for the better—both personally and professionally. 

For those of us in demanding careers like law, these resolutions usually center around how we can improve our work practices. But, what about our health? According to Jennifer Rosa, one of the best ways to be a better lawyer in the new year is to prioritize your mental and physical health and wellness. 

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge, Elise Holtzman sits down with Jennifer Rosa, Partner at Mayer Brown’s New York office, to talk about an important trend in the legal industry: health and wellness. Together, they discuss Jennifer’s journey prioritizing her health after a cancer diagnosis, the changes she’s made in her professional and personal life since then, and the key to developing new habits—and making them stick. Keep listening for more!

Shaun Jardine is the Managing Director of Big Yellow Penguin, which encourages businesses to adopt alternative pricing methods. As a non-practicing solicitor and mediator, Shaun served as the Commercial Director and CEO of Brethertons LLP, a top UK 250 law firm. During his tenure, he led the design and implementation of a value-based pricing project that reflected the services delivered to clients.

Shaun is the author of Ditch The Billable Hour!, which is scheduled for publication on January 22, 2024. With experience in marketing and business development, he has created large and exceptional legal teams in niche areas, including property management debt recovery, catastrophic injury, and leasehold enfranchisement. 

As an international speaker, Shaun has spoken at business and legal industry events in the UK and the US to advocate for business pricing changes. With a unique insight into what makes law firms tick, he helps them understand why and how to transition from billable hours to value pricing. 

In this episode…

Law firms have employed the billable hour pricing method for decades. Should they keep doing it? It turns out that the billable hour can actually hinder revenue growth and that value-based pricing is a viable, growth-oriented alternative when used properly. What are the benefits of value pricing, and how can law firms implement it to boost their bottom lines?

Lawyers aren't always receptive to change, so when introduced to the concept of value pricing, they may resist based on the belief that their clients won’t benefit from it. However, having implemented value-based pricing at a leading law firm, seasoned mitigator Shaun Jardine says that allowing clients to choose between various service levels priced accordingly creates transparency and maximizes the service value clients receive. Additionally, this system provides clients with clear terms and conditions while ensuring more precise financial forecasting for firms. Implementing value pricing requires creating a pilot program to categorize and price each service appropriately to maintain consistency throughout the firm. 

In today’s episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman welcomes Shaun Jardine, the Managing Director of Big Yellow Penguin and the author of Ditch the Billable Hour: Implementing Value-Based Pricing in a Law Firm, to talk about transitioning from the billable hour to value pricing. Shaun explains the differences between flat fee billing and value-based pricing, how to structure service prices, and his career trajectory from recovering lawyer to value pricing advocate.

Stephen 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 comes next. Succession planning can be challenging, especially for lawyers whose passion and purpose is their career, but Stephen knows precisely how to work with them and help them discover opportunities in life outside of their firms. 

In this episode…

There’s a bottleneck in the law firm environment because senior lawyers no longer want to retire. However, reluctance to succession planning can be a strategic mistake for lawyers and their firms. So what are the consequences of not planning for succession? And how can senior attorneys find the drive to prepare for their exit?

Succession planning allows lawyers to make sure that the firm they have today continues to exist in the future with the same — or more — strength. If you don’t take the opportunity to plan for succession, clients may leave, behind the scenes lawyers may go, and your firm will cease to exist. Stephen Seckler, an expert and coach in succession planning, reminds us that leaving a firm is not the end of the world. There are so many opportunities out there for senior lawyers, and your firm will be better off when it’s prepared for your exit. 

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman talks with Stephen Seckler, President of Seckler Attorney Coaching, about the best practices for succession planning. Stephen shares why succession planning is essential, how senior lawyers can overcome their fears of retirement and help their firms transition, and the value of mentorship and peer-to-peer conversations. Stay tuned!

Gina Zapanta is the Co-founder and Partner of Z.A. Lawyers, a firm dedicated to protecting injured workers’ rights. She is also the CEO of AlderLaw and the Founder of Empowered with Gina, a platform for women to embrace empowerment. Passionate about helping others empower themselves through education, motivation, and community-building, Gina offers events and wellness retreats for women to embrace their power and live life on their terms.

As an advocate for employees and injured people, she has experience in contracting, healthcare management, and personal injury strategic partnership development. Gina served a two-term appointment on the Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association’s Board of Retirement and was appointed to the California Organized Investment Network Commission by the California Insurance Commission.

Dedicated to addressing education and food insecurities in underserved communities, Gina and her husband established a $100,000 endowment at Loyola Law School Los Angeles for a first-generation Latina to attend law school. She also contributes to many other causes to help further access to quality education and additional opportunities. Through her charitable contributions, Gina demonstrates the value of investing in yourself and others. 

In this episode…

If you think you’re too busy to devote time and attention to having a deep impact on your own life and the lives of others, think again! Meet Gina Zapanta, a practicing attorney and the Founder of Empowered with Gina.

With an unwavering commitment to community empowerment, self-empowered lawyer Gina Zapanta has created programs and endowments to offer transformational opportunities to motivated women and lawyers. Making a consequential difference in the community begins by helping yourself; you must remain accountable for your actions and decisions and develop your ideal life to achieve self-love. In addition to self-satisfaction, charitable contributions allow you to market your law firm authentically, developing a mission that extends beyond the scope of traditional law.

Listen in as Elise Holtzman, host of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, interviews Gina about how to invest in yourself and others through community involvement and a fierce devotion to pursuing success and bringing others with you. Gina doesn’t pull any punches as she shares the benefits of women’s empowerment programs, the typical barriers to freeing up time for what you really want, and how to empower yourself personally and professionally.

Paula T. Edgar, Esq. is the CEO of PGE Consulting Group LLC, an organizational strategy firm providing training and educational services to promote professional development and DEI. As a sought-after keynote speaker and facilitator, Paula develops customized programming for attendees, integrating personal branding, relationship building, and business development into each event. Additionally, she hosts the Branding Room Only podcast, which features career stories and strategies on how industry leaders and influencers have built their personal brands. 

As a civic leader, Paula is active in numerous organizations and social justice initiatives, including serving as a New York City Bar Board Officer, a Commissioner of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Commission on Women, and as a past President of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association (MBBA). She was also a 2015 Council of Urban Professionals (CUP) Fellow and a Trustee of the Ellis L. Phillips Foundation. 

Having written for and been featured in publications, including the New York Times and Bloomberg Law, Paula has received awards like the Ruth Whitehead Whaley Service Award and the Ms. JD “Women of Inspiration” award. As an attorney, she practiced employment and workplace discrimination law for the New York City Commission on Human Rights. Paula has developed the Engage Your Hustle method, which teaches professionals to elevate their endeavors by asserting themselves boldly. 

In this episode…

Law is a relationship-based profession. Because people are at the core of what you do as a lawyer, being approachable, likable, and REAL can be the key to growing the connections that lead to success and enjoyment. That means being professional, of course, while still showing up as your authentic self.

Through adversity and unimaginable loss, former practicing lawyer and DEI advocate Paula Edgar has remained authentic and evolved her leadership skills to forge connections and promote inclusivity. She maintains that authenticity is a scale presented on various levels depending on the situation. You must identify an ideal level of interaction and engagement and present yourself accordingly through a crafted elevator pitch. Observe how your audience responds and leverage emotional intelligence to adjust your interactions. If executed correctly, your personal brand should inspire inclusivity and a sense of belonging.

Join us for this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast as Elise Holtzman welcomes highly energetic guest Paula Edgar, a former practicing lawyer and the CEO of PGE Consulting Group LLC, to chat about building a personal brand by being boldly authentic. Paula reveals how adversity has shaped her leadership approach, offers advice for lawyers who want to build their own unique brands, and shares practical tips for fostering genuinely inclusive environments.

Michael Swanson is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors at Advocate Capital, Inc., a litigation finance firm that provides funding to law firms, lawyers, and plaintiffs for legal disputes. Michael’s daily role covers a wide variety of responsibilities, including client relations, strategic planning, marketing, and public relations. 

Before joining Advocate Capital, Inc., Michael was the President of Wellgen Standard LLC, a private equity firm, and the Vice President and General Manager of Champion America, Inc. Michael is the author of How David Beats Goliath: Access to Capital for Contingent-Fee Law Firms, and he also hosts the How David Beats Goliath Podcast.

In this episode…

Where do you turn when you don’t feel confident about the finances of your business? Is there a way to gain capital outside of your firm? Most importantly: what do you need to know in order to stop stressing about your finances in 2021?

As the Chief Executive Officer of Advocate Capital, Inc., Michael Swanson knows that lawyers often struggle with financial and business issues. That’s why he decided to help lawyers manage their financials so they can get the best possible results for their clients and their businesses. With his expertise and insights, you can be more confident about your finances—without having to become an accounting expert. 

On this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge podcast, host Elise Holtzman sits down with Michael Swanson, the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors at Advocate Capital, Inc., to discuss everything lawyers need to know about loans, capital, and finances in 2021. Michael outlines common mistakes lawyers make when dealing with finances, his tips for applying for a loan, and the importance of increasing your net worth outside your law firm. Stay tuned.

Amy Goldsmith is Partner at Tarter Krinsky & Drogin and Chair of their Privacy and Cybersecurity Group. In these roles, Amy guides clients through the legal aspects of building recognizable brands, developing desirable products and services, and devising strategic IP plans to mitigate risk. 

Amy has served as the Vice President of the New York Women’s Bar Association and currently co-manages its continuing legal education programs. She also teaches CLE programs for Lawline. Additionally, Amy is part of the American Bar Association and the International Trademark Association (INTA) and is on the board of directors of Savvy Ladies, a nonprofit whose mission is to educate women to be financially savvy. Previously, Amy was a speaker at TEDxTimesSquare and served on its advisory board. 

A committed mentor to both attorneys and business owners, Amy launched Tarter Krinsky & Drogin’s mentoring program over five years ago. As the firm grows exponentially over the years, the mentorship program gives new associates the skills and coaching needed to succeed. The program not only aids associates, but it also builds culture, helps the firm retain top talent, and gives everyone the opportunity to move up the career ladder. 

In this episode…

A key driver of growth and productivity, formal mentorship programs can be instrumental to the success of new associates on your team. As your firm grows, it’s easy for these associates to get lost in the onboarding process. But mentorship programs can help team members gain the information and skills necessary to thrive in the workplace, grow in their practice, and reach new opportunities.  

However, as Amy Goldsmith points out, mentorship programs aren’t just beneficial to new hires. On the mentor side, leaders have the opportunity to get to know new associates and foster valuable professional relationships. For the firm as a whole, mentorship programs help build a strong culture by providing space for feedback, concerns, and new ideas. They are also crucial for retaining top talent and developing the next wave of leadership for your organization.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman sits down with Amy Goldsmith, Partner at Tarter Krinsky & Drogin and Chair of their Privacy and Cybersecurity Group. Together, they talk about the benefits of mentorship programs for both new associates and firm leaders, how current partners can increase diversity in leadership, and the importance of active listening with colleagues and clients.     

Making partner at your firm is a significant milestone, but successfully transitioning from associate or counsel to partner isn’t automatic. It requires a mindset shift, strategic planning, and the development of new skills to ensure long-term success.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge podcast, Elise Holtzman shares six actionable tips to help you navigate this pivotal career transition. She discusses how to embrace your new leadership role, manage the responsibilities of partnership, and position yourself for success. Whether you’ve recently been promoted, are preparing for the next step, or are simply curious about what partnership entails, this episode offers valuable insights you won’t want to miss.

WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE ABOUT WHAT TO DO AFTER YOU MAKE PARTNER

3:27 – Why understanding your compensation structure is crucial after making partner

5:31 – The fundamental shift in your role as a partner—and how to prepare for it

7:40 – A critical step to take immediately to set yourself up for success

10:50 – The essential mindset shift from service provider to business owner

14:52 – How to manage new time commitments and proactively master time management

19:47 – Why understanding your firm’s revenue model is vital for your long-term success

22:26 – How to develop leadership and business development skills to excel in your new role

MENTIONED IN YOU MADE PARTNER—NOW WHAT? HOW TO SUCCEED IN YOUR NEW ROLE

Smart Collaboration: How Professionals and Their Firms Succeed by Breaking Down Silos by Dr. Heidi Gardner

Smart Collaboration | How Law Firms Can Increase Revenues, Grow Client Loyalty, and Improve Diversity

How to Cultivate a Business Development Mindset

3 Essential Pillars of Business Development For Lawyers

Get Connected with The Coaching Team at hello@thelawyersedge.com

The Lawyer’s Edge

SPONSOR FOR THIS EPISODE…

Today’s episode is brought to you by the Ignite Women’s Business Development Accelerator, a 9-month business development program created BY women lawyers for women lawyers. Ignite is a carefully designed business development program containing content, coaching, and a community of like-minded women who are committed to becoming rainmakers AND supporting the retention and advancement of other women in the profession. 

Early Bird Registration is now underway for our 2025 Ignite cohorts. If you are interested in either participating in the program or sponsoring a woman in your firm to enroll, learn more about Ignite and sign up for our registration alerts by visiting www.thelawyersedge.com/ignite.

Robert Algeri is a Co-founder of Great Jakes, a company that builds the world’s most advanced and effective websites for large, forward-thinking law firms. In this role, Robert personally attends to all client engagements and is responsible for ensuring that the company exceeds its clients’ expectations.

Robert is an accomplished writer and speaker, and his work has been featured in publications like LMA’s Strategies Magazine, ALM’s Marketing the Law Firm, and the National Law Journal. He’s also shared his ideas on the direction of legal marketing and websites at various webinars, forums, and LMA conferences.

With over 25 years of experience in website and brand design for law firms, Robert understands exactly what firms need to differentiate themselves from competitors and avoid website design train wrecks.

In this episode…

Law firms should always stay up to date with their branding and website design. However, since lawyers aren’t necessarily marketing experts, there’s plenty of room for error in the website design process. Fortunately, legal marketing and website expert Robert Algeri is here to share his tips to avoid a website design train wreck.

One of the biggest challenges in rebranding or updating your website design is getting everyone on board. Although not everyone has the same opinions, you want to ensure that decisions are made with the end user in mind, key stakeholders understand the process, and that no surprises are sprung on the firm. That’s why Robert suggests putting together a small website and marketing committee, bringing skeptics into the project early on, and having one creative lead to avoid project disconnect.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman is joined by Robert Algeri, a Co-founder of Great Jakes, to talk about strategies to succeed in your website design process. Robert walks through the mistakes many law firms make, how to get approval from stakeholders and other team members, and the best ways to work with web and brand design agencies.

Terri Adler is a visionary leader and creative attorney who focuses on the commercial real estate industry. As the Managing Partner of Adler & Stachenfeld, a boutique real estate law firm in New York City with nearly 50 attorneys, Terri has guided the firm’s growth to become one of the city’s leading real estate law practices.

With a wealth of experience in national and international real estate, Terri specializes in complex joint ventures and corporate real estate transactions. She is a passionate advocate for gender inclusion and mentoring women in the legal profession, helping them define and achieve their own versions of success. Terri was recently named one of Crain’s New York Business Notable Women in Law for 2023, honoring her distinguished career and dedication to civic and philanthropic causes.

WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE ABOUT BUILDING A THRIVING BOUTIQUE LAW FIRM

In an increasingly competitive legal landscape, maintaining a successful law practice requires adaptability, a strong culture, and a relentless work ethic. With law firm mergers and closures becoming more frequent, the ability to evolve is more crucial than ever to long-term success.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge podcast, Elise Holtzman speaks with Terri Adler about her career journey, from bucking her family’s expectations for her future to founding one of New York’s top boutique firms. Terri shares insights on building a resilient firm culture, promoting diversity, and leading a successful real estate practice in a rapidly changing industry. She also addresses the challenges of leadership succession and talent retention in today’s legal market.

2:14 - Terri’s background and career journey, from Utah to New York
7:21 - Why Terri chose real estate law and one persistent challenge in the industry
11:11 - How Terri’s leadership style and reputation help her close deals quickly
16:20 - The importance of strong culture and clear values in law firms
21:33 - Leadership succession and talent development challenges in the legal profession
27:39 - Terri’s thoughts on shifts in the legal industry and the impact on lawyers seeking new opportunities
30:58 - How values and purpose drive the survival of smaller law firms
35:15 - One essential lesson Terri learned as an ambitious, driven lawyer that you need to hear

MENTIONED IN HOW TO BUILD A THRIVING BOUTIQUE IN A BIGLAW WORLD

Adler & Stachenfeld

Terri Adler on LinkedIn

Michael Brody-Waite

Get Connected with The Coaching Team at hello@thelawyersedge.com

The Lawyer’s Edge

SPONSOR FOR THIS EPISODE…

Today’s episode is brought to you by the Ignite Women’s Business Development Accelerator, a 9-month business development program created BY women lawyers for women lawyers. Ignite is a carefully designed business development program containing content, coaching, and a community of like-minded women who are committed to becoming rainmakers AND supporting the retention and advancement of other women in the profession. 

Early Bird Registration will be opening this fall for our 2025 Ignite cohorts. If you are interested in either participating in the program or sponsoring a woman in your firm to enroll, learn more about Ignite and sign up for our registration alerts by visiting www.thelawyersedge.com/ignite.

Priyanka Timblo is a partner at Holwell Shuster & Goldberg, a New York-based litigation boutique. Her practice focuses on trials and high-stakes commercial litigation and arbitration, primarily antitrust and breach of contract. She represents several large companies in antitrust trials and arbitration, such as the payment card network Visa and the video game developer and digital distributor company Valve.

As a first-generation lawyer, Priyanka spent much of her childhood growing up in Goa, India. She also spent part of her childhood in Canada and has won numerous accolades for her work, including Bloomberg Law’s 40 Under 40 list and Benchmark Litigation’s Future Star Recognition.

WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE ABOUT THE EVOLUTION OF A TOP-TIER TRIAL LAWYER

Women have made great strides in the legal profession, but few are found in high-stakes trial practice. Priyanka Timblo is often the only female trial lawyer in the courtroom for her cases — and almost always the only lawyer of color.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge podcast, Elise Holtzman talks with Priyanka Timblo, partner at Holwell Shuster & Goldberg, about her journey from outsider to partner in a prestigious law firm. Priyanka shares how opportunity and preparation have shaped her career, the critical role of teamwork in trial law, and the challenges and impact of being a woman and person of color in the courtroom.

2:08 – How Priyanka’s unique background and upbringing influenced her career

7:06 – What attracted Priyanka to trial law and how she knew it was her calling

10:14 – How Priyanka created opportunities for herself and got her big break at Holwell Shuster & Goldberg

13:35 – A crucial skill for trial lawyers that sets them apart from others

15:44 – The value of teamwork in trial law and why it feels like preparing for battle

19:20 – Developing leadership skills to guide trial teams effectively

23:10 – Navigating the challenges of being a trial lawyer as a woman and person of color

26:17 – The importance of external visibility for lawyers beyond the courtroom

28:44 – Why part of a trial lawyer’s job is to put everyone at ease in the courtroom and appear confident

MENTIONED IN THE EVOLUTION OF A TOP-TIER TRIAL LAWYER

Holwell Shuster & Goldberg LLP | Priyanka Timblo

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The Lawyer’s Edge

SPONSOR FOR THIS EPISODE…

Today’s episode is brought to you by the Ignite Women’s Business Development Accelerator, a 9-month business development program created BY women lawyers for women lawyers. Ignite is a carefully designed business development program containing content, coaching, and a community of like-minded women who are committed to becoming rainmakers AND supporting the retention and advancement of other women in the profession. 

Early Bird Registration is now underway for our 2025 Ignite cohorts. If you are interested in either participating in the program or sponsoring a woman in your firm to enroll, learn more about Ignite and sign up for our registration alerts by visiting www.thelawyersedge.com/ignite.

Carole Piovesan is the Managing Partner of INQ Law, which helps clients navigate complex data collection and use regulations. She counsels clients on matters including privacy, cyber readiness and breach response, data governance, ethical AI, and responsible innovation. As a member of the OECD.AI Policy Observatory, Carole helps shape data law, policy, and standards in Canada and globally, contributing to various organizations, including the Global Partnership on AI.

As a seasoned litigator, Carole has represented clients within all levels of court in Ontario and the Supreme Court of Canada. She teaches, speaks, and writes about cybersecurity, privacy, data law, and AI topics and has been featured on the CBC and other news outlets. Carole is an Adjunct Professor of AI regulation at the University of Toronto and the co-editor of Leading Legal Disruption.

Carole was appointed by the federal Minister of Innovation to serve as one of six digital leaders in the national data and digital transformation consultations. In this role, she consulted with businesses, academics, and civil society and industry associations to inform the first national Digital Charter. Her expertise in AI qualifies her to advise lawyers on the responsible use of ChatGPT and other forms of generative AI.

In this episode…

With the rapid adoption of AI, law firms are employing this technology to review contracts and assess documents during electronic discovery. However, AI often misconstrues inherently biased data, and without reviewing its output, lawyers and firms risk legal violations. How can you leverage AI technologies responsibly and ethically?

As a litigator and data privacy consultant, Carole Piovesan advises attorneys on AI’s legal implications and helps develop governance programs. These initiatives involve performing third-party bias and model assessments on high-risk AI to secure confidential data. When inputting data into an AI system, Carole says to ascertain the information’s location to protect it from open-source databases. Additionally, firms must provide adequate lawyer training, oversight, and output controls to develop a beneficial AI program.

On this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Carole Piovesan, the Managing Partner of INQ Law, joins Elise Holtzman to discuss how lawyers and firms can develop AI governance programs that will increase value and reduce reputational and legal risks. Carole shares the dangers of high-risk AI, how to adapt to evolving AI use cases and regulations, and her research on the integration of AI and law. 

Elise Holtzman is an experienced attorney, a certified professional coach, and the founder of The Lawyer’s Edge, a boutique firm that provides professional development services to individual attorneys and legal organizations. 

Elise has a J.D. from Columbia Law School. She practiced commercial real estate transactional law before shifting her focus to empowering lawyers as they navigate their growing careers.

In this episode…

When we think about sales, it's easy to only focus on the negative connotations: the used car sales person, or the telemarketer who calls at all hours of the day, to name a couple. But in the ever-evolving landscape of law, it’s important now more than ever to learn how to market and sell your services. 

That’s why Elise Holtzman, founder and president of The Lawyer’s Edge, wants to help burgeoning lawyers level up their business without feeling pushy or overbearing. She assists her clients with mastering the skills they didn’t learn in law school: namely, how to be a successful sales person. 

On this week’s episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise is interviewed by Rise25 co-founder, Smart Business Revolution podcast founder, and business networking expert John Corcoran about the importance of clearly and professionally selling your services. Elise and John get into the nitty gritty of quoting your prices with confidence, avoiding the commodity trap, and being okay with letting certain clients walk away. Stay tuned.

Dr. Heidi Gardner is the Co-founder of Gardner & Co, a research and advisory firm that helps clients across professional services, industry, government, and nonprofit drive change through smarter collaboration. In addition to this, Dr. Gardner is a Distinguished Fellow at Harvard Law School and a Faculty Chair of the school’s Accelerated Leadership Program and Sector Leadership Masterclass. She was previously a professor of Organizational Behavior and the Assistant Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School.

Dr. Gardner is also the author of multiple books and academic articles, including the best-seller, Smart Collaboration. She has worked on four continents and has served as a Fullbright Fellow, the Engagement Manager for McKinsey & Company, and more.

In this episode…

How can lawyers improve their collaboration skills, especially when working in different sectors of law? And, what are the benefits of working more collaboratively in 2021 and beyond? Ask Dr. Heidi Gardner, a renowned expert on smart collaboration. 

Dr. Heidi Gardner has spent years researching smart collaboration and how it relates to lawyers. She discovered that by collaborating more intentionally and deliberately, lawyers and law firms can reap a number of rewards — from financial to cultural. With her advisory firm Gardner & Co, Dr. Gardner helps firms achieve success through smart collaboration, and now she’s here to share her tips with you.

On this jam-packed episode of The Lawyer’s Edge, Elise Holtzman sits down with Dr. Heidi Gardner, the Co-founder of Gardner & Co, to talk about everything you need to know about smart collaboration. They discuss Dr. Gardner’s tips for building an inclusive workplace culture, why firms should implement industry groups, and how to utilize smart collaboration to drive change and achieve success today. Stay tuned!

Audrey Miller is an Operational Excellence Consultant at Calibrate, an executive search and organizational consultancy helping law firms optimize their talent, processes, and performance. Calibrate offers executive search and talent management operations strategies like business assessments, analytics and implementation, and leadership advice to help law firms reach their fullest potential in revenue, operations, and growth.

As a strategic advisor to law firm leaders, Audrey helps business services teams enhance efficiencies and collaboration, improve the alignment of structure, roles, and accountability, and identify and communicate ROI. Before joining Calibrate, she spent over a decade in marketing and business development at various firms ranging from a top Am Law 100 firm to a litigation boutique. In these roles, Audrey developed and implemented initiatives to strengthen client relationships and grow firm revenue. 

She partners with key stakeholders to evaluate and optimize people, processes, and systems, boosting the performance of legal marketing and business development teams. With broad experience, practical guidance, and a results-oriented approach, Audrey instructs law firms on the practicalities and importance of supporting revenue enablers. 

In this episode…

Many law firm leaders resist the prospect of outsourcing C-level executives to manage firm operations. Yet those same attorneys typically lack the time and effort required to drive strategy and growth, reducing consistent revenue generation and limiting the growth of the firm. How can law firm leaders collaborate with executives to optimize revenue, operations, and performance?

According to law firm performance driver Audrey Miller, legal marketers, business developers, and other executives are revenue enablers who leverage their expertise to manage firm operations, allowing attorneys to focus on their strengths. When acquiring these professionals, firm leaders must consider their revenue and operational goals to fill relevant positions. Communicating expectations with these executives and allowing them to develop relationships with firm members and understand current practice operations is crucial for success.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman sits down with Audrey Miller, the Operational Excellence Consultant at Calibrate, to discuss how law firm leaders can work with “revenue enablers” to optimize performance. Audrey addresses foundational hiring considerations for small to midsize firms, pertinent operational and leadership trends in the legal industry, and the knowledge gap between managing partners and law firm administrators.

Domenic Cervoni is the Vice President of Legal and Senior Legal Counsel for HSBC, where he handles litigation and regulatory enforcement for the company’s global banking and markets business. 

Domenic has also developed a passion for employee health and well-being, with a particular focus on matters of mental health in the legal industry. This deep interest led him to pen his first book, From Tragedy to Triumph, and he is donating 100% of the proceeds to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

In this episode…

What does it take to be a better lawyer? Do you have to know the ins and outs of every case at your firm? Should you focus on making partner, no matter how many late nights it requires? Do you have to subtract vacations out of the equation to make it to the top? 

According to Domenic Cervoni, the key to success is, instead, focusing on your mental health. A public speaker and Vice President of Legal at HSBC, Domenic believes that prioritizing your well-being is exactly what will make you a better lawyer and, ultimately, the best version of yourself. 

Join us on this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge as Elise Holtzman sits down with Domenic Cervoni, the Vice President of Legal and Senior Legal Counsel at HSBC. Domenic talks about his passion for focusing on your mental well-being, why the legal industry isn’t the best at handling health issues, and how firms and other organizations can start to shift toward a culture with less burnout and higher retention. Stay tuned.

Lucille Karp is a partner at McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, a New Jersey-based firm with 140 practicing lawyers across 13 offices in nine states. She serves as the firm’s General Counsel, co-chair of the transactional group, and co-chair of the hiring committee.

Lucy earned her undergraduate degree from Rutgers University’s College of Engineering and her JD from Widener University School of Law. Her legal practice focuses on commercial real estate transactions, including office, industrial, and retail leasing, as well as acquisitions, dispositions, and real estate financings. Her corporate experience spans M&A, financings, and general corporate counseling.

WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE ABOUT LAW FIRM GENERAL COUNSEL

The role of law firm General Counsel requires a careful balance of legal expertise, risk management, and leadership. Gaining insight from someone with real-world experience can provide valuable perspective on navigating and succeeding in this unique position.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge podcast, host Elise Holtzman talks with Lucille Karp, Partner and General Counsel at McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter. Lucy shares her journey to becoming General Counsel, the key skills that help her effectively manage risk, and how she balances her responsibilities. She also offers practical advice for lawyers interested in pursuing a similar path, emphasizing the importance of sound decision-making and leadership in law firm management.

2:04 – Lucy shares how she became General Counsel in 2018 and how she would define the responsibilities of her role.

7:43 – Key areas that General Counsels need to fully understand to be effective in their position.

10:15 – How Lucy balances the demands of her various roles within and outside the firm.

13:14 – The potential risks law firms face with AI, and how managing partners or committees can collaborate more effectively with General Counsel.

16:30 – Lucy’s approach to navigating difficult conversations and maintaining strong relationships as General Counsel.

19:00 – The essential skills and traits for private practice lawyers aiming to step into the role of General Counsel.

25:37 – Where General Counsels can find educational resources and support.

28:59 – Lucy’s straightforward yet crucial advice for lawyers on managing risk effectively.

MENTIONED IN RISK, BALANCE, AND LEADERSHIP: INSIGHTS FROM A LAW FIRM GENERAL COUNSEL

McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, LLP

Lucille Karp on Linked

New Jersey State Bar Association

Legal Management Resources

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The Lawyer’s Edge

SPONSOR FOR THIS EPISODE…

Today’s episode is brought to you by the Ignite Women’s Business Development Accelerator, a 9-month business development program created BY women lawyers for women lawyers. Ignite is a carefully designed business development program containing content, coaching, and a community of like-minded women who are committed to becoming rainmakers AND supporting the retention and advancement of other women in the profession. 

Early Bird Registration will be opening this fall for our 2025 Ignite cohorts. If you are interested in either participating in the program or sponsoring a woman in your firm to enroll, learn more about Ignite and sign up for our registration alerts by visiting www.thelawyersedge.com/ignite.

Hieu Williams is a partner with Hirschfeld Kraemer, an employment law boutique she also helps manage in San Francisco. She regularly defends employers against claims of discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, retaliation, breach of contract, and wage and hour class action violations. Her employment law experience includes representing organizations, executives, and supervisors from various industries such as healthcare, education, food and beverage, and non-profit organizations.

Hieu has successfully represented clients in state and federal court, as well as before numerous agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). In addition to being an experienced litigator, she provides advice and counseling to her clients, which includes drafting employee handbooks, policies and developing best practices, conducting harassment and management training sessions, and performing workplace investigations.

WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE ABOUT THE POWER OF QUESTIONS

There’s plenty of power in questioning—both yourself and others. Often, creating a successful path means piecing it together yourself, as many first-generation Americans like Hieu Williams know all too well. It all begins with the courage to ask.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge podcast, Elise Holtzman sits down with Hieu Williams, partner at Hirschfeld Kraemer, to discuss her remarkable journey from junior lawyer to partner, leader, and rainmaker. Hieu reflects on how her experience as a first-generation American has shaped her career, the transformative role of mentors and sponsors, her impactful participation in the Ignite Women’s Business Development Accelerator, and how asking the right questions has propelled her growth.

2:10 – Hieu’s background, its influence on her decisions, and why she chose employment law over other careers

6:40 – What drives Hieu to manage Hirschfeld Kraemer’s San Francisco office while juggling other responsibilities

11:08 – How sponsors and mentors have been pivotal in Hieu’s development as a lawyer and leader

13:41 – Why Hieu joined the Ignite Women’s Business Development Accelerator and how it shaped her perspective

18:41 – How the program has transformed Hieu’s approach to her career and leadership

23:24 – The value of asking questions throughout Hieu’s journey and how her approach has evolved over time

MENTIONED IN ACCELERATE YOUR CAREER GROWTH WITH THE POWER OF QUESTIONS

Hirschfeld Kraemer

Hieu Williams on LinkedIn

Employment Law Alliance

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The Lawyer’s Edge

Are you up late at night, pulling all-nighters, and burning out from the fast-paced nature of your job as a lawyer? 

As a former litigator, Charlène Gisèle loved all of it! She reveled in the things you’re not supposed to love. While she was thriving in her environment, though, she got a wake-up call that made her realize that she’d been neglecting something along the way. 

All signs pointed to burnout that affected her health and marriage. She took a drastic turn and eventually changed her focus from litigation to burnout prevention and high performance. Now, she’s fueled with a mission to lead the way in helping lawyers, leading law firms, and Fortune 500 companies optimize performance and transform their lives and businesses by banishing burnout.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge podcast, you’ll learn how to optimize your performance and happiness through burnout combat and prevention. Charlène will reveal the 3Ds linked to neglect caused by stress and burnout, five aspects to determine where you are on the burnout spectrum, small shifts you need to decrease or break away from burnout, and so much more!

2:01 - The incident that made Charlène ask, “Will I survive my success?” and caused a career pivot

5:25 - Charlène’s radical approach to educating herself on ways to combat burnout and the mission it fueled within her

7:45 - How Charlène approaches lawyers who might not be as open to learning more about anything they suspect is woo-woo or out there

9:52 - Pain points (and their signs and symptoms) that affect those in the legal industry the most

11:37 - How the term ‘burnout’ gets misused and how Charlène figures out where someone is on the burnout spectrum

17:32 - What you can do to start stepping away from, minimizing, or preventing burnout (even if you have a really heavy workload)

23:22 - Why you should not just do anti-burnout techniques when you need to and how to anchor them as habits easily

26:56 - Example of how Charlène tailored a blueprint for working out for a hyper-successful client who didn’t feel he had the time for it

31:02 - A quick way to boost your energy and optimize the way you feel in the morning

32:05 - What law firms and organizations can do to help people overcome burnout challenges

35:33 - A recommendation that may help rekindle the love you have for your profession

Connect with Charlène Gisèle

Charlène Gisèle is a former Big Law litigator turned High-Performance Coach and founder of the unique Charlène Gisèle® Coaching method. Charlène empowers high-achieving professionals to prevent and recover from burnout without having to sacrifice their career.

The power of her approach is not to work less, it is about recovering more, which is why her expertise has been featured in major publications and is sought after by world leading organisations and professionals.

Charlène Gisèle | Instagram | LinkedIn

The Charlène Gisèle Show

Mentioned In Banish Burnout to Optimize Performance and Happiness with Charlène Gisèle

Get Connected with The Coaching Team at hello@thelawyersedge.com

The Lawyer’s Edge

Sponsor for the episode...

Today’s episode is brought to you by the coaching team at The Lawyer’s Edge, a training and coaching firm which has been focused exclusively on lawyers and law firms since 2008.

Each member of The Lawyer’s Edge coaching team is a trained, certified, and experienced professional coach AND either a former practicing attorney or a former law firm marketing and business development professional. Whatever your professional objectives, our coaches can help you achieve your goals more quickly, more easily, and with significantly less stress.

To get connected with YOUR coach, just email the team at hello@thelawyersedge.com.

Marc Luber is the Founder of JD Careers Out There and the JD Refugee coaching program. He’s also a volunteer board member for the Concern Foundation, a cancer research nonprofit. Before starting JD Careers Out There, Marc used his law background in the music industry and spent the better part of the 2000s as an attorney recruiter in Los Angeles.

JD Careers Out There is a membership site for lawyers, law students, and potential law students who want to have a career they love. As a career coach at JD Careers Out There, Marc helps unfulfilled lawyers across the US get unstuck and figure out their next career move — whether that’s leaving law or staying in the profession. 

There was a time when Marc felt unsatisfied in his legal career and wanted to shift to a more creative, fulfilling approach. Now, he’s helping others do the same by exploring the possibilities that can transform a career path. Using a three-step formula for career fulfillment, Marc helps navigate the challenges and frustrations that many people are facing in the legal field today. He helps them explore whether it’s a time to move on, pivot, or stay the course in their careers.

In this episode…

Sometimes, the law industry can be ruthless. Many lawyers are burned out with the lack of feedback, the rush of the billable hour, and the thankless work that never seems to end. Instead, lawyers want more collaborative work that they can be confident in, and they want their company to invest in them. But how do you know which company will fulfill these wishes? Can you still find happiness in the law industry? 

This is where Marc Luber comes in. He has crossed paths with many unhappy lawyers and helped them explore their options, market themselves, and land a career they love. This can be a frightening process for lawyers, but it will ultimately help you attain a fulfilling career and move towards the future you envision.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman sits down with Marc Luber, the Founder of JD Careers Out There and the JD Refugee coaching program. Together, they discuss why many lawyers feel unsatisfied in their work, the value of exploring a career change, and Marc’s process for helping clients find the right role. Plus, Marc provides a special self-assessment questionnaire to help you figure out the right path! 

Dr. Michelle Stein Teer is the Founder and Director of Rhetoric Academy, a professional training and coaching organization that specializes in effective communication and rhetoric skills. In addition to this, Dr. Stein Teer is the Head of the Rhetoric Art prestigious Executive Program at IDC in Herzliya, Israel, and a scholar and professor of Political Rhetoric and Cognitive Psychology at the Schools of Communication and Business at IDC, Bar-Ilan University, and Tel Aviv University. 

Dr. Stein Teer is a renowned feminist and an establishing Co-partner of Supersonas, an organization focused on creating a balanced presence of women at all decision-making levels and leadership positions. She also co-founded the groundbreaking She Speaks academy, which certified 400 women lecturers in the art of rhetoric within two years.

In this episode…

Have you heard the phrase “Zoom fatigue”? Odds are, you have—and you’ve probably experienced it first-hand. With COVID-19 forcing offices to transition to a remote work model, most, if not all, of our communication has shifted to Zoom and other digital platforms. But, with video conferencing becoming more commonplace and even mandatory, many of us are starting to feel drained from this new form of communication.

According to rhetoric expert Dr. Michelle Stein Teer, that’s because one hour on Zoom equals four hours in a classroom or office. Dr. Stein Teer believes that if we’re going to be using these kinds of tools to interact with one another, we need to start learning how to communicate effectively in the virtual realm.

Join Elise Holtzman in this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge as she sits down with Dr. Michelle Stein Teer, the Founder and Director of Rhetoric Academy. Dr. Stein Teer shares her expertise in effective communication and rhetoric, including her tips on how women can speak more fruitfully in public. Together, they also discuss the importance of communication, why rhetoric is something that requires practice, and how everyone can start improving their speaking skills today.

Ida Abbott is the President of Ida Abbott Consulting, a consulting firm that has served employers, individuals, partners, and law firms since 1995. Most of her current work focuses on three areas: supporting retirement transitions by helping firms create dignified retirement processes and helping individuals design happy, fulfilling futures; promoting mentoring and sponsorship; and advancing women into leadership.

Due to 40-plus years of valuable contributions as a lawyer and consultant, Ida was elected as a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and a Fellow of the College of Law Practice Management, among so many other leadership positions she holds.

Ida’s best-selling book, Retirement by Design, was named one of the six best books on retirement and aging by the Wall Street Journal in 2020. Ida Abbot has been recognized nationally and internationally as a thought leader and innovator in developing, retaining, and managing legal talent.

In this episode…

Are you thinking about the prospect of retirement — whether it’s in the near or distant future? Do you want to know how to process and plan for retired life effectively?

According to retirement expert Ida Abbott, contrary to popular belief, the transition into retirement typically isn’t like riding into a sunset. Instead, the process of retiring is long, difficult, and emotionally-taxing. However, there are many ways to prepare for a new way of life in retirement and help soften the transition financially, emotionally, and mentally. In fact, that’s exactly where Ida comes in: to help people plan for retirement, regardless of age, socio-economic class, or career path. So, how can you start to prepare for retirement today to create an easier transition down the road?

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman sits down with Ida Abbott, the President of Ida Abbott Consulting, to discuss the importance of planning for retirement. Listen in as Ida talks about her background in the legal profession, why people often avoid thinking about — and planning for — retirement, and some key factors to consider now before retiring later. Stay tuned! 

Amanda Sexton is the founder and CEO of FocusWorks Marketing. Her agency uses the power of digital marketing to grow law firms through content that converts. For 15 years, she has shaped brand development, created award-winning content, and helped service providers like law firms create successful marketing campaigns.

Amanda is also president of New Jersey Legal Industry Providers and a director at large for the Legal Marketing Association’s northeast regional board. In addition, she speaks frequently for industry conferences such as the ABA TechShow and the Legal Marketing Association’s National Conference.

WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE ABOUT CREATING CONTENT THAT CONVERTS

Like any business, law firms have unique marketing needs. Yet, law degrees rarely come with a focus on marketing education. Combine this with the fast-changing nature of digital marketing and the countless investment options available, and it’s easy to see why many legal professionals feel overwhelmed.

The result? Noise. In an industry where the focus is often squarely on serving clients, it’s challenging for lawyers and legal organizations to cut through the clutter and craft content that resonates with the clients they want to serve.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge podcast, Elise Holtzman talks with Amanda Sexton, founder of FocusWorks Marketing, about how lawyers and their firms can overcome the overwhelm and develop content that attracts ideal clients. Amanda shares insights on what to consider before making marketing decisions, key metrics to track success, strategies for creating content that converts, and much more.

2:36 – The meaning behind Amanda's tagline “Content that converts,” its relevance for law firms, and why digital marketing can feel overwhelming for lawyers

6:32 – The array of marketing expertise available and how to navigate it

8:55 – Essential considerations for deciding where to allocate your firm’s marketing resources

11:03 – Establishing a marketing budget, critical numbers to monitor, and ongoing challenges in marketing

15:07 – Effective content strategies for law firms and a major missed opportunity many firms overlook

18:10 – Discovering what sets your firm apart and leveraging LinkedIn effectively

21:45 – Identifying what prospective clients need to hear to take the next step

25:07 – How law firms can support their marketing teams to achieve broader organizational goals

31:04 – Metrics to regularly review for evaluating marketing effectiveness

35:08 – Examples of evaluating and adjusting marketing strategies based on results

36:40 – A simple but impactful idea that could improve your marketing outcomes by up to 60%

38:23 – Amanda’s fundamental advice for creating content that converts: balancing professionalism with authenticity

MENTIONED IN CREATING CONTENT THAT CONVERTS

FocusWorks Marketing | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

Legal Marketing Association | Northeast Region

Get Connected with The Coaching Team at hello@thelawyersedge.com

The Lawyer’s Edge

SPONSOR FOR THIS EPISODE…

Today’s episode is brought to you by the Ignite Women’s Business Development Accelerator, a 9-month business development program created BY women lawyers for women lawyers. Ignite is a carefully designed business development program containing content, coaching, and a community of like-minded women who are committed to becoming rainmakers AND supporting the retention and advancement of other women in the profession. 

Early Bird Registration is now underway for our 2025 Ignite cohorts. If you are interested in either participating in the program or sponsoring a woman in your firm to enroll, learn more about Ignite and sign up for our registration alerts by visiting www.thelawyersedge.com/ignite.https://thelawyersedge.com/podcast/amanda-sexton-content-that-convertshttps://thelawyersedge.com/podcast/amanda-sexton-content-that-converts

Laurence Whittam is a Business Advisor with Anchin, regarded as one of the “best of the best” accounting firms in the country. He is also a Profit Enhancement Leader for CostMarc, a consulting group affiliate of Anchin. Fresh out of college, Laurence was chosen to launch the American subsidiary of a UK firm, growing the company from a startup to a thriving business with $2 million in annual revenue in just five years. Since then, he has worked with over 250 professional service firms and has produced yearly savings of over $7.5 million across his clients. 

Laurence is an authority on what a business should and should not outsource in order to stay efficient and effective. When he’s not helping to implement strategies for profit enhancement, he volunteers with the KinderSmile Foundation and spends time with his wife and daughter.

In this episode…

When you hear the phrase “expense reduction,” what is the first thought that pops into your head? Did you think of layoffs? Or, did the idea of cutting technology or letting go of some work culture comforts cross your mind?

According to Laurence Whittam, none of these should get the ax. In his work as a Business Advisor and Profit Enhancement Leader, Laurence has learned that the bottom line isn’t as clear cut as it may seem. That’s why his mission is to help companies reduce expenses in a way that optimizes their operations and transforms the way they do business. 

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge, Elise Holtzman sits down with Laurence Whittam, Anchin Business Advisor and the Profit Enhancement Leader for CostMarc. Together, they talk about expense reduction and what that should look like for your law firm. Laurence also shares the importance of relationship building and an inclusive work culture, and his thoughts on why lawyers are a few years behind accountants. Keep listening.

Jonathan Lupkin is a litigator, trial lawyer, and bowtie aficionado who has been practicing law for over 25 years. During his storied career, he’s served as Chair of the Commercial and Federal Litigation Section of the New York State Bar Association and has been named one of the Top 100 attorneys in the New York metropolitan area by SuperLawyers. After working at firms both big and small, Jonathan decided to build his own practice, Lupkin PLLC.

In this episode…

Law as a profession can be intimidating, especially for younger lawyers on the scene. There’s a lot to learn, challenges to come up against, and arguments to be had. But what if you had more choice than you thought? What if there were more ways than one to practice law successfully? 

Jonathan Lupkin of Lupkin PLLC is a big believer in controlling your own destiny. After learning what he didn’t want early on in his career as a lawyer in a big firm, Jonathan is an expert at saying no to the opportunities that don’t align with his values. 

In this episode, Elise interviews Jonathan Lupkin about breaking with the pack and starting his own boutique firm. Tune in as Jonathan discusses his thoughts on big firms versus boutique practices, the challenges he faced when doing things his own way, and the importance of mentorship at any stage of your career.

Carolyn Blessing is a Partner at Locke Lord LLP, a premier full-service law firm. In her practice, she focuses on IP pharmaceutical matters and Hatch-Waxman litigation. With experience in the FDA regulatory, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical industries, Carolyn represents pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in all aspects of federal IP litigation, including pre-litigation, fact and expert discovery, claim construction, motion practice, pre- and post-trial, and appellate phases.

Carolyn serves on Locke Lord’s women’s initiative committee and served as the hiring partner for the Chicago office. Before joining Locke Lord, Carolyn was a lead associate for a family of four complex patent litigations at Kenyon & Kenyon LLP, involving both patent infringement and Hatch-Waxman litigation. She also assisted with all aspects of patent prosecution and counseling for biotechnology companies. 

Carolyn is the National Board Co-chair of the Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law, a non-profit membership association supporting women in law firms and companies. She has been involved in numerous leadership positions at the organization and serves as a board member and Co-chair of the Professional Development Committee for Chicago Women in Intellectual Property. Dedicated to promoting women in the legal profession, Carolyn demonstrates how women’s initiatives maximize impact. 

Mehtap Cevher Conti is a Partner at Hogan Lovells’ Corporate and Finance Practice, where she focuses on asset finance in the aviation and transportation industries. She has experience working with clients on secured debt, revolving credit facilities, leveraged and operating leases, and portfolio acquisitions. Mehtap also handles asset-backed structured financing for commercial and investment banks, insurance companies, financial institutions, aircraft operating lessors, and airlines.

Having managed financial transactions involving multiple global jurisdictions, she advises clients on the purchasing and lease financing of corporate aircraft and helicopters. Before joining Hogan Lovells, Mehtap worked in private practice, where she focused on global transportation finance. She has been recognized in The Legal 500 US for asset finance and leasing and by Chambers & Partners for transportation and aviation finance.

Mehtap serves in leadership positions in multiple organizations and non-profit associations, including those promoting the advancement and retention of women in the legal profession. As the National Board Co-chair of the Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law, she promotes women’s initiatives for maximum impact in the legal industry.

In this episode…

As the legal profession continues to tackle the twin challenges of women lawyers leaving the law more frequently than men and a disproportionately low percentage of women in leadership positions, internal and external women’s initiatives have become a welcome source of information and support. What are the top things women’s initiatives can do to have a positive impact on the retention and advancement of women in the profession?

As fierce advocates for women in law, associates Carolyn Blessing and Mehtap Cevher Conti note three core pillars of effective women’s initiatives: programming, networking, and credentialing. These associations should foster authentic relationships with women and help them build their careers. Initiative leaders can also recruit and recommend other women for leadership roles, instilling confidence and community. By providing networking opportunities and mentorship in both internal and external women’s initiatives, you can strengthen your firm and provide alternative perspectives.

On today’s episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman hosts Carolyn Blessing and Mehtap Cevher Conti, private practice attorneys and Co-chairs of the Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law, who talk about enhancing value and driving change through women’s initiatives. Together, they describe the Coalition’s goals, how women’s initiatives promote diversity and leadership, and how to enhance the effectiveness of these organizations. 

Pat Gillette is one of the country’s leading experts and most sought-after speakers on gender diversity and equality. She regularly speaks at law firm retreats, conferences, ABA meetings, State Bar meetings, and industry events. Over the 40 years that Pat practiced law, she ranked as a top employment litigator and trial lawyer and was a leader and rainmaker in her firms. 

Pat’s book, Rainmakers: Born or Bred, details practical tactics and strategies that can be easily implemented to enhance your business development skills. The book also includes helpful tips from rainmakers and clients across the country. 

Pat recognizes the uneven playing field for women and minorities in the legal space. That’s why she co-founded the Opt-In Project — a nationwide initiative focused on changing the structure of law firms to increase the retention and advancement of women. As someone who worked her way up to become a rainmaker, Pat knows the challenges minorities face in reaching leadership positions. That’s why she’s dedicated to mentoring women and minorities, as well as guiding law firms in their journey to become a more diverse, inclusive, and equal workplace.

In this episode…

It’s no secret that law industry trends are changing. People are calling on firms to take action toward gender and racial diversity and create equal opportunities for all. However, Pat Gillette says you have to go beyond training programs.

When you challenge the systemic issues, there’s more opportunity for change within your organization. According to Pat, law firm leaders need to analyze how assignments are handed out, who has the lead role in trials, who gets to speak with clients, and more. So how exactly should you choose the people to be in the leadership pipeline? Traditionally, it’s just a tap on the shoulder, but Pat advises that you need to cultivate a diverse pool of candidates to create visible opportunity.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman talks with author, speaker, and rainmaker Pat Gillette about enacting change to elevate women and minorities in the law industry. Pat discusses the systemic challenges in the industry, how leaders can work toward a more diverse environment, and shares advice for women and minorities looking to grow as business developers. Stay tuned!

David Schnurman is the CEO of Lawline, the leading provider of online Continuing Legal Education (CLE) in the country. He’s also an author, speaker, and the past President of Entrepreneurs’ Organization New York.

David authored the book The Fast Forward Mindset: How to Be Fearless & Focused to Accelerate Your Success, which shares the simple formula to break through walls and fast forward your entrepreneurial success and happiness. Recently, David gave a TEDxYouth talk to inspire high school students to reach their full potential in life. 

Additionally, David frequently speaks on topics ranging from entrepreneurship, mindset, leadership, and culture. He’s published articles in Forbes and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Inc. Magazine, the New York Post, and Law.com, among many other outlets.

In this episode…

It’s easy to look at someone and believe that they’re fearless. However, David Schnurman reminds us that when you go a layer deeper, you notice that everyone has fears (even if they seem fearless on the outside). 

Our circumstances may not be the same, but we’ve all gone through challenges in order to grow, and we’ve all faced fear along the way. But David says you can work through your fears by removing labels from a situation. When you label a situation as good or bad, you often become paralyzed by fear. But when you avoid labels, you can take action knowing that whatever the outcome is, it’s not good or bad — it’s just one step in your path to success. 

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman talks with David Schnurman, CEO of Lawline, about strategies to overcome fears, focus on your goals, and accelerate your journey to success. David discusses the challenges he faced while scaling his business, how coaching can greatly impact your journey, and why it’s important to always have a beginner’s mindset.

Elise Holtzman is an experienced attorney, a certified professional coach, and the founder of The Lawyer’s Edge, a boutique firm that provides professional development services to individual attorneys and legal organizations. 

Elise has a J.D. from Columbia Law School. She practiced commercial real estate transactional law before shifting her focus to empowering lawyers as they navigate their growing careers.

In this episode…

As a lawyer, it’s not enough to keep your head down and do good work anymore; instead, you need to be seen and noticed, both online and off. 

As president and founder of The Lawyer’s Edge, Elise Holtzman knows the importance of visibility for lawyers and law firms. She helps her clients get noticed for their hard work so that they can develop their business and achieve professional success. 

In this week’s episode, Elise is interviewed by business networking expert and founder of Rise25 and the Smart Business Revolution podcast, John Corcoran, about how to prioritize visibility in and out of the office. They discuss the importance of creating a LinkedIn account, how to network during the pandemic, and whether or not you should hire a PR professional. Stay tuned.

Elise Holtzman is an experienced attorney, a certified professional coach, and the Founder of The Lawyer’s Edge, a boutique firm that provides professional development services to individual attorneys and legal organizations.

Elise has a JD from Columbia Law School. She practiced commercial real estate transactional law before shifting her focus to empowering lawyers as they navigate their growing careers. She’s dedicated the last 12 years to helping lawyers and law firms be proactive about business development, leadership, and career acceleration. 

Elise has hosted The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast for over two years, interviewing top lawyers, legal marketing specialists, business leaders, and authors. Now, she’s celebrating the podcast’s 100th episode by reflecting on her podcasting journey and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

In this episode…

When it comes to law firm development, career advancement, brand marketing, and leadership, lawyers are not often the first to jump on the newest trend or opportunity. Many feel as though they have to do things the way it’s always been done. However, being a great lawyer is not dependent on legal industry traditions. 

Over the past couple of years, Elise Holtzman has interviewed many experts in the legal space, and they’ve all shared inspirational and insightful stories on finding success in the legal arena. The truth is, you can create a path through the legal field and pursue opportunities when you want and how you want — regardless of what’s been done in the past.

In this 100th episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Chad Franzen interviews host Elise Holtzman to reflect on stand-out episodes from the last two years. Elise also talks about what inspired her to start the podcast, the amazing guests she’s had on, and the guests’ practical tips for growing as a lawyer and leader.

Joe Giovannoli is the founder and CEO of 9Sail, a digital marketing firm that specializes in project-based and ongoing SEO management for service firms. Joe has almost 10 years of marketing experience, having previously held positions at firms and agencies such as Red Clover and Inflexion Interactive. 

With 9Sail, Joe focuses not only on providing quality service and results for his clients, but also prioritizing the company culture for his team. Alongside the office pup, Dunkin, Joe is working to make 9Sail the leading provider of search marketing services for law firms in New Jersey.

In this episode…

When building your company, it’s important to provide a useful service to your clients and remain attentive to their needs. However, focusing solely on the requirements of your clientele may cause you to forget about the other important component of your business: your team. 

9Sail founder and CEO Joe Giovannoli believes that creating an effective company culture revolves around determining your “why.” According to Joe, when you work with people whose purpose and motivation aligns with your own, the outcome is a holistic and collaborative process that delivers better results to your clients. This is the foundation that has helped Joe rapidly grow his digital marketing firm to new and exceptional heights.

In this week’s episode of The Lawyer’s Edge, host Elise Holtzman sits down with Joe Giovannoli of 9Sail to talk about the importance of crafting an intentional company culture at your law firm. They chat about letting clients go who aren’t a good fit for your company, how to find the “why” behind your business, and what lawyers need to know about digital marketing. Stay tuned.

Janet Falk is a writer, speaker, and consultant with over 30 years of experience in public relations and marketing communications. Through her company, Falk Communications and Research, she helps attorneys, executives, and firms stand out in the market.

Janet leads workshops and advises on media relations, websites, LinkedIn profiles, articles, nonlegal industry trade publications, and client newsletters, among other areas. She has published articles on media relations and marketing in the New York Law Journal, the New Jersey Law Journal, and Marketing the Law Firm. Janet is also a frequent speaker on webinars and podcasts about public relations and legal marketing.

Janet advises attorneys at solo and small law firms on media relations and marketing communications so that they can attract new clients, remain top of mind with prior clients, keep in touch with referral sources, help recruit associates, generate a news story about litigation that puts pressure on opposing counsel, and achieve business goals. One of the major components that can help firms thrive in these areas is knowing how to deal with reporters. That’s why Janet is on a mission to help attorneys gain visibility, get in touch with reporters, and craft a memorable message that will make them the go-to lawyer for big news stories.

In this episode…

Why would an attorney want to be in the news? Beyond the immediate gain of being in front of your potential client, getting in the news can help you keep in touch with referral sources, recruit employees, advocate for a cause, and prove that you’re an expert on a given topic. So how can you situate yourself as the go-to lawyer reporters want to call? 

According to Janet Falk, attorneys have to think about the reporter’s audience. This is crucial if you want reporters to continuously use you as a source. Additionally, you want to be memorable and quotable. But how? Janet breaks it down into the “four A’s:” acronym, analogy, anecdote, and alliteration. You have to be creative in your remarks to a reporter, and providing visuals, a story, or any one of the “four A’s” will give them something that they can latch onto and turn into a compelling account for their audiences. 

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman is joined by Janet Falk, consultant, writer, and speaker at Falk Communications and Research, to talk about strategies for dealing with reporters and getting in the news. Janet details how to identify and contact reporters, the best ways to shape your media profile, tips for dealing with spontaneous reporter calls, and why it’s crucial to keep the reporter’s audience top of mind throughout the process.

Kate Mortensen is the Chief Legal Officer at Xact Data Discovery (XDD), a leading international provider of eDiscovery, data management, and managed review services for law firms and corporations. In this role, Kate is responsible for leading corporate strategic and tactical legal initiatives, managing outside counsel, and offering support across all business units. 

Kate is also the Assistant Director for the Phoenix chapter of Women in eDiscovery, a nonprofit organization that facilitates advancement, change, and leadership for women professionals in the legal and technology industries. Before this, Kate held executive roles at various other law firms and corporations and ran a travel blog while traversing through South America with her husband.

In this episode…

Are you looking to make a change in your career? Have you wanted to explore an executive role, but don’t know how to pivot out of your current position? Do you want to be more intentional with your personal and professional goals? Kate Mortensen did, and now she is the Chief Legal Officer at Xact Data Discovery. 

Kate was a litigation lawyer for 12 years before realizing she needed a change. Having both an MBA and JD, she decided to switch gears and take on more business-related roles at various corporations—but she still wasn’t sure exactly which path to take in her career. Then, in 2015, Kate and her husband dropped everything and trekked across South America for over a year. Kate returned to the States with a renewed spirit, professional clarity, and a fresh set of career goals.

On this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge podcast, host Elise Holtzman talks with Kate Mortensen, the Chief Legal Officer at Xact Data Discovery. Kate discusses her journey from litigation lawyer to business executive, the life lessons she learned from her trek across South America, and her tips for succeeding in an executive role. She also shares everything you need to know about eDiscovery in the legal industry. Stay tuned.

Bree Buchanan is a Senior Advisor at Krill Strategies, which improves lawyer well-being by reducing the impact of mental health issues and substance abuse in the legal profession. With a 30-year career as a litigator, lobbyist, law professor, and legal assistance program director, she was a Founding Co-chair of the National Task Force of Lawyer Well-Being and co-authored its report, The Path to Well-Being. 

Bree is a member of the Lawyer Well-Being Committee of the National Bar Association. From 2013-2018, she was the Director of the Texas Lawyers Assistance Program, where she worked with lawyers experiencing behavioral health issues and legal employers seeking resources and support for their staff. Bree frequently speaks for national and international law organizations and global law firms on lawyer well-being and impairment issues.

As the co-host of the Path to Well-Being in Law podcast, Bree shares her story of addiction recovery, and her writing has appeared in publications, including Law Practice Today and The American Lawyer. With a warm presentation style and engaging presence, she breaks the stigma and silence of mental health to tackle the crisis in the legal industry.

In this episode…

According to the ALM, 35% of lawyers feel detached and isolated, often leading to anxiety, depression, and substance abuse disorders. This is especially prevalent among younger attorneys, who must navigate steep learning curves and face pressure to exceed expectations. What resources can law firms offer to promote lawyers’ mental health and well-being?

With so much stigma surrounding mental health in the legal profession, many lawyers struggle to disclose their challenges. After experiencing burnout and alcoholism from a demanding career in law, Bree Buchanan became dedicated to sharing her experiences with others. Hearing stories from lawyers facing similar issues fosters connection and encouragement to seek help. Additionally, law firms can provide confidential employee assistance programs (EAP) with professional psychologists. However, reducing the pervasiveness of mental health issues in the legal profession requires easing work-hour expectations and motivating employees to take vacation time.

In today’s episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman welcomes her guest Bree Buchanan, a Senior Advisor at Krill Strategies, for a conversation about addressing the mental health crisis in the legal profession. Bree shares mental health resources promoting confidentiality, how to raise awareness of substance abuse in the industry, and the increased mental health epidemic among younger lawyers. 

Randi Kochman is the Co-managing Shareholder of Cole Schotz P.C., where she serves as chair of the firm’s employment law department. She is dedicated to helping employers understand and navigate complicated and evolving employment law to manage employees effectively, avoid costly mistakes, and focus on their core businesses.

With more than 25 years of employment law experience, Randi works closely with her clients in employment-related cases, including wrongful discharge, discrimination, retaliation, harassment, wage and hour compliance, and contract disputes. When disputes arise, she works meticulously to litigate employment and business tort issues in state and federal courts and administrative agencies. Randi lectures and writes regularly on all aspects of employment law and is frequently called upon to conduct independent workplace investigations into allegations of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and related issues.

Randi is actively involved with the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association (NJWLA), where she’s held various leadership positions, including president, president-elect, vice president, and secretary. Working with Cole Schotz since 1995 allowed her to advance in her career from being a promising lawyer to being recognized for high-quality legal work and professionalism. She now mentors, supports, and imparts her years of wisdom to junior attorneys.

In this episode…

The fundamental shifts in employment culture have influenced how junior associates view the legal profession. Law firms must find ways to retain and satisfy junior lawyers’ needs while identifying those motivated to attain leadership positions. Creating an atmosphere that fosters continuous career development and enrichment to cultivate and retain talent is key. 

As an esteemed managing partner and leader in the legal industry, Randi Kochman maintains that junior lawyers must confirm their commitment to their roles to be considered for other positions. This allows you to build a legal business through relationship-building and business development opportunities like joining organizations for professional growth. Investing in yourself is also critical, so Randi advises allocating your endeavors to focus on personal skill development and self-care.

Join Elise Holtzman in this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast as she hosts Randi Kochman, Co-managing Shareholder at Cole Schotz, who shares her career development journey and tips for junior associates. Randi explains how to address attorneys’ altering perspectives on the legal profession, her favorite parts of practicing law, and management and retention strategies for law firm leaders.

Vishal Agnihotri is the Chief Knowledge Officer at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, a national law firm with over 400 lawyers. Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP delivers a sophisticated legal practice with emphasis in litigation, consumer financial services, environmental law, and much more. As the CKO, Vishal oversees the firm’s knowledge management, legal product management, and research services. 

Before joining Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Vishal held a variety of executive leadership positions, including Chief Knowledge Officer at Akerman LLP and Associate Director of Global Knowledge at KPMG. She has also served as an Advisory Board Member for Rutgers Business School and Bloomberg BNA.

In this episode…

Why does knowledge management matter in the legal industry? How can legal professionals effectively navigate the spread and growth of technology in 2021 and beyond? As Vishal Agnihotri says, it’s all about wielding the right information at the right time. 

As a Chief Knowledge Officer in the legal field, Vishal has seen technology grow exponentially in the past two decades. She explains that information is power — as long as you know how to wade through the excess to find the right data. Now, she’s here to share her expertise on knowledge management and explain how you can leverage the information explosion happening at this very moment.

On this exciting episode of The Lawyer’s Edge, Elise Holtzman talks with Vishal Agnihotri, the Chief Knowledge Officer at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, about how to navigate the spread of technology and information overload in the legal field. They discuss why knowledge management is essential for lawyers, how to adapt to ever-evolving technology, and her tips for leveraging data to gain a competitive advantage in your field. Stay tuned! 

Those first travelers making their way West did so without a roadmap. But in taking the opportunity, they paved the way for the nation’s expansion.

That spirit of the West is very much rooted in Tara Stingley and the Nebraska law firm of which she is a partner. As the first woman to serve on Cline Williams’ executive committee, she challenged other members to think about how they defined issues and the impact of their decisions.

She also established her niche as an employment law expert within the legal community. Laying down that foundation has paid dividends in affording her opportunities, as it can for you, too. And unlike that first wave of westward travelers, you don’t have to go forward blindly; Tara has tips to help you build your roadmap to greater visibility.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge podcast, you’ll hear about the payoff potential in raising your profile and building your brand as a subject-matter expert and how to start proactively doing it (even if you’re still a young lawyer). Tara will also discuss the importance of representation, the need for professional women to stop underestimating their value, what plays into a client’s decision to pick you over others, and so much more!

1:51 - How Tara became a lawyer and partner at Cline Williams and how the law firm differs from others

9:51 - The importance of Tara’s role as the first woman on the firm’s executive committee

13:22 - Why you should strive to increase your visibility as an expert in your field, even when you can’t see an immediate payoff

20:58 - How lawyers can create branding opportunities for themselves rather than wait for them to appear

25:06 - The mindset you need for approaching opportunities to raise your profile and ultimately get clients you want to work with

29:40 - An essential piece of advice for professional women (especially those dealing with imposter syndrome)

Connect with Tara Stingley

Tara Stingley is a Partner Cline Williams and the Chair of it’s Labor and Employment Law section. Cline Williams, established in 1857, is Nebraska's oldest existing law firm and is a full-service firm with approximately 60 lawyers working in 5 offices located in Nebraska and Colorado. Tara is also the firm's primary representative to the Employment Law Alliance, the largest international network of labor and employment lawyers. Tara focuses her practice on employment law, advising businesses in a variety of industries on compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.

Cline Williams

Employment Law Alliance

Tara Stingley on LinkedIn 

Mentioned In How to Become a Visible Expert in Your Practice Area

Get Connected with The Coaching Team at hello@thelawyersedge.com

The Lawyer’s Edge

SPONSOR FOR THIS EPISODE…

Today’s episode is brought to you by the coaching team at The Lawyer’s Edge, a training and coaching firm which has been focused exclusively on lawyers and law firms since 2008. 

Each member of The Lawyer’s Edge coaching team is a trained, certified, and experienced professional coach AND either a former practicing attorney or a former law firm marketing and business development professional. Whatever your professional objectives, our coaches can help you achieve your goals more quickly, more easily, and with significantly less stress.

To get connected with YOUR coach, just email the team at hello@thelawyersedge.com.

Cole Silver is the Chief Client Officer at Blank Rome, an Am Law 100 firm that provides a full range of legal and advocacy services to clients worldwide.

Before going in-house, Cole ran his own multi-state law firm called The Silver Law Group. For over 25 years, he served as General Counsel to several high-growth companies, providing an insider’s view of clients’ real-world concerns and a unique market perspective that drives business and client growth.

Cole has also authored books and trained hundreds of professionals in the areas of client development and service, helping them transform their business and impact.

To succeed in this climate, Cole advises that the older generation must pay attention to the trends and adapt like their innovative younger counterparts. As the Chief Client Officer at Blank Rome, Cole provides strategic guidance to lawyers, ensuring that the client experience is memorable and exceeds their expectations in value, delivery, and results.

In this episode…

There are many trends directly impacting the law industry, including technological advancements, generational conflicts, as well as social, political, and cultural changes. So, what actions can your firm take to stay on top of these trends? And how can you continue driving change within your field? 

According to Cole Silver, younger, forward-thinking lawyers are succeeding because they’re able to adapt. The older generations who are more resistant to change risk losing employees, clients, and the future of their business. But what can these younger and older generations learn from each other? For Cole, it’s all about engaging with employees, receiving feedback, and training new leaders to build an enduring firm. 

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge, Elise Holtzman talks with Cole Silver, Chief Client Officer of Blank Rome, about the importance of innovation. Cole discusses the ways your firm can adapt to changes, where to invest in your business, and why your clients are more valuable now than ever before. Plus, Cole shares his tips on bridging generational leadership differences while being open to industry developments. Stay tuned.

Diana Manning is the Managing Principal of Bressler, Amery & Ross, a full-service law firm with more than 150 attorneys across multiple states. She is also Co-chair of Bressler’s Business and Commercial Litigation practice group and spearheads the firm’s Appellate practice team. As a law firm leader, Diana strives to involve her team in decisions, work through surprising challenges, and transform the conversation around what leaders should look like.

Diana has over two decades of experience in complex commercial litigation and is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a civil trial attorney. She lectures and writes on a number of issues important to attorneys and clients, including legal ethics, business litigation, and professional liability. Diana is also the President-Elect of the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association and a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Board of Trustees. 

Diana served on the District XA Ethics Committee for 10 years and was appointed Chair by the New Jersey Supreme Court from 2017 to 2019. She is also a past President of Trial Attorneys of New Jersey, the Morris County Bar Association, and the Morris County Bar Foundation.

In this episode…

There’s a great deal of responsibility that comes with the role of managing partner — but it may not be what you expect. In addition to ensuring the firm runs smoothly, managing partners must also balance the personal side of leadership, from navigating team health concerns to developing a strong culture. So how can law firm leaders learn to lead through the unexpected?

Diana Manning’s background in different committees, associations, and legal roles has helped her jump into her leadership position with enthusiasm. Not only has Diana succeeded as Managing Principal of her firm, but she has also defied the traditional image of a law firm leader. In Diana’s experience, there’s a high level of mental responsibility required for leaders, and a managing partner has to balance both personal and professional concerns while running the business. How does she manage it all? By embracing the unexpected and leading with authenticity, Diana has transformed the culture and growth of her firm. 

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman sits down with Diana Manning, Managing Principal of Bressler, Amery & Ross, to talk about the surprising challenges and opportunities for law firm leaders. Diana shares how she rose up to Managing Principal of her firm, the importance of getting involved and expanding your network, and how her leadership style helps her overcome obstacles and empower her team.      

Robert Ingalls is a recovering attorney, speaker, and the Founder and Chief Podcast Strategist at LawPods. LawPods helps busy attorneys create world-class podcast content that boosts SEO, builds relationships, and drives revenue. They’ve worked with premier law firms including McGuireWoods, Blank Rome, and the Law Offices of John T. Orcutt. 

Before founding LawPods, Robert battled anxiety from the pressure, long hours, and constant conflict of a litigation career. After creating podcasts for his law firm, Robert decided to turn it into a full-time career. With very few takers in the early days, he spent two years in a corporate banking gig, grinding nights and weekends to bring LawPods to life. 

Robert frequently speaks on topics including positioning your podcast for success, prioritizing mental health, entrepreneurship, and law office technology. In his spare time, he enjoys teaching podcasting at community events, spending time with his family, skateboarding, and snowboarding.

In this episode…

Podcasting is growing year after year. More than one-third of people in the US are listening to podcasts — many of whom listen on a weekly basis. Podcasting has become a part of many people’s everyday lives. But what are the benefits of podcasting? Should your law firm start a podcast?

Some people think a podcast is just an audio conversation. But Robert Ingalls says it’s more than that: it’s video, it’s social media, it’s SEO, and it’s a content marketing strategy all in one. Podcasting is a powerful tool that can position you as a trusted thought leader, connect you with listeners on an emotional level, and help you develop relationships — before you even meet someone. 

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman sits down with Robert Ingalls, Founder and Chief Podcast Strategist of LawPods, to talk about how law firms can use podcasting to build relationships and attract clients. Robert discusses how a podcast can help your firm grow and build trust with clients, the top reasons why law podcasts fail, and his advice for starting a podcast and enlisting a company of experts.

Gina Rubel is the President and CEO of Furia Rubel Communications, an award-winning, woman-owned public relations and marketing agency that specializes in high-stakes public relations, reputation management, crisis planning, and incident response support for lawyers and law firms. Gina founded Furia Rubel in 2002, making it the first Pennsylvania marketing and public relations agency with a niche in the legal industry. 

Gina has written two books on public relations for lawyers and currently works with clients in 28 states and five countries. She founded and co-chairs the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Law Firm Risk Management Committee and was recently inducted into the College of Law Practice Management as a fellow. Gina is also the host of the popular podcast, On Record PR.

In this episode…

We’ve all heard this argument before: law is a practice, not a business. There is often a heavy resistance in the legal industry when it comes to marketing and public relations, but, according to Gina Rubel, this can be detrimental to the future of your practice and your present business.

Gina is the President and CEO of Furia Rubel Communications, one of the top legal marketing agencies in Pennsylvania. After starting her career in law as a judicial clerk and later diving into litigation, she noticed that there was a space in the industry that needed to be remedied: communications. 

Join Elise Holtzman on this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge as she sits down with Gina Rubel, the President and CEO of Furia Rubel Communications. Gina talks about her transition from a career in law to a career in communications, her strategies for crisis and reputation management, and the importance of internal training when it comes to public relations. Keep listening.

Marc W. Halpert is the Managing Partner of connect2collaborate, where he trains and coaches professionals using LinkedIn. As a self-proclaimed “multipreneur,” he has built three businesses and sold two of them. Marc became a solopreneur to help professionals in corporations, law firms, small companies, membership organizations, and nonprofits clarify their brand and positioning on LinkedIn.

As a LinkedIn trainer, Marc has been recognized as a high-energy speaker at national and regional conferences and an instructor to sales, marketing, HR, and training departments at professional service firms. He ranked on the top five list of fastest growth in the number of followers among global LinkedIn coaches and trainers. 

Marc has written two books on LinkedIn marketing and articles in national publications on using the latest LinkedIn techniques for self-branding. His specialty in customized personal coaching has helped individuals in various industries use LinkedIn to express their WHY. 

In this episode…

Most lawyers have LinkedIn profiles, but many aren’t updated or optimized for their target audiences. An inactive profile with outdated credentials deters potential clients, limiting attorneys’ recognition and authority. How can you leverage LinkedIn to communicate your value proposition and clarify your WHY?

As a renowned LinkedIn coach and marketing consultant, Marc Halpert understands the platform’s value in distinguishing yourself and creating lasting impressions. Prospects will likely browse your profile after receiving a referral, so posting engaging and informative content and crafting a bio that aligns with your professional purpose keeps you relevant. Each post should demonstrate your area of expertise, encourage commentary, and include calls to action. However, most lawyers must maintain ethical and professional standards, so ensure your posts are accurate and justifiable.

In today’s episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman is joined by Marc W. Halpert, the Managing Partner of connect2collaborate, who shares techniques for using LinkedIn to market your WHY. Marc discusses the top LinkedIn marketing mistakes, how law firms can build their brands on the platform, and how to use AI responsibly to develop LinkedIn profiles. 

Chaim Book is the Co-Founder and Head of Employment Law Practice at Moskowitz & Book, an employment law, white-collar criminal defense, and commercial litigation firm based in New York. Alongside his co-founder Avi Moskowitz, Chaim has successfully headed the firm for the last 24 years. 

In addition to being named a New York City Super Lawyer by his peers, Chaim is also a storied mediator and advisor. He has worked with a number of nonprofit and religious organizations throughout his career, representing more than 50 synagogues, churches, and religious schools.

In this episode…

Whether you’re a big law firm with endless practice areas or a small boutique practice that focuses on a single niche, it takes a lot of determination, communication, and strategy to succeed in the long run. 

For Chaim Book, the integral element of success for his practice is one that’s often overlooked by large and small law firms alike: flexibility. Chaim and his Co-Founder Avi Moskowitz have successfully run their employment law firm, Moskowitz & Book, for the last 24 years—longer than some marriages. That’s because they prioritized flexibility without compromising their core values and goals. 

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman sits down with Moskowitz & Book Co-Founder and Head of Employment Law Practice, Chaim Book, to talk about the necessary strategies for success in law. Chaim shares his thoughts on LinkedIn and the purpose of networking, how Moskowitz & Book has prospered for the last 24 years, and the importance of building relationships with both your confidants and your competition. Keep listening. 

Melanie Lippman is a New York-based image coach and personal branding consultant. She’s also the Founder and CEO of Melanie Lippman Style Consulting, where she helps people express confidence with style.

Melanie has received multiple degrees from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), and she studied fashion merchandising and cosmetic fragrance marketing in college. Later in life, she had a transformative internship in Marie Claire’s fashion closet and a successful career selling fine jewelry wholesale to stores, including Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.

When it comes to the legal industry, Melanie helps attorneys stop the stress and overwhelm of getting dressed and instead use their style as a tool to attract clients, build connections, and achieve next-level visibility. Her philosophy is simple: when you’re confident in your appearance, you can show up and conquer anything the day brings you.

In this episode…

Does it really matter what you wear to work? When you’re a busy lawyer focused on your job, it can be tempting to give up shopping and throw on whatever’s in your closet. In truth, your clothing sends a message to your colleagues and clients. 

According to style consultant Melanie Lippman, clothing is the largest form of nonverbal communication. Whether intentional or not, your style sends a message. So, you want to make sure that you’re putting effort into your style to send the right message. Luckily, Melanie has some valuable tips to help you figure out your style, find what flatters you, and develop your personal brand.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman is joined by Melanie Lippman, the Founder and CEO of Melanie Lippman Style Consulting, to talk about shaping your personal style. Melanie shares the benefits of putting effort into your wardrobe, why style is more important than trends, and tips for building confidence through your clothing.

Jennifer Gillman is the President of Gillman Strategic Group, a legal recruiting company focused solely on law firm partner placement. She aims to help dissatisfied law firm partners and solo practitioners find the perfect fit at another firm. 

After practicing law for 12 years, Jennifer realized that legal recruiting combined her two passions of law and matchmaking. She worked at a New Jersey legal recruiting firm for 10 years before following her dream and launching Gillman Strategic Group.

Being unhappy in your law career doesn’t have to be the norm. That’s why Jennifer created an organization that offers support, guidance, and resources to help law firm partners find their ideal firm. With her combined experience in law and legal recruiting, Jennifer takes on all the legwork necessary to make a career shift and achieve personal and professional satisfaction.

In this episode…

Law firm partners often feel guilty for their unhappiness. They are respected, get paid well, and seem to have “made it” in the industry, so why are they dissatisfied? There are many legitimate reasons why rainmakers might feel unhappy in their firms, from lack of growth to ill-suited cultures. As a partner, you shouldn’t feel guilty for your unhappiness — but you don’t need to tolerate it, either. 

Jennifer Gillman says rainmakers can be successful and happy if they’re in the right firm. But how do you evaluate if your firm is the proper fit? Jennifer breaks it down into three buckets: work-life balance, client fit, and firm fit. If you’re not finding harmony between your personal and professional life, it may be time to change firms. Additionally, if your clients outgrow the firm or the company can’t support your needs, it’s worth taking a leap to find a new firm. 

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman is joined by Jennifer Gillman, President of Gillman Strategic Group, to talk about how rainmakers can find happiness in their work. Jennifer shares how her business helps law firm partners search for a new company, common reasons why rainmakers change firms, and tips to find happiness in the law.

Heidi Friedman is a partner in Thompson Hine’s Environmental and Products Liability practice groups and Co-chair of the firm’s ESG Collaborative. She serves as national environmental counsel for many large corporations, including Fortune 500 companies. 

Heidi is also a Fellow of the American College of Environmental Lawyers (ACOEL), a Member of the International Association of Defense Counsel and DRI, and she’s on the Board of Directors and Honoree Committee for Bellefaire JCB and DirectWomen, respectively.

As a mother, lawyer, and Founder and Former Chair of Thompson Hine’s Women’s Initiative, Heidi strongly advocates for diversity, equality, authenticity, and creating a culture of belonging. For Heidi, achieving these feats is all about crafting your unique course to success, both inside and outside of the workplace. 

In this episode…

Oftentimes, lawyers are expected to fulfill cookie-cutter examples of success, incessantly working their way up the ladder in order to make partner. But what about entry-level associates, parents, and others who want to find success and happiness in their careers right now? Is there a way to achieve your goals while straying from the traditional path?

According to Heidi Friedman, the “you do you” philosophy can help anyone find happiness in their professional and personal lives regardless of age, gender, or experience. Based on prioritization, flexibility, and authenticity, this method allows you to chart your own path and find what works best for you. Instead of falling into the traps of comparison, begrudgingly following tradition, and feeding the voice in your head saying “you’re not doing enough,” Heidi suggests following the course that is genuinely and authentically you. 

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman is joined by Heidi Friedman, Partner in Thompson Hine’s Environmental Products and Liability sector and Co-chair of the firm’s ESG Collaborative. Together, they talk about shaping your unique track to success in the legal industry by embracing authenticity, asking for what you want, and nurturing relationships. Heidi also describes her journey to success and shares inspirational advice from mentors along the way.

Shawn Swearingen is the Chief Innovation Officer at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, a top 50 law firm with locations across the US, the UK, and China. In this role, Shawn collaborates with the executive and operations leadership teams to create a culture of innovation and design. Shawn has an ITIL Foundation Certification and a white belt in Legal Lean Sigma, and in 2011 she was awarded the Minnesota Lawyer Unsung Legal Hero award. 

Shawn previously held the position of Senior Director of Technology at Faegre Drinker. With a focus on e-discovery and research, she led teams responsible for intranet, document automation, project management, legal process improvement, and more.

In this episode…

Is there a tried-and-true way to build personal connections between practice groups at your law firm? How can design thinking improve the way you approach and understand your clients’ needs? And, what does a Chief Innovation Officer do for a firm? Discover the answers to all of these questions and more on this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge podcast with guest Shawn Swearingen! 

Shawn is an expert at building stronger relationships—both between teams and between lawyers and their clients. As the Chief Innovation Officer at Faegre Drinker, she has implemented a variety of innovative systems and processes to improve her firm’s workplace culture and drive it’s success. As she says, it’s all about communication, collaboration, and working toward the same big picture goals.

Shawn Swearingen, the Chief Innovation Officer at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, joins Elise Holtzman in this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge to discuss her strategies for creating a culture of innovation at your law firm. Shawn talks about the importance of maintaining a communal workplace culture, how to shift your focus to design thinking, and why lawyers should put trust in their operational leadership teams. Stay tuned for more!