Disruptive Law: No Glass Ceiling

Kelly Culhane

This week Ivy Slater, host of Her Success Story, chats with her guest, Kelly Culhane. The two talk about the model of Culhane Meadows, a woman-owned law firm creating positive disruption within the legal marketplace using collaborative partnerships, technology, and a transparent compensation formula, showing clients and attorneys a better way to practice law.

In this episode, we discuss:

How Kelly and her co-founders began Culhane Meadows with the vision of having a better way to practice law, offering women a way to maintain a sophisticated practice while keeping a healthy work-life balance What math-based formula this full-service law firm offers to over 70 partners so that they have every ability to be the top-biller in this practice The diversity of the practice in services and locations What surprises Kelly has come across in the building of this culture over the last 9 years How Kelly balances leading a firm while caring for her own clients Culhane Meadows’ “Share the Wealth” model that works well for the working attorneys and originating attorneys that offer their services in administrative development How Kelly and her team find time for client development and networking The many challenges along the way, and how they have navigated through them successfully How the pandemic has normalized the playing field in law, and been a gift to Kelly’s team as such “early adapters” in technology What benefits Culhane Meadows finds in the technology they use to connect their partners How to join their recruiting portal

Kelly Rittenberry Culhane is a founding partner of Culhane Meadows, the largest woman-owned, general practice law firm in the US. Drawing on her experience as the former General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer of two national law firms, and as outside general counsel to many of her clients, Kelly and her partners created a cloud-based, partner-only law firm that combines the best traits of BigLaw with a business model that fosters deep collaboration among partners practicing sophisticated law for clients that include the Fortune 500 in an environment that encourages work/life balance. A proud member of NAMWOLF, Culhane Meadows frequently features on 'Best of’ lists from Working Mother, Law360, and U.S. News and World Report.

 With a sharp mind and steady hand clients rely on during times of corporate crises, Kelly advises clients on their insurance needs and risk management. She is also a nationally recognized expert on the outsourcing of human resources and professional services, and counsels multinational and international corporate clients on how best to reduce their legal and financial exposure as they navigate the complex legal issues inherent in managing an increasingly global workforce. In addition to serving as co-managing partner of the firm's Texas offices, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Texas Regional office of the National Center for the Missing and Exploited Children.

Website: https://www.culhanemeadows.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culhane-meadows-pllc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CulhaneMeadows
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CulhaneMeadows