Lawyers Who Launch
88 episodes - English - Latest episode: 8 months ago - ★★★★★ - 16 ratingsTwo law school besties who practice law and are ready to inspire and empower you to take positive steps in your professional and personal life to find joy and fulfillment.
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Episodes
Talking About Your Legal Reputation
August 28, 2023 04:00 - 10 minutes - 6.94 MBYour reputation in the law is important to your future success. We are sharing seven considerations for you when thinking about the type of reputation you are looking to build. Establish your expertise. As a new attorney it is your job to learn your chosen practice. You are not going to be an expert in those early years but that is okay. As you learn others around you will notice your dedication and diligence. This will help you build that reputation for expertise as to expand your kno...
What Every 1L Needs to Start Law School
July 10, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 6.59 MBThis week we are addressing a common summer question for those of you entering law school this fall - what do I need for law school??? Physical Items: 1. Tech - a lightweight laptop is a necessity. Many law students also opt for tablets for note taking, scheduling, planning, and more. 2. Noise cancelling headphones - these are a must to help you concentrate and get through long study sessions. 3. Portable charger - this will ensure that no matter where you are sitting in the library you...
Planning to Disconnect
June 12, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 6.88 MBWe are gearing up for a summer filled with vacations, day trips, and time spent with family and friends. So, of course, we are considering how we can actually disconnect when we are out of the office, whether that is for an afternoon or for a week. As an attorney, it takes more than just popping up your out of office response on your email. Especially in a smaller firm, there may be files or tasks that you are the point of contact, decision maker and advisor. To be able to disconnect wh...
Bar Exam Prep and Planning
May 29, 2023 18:00 - 11 minutes - 7.99 MBCongratulations to all of the 2023 law school graduates! In honor of this huge milestone, we are sharing our tips to help you prepare and plan to study for the bar exam this summer. Tip #1 - Celebrate your J.D. Law school is a huge accomplishment all on its own. Take some time to put the bar exam out of your mind, as well as wherever you are in your job search and just celebrate your J.D. You’ve worked hard. You deserve to take the time to celebrate this major accomplishment before focu...
Simplify Your Summer Networking
May 15, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 6.77 MBSpring is here and summer is right around the corner. This usually means a different pace of our daily lives. The summer is a great time to network at any stage of your career. Because of unique summer opportunties, you can simplify your summer networking and enjoy yourself while you do it. If you are in law school you likely have a summer position. Even if you are taking summer classes, the flow of a summer session is entirely different from the regular school year. For those of you ...
Professional Networking Group Breakdown
May 01, 2023 04:00 - 10 minutes - 6.95 MBProfessional networking groups are an effective way to generate new business, refer leads to others, and generally network with local professionals. But they can be intimidating if you do not know much about them. We are breaking down professional networking groups, how they work, what to expect, and how to tell if it is right for you. What is a professional networking group? A professional networking group is a curated group of professionals that meet on some regular basis with the set ...
Resume Green Flags
April 17, 2023 04:00 - 10 minutes - 6.93 MBFor law students and lawyers new to practice, your resume will not be filled with legal experience. This can leave you feeling anxious and frustrated with the job search process. We are sharing resume green flags that we look for in our firms and how you can showcase these in your resume. Resume Green Flag #1 - Extracurricular Activities Involvement in activities, groups, or organizations outside of your class requirements can showcase a lot about your personality. First, it can show ...
How to Find a Mentor
March 27, 2023 04:00 - 10 minutes - 7.27 MBMentor relationships (much like networking) is something that we all know we should be pursuing for professional success, but can often be anxiety inducing. However so many of the same networking principles that we utilize can also apply to the search for your next mentor. But how to get started? The first place to look is at your current professional network. Is there anyone in your network with whom you would be interested in pursuing a mentor relationship? No matter who you are you h...
Starting Small with Networking
March 13, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 6.37 MBWhen we think of networking we often think of events filled with eager networkers or exclusive networking groups. These are great places to network. But they are not the only way to network. Let’s take a step back and simplify the process. Here are three steps you can take this week to jumpstart your professional networking. Step #1 - Make a list. Make a quick list of at least nine people. These should be people whom you already know a little bit - not strangers and not your best frie...
Gaining Practical Legal Experience in Law School
February 27, 2023 05:00 - 9 minutes - 6.28 MBPractical legal experience is a coveted resume builder for law students and recent law school graduates. This week we are sharing a few opportunities for you to gain practical legal experience - all with a networking bonus. 1. Legal Clinic Most law school have legal clinics associated with this schools. This is a direct routine to experiences that you would not otherwise have in the classroom. A clinic can also help you learn more about an area of law so you have a better idea of what y...
Graduating During a Recession
February 13, 2023 05:00 - 10 minutes - 7.26 MBIf you are a recent or soon-to-be law school graduate this information is for you. As practicing lawyers who attended law school from 2007 to 2010, we know all about graduating during tough economic times because we graduated in the midst of the Great Recession. Therefore, we know a thing or two about how to navigate a tough job market and taking the bar exam all at the same time. Here are five tips for recent (or soon-to-be) law school graduates to set yourself up for success after gradu...
Building a Solid Reputation
January 30, 2023 05:00 - 8 minutes - 6.18 MBThis week we are talking about something important to everyone, no matter their stage of practice. That is - your professional reputation. Your professional reputation is important to build and maintain. We are sharing five things you can do to build a strong professional reputation. #1 Reliability Do what you say you are going to do. Meet deadlines. Communicate with your colleagues. This communicates to others that you can be relied upon and that will go a long way to establishing ...
2023 Summer Associates are Made in the Winter - Part 2
January 16, 2023 05:00 - 10 minutes - 7.18 MBIn part two of the 2023 Summer Associates are Made in the Winter miniseries we are discussion the application process and networking. These are two key aspects of a successful law school summer. The application process for summer positions varies widely depending on where you are applying. But how are you tracking your applications? As you apply for positions you will save yourself so much time in the future if you keep track of where you are applying. Hiring timelines for companies and ...
2023 Summer Associates Are Made in the Winter - Part 1
January 02, 2023 05:00 - 9 minutes - 6.85 MBWe are back we a popular topic - summer associates are made in the winter! In part 1 we will give you four simple tips to get your summer off to the right start this winter. Tip #1 - Start research opportunities that are available and interesting to you. You may not know what you want to do after law school and you may not know what you want to do this summer. That’s fine! But you have to start somewhere. Your summer job does not have to dictate the future of your career. Especially i...
5 Steps to Streamline Your To Do List in 5 Minutes
December 12, 2022 05:00 - 6 minutes - 4.78 MBWe are nearly halfway through December and we are deep into holiday prep. If you’re like us, you may feel like you are being pulled in a variety of directions - work, school, parties, holiday prep, and more. This week we are sharing 5 steps to streamline and prioritize your to do list this holiday season. Step #1 - Make a dump list. If you think you need to do it, put it on the list. Step #2 - What can you eliminate? Take a harsh look at your list and decide what really needs to get don...
5 Ways to Beat Seasonal Decision Fatigue
November 28, 2022 05:00 - 10 minutes - 7.26 MBThis week we continue our quest to decrease stress and improving decision making. That is why we are considering the seasonal decision fatigue and five simple things you can do to combat it right now. #1 - Make a dump list. Make a dump list of everything you have going on. Big and little put it on there. While you are making the list try to simply focus on getting it all out on the paper - don’t think about it beyond naming it. #2 - Take your dump list and acknowledge what is actually...
Bad Day to Make a Big Decision
November 14, 2022 05:00 - 11 minutes - 7.69 MBThis time of year has suddenly become very busy for us and we have heard from many of you that the same is true. That got us thinking about decision making, specifically big decisions. Not every day is the same when decision making is concerned. Here is a framework to help you decide whether today is a good day or a bad day to make a big decision. Question 1 - Am I making a reactive decision to a temporary problem? Being in the middle of a temporary problem is not always the best place ...
Networking Pause
October 31, 2022 04:00 - 6 minutes - 4.34 MBHelping you build a strong professional network is the mission behind Lawyers Who Launch. This may be surprising, but there are times when you may need to intentionally pause your networking efforts during a particularly busy season of life. Putting a pause on networking may seem counterproductive, but it is in fact the opposite. We all have different seasons in our lives. The timing, length, and reason for the season may all vary. But sometimes you just do not have the time and energy ...
OCI Lessons Learned
October 10, 2022 04:00 - 11 minutes - 7.97 MBThis fall Haley has spent time within her firm looking for summer associates. Now that the interviews are done, she is sharing three lessons learned from her perspective as an interviewer. #1 - If you have the opportunity to interview in person - do it. Virtual interviews are part of our regular life and if that is all that you can manage that is fine. However, if you have an opportunity to meet with a prospective employer in person take it if you can. Virtual meetings will never be abl...
Know a Crisis When You See It
October 03, 2022 04:00 - 10 minutes - 7.12 MBThis week Haley brought some wisdom from a book to discuss. She read “The Thin Line Between Cupcake and Bitch: Taking Action, Driving Change, Getting Results” by Joni Wickham. While there were many gems throughout the book, today’s inspiration is one of Joni’s 10 leadership sessions - know a crisis when you see it. In her book, Joni shared a framework for identifying a crisis. The framework focuses on assessing the implications and severity of the situation to really identify whether so...
4 Fall Networking Tips
September 26, 2022 04:00 - 11 minutes - 7.78 MBThis week we are sharing four fall networking tips to help you kick off the year and set yourself up for success. Tip #1 - Prepare Before You Network Take some time to think about who you are and what you are looking for. Write it down. Practice it out loud until it feels natural. You want to appear polished and not scripted. While you prepare think about some of the most obvious and common questions you may be asked. Prepare for how you will answer them. Tip #2 - Follow Up with Your...
Making Room at Your Table
September 19, 2022 04:00 - 9 minutes - 6.71 MBIf you’ve been with us for awhile you know that we love to talk about creating and developing mutually beneficial networking relationships. Today we are focusing a bit more on that “mutually beneficial” part and discussing why and how you can expand your networking for the benefit of others. This expansion is critical for the success of younger attorneys as they are looking to grow and expand their networks. An attorney fresh out of law school will have a less expansive and responsive pro...
Do It Scared
September 12, 2022 04:00 - 8 minutes - 6.09 MBThis week were have been inspired by Elyse Myers @elyse_myers on Instagram telling us all that sometime you just have to “do it scared.” Law school was hard and scary and intimidating for us and it still is for most of you. From day one (and what felt like every day afterward) we both questioned whether we should be there and whether we would make it through. Now that we are on the other side of it we can see that it was our nerves telling us that this would be a big challenge. This is...
Networking Reflection
September 05, 2022 04:00 - 10 minutes - 7.22 MBEven though we may not be students anymore, the transition from summer to fall still feels like the beginning of a new chapter to us. We think this is the perfect opportunity for some networking reflection. To do this, we have a simple four question model that will guide us through the reflection into a plan for the rest of the calendar year. Question 1 What types of referral am I asked for? Reflect on the last six months, what types of referrals have you been asked for? What types of ...
Bar Exam Celebration
August 01, 2022 04:00 - 9 minutes - 6.44 MBIn honor of all of the bar exam takers last week, we are celebrating! The bar exam is a notorious milestone, for good reason. If you have ever taken the bar exam you understand why it has this reputation. No matter the results, just making in to the point of completing the examination is an accomplishment that cannot be overlooked. Take this as a sign that you should be celebrating this major achievement. Bar exam eligibility is such a challenge that should not be underestimated. But...
Balance is Bullsh*t - A Conversation with Ashley Manzi
July 25, 2022 04:00 - 34 minutes - 23.6 MBThis week we had the opportunity to speak with attorney and author of Balance is Bullsh*t - Ashley Manzi. When Ashley started writing a blog about her life as a mom while working as a full time attorney she never would have imagined that years later she would have the opportunity to turn it into a book. We sat down with Ashley and discussed her journey to law school, her life as a family law attorney, writing her first book, and, of course, how networking has helped her navigate it all. ...
Your Summer is More Important Than Your Transcript
July 18, 2022 04:00 - 10 minutes - 6.99 MBTaking final exams and waiting for your final grades can be excruciating. If you are disappointed in a grade that you received, take a deep breath. We are here for you. While we are not saying that grades are not important, your grades do not define you. Your transcript does not measure your ability to learn practical skills, real legal skills, or networking. There are three things that you can do this summer that can have more impact that your transcript. 1. Practical Experience. It’s o...
Law Firm Mission Statements
July 11, 2022 04:00 - 10 minutes - 7.56 MBWe have long advocated for mission statements, both professional and personal. This week we are taking it a step further and talking about why law firm mission statements are beneficial and how to get started. A mission statement is a summation of your goals and values. It answers why you do the work you do the way that you do it. As an attorney, having a mission statement can give you a clearer lens to look at the work that you do each day. As a law firm, a mission statement can help g...
Lawyer Wellness Tips
June 27, 2022 04:00 - 12 minutes - 8.89 MBWe are now officially in summer mode. While that means the days are longer and the weather is warm, our calendars and to do lists are busting with new projects and obligations. This week we are sharing five wellness tips to help you avoid burnout and enjoy all of the fun that this time of year has to offer. Wellness Tip 1 Schedule breaks. Then actually take those breaks. Scheduling a few short breaks throughout your day can help you refresh and recharge in order to tackle that ever gro...
We "Get To" Think About a Mindset Shift
June 13, 2022 04:00 - 10 minutes - 7.15 MBWhen you are looking at your task list at work, or your pile of files, or your ever growing inbox of unread emails you may feel like groaning. But if we tried reframing our daily attorney work, our continuing education, and our networking from “have to” to “get to.” This is not a magic fix-all solution and we certainly are not telling you that you should be happy all of the time. We all have hard days and serious challenges. The world is a hard place sometimes. However, we all get into ...
Summer Networking Refresh
June 06, 2022 04:00 - 12 minutes - 8.89 MBWhether you have a plan that just needs a bit of a recharge or you have no plan at all - this refresh is for you. Step 1 - Evaluate your networking goals. Networking is about relationships. Strong networking relationships are mutually beneficial professional relationships. As you start to develop a plan that works for you and your practice area, keep the goal of developing connections into mutually beneficial networking relationships at the forefront. Step 2 - With whom are you looking to...
Networking with Speaking Engagements
May 23, 2022 04:00 - 9 minutes - 6.66 MBThis week we are sharing more effective networking planning. Speaking engagements are an efficient way to network. We share our thoughts on why, as well as practical tips for booking your next speaking engagement. As an attorney, speaking about a legal topic expands your network in a variety of ways. It associates your name with your practice area in a new way. By speaking or giving a talk to your local community, you are providing value while also marketing your practice. The benefits f...
What We Wish We Knew On Law School Graduation Day
May 16, 2022 04:00 - 9 minutes - 6.47 MBEmbrace New Experiences Not all practice areas are created equal. You may find yourself with an opportunity in an area of law you may not have considered before, give it a try. We both could not have imagined where our careers have taken us and if we did not keep ourselves open to new opportunities we would not be where we are. Keep in mind that if you give something a try and it’s not a good fit, that’s ok. As attorneys, as people, we have different interests and strengths. Just beca...
Say it Out Loud - How Lawyers Who Launch Really Got Started
May 02, 2022 04:00 - 9 minutes - 6.69 MBAs we celebrate one year of Lawyers Who Launch, we wanted to share more of our origin story with you all. The inspiration for everything we do came from challenging times and was nurtured by our friendship. Take networking connections and building them into mutually beneficial relationships is at the heart of what we do. The best networking connection either of us ever made happened on the first day of law school orientation in 2007 - when we met for the first time. It was then that we...
Answers to the Top Law School Networking Questions
April 25, 2022 04:00 - 10 minutes - 7.15 MBHow do you find confidence when networking? Confidence starts with having a plan–think about who you are and what you want and practice how you will convey that to others. If you’ve done that preparation, it will be MUCH easier to find that confidence to walk up to someone at a networking event. Preparation is key and once you actually start talking to people at networking events it becomes much easier to continue and meet more people. How do you know when it’s time to end a conversation?...
5 Tips for Your Next Networking Event
April 11, 2022 04:00 - 10 minutes - 7.52 MBIn episode #47, we talked about some mindset shifts introverted attorneys can make about networking to make networking feel less overwhelming. To help you overcome those concerns, we are sharing 5 tips to take with you for your next networking event. Tip #1 - Look for opportunities to network in places where you already feel comfortable. Think about where you already spend your time and who you spend it with. Are you a member of civic groups or organizations? Do you spend time volunteerin...
Lawyers Who Podcast - Part III
April 04, 2022 04:00 - 11 minutes - 8.15 MBWelcome back to Part 3 of the Lawyers Who Podcast mini-series. In Part 1, Episode #46, we covered how to hone in on your niche, topic, and format. We also gave you some homework. Part 1 is definitely the place to start if you are considering starting your own podcast. In Part 2, Episode #48, we built on Part 1. We discussed choosing a name, the mechanics of getting started, buying your tech, and a life saving time saving hack that will make your entrance into podcasting so much easier....
Our Best Networking Tips - Celebrating 50 Episodes!
March 28, 2022 04:00 - 11 minutes - 8.14 MBIn honor of 50 podcast episodes, we are sharing our best networking tips from some of those episodes. The Law Student’s Guide to Networking - Episode #27 In Episode #27, we shared our networking philosophy, which serves as the foundation for all the advice we give to law students and attorneys. Our networking philosophy is to make a connection, establish a relationship, and develop that relationship into one that is mutually beneficial. A networking philosophy is so important because buil...
Why We Think Small Firms Are Great!
March 21, 2022 04:00 - 12 minutes - 8.62 MBWe are sharing 6 reasons why we think small firms are a great place to start your legal career. #1 - Exposure to Legal Work Immediately Small firms do not often have the time or space for a formal training or an elaborate onboarding program. You will start working on a variety of tasks your first day. Hitting the ground running can be intimidating, but it is in your employer’s best interest to help you be successful so take a deep breath and go for it. #2 - Working with Clients Quickly Yo...
Lawyers Who Podcast - Part II
March 14, 2022 04:00 - 11 minutes - 8.07 MBWelcome back to part II of the Lawyers Who Podcast mini-series. In part I we covered how to hone in on your niche, topic, and format. We also gave you some homework. If you are considering starting your own podcast, part I of the Lawyers Who Podcast mini-series is not to be missed. This week we are going to build from there. We will discuss choosing a name, the mechanics of getting started, buying your tech, and a life-saving time-saving hack that will make your entrance into podcastin...
Networking for Introverts - Three Mindset Shifts to Help You Network Successfully
March 07, 2022 05:00 - 10 minutes - 6.98 MBA common perception of lawyers is that they are all outspoken extroverts, but while that is true for some, introverted lawyers are just as common as extroverted lawyers. To be successful in your legal practice you need to network, but you can network very successfully even if you feel introverted, shy, anxious, nervous, or like an imposter. We have three networking mindset shifts for you to consider when thinking about how you network. Mindset Shift #1 - Networking does NOT have to be in a...
Lawyers Who Podcast - Part 1 - Getting Started
February 28, 2022 05:00 - 13 minutes - 9.25 MBAs we approach 50 episodes and our first podcasting anniversary, we have been thinking back to where it all began. Over the last year we have talked with so many of you about how we got started in podcasting and about your fears surrounding podcasting that we thought this would be the perfect opportunity to share our podcasting story along with all of our tips and tricks for those of you interesting in starting your own podcast. Podcasting Background We had none. Our only experience with p...
Summer Associates are Made in the Winter - Part III
February 21, 2022 05:00 - 10 minutes - 6.89 MBWelcome back for the third installment of our mini-series - Summer Associates are Made in the Winter. In part 1 we discussed how to get yourself set up to find the best summer role for you. In part 2 we did a deep dive into the application process and landing that coveted position. Finally, in part 3 we give you tips and strategies to make the most of your summer while you are there. Whether you are working at a firm, judicial clerkship, or some other position, you will come in contact w...
Finding a Deeper Meaning in Estate Planning
February 14, 2022 05:00 - 7 minutes - 4.9 MBThis week Amy takes the lead as she shares her view on a deeper meaning in estate planning. Since her clerkship, Amy is faced with two unavoidable aspects of everyday life - death and taxes. By examining a deeper meaning in estate planning, she is able to expand her view of her practice and provide those services to her clients with compassion and care. When Amy looked deeper she found that she is trying to create order out of chaos, provide protection for her clients and their loved ones...
Summer Associates are Made in the Winter - Part II
February 07, 2022 05:00 - 10 minutes - 7.1 MBThe preparations that you undertake during the winter months set the foundation for an amazing summer as a law student. In part I, we shared four steps that you should start right now to set yourself up for success this summer. In part II, we build on that with the applications process, utilization of your networking, and a practice tip for your voicemail. The Application Process The application process for summer positions varies widely depending on where you are applying. For smaller l...
Ready to be "Out of Office"
January 31, 2022 05:00 - 11 minutes - 7.65 MBWhether you are traveling or simply taking a few days to relax at home, we have five tips today to help you set up your time out of the office for success. Step 1: Review your current workload and prepare staff. Go through your current files and tasks. What do you need to get done to meet a deadline before you are out? What can you delegate to someone else? What can you prepare staff to respond to while you are out? Brief your staff and provide clients with another attorney in your firm th...
Summer Associates are Made in the Winter - Part I
January 24, 2022 05:00 - 13 minutes - 9.19 MBThe preparations that you undertake during the winter months set the foundation for an amazing summer as a law student. Step 1: Research-Spend some time researching different types of opportunities available for law students over the summer. There are a variety of types of companies that hire law students - various sized corporations, various sized law firms, non-profit organizations, schools. Within those opportunities is a world full of any kind of law you could imagine; and even some...
Getting a Screen Free Hobby
January 17, 2022 05:00 - 11 minutes - 7.65 MBIf you have been with us from the beginning, you already know that we love hobbies. In episode three, we talked about making time for a hobby in the episode “Who Has Time For Hobbies.” This week we are sharing our thoughts on why a screen free hobby might just be a good idea for you, along with a bunch of ideas for your next hobby. There are so many distractions happening on our phones, tablets, and computers. And so many of our practices now include meetings and appearances that also ap...
New Year Reset and Reflect
January 10, 2022 05:00 - 9 minutes - 6.67 MBWelcome to 2022! For our first episode back in the new year, we are looking at reflecting on the previous year and resetting for the new year. We have four steps that we are going to go through to help you evaluate where you are, where you want to be, and how to get there as we enter 2022. The first step is to think about where you want to be. We like to start with five years from now as the first milestone. Five years is a good point because if you are in law school, you will be out an...
Making the Most of Your Winter Break
December 14, 2021 05:00 - 8 minutes - 5.9 MBWhether this is your first semester of law school or your last fall semester, winter break is nearly here. Today, we are going to give you some ideas of how you can make the most of your winter break. First and foremost, after a long semester give yourself the time to relax. Take the time that you need to decompress and find yourself not studying for hours on end. This is a great time to catch up on that Netflix series everyone was talking about while you were studying for finals. Maybe...