Young Lawyer Rising: Recent Episodes
Legal Talk Network
Hosted by Sonia Russo, Young Lawyer Rising covers issues pertinent to young lawyers, from newly minted attorneys to lawyers 10 years into practice and beyond. From dealing with the daily grind and career management to social issues and financial, mental, and physical wellness, this show features the voices of young lawyers from across the country sharing their stories and advice to help all lawyers navigate their careers and rise to where they want to be.
Guest Alexandra Graves tells her story, and it’s unreal. Bad things happen to good people. She was experiencing headaches and vision issues as a 2L and discovered she had a brain tumor. She needed neurosurgery and had to withdraw from classes. Then she started over. If you hit obstacles, and you will, you can overcome them. Life can throw you for a loop. You can fight back. You are not alone. Graves’ story is an inspiring tale of pursuing dreams, no matter what. She took a step back and went back to law school. But while studying for the bar, her brain tumor came back, and she failed the exam. Anyone can fail because of medical issues or other distractions. Failing the bar, for whatever reason, hurts. But it’s not the end of the world, and you can regroup and pass if you don’t give up. Through it all, Graves learned what’s important to her. She set her priorities (she loves spending life with her animals, especially her new baby donkey, and being close to her family). Do what you love and love what you do. Don’t sweat the small stuff (or even some of the big stuff). You got this. Plus, an update on some big legal rulings: Andy Warhol, Prince, Fair Use, NIL rules (College athletes), and more.
If you’re getting started, or thinking about getting started, trying criminal trials, this episode is a gold mine. Learn from one of the most noted and experienced trial attorneys out there, guest Paul Mark Sandler, a longtime attorney, author, and lecturer. This is an opportunity to hear from one of the best. Lessons on ethics and insider courtroom tips. Learn about your relationship with the jury, the judge, and opposing counsel. How to question witnesses. How to prepare. You didn’t learn this in law school, but Sandler can cut the learning curve in just a half hour podcast. Hear what a criminal trial actually looks like, both in the courtroom and behind the scenes. You can learn this the hard way, or you can learn here from Sandler. If you want to be a great trial lawyer, you have to try cases. There’s no way around that. But you can avoid some basic mistakes. A trial is structured simply. But at each step, it’s all about the details. Hear three key tips for new trial attorneys. And what about hiring a jury consultant? (spoiler, yes, do. Sandler learned this from Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. You’ll want to hear this story.) Resources: American Bar Association American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division “The Art of Persuasion: Essays on Rhetoric in the Courtroom” by Paul Mark Sanders “Boot Camp Trial Training Programs Committee,” American College of Trial Lawyers Aristotle, “Rhetoric”
Mental health, wellness, and managing burnout made headlines during and after the pandemic. But what did we learn? Guest Richard Rivera, a highly successful partner at a Florida law firm, knows we should. Many of us work too much and too hard and push beyond reasonable limits. Rivera knows firsthand. He was a fourth-year associate in a litigation focused firm, and he said yes to everything. Any new case, any new project, he was game. It was a matter of professional pride and rapid development. Then he noticed the stress was taking a physical toll on his body resulting in itchy and yellowing skin, fatigue, and sleepless nights. He figured eventually things would slow down and these conditions would pass. Of course, neither happened. A doctor eventually found the constant stress had taken an enormous toll on his body. Set boundaries: a time you won’t go to the office before or stay after; take at least one day off – really off – during the week. You only have so much capacity, and when you exceed that, you damage yourself and you can harm your clients and your firm with errors due to exhaustion. If you’re not good to yourself, you’ll be no good to anyone. Take a moment to listen to this critically important episode.
Launching your legal career after law school is exciting, energizing, and—let’s face it—discombobulating. And no matter how long you’ve been practicing, there's always something new to learn. In this episode of the 'Young Lawyers Rising' podcast, host Montana Funk is joined by litigation attorney, Erin Rhinehart to discuss:
Ways to standout in the workplace as a junior associate
How to successfully jump start your legal career
How to balance expectations after coming out of law school and entering the legal profession
Tips to achieving your personal and professional goals as a new lawyer
Erin Rhinehart is the Co-Managing Partner of Faruki PLL, and has been repeatedly recognized as one of America’s Top 100 Bet the Company Litigators. Her litigation practice focuses on class action defense, media and communications law, breach of contract, non-compete, tortious interference, and healthcare and environmental litigation matters.
Women in the criminal justice system continue to face a number of different challenges and career barriers; especially as it relates to hiring, retention, and promotion. So, why are women lawyers underrepresented in criminal justice? Why do so many women leave the practice of criminal law? And, what can we do about it? Joining the podcast to discuss these issues is law professor and author, Maryam Ahranjani.
Maryam Ahranjani is an experienced law professor at the University of New Mexico (UNM), where she teaches in the areas of constitutional, criminal and education law. She is also a textbook author, rule of law and human rights consultant, program manager and evaluator, and curriculum designer.
Are you a fresh grad about to start working as a lawyer, or a relatively junior lawyer still figuring things out? The road to becoming a lawyer certainly isn’t an easy one; and the shift from studying law to actually practicing law can seem a bit intimidating. In this episode of Young Lawyer Rising, guest and litigation attorney Dave Scriven-Young shares top tips for starting your legal career off on the right foot, as well as some common mistakes young lawyers make early on. Get professional insights and practical advice on:
How to Pick the Right Law Firm and Law Practice Area for You
How to Get Involved in Your Practice Areas of Interest
The Benefits of Having a Good Mentor and How to Develop a Legal Mentorship Team
Goals Young Lawyers Should Set and Try to Accomplish Early on in Their Legal Career
How to Build Confidence as a New Lawyer
What Young Lawyers Need to Know About Career Planning
Tips to Make You Stand Out as a Junior Lawyer
Steps to Take to Ensure Your Success as a New Lawyer
We also welcome our new host of Young Lawyer Rising, Montana Funk! Montana is a criminal defense attorney in Billings, Montana.
How can the legal profession be more supportive of law students and lawyers with disabilities? In a profession already marked by the hypercompetitive pursuit of performance and achievement, young lawyers often face pressure to downplay their disabilities. In addition, access to accommodations for law students and lawyers with disabilities can be difficult, adding a lot of stress to an already stressful process. In this special episode, host Sonia Russo sits down with three different lawyers to hear their stories, struggles and triumphs of dealing with disability in law school and the legal profession. Hear how these three inspiring young lawyers overcame the unique challenges of law school, navigated the LSAT and bar exam, their process of finding a job after law school, and their continued work and perseverance in the legal industry today.
How the Legal Industry Often Lets Down Lawyers With Disabilities
What is the definition of 'Disability'?
How to Support Law Students and Lawyers with Disabilities
Improving Disability Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession
Guests on this Episode: Elizabeth Hardcastle – Partner with Sidley Austin, LLP John Broadbent – Corporate Attorney and Disability Advocate with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP Spencer Hill – Environmental and White Collar Litigation Lawyer at MANKO | GOLD | KATCHER | FOX LLP
Episode Resources: The Time is Now | A Conversation on Disabilities and Change John Broadbent at TEDxDuke
On average, everything you are buying today costs 7% more than it did a year ago. In this show of the Young Lawyer Rising Podcast, financial speaker-writer-consultant Eric Rosenberg joins host Mathew Kerbis to discuss the effects of rising inflation and how best to beat these effects through good investment decisions and mitigated risk. Learn how to fine tune your portfolio to offset inflation and weather whatever the markets throw at you! Special thanks to our sponsor, The Velvet Hammer.
Sonia Russo is joined by Shawn Hoover (a first chair trial attorney with the Georgia Capital Public Defenders), Anthony Santos (a deputy district attorney in Jefferson County, Colorado), and U.S. Army Major Earl Wilson (the chief of military justice at the first cavalry division at Fort Hood, Texas). Together, they deep dive into the criminal justice system from the perspective of lawyers of color. Special thanks to our sponsor, The Velvet Hammer.
Regardless of your financial situation, the beginning of your career is a terrific time to build credit. Great credit affords you critical opportunities when you fund your practice or buy a home. It’s not about what you’re earning, it’s about the payment mechanisms. Financial speaker-writer-consultant Eric Rosenberg joins our very own Mathew Kerbis for a deep dive on establishing and building incredible credit. Together they discuss how to leverage credit card use and point systems to help optimize your financial strength. Tune in and live the good life! Special thanks to our sponsor, The Velvet Hammer.
Most lawyers remember what their first two years of practicing law were like. There’s a lot to learn and sometimes not much guidance. What do you know now that you wish you knew then? Sonia Russo sits down with a panel of young lawyers who have been practicing for several years. They share wisdom on topics like setting boundaries at work and recovering from mistakes. Whether you’re in your first two years of practice or beyond, the advice from our guests Danielle Borel, Silvia Mansoor, and Jess Arena will be insightful. Special thanks to our sponsor, The Velvet Hammer.
Sonia Russo returns for a special announcement about upcoming season two. Stay tuned for new episodes.
Mathew Kerbis, of the ‘Financial Wellness Minute’, talks about a topic near and dear to his heart (legal education) with Kyle McEntee, the co-founder and executive director of Law School Transparency. Together they discuss the inputs and outputs that can impact a career before it gets started. Issues like cost, school ranking, and licensing can all play a part in those early job options but what can we learn from it? How do we optimize? Stay Tuned for the ‘Financial Wellness Minute’ when Mathew discusses the value of life insurance (even for young in-debt lawyers). Special thanks to our sponsor, The Velvet Hammer.
In this part two of two, Sonia continues her conversation with Ravi Ramanathan and Mathew Kerbis about financial health. In this episode, they discuss what you need to consider before refinancing your student loans, the recommended savings everyone should have, and whether or not the Nintendo Switch can save you money. {hint} ... It’s about less subscriptions and more Mario.
Special thanks to our sponsor, The Velvet Hammer.
In this part one of two, Sonia Russo is joined by her friend and unofficial financial advisor Ravi Ramanathan as well as our financial wellness segment host Mathew Kerbis to talk about ways to become and remain financially healthy (even early in your career). Among the many topics of discussion are higher cost of living, managing student loans, and living within your means. {hint} ... It’s either brunch or property.
Special thanks to our sponsor, The Velvet Hammer.
In this part two of two, Sonia Russo talks with Hema Lochan who participated in the American Bar Association’s Legal Tech Fictional Writing Competition. Together, they discuss her short story ‘F(A.I.)LED US’ which is about the unintended consequences for using artificial intelligence (instead of a lawyer) in a future criminal justice system. Stay tuned for the Financial Wellness Minute when contributor Mathew Kerbis discusses how and why everyone should keep an inventory for future insurance claims.
In this part one of two, Sonia Russo talks with the winner of the American Bar Association’s Legal Tech Fictional Writing Competition, Theresa Yuan, about her winning dystopian-future short story ‘In The Matter of Infinite Monkeys’ and how it cautions against over-trusting predictive algorithms to determine what kind of person a child will become. Stay tuned for the Financial Wellness Minute when contributor Mathew Kerbis shares the wisdom and rewards for paying your student loans early.
As far as the legal profession has come, there are still elements of racial inequality and it’s not always easy to see. Host Sonia Russo talks with attorneys Tiana Towns, Andrew Hairston, Paulina Vera, and Jerome Crawford about their personal experiences with racism while practicing law. Stay tuned for the Financial Wellness Minute when contributor Mathew Kerbis shares practical tips for saving money.
Special thanks to our sponsor, The Velvet Hammer.
What can we learn from the pandemic to advance ourselves and our careers?
Special thanks to our sponsor, The Velvet Hammer.
Toxic people can be a danger to your career. What is the best way to handle them?
Special thanks to our sponsor, The Velvet Hammer.
Meet the hosts of Young Lawyer Rising, a brand new podcast from the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division. Sonia Russo and Mathew Kerbis tell us about the show’s mission and give us a preview of early episode topics. Stay tuned for episode 1...