The Career Corner with Adam Brown: Recent Episodes
Adam Brown
Adam Brown is the Assistant Director of Career and Professional Development at the University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Join Adam and his guests in The Career Corner for a relaxed, informative, and (hopefully) entertaining discussion of all things legal career related, including interviews with legal professionals, insights into different legal career paths, and career and professional development tips and tricks.
Athena Hollins returns to The Career Corner as Senior Director of Diversity & Foundations with the Minnesota State Bar Association. Athena and Adam talked about Athena’s career path and work with the MSBA, her campaign for Minnesota’s House of Representatives, diversity and inclusion issues, systemic injustice, working for change, allyship, and more.
Edgar Ocampo joined The Career Corner to talk about his busy employment, labor, workers’ compensation, and corporate practice with Fredrikson & Byron. He also discussed practicing law during COVID-19, strategies and realities for working remotely, networking and building your brand, finding new work, and OCI tips.
Monica Gould and Dan Winterlin joined The Career Corner for more updates and to congratulate the class of 2020! The team discussed the bar exam and new developments with the Minnesota exam, returning to the office, tips to avoiding being “out of sight, out of mind,” and social events to plan for your office.
Monica Gould and Dan Winterlin are back to talk about the current happenings in career services. The team talked about networking remotely, tips for working remotely, professionalism in a remote environment, and more.
Kimberly Kuchel (Bauerly & Langel) and Amanda Heinrichs-Milburn (Assistant Martin County Attorney) joined The Career Corner to talk about the benefits of working outside of a metro area, working remotely, the need for lawyers and opportunities in rural/outstate areas, networking tips, the importance of experiential learning, and ways to succeed as a new professional.
The St. Thomas Career Services team sits down to talk about what they are seeing and hearing in the legal community during the pandemic. The team talks about strategies for students and recent grads, being okay with where you are right now, and a sense of optimism within the legal community in Minnesota and the region. The team will check in again in two or three weeks.
Ann Jenrette-Thomas, Esq., Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer with Stinson, LLP, joined The Career Corner to talk about her career path leading to a position on the law firm management side. Ann also discussed diversity and inclusion issues, the creative things Stinson is doing as a firm, providing and receiving feedback effectively, improving as a professional, and making a strong impression as a new legal professional.
David Yates, Staff Attorney to the Guardian ad Litem Program in Hennepin County, joined The Career Corner to talk about child protection work, practicing law in rural areas, strategies and places to look for government jobs, advocacy styles, and strategies for starting out in practice.
Angela (Hoppe) Schuda joined The Career Corner to talk about her work with Wells Fargo, where she is currently Conduct Risk Lead Consultant/Assistant Vice President, and her overall career path. Angie’s St. Thomas Law mentee, Maddie Kalgren, also joined the conversation. The team talked about compliance work, the LL.M. Program at St. Thomas, navigating large organizations effectively, managing your expectations when networking with new connections, the St. Thomas Law mentor program, and the benefits of staying involved with your law school after graduation.
Attorney Scott Fulks (Deckert & Van Loh) stopped by The Career Corner to talk about his immigration law practice, building a brand, and developing your business model even while in law school. Scott has also been listening to the podcast from the beginning, and he and Adam took a look back at the themes that have emerged during the run of the pod.
Production note: we ran out of time, so the episode ends a bit abruptly (still working the bugs out after 50 episodes - classic).
Correction: Angela Hoppe Schuda works at Wells Fargo. Adam said the wrong employer name (sorry!). Angela will be featured on the next episode.
Christian Peterson joined The Career Corner to talk about his busy real estate business and legal practice. Christian talked about alternative careers for attorneys, finding the right career path for yourself, the importance of authenticity, networking and marketing strategies, and more.
Nancy Howard, Director of Recruiting, Inclusion, and Diversity at Fredrikson & Byron, joined The Career Corner to talk about her role, summer associate programs, and the on campus interview (OCI) process from initial application to accepting an offer. This episode was jam packed, and we ran out of time a bit at the end, so I did not get a chance to officially thank you. So, thanks again for your help, Nancy! - Adam
Monica Gould and Adam Brown count down their top 10-ish mistakes people make during the job search process. They also provide tips on how to avoid these pitfalls and navigate the process successfully.
In this episode, Judie Rush, Director of the St. Thomas Law Mentor Externship Program, joined The Career Corner to discuss the foundations of successful mentor relationships and experiences, professionalism, her successful legal practice in ethics, opportunities v. obligations, networking strategies, and much more!
This episode featured Jessica Tjornehoj, Assistant Vice President and Manager in Global Ethics Strategy and Framework at U.S. Bank. Jessica joined The Career Corner to discuss a variety of topics, including her career path and work in the ethics and compliance field, her JD/MBA and the considerations that go into a dual degree, building strong presentation skills, the importance of preparation and adaptability, externships, career development strategies, and membership in professional associations.
Brock Specht joined The Career Corner to talk about his busy practice at Nichols Kaster, which includes class action law suits, employment law, and employee benefits work. The discussion also included tips for excellent legal writing, building practical experience while in law school, realities of legal recruiting, time management, and tips for networking and utilizing professional associations.
Brett Clark joined The Career Corner to talk about his busy practice in commercial litigation and professional liability (medical, legal, and accounting malpractice). Brett also discussed a number of practical tips, including tips for success as a student/law clerk, the realities of law firm economics, billing time effectively, marketing/networking strategies, and moving to live and practice in another state. Apologies for the delay in getting this posted. -Adam
Jason “Paul,” an attorney with Brooks, Cameron & Huebsch, joined The Career Corner to talk about his busy intellectual property practice. Jason talked about his patent preparation and prosecution work, the patent bar exam, and intellectual property as a practice area. He also discussed the business of running a law firm, job interviews, legal writing skills, networking, and building client relationships.
Bryan Feldhaus, an attorney with Lommen Abdo, joined The Career Corner to talk about his varied legal practice, including business litigation, corporate compliance, intellectual property, and professional liability. He also discussed litigation v. transactional work, entertainment law, the power of showing up, work-life integration, the importance of legal research and writing, especially for law students and new attorneys, and legal research and writing tips.
Roger Maldonado, attorney with Faegre Baker Daniels, joined The Career Corner to talk about his busy corporate/business law practice, practice tips for new attorneys, the power of saying yes and getting involved, diversity and inclusion issues, and networking/marketing strategies.
Monica Gould and Dan Winterlin return to The Career Corner, and they do a mock interview of Adam Brown. Adam does his best to answer interview questions, without any real preparation, and then Monica, Dan, and Adam break down the interview and provide interview tips and strategies.
Scholastica Baker, an attorney with Bowman and Brooke, joined The Career Corner to discuss her product liability and personal injury defense practice, the firm’s national litigation presence, managing expectations and succeeding at the associate level, diversity and inclusion issues in the profession, tips for successful interviews, law school exams, and business development/networking strategies.
Kate Loftus, an assistant examiner with the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, joined The Career Corner to discuss her work in banking compliance, compliance work in government vs. the private sector, the ways a J.D. helps in compliance work, the compliance concentration at St. Thomas Law, the benefits of the St. Thomas Mentor Program, grades, networking, and making the upper-level writing requirement work for you.
Sean Cahill, an assistant county attorney with the Hennepin County Attorney's Office, joined The Career Corner to talk about finding jobs with county attorneys or public defenders, taking advantage of mentor programs and externships, not asking questions you can answer for yourself, the humanity of practicing law, the "what if" game of litigation, grades, and the power of persistence.
Kate Nilan, attorney with Gray Plant Mooty, visited The Career Corner to talk about her transactional legal practice, on campus interview and networking advice, negotiation strategies, changing legal markets, and the importance of being helpful.
Attorney David Best joins The Career Corner to talk about his successful solo practice in family law, making a career change to law, working and thriving with dyslexia, serving clients effectively, and marketing/networking strategies.
Charlye McMillan, Principal Consultant with the Gingerbread Group, LLC, joined The Career Corner to talk about her public interest/nonprofit consulting business. Charlye also discussed public interest and government career paths, marketing, fundraising, and business strategies, client service, the importance of cultivating your entrepreneurial spirit in any career path, and making the decision to start your own venture.
Jenny Mojica, an attorney with Myers Thompson, joined The Career Corner to discuss her immigration practice (which focuses on employment-based issues), as well as current trends in immigration, options for law students and attorneys looking to get involved in immigration law or other specific practice areas, managing client expectations, tips for effective networking and "informational interviews," and fostering creativity in your daily life.
The Career Corner visited with Attorney Jenna Bartelt and one of the advocates, Abby (last name withheld), at the St. Paul and Ramsey County Domestic Abuse Intervention Project. Jenna and Abby discussed the amazing and important work that they do, the staggering statistics and issues surrounding domestic abuse, ways to get help, ways you can help and get involved, finding the right career for you, and then going out and getting the job you really want.
Gerry Fornwald and Tom Kettleson, attorneys with Winthrop & Weinstine, joined The Career Corner to talk about the firm and their individual practice areas (including both litigation and transactional work), the on-campus interview (OCI) process, marketing and networking strategies, interview tips, thank you notes, "deal breakers" for interview candidates, and the importance of learning how to bring in your own business and find work early in your career.
Tom McHale, IT Finance and Vendor Management with Securian, joined The Career Corner to talk about non-traditional career paths, the advantages and marketability of a JD, negotiation strategies, bar exam tips, networking within an organization, and effectively reaching out to new connections, following up, and reconnecting later.
The career services office sits down in The Career Corner to talk about networking etiquette and expectations at events of all sizes. The team discusses elevator speeches/introductions, ice breakers, leaving conversations gracefully, following up, good handshakes, physical cues, and more.
Ken Parsons and Paul Rothermel, both attorneys with the Minnesota Department of Human Services, joined The Career Corner to talk about the services the department and its approximately 6,500 employees provide to the state of Minnesota. Topics include data privacy, health law, and government benefits. Ken and Paul also discussed the great externship opportunities available with the department, along with tips for finding long-term work with the government, success as a both a mentor and a mentee, and the importance of saying yes and making the most of opportunities as they arise.
Mike Baker, assistant vice president and senior recruiter with Robert Half Legal, joined The Career Corner to talk about job search and networking tips, the benefits of working with a recruiter, hot areas in the market, advice for lateral hire candidates, and things that job search candidates do well (and maybe not so well).
The Career Corner took a fieldtrip to the Thomson Reuters headquarters to visit with Product Developer Whitney Krogman and Community Relations Coordinator Athena Hollins. We talked about the wide variety of legal and corporate jobs available with Thomson Reuters, the numerous career paths available there, the pro bono and public interest work that companies like Thomson Reuters do and support, networking inside and outside of an organization, making effective connections, and career transitions, including moving out of contract work.
Deb Newel, Attorney/Owner of Newel Law Firm, joined The Career Corner to talk about her experience in a wide variety of legal areas, including business/corporate, estate planning, real estate, and criminal law. Deb also discussed career transitions, starting a solo practice, working as an in-house attorney, networking and business development strategies, her work with the J.D. Compass Program at St. Thomas Law, and successful patterns for job search candidates.
Amanda Bloomgren, whose practice includes family law, estate planning, and other areas such as real estate, small business, and criminal defense, joined The Career Corner. We talked about Amanda's decision to start her own firm with UST Law 2006 classmate Katie Hanson, the J.D. Compass Program that St. Thomas Law provides for its recent graduates, finding a career path in the areas of family law and/or estate planning, practice tips for new lawyers, and networking strategies.
Ruth Dapper (Littler Mendelson - employment and labor law) and Bryce Young (Duane Morris - education law), one of our favorite St. Thomas Law "power couples," called in to The Career Corner from San Diego to discuss their current practices and the great experiences they had as judicial law clerks: Bryce at the Minnesota Supreme Court and Ruth at the Minnesota Court of Appeals and then the Federal Courts. Ruth and Bryce discussed the doors that have opened for them because of their clerkships, the unique training that clerkships can provide, and the strong network that clerks join. They also shared insight into the interview process.
Kate Norris, Compliance Manager and Privacy Officer, stopped by to talk about her role at The Emily Program, finding what you want to do with your career, networking inside and outside of an organization, accepting feedback effectively, the importance of being resilient, writing for an audience, law school grades, and being yourself.
Attorney Will Torhorst, an estate planning, wills, trusts, and probate attorney with Thiel, Anderson & Kukla joined The Career Corner to talk about his third year of law school and his job search process, bar exam preparation, networking with a purpose, staying in contact with the career services office at the law school, and the importance of being involved with the bar association or other similar groups.
Jabari Barner stops by The Career Corner to talk about his judicial clerkship, his upcoming role as an assistant Hennepin County Attorney, networking strategies (including follow up, utilizing your student groups effectively, and LinkedIn tips), externships, and tips for studying more effectively in law school.
Frank Aba-Onu, an attorney with Bassford Remele, joined The Career Corner to talk about his practice focusing on employment law, medical and legal malpractice, and general liability work. Frank and Adam also talked about OCI and interview tips, networking, professional attire/fashion advice, and even British soccer.
Jon Wolf, a litigation and appellate attorney with Rinke Noonan in St. Cloud, Minnesota, joined The Career Corner to discuss outstate practice, environmental law, marketing and networking strategies, and the importance of making connections and building practical legal skills while in law school.
Becky Ribich, a founding partner with Brekke, Clyborne, and Ribich, joined The Career Corner to talk about her family law and family-based immigration practice, the experience of starting her own firm with two of her law school classmates, the business side of being an attorney that every new attorney should consider, networking and marketing, and the importance of pushing yourself to try new things and meet new people.
Emilie Wiener, a second-year law student at St. Thomas Law, joined The Career Corner to talk about her first year experience in law school. Emilie talked about navigating the ups and downs of that first year in law school, volunteering, building practical experience, networking, externships, dealing with grades, finding (and accepting) help when you need it, and landing summer employment.
Cody Nelson, Development Director with the Children's Law Center of Minnesota, joined The Career Corner to talk about the work that he does, his prior work with Anishinaabe Legal Services, volunteer opportunities for students and attorneys (of all experience levels), and the importance of seeking practical training/experience in law school.
Colleen Dorsey, our Director of the Organizational Ethics and Compliance Program at St. Thomas, joined Adam in The Career Corner to talk about her prior compliance role with Land O'Lakes, the emerging career paths in compliance, transferable skills/competencies for the field, compliance job titles to search, and other general compliance career topics.
This week in The Career Corner, Adam Brown and Monica Gould go to a swanky Minneapolis coffee shop for a "mock" coffee/networking meeting. Adam reverts back to his second-year-of-law-school self and attempts to connect with high-powered litigation attorney Monica Gould, from the fictional law firm of Dunne and Lloyd. When the scene is over, Adam and Monica discuss tips and tricks for making the most of this very important type of meeting.
Nicole Kettwick, a criminal defense attorney with Brandt Criminal Defense, joined us in The Career Corner to talk about her practice, marketing strategies and building marketing skills, the benefits of being involved with the bar association early in your career, and networking and making new connections.
Michael Harralson, a Human Services Judge with the Department of Human Services, joined The Career Corner to discuss his career path, his work as a Human Services Judge, networking, and his time in law school.
Ryan Bies, a family, municipal, and criminal law attorney with Dougherty, Molenda, Solfest, Hills & Bauer, stopped by The Career Corner to discuss his practice areas, managing the emotions involved with litigation, and our short-lived law school rock band.
Ian Dobson, an Assistant Attorney General with the Minnesota Office of the Attorney General, joined The Career Corner to talk about his work with the office, the various functions the office performs for the State of Minnesota, and advice for starting out strong as a legal professional.
Lindsay Lien Rinholen, a plaintiff-side personal injury attorney with Pritzker Olsen, joined The Career Corner to discuss her busy practice, tips for standing out as a law clerk and new professional, and finding the career path that you want.
Mike Flesch, Director, Fiduciary Services at Alerus Financial, joined The Career Corner to talk about his work in fiduciary services and employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), J.D. required and preferred job titles to look for in the financial industry, his career path outside of traditional legal practice, finding a job right after law school (and in a different geographic location from your law school), and the importance of practical experience before and during law school.
Mike Carlson, Membership and Recruitment Director for the Minnesota State Bar Association, joined The Career Corner to discuss benefits for bar association members, FREE law student memberships, networking and job search strategies, and other ways to stay connected.
Kaarin Nelson Schafer, a plaintiff-side Employment Law and Civil Rights attorney and partner at Halunen Law, joined The Career Corner on location to discuss her work, moving from criminal to civil law, the differences between defense and plaintiff work, OCI, networking, and more.
Dan Winterlin, CPD's Program Coordinator, sits down in The Career Corner to discuss the Symplicity job search database and the tools and benefits it provides to students and alumni.
Jessica Monson, Vice President of Business Development & Legal Affairs in the Media and Events Division of Life Time, The Healthy Way of Life Company, stopped by the Career Corner to discuss working in house, on campus interviews, using a resume to make a personal connection, and even a little bit of golf.
Monica Gould, Director of Career and Professional Development at St. Thomas Law, stops by The Career Corner to talk about strategies for succeeding as a law clerk and new professional.