Sticky Lawyers: Recent Episodes
John Reed
As an attorney, how do you build trust so your clients stick to you? Do your unique practice areas, contributions to the community, what you do outside the law, or your background make you stand out? How do you channel your strengths and talents in ways that deliver powerful results and leave lasting impressions? Host John Reed talks with real lawyers and has them share the stories about how they got sticky and what they've done to set themselves apart from the competition.
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Controlled speed requires split-second decision-making, a complete presence in the moment, and an intimate understanding of risk. Many attorneys experience that in the courtroom, but what if you sought it out every weekend, pushing high-performance machines to their limits on some of the country's most legendary race circuits? Meet Roman Lifson, an accomplished trial lawyer and champion race car driver.
Roman has carved out a unique niche in motorsports law while competing wheel-to-wheel in amateur racing across the country. He's spent decades mastering two entirely different forms of competition, discovering along the way that the lessons from one world directly inform the other. From learning to trust fellow competitors inches away at high speed to understanding when fighting serves the client and when it doesn't, Roman has built a practice—and a life—around the intersection of speed, strategy, and human connection.
In this episode, Roman talks with Sticky Lawyers host John Reed about his various journeys: his family’s realization of the American Dream, his progression as a driver, and his evolution as a lawyer from warrior to counselor and relationship-builder. Oh, and why he feels safer driving 160 mph on a racetrack than fighting traffic on I-95
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What if you can’t separate the lawyer from their identity?
This compilation features attorneys whose practices aren't just what they do—they're who they are. They didn't choose their niches through market analysis or strategic planning. Their practices chose them.
The pattern is clear: authenticity creates the most sustainable practices. The conscientious orthopedic surgeon becomes a conscientious personal injury lawyer. The geneticist who brings science to law and law to science. The proud son of Polish World War II refugees who helped shape Poland's commercial law framework.
The stories of these and eight other Sticky Lawyers prove that the most fulfilling legal careers emerge when lawyers bring their whole selves to their work—their backgrounds, their struggles, their victories, their identities.
In this special compilation, host John Reed looks back at guests who show that for some Sticky Lawyers, you can’t separate the person from the practice.
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What separates lawyers who wait for opportunities from those who create them?
Architects and builders don’t just succeed in their practices—they invent them. They see gaps in the legal landscape and fill them with innovation, creativity, and determination.
These are lawyers who treated their practices as laboratories, testing business models before scaling them. They created infrastructure for career paths that didn't exist, transforming fringe concepts into recognized professions. They designed self-sustaining programs and constructed technological platforms to solve systemic problems.
In this special compilation episode, Sticky Lawyers host John Reed looks back at guests who have rethought the practice of law, the solutions they offer, and ways to meet clients and their needs where they are.
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Many great attorneys are hyper-focused on the law they practice. But other remarkable lawyers enhance their practice skills with disciplines outside the law. We call them multidimensionalists.
Ultra-endurance racing. Stand-up comedy. Ballet and music. Emergency medical response. Even clown performance. More than hobbies or creative outlets, these parallel pursuits can be every bit as demanding—and rewarding—as a legal career.
This special episode looks back at Sticky Lawyers who refuse to let the profession consume them entirely. No armchair quarterbacks or weekend warriors here; just eleven attorneys who prove that expansion—not reduction—is the path to both professional excellence and personal fulfillment.
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What drives a lawyer to fight legal battles that others won't, to challenge an unacceptable status quo, or course-correct alarming trends? They may not be lucrative or glamorous causes. So why do it?
Because it's the right thing to do.
This special compilation episode celebrates the crusaders—Sticky Lawyers who aren't practicing law for a paycheck. A greater mission drives them. These are lawyers who looked at injustices and troubling circumstances around them and said, "This is wrong, and I'm going to try and fix it."
Listen in to hear from eleven crusaders fighting for civil rights, environmental protection, the rights of sexual assault survivors, election integrity, animal rights, indigenous sovereignty, rural access to justice, and more. Their individual efforts create transformation on a much larger scale. The work may never be done, and the rewards are a series of small wins on the way to lasting change.
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What makes a lawyer irreplaceable?
It's not credentials or years of experience. It's not how much money you make or the size of your firm. What makes you irreplaceable is being the answer to a specific question. When someone has a particular legal problem, there's only one name they think of.
Yours.
In this special compilation episode, John Reed celebrates the niche pioneers—Sticky Lawyers who saw unserved markets or entirely new legal questions and said, "I'm gonna own this." We’ll hear from lawyers who blazed trails for themselves and others in bicycle law, exploration law, paranormal law, and international war crimes. We’ll get insights from attorneys who counsel space companies, craft brewers, video game developers, outdoor recreation businesses, Amazon resellers, and graphic novelists
These lawyers established a vision for their practice and then went to extraordinary lengths to make it happen.
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Just in time for Thanksgiving, meet Charles "Chuck" Tatelbaum, an octogenarian attorney who has built an extraordinary 59-year legal career by recognizing opportunities and going all in.
When Congress enacted the new Bankruptcy Code in 1978, Chuck was ready to take the new laws and rules and run with them. When the chance arose to help post-communist countries draft their first-ever business laws, he got on a plane. And when he sees ways to give back—to the profession, to his South Florida neighbors, and at a certain parade this time of year in New York City—he steps up.
Listen in as Chuck talks about his remarkable legal career, misconceptions about bankruptcy law, notable cases, outreach efforts that took him abroad, and his commitment to pro bono work, public television, and the local immigrant community. It's not all serious, though; there's time for some clowning around, too.
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What drives someone to dedicate their entire legal career to fighting for the little guy? For Karla Gilbride, it began early—a fierce intolerance for injustice, amplified by her own lived experience as a blind person in a world that often told her, "No, you can't."
A path that started with mock trial competitions in high school led her to public interest advocacy at Public Justice and an unforgettable day when Karla stood before the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court and literally changed minds. A year later, after a presidential appointment and a Senate confirmation, she took on the role of General Counsel at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Now the deputy director of Litigation at Public Citizen, she continues her mission of standing up to power imbalances and helping underdogs speak their truth.
Listen as Karla shares stories about how her lived experience informs her perspective, preparing for a Supreme Court argument, navigating a Senate hearing, and why representing migrant farm workers in a California courtroom ranks among her personally meaningful professional achievements.
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In this bonus series, we’re catching up with previous guests to hear what makes them “Still Sticky.”
We first met Chris Jennison a couple of dozen episodes ago when he told the story of his position as a government attorney with the Federal Aviation Administration, his role as an American Bar Association officer, and his side gig as a volunteer emergency medical technician with the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad. This man packs a lot into 24 hours.
But unfortunately, Chris has had some extra time on his hands. As a federal employee, he has been furloughed since the latest government shutdown began on October 1, 2025.
In a conversation with host John Reed on October 23, 2025, Chris shared his experience and frustrations as a furloughed government employee. He explained how the deferred resignation program (DRP) has decreased his department’s attorneys by half and doubled the work of those remaining. He also offered insights into how this reduced workforce may affect case handling and adjudication.
If you’re expecting a political rant, you’ll be pleasantly disappointed. It’s just a Sticky Lawyer on the front lines in a new era of government discussing the current state of affairs.
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Employment law is serious business, but does it have to be? Not according to Leah Stiegler, who elementary school teachers advised "needs self-control" and was warned early in her legal career to stop being the "class clown."
Don't get her wrong. Leah appreciates the gravity of many workplace issues and disputes, and she's at the top of her game representing employers in discrimination, harassment, wage and hour, and compliance matters. But she's discovered the power of humor and storytelling helps people retain information—especially when dealing with sensitive topics. Unconventional? Perhaps. Effective? Definitely.
Join us as this self-proclaimed insubordinate attorney shares her journey from environmental activism to employment law, why she thinks employees and managers are worthy of second chances, and how being curious about clients' real problems—not just their legal questions—can transform workplace cultures and keep people out of trouble.
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Lawyers are often known for their disciplined approaches to learning the facts of a case, applying the rule of law, and doggedly pursuing outcomes for clients. Accomplished musicians share a similar disciplined and meticulous approach to their crafts. And you might be surprised to learn how many attorneys have hidden musical talents.
Attorney Gary Greene was raised in a musical family and mentored by an uncle who founded and led the Jr. Philharmonic Orchestra of California. An accomplished violinist and concert master, Gary first pursued a career in politics after law school before settling into a solo legal practice he’s maintained for 50 years. But he never abandoned music.
In this episode, you’ll hear how Gary launched the L.A. Lawyers Philharmonic with a roster of judges and attorneys who also have serious musical chops. They have also added a Legal Voices chorus and Gary Greene, Esq. and His Big Band of Barristers. These volunteer groups practice weekly and have performed in prestigious venues, often benefiting charitable causes. Gary believes an early exposure to practicing music helped create the discipline that shaped these successful legal minds. Providing a platform for their musical expression benefits his musicians and all who listen.
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The billable hour has been the dominant pricing model in legal practice for decades, but it wasn't always this way—and it was never meant to be permanent.
What started as an accountability measurement has evolved into a system that stifles new thinking about client value and often works against the client's interests and the attorney's well-being.
Well-known in legal circles, Christopher T. Anderson has been leading the charge to disrupt the billable hour. He's a named partner with Anderson Dodson, P.C., the founding consultant of Sunnyside Services, the entrepreneurial mind behind New Leaf Family, and the longstanding host of The Unbillable Hour Podcast. Christopher brings a unique perspective shaped by his background in astrophysics, government studies, and years in legal information and the practice of law. His law firms are testing grounds for innovative approaches that prioritize value over time.
In this episode, Christopher talks with John Reed about the history of legal billing from its origins as an explanatory narrative to today's time-tracking obsession. Listen in as he explains how the billable hour disincentivizes efficiency and how New Leaf's alternative model seeks to efficiently and cost-appropriately solve clients' problems while creating more fulfilling careers for attorneys.
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Have you ever heard of an attorney who went from tax attorney to meal kit general counsel to legal innovator and startup founder? Now you have. It’s Sticky Lawyer Shane Mulrooney.
Shane’s career has been a series of stepping stones and building blocks; one phase providing a foundation for the next. Despite the changes, he has dived into each new role, determined to learn and contribute as much as he can, expand his subject matter expertise, and develop new skills and perspectives.
As you’ll hear, Shane’s in-house litigation experiences sparked the idea for New Era ADR, a digital dispute resolution platform featuring highly sought-after neutrals who resolve matters quickly, thoroughly, and cost-effectively.
Listen in as Shane describes his literal and figurative journey (including a life-changing cross-country bike ride), his observations about the traditional arbitration and mediation, and finding himself in a large law firm’s tax department with no prior financial or accounting background.
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In this special role-reversal episode, Sticky Lawyers host John Reed becomes the interviewee as friend and fellow podcaster Laura Khalil takes control of the microphone to ask the questions. If you’ve ever wondered about the why, how, and who of the podcast, the answers await you.
John explains Sticky Lawyers’ origin, talks about a false start or two, and discusses the show's evolution from its beginnings. Throughout the conversation, his genuine curiosity about diverse legal career paths and his love of learning shine through, along with his belief that highlighting exceptional lawyers helps counter public perception and widespread stereotypes about the profession.
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Lance Johnson didn't set out to become a champion for ecommerce sellers on Amazon, eBay, and Walmart. With a chemical engineering background and experience as a U.S Patent & Trademark Office examiner, he set his sights on a traditional intellectual property practice, which is most of his work. But when his wife faced allegations of trafficking in counterfeit goods, which threatened to destroy her business, Lance found himself pioneering a new niche.
Join us as Lance discusses the legal intricacies of selling products in the digital world, what every new e-seller should know, and the details of the case that started it all. Learn about the inner workings of marketplace ecosystems of sites where we all shop.
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Shifting gears is a good metaphor for Bob Mionske’s career. After starting out as a competitive skier, he shifted to cycling and rose through the amateur competitor ranks to eventually ride for Team U.S.A. at the Olympics in Seoul and Barcelona. But his cycling journey wasn’t over when he hung up his jersey. Pivoting to a legal career, Bob blazed a new trail in the niche area of Bike Law.
Join us as we learn about Bob’s early days in the Midwest racing circuit, his breakout performance at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, and his dramatic race to an Olympic finish line.
Bob also describes his decision to pursue Bicycle Law early in his legal career, writing and podcasting to market his practice, and using his platform and experience to make biking safer across the country. Join us for a wild ride with this Sticky Lawyer!
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Robert Graci has devoted most of his legal career to public service, first with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, where he argued cases in all of Pennsylvania’s appellate courts and before the U.S. Supreme Court. Governor Mark Schweiker later appointed Bob to serve as an appellate judge on the Pennsylvania Superior Court
But then a new opportunity arose. Parlaying both his prosecutorial experience and his time on the bench, Bob served as Chief Counsel to the Judicial Conduct Board of Pennsylvania, investigating and pursuing allegations of judicial ethics violations by state court judges.
Listen in as this Sticky Lawyer discusses his public service, the types of activities that can land judges in hot water, and his commitment to maintaining public confidence in the courts.
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Have you ever suffered from the Sunday Scaries, dreading the start of another week in the practice of law? Studies show you're not alone and have plenty of company. If only there were someone who has experienced burnout, found a way out, and now helps others restore their energy and get their lawyer groove back. Oh, wait. There is.
San Diego environmental land use and real estate attorney Tracy Inscore felt "soul-level" burnout that caused her to leave the practice of law. After traditional therapies failed to provide relief, she discovered Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), commonly known as tapping, a scientifically backed approach combining ancient Chinese medicine principles with modern neuroscience.
With newfound knowledge and motivation, Tracy is of counsel to one of the nation's largest law firms. As a certified EFT practitioner, she developed a three-step process that addresses the root causes and manifested symptoms of burnout.
Listen in as Tracy talks about renewing your energy and reclaiming your well-being without abandoning the legal career you've worked so hard to build.
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Picture a highly aggressive, successful, and hardcore commercial litigator who also holds a second-degree black belt in Northern Chinese Kung Fu—a type of street fighting whose motto was to break bones, not boards. But what if that lawyer has an epiphany that, rather than a career of confrontation and disagreement, he would rather pursue a life of peacemaking and bridge-building? That’s Doug Noll.
After switching to Tai Chi and earning a master’s in peacekeeping and conflict studies, Doug pivoted, refocusing on mediation and dispute resolution for family businesses. That move led him to develop a system of de-escalation techniques and interest-based negotiations. He quite literally wrote the book. Then, his desire for a life of service led him to restorative justice principles and the founding of the Prison of Peace (POP) project with his colleague, Laurel Kaufer.
Since 2010, POP has trained and mentored incarcerated men and women throughout California to enhance opportunities for rehabilitation through conflict resolution practices. The result? Inmates have engaged with fellow inmates over 48,000 times in peacemaking and conflict resolution processes, and prison violence has markedly decreased. As other states and countries implement POP, Doug continues his mediation work, flies airplanes and helicopters, is a jazz violinist and folk fiddler, and fly fishes. Don’t miss this Sticky Lawyer’s story.
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What do you get when you cross a litigator with a standup comedian? Our latest guest on Sticky Lawyers, Michael Currie. While he picked up standup comedy as a college undergrad who wanted to improve his public speaking skills, this Toronto courtroom lawyer still seeks the comedy club spotlight in his free time.
Michael claims he developed his unique sense of humor growing up on Prince Edward Island. But his appreciation for Seinfeld and belief that lots of on-your-feet experience will improve your standup comedy (and courtroom presence) has led to years of practicing jokes and organizing comedy fundraisers for charity.
Join us as we learn about Michael’s path to the law, a few comedy side jaunts (including a lunchtime set at a Pizza Hut), and the similarities he finds between litigation and standup. And if you happen to be a funny lawyer, Michael may have a gig for you.
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We've met many intriguing Sticky Lawyers who turned positive life experiences into meaningful and rewarding legal careers. But that's not always the case. Sometimes, a negative or even traumatic experience can be the impetus, which speaks volumes about the character and strength of the individual
Samantha McCoy was a young college student when a law enforcement officer sexually assaulted her. Despite facing numerous indignities in the legal system after her attack – with no justice – she channeled her personal ordeal into a mission to change laws to extend the rights of survivors of sexual violence.
In this episode, Samantha discusses how she became an outspoken legislative advocate as a law student and has worked with state and federal officials to expand survivor protections. Now an appellate attorney by day, she uses her spare time to promote state, federal, and international policy, partner with non-profits, and educate law enforcement agencies on trauma-informed practices. Prepare to be inspired.
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Immigrants seeking visas to start U.S. companies need experienced counsel to navigate the process for themselves, their workers, and their families. Today's guest, Tahmina Watson, is just the attorney who can help them realize their dreams. She is a U.K.-trained attorney and immigrant of Bangladeshi descent who opened a successful immigration firm in Seattle in 2009. But her deep impact on the immigrant community doesn't end with business startups.
In this episode, Tahmina explains how she used pro bono work and a commitment to community-building to create a legal career that assists immigrants in starting U.S. businesses while also building crucial networks for immigrant legal representation amidst chaotic political agendas. She admits that "Tahmina can talk," but her volunteerism, radio show, podcasts, legal writing, and even her nature photography illustrate how grandly this sticky lawyer lives her American Dream.
An HIV-positive diagnosis can thankfully now be managed with antiretroviral drugs that keep infection levels nearly undetectable. However, the widespread fear and panic that accompanied the AIDS crisis in the 1980s created rampant panic and discrimination against HIV-positive people, especially gay men. And unfortunately, that discrimination still exists. Our guest today, Scott Schoettes, is an attorney and advocate for HIV-positive individuals, and he is also an HIV-positive gay man.
Scott's undergraduate studies led to a career in musical theater, including a national tour of “West Side Story.” But as he considered his second act in life, the death of Matthew Shepherd inspired his legal journey. Since then, Scott has advocated for HIV-positive individuals – especially those in the U.S. military — as Lambda Legal’s HIV project director, served as a member of the President’s Advisory Council on HIV-AIDS, and continues his work in private practice.
Listen as this sticky lawyer describes the legal and legislative battles that have resulted in restoring rights to the HIV/AIDS community.
Jennifer Wagner’s legal path always included a desire to advance equality and civil rights. But her anthropology passion (and eventual Ph.D.) laser beamed her legal focus to the cellular level: genetics and the human genome.
As an assistant professor of Law, Policy, and Engineering and Anthropology at Penn State University, this sticky lawyer has created a legal career that links our most basic human rights and the most basic building blocks of human life. Listen as she explains the privacy implications of genetic data in medical research and digital technologies, and what we should know about how our personal data is used.
Growing up in North Carolina with parents in the home construction business, Forrest Merithew cut his teeth on construction sites, played in the dirt, and developed an early passion for outdoor adventures. Always game for new challenges, he pursued a law career and discovered how his deep experience in construction and his outdoor recreation pursuits could shape his law practice. And a sticky lawyer was born.
After successfully representing construction clients in complex commercial litigation for several years, Forrest pivoted to private practice representing outdoor recreation clients. Listen and learn how Forrest linked his personal passion (flannel shirt included) to a niche law practice that helps protect industry players and gives back to protect the great outdoors.
Alysen Bayles launched her legal career with an early interest in dispute resolution. Then after several years as in-house counsel and a law firm litigator, she found a mediation mentor and increasingly used alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and mediation in her private practice.
Appreciative of how ADR gives both sides a voice, Alysen is now director of a federal court-connected ADR program where she oversees civil cases, serves as a mediator, and facilitates ADR training. Along the way, she used her time spent waiting for verdicts to write children’s books. Now a published author, Alysen uses her heartwarming animal tales to encourage young readers to learn, live, love, and read. Hear how this sticky lawyer followed her bliss to two satisfying careers.
Chris Jennison is a government attorney with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He’s an American Bar Association Officer and Young Lawyer Member-At-Large. He’s also a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician and board president with the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad. Oh, and he’s also a father of two young children. Aside from sleep, this sticky lawyer devotes his time and attention to endeavors that prepare him to do his best work, often for the benefit of others.
An early interest in politics and public policy led Chris to a federal government placement as a young attorney. He is now the Headquarters Team Manager in the Employment and Labor Law Division at the FAA’s Office of Chief Counsel. But he finds balance in his life by being active in other roles, including as a volunteer EMT. Listen as we learn how showing up and performing at a high level have paved his path in all areas.
Haydée Dijkstal grew up in Wyoming, but frequent travel to visit the families of her Puerto Rican mother and Dutch father piqued her interest in international relations at a young age. In fact, it led her all the way to The Hague and a career in international criminal law and human rights law.
In this episode, Haydée shares her path to international legal practice, and how she became a barrister in the U.K. She also gives us a primer on the workings of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the challenges of criminal and human rights investigations. Perpetually immersed in the world’s tragedies, Haydee explains how representing victims and the accused makes her a better attorney, and the huge roles empathy and optimism play in her practice. You won’t want to miss a second with this inspiring sticky lawyer.
Swimming by the time he learned to walk, Adam Grant soon ran faster than the other kids in school and biked when others drove cars. His interest in triathlons and ultra-marathons was a natural path for him. But creating a data privacy legal practice during the advent of the iPhone? Turns out, this sticky lawyer manifests his best ideas when he’s in a state of flow.
With incredible focus, curiosity, and a penchant for research, Adam immersed himself in technology, wrote articles about its legal implications, and became a sought-after speaker. He built his successful niche practice by being the solution to his clients’ problems and a trusted advisor. Listen as he describes how his competitive passions fuel his drive to protect client privacy and data and lead in his personal and professional communities.
Most attorneys hope to impact their clients’ lives and livelihoods by providing expert representation. As chief pro bono counsel at Arnold & Palmer’s New York office, Lucy McMillan’s legal career is keenly focused on making positive change for those who often can’t afford good legal representation.
Lucy forges deep relationships with non-profits and legal services organizations to create opportunities for her firm to serve the community through impact litigation. Whether leading high-profile voting rights and gun violence cases, filing immigration paperwork, or representing parents in family law cases, this sticky lawyer gains deep satisfaction from a legal career that truly gives back.
Raised on an Indiana farm by an engineer dad who farmed after work, attorney John Schwarz has never been a stranger to long days and manual labor. He knows firsthand the struggles farmers face dealing with the USDA Farm Service Agency, grain contracts, solar leases, and all the farm-related legal issues in between. As a row crop farmer, he’s deep in the dirt with them.
This sticky farm lawyer describes his mission to help other farmers in a profession fraught with big risks. Listen as John tells us how he balances two full-time jobs, markets his practice by writing for farming magazines, and what he believes are the biggest challenges for farmers today.
Cielomar Puccio grew up dancing in Puerto Rico. And although she didn't pursue it professionally, her passion for ballet led her to a unique niche law practice. Based in Miami, Cielo's practice focuses on helping dancers, choreographers, and others in the arts with immigration and intellectual property matters.
With a background in advertising and PR, Cielo has grown her practice through continued participation in the local ballet community, referrals, and a robust social media presence. Join us as we learn how this sticky lawyer pursues visas for artists with extraordinary ability, secures copyrights for arts-related businesses, and navigates the complicated process of copyrighting choreography, especially as viral dances explode on TikTok.
Frank Bibeau’s life as a member of the Anishinaabe or Ojibwe people in northern Minnesota has largely been governed by his reservation’s tribal laws and customs. And manoomin—or wild rice—plays a central role in his culture as a primary food that requires protection. But what happens when the tribe’s right to manoomin is threatened by state and federal laws or industry? Another sticky lawyer is born.
After years as a state employee and journalist, Frank earned a law degree to find novel ways to help indigenous people maintain their rights. Thinking outside the box, he focused on creating written tribal codes and rights of nature that could be examined in U.S. courts and influence how environmental practices are managed. Listen as he tells his fascinating tale of taking on big government and corporations.
Hira Jaleel is Pakistan’s first accredited Animal Law attorney, who has fought a lion's share of legal battles around animal welfare and animal rights, helping to shape federal and provincial legislation around animals in Pakistan. She vividly recounts troubling issues around live animal markets and the exotic animal trade that needs government oversight in her native country.
Now an Animal Law teaching fellow and adjunct professor at Lewis & Clark Law School’s Center for Animal Law Studies, Hira describes how cultural customs and views play into animal laws and rights globally. Listen along as she describes a burgeoning legal niche that could use more attorneys willing to fight for animals.
What do you get when you combine a computer scientist, an attorney specializing in Intellectual Property law, and a comic book aficionado? A very interesting sticky lawyer.
James Daily pursued a master’s degree in computer science while earning his law degree at Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. Now he represents clients in intellectual property matters while working for his alma mater’s Center for Empirical Research in the Law and teaching law students about technology’s impact on legal practice.
Listen as James educates us on artificial intelligence and the practice of law, where it is a useful tool, and where caution is needed. He also dives into his side gig as an author and blog writer who explains legal topics through the lens of superheroes. As Robin would say, “Holy Sticky Lawyer, Batman.”
Jasmine Moy did not always love the practice of law, but she has always loved food and the fine dining experience. As a young attorney in New York, she fueled her passion for the foodie world by treating herself to wonderful high-end restaurant experiences and writing articles about them as a hobby. She eventually pivoted from litigation to restaurant and hospitality law, and another sticky lawyer was born.
Jasmine used her restaurant connections from writing to create a legal client base, often representing celebrity chefs, restaurateurs, and hoteliers in New York and across the U.S. Listen as she explains her legal focus, how social media has changed customer reviews in the industry, the chef’s role in a restaurant’s success, and how creating a great restaurant vibe is one of the keys to its success.
Erik Weber is an attorney, a champion runner and running coach, an author, and a motivational video creator and speaker. Oh, and he is also autistic. His own special education experiences, and his unique ability to understand and advocate for special needs students, have helped countless families navigate the IEP process in California.
A passion for helping the disabled community has fueled Erik’s greatest accomplishments to date. As a law student, Erik wrote a paper exposing deficiencies in state-run institutions for people with disabilities, which led to California staffing regulation reforms and more oversight in group homes. And along with running marathons, he formed a running team for special needs kids to help them develop self-confidence, and learn, in his words, “how to be their own heroes.” Join us to meet a sticky lawyer like no other.
While nearly a quarter of the U.S. population lives in rural America, only 2% of attorneys practice there. Phil Garland has spent 50 years as a general practice lawyer in Garner, Iowa — population 3,000. He has been his town's one-stop shop for legal representation and created a thriving practice through his relationships with residents, local businesses, and other lawyers in his county.
But finding young lawyers to consider small-town practices is a nationwide problem. As chair of the Iowa State Bar Association's Rural Practice Committee, Phil spearheaded a Rural Practice Program to encourage summer clerkships in Iowa's small-town legal practices to give law students another option after graduation. His current partner Carrie Rodriguez benefited from that program. Together these Sticky Lawyers give us a glimpse of the benefits (including short work commutes) and challenges of small-town practices.
A deep-dive into the horrors of food-borne illnesses may not seem like an appetizing path for a young attorney forging a legal career. But for Washington based-attorney Bill Marler, handling plaintiff cases after the 1993 Jack in the Box E. coli outbreak gave him unique expertise and led to a niche practice that specializes in representing those affected by food-borne illnesses. He is now one of the nation’s leading food safety experts and a prominent advocate for food safety policy in the U.S. and abroad.
In this episode, Bill shares some juicy tidbits about the prevalence of food-borne illnesses and how most claims aren’t pursued due to difficulty in proving causation. We also learn about how this sticky lawyer’s love of blogging predated the internet but led to numerous referrals and Marler Clarke’s reputation as the leading food safety firm in the nation.
Growing up Muslim in America, Sumbul Ali-Kalamari was accustomed to explaining her religious culture to non-Muslims, especially in the Stanford University dorms. After becoming a corporate attorney and earning an LL.M. in Islamic Law, the cultural questions continued. She wrote her first book in 2008 and has made a career of writing, lecturing, and educating the public to promote intercultural understanding in the world – while also actively practicing law.
In this episode, Sumbul gives us a broad education on the evolution of Islam and Islamic Law over the centuries, dispelling myths and shining a light on often misunderstood nuances. She explains Shariah’s feminist roots and a legal system based on the notion that an amicable settlement is best. And she tells how a childhood crush on William Shatner’s Captain Kirk led her to draw parallels to Star Trek in her books.
Join us on this journey through the origins and tenets of Islam and learn about how this Sticky Lawyer has followed a calling to educate others to create understanding and acceptance.
For an attorney who once had political aspirations and started his career in public finance law, Richard Walawender’s deep Polish roots and serendipitous timing helped him create a fascinating law career that started in the 1980s Solidarity movement and continues today in his role as Honorary Consul for the Consulate of the Republic of Poland in Detroit.
A senior partner at Miller Canfield in Detroit, Rick leads its Autonomous and Connected Vehicles Group and has played a substantial role in developing the firm’s international practice. But as the son of Polish immigrants, his interest in Polish history led him to a college experience with the burgeoning Polish Solidarity movement and a call to help the Solidarity government attract investors and create the first private commercial bank in Eastern Europe.
Listen as Rick paints a vivid picture of evolving post-communist Poland, his work as a local honorary consul, and the warming relationship between Poles and Ukrainians in the U.S. and abroad.
The 2022 midterms may be over, but who are the election lawyers behind the scenes? We found one – meet Katherine Knox.
Election law piqued Kate’s interest during a law school internship, and she hasn’t
looked back. As one of the most highly regarded lobbying and election law attorneys in Maine, Kate has helped pass groundbreaking legislation (including the first ballot initiative on same-sex marriage nationwide), worked with countless candidates at all levels of government, and serves as general counsel to the Maine Democratic Party.
The law wasn’t her first career stop; Kate spent ten years as a clinical social worker before attending law school. Her emotional intelligence and passion for relationship building and working on a team to get results led her to a flourishing lobbying and election law practice at Bernstein Shur in Portland.
In this episode, Kate shares how managing relationships and loving the energy of a chaotic legislative floor are the keys to successful lobbying. She also talks about how the tone of the 2022 midterm elections affected her counsel around election rules and ballot protection. Listen in to hear some fascinating stories from this standout Sticky Lawyer.
From forgery schemes to Nazi-looted art to patrimony laws to sanctions on Russian oligarchs, Steven Schindler has seen it all. As the leader of Schindler, Cohen & Hochman’s art law group, he proves that one interesting client can propel you to a niche practice area that shapes the rest of your career.
Steve joined a large firm after law school and focused on commercial litigation and trials. After later starting a firm with two colleagues, his work on an art-related dispute piqued his interest in art law as a practice area. The field was wide open. Steve dove in, researched, wrote articles for law journals, and became a sought-after speaker on the subject.
Along the way, he has handled everything from title contests to fraud, challenges to authenticity and provenances, restitution for stolen art, and various transactions for the purchase, sale, and commission of fine art and NFTs. Listen in as this Sticky Lawyer describes how a life-long appreciation took him from one legal career canvas to another.
Zachary Strebeck has always loved games, whether on a board or a video screen. In law school, he took classes and participated in internships to gain the skills he knew he would need to represent clients in the games industry. And a niche law practice was born.
A digital nomad who works from a laptop from any place in the world, Zachary solves the legal issues of game start-ups, successful video and board game publishers, and related industry players. His work as a graphic illustrator before law school informs his knowledge of the business, helps him build trust with clients, and allows him to speak their language. From contracts to copyrights to privacy law, Zachary has advised clients on myriad legal issues as their industry evolves to include artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and virtual reality.
In this Sticky Lawyers episode, we hear how a guy with a passion for games created a successful practice built and operated on his own terms. Have a listen.
Environmental warriors are often inspired by stories of ecological travesties or climate problems that speak to their souls, and Donald Simon is living proof. A National Geographic magazine article he read as a kid in Ohio sparked a lifelong passion for protecting the earth.
Although he began working with nonprofits in environmental activism early in his legal career, he moved to San Francisco and pivoted into an entirely new area. His work in construction litigation led him to shape the green building industry and help clients develop green businesses. That work drew him to creating the benefit corporation, an alternative corporate structure now recognized in 37 states. Oh, and he founded a few eco-oriented nonprofits, too.
Through it all, Donald’s focus and commitment to taking care of our planet have driven his practice and book of business. Listen in as he describes how he uses his problem-solving skills to create change in the world and help clients do the same.
Christopher Melcher never dreamed about representing celebrities and wealthy clients in divorce court.
Instead, as a young lawyer, he met an LA attorney with a high-end solo practice in divorce and family law who invited him to join the practice. He dove into the world of representing wealthy and celebrity clients, working with the teams that manage them, and never looked back.
Managing the legal needs of these high-powered, sophisticated legal consumers requires the dedicated focus that this successful niche practice provides. But hobnobbing at Hollywood parties has never been his thing. Christopher’s humble and straightforward approach with his clients is what drives his success.
In this episode, Christopher gives us a masterclass on marketing for niche practices. He describes the advice that worked for him and how using a video bio on your website can lead to more referrals. As a legal analyst for various media outlets, he also gives us some pointers on becoming a go-to legal commentator. Join us for this enlightening discussion.
What do five-minute interviews, going broke on the first day of a fellowship in Nairobi, opening a high-end hosiery franchise, and being appointed to an international trade committee by the Obama administration have in common? They are all experiences that shaped the fascinating life and legal career of Craig Owen White.
Nurtured by his father and teachers to be curious, Craig knew he wanted to be an attorney at a young age. A fellowship after college sent him on a yearlong journey of self-discovery in Kenya and Ghana and cemented a pattern of listening and learning as much as he instructed.
After law school and several years as a corporate law associate, Craig and his wife opened a high-end retail hosiery business in downtown Cleveland to create jobs in the Black community. That experience shaped his work with the International Senior Lawyers Project in Africa, as well as an appointment by the Cleveland City Council to negotiate with the NFL to bring the Browns back to town. The current partner in charge at Hahn Loeser & Parks’ Cleveland office, Craig is also the chair of the Trade Advisory Committee on Africa to which he was appointed by the Obama Administration. This sticky lawyer has left his imprint all over the world. Enjoy his story.
We've talked to attorneys on this podcast who represent clients' needs in distinct, niche areas of the law. But what about lawyers? They're humans with needs and a few flaws, just like the rest of us. Who do they call when they need a lawyer to represent them?
If they're smart, they will hire today's guest.
Meet Trisha Rich. A first-generation college graduate from a tiny town in Michigan, Trisha is a partner with international law firm Holland & Knight, based in Chicago and New York. Her practice focuses largely on legal ethics and professional responsibility matters, meaning she represents lawyers and law firms when they get into trouble or need legal assistance.
But Trish''s devotion to the legal community doesn't stop there. She writes a column about professional responsibility ethics, teaches legal ethics at Northwestern Pritzker Law School and NYU, and co-hosts a Chicago Bar Association podcast. Oh, and she also helped create the Attorney Defense Initiative to help lawyers with disciplinary and wellness issues.
None of it would have happened without a chance encounter she had while working at McDonald's in high school. Don't miss this episode.
She loves Elvis Presley, classic rock, and Northern Soul, and has a successful legal career in the music industry. Meet Erin Jacobson.
With a private practice in L.A. that has grown exponentially since its inception in 2009, Erin helps Grammy and Emmy winning singers, musicians, songwriters, legacy artists and catalogs, heirs and estates, and others navigate complex contract, licensing, and intellectual property laws. She is also one of the industry's leading attorneys in copyright recapture and termination issues.
Erin has grown her busy practice by developing relationships promoting her thought leadership. She's a trusted resource within the music community and wrote a book to educate artists so they don't get screwed (her words, not ours). She even created the Indie Artist Resource to give artists template contracts and guidance to protect themselves when starting out. Talk about building a clientele from the ground up.
In this episode, Erin gives us a crash course in music copyrights, infringement, and recapture. It is clear she's committed to protecting her clients' rights, ownership of their catalogs, and the music itself - an obligation she feels she has to listeners who feel deeply connected to it.
Thousands of kids have likely dreamed of working for NASA as an astronaut. But how many science fiction-loving youth dream of being a NASA lawyer when they grow up? Meet Laura Montgomery.
Although NASA didn’t end up on her CV, Laura spent more than two decades as a space lawyer with the FAA. Now in private practice, she specializes in regulatory space law, commercial space transportation, and the Outer Space Treaties, while teaching space law at Catholic University.
During her years as FAA counsel, Laura helped draft regulations for space launch safety, explosive siting, and commercial space tourism. But she explains how this niche area of law really includes all areas of law, including property law (space mining) and criminal law (US criminal justice jurisdiction extends to outer space).
Join us on this episode as Laura spins fascinating tales of her experiences as a space lawyer and a science fiction writer. She has 16 titles in print that showcase her deep space knowledge and sometimes feature space lawyers in her casts of characters.
Don’t discount the childhood pleasures that can shape your life. For David Concannon, hiking, exploring, and diving at summer camp fueled his lifelong passion for outdoor adventure – and a ridiculously cool legal niche along with a side business in exploration consulting.
Inspired by his grandfather’s fascination with the air and the sea, David became general counsel of The Explorer’s Club (comprised of the world's greatest adventurers ) after being inducted as one of its youngest members, sparking relationships that launched his career advising deep-sea explorers on the legalities of visiting the Titanic and other shipwrecks, serving as general counsel to the X Prize Foundation, and working with Jeff Bezos to recover the rocket engines that propelled the Apollo program to the moon.
Listen as David recounts tales that stretch from the courtroom to the deepest ocean depths and Earth's orbit. Not your ordinary law practice, to be sure.
Many comic book heroes use superpowers to defeat their evil foes and save the world. But their creators still need lawyers to negotiate their contracts. Who would have ever thought that “comic book lawyer” was an actual legal niche? We know a former professional dancer who spun into it by chance.
Meet Caitlin DiMotta, a performing artist turned attorney fortunate enough to heed two career callings - the arts and law. After a chance encounter pointed her to law school, she befriended a renowned comic book creator who helped open her eyes to a community she has come to love.
Whether you’re a DC or Marvel fan (or have never opened a comic book), listen to Caitlin talk about following her instincts to build a practice, working with talented writers and artists to publish comic books and get them to the big screen, and witnessing firsthand the fascinating transformation of Captain Marvel.
Links From the Episode
- Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams & Sheppard LLP (Caitlin's Law Firm)
- Caitlin's Email
- Criminal (comic book by Ed Brubaker)
- Scalped (comic book by Jason Aaron)
- Bitch Planet (comic book by Kelly Sue DeConnick)
John Szymankiewicz always knew he wanted to be a lawyer. He also developed a life-long passion for beer – brewing it, drinking it, and after a slight detour into chemical engineering, building a law career around it.
Now, John is one of an elite group of Sticky Lawyers dedicated to counseling breweries, distilleries, and other small alcohol producers.
Although practicing beer law sounds as enjoyable as hoisting a few pints with your friends, the work isn't all fun and drinking games. By knowing the industry so intimately, he can speak clients' language and has become a trusted business partner.
Whether navigating alcohol label compliance rules, creating employee manuals for brewpubs, or counseling distilleries about manufacturing hand sanitizer during a pandemic, the Beer Lawyer has seen it all.
Pull up a barstool and listen to a business development masterclass within the context of a unique niche law practice.
Michael Hall developed an interest in UFOs and Bigfoot in the 1970s. And although he didn’t have grand plans to become The Paranormal Lawyer, he earned that moniker after decades of blending his side passion with his general law practice. As a paranormal field researcher who investigated UFO sightings for the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization, he met fellow ufologists and researchers who began to call on him for legal advice.
Michael’s real estate law knowledge assisted a client in disclosing a haunted property. His contract law experience allowed him to craft nondisclosure agreements for ufologists negotiating TV deals. And then there was a researcher friend who feared for his life over a top-secret government document… but you’ll have to listen to hear that story.
Join us for a fascinating dive into Michael’s story and how he has fashioned his general law practice into an out-of-this-world adventure.
When the Smithsonian dubs you “an ocean hero” and the New York Times calls you a “coastal warrior,” you aren’t just hoping the oceans and coastlines can be protected now and in the future. You’re championing the cause to make it happen. You’re Mark Massara.
Growing up in Santa Barbara, Mark fell in love with the wildness of the ocean. He learned to surf in grade school, but helping clean up a catastrophic oil spill at the age of seven cemented his devotion to coastal conservation and led to building a cutting-edge “surf law” practice.
In this episode, Mark shares fascinating stories of taking on and sometimes collaborating with big business and wealthy landowners on behalf of the Surfrider Foundation, the Sierra Club, and other non-profits committed to preserving the California coastline. As the general counsel and vice president of social responsibility at O’Neill Wetsuits, he has even more resources to advance the cause and address the perils of climate change.
Listen in as this Sticky Lawyer talks about surfing the crest of the conservation development law wave and how we need to act now to address the climate crisis.
Dr. John Naranja has devoted his life to the service of others, something that is very apparent in the different roles he’s held along a career path that includes medicine, the military, and the law.
Raised by physician parents, he, too, became a doctor. After establishing a successful orthopedic surgery practice in a small Maine community, however, he made a surprising pivot to law school in Boston and a big-city personal injury firm. It’s not the law practice you would expect from a surgeon-turned-trial lawyer though.
“Dr. John” talks about serving in the U.S. Air Force (just like his dad), the transition from the operating room to the courtroom, and how medicine and lawyering, respectively, affected an important role – the father of ten children.
Tune in to hear one Sticky Lawyer share stories about being a lifelong learner and the courage to following not one, but multiple callings.
As a child, Julie Fershtman loved horses. And she managed to cultivate that passion into a niche equine law practice – in Michigan, of all places. How did she do it?
Through lots of research, outreach, and the discipline to listen to the needs of influencers in and around the equine community.
Julie wrote countless articles and four books, attended many conferences, and made a name for herself while using conversations with the people she met to generate an impressive body of online and offline content. Her writing and speaking not only established her subject matter expertise but also opened the door to new business
Active in the State Bar of Michigan beginning early in her career, Julie shares how she viewed her committee experience as a master class for developing a professional presence. Now she gives us a master class in how to start and grow your niche, give back to the profession, and find fulfillment in the practice of law.
Enjoy the conversation with Julie.
There is no shortage of social causes that need support. But how deeply do we understand the social issues that affect our neighbors and us, and how do we determine which feet-on-the-ground organizations to support when we do?
When it comes to food insecurity, corporate counsel Tyrone Thomas invites you to a conversation. A Conversation for Six, to be exact.
Tyrone shares how growing up in Philadelphia and interning as an urban planning undergrad opened his eyes and heart to the plight of the country’s food insecure.
As an established attorney, he used his own capital to start a non-profit with a mission to educate people about this human rights epidemic, so people can get knowledgeable enough about an aspect of food insecurity to act and become advocates.
Tune in to learn more about the food insecurity issues we face and one Sticky Lawyer's innovative approach to raising awareness for the cause.
Ever wondered what an attorney in the fashion industry does? In our ongoing pursuit to spotlight Sticky Lawyers, we found a fashion lawyer who has created a fascinating niche for herself, beginning in law school when she was busting blue jean counterfeiters in LA’s Santee Alley.
Meet Jenny Wu, today’s guest with a style all her own. Through fearless determination and moxie, she’s found legal roles with a premium denim label, an international fashion and accessories brand, and a company that builds brands for fashion influencers.
Oh, and she also appeared on (and nearly won) television’s “The Amazing Race.”
Jenny explains the intriguing details of how she built her expertise in fashion law and shares how a little fear and her parents’ courageous example have fueled her drive to compete and win.
Enjoy this fascinating and lively conversation with Jenny Wu.
What do you call the smiling, courteous person at a bar association event? The caterer.
Ah, lawyer jokes. They may be good for a chuckle, but often that underlying (sometimes truthful) snark is what gives lawyers a bad reputation. That’s where today’s guest, attorney and author Melody Kramer, comes in. Melody has used her 20+ years as an attorney to literally write the book that tells readers why lawyers think and act like they do, and how clients can use that information to save money and work better with their attorneys.
Melody shares some of her hacks for better client relationships (that focus more on humility than the typical “hard sell”). She also tells us about co-founding an organization for freelance lawyers, long before the gig economy took off.
Listen to our conversation with Melody for a fresh way to think about the practice of law.
Preparing meals in the basement for the family catering business as a small child may not sound like the path to a successful career in employment law. How about announcing the new “Mr. and Mrs.” at hundreds of weddings in the family banquet hall? At Sticky Lawyers, we’ve seen some winding roads to the law. And for Maria Dwyer, being raised in the food business was the perfect recipe for her exceptional employment law career that focuses on the food and beverage industry.
As the managing member of Clark Hill’s Detroit office, Maria developed her client base by merging her life-long knowledge of the restaurant industry with her problem-solving instincts. Building relationships and volunteering for board positions drive Maria’s business development efforts.
Listen to our discussion with her for the secret sauce.
Morris ("Mo") Lilienthal is not just a successful trial lawyer in Huntsville, Alabama.
He's also a dad, husband, and volunteer who has cultivated a large social media following. But Mo doesn't fill his social feeds with car crash statistics and lawspeak. His Facebook and Instagram videos and posts chronicle his family life, offer life tips, and show off his funny weekend wear. And his popular Facebook Live series, The Mo Show Live, features interviews with community leaders, non-profits doing great work, and positive stories that viewers love.
Mo tells us how sharing personal and vulnerable stories has rapidly expanded his social media footprint and leads to business referrals because his social media connections feel like they know him.
Enjoy the conversation with Mo Lilienthal.
Some might say Jill McBride Baxter was born to be a sports agent and a leader in sports law. Her dad was a Hall of Fame football coach, so she was raised on athletic fields and developed a love of the game long before she entered law school. Now, nearly 25 years later, she has a thriving sports law practice and represents professional players, coaches, media, and college administrators.
An aggressive negotiator with an adventurous spirit and problem-solving nature, Jill has grown a thriving business mainly through referrals and by learning from influencers outside her industry.
Listen as Jill describes how her practice has grown and evolved.
Host John Reed previews what Sticky Lawyers is all about. If you want to hear stories from exceptional attorneys who carved out surprising niches for themselves or who have turned their hobbies and passions into thriving, legal careers, this podcast is for you!