Lawyers Who Lead

In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews Kara Hardin, Founder and CEO of the Practice Lab, an organization that helps high performance companies cultivate human-centered businesses and practices.
Kara shares how her experiences as a corporate and securities lawyer helped her explore what was actually meaningful in her life versus the story she was telling herself. Using this line of questioning, she decided to focus on coaching which ultimately led to her work in psychotherapy. 
Kara's approach to helping lawyers explore their own choices through "jumping to question" is an illuminating look at how lawyers can be better leaders of themselves so that they can be better leaders for others. 
Visit https://thepracticelab.org/ to learn more. 

In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews Ariana Tadler, founding partner of Tadler Law LLP, a WBENC-certified, women-owned boutique law firm that offers an array of litigation and legal counseling services.
Ariana shares how her value of direct communication has manifested into a business model of demarcation of client case management, a focus on clear team retention and management, and the civility she brings to "all sides of the v."
Ariana's journey is one full of intentional thoughts and actions that ensures client, team, and peer expectations are managed and everyone is treated with the respect and transparency they deserve. 
Visit https://www.tadlerlaw.com/profile/ariana-tadler/ to learn more. 

In the final episode of our coverage of NALP's 2023 Annual Education Conference (AEC) in Vancouver, B.C., Sigalle interviews Anjie Vichayanonda,  Chief Operations Officer and IP attorney at Creedon PLLC, a law firm that builds and protects great brands by providing experienced intellectual property and business legal counsel.
Visit https://www.creedon.com/ to learn more. 
National Association for Law Placement NALP is an association of over 2,500 legal career professionals who advise law students, lawyers, law offices, and law schools in North America and beyond. Visit https://www.nalp.org to learn more.

In episode three of our coverage of NALP's 2023 Annual Education Conference (AEC) in Vancouver, B.C., Sigalle interviews Neil Dennis, Director of Professional Development at Blaney McMurtry LLP, one of Canada's premier law firms based in the heart of Toronto’s financial district.
Visit https://www.blaney.com/ to learn more. 
National Association for Law Placement NALP is an association of over 2,500 legal career professionals who advise law students, lawyers, law offices, and law schools in North America and beyond. Visit https://www.nalp.org to learn more.

In episode two of our coverage of NALP's 2023 Annual Education Conference (AEC) in Vancouver, B.C., Sigalle interviews Erica Horton, Director of Professional Development & Training at Brown Rudnick, a firm that represents clients from around the world in high-stakes litigation and business transactions.  
Visit https://brownrudnick.com/ to learn more. 
National Association for Law Placement NALP is an association of over 2,500 legal career professionals who advise law students, lawyers, law offices, and law schools in North America and beyond. Visit https://www.nalp.org to learn more.

In this four-part series, Sigalle covers insights from NALP's 2023 Annual Education Conference (AEC) in Vancouver, B.C. In episode one, Sigalle interviews Melissa McGonigal Berry, Director of Attorney Development at Perkins Coie, a leading international law firm that is known for providing high-value, strategic solutions and extraordinary client service with more than 1,200 lawyers in offices across the United States and Asia.
Visit https://www.perkinscoie.com to learn more. 
National Association for Law Placement (NALP) is an association of over 2,500 legal career professionals who advise law students, lawyers, law offices, and law schools in North America and beyond. Visit https://www.nalp.org to learn more.

An attorney's responsibilities to manage client accounts got a lot riskier in the wake of recent bank failures and the threat of additional instability. In this week's episode, Sigalle shares the audio recording from Lawline's CLE course "Navigating Client Trust Accounts in a Challenging Banking Climate." 
Taught by Jordan Turk, Jonathan Grabb, and Paul Garibian and moderated by Robert J. Ambrogi, this episode explores the banking environment, equips attorneys on how to address and mitigate the ongoing risks that bank choice may create, and covers the likelihood of potential civil liability as well.  
To take this course for CLE credit, visit:  https://www.lawline.com/course/navigating-client-trust-accounts-in-a-challenging-banking-climate-pre-recorded

In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews Kelly Rittenberry Culhane, Co-founder and Co-managing partner at Culhane Meadows, the largest woman owned national full service law firm in the US.
Kelly shares her journey to being a lawyer and the tough career decisions she had to make as a woman and mother. Taking her experiences, she co-created a law firm that focused on fairness and equity by creating an objective compensation model. 
With a deep focus on origination credit, Kelly discusses how her firm welcomes lawyers of all backgrounds who can live the life they want while continuing to have a sophisticated law practice. 
Visit https://www.culhanemeadows.com/ to learn more. 

In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews Jennifer Thibodaux, Senior Legal Editor at Thomson Reuters and Founder of JMT Speaks, LLC. 
Jennifer shares how she left firm partnership after over a decade of practice to pursue a more authentic life for herself. By posing questions that helped her take the leap, she explains the process by which she continues to build a life that focuses on assisting other professionals lead authentic lives.
Visit https://www.jmtspeaks.com to learn more and https://www.jmtspeaks.com/stay-connected to sign up for Jennifer's newsletter. 

In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews Marc Snyderman, founder and CEO of Snyderman Law Group and managing partner at Well Bridge Capital. 
Marc shares how his experience being a lawyer and a COO helped him identify a huge gap in legal accessibility for small and mid-sized businesses. Determined to find a better way beyond the billable hour, Marc shares his legal as a subscription-based model.
Marc's interview illuminates the importance of alternative ways of providing legal services as not only a benefit to clients, but imperative to lawyer well-being and civility. 
Visit https://www.marcsnyderman.com/ to learn more.

Concluding our week long coverage from the 2023 ABA Tech Show in Chicago, Illinois, Sigalle interviews Keith Lee, principal at Sidebar Ventures and founder of Associates Mind and Lawyer Smack. 
Keith shares his journey as a lawyer, author, and entrepreneur, while also providing his over 10 years of experience attending the ABA Tech Show. Keith's interview illuminates vital themes for the future of legal practice including AI generative technologies and state changes in how law firms are governed.
Visit  https://associatesmind.com and https://www.lawyersmack.com to learn more. 
The ABA Tech Show is where lawyers, legal professionals, and technology all come together. For three days, attendees learn about the most useful and practical technologies available. Visit https://www.techshow.com to learn more.

Continuing our week long coverage of the 2023 ABA Tech Show in Chicago, Sigalle interviews Haley Altman, Strategic Advisor at Litera, the leading provider of workflow, collaboration, and data management solutions for law firms and legal teams globally.   
Haley discusses her journey from associate to partner to founding Doxly, a transaction management platform that was ultimately acquired by Litera. Through her additional experience performing 10 acquisitions in under two years for Litera, Haley now helps advise others in the legal tech space as well. 
Haley's interview highlights the importance of actively listening to clients and peers as well as the vital impact communication plays in engaging clients in your products and services.  
Visit https://www.litera.com to learn more. 
The ABA Tech Show is where lawyers, legal professionals, and technology all come together. For three days, attendees learn about the most useful and practical technologies available. Visit https://www.techshow.com to learn more.

Continuing our week long coverage of the 2023 ABA Tech Show in Chicago, Sigalle interviews Cynthia Thomas, ABA Tech Show Co-Chair and owner of PLMC and Associates, a law firm management consulting company, which provides best practices in human resource and financial operations management to small and mid-sized firms. 
Cynthia shares her journey from law school to law practice management to ultimately becoming one of the primary leaders of the ABA Tech Show. Cynthia discusses the importance of in-person relationship building and how community is vital to innovation  Visit https://www.plmcassociates.com to learn more. 
The ABA Tech Show is where lawyers, legal professionals, and technology all come together. For three days, attendees learn about the most useful and practical technologies available. Visit https://www.techshow.com to learn more.

Continuing our week long coverage of the 2023 ABA Tech Show in Chicago, Sigalle interviews Niki Black, Senior Director, SME and External Education at MyCase, a legal practice management software. 
Niki shares her journey from practicing attorney to legal tech expert to ultimately working at MyCase. Focusing on being both an internal and external educator of all things legal tech, Niki highlights the various education, considerations, and integrations that come with being the tech space.  Visit https://www.mycase.com and https://www.lawpay.com to learn more. 
The ABA Tech Show is where lawyers, legal professionals, and technology all come together. For three days, attendees learn about the most useful and practical technologies available. Visit https://www.techshow.com to learn more.

In this week long series, Sigalle covers insights from the 2023 ABA Tech Show in Chicago, Illinois. Next up is Paul Garibian, CEO and Co-Founder of Nota by M&T Bank, an innovative cloud-based platform that provides business banking solutions for attorneys managing solo and small firms. 
Although not a lawyer, Paul discusses how he is leveraging his 20 years of experience helping financial institutions to bring a personalized banking experience to lawyers and law firms alike. Visit https://www.trustnota.com/ to learn more.
The ABA Tech Show is where lawyers, legal professionals, and technology all come together. For three days, attendees learn about the most useful and practical technologies available. Visit https://www.techshow.com to learn more.

In this week long series, Sigalle covers insights from 2023 ABA Tech Show in Chicago, Illinois. 
In episode one, Sigalle interviews Jazz Hampton, CEO and General Counsel at TurnSignal, a black-owned tech company that provides real-time legal guidance from an attorney to drivers, all while their camera records the interaction. 
Jazz describes his journey as a web developer who ultimately changed course to become a lawyer. Born and raised in Minnesota, Jazz shares how the Philando Castile and George Floyd tragedies compelled him and his other co-founders to create TurnSignl. Fueled by their mission to protect driver's rights, de-escalate interactions, and to make sure everyone gets home safely, Jazz is effecting real change through legal tech. Visit https://www.turnsignl.com to learn more. 
The ABA Tech Show is where lawyers, legal professionals, and technology all come together. For three days, attendees learn about the most useful and practical technologies available. Visit https://www.techshow.com/ to learn more.  

In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews Andre Gharakhanian, Founder and Partner at Silicon Legal Strategy, a premier boutique law firm providing targeted, bottom-line oriented advice to tech startups, innovative entrepreneurs, and seasoned investors.
Andre shares how he transformed his firm from just himself and one paralegal into one that spans offices in San Francisco, L.A., and Denver. Designing the firm from the ground up with a focus on attorney empowerment, Andre shows why successful client stewardship starts with internal employee stewardship.
Visit https://www.siliconlegal.com to learn more.

In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews Melissa J. Holloway, Vice Chancellor and General Counsel for North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, the nation's largest historically black college and university (HBCU), located in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Melissa shares her journey from growing up in housing projects and being raised by a community of incredible women, to her pivotal teachers along the way. She then details her legal path to the world of higher education law and the way in which her role both directly and indirectly helps her develop future leaders.
Visit https://www.ncat.edu/news/2021/06/holloway-vc-dlarc.php and https://www.ncat.edu/news/2022/07/holloway-nacua-chair-elect.php to learn more.

In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews Shavon J. Smith, principal at the SJS Law Firm, PLLC and author of the Small Business Owner's Guide to Hiring an Attorney and the forthcoming book, Tell me About the Hard Part: Five Steps to help Businesses Face Solve and Prevent Problems.
Shavon shares how leaving BigLaw marked her Freedom Day to focus on her true purpose of starting her own firm that helps business owners navigate the legal landscape. Shavon's interview showcases how important the power of support is both professionally and personally and why compassion is at the forefront of positive change in the legal industry.
Visit https://www.thesjslawfirm.com/ to learn more.

In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews Jonathan Havens, managing partner at Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr. Jonathan is also co-chair of the firm's Cannabis Law practice and the firm's Food, Beverage, and Agribusiness practice.
Jonathan's shares his journey from interning on Capitol Hill as a teenager, to working at the FDA right out of law school, to building a Cannabis Law practice. His experiences showcase the way in which his various regulatory experiences help him identify new and expanding industries and develop practices around them.
Jonathan discusses the complexity around representing organizations focused on medical use cases for federally illegal or restricted substances in the U.S. He also shares the power of lifting upcoming leaders to accomplish great things in the law.
Visit https://www.saul.com/professionals/jonathan-havens to learn more.

In this two-part series, Sigalle interviews Laurie Besden, Executive Director at Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania (LCL PA), an independent non-profit corporation run by judges and lawyers that provides non-judgemental, discreet, and confidential assistance to law students, lawyers, judges, and family members of lawyers and judges struggling with mental health and substance use challenges.  
In part two, Laurie continues sharing her road to redemption. She discusses the important part that LCLPA played in her recovery, the immense support she received that eventually led to her pardon and reinstatement, and how she uses her story to help others struggling with substance use or mental illness. 
This is a must listen for every lawyer and legal professional. If you or someone you know is struggling with a substance use disorder or mental illness, please know that you are not alone. Visit https://www.lclpa.org  to learn more.

In this two-part series, Sigalle interviews Laurie Besden, Executive Director at Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania (LCL PA), an independent non-profit corporation run by judges and lawyers that provides non-judgemental, discreet, and confidential assistance to law students, lawyers, judges, and family members of lawyers and judges struggling with mental health and substance use challenges.  
In part one, Laurie shares her staggering journey as a lawyer struggling with a relentless addiction while finishing law school and ultimately practicing law. Laurie's story is one told with the utmost vulnerability and transparency while also embodying strength and intention. 
This is a must listen for every lawyer and legal professional. If you or someone you know is struggling with a substance use disorder or mental illness, please know that you are not alone. Visit https://www.lclpa.org  to learn more.

In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews Sachin Desai, General Counsel of Helion, a fusion power company on a mission to enable a future with unlimited clean energy. 
Sachin shares his journey from engineer to lawyer and how his various experiences led him to specialize in next-generation energy technology. Sachin embodies the essence of positive energy, whether it's the science behind fusion power, the energy he puts into his family, or the desire and drive for a more positive future for the world. 
Visit https://www.helionenergy.com/ to learn more.  

In our final episode of our seven-part series covering insights from NALP's 2022 PDI conference, Sigalle interviews Paula Edgar, civic leader and CEO of PGE Consulting Group.
Paula shares her journey from practicing labor and employment law to founding PGE consulting. Through deep involvement with law firms, nonprofits, bar associations, and law schools, she expanded her network while identifying the specific professional development and DEI needs of the legal industry. Paula's interview is full of thoughtful insights including wellness, servant leadership, and how leadership requires a human-centered approach. Visit https://www.paulaedgar.com/ to learn more.
National Association for Law Placement NALP is an association of over 2,500 legal career professionals who advise law students, lawyers, law offices, and law schools in North America and beyond. The Professional Development Institute (PDI) is an annual conference that delivers timely and substantive programming for all involved in lawyer training and professional development. Visit https://www.nalp.org to learn more.  

In episode six of our seven-part series covering insights from NALP's 2022 PDI conference, Sigalle interviews Paula Schauwecker, Principal and Chief Talent Officer at Beveridge & Diamond.
Paula shares her journey from singer songwriter to environmental lawyer to Principal and Chief Talent Officer. She also shares her experiences becoming an openly gay woman at her firm, advice to others in her position, and how empathy and trust are integral to great leadership. Visit https://www.bdlaw.com/paula-j-schauwecker/ to learn more.  
National Association for Law Placement NALP is an association of over 2,500 legal career professionals who advise law students, lawyers, law offices, and law schools in North America and beyond. The Professional Development Institute (PDI) is an annual conference that delivers timely and substantive programming for all involved in lawyer training and professional development. Visit https://www.nalp.org to learn more.  

In episode five of our seven-part series covering insights from NALP's 2022 PDI conference, Sigalle interviews Josh Troy, Director of Talent Management at Kilpatrick, Townsend and Stockton.
Josh shares his journey from lawyer to PD professional by way of 30 informational interviews in one month and paying his own way to the PDI conference. Now celebrating his nine-year anniversary attending PDI, Josh discusses his new leadership role at Kilpatrick Townsend and his mission to pay his knowledge and leadership forward to help others. Visit https://kilpatricktownsend.com/en/People/T/TroyJoshuaM to learn more.
National Association for Law Placement NALP is an association of over 2,500 legal career professionals who advise law students, lawyers, law offices, and law schools in North America and beyond. The Professional Development Institute (PDI) is an annual conference that delivers timely and substantive programming for all involved in lawyer training and professional development. Visit https://www.nalp.org to learn more.

In episode four of our seven-part series covering insights from NALP's 2022 PDI conference, Sigalle interviews Nakia Humphrey, Senior Director of Attorney Development at Gunderson Dettmer.
Nakia shares her journey from paralegal to Law firm PD professional. She also shares her insights as both an attendee and speaker at PDI. Nakia emphasizes the importance of content that reflects the legal industry's evolving and innovative landscape and why leadership is not a one size fits all aproach.  Visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/nakia-humphrey-2b78446/ to learn more. 
National Association for Law Placement NALP is an association of over 2,500 legal career professionals who advise law students, lawyers, law offices, and law schools in North America and beyond. The Professional Development Institute (PDI) is an annual conference that delivers timely and substantive programming for all involved in lawyer training and professional development. Visit https://www.nalp.org to learn more.  

In episode three of our seven-part series covering insights from NALP's 2022 PDI conference, Sigalle interviews Margaret Naughton, CLE manager at Mcdermott, Will & Emery. 
Margaret shares her journey from psychology to temping at a law firm and how that shaped her career in legal education. Margaret shares how powerful mentors in her life taught her the importance lifting others and encouraging investment in others growth. Visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/margnaughton/ to learn more.
National Association for Law Placement NALP is an association of over 2,500 legal career professionals who advise law students, lawyers, law offices, and law schools in North America and beyond. The Professional Development Institute (PDI) is an annual conference that delivers timely and substantive programming for all involved in lawyer training and professional development. Visit https://www.nalp.org to learn more.  

In episode two of our seven-part series covering insights from NALP's 2022 PDI conference, Sigalle interviews Jon Krop, Founder of Mindfulness for Lawyers.
Since law school, Jon has studied with teachers from around the world, including psychologists, neuroscientists, and traditional Buddhist masters. He even completed a seven month silent meditation retreat in 2014. Jon now leads mindfulness and wellbeing programs at more than 70 top law firms. Visit https://www.mindfulnessforlawyers.com/ to learn more.
Jon shares his insights as both an attendee and speaker at PDI as well as ways to others can maximize attendance at their own learning and development trainings and events.
National Association for Law Placement NALP is an association of over 2,500 legal career professionals who advise law students, lawyers, law offices, and law schools in North America and beyond. The Professional Development Institute (PDI) is an annual conference that delivers timely and substantive programming for all involved in lawyer training and professional development. Visit https://www.nalp.org/ to  learn more.

In this seven-part series, Sigalle covers insights from NALP's 2022 PDI conference in Washington, D.C.. In episode one, Sigalle interviews Adam Stein, Senior Product Advisor at Litera, where he works on Micron Systems, a talent management software platform specifically designed for law firms. 
Adam has been working in talent management tech for over 25 years and provides valuable insights for professionals looking to tie talent management to talent performance reviews in order to measure the efficacy of professional development trainings. Visit https://www.micronsystems.com/ and https://www.litera.com/ to learn more. 
National Association for Law Placement NALP is an association of over 2,500 legal career professionals who advise law students, lawyers, law offices, and law schools in North America and beyond. The Professional Development Institute (PDI) is an annual conference that delivers timely and substantive programming for all involved in lawyer training and professional development. Visit https://www.nalp.org to learn more.