Be a Better Lawyer with Dina Cataldo

You get one life. Are you living it the way you want to live it? Do you have the freedom you want? Do you have the lifestyle you want? In this episode, understand how to become the version of you who creates the EXACT life you want. It is absolutley within your power to do so no matter what other people or your brain tries to tell you. It's your life. Are you living it fully? Live into your potent...

Today we're talking to Jacqueline Figueroa who will tell you how she used coaching to increase her billable hours AND have a life. Jackie's not just an accomplished insurance defense attorney at a national firm billing  2400 hours a year. She's also a dedicated parent, a marathon runner, and was promoted to partner at her firm. When Jackie and I started working together, it was a very different st...

Washington-based estate planner Andrea Lauritzen is a powerhouse. But she didn't always see the power she had inside herself. She was a new partner who felt overwhelmed. She'd tried a lot of things to overcome it, but nothing worked...until coaching. In this episode of Be a Better Lawyer, you'll hear how Andrea went from waking up feeling like her day was out of her control to creating her day pow...

Feeling buried under work or like you'll never catch up? Listen up! I'm sharing why overwhelm isn't the enemy — it can actually be one of your greatest teachers. You'll learn: ✅ 4 reasons overwhelm is a gift ✅ how lawyers like you are transforming overwhelm into growth ✅ mindset shifts that will help you create confidence and clarity Want to apply what you're learning on the podcast? Imagine im...

Today we're talking about a topic most people avoid because it's uncomfortable for them to talk about. The benefit of facing this uncomfortable topic directly? When you do, it becomes your greatest advisor; your clearest guide for how to live your life. In this episode of Be a Better Lawyer Podcast,  You'll discover: ✅ the perspective shift that immediately puts your priorities into focus ✅ how...

Ever feel like you're behind in your law practice? Maybe you've told yourself you just need more discipline, or that if you could work harder and do more, you'd finally get ahead. This mindset is what I call the Myth of More. It's one of the biggest traps for overwhelmed lawyers. The Myth of More runs deep in the legal profession, keeping attorneys stuck in long hours, constant stress, and feeling...

Want to apply what you're learning on the podcast? Imagine implementing what you learn here in an organized and consistent way. What kind of an impact will that have on your law practice and your life? Decide that today is the day you make the changes you want to see in your practice and book a complimentary Strategy Session with Dina. 👉 Click here to schedule a time now.   WORK WITH DINA Dina he...

How often do you pay attention to the words you speak? Your words reveal where you're holding yourself back, and they will reveal your next level if you listen carefully. In this episode of Be a Better Lawyer, I share how one lawyer's words revealed his thoughts about his rates and why he was having a difficult time raising them. If you notice yourself holding yourself back from taking actions tow...

👉 Register for my new workshop here: https://dinacataldo.com/frustratedlawyer __________ If your law practice feels like a whirlwind -- emails, court deadlines, interruptions -- listen in to today's episode. In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ How to consciously choose peace over the storm How to tell the difference between peace and comfort (and why it matters) ✅ Why lawyers often stay stuck in f...

Closing consults may seem like a gift some lawyers have and some don't, but today you'll learn 6 keys to closing more consults. These 6 keys won't leave you feeling salesy and slimy. You'll feel in integrity at all times and serve your potential client better than ever. These skills are learnable — and they will transform your consults. After this episode, you'll ✅ Feel more confident in consults...

In this episode, I'm unpacking a pattern I see so many lawyers fall into: chasing success. For most of us, success is defined by the message we receive from our culture. Those success markers are usually money, status and possessions. External markers of success won't give you what you're really looking for. Success isn't something you achieve. It's who you are. It's your birthright. In this episo...

Do you feel like your hair is on fire daily in your law practice? 🔥 You're not alone. Kara Brinster felt the same way. Between her family law practice, her role as a state's attorney, parenting, and managing a household -- Kara's plate was full. Fast forward 10 months, Kara's practice feels calmer, and she's so much happier. Not because she has less work—but because she learned the skills to supp...

You may be friendly, responsive, and great in consults. But that doesn't mean you're creating a seamless client experience that builds trust and encourages referrals. In this episode of Be a Better Lawyer, I'm walking you through common glitches in a client's experience and how to solve for them. I'm also breaking down the costly mistakes lawyers make that unintentionally erode client trust, and h...

If you feel a wave of overwhelm before your week even begins, you may be surprised to hear that work itself isn't what's causing it. Don't worry — if you've believed work causes your stress, you're not alone. I used to think that too. Most lawyers assume their overwhelm is caused by the files, the emails, the clients, and the court dates. But let's try something: Imagine a file sitting on your co-...

Feeling annoyed for a moment is normal. But often what starts as a small irritation lingers throughout your day — and that lingering irritation costs you more time, energy, and peace than you realize. In this episode of Be a Better Lawyer , I share: ✅ How irritation drains your time, focus, and mental clarity ✅ What's actually fueling chronic annoyance (hint: it's not other people) ✅ How to cre...

Vacations are meant to restore you — but for most lawyers, they feel anything but restorative. 🔹 You worry what clients or colleagues will think about you that you're taking time off. 🔹 You worry about emails while laying on the beach. 🔹 You worry about coming back to a tidal wave of emails, tasks, and pressure to "catch up." It's no wonder you may not feel like you took a vacation at all. In t...

If you'd asked me years ago what my values were, I would've rattled off a list without much thought. But when I looked at how I was living—how I was spending my time, where my energy was going—it told a different story. That's what this episode is about. Values aren't just words we say we believe in. They're how we show up in our day-to-day life. When our actions don't align with the values we thi...

Do you worry about what your clients think of you? Even if you think, "Not really," what you'll learn today about what your brain thinks about them may surprise you. In this episode of Be a Better Lawyer, you'll learn how  your brain's thoughts about your clients could be negatively impacting how much money you make in your practice and how you feel every day. WORK WITH DINA Dina helps lawyers lik...

YOUR MID-YEAR GOAL RESET IS HERE! It's normal to move off course towards your goals. It takes focusing and refocusing on your goals to achieve them. I've created Precision Planning for Law Firm Growth to help you regroup and refocus on your goals. 👉 Click here to get Precision Planning for Law Firm Growth and make this year the best (and most peaceful) year in the law yet.   INSIDE THIS EPISODE C...

Time Peace for Lawyers is open for enrollment now. 👉 You can enroll here: https://dinacataldo.com/timepeace *********  If you're working long hours, putting out fires, and not making the traction you want to see in your law practice, listen to today's episode. Here's the truth: it's not your fault. Your brain is designed to keep you safe, not successful. It's a supercomputer, following the exact...

Stop drowning in work and start feeling in control of your law practice. My signature coaching program,  Time Peace for Lawyers™ , teaches you the skills law school never did. By the end of our 16 weeks together, you won't just be a more effective lawyer — you'll feel more like  yourself . 💎  Doors are closing soon — join us inside Time Peace today . 💎 Join here 👉 https://dinacataldo.com/timepe...

Personal power fuels your ability to manage yourself and create the life and law practice you most desire. It allows you to do what you say you're going to do instead of be at the mercy of circumstances. In this episode of Be a Better Lawyer, you'll discover how: personal power is lost personal power is gained, and how you can begin tapping into your personal power The life of your dreams is on th...

If you've ever wondered, "Is now the right time to hire a coach?" listen in, because this episode of Be a Better Lawyer breaks down everything you need to know. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on what coaching actually is (and isn't), how to know if it's time to get support, and how to make empowered decisions that aren't driven by fear or other people's opinions. We'll talk through:...

In this episode of Be a Better Lawyer, I'm joined by special guest Christine Uri, an expert in AI governance, ESG, and making companies more profitable, sustainable and human-centric. We dive deep into the world of AI governance and what every lawyer needs to know as AI continues to shape the legal landscape. Christine shares her insights from years of working in-house at a large energy company, w...

Feel stuck or like it's hard to change your old habits? In this episode, you'll learn how to take charge of your experience of life and create one that feels more aligned with what you really want. I'll share how I've navigated changes in my own life and the mindset shifts that have made the biggest difference. Whether it's your practice, your relationships, or your personal goals, it all comes do...