Big Law Life

If you've ever lost credit for work you led, grown a client relationship that someone else now claims, or watched a colleague take center stage at a pitch you prepared, this episode is for you. I walk through what professional credit theft looks like in Big Law and how to respond in a way that's smart, strategic, and fact-based. Whether it's origination, execution, or visibility, losing credit can...

If you've ever found yourself rewriting an email ten times, hedging every sentence in a memo, or avoiding a hard conversation with a colleague or client—you're not alone. In this episode, I dive into why communication is one of the most underestimated challenges in Big Law, and how it can make or break your success. Lawyers are trained for precision and risk mitigation—not for clarity or connectio...

If you've ever left a conference wondering whether it was worth the time, money, and disruption to your client work, this episode is for you. I break down how Big Law attorneys can approach conferences more strategically—before, during, and after—so they actually generate business, deepen client relationships, and build visibility with the right people.  Too often, conferences are treated as oblig...

Most BigLaw firms offer a broad array of benefits, including to meet important needs for caregiving for children. But there is still a large gap in many firms for lawyers and other professionals when it comes to benefits that assist in meeting broader family needs, including when it comes to caring for parents, adult dependents, spoues and other family members. In this episode, I speak with Thomas...

When you've been assured you're "on track" for partnership, but still don't have a clear timeline, it's time to push for specifics. In this episode, I walk through how to navigate one of the most sensitive—but critical—conversations in Big Law: asking WHEN you'll actually be put up for partner. I lay out the right questions to ask, the right people to approach, and how to handle vague responses or...

In Big Law, doing what is asked of you is expected—what sets you apart is how you show up beyond that. In this episode, I talk about the silent missteps that hold many associates back, from treating assignments as isolated tasks to assuming visibility and feedback will come without asking. I walk through real examples of how missed context, lack of sufficient follow-through, and playing it safe ca...

Making the decision to pivot to or re-entering Big Law after time in a smaller practice—whether solo or at a boutique firm—is not a decision to make lightly. In this episode, I lay out what every experienced attorney should evaluate before making the leap to a large firm. From navigating equity status, benefits and health insurance costs, to understanding the real expectations around origination c...

As the legal industry reckons with the growing influence of generative AI and automation, law firms are facing far more than just new tools—they're confronting a fundamental shift in how talent is managed, work is structured, and value is delivered. In this episode, I'm joined by Keith Maziarek, a Big Law expert in strategic pricing and legal project management, to talk about how AI is reshaping t...

When it feels like you're one of thousands of lawyers competing for the same clients, even within your own firm, differentiation becomes critical. In today's episode, I talk about how to stand out when everyone around you seems to have the same credentials, practice area, and experience. I walk through tangible steps you can take—starting today—to position yourself as a go-to expert by identifying...

In today's episode, I walk through one of the most important—but often rushed—decisions in a legal career, choosing a practice area. Whether you're a junior associate deciding where to start or a mid-level lawyer rethinking your long-term fit, this episode lays out ten insights lawyers frequently wish they'd heard before committing to a specialty. I unpack what day-to-day work in different practic...

In today's episode, I dive into the complex dynamics of self-advocacy inside Big Law firms—especially when you know stepping up may trigger pushback or quietly harm your reputation. I talk about what it really feels like to raise your hand in an environment where power dynamics are murky, and how to do it strategically so you're not sidelined for asking for what you've earned.  Whether you've been...

In today's episode, I tackle one of the most frustrating challenges lawyers face as they move up the ranks in Big Law: how to demonstrate value when you don't have origination credit. I've seen far too many talented attorneys get left out of compensation conversations, passed over for opportunities, or feel stuck because they seemingly rely on others to bring in work—even when they're the ones cli...

In today's episode, I'm diving into how to stay strategic when the legal market slows or your practice area begins to shrink. These shifts are inevitable in any long-term legal career but how you respond can define your next chapter. I walk through how to assess whether you're facing a temporary dip or a deeper structural change, and how to use that insight to proactively adapt.  Whether you're ex...

In today's episode, I talk about something many lawyers experience but rarely discuss: what to do when you're ready to leave your law firm, but you haven't yet found the right opportunity. Maybe the market's slow. Maybe your book isn't portable. Or maybe nothing else feels like the right fit yet. Regardless, being stuck in limbo is frustrating—and it can quickly tank your motivation, reputation, a...

In this episode, I share the top five misconceptions I see lawyers make—even the most brilliant ones—about working in Big law firms. These aren't just abstract ideas. They're real misunderstandings that I've seen derail careers, slow down progress, and create unnecessary frustration for talented attorneys. Whether you're aiming for equity partnership or trying to better understand the business sid...

In today's episode, I discuss more of the pressing questions and challenges that associates in BigLaw frequently face, including how much you should be checking in when you're out on vacation; how much face time is enough; what to consider before requesting a transfer to another office; and whether you should stay in your law firm if you're less than thrilled with life in BigLaw after less than a...

In today's episode, I sit down with Gretta Rusanow, Head of Law Firm Group Advisory Services for Citi Global Wealth at Work, to break down the findings of the 2025 Citi Hildebrandt Client Advisory. This annual report is one of the most closely watched analyses in the legal industry, providing insights on market trends, firm growth strategies, and the evolving business model of law firms. We explor...

In this episode, I break down the key issues surrounding origination credit, how firms allocate it, and the strategies you need to advocate for your fair share. Whether you're an equity partner, a non-equity partner, or a rising attorney thinking about your future, this discussion provides essential insights to help you navigate the often opaque world of credit allocation. Origination credit is on...

In today's episode, I explore one of the most critical yet overlooked aspects of making a lateral move as a partner in Big Law: evaluating your future practice group before making the jump. A firm's overall reputation and financials matter, but your day-to-day success and satisfaction will depend significantly upon how your specific group operates.  I break down six essential questions every later...

In today's episode, I dive into one of the most common challenges for lawyers in large law firms—finding the right mentor. It's a common problem as formal mentoring programs may fall short of providing meaningful guidance, it can be hard to find mentors with the time to really connect with you, and figuring out who is best to help you navigate the particular hurdles you're facing in your work life...

In today's episode, I tackle one of the biggest questions associates in large law firms often wrestle with -- when is it time to leave your firm? Some of the key signals that indicate it might be time to start looking elsewhere include when you're struggling to meet your billable hours with no sign of that changing, losing a key partner champion that could help make or break your future at the fir...

In today's episode, I break down why even highly skilled, well-regarded lawyers can still fail to make partner—and what you can do to avoid that fate. If you've been getting great reviews, meeting your billable targets, and even bringing in business but still aren't seeing a clear path to partnership, you're not alone. I've served on partnership committees and evaluated countless candidates, and I...

In today's episode, I discuss how junior partners in large law firms can differentiate themselves within their firms and the broader market. Many newly minted partners find themselves competing against more experienced colleagues for work and visibility. I explore strategies for carving out a niche, leveraging unique skills beyond legal expertise, and actively marketing yourself both internally an...

In today's episode, I sit down with Kate Cappaert, a partner in the Intellectual Property group at Steptoe. We discuss a major shift in Steptoe's associate compensation—one that gives lawyers more control over their careers and work-life balance.  Steptoe's new model allows associates to choose from three different billable hour targets, with corresponding salary levels, providing a level of flexi...

In today's episode, I break down the nuances of the counsel role in Big Law—what it really means, how it differs across firms, and whether it can be a stepping stone to partnership or a career dead-end. I address the biggest challenges lawyers face when considering a counsel position, including unclear compensation structures, lack of business development credit, and the evolving role of non-equit...