Counsel to Counsel - Career Advice for Lawyers

Many lawyers assume their career options begin and end with practicing law. In this episode, Steve speaks with Tony Waller, a lawyer, educator, former nonprofit CEO, and career development leader whose career demonstrates the many ways a legal education can lead to meaningful and rewarding work. Tony discusses his journey from private practice to recruiting, law school career services, nonprofit l...

In this episode, Steve sits down with Matt Miller to discuss Matt's unconventional journey from practicing lawyer to what he describes as an "accidental tourist" in legal recruiting. They explore why he doesn't subscribe to the familiar "recovering lawyer" narrative, what he has learned from observing thousands of legal careers, the surprising value of a legal education, and how our priorities, de...

In this episode, Steve Seckler speaks with Dr. Sarah Alsaidi , a psychologist, executive coach, and creator of the Brain in Mind Method, a coaching framework that integrates neuroscience and psychology to help high-performing professionals better understand how their brains work and perform at their best. Dr. Alsaidi explores the critical role of executive functioning in high-performing legal prof...

In this episode, Steve's guest, Paul Karvanis , delves into redefining success and happiness within the legal profession. Paul, a former lawyer turned coach, speaker, and author, shares his journey from practicing law to coaching, emphasizing the importance of aligning career goals with personal values. His books, The Happy Lawye r and The Successful Associate , provide a roadmap for lawyers seeki...

In this episode, Scott Love, a renowned legal recruiter and host of the Rainmaking Podcast, delves into the complexities of lateral partner transitions within law firms. Scott shares his wealth of experience, offering listeners a roadmap to navigate these high-stakes decisions effectively. From understanding the motivations behind partner moves to the strategic importance of building trust and con...

Self-awareness is an important and often overlooked skill in a lawyer's toolkit. Personality and behavioral assessments like DISC can be used in a practical, grounded way to help lawyers better understand their strengths, spot blind spots, improve communication, and show up more effectively with clients, colleagues, and prospects. To unpack how these tools can be used well (and where they can be m...

In this episode, Steve Seckler speaks with Amy Mariani , a Boston-based mediator and former litigator. She shares her deeply personal journey navigating her professional life alongside caring for her mother with dementia. Her story offers valuable guidance for professionals facing similar challenges, emphasizing resilience, resources, and the importance of community. This episode underscores the i...

In this episode, Gary Miles delves into the pervasive issue of burnout in the legal profession and offers practical strategies for establishing healthy boundaries. Drawing from his extensive experience, Gary discusses the role of perfectionism and fear in contributing to lawyer stress and burnout. He emphasizes the importance of shifting from external validation to internal authority, which can si...

Legal operations has evolved from a back-office function into a strategic discipline that is reshaping how legal services are delivered. In this conversation, Stephen Seckler speaks with legal operations consultant Jeff Kruse about how technology, process improvement, and artificial intelligence are transforming the way law firms and legal departments work. Jeff shares insights from his career pat...

In this episode, Steve talks with Shauna Bryce of Bryce Legal about finding the right balance between AI tools and old-fashioned relationship-building in today's legal job market. Shauna shares concrete examples of how AI can speed up research, clarify goals, and help lawyers target the right employers. They also dig into the common missteps lawyers make, especially relying on AI to write résumés...

In this episode, Stephen Seckler interviews Anthonia Berry , a legal marketing and business development strategist, about her new program, Building Your Own Practice Blueprint . The program is designed to help lawyers transition from traditional employment to running their own practices. They discuss the challenges lawyers face in launching a practice, the importance of mindset, and the necessity...

In this episode, Stephen Seckler interviews Matt Selig, the Executive Director of Health Law Advocates (HLA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving healthcare access for vulnerable populations in Massachusetts. They discuss HLA's mission, various advocacy programs, the evolution of healthcare policies, and the challenges faced in public interest law. Matt shares insights from his career...

In this episode, Stephen Seckler speaks with Oran Kaufman, a mediator with an extensive background in family law. They discuss Oran's journey from litigation to mediation, the skills required to be a mediator, and how mediation has changed over the last 30 years. Oran shares insights on the differences between mediation and litigation, the importance of listening, and the challenges of building a...

We are taking a pause until mid-late January 2026 for some upgrades. We are adding a YouTube feed to our mix for listeners who prefer video and we are lining up some great guests to talk to you about your legal career. We are grateful to our listeners and guests who have made Counsel to Counsel a labor of love. Until then, best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year!

In this episode, Steve speaks with  Saja Raoof , an immigration lawyer based in the Bay Area, about how introverted lawyers can build thriving practices without pretending to be extroverts. A self-proclaimed introvert and creative marketer, Saja shares how she transformed networking anxiety into authentic relationship-building through her "Wallflower Power" approach and how coaching and ProVisors...

In this episode of Counsel to Counsel, Stephen Seckler speaks with Steve Herman, a civil litigator and documentary filmmaker from Vancouver, Canada. After more than 35 years in practice, Steve turned the camera on himself to explore one of the biggest transitions lawyers face—retirement. His film, Retirement on Trial , which he produced with his filmmaker wife, Evelyn Neaman, uses humor and intros...

In this episode of Counsel to Counsel, I reflect on some of the themes of the Jewish New Year and the importance of self reflection (and the fact that you get to do it twice a year if you happen to be Jewish!)

Publishing a book may feel like an overwhelming project, but for lawyers it can be one of the most effective ways to build credibility, attract new clients, and open doors to new opportunities. In this episode of Counsel to Counsel , host Stephen Seckler speaks with Melanie Herschorn , publisher and book marketing strategist, about how attorneys can transform their expertise into a powerful market...

Many lawyers are clear about what they don't want in their career.  But they struggle to define what they do want. In this episode of Counsel to Counsel , Steve Seckler speaks with Philippe Danielides , former Biglaw associate, communications consultant, coach, and author of The Lawyer's Guide to Freedom: A Six-Step Plan to Discover What You Actually Want . Philippe shares insights from his own ca...

In this episode of Counsel to Counsel , Steve Seckler speaks with attorney, entrepreneur, and legal business strategist Daya Naef , founder of The Success Partner, about how law firms can navigate the generational handoff in leadership. As founding partners prepare to step back, younger attorneys are stepping up—bringing fresh perspectives on technology, especially AI, and new expectations for wor...

Artificial intelligence is dramatically changing how legal services are marketed—and how clients find lawyers. In this episode, Steve Seckler speaks with Annie Stern, a seasoned digital marketing strategist, about what lawyers need to know to stay relevant in the AI era. Key Takeaways: AI tools like ChatGPT are reshaping how clients discover and vet lawyers, including those who rely heavily on ref...

As lawyers, we are trained to analyze, critique, and mitigate risk — all essential skills in practice. But when we bring that same mindset into our everyday conversations, we can unintentionally undermine connection and trust. In this episode, Stephen Seckler explores how the habits that make us successful advocates can backfire in networking, business development, and even personal relationships....

In this solo episode, attorney Stephen Seckler reflects on the importance of building small, consistent habits—both for professional success and personal wellbeing. Drawing on his own efforts to reduce news and screen time, improve sleep hygiene, and maintain dental health, Stephen underscores how selfcare routines can create calm and clarity in stressful times. He also highlights how the same pri...

Many lawyers find themselves questioning whether the traditional practice of law is the right long-term fit. In this episode, host Stephen Seckler speaks with Kim Fine and Neil Handwerker, co-founders of ex judicata , a platform designed to help lawyers explore and transition to non-legal careers. Kim Fine brings a wealth of experience as a legal industry executive, including her time as Managing...

In this special solo episode of Counsel to Counsel , I take a break from my usual interview format to share something personal: the audio version of Chapter One of my new book, Think Like a Lawyer, Act Like an Entrepreneur , just published by the American Bar Association. This book is a field guide for lawyers who are skeptical about marketing and allergic to the idea of "sales." It's designed to...