Lawyer Life Podcast

In today's episode of the Lawyer Life Podcast, Mike Anderson and Darlene Tonelli of Inter Alia Law catch up on what's been going on since they last posted an episode of the pod, plus: - Team-friendly sports contracts - are star players' lawyers the REAL difference between a winning team and a losing team? - Mike's 40th Birthday Playlist - Mike turned 40. And his playlist needs to be commented on....

Darlene and Mike wrap up season 6 by discussing the default treatment of opposing lawyers as instant adversaries. They ask whether an approach of respectful problem solving can lead to better results (and should become the profession's new default). PLUS: Mike's guru morning, Darlene revisits classic stories from her youth, and Mike's memory from his first year orientation BBQ. SPONSOR This episod...

Darlene and Mike are joined by Heidi K. Brown (Author, Professor of Law at Brooklyn Law School) to discuss her book Untangling Fear In Lawyering. The group considers whether lawyers can improve performance and well-being by embracing confidence, understanding what drives fear, and adopting practices to first acknowledge it, and then work to eliminate it. PLUS: Darlene goes west, a great show recom...

Darlene and Mike are joined by Sara Robertson (Limehorse.com) to learn how acknowledging identity, principles, and empathetic abilities can help lawyers avoid bad outcomes. PLUS: Golden Girls, a genius road trip hack, and sartorial reviews of My Cousin Vinny. THANK YOU Thanks to dealcloser, our sponsor for this episode! Fill out the form at the link below to get an extended 30-day free trial. If y...

Darlene and Mike discuss the downsides of overthinking. With a little help from books on the subject, they propose that eliminating negative soundtracks and distracting noise is actually key to the effective practice of law. PLUS: The power of Lego, a document from Darlene's past appears, and Mike finds the perfect metaphor for self-improvement efforts. THANK YOU Thanks to dealcloser, our sponsor...

Darlene and Mike discuss whether 'hacking it' should be the goal, or whether it can actually be a sign of strength to choose another path. PLUS: Darlene hates cakes, Mike (desperately) offers his Alvin and the Chipmunks impression, and is Mike's obsession with his grass contagious? THANK YOU Thanks to dealcloser, our sponsor for this episode! Fill out the form at the link below to get an extended...

Darlene and Mike discuss the profession's misconception of high performers, and what TRULY makes a high performing person that practices law. PLUS: Mike talks about his grass (again), learning from the Billy Beane test case, and the importance of humility. CREDITS: Brendon Burchard – High Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People Become That Way (https://www.amazon.ca/High-Performance-Habits-Ex...

Darlene and Mike kick off season 6 with Nyssa Chopra (more on her below), discussing how mentor-mentee relationships work best. This episode is eligible for professionalism credits with the Law Society of British Columbia. PLUS: Mike and Darlene have an anniversary, entrepreneurship in the legal profession, and hating leg workouts. This episode is sponsored by Helcim. Helcim makes credit card proc...

Darlene and Mike check-in and discuss the tools they currently use to get through the uncertainty and challenges of the pandemic. PLUS: Darlene makes a mixtape, Mike has a spa day, and one of the hosts discloses their life-long fear of caves. FEEDBACK, CREDITS & REVIEW Please give us feedback here: http://bit.ly/LLPFeedback Music credit: Thanks to Nick Fowler who composed and performed our theme m...

Darlene and Mike close off this short season by discussing some great pieces of advice, borrowed from other innovative lawyers and some helpful books. This program contains 30 minutes of Professionalism content accredited by the Law Society of Ontario. This short season is sponsored by Helcim. Helcim makes credit card processing for your business easy, simple, and affordable. Visit Helcim.com/lawy...

Darlene and Mike are joined by Kimberly Y. Bennett to discuss how successfully 'building your own thing' relies on choosing a style that most aligns with your skills, passion, and worldview. This program contains 30 minutes of Professionalism content accredited by the Law Society of Ontario. ***This episode was recorded a couple of weeks ago, before it was announced that Kimberly joined Fidu (fidu...

Darlene and Mike kick-off a short season 5, about building your own practice. This program contains 30 minutes of Professionalism content accredited by the Law Society of Ontario. They discuss innovation, entrepreneurship, and how knowing your passions will help you reach fulfillment. This short season is sponsored by Helcim. Helcim makes credit card processing for your business easy, simple, and...

Darlene and Mike are joined by Cat Moon to discuss how the business of law is taught. Cat is the perfect person to speak about this topic, as she is Vanderbilt University's Director of Innovation Design for the Program on Law and Innovation. PLUS: A debate on exercise listening and the brilliance of Seth Meyers. SHOW NOTES: -Check out Cat on Twitter at @inspiredcat -This interview was recorded in...

Darlene and Mike discuss a new way to set goals. The process is a mix of their 2019 approach (inspired by Jack Canfield) and Colin Tipping's philosophy in his book Radical Manifestation. PLUS: Mike is a know-it all (again), and the problem with fruit stickers. SHOW NOTES: Jack Canfield's goal setting categories: 1) Work and Career 2) Finances 3) Relationships 4) Contribution to Community 5) Recrea...

Darlene and Mike put 2020 to bed by revisiting the conversations they shared on the podcast. PLUS: Mike's favourite show of 2020, an (unfortunate) musical contribution from Mike's kids, and Darlene gets choked up. Remember to visit limehorse.com and use the code "LAWYERLIFEPOD" for 20% off! FEEDBACK, CREDITS & REVIEW Please give us feedback here: http://bit.ly/LLPFeedback Music credit: Thanks to N...

Darlene and Mike are joined by Graham MacLennan (lawyer, host of the Cheftimony podcast) to discuss lawyers that follow their passions, and find fulfillment outside of their day job. PLUS: Mike's office fridge, how to clean your cast iron pan, and food talk! LINKS: Check out Graham's podcast here: https://cheftimony.com/ FEEDBACK, CREDITS & REVIEW Please give us feedback here: http://bit.ly/LLPFee...

Darlene and Mike are "joined by a special guest" to make a big announcement. PLUS: Darlene goes for a power walk, Mike compares himself to Michael Barbaro (for all the wrong reasons), and the holiday season starts early on the pod. FEEDBACK, CREDITS & REVIEW Please give us feedback here: http://bit.ly/LLPFeedback Music credit: Thanks to Nick Fowler who composed and performed our theme music. To le...

Darlene and Mike are joined by David Moscrop to discuss the 2020 Presidential Election. The group discuss the rule of law, lawyer ethics, and the health of democracy more generally (no pressure!). PLUS: Beards, past-tense texting, and early holiday decorations. SHOW NOTES Learn more about David here: https://www.davidmoscrop.com/ Buy David's book here: Too Dumb for Democracy?https://gooselane.com/...

Darlene and Mike focus on the life and legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. SHOW NOTES: https://www.marieclaire.com/career-advice/a34019494/caitlin-moran-more-than-a-woman-interview/ To donate in RBG’s memory: Act Blue: https://secure.actblue.com/ ACLU - https://www.aclu.org/ National Women’s Law Centre - https://nwlc.org/ Center for Reproductive Rights - https://beta.reproductiverights.org/ “I...

Darlene and Mike catch up after this unprecedented summer – they discuss what they’ve learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and what might be next. PLUS: Mike the woodworker, virtual weddings, and silverlings. SHOW NOTES: Check out our “High Performance” episode (and oldy, but a goody) Susan Cain, “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking” - https://www.amazon.ca/Quiet-Power-...

Darlene and Mike are joined by Mike Whalen, author of Lawyer Forward, to discuss how lawyers can find their place in the future of law. This program contains 30 minutes of Professionalism content accredited by the Law Society of Ontario. PLUS: A case of the Mondays, Star Trek, and more gardening talk from Mike (and Mike). LINKS Buy Lawyer Forward here: https://www.lawyerforward.com/ FEEDBACK, CRED...

Darlene and Mike are joined by Lily Coodin (Bay Street lawyer, Legal Expert on CTV's The Social) to discuss how we can change the profession to help parents thrive. PLUS: Mike and Lily's history, "Givers" in a workplace, and developing loyal employees. FEEDBACK, CREDITS & REVIEW Please give us feedback here: http://bit.ly/LLPFeedback Music credit: Thanks to Nick Fowler who composed and performed o...

Darlene and Mike are joined by Juda Strawczynski (Director, practicePRO at the Lawyers' Professional Indemnity Company (LawPro)) to discuss whether risk can be a useful tool for lawyers. This program contains 30 minutes of Professionalism content accredited by the Law Society of Ontario. PLUS: Using checklists, bad internet, and helping artists during these times. FEEDBACK, CREDITS & REVIEW Please...

Darlene and Mike are joined by Hadiya Roderique to discuss anti-racism, creating sustainable change, and what (if anything) has changed since she wrote her Black on Bay Street essay in 2017. This program contains 20 minutes of EDI Professionalism content accredited by the Law Society of Ontario. PLUS: Hadiya shares her big idea of a restorative justice system, rather than punitive justice system,...

We re-post this episode (originally recorded in 2019)as a resource, specific to the profession, for those seeking to learn more about systemic racism and its impacts on practicing lawyers from marginalized communities. This program contains 20 minutes of EDI Professionalism content accredited by the Law Society of Ontario. You can learn more about Catherine and her work at: www.mcatherinechang.com...