Lawyers Who Lead

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 challen...

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 challen...

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 po...

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...

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 pos...

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, J...

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 indust...

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 in...

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...

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 prof...

In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews Yuri Eliezer, Head of the IP Practice Group at Founders Legal and startup advisor to Atlantic Tech Village. Yuri shares his journey to becoming a patent lawyer, his passion for helping IP clients of all sizes and stages of development, and why seeing the big picture drives his representation and leadership. Visit https://founderslegal.com/practitioners/yu...

In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews Jesyka Harris, a lawyer, fashion model, TV host, content creator and human rights advocate. Jesyka shares her journey growing up as a mixed race biracial woman with a mission to use her strong sense of justice for good. Jesyka’s compelling story of “breaking out of boxes and leaving labels behind” has become the mantra with which she lives her life, helps...

In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews Ruby Powers, founder of Powers Law Group, P.C., board-certified immigration and nationality lawyer, and author of the book Build and Manage Your Successful Immigration Law Practice Without Losing Your Mind. Ruby’s journey reveals focus and intentionality through her immigration practice, writing her book, and government and politics. But most importantly,...

In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews Michael Kahn, Co-Founder, Educator, and Coach at ReelTime CLE. Michael shares his journey from practicing lawyer to counseling lawyers. Through the steady and intentional practice of self-leadership, he has dedicated his career to the well-being and success of lawyers nationwide. ReelTime Creative Learning Experiences deploys the most effective adult lear...

In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews Scott Piekarsky, partner in the litigation and real estate departments at Phillips Nizer LLP. Scott shares how his upbringing informs his leadership through commitment approach. Scott’s journey is one of intentional and educated decisions and a relentless prioritization of his clients, team and health. Visit https://www.phillipsnizer.com/Scott-Piekarsky t...

In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews Anne-Marie Rábago, Founder and Principal of Modern Juris. Anne-Marie’s story is one of relentless reinvention. Through continuously searching for purpose in her career, she ultimately creates a place where she empowers lawyers to serve the latent legal market and make lasting systemic change. Visit https://www.modernjuris.com to learn more.

In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews Ali Katz, Founder and CEO at New Law Business Model and Eyes Wide Open Life. Through serving others and leading with her heart, Ali shares her journey of finding herself and making a difference in the legal community by teaching lawyers how to be true guides for their client’s major life decisions. Visit https://newlawbusinessmodel.com and https://program...

In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews Wendy Star, an employment and labor law attorney and the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). Wendy shares her journey of individual advocacy before ultimately shifting her career to raise her impact on a more systemic level. She highlights how she leverages connectivity in diversity and inclusion...

In the final installment of of our three-part special edition episode, we conclude our post-conference coverage of the 2022 Association for Continuing Legal Education (ACLEA) Annual Conference with Tim Slating, the President-Elect of ACLEA. Tim shares his journey to ACLEA's leadership, insights from the 2022 Annual Conference, and how focusing on tailored learning and changes in education delivery...

In part two of our three-part special edition episode, we continue our coverage of the 2022 Association for Continuing Legal Education (ACLEA) Annual Conference with an interview with Gina Roers-Liemandt, the President of ACLEA. Gina shares her journey to ACLEA's leadership, insights from the conference, and her vision for building an inclusive and thriving community for ACLEA members. ACLEA is an...

In this three-part special edition episode, we cover the 2022 Association for Continuing Legal Education (ACLEA) Annual Conference in Vancouver, B.C. In episode one, we interview Kristin Huotari, the past president of ACLEA. Kristin shares her journey to ACLEA's leadership, insights from the conference, and her vision for just-in-time learning and content personalization. ACLEA is an organization...

In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews Parker Moore, principal at Beveridge & Diamond, and co-chair of the firm's Natural Resources and Project Development Practice Group and its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Wetlands and Endangered Species Act groups. A wetlands ecologist turned environmental lawyer, Parker shares how creative lawyering helps him provide counsel for the betterment...

In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews Harlan York, managing partner of Harlan York and Associates. Harlan shares his journey to becoming an immigration attorney and why a focus on specialization has helped him build a successful team and practice that plays to everyone’s strengths. Visit https://immigrationlawnj.com/ to learn more.

In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews the Honorable Judge Scott Schlegel, elected to the bench of the 24th Judicial District Court for the Parish of Jefferson, Division D, State of Louisiana. Judge Schlegel shares his journey from civil litigator to felony prosecutor before being elected to the bench. His insightful interview reveals how understanding workflows, leveraging technology, and bei...

In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews D. Margeaux Thomas, Founder of Thomas Law, PLLC, a law firm representing individuals and small businesses throughout Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. Margeaux discusses how staying educated has played a huge part in the cultivation of her legal team, her family’s nutrition, and the creation of the nonprofit, Vegetable Forward. D. Margeaux Thomas is passionate...