The Mothers in Law

Carrie Fogliani takes a different approach in this episode by sitting down not with a mother-in-law but with a father-in-law. She chats with John Polzer , the managing partner of Duane Morris ‘ Dallas and Fort Worth offices, to share insights on fatherhood, parenting, and leadership. He talks about balancing the overwhelming world of litigation and his responsibilities as a father, keeping himself...

Transitioning from the high-stakes world of defense manufacturing to the viral success of a home-kitchen culinary brand, Corre Larkin exemplifies what it looks like to pivot with purpose and relentless ambition. In this episode, we dive into the mindset of a serial entrepreneur who refuses to apologize for seeking profit and prioritizes efficiency over professional martyrdom. We explore the tactic...

For years, lawyer parents—especially mothers—have intuitively felt the immense challenges of balancing career and caregiving. Now, the data is in. We dive into the landmark ABA Parenthood in the Legal Profession Study with two leaders behind the research,  Stephanie Scharf  and  Bobbi Liebenberg . Based on responses from 8,000 lawyers, this study provides the numbers and nuances beh...

Stacy Bratcher , Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer at  Cottage Health , has thrived as a leader in healthcare while building a family structure that defies traditional expectations. In this candid conversation, Stacy shares how she and her husband intentionally decided to flip the traditional script, with her prioritizing her high-level career and him taking on the role of primary...

A successful career journey is not all about financial wealth but also about the realization of all your personal goals in life. If you want to build a sustainable career, you must do so without losing yourself in the process. Carrie Fogliani is joined by  Kristi Tremble , who shares how she balances the high demands of being a mother and a lawyer. She explores how parenthood helped her redef...

Appellate law can be a demanding career, especially since it is about handling emotionally heavy cases like sexual, domestic, and child abuse. How can a mother deal with such a challenging occupation? Carrie Fogliani gets a glimpse of a mother’s life in appellate law with Holly Boyer , a partner at Esner, Chang, Boyer & Murphy. She explains how she remains present for her family despite being...

Can you truly reinvent your career and redefine success while raising a family?  Jen McDonald  says yes. Carrie Fogliani sits down with her first non-lawyer guest, a Southern California real estate agent with  Compass , to share her experiences and insights as a working mom. Jen explains why it is never too late to make a career pivot and build a business of your own, as long as it...

Achieving sustainable success is one goal every person should pursue in their life. But it is not attained just by working harder and embracing the grind. You must also know how to work smarter while keeping personal relationships deeply rooted in meaning and love. Carrie Fogliani sits down with someone who did exactly that: Amanda Hill , Founder of Hill Health Law . She shares her secrets in bala...

Working mothers are constantly navigating the delicate balance between caring for others and caring for themselves, often while carrying invisible loads that no one sees.  Dr. Dana Sumpter  joins Carrie Fogliani for an honest conversation about what it really means to be a working mother today—how identity, purpose, and priorities evolve when professional life meets family life. Drawing...

Work-life balance often feels elusive for women navigating demanding legal careers and motherhood, but Christy Crase proves it’s possible to build both with grace and intention. As Chief Legal Officer for Professional Case Management and PCM Trials , Christy reflects on her early years in M&A law, the challenges of raising two daughters while building her career, and the lessons she’s learned...

Career growth in law isn’t just about climbing titles, it’s about growing as a person, mentor, and parent along the way. In this inspiring part two with Sue Bunnell , she shares how embracing reflection, mentorship, and authenticity shaped her path at Wells Fargo and beyond. From helping lawyers find joy in their work to building supportive teams that value curiosity over competition, Sue reveals...

For many lawyer moms, learning self-compassion is the key to surviving a profession that demands perfection.  Sue Bunnell , Assistant General Counsel and Executive Director at  Wells Fargo , professor, nonprofit leader, and proud mom of two grown sons, opens up about redefining ambition, setting boundaries, and practicing kindness toward yourself in both law and motherhood. She shares ho...

Working mom guilt is something so many lawyer-mothers carry silently, and in part two of this heartfelt conversation,  Suzanne Leslie , founder of the  Leslie Law Firm , shares the moment her son’s words freed her from years of self-blame. She reflects on how guilt shaped her parenting, what it took to finally let it go, and why giving children space to fail is essential to their growth....

Being a mother and a lawyer is challenging enough, but doing it as the breadwinner takes an entirely different kind of courage.  Suzanne Leslie , founder of  Leslie Law Firm  and once the “baby of the class” at Western State Law School, reveals how she built a thriving personal injury practice while raising two children and supporting an artist husband. In this conversation, she sha...

Balancing family life and a demanding legal career requires more than ambition; it calls for learning how to set boundaries in a law career that protects time, energy, and values.  Terri Wagner Cammarano , Chief Legal Officer at  Cedars-Sinai , built her path from law firm partner to the C-suite while raising children, and she speaks candidly about the strategies that made it possible. S...

Walking away from a prestigious law career isn’t easy, but  Linda Klein  reveals how leaving Paul Hastings after just 11 months opened the door to a more meaningful life. From chasing deadlines so grueling that an accident felt like relief, to mourning her mother’s passing and discovering her purpose in healthcare, Linda shares the pivots that shaped her path. She reflects on creating we...

Balancing part-time law and full-time motherhood is no small feat, and attorney and author  Kara Kinney Cartwright  gets candid about the wins, struggles, and lessons along the way. From returning to work just six weeks postpartum to navigating unpredictable hospital counsel demands during 9/11, Kara shares how she built resilience, found champions for workplace flexibility, and created...

Balancing motherhood and a professional career is indeed an overwhelming duty. Mothers often feel guilt over their shortcomings to their children, and it often puts their mental health at risk. But with the proper support and the right mindset, they can make this demanding task more manageable and meaningful. For the podcast’s inaugural episode, Carrie Fogliani sits down with  Jeannine Taylor...