This Legal Life: Lessons Learned from a Life in Legal

How do you grow when the traditional path no longer fits? In this episode of This Legal Life , Ben Chiriboga sits down with Susan Seah to chart her journey through big law, in-house life, entrepreneurship, and now a leadership role at Latitude Legal . Susan opens up about starting The Koa Club to empower women, redefining her identity beyond “lawyer,” and why being fearless often starts with askin...

In this powerful episode of This Legal Life , Ben Chiriboga sits down with Heidi Brown —law professor, former litigator, and author of The Introverted Lawyer —for an unflinching look at reinvention, authenticity, and navigating fear in the legal profession. From surviving 9/11 to walking away from tenure, Heidi shares her journey of writing through shame, embracing introversion, and rejecting trad...

In this episode of This Legal Life , host Ben Chiriboga sits down with Stephen Revell —Founder, Senior Partner at Making Change Happen —to explore what it really takes to future-proof a law firm and lead with purpose. A Freshfields veteran with 43 years at the firm, Stephen shares his evolution from international dealmaker to trusted advisor helping law firms around the world navigate leadership t...

In this episode of This Legal Life, host Ben Chiriboga sits down with Scott Oliver —Partner at Lewis Kappes , educator, and SBA Closing Attorney—to explore what it means to build a legal career with intentionality and direction. From publishing content as a first-year associate to leading a national lending practice, Scott shares how focusing deeply on a niche, nurturing authentic relationships th...

In this episode of This Legal Life , host Ben Chiriboga sits down with Henry Nelson-Case —lawyer, content creator, and mental health advocate—to explore how the legal profession is evolving in the age of social media. From filming green screen videos as a teen to earning 8 million likes on TikTok, Henry shares how content creation became a vehicle for career transformation, connection, and culture...

In this episode of This Legal Life , Ben Chiriboga sits down with Steve Seckler —coach, host of the Counsel to Counsel podcast, and author of Think Like a Lawyer, Act Like an Entrepreneur . They explore Steve’s evolving journey through law, content creation, and coaching—unpacking how clarity, curiosity, and courage have shaped his path. From using AI to streamline content to podcasting as a relat...

In this episode of This Legal Life , host Ben Chiriboga talks with Katie Vickery , Partner and Head of Regulatory at Osborne Clarke , to explore what it takes to build a lasting and fulfilling legal career. From the early jolt of the Enron collapse to becoming a leader in product regulation and sustainability law, Katie shares how reinvention, mentorship, and curiosity shaped her 24+ year journey...

In this episode of This Legal Life , host Ben Chiriboga sits down with Mbula Nzuki , an inspiring lawyer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of a fintech company, to discuss her remarkable journey from a traditional legal career to leading a tech-driven law firm and fintech venture. Mbula shares insights on overcoming challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, her passion for financial inclusion, and how...

In this episode of This Legal Life , host Ben Chiriboga sits down with Drew Amoroso — lawyer, entrepreneur, and founder of DueCourse — to talk about creating a better workday for lawyers. Drew shares his journey from Big Law associate to coaching thousands of lawyers through mindset, routines, and professional identity shifts. Along the way, he unpacks what’s broken about traditional legal culture...

In this episode of This Legal Life , host Ben Chiriboga chats with Paul Sams , Managing Partner of Dutton Gregory Solicitors , about his unconventional path from biller to builder — and how leadership in law firms is evolving. Paul brings his trademark wit and authenticity to a wide-ranging conversation on firm culture, intergenerational leadership, communication, AI, and yes — even his famous Leg...

In this episode of This Legal Life , host Ben Chiriboga sits down with Owen McGrann — lawyer, founder, writer, and creative legal thinker — to explore how legal practice can be rebuilt from the inside out. Owen shares his deeply personal journey from burnout in Big Law and a life-threatening medical crisis to launching a solo firm driven by flat fees, client alignment, and productized legal servic...

In this episode of This Legal Life , host Ben Chiriboga sits down with Gary Miles — former trial lawyer turned wellness coach — to explore the mind traps that hold legal professionals back. Drawing on 40+ years of experience and a powerful personal transformation, Gary opens up about the silent challenges many lawyers face, including perfectionism, isolation, and burnout. From his journey into sob...

In this episode of This Legal Life , host Ben Chiriboga sits down with Rachel Clar , founder of Interconnected Us , to explore how women in Big Law are transforming their careers through the power of community. Rachel shares her personal journey—leaving law, building a career in real estate, discovering peer learning, and ultimately returning to law to create space for women lawyers to connect, co...

In this episode of This Legal Life , host Ben Chiriboga speaks with Karina DuQuesne —lawyer, investor, operator, and now legal tech founder—about her extraordinary career journey from Goldman Sachs to Big Law, and ultimately to launching a legal tech startup designed to empower underserved entrepreneurs. Karina opens up about the challenges of navigating motherhood in a demanding legal career, the...

In this episode of This Legal Life , host Ben Chiriboga sits down with Hannah Beko — lawyer, coach, author, and mental health advocate — to explore her journey from commercial real estate partner to a purpose-driven legal entrepreneur. Hannah shares how a life-altering moment with her father’s health catalyzed her pivot toward coaching, wellness, and redefining success in law. With honesty and war...

In this episode of This Legal Life , host Ben Chiriboga sits down with Shane Percival — a lawyer, engineer, and partner at NOD Law . Shane shares his unique journey from an engineering career during the dot-com era to becoming a leader in intellectual property law. They explore how his technical background and project management skills influenced his legal practice, his path from associate to part...

In this episode of This Legal Life , host Ben Chiriboga sits down with Gwen Griggs — lawyer, co-founder, entrepreneur, consultant , and passionate advocate for reinventing the legal profession. Gwen shares her deeply personal and professional journey from the early spark of inspiration rooted in justice to building a law firm and consultancy grounded in purpose, innovation, and value. She reflects...

In this episode of This Legal Life , host Ben Chiriboga sits down with Tess Blair , former litigation and eDiscovery pioneer at Morgan Lewis, to discuss her journey of building a groundbreaking legal practice and transitioning into a thriving post-retirement career as an artist. From the early challenges of navigating technology in the legal field to leading a transformative practice, Tess reflect...

In this insightful episode of This Legal Life , host Ben Chiriboga sits down with Robert Flint , a lawyer, entrepreneur, and now author of Working with Strangers: Building Your Career and Growing Your Business Through Referrals . They discuss the evolving nature of professional networking in an AI-driven world, the overlooked power of referrals in business development, and the role of technology a...

In this episode of This Legal Life , host Ben Chiriboga talks with lawyer-turned-coach and TEDx speaker Lora Cheadle about overcoming burnout and redefining success in the legal industry. Lora shares her journey through career transitions, the pressures of law, and the importance of setting realistic expectations. Together, they explore strategies for finding balance, maintaining well-being, and b...

In this episode of This Legal Life , host Ben Chiriboga interviews Patricia Gannon , an accomplished lawyer, founder, and digital nomad, as she shares her transformative journey from establishing a pioneering law firm in the Balkans to launching Platform 9, a groundbreaking social audio app for lawyers. Patricia opens up about navigating personal and professional transitions, the challenges of ent...

In this inspiring episode of This Legal Life , host Ben Chiriboga speaks with Elise Holtzman , founder of The Lawyer's Edge and a pioneer in coaching and consulting for legal professionals. Elise shares her journey from being a big law attorney to creating a business that empowers lawyers to thrive. She discusses the challenges of transitioning careers, the importance of building meaningful relati...

In this episode of This Legal Life , Ben Chiriboga sits down with Christine Uri , a seasoned legal professional turned ESG consultant, to explore her transformative career journey. Christine shares her transition from private practice to in-house roles, the challenges and growth of embracing ESG responsibilities, and the courage it took to launch her own consultancy. This conversation delves into...

In this engaging episode of This Legal Life , host Ben Chiriboga connects with Joel Ankney , a seasoned attorney, author, and solo practitioner. Joel shares his inspiring story of transitioning from big law to founding his own practice, the pivotal moments and mentors that shaped his path, and the lessons learned from over two decades of legal and entrepreneurial experience. A deep dive into build...

In this engaging episode of This Legal Life , host Ben Chiriboga sits down with Nancy Myrland , a renowned social media consultant and legal marketing expert. Together, they explore the evolving role of podcasting in the legal profession, the power of authentic connection in a digital age, and Nancy’s inspiring journey from sales to becoming a Hall of Fame legal marketer. Through anecdotes, reflec...