This Legal Life: Lessons Learned from a Life in Legal

In this episode of This Legal Life , host Ben Chiriboga chats with Jonathan Hawkins , founder of Law Firm GC , about his journey from traditional law practice to leading innovative solutions for law firms. Jonathan shares his experiences navigating career crossroads, the trials of building a niche practice, and the evolution of legal operations. From leveraging LinkedIn to adopting entrepreneurial...

In this episode of This Legal Life , host Ben Chiriboga sits down with EJ Stern and Katherine Wilson , co-founders of Fractional Law Firm CMO , to explore their journey of partnership and innovation. From their early days in traditional legal marketing roles to building a business that serves small and mid-sized law firms, EJ and Katherine share how they leaned into collaboration, creativity, and...

In this episode of This Legal Life , Ben Chiriboga interviews Alex Su, Chief Revenue Officer at Latitude, about his unconventional journey from practicing lawyer to thriving in the legal tech world. Alex candidly shares his experiences, from clerking and working at prestigious law firms to navigating setbacks in small firms and ultimately discovering his passion for sales, marketing, and technolog...

In this episode of This Legal Life , host Ben Chiriboga sits down with David Sazant , a former litigator turned therapist and founder of Pursuit Counseling and Therapy. The conversation explores David’s unique journey from the courtroom to counseling, delving into how his legal background shapes his therapeutic practice. Together, they discuss the emotional toll of legal careers, the importance of...

In this episode of This Legal Life , host Ben Chiriboga engages with Jen Leonard , founder of Creative Lawyers and former Chief Innovation Officer at Penn Carey Law. The conversation spans Jen's dynamic career journey, from her roots as a litigator to her current role driving change in the legal profession through innovation and education. Jen shares insights on the transformative potential of gen...

In this episode of This Legal Life , Ben Chiriboga sits down with Elizabeth Kennedy , Principal at New Edge BD , to explore her remarkable journey in the legal industry. From her early days at Jaffe Associates to leading innovative business development strategies at top firms like Weil Gotshal and Mayer Brown, Elizabeth shares insights on cross-practice collaboration, lateral integration, and clie...

In this episode of This Legal Life , Ben Chiriboga talks with Carolyn Elefant , founder of MyShingle.com , about her diverse career in law, from energy regulatory work to pioneering solo practice and AI integration. Carolyn shares insights from her 30+ years of experience, discussing the evolution of solo law practice, the impact of technology on the legal profession, and her journey through entre...

In this episode of This Legal Life , Ben Chiriboga sits down with Josh Anisfeld , Chief Digital Officer at Baretz+Brunelle , to discuss the evolving role of digital strategies in law firms. Josh shares his journey from working in media and marketing to helping top law firms embrace digital growth. The conversation covers the impact of digital tools on client engagement, talent acquisition, and per...

In this episode of This Legal Life , Ben Chiriboga speaks with Ben Paul , founder of BD Ladder , about the evolving role of AI in legal business development. They explore how AI can enhance client relationships, streamline content creation, and support personalized outreach. Ben shares practical examples of how AI serves as an enabler of efficiency, allowing lawyers to focus on authentic connectio...

In this episode of This Legal Life , Ben Chiriboga sits down with David Wood , former senior partner and founder of David Wood Consulting , to discuss the intricacies of succession planning in law firms. With over 25 years of experience, David shares insights on transitioning client relationships, preparing successors, and the cultural and compensation challenges that hinder successful succession....

In this episode of This Legal Life , Ben Chiriboga sits down with Moray McLaren , a seasoned legal consultant and thought leader, to explore the evolving landscape of leadership in law firms. Over the course of 30 years, McLaren has observed significant shifts in client relationships, strategy implementation, and law firm cultures. They discuss the role of leadership in addressing profitability ch...

In this episode of "This Legal Life," host Ben Chiriboga sits down with Matt Schwartz , a partner and the US Finance practice group leader at DLA Piper . They discuss Matt's journey in the legal industry, his role at DLA Piper, and his perspectives on the evolving landscape of legal finance. The conversation provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities within the legal finance...

In this episode of This Legal Life , Ben Chiriboga sits down with Craig Budner , Global Strategic Growth Partner at K&L Gates , to discuss his 33-year journey in the legal industry. They explore the power of mentorship, the importance of curiosity, and the evolving role of lawyers in today’s dynamic legal landscape. About Craig: Craig W. Budner is the Global Strategic Growth Partner for K&...

In this episode of "This Legal Life," Ben Chiribog a, Chief Growth Officer at Nexl, sits down with Alistair Marshal l, a seasoned expert in business development and professional services. Alistair shares his journey from the consumer goods industry to becoming a leading consultant in the legal sector. They delve into the challenges and opportunities of business development within law firms, highli...

In this episode of "This Legal Life," host Ben Chiriboga welcomes Julie Chodos, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider , to explore her dynamic career journey from law to tech and back to law firms. Julie shares insights on transitioning from litigation to tech startups, where she thrived in sales and marketing, and later into strategic leadership roles...

In this engaging episode of “This Legal Life,” host Ben Chiriboga sits down with Tim Duffy, an executive coach specializing in mindfulness, to explore how meditation can transform the high-stress environment of legal professionals. Tim shares his journey from a high-pressure career in the entertainment industry to becoming a mindfulness advocate, highlighting how meditation helped him manage stres...

In this episode of "This Legal Life," host Ben Chiriboga, Chief Growth Officer at Nexl, engages in a captivating discussion with Abisola Babatunde , Head of Business Development & Client Services at Jackson, Etti & Edu . Abisola shares her unique transition from a practicing litigator to a leader in business development, driven by her passion for client-centricity and innovation. Discover...

In this insightful episode of "This Legal Life," host Ben Chiriboga, Chief Growth Officer at Nexl, engages in a profound conversation with Nigel Russell and Lorna McDowell, leaders at Xenergie. The discussion centers around the transformative concept of social energy and its impact on leadership and organizational change within the legal sector. Nigel and Lorna share their personal journeys, the c...

In this episode of "This Legal Life," host Ben Chiriboga, Chief Growth Officer at Nexl, sits down with David Harvey, Principal and Founder of Harvey Global Consulting. They delve into David's extensive career in legal marketing, exploring his transition from government to major law firms, his role in landmark cases like Apple vs. Samsung, and his entrepreneurial journey into consulting. David shar...

In this insightful episode of This Legal Life , host Ben Chiriboga welcomes Varun Bahl, the Chief Financial Officer at Procopio, to discuss the ever-evolving landscape of law firm pricing. Join us as Varun shares his journey into the legal world, offering a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities he encountered along the way. Together, Ben and Varun delve into the current state of l...

Join our host, Ben Chiriboga (Chief Growth Officer at Nexl) as he sits down for a in-depth discussion with Suzanne Orfali, Managing Director and Founder at Autem Consulting. In this episode, Suzanne shares her journey from studying law to transitioning into business development, highlighting differences in BD practices between Europe and the Middle East. She and Ben discusses the challenges of nav...

In this episode of, host Ben Chiriboga interviews Jennifer Forester , a business development coach with Gladstone Growth Strategies . Jennifer discusses her journey into the legal industry and the importance of "social fitness" for lawyers, emphasizing the need for intentional relationship-building to lead healthier professional lives. They explore the science behind social connections and how str...

In this episode, Ben Chiriboga, Chief Growth Officer at Nexl, sits down with Tanya Riggan, Director of Client Relations at Koley Jessen. They delve into the importance of self-assessment and understanding one's strengths and weaknesses within client relationships and business development. Throughout the conversation, Ben and Tanya touch on personal and professional growth, emphasizing the need to...

In this episode host Ben Chiriboga, Chief Growth Officer at Nexl, sits down with Deb Scargini, Principal, Scaringi Marketing, to explore the Golden Rule: "Treat others as you would like to be treated." They discuss its essence across cultures, practical ways to implement it in daily life, and the challenges of living by this principle. Tune in for insights on building deeper, more respectful perso...

In this episode of This Legal Life, host Ben Chiriboga is joined by Sophia Lagerholm, Head of Digital & Innovation at Advokatfirman Delphi. Ben and Sophia delve into the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the legal sector, exploring its profound impact on professional relationships, interagency collaboration, and community engagement. Join them as they dissect three pivotal...