The podcast for lawyers and professionals working in, with, and around Big Law
Hear from lawyers and other professionals who have experience navigating work and life in the challenging world of large law firms.
The Podcast
Expert insights and advice to help you achieve your goals in your legal career
Working in and with big law firms is full of challenges — everything from becoming a partner to succeeding as a partner or pivoting to another role, making your case for compensation and recognition as a professional at any level, managing and steering the business of the firm, and engaging these firms as outside counsel.
On this podcast, I share what I’ve learned in a long career as a Big Law partner, and also talk to others — lawyers, business developers, project managers, legal pricing experts, clients, and other professionals — about what they find exciting, engaging, frustrating, challenging and motivating in working with these firms.
You may be:
Already working in Big Law and are looking to advance your career or transition out;
Wondering what it takes to move into a Big Law from government or corporate legal departments;
Trying to improve your relationships with outside counsel at large law firms; or
Otherwise want to understand more about how to engage in the large, complex business environment of major global law firms
For all of these and many other situations, the podcast offers candid and honest advice that will help you take the next best step toward your professional goals in the world of Big Law.
#27: Don’t Ignore the Importance of Your Self-Evaluation in BigLaw
You may be putting off completing your self-assessment, but it can be a powerful tool to help you communicate a better narrative about why your work matters and is valuable to the firm.
#26: How Lawyers Can Stop Annoying Their Clients
There are a few mistakes to avoid if you don’t want to irritate your clients, and instead build better relationships with them.
#25: How Associates Can Improve Business Development Skills
Are you frustrated trying to figure out how to build client relationships and lay the groundwork to bring in business to your law firm? There are some key practical steps you can take, and some ways you can pivot your approach to position you for success.
#24: Moving Your Career to Another Country with Amanda Raad
Have you thought about moving your BigLaw practice to another country? Amanda Raad shares how she did that with her firm, and the ways she has leveraged that platform to build a successful global investigations practice in London.
#23: Personal Tax Planning for Equity Partners with Kelley Brubaker
Are you an equity partner in a law firm? If so, you need to be thinking about taxes, most importantly so you can understand what that means for your personal financial planning and budgeting. And you’re likely going to need the help of a CPA who really understands the law firm model.
#22: Why You Should Leave Your BigLaw Firm
Is it time to consider whether to leave your firm? It might be if you’re feeling the need to find a better fit for your practice, align with a place that better reflects your goals and priorities, or offers a better chance at advancing in your career.
#21: LinkedIn for Lawyers with Annette Choti
Don’t miss the chance as a BigLaw attorney to leverage LinkedIn to build your professional profile and grow your reputation. Whether you’re thinking about making a change in to a new firm or other opportunity, or just looking for ways to grow recognition of your work, it’s a critical tool for your practice.
#20: Managing Your Legal Career with a Business Mindset
Looking at your legal career with a business-focused orientation can help you both to seize opportunities and to avoid the pitfalls that can derail your progress.
#19: What Associates Are Asking About Big Law
Are you a BigLaw associate with questions? If so, this episode is for you as I dive into some of the common questions on the minds of associates looking for ways to progress their careers at or outside their law firms.
#18: Six Things That Improve Your Legal Resume
Is your resume ready if you’re starting to market yourself for your next legal job? Make sure you’re not leaving out critical information or making errors that don’t reflect well on your accomplishments and talents.
#17: Big Law Lateral Recruiting Strategies with Kristina Lambright
Learn how BigLaw firms think about strategic growth and acquisition of key talent when they are looking to hire lateral candidates - and what helps laterals integrate effectively and successfully once they’ve started at the new firm.
#16: Working Full Time Remote in BigLaw with Jessica Brown
Is working remote really a viable option in BigLaw? Jessica Brown shares how she leveraged her firm’s virtual office model to design and grow her own practice, and ensure it aligned with her priorities and values.
#15: How to Make a Successful Lateral Move to a New Law Firm
Making a lateral move to a new law firm is a big deal in your career - so you want to get it right. From conducting due diligence to making sure your practice fits with the new firm, and assuring yourself of a good cultural fit, you need to do your homework.
#14: Partner Recruiting and Compensation with Jeffrey Lowe
Top partner recruiter and law firm advisor Jeffrey Lowe joins the podcast to share his journey from practicing law to recruiting, the nature of partner compensation structures, and how to approach the recruiting process so that you have a good understanding of the firm you’re joining.
#13: Career Transitions with Legal Recruiter Erin Sears (Part 2 of 2)
We’re back with Erin Sears, Vice President at Garrison, a top legal recruiter, breaking down the key issues for partners looking to lateral to new firms, and government attorneys seeking to move into private practice. Check it out to learn more about how to market your book of business and expertise in key regulatory areas.
#12: Career Transitions with Legal Recruiter Erin Sears (Part 1 of 2)
Want to know how legal recruiters really work, and how they can help you? Erin Sears, Vice President at Garrison, and a top legal recruiter, helps break down what you really need to know, whether you’re actively seeking to make a move or just curious about what the market looks like.
#11: How Associates Can Handle a Not-So-Great Evaluation
Receiving a tough evaluation, especially when you think it isn’t reflective of your work, can be hard. Figuring out how to respond to that feedback is critical.
#10: More Metrics That Can Make or Break Your Legal Career
Understanding the business of law in BigLaw firms is critical, as I initially shared with you in Episode #3. Now I’m talking about some additional metrics - leverage and utilization rates - that need to be part of your practice management toolkit.
You’ll learn: (1) understanding how leverage is most effective; (2) why BigLaw firms are increasing both their equity and income partner ranks; and (3) what utilization rates mean for you personally as an individual BigLaw attorney when you look at what is required of you to do the billable and nonbillable work your firm requires.
#9: How to Move from Law Firm Partner to In House Counsel with Savaria Harris
Savaria Harris was a partner with Kirkland & Ellis and DLA Piper before she decided to make the move to in-house counsel, first as Vice President in the legal department at Johnson & Johnson, and now as Associate General Counsel and Director for Health Care Compliance at Amazon. We discuss why she decided to make that move, and what she found to be key to doing it successfully and with a business mindset.
#8: Personal Financial Freedom with Jessica Medina
Are you frustrated with your personal finance situation as an attorney in BigLaw? Jessica Medina, a former BigLaw attorney and now an Accredited Financial Counselor, shares how she works with clients to help them get more control over their money, and achieve financial security and freedom.
Guests on Big Law Life
Interested in being a guest on Big Law Life?
Contact Laura at laura@lauraterrell.com to share what you would like to add to the conversation about life in big law firms.