On this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, Sue Ann Van Dermyden, a trailblazer in employment law, shares her remarkable journey from a defense attorney to the founder of a firm dedicated to workplace investigations.

Sue Ann’s insights reveal shifts in the field, such as the recognition of sexual harassment as discrimination and the influence of the Me Too movement. She illustrates the art of seizing opportunities, niching, and marketing in a constantly evolving legal landscape. Her story encourages legal professionals to learn from the best, study cultural and legal currents, and innovate ahead of the curve.

Steve and Sue Ann’s conversation explores the intricacies of workplace investigations, from defining scopes and gathering evidence to presenting findings. Sue Ann candidly discusses the challenges and successes of scaling a business within this niche, emphasizing the importance of succession planning and sustainability. With strategic support from leaders like Atticus, her firm has mapped out a future-focused growth strategy, underscoring the power of planning and adaptability in business development.

As we venture into the integration of AI in legal practice, Sue Ann champions moving past traditional billable hours and embracing a forward-thinking mindset. Her pioneering efforts include founding the Association of Workplace Investigators and launching T9 Mastered for Title IX training, showcasing how passion and innovation lead to new professional pathways. By sharing personal anecdotes and experiences, she highlights the importance of community, collaboration, and aligning work with personal passions, inspiring lawyers to forge fulfilling careers beyond conventional limits.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Sue Ann Van Dermyden's journey from defense attorney to founder of a workplace investigations firm
• Impact of the Me Too movement and shifts in recognizing sexual harassment as discrimination
• Challenges and strategies in scaling a niche legal business
• Integration of AI in legal practice and moving beyond traditional billable hours
• Founding the Association of Workplace Investigators and launching T9 Mastered for Title IX training
• Importance of succession planning, sustainability, and strategic growth
• Emphasis on community, collaboration, and aligning work with personal passions

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Supporting Resources:

• Sue Ann Van Dermyden: www.vmlawcorp.com/sue-ann-van-dermyden-senior-partner

• Van Dermyden Makus Law Corporation: www.vmlawcorp.com

• Association of Workplace Investigators: www.awi.org

• T9 Mastered: t9mastered.com

• Law Firm Coaching: atticusadvantage.com/coaching/ 

• Glenn Gutek, Practice Advisor: atticusadvantage.com/team/glenn-gutek/ 

• The Summit: nsslfc.com

• Grow Your Law Practice with AI: atticusadvantage.com/workshops/grow-your-law-practice-with-ai/ 

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.