She's been watched by 30 million people making her morning coffee and explaining wrongful termination in the same breath. In this episode of Heels in the Courtroom, Elizabeth McNulty, Sydney Marino, and Mary Simon sit down with Paige Sparks, employment attorney, founder of Sparks Legal, and one of the most recognizable legal creators online to talk about what it actually takes to build a personal brand as a lawyer. Paige gets candid about the accidental path that led her to employment law, the viral video she almost didn't post, and why "going viral" is actually the last thing a content creator should want. For any attorney who's ever wondered whether marketing themselves online is worth the risk, this conversation is proof that showing up consistently, even when it's uncomfortable, can level the playing field against firms with far bigger budgets. Catch part two in two weeks, where Paige dives into handling criticism, internet trolls, and where legal marketing is headed next.

Part two of the ego discussion turns to when confidence curdles into a problem. Mary Simon opens with a story about two rival attorneys sniping at each other in a pretrial conference until the judge shut it down, refusing to referee an "ego measuring contest." Liz Lenivy points out that judges punish cockiness the way juries punish a lack of confidence and shares a case where a co-counsel's cocky, nonchalant attitude pushed a client to seek her out instead as proof that ego can quietly damage client trust. The episode closes on humility, with Mary recalling a moment her dad, who built their firm from nothing, brushed off her attempt to celebrate his success: "the firm is just the people."

The hosts unpack what ego really means in the legal profession and why female attorneys especially need a healthy dose of it. They trace the word's negative connotations alongside its necessary flip side: the confidence to stand in front of a jury and believe what you're arguing whether that's a damages number or a case strategy. Stories range from convincing a jury of a dollar amount you have to actually believe, to colleagues questioning why you're on a case, to the TikTok-fueled discourse about young female attorneys feeling embarrassed to even say "I'm a lawyer" out loud. The throughline: ego isn't about arrogance, it's competence-backed confidence and it's something you build over time.

In this episode, the conversation gets candid about the toll this work takes on lawyers themselves. Sara Marler of Marler Law Partners challenges the myth of "compassion fatigue," explaining that what attorneys are really experiencing is empathetic distress, carrying burdens that aren't theirs to carry. Brittany Graham offers a reframe that often stops attorneys in their tracks: trauma explains behavior but does not excuse it.

An unconventional addition to the staff at a female-led family law firm has revolutionized how the firm operates as well as renamed its approach to lawyering. In this episode, Sara Marler and Ramona Gau explain how the addition of dedicated mental health specialist Brittany Graham at Marlar Law Partners has helped them define what trauma-informed lawyering looks like in practice and why it matters for both clients and attorneys. Whether you have a "Brittany" on your team or not, this episode is full of practical takeaways for any attorney looking to show up better for their clients without losing themselves in the process.

“Feared in corporate board rooms” is how the St. Louis Business Journal describes attorney Mary Anne Sedey. In Part Two of Heels in the Courtroom, this legendary trial lawyer shares more powerful stories from her career, including high-stakes discrimination cases, multimillion-dollar verdicts, and hard-learned courtroom strategies. From exposing systemic racism at a major hotel to winning big against a Mercedes-Benz dealership, Mary Anne walks through the facts, the fight, and the lessons behind each case. She also delivers candid, practical advice for young attorneys: embrace risk, be persistent, pick your cases wisely, and don’t chase perfection at the expense of progress. It’s a masterclass in advocacy, resilience, and building a meaningful legal career.

What was it like to win a landmark case before the U.S. Supreme Court and pursue a high-profile discrimination lawsuit against Anheuser-Busch? In this episode of Heels in the Courtroom, legendary attorney Mary Anne Sedey covers it all, from founding the first women-owned law firm in St. Louis dedicated to advancing employee rights. Along the way, Mary Anne reflects on the realities of litigation, the personal toll on clients, and the courage it takes to challenge powerful institutions. Blending humor, history, and hard-earned wisdom as only Mary Anne Sedey can, this episode captures the legacy of a legal pioneer while offering valuable insight and inspiration for the next generation of trial lawyers.

An honest discussion about imposter syndrome, rejecting societal timelines, and redefining work-life balance with the newest member of the Heels in the Courtroom cast Sydney Marino gives listeners a relatable and inspiring look at the early stages of a legal career and the mindset it takes to thrive. Marino also opens up about navigating burnout through daily walks and leaning on family support and discusses embracing “change” as her defining theme for 2026.

The ladies leading Weigl Jackson share the emotional and legal complexities of discrimination claims, including managing client expectations, confronting difficult truths about the legal system, and balancing empathy with objectivity. Krystal Weigl, managing partner and trial attorney, shares her philosophy of representing “good people and good causes.” Olivia Weigl, the firm’s practice manager, discusses her transition from high school biology teacher to law firm leader, highlighting how her background in education shapes her approach to communication, organization, and client care. The group also explores the power of family dynamics in business, the importance of complementary skill sets, and how a strong internal team directly impacts client outcomes. The discussion sets the stage for part two, where the conversation turns to the business of running a law firm.

The ladies leading Weigl Jackson share the emotional and legal complexities of discrimination claims, including managing client expectations, confronting difficult truths about the legal system, and balancing empathy with objectivity. Krystal Weigl, managing partner and trial attorney, shares her philosophy of representing “good people and good causes.” Olivia Weigl, the firm’s practice manager, discusses her transition from high school biology teacher to law firm leader, highlighting how her background in education shapes her approach to communication, organization, and client care. The group also explores the power of family dynamics in business, the importance of complementary skill sets, and how a strong internal team directly impacts client outcomes. The discussion sets the stage for part two, where the conversation turns to the business of running a law firm.