How to Navigate Law School

Host Anastasia Boyko talks with Ben Chiriboga about reframing legal careers beyond traditional practice, including his move from maritime litigation to legal tech, founding and scaling a company, and launching reframe.lawyer. They discuss “inherited frames,” finding meaning over conventional success, and how law school skills—storytelling, persuasion, systems thinking, detail orientation, and perspective-taking—transfer into tech and other roles as the legal industry changes with new technology.

How to Navigate Law School, hosted by Anastasia Boyko, is PLI’s podcast dedicated to guiding you through the hidden rules and practical skills essential for success in law school. For additional resources, visit PLI’s Law School Hub at https://www.pli.edu/lawschool

Host Anastasia Boyko welcomes University of Virginia School of Law professor Christopher Corts to discuss navigating law school by focusing on the human purpose of legal practice. Corts shares his path from growing up a minister’s son to an 18-year career in theater, seminary, appellate practice, and teaching legal research and writing, jurisprudence, and well-being courses like The Happy Lawyer and Just Practice. They explore meaning and purpose, psychological safety, emotional granularity, and the need to build community to counter isolation, competition, and a constant means-to-an-end mindset. They also examine AI and technology’s emphasis on speed, efficiency, and accuracy, arguing students must stay embodied, relational, and prepared to “fit in to get in” while leading change.

How to Navigate Law School, hosted by Anastasia Boyko, is PLI’s podcast dedicated to guiding you through the hidden rules and practical skills essential for success in law school. For additional resources, visit PLI’s Law School Hub at www.pli.edu/law-school

Host Anastasia Boyko talks with Suffolk Law’s Gabriel Teninbaum about preparing law students for the future of legal work through technology awareness, hands-on tool building, new business models beyond the billable hour, and process improvement/project management. They discuss integrating innovation into traditional legal education, the continued importance of human skills like judgment and empathy in the AI era, and using spaced repetition to strengthen learning and avoid over-reliance on AI.

How to Navigate Law School, hosted by Anastasia Boyko, is PLI’s podcast dedicated to guiding you through the hidden rules and practical skills essential for success in law school. For additional resources, visit PLI’s Law School Hub at www.pli.edu/law-school

Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and not necessarily those of PLI.

Anastasia Boyko interviews Kristen Sonday, co-founder and CEO of Paladin, about using technology to increase access to justice by making pro bono programs easier to run. Kristen explains how Paladin replaces manual coordination (emails, spreadsheets, phone calls) by connecting 350+ legal services organizations with lawyers and law students through a searchable, real-time database, cutting administrative work by about 75%. They discuss Paladin’s law school platform launch (30 schools, 22,000+ students, 10,000+ opportunities, many remote), how pro bono helps students build real-world legal and client skills, and how AI is shaping training and efficiency, including an expungement example that scaled impact. Kristen’s advice to students: start by talking to career/public interest offices, clinics, and legal aid groups and explore opportunities early.

How to Navigate Law School, hosted by Anastasia Boyko, is PLI’s podcast dedicated to guiding you through the hidden rules and practical skills essential for success in law school. For additional resources, visit PLI’s Law School Hub at www.pli.edu/law-school

Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and not necessarily those of PLI.

Anastasia Boyko interviews Nick Hafen, who leads legal technology at BYU Law School, about using legal tech and innovation to improve access to justice. Nick shares his path from BYU Law to Kirkland & Ellis, starting a firm, and returning to teach tech and AI. They discuss BYU’s LawX program, legal tech training workshops and courses. They also cover the Utah regulatory sandbox, hands-on AI exercises, how AI is affecting hiring, and why systems thinking, ethics, management, curiosity, and trusting yourself matter for new lawyers.

How to Navigate Law School, hosted by Anastasia Boyko, is PLI’s podcast dedicated to guiding you through the hidden rules and practical skills essential for success in law school. For additional resources, visit PLI’s Law School Hub at www.pli.edu/law-school

Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and not necessarily those of PLI.

Libby Clark, a lawyer, business executive, entrepreneur, strategic advisor, and former chair of the New York State Bar’s Well-being Task Force, uncovers the hidden norms in the legal profession that normalize stress and emotional disconnection. This episode is a must-listen for law students and young lawyers feeling overwhelmed.

Libby shares her early career experiences, revealing how systemic pressures impact mental health. Anastasia and Libby discuss frameworks like the ‘hand and glove’ metaphor that illustrate how various factors undermine well-being, practical tools to stay grounded, how to challenge unhelpful norms, protect your authenticity and align your choices with your core values — all while nurturing passions outside the chaos.

Libby’s insights are a call to action for transforming the legal landscape to support human flourishing and are essential listening for anyone dedicated to making a difference in their life and career.

How to Navigate Law School, hosted by Anastasia Boyko, is PLI’s podcast dedicated to guiding you through the hidden rules and practical skills essential for success in law school. For additional resources, visit PLI’s Law School Hub at www.pli.edu/law-school.

Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and not necessarily those of PLI.

Host Anastasia Boyko speaks with Jen Bluestein, a longtime leader in attorney professional development, about what truly drives success in legal careers. Drawing on her circuitous path from BigLaw associate to senior talent leadership at global firms, Jen breaks down the skills law school doesn’t teach—resilience under pressure, accepting feedback, organization, timekeeping, and professional judgment. The conversation explores mindset, visibility, communication, and the importance of being a “sponge” early in your career. A candid, practical guide for law students and young lawyers navigating high‑pressure environments with confidence and clarity.

How to Navigate Law School, hosted by Anastasia Boyko, is PLI’s podcast dedicated to guiding you through the hidden rules and practical skills essential for success in law school. For additional resources, visit PLI’s Law School Hub at www.pli.edu/law-school.

Anastasia Boyko hosts Aliza Shatzman, president and founder of the Legal Accountability Project, to discuss the ins and outs of judicial clerkships. They cover Aliza's personal experiences, the motivations behind pursuing clerkships, and essential considerations for law students. Aliza emphasizes the importance of understanding the work environment, asking the right questions, and being proactive in research. The episode also touches on the timing and application processes for clerkships, offering valuable advice for law students navigating their early careers.

How to Navigate Law School, hosted by Anastasia Boyko, is PLI’s podcast dedicated to guiding you through the hidden rules and practical skills essential for success in law school. For additional resources, visit PLI’s Law School Hub at www.pli.edu/law-school.

Anastasia Boyko and Sateesh Nori discuss the challenges and opportunities in the legal field, focusing on access to justice and the role of technology. Sateesh shares his journey from traditional legal services to embracing legal technology, highlighting the need for innovation to address the access to justice crisis. They explore the limitations of current legal education and the potential of AI tools to improve legal services. The conversation emphasizes the importance of adapting to new technologies and rethinking traditional legal practices to better serve communities.

How to Navigate Law School, hosted by Anastasia Boyko, is PLI’s podcast dedicated to guiding you through the hidden rules and practical skills essential for success in law school. For additional resources, visit PLI’s Law School Hub at www.pli.edu/law-school.

In this episode, join Anastasia Boyko and Andrew Ting as they delve into the journey of transitioning from a law firm to an in-house legal practice. Andrew shares his experiences from his early days at a large firm to becoming a general counsel and chief legal officer. Discover the pivotal role of professional skills, the importance of emotional intelligence, and how these elements shape a successful in-house career. Whether you're considering a similar career move or simply curious about the dynamics of in-house legal work, this conversation offers valuable insights and practical advice. Tune in to explore the nuances of legal practice beyond the traditional law firm setting.

How to Navigate Law School, hosted by Anastasia Boyko, is PLI’s podcast dedicated to guiding you through the hidden rules and practical skills essential for success in law school. For additional resources, visit PLI’s Law School Hub at www.pli.edu/law-school.