Big News! This episode featuring Jennifer Gardner has been named a finalist in the Signal Awards “Best Driveway Moment” category. 

We’re honored to see LawHer recognized alongside powerhouse names like Mel Robbins and The Moth. Every vote helps shine a spotlight on the incredible women we feature — so if you’d like to support Jennifer’s episode, you can CAST YOUR VOTE HERE: https://tinyurl.com/5n8vsjhc

"Everything we want is on the other side of the word ‘yes’... Power is getting people to do things that you want them to do. Influence is the definition of power. And it means impacting the decision-making process…. Every communication is an opportunity to influence through body language, eye contact, cadence, energy, and word choice." - Jennifer Gardner

Law schools drill attorneys to be logical. Rational. Fact-driven. But what if that approach is fighting against human biology? What if everything we've been taught about legal persuasion is backward?

In this mind-shifting episode, trial attorney Jennifer Gardner reveals the neuroscience that's turning legal education on its head: emotions, not facts, drive decisions in the courtroom. After 35 years winning cases others deemed "unwinnable," Jennifer has cracked the code on legal persuasion—and it's not what they teach in law school.

Through brain science and battle-tested techniques, Jennifer shows how attorneys who rely solely on logic are missing the biological reality of how humans actually make decisions. She demonstrates how understanding emotional decision-making doesn't just supplement case preparation—it transforms outcomes and verdict sizes for clients.

About Jennifer Gardner

Jennifer Gardner holds certification from the Wharton School of Business in Neuroscience and Business Strategy, studied at the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College, and has extensively studied the work of Carl Jung, Joseph Campbell, and James Hillman. This unique background informs her approach to persuasion, storytelling, and emotional intelligence in legal practice.

In addition to her legal work, Jennifer is an educator and speaker at The Edge Education, runs "Power: The Art of Influence" workshop program through her Power Lab, and founded Roamhowl Creative, which consults on video and digital marketing.

What’s in This Episode:

“I asked nobody for anything—I only asked how to get it.” — Brooke Goff

Most people see Brooke Goff’s face on a billboard and think success story. What they don’t see is the grind behind it: the Lyft rides at 4 a.m., the kitchen-table startup, the years without a paycheck, and the gamble of emptying her 401k at 29.

In this episode of LawHer, Brooke shares how she built her multi-million dollar empire from nothing—turning grit into visibility, and visibility into power with purpose. From the projects of upstate New York to one of the most recognizable lawyers in New England, her story proves you don’t wait for permission to lead—you claim your place, even if it means driving all night to make it happen.

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About Brooke Goff

Brooke Goff is the founder and Managing Partner of Goff Law Group, a woman-led personal injury firm with 8 locations across the Northeast. Known for bold billboard campaigns, radical client care, and a 99% success rate, Brooke has become one of the most visible attorneys in New England. She’s also an LGBTQ+ mom, a lifelong athlete, and a philanthropist committed to using her platform to expand access to education, healthcare, and opportunity for the next generation. 

What’s in This Episode:

“Leadership is a giant mirror for all your flaws.” — Wesley Lockett

When Wesley Lockett stepped into the role of Chief Operating Officer at Daniel Stark Law, the firm was on the edge of a high-growth leap—from 50 employees to more than 170. The challenge? Scale without shattering the culture that made people want to work there in the first place.

Most firms don’t make it. Research shows that 70% of high-growth companies hit a cultural breaking point they never recover from. Wes refused to let that happen. In this episode, she shares the leadership mindset, battle-tested systems, and intentional choices that kept Daniel Stark thriving—without losing its soul.

From aligning leadership at the top, to implementing EOS for structure and accountability, to upgrading tech before bottlenecks broke the business, Wes breaks down what it really takes to grow fast without burning out your people—or yourself.

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About Wesley Lockett:

Wesley Lockett is the Chief Operating Officer at Daniel Stark Law, where she’s led the firm through a decade of growth, operational transformation, and cultural stewardship. Starting as a paralegal in 2014, she rose through leadership roles to COO, spearheading initiatives that strengthened client experience, streamlined operations, and protected the firm’s “work hard, play hard” ethos. Known for her radical self-awareness, commitment to her team, and operational precision, Wes is proof that you can grow big without losing what matters most.

LinkedIn

Daniel Stark Law 

 What’s in This Episode:

Why sustainable law firm growth starts with complete leadership alignment at the top

The two pillars of building an unshakable Law Firm leadership foundation

How implementing EOS transforms operations for accountability, clarity, and culture

The painful but powerful role of a Functional Accountability Chart in scaling a business

Why protecting your law firm's culture means letting go of low performers quickly

The tech upgrade that saved the firm during COVID—and why timing matters

How business leaders can detect and prevent attorney burnout before It’s too late

“There’s no such thing as ‘we can’t do it.’ People come to me with the craziest things, and I just say—‘I’ll fix it.’” — Jackie Karapetyan

Jackie Karapetyan had already built one empire. She’d helped take a startup from 25 to 500 employees while raising two young kids. So when she walked into a law firm and asked to start at the bottom—filing papers and answering phones—most people thought she was overqualified. But Jackie had a plan. She wanted to learn the business from the ground up.

Fast forward: she's now the CEO of a personal injury firm with over $2.5 billion in settlements. But just when things were finally running smoothly,  the unexpected happened.

In this episode, Jackie shares what she did next—and what it taught her about power, humility, and the kind of leadership that lasts.

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About Jackie Karapetyan

Jackie is the CEO of Legal Fighters and the woman behind a $2.5B success story. She’s not a lawyer. She’s something rarer—a second-career operator with no ego, no excuses, and no problem starting over when the mission matters. They call her “the fixer.” But what she’s really building is a new kind of power.

What’s in This Episode:

"When you are having fun, engaging in collective laughter - that gate is open for learning." — Rachael Bosch

Communication is often considered a soft skill or an afterthought in high-performing legal environments. But in reality, it's a power tool. From neuroscience to Slack threads, Rachael Bosch, founder of Fringe Personal Development, reveals how the brain responds under pressure—and how the smallest miscommunication can cost a firm millions, erode trust, and stall careers.

Miscommunication is often avoidable. And the solution isn’t more rules or rigid systems. It’s understanding how the brain works, especially during stress, and designing communication with intention, empathy, and even joy.

In today’s episode, we unpack how missed communications cost companies trillions every year and the simple tools you can use to connect. 

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About Rachael Bosch:

Rachael Bosch is the founder and CEO of Fringe PD, a leadership development firm helping law firms build better communication from the inside out. She’s also the CEO of Candorly, a tech platform designed to make feedback more human, scalable, and actionable.

Before launching her companies, Rachael spent over a decade in legal talent management at top firms like Paul Hastings, where she saw firsthand how poor communication stifled potential, even among the most brilliant attorneys. That insight led her to create Fringe, where she blends neuroscience, design thinking, and a sharp sense of humor to transform how high-achievers give feedback, build trust, and lead.

A lifelong learner, Rachael has completed executive education at Harvard Law School, Northwestern, and Cornell, with a focus on mediation, design thinking, and women’s leadership. She’s a certified brain-based coach through the NeuroLeadership Institute and a proud member of the Forbes Coaches Council.

What’s in This Episode:

Language shapes power. How we speak (especially as women) influences how we’re seen—too often, people with the most expertise soften their language and diminish their own authority.

Neuroscience opens doors. When lawyers won’t talk about “feelings,” Rachael teaches them to talk about their amygdala—and that reframing unlocks connection.

Generational differences matter. What’s obvious to a partner might be confusing to a first-year associate. Without shared language or context, people talk past each other.

Fun is functional. Laughter isn’t a distraction—it’s a neurological tool for opening the brain to learning.

"Generosity is power. Competition doesn’t have to mean scarcity." — Rosa Florentino

From the strawberry fields of Carlsbad to structuring over half a billion dollars in legal settlements, Rosa Florentino’s story is a testament to resilience, gratitude, and giving back. As the co-founder of Quest Settlements, Rosa is redefining what financial justice looks like—especially for clients who need more than a check: they need a plan, a protector, a person who speaks their language.

In this inspiring episode, Rosa shares the personal story behind her power, from her family’s unexpected immigration journey under the 1986 Amnesty Act to founding a nonprofit for farmworkers. Along the way, she learned to ask for what she’s worth, lead with heart, and build a business where clients become family.

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Rosa is a Senior Settlement Consultant and co-founder of Quest Settlements, a firm that has helped structure over $500 million in legal settlements. Born in Mexico and raised in the U.S. after her family received legal status under the 1986 Amnesty Act, Rosa brings deep empathy, cultural fluency, and unshakable ethics to her work. She is also the founder of Fields of Humanity, a nonprofit supporting farmworkers during off-season hardships.

LinkedIn 

Quest Settlements Website

How a career detour led Rosa from federal corrections to co-founding a multimillion-dollar legal business

What lawyers often overlook after a case is won—and why Rosa believes the real work begins after the verdict

The quiet power of showing up in person—and how it’s transformed her client relationships

Why speaking Spanish isn’t just a skill in her legal career—it’s a form of advocacy

About Rosa FlorentinoWhat’s in This Episode:

“The pipeline isn’t broken. The system is.” — Sonya Palmer

This special episode of LawHer was recorded live at the Women in Trial Travel Summit (WITTS) and serves as the capstone to Season 3. Drawing on insights from 60+ powerhouse women featured throughout the show’s history, host Sonya Palmer distills what it really takes to own power faster—and keep it longer—in the legal industry.

Whether you’re launching your career or scaling your firm, these strategies are meant to elevate your impact and sharpen your sense of purpose.

This marks the end of Season 3, but we’re not going anywhere. LawHer is shifting to summer hours—bringing you fresh episodes every other week. Subscribe now so you don’t miss a moment.

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DELIBERATE JUSTICE: THE FOUR PILLARS

Deliberate Network Building – From forging new communities to finding mentors who match your ambition, strategic connection is power.

Deliberate Brand Development – Your brand is your story. Craft it with intention and use it to claim space, not just visibility.

Deliberate Business Development – Business skills aren’t optional. The most successful women-led firms use systems, values, and financial clarity to scale impact.

4 .Deliberate Leadership – It’s not about titles. It’s about vision, systems, and leading in ways that elevate others.

“What do you want to do with your wild and precious life?” — Nicole Perrotta

Nicole Perrotta always knew how to hustle. She hit six figures before 30, climbed the ladder in a male-dominated industry, and checked all the boxes of “success.” But when every line item of success didn’t add up, she made a bold decision.

This episode is about more than chasing titles or paychecks—it’s about the courage to ask, “What do you want to do with your wild and precious life?” Nicole’s journey offers a roadmap for women attorneys (and beyond) ready to realign their values and design a life that feels like theirs.

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Nicole Perrotta is a business strategist, leadership coach, and founder of The Wild Coaching Program, where she empowers women to reclaim authorship of their lives and careers. After years in high-stakes corporate environments, she now helps women leaders identify the stories that no longer serve them—and guides them to build new ones that do.

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WILD 1:1 Career Coaching Website I Instagram

The hidden cost of staying in the wrong story—and the freedom of choosing your own

How to use values as a compass for confidence, even in the face of doubt

Practical steps to reclaim your career power: side hustles, boundaries, and building your own safety net

About Nicole PerrottaWhat’s in This Episode:

“Visibility is power—and power grows when you own your difference.” — Sarah Parisi

Sarah Parisi never waited to be invited into the room—she walked in like she owned it. From a rainbow dress and a plastic microphone in Tennessee to the VP of Media at Rankings.io, Sarah’s story is about claiming space, mastering strategy, and reshaping what legal media can look like.

In a world of flashy billboards and louder-than-life legal ads, what actually makes an attorney stand out? For Sarah Parisi, VP of Media at Rankings.io, it's not about volume—it’s about visibility with intention. In this episode, Sarah pulls back the curtain on the strategies women lawyers can use to build trusted, powerful legal brands through media.

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About Sarah Parisi

Sarah Parisi is the Vice President of Media at Rankings.io, where she oversees millions in ad spend and helps law firms across the country claim visibility. With more than a decade of experience in attorney advertising, she has a deep understanding of media strategy, campaign performance, and the power of brand storytelling. She’s known for her candor, her hustle, and her heart—and she’s on a mission to make women more visible in the legal landscape.

What’s in This Episode:

How to break into legal media and TV advertising

Why female presence is a legal marketing superpower

Real talk on trust issues in attorney advertising

"You don’t have to trade humanity for success." — Nikka Maleki

At just four years out of law school, Nikka Maleki co-founded Sparrow Law Group —and in its first year, Sparrow surpassed $1 million in attorney’s fees. She did it by rewriting all the rules. For her, power isn’t about prestige or posturing. It’s about showing up with empathy, fighting like hell for your clients, and never forgetting your own story.

In this episode of LawHer, Nikka shares how losing her mother on the second day of law school changed everything, how grief became her greatest teacher, and why authenticity is her firm’s most strategic asset. From the heartbreak that shaped her to the courtroom strategies she’s honed, this is a story of vulnerability, vision, and the kind of leadership that grows in the dark.

Nikka Maleki is the co-founder and managing partner of Sparrow Law Group, an employee advocacy firm based in Los Angeles. Just four years after graduating from Southwestern Law School, she launched her own firm—and in its first year, Sparrow surpassed $1 million in attorney’s fees with only two founding partners.A former defense-side litigator who once represented Fortune 500 companies, Nikka now fights for workers facing harassment, discrimination, and wrongful termination.

About Nikka Maleki

LinkedIn 

Sparrow Law Group: Website I Instagram

What’s in This Episode:

Power in Vulnerability: Nikka’s take on showing up authentically—and how it changes conversations, cases, and courtroom energy.

No Lane, No Limits: What it’s like to build a law firm from scratch, and how Sparrow Law Group made seven figures in year one—without sacrificing values.

Human-Centered Advocacy: Why she believes storytelling is a legal strategy—and how her firm helps clients reclaim their voice and power

Scaling with Soul: What it means to grow a business intentionally, with the right hires, the right cases, and the right kind of culture.