LawHer

A Super Lawyer since 2018, a graduate of the Trial Lawyers College, and a devoted mother - in the courtroom and at home - Candice Klein thrives in the chaos. With 20 years of experience, she has taken over 30 cases to verdict and recently founded Chang | Klein with partner Deborah Chang. Between the two, billions of dollars have been recovered on behalf of their clients. And in its first year, Chang | Klein LLP was honored to have been ranked “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers.

Today, we explore mentorship for women in law, founding a successful firm, and carving out time for yourself - even if it's only 20 minutes a day.

Kelly Deutsch, CEO and Executive Producer of Verdict Video, has produced nearly 600 videos for mediation and trial. With over 25 years of experience, her deep compassion and empathy can be felt in every production. Her Dateline-style presentations for mediation or arbitration have helped secure the recovery of multiple 9 and 10-figure verdicts.

A natural leader - and introvert - Kelly shares the struggles and success that come with the role. Kelly explains why knowing what you want and investing in yourself 100% are the bedrock of a successful business.

What's in This Episode

Nothing beats real trial experience. You can read books and attend seminars, but to become the best you have to get in the ring. Aslin Tutuyan's first trial - a premises liability case against LA Times - set the tone for her career. Never shying away from a fight, as the personal injury trial attorney at Mandell Trial Lawyers she has walked away from massive companies like Disney and represented over 250 plaintiffs against SoCal Gas.

On today's episode, we discuss pre-trial jitters and building a strong opening statement. We also dive into mental well-being, taking ownership of our happiness, and the importance of self-care for trial lawyers.

Felice Duffy, founder of Duffy Law, is a dedicated Title IX advocate and former head coach of the Yale Division I Women’s Soccer Team. She is committed to excellence and driven by passion - in the courtroom and on the soccer field.

Felice's first experience with Title IX was when she filed an action against UCONN under the then-new Title IX statute to compel the creation of a woman’s soccer program. She would go on to be named to the first Women’s U.S. National Soccer team and selected for the first Division one All-American women's soccer team.

Receiving her JD at the age of 40, Felice has served over ten years as a federal prosecutor and clerked for federal judges.

In today's episode, we dive into fighting for your passion, her role in over two decades of gender equity, and shifting culture through education.

Diandra Debrosse Zimmermann's 15-year career has spanned four firms as managing partner or partner as recovered over $45 million for her clients. Managing partner of the Birmingham office at DiCello Levitt Gutzler and co-chair of their mass tort practice, she is ranked Top 100 by National Trial Lawyers, Top 40 under 40 by the National Trial Lawyers, and numerous other accolades.

Today, we discuss only accepting the offer you want and how to have the uncomfortable conversations that tackle pay inequity. We also explore how to enter the courtroom with authority and recapture it when that power has been taken away.

Amy Griggs is a tenacious catastrophic injury trial lawyer. Partner at Regan Zambri & Long - one of the top 1% of law firms in the county- Amy has earned over $30 Million in restitution for her clients, including multiple 8-figure cases. She has been awarded Personal Injury Plaintiff and Medical Malpractice Plaintiff for DC by Best Lawyers and speaks regularly at conferences and legal education seminars. Her success in the courtroom is directly tied to the emotional, human, connection she has with her clients. But with this success comes stress and emotional challenges.

Today we dispel the myth of the work-life balance and dig into better ways to structure time. Amy also shares the best ways to find community and how to deal with the emotional stress that is inherent in building strong trial cases.

Noemi Puntier is a fierce advocate and tenacious in the courtroom. The founder of Puntier Law Firm, Noemi faced many roadblocks to becoming an attorney. But with the right mentor, she came to see her youth in the Bronx, gender, and culture as superpowers on the path to becoming the first in her family to attend law school. She loves being a lawyer and promised to be a voice for the voiceless. She relied on hard work and discipline, guided by faith, to help build the table for minority woman lawyers for generations to come. I sat down with Noemi to discuss becoming a lawyer as a second career, finding the right mentors and attitude, and empowering her community through social media.

For over 15 years, Kelly Burris has not only opened multiple offices for Cordell & Cordell in Texas - the senior litigation partner has also received Best Lawyers in Dallas under 40, "Texas Rising Star", and "Super Lawyer" from Super Lawyers for a combined eight years. She is also at the forefront of family law and cryptocurrency. 

On today's episode, I sat with Kelly to discuss her rise to senior litigation partner and why she finds family law so rewarding. We dive into the changing legal landscape of bitcoin, hidden assets and how to find them, and tax evasion.

Taking a law firm from start-up to a multimillion-dollar business won't happen overnight. But CEO and founder Allison Williams did just that in under four years. Williams Law Group is ranked 14th of the fastest-growing law firms in the nation. Allison founded Law Firm Mentor to help law firm owners "stop the chaos" by creating an efficient firm resulting in more success and free time. 

On today's episode, we cover honing a clear vision and why a firm can not save its way to success. And we dig into why working more is not the same as adding value. 

Only 2% of practicing attorneys are women of color, even less are managing partners. Kimberley Wallace, founding partner of Albany-based Wallace Turner Law, literally beat the odds. For Kimberley every challenge brings new opportunities.

When confronted with high rates of recidivism as a public defender, she knew that healing her community meant treating the roots. She and her founding partner, Raysheea Turner, see home equity and entrepreneurship as the seeds of systemic change. Less than six months after opening their firm, the pandemic struck. Not to be deterred, this was a chance to test their paperless and remote law practice in earnest. Today, they help small business owners develop and implement remote strategies and first time home buyers grow generational wealth.

I sat with Kimberley to discuss her experience from law school through becoming a public defender and building a future-proof law firm.