In this episode of “Real Talk,” Lowenstein lawyers Megan Monson, Nicole Fulfree, and Rachel Moseson Dikovics discuss the Surgeon General’s recent advisory titled “Parents Under Pressure,” which described the state of American parents’ mental health as “an urgent public health issue.” They share their own experiences in trying to balance the demanding roles of woman, attorney, and mother, and offer advice to working parents and their employers. 

Speakers:

Megan Monson, Partner, Executive Compensation, Employee BenefitsNicole Fulfree, Partner, Bankruptcy & RestructuringRachel Moseson Dikovics, Associate, White Collar Criminal Defense

Today on “ Real Talk,” Rachel Moseson Dikovics, Amanda K. Cipriano, Brianna M. Ferrante, and Jessica I. Kriegsfeld discuss what law firm life looks like to associates who joined the practice of law during or after COVID. Lawyers who graduated law school in 2020 and after describe the challenges of returning to the office, including practicing time management, forming relationships with potential mentors, and balancing both working from home and being in the office. They also talk about the benefits of hybrid schedules and the importance of technology in effectively navigating the modern workplace.

Speakers:

Rachel Moseson Dikovics, Associate, White Collar Criminal Defense 

Amanda K. Cipriano, Associate, White Collar Criminal Defense  

Brianna M. Ferrante, Associate, Mergers & Acquisitions

Jessica Kriegsfeld, Associate, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits

In this episode of “Real Talk,”  Nicole Fulfree, Megan Monson, Julia E. Sanabria, and Rachel Moseson Dikovics tackle the subject of microaggressions: comments or actions that subtly and often unconsciously or unintentionally expose a prejudiced attitude towards a member of a marginalized group. Women who experience microaggressions at work are 4.2 times more likely to feel burned out, 3.3 times more likely to consider leaving their company and 3.8 times more likely to feel that they don't have an equal opportunity to advance. The hosts discuss what microaggressions are, a range of different circumstances and intentions that can give rise to these situations and offer tips on navigating these instances when they occur. 

Speakers:

Nicole Fulfree, Partner, Bankruptcy & RestructuringMegan Monson, Partner, Executive Compensation, Employment & Benefits Julia E. Sanabria, Partner, Real Estate Rachel Moseson Dikovics, Associate, White Collar Criminal Defense 

This episode of “Real Talk”  features a discussion with Nicole Fulfree, Megan Monson, Kristin V. Taylor, and Rachel Moseson Dikovics about whether the self-promotion gender gap—a concept explored by researchers at Harvard and Wharton—really exists, and to what extent professional women may be disproportionately impacted by its repercussions. The hosts discuss why some women might shy away from taking credit, explore the societal and cultural reasons women may approach self-promotion a bit differently, and provide suggestions for women on increasing visibility at work without feeling cringey.  

Episode Resources:

• The Gender Gap in Self-Promotion – National Bureau of Economic Research
• Women Don’t Self-Promote, But Maybe They Should – Harvard Division of Continuing Education
• Rent the Runway Is Giving $1 Million in Monthly Subscriptions to Women Celebrating Career Wins on LinkedIn

Speakers:

Nicole Fulfree, Partner, Bankruptcy & Restructuring Megan Monson, Partner, Executive Compensation, Employment & Benefits Kristin V. Taylor, Partner, Tax, Private Client Services Rachel Moseson Dikovics, Associate, White Collar Criminal Defense 

In this episode of “Real Talk,” Amanda K. Cipriano and Rachel Moseson Dikovics speak with Dr. Traci Cipriano, clinical psychologist, formerly practicing lawyer, and a speaker, executive coach, consultant and author, about emotional intelligence and how it can be used as a professional tool. Dr. Cipriano says that emotional intelligence reflects one’s ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions and use them strategically to influence thinking and behavior; she describes it as an ability to recognize other people's emotions by interacting them, reading the room, and responding appropriately; it also reflects an ability to cope with difficult challenges, especially regarding the workplace, work demands, and work environment. The most effective leaders are high in emotional intelligence, and research suggests that their teams and their organizations are more productive and generate more revenues.

Speakers:

Rachel Moseson Dikovics, Associate, White Collar Criminal Defense   Amanda K. Cipriano, Associate, White Collar Criminal Defense   Traci Cipriano, JD PhD LLC, Clinical psychologist, formerly practicing lawyer, speaker, executive coach, consultant

Today on “Real Talk,” Megan Monson, Nicole Fulfree, and Sarah Cole address the dos and don’ts for women attorneys seeking to develop effective management skills, emphasizing the critical role of emotional intelligence in legal practice. In addition to sharing their personal experiences and opinions on the most effective management styles, the hosts explore some of the hurdles women in law face in acquiring managerial training, discuss the importance of emotional intelligence in fostering teamwork, client relations, and personal growth, and provide practical advice on learning and teaching within the legal profession to enhance both personal and team success.

Speakers:

Megan Monson, Partner, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Nicole Fulfree, Partner, Bankruptcy & Restructuring Sarah Cole, Senior Counsel, Capital Markets & Securities

On today’s episode, Rachel Moseson Dikovics, Amanda K. Cipriano, Claire Dronzek, and Lauren Russell discuss Gen Z’s perspective of young lawyers on issues such as work-life balance, organizational values, and mentorship. They talk about how COVID impacted attorneys’ priorities, and their opinions on flexible schedules, partnership, and the moral values of prospective employers. They also address young professionals’ needs to feel valued, have mentors, and for opportunities to share their challenges. 

Speakers: 

Rachel Moseson Dikovics, Associate, White Collar Criminal DefenseAmanda K. Cipriano, Associate, White Collar Criminal Defense  Claire Dronzek, Associate, Emerging Companies & Venture CapitalLauren Noval Russell, Associate, Corporate

Today on “Real Talk,” hosts Megan Monson, Nicole Fulfree, and Rachel Moseson Dikovics are joined by Joann S. Lublin, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, former management news editor and current regular contributor to The Wall Street Journal, and author of two books on executive women's leadership: Earning It: Hard-Won Lessons from Trailblazing Women at the Top of the Business World, and Power Moms: How Executive Mothers Navigate Work and Life. The women share their personal experiences as mothers in the workplace, how things have and have not changed over the past twenty years, and valuable tips on successfully navigating the demands of parenthood and a career.

Speakers:

Megan Monson, Partner, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Nicole Fulfree, Partner, Bankruptcy & Restructuring Rachel Moseson Dikovics, Associate, White Collar Criminal Defense Joann S. Lublin, Author, Power Moms: How Executive Mothers Navigate Work and Life

Today on “Real Talk,” hosts Megan Monson and Diane Moss are joined by  Carol Sutton Lewis, a former practicing attorney who now hosts and produces the award-winning podcast, ‘Ground Control Parenting.’  Lewis describes how her legal skills have enhanced her role as a podcaster and parenting expert, and how being a parent has influenced her career and her outlook on life; she encourages listeners to understand that it’s not about balancing ‘work’ and ‘life’ because ”it’s all life…don't forget to focus on the joy. “

Speakers:

Megan Monson, Partner, Employee Benefits & Executive CompensationDiane Moss, Counsel, The Tech GroupCarol Sutton Lewis, Founder, Ground Control Parenting

In today’s episode of “Real Talk,” Megan Monson, partner in Lowenstein Sandler's Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation practice, speaks with her colleagues Diane Moss, counsel in Lowenstein's Emerging Companies & Venture Capital group, and Lynda A. Bennett, Chair of the firm’s Insurance Recovery group, about how lawyers can cultivate their brands so that they stand out amongst competitors, attract potential clients, and foster relationships with existing clients. They describe the benefits of intentionally spending one’s non-billable time through involvement with organizations, boards, and groups—both law-related and otherwise; how networking can build transferrable skills such as consensus building and problem solving; and the importance of authenticity.

Speakers:

Lynda A. Bennett, Partner and Chair, Insurance Recovery Megan Monson, Partner, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Diane Moss, Counsel, The Tech Group