This episode features a conversation with Christopher Ward. Chris is a partner in Foley’s Chicago and Los Angeles offices focused on labor and employment matters. Chris reflects on growing up in Valencia, CA, his path to Northwestern University for college and The University of Illinois for law school. He discusses how he developed an expertise in California labor & employment law as well as his path to partnership. Chris also discusses his role in crafting one of Foley & Lardner’s well-being program, Foley Best Self. He shares his own personal struggles and discusses why it’s so important for attorneys to learn that it’s okay to ask for help when navigating hard things. Finally, Chris shares some fantastic advice on the importance of professional boundaries and thinking differently.

This episode features a conversation with Steve Cade. Steve is a partner in Foley’s Chicago office focused on mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions, venture capital financings and securities matters. Steve reflects on growing up in Kansas City, Missouri, his path to Iowa State University for college, and Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. Steve also shares about the development of his practice and how Foley’s people-focused culture supported him on his path to partnership. Finally, Steve provides great insight on making the most out of the law school experience.

This episode features a conversation with Nick Benson. Nick is a 3L at the University of Iowa College of Law. In this episode, Nick reflects on his path to law school, adjusting to life as a law student, and writing-on to law review. He also shares about his experience as a virtual summer associate at Foley & Lardner during the summer of 2020. Nick also provides excellent advice to law students on the importance of doing your research and setting a vision.

This episode features a conversation with Joanne Molinaro. Joanne is a partner in Foley’s Chicago office. She is a member of the firm’s bankruptcy and litigation practice groups. Joanne reflects on her decision to go to law school—a decision that was sparked by a job as a professional resume writer. She shares about her experience attending the University of Chicago, how she learned of Foley, and how the firm supported her on her path to partnership. Joanne also discusses her many interests outside of legal practice, including marathon running and her unexpected success on the social media platform TikTok.

This episode features a discussion with Christopher Swift. Christopher is a partner in Foley’s Washington, D.C. and New York offices. He is a member of Foley’s Government Enforcement Defense & Investigations Practice Group focusing on national security and international law. Christopher reflects on growing-up in New Hampshire and his family’s roots reaching back to Colonial America. He discusses the path that led to his extensive academic credentials, including a Masters and Ph.D from Cambridge. Christopher also explains his unique international legal practice and provides fantastic advice to aspiring lawyers on the importance of listening and asking the right questions, especially for those aspiring to be international lawyers.

This episode features a discussion with Anjali Desai. Anjali is Foley’s in-house attorney coach, providing executive coaching services to Foley attorneys. In this conversation, she reflects on her legal career and her decision to leave practice to become an executive coach. Anjali also explains what executive coaching is, why every lawyer can benefit from a coach, and the importance of being intentional in creating a future that you want.

This episode features a discussion with Stephen Jones. Stephen is an associate in Foley’s Dallas office where he is a member of the litigation practice group with a focus on bankruptcy and restructuring. Stephen shares about growing up in Texas and Ohio. He reflects on the jobs he had after high school and his decision, a number of years later, to return to college and eventually law school. As a brand new associate, Stephen also shares detailed advice on how he managed to navigate, and excel, in law school. He also provides great advice on studying for the bar exam as well as the importance of being present.

This episode features a discussion with Emily Weber. Emily is Managing Partner of Foley’s Denver office and a member of the firm’s health care practice. Emily reflects on her nontraditional legal path—one that started with her having difficulty finding a job, but due to her own tenacity eventually securing an in-house role at a hospital. Emily discusses her eventual transition from in-house counsel to outside counsel at a law firm. She also provides wonderful insight on the importance of attorneys being authentic in their business development efforts and on how law students can navigate a difficult job market

This episode features a discussion with Sonal Agarwal. Sonal is an associate in Foley’s Madison office where she is an intellectual property attorney focused on patent prosecution. Sonal shares about growing up in India and coming to the U.S. for graduate school. She discusses her decision to pursue patent law instead of staying on a more traditional career path for an electrical engineer. Sonal also reflects on life as a law student when she had two young children and was commuting between Madison and Chicago and provides great advice on how to succeed in law school.

This episode features a discussion with Vi Tran. Vi is an associate in Foley’s Houston office where she is focused on complex commercial litigation. Vi reflects on moving frequently during early childhood as her parents, recent immigrants from Vietnam, worked hard to establish a life in the United States. She shares about becoming a single-mom as a college student and the affect that had on her professional path. Vi also provides excellent advice on navigating the law school application process as well as how to break large goals in to small achievable steps.