12-Minute Listen: LNG, or liquefied natural gas, is produced all over the world, but the war in Ukraine has made it even more relevant. On the next installment of Tools of the Trade's "How it Works" series, Singapore partner Nick Kouvaritakis uncovers the inner workings of LNG (01:28). Nick describes its benefits to the environment (01:48) and to transportation (02:00)—and how it came to be a critical commodity across Europe (05:12). The episode concludes with a round of "Blame or No Blame" (09:57), where Nick considers legal risks related to LNG.

16-Minute Listen: Much can be learned from Mayer Brown's talented alumni, and former Washington DC counsel Lisa Pino is no exception. Lisa joins Tools of the Trade as the second alumni guest, delivering valuable tips from the front lines of public- and private-sector work. Lisa focused on immigration law in our Employment & Benefits practice from 2017–2019. Before that she served as a presidential appointee in the Obama administration (01:35). Since 2019, Lisa has held positions in the US Department of Health & Human Services and the New York State Department of Health, including overseeing the operational response to COVID and implementing public health programs for millions of New Yorkers. Tune in as Lisa talks about her threshold for risk (05:22), high-stakes challenges (08:50) and misconceptions of public-service and private-sector roles (12:46).

What is "the Cloud," really—and where does all our data actually reside? As part of the "How it Works" series of Tools of the Trade, Washington DC partner Emily Naughton gives an insider's look into the windowless warehouses humming with servers and explains how they run (01:31). After years of representing data center owners and operators (07:16), Emily is well-versed in functional aspects such as the centers' sophisticated cooling systems (02:58). Host Jon Van Gorp later kicks off a round of "Blame or No Blame" (10:10), asking Emily to weigh in on data center owners' liability in extraordinary scenarios ranging from a physical invasion to a virus taking over the highly secure facilities.

15-Minute Listen: Nearshoring is the idea of relocating production facilities closer to where the products are used. This is a big historical opportunity for Mexico, as outlined by two of our Mexico City lawyers on the next installment of the Tools of the Trade "How it Works" series (02:36). Partner Ariel Ramos and counsel Jorge Escalante speak with co-host Jon Van Gorp about manufacturing sectors that could benefit from new global trade avenues (03:33) and financing vehicles to support international investment (12:17). Ariel and Jorge also weigh in on nearshoring challenges, such as logistics related to infrastructure (07:10).

19-Minute Listen: "We've all got way more things to do than time to do it." Harry Kraemer's words ring true now more than ever as we navigate a post-pandemic way of life and work. Harry joins Jon Van Gorp in another appearance by a special guest author in "Tools of the Trade" to discuss his time management book, Your 168. Drawing on his experience as a former CEO and chairman of Baxter International Inc. (00:38), Harry offers insight on how to get our jobs done while also living a meaningful, value-based life (02:51 and 13:00). His advice? Slow down, self-reflect and identify what really matters to you (05:42). Harry tries to make this a daily practice but also leans on a 41-year tradition that began after he joined his college girlfriend's father on a three-day silent retreat in Minnesota (09:04).

In the newest episode of Tools of the Trade, Jon and Sally take on a topic of increasing importance: environmental, social and governance principles, commonly referred to as ESG. Their primary guest, David Carpenter, is one of three co-leaders (with Mark Uhrynuk and James Whitaker) of the firm's new ESG product group. Before diving into the substantive discussion, David provides a glimpse of his alternative avocation as a winemaker (4:39). David then provides a simple answer to the question of why he became involved in the firm's ESG initiative: His clients paved the way (5:57). Jon asks a key question: Why is it important for Mayer Brown to be practicing ESG principles as a business, instead of merely advising our clients in ESG matters (8:02)? Not all of our clients comply with every last ESG principle, of course. So Jon asks: How do we reconcile our desire to observe ESG principles with representing clients who may not be as far along (9:52)? How can Mayer Brown's lawyers and business services staff become involved in the firm's ESG initiative? David has insights (11:58). In the "Meet Your Neighbor" segment, Chris Turner, the firm's director of administration in London, opens something totally new for the podcast, signing a short excerpt from his role as the King of Egypt in a production of Aida (18:47). Turning to ESG, Chris explains what the firm is doing to operate the business consistent with ESG principles (21:40). In conclusion, Chris builds on David's advice to prospective participants in the firm's ESG initiative (26:55).

Can the same techniques that foster a healthy marriage help build successful teams at work? The answer is a resounding yes, according to Nate and Kaley Klemp, who co-authored their 2021 book, The 80/80 Marriage. In a special episode of "Tools of the Trade," Jon Van Gorp sits down with the Klemps, who outline practical ways to grow in each domain. Since the 1950s, society has shifted the paradigm of marriage from one person being 80% in charge of the relationship to a 50/50 partnership of equals (03:17). In the 80/80 mindset, Kaley and Nate challenge couples—and work colleagues—to set fairness aside and instead strive for "radical generosity," where each person aims to contribute 80% to a relationship. Nate explains what goes into achieving this mindset, which relies on three factors: what you do, what you see and what you say (05:47). If an employee is giving 80% to a team project, Jon asks, is there risk of being taken advantage of (08:09)? The authors reveal how critical it is to establish roles and priorities, set clear boundaries and ask for help (10:35). The episode closes with a humorous dispute over running shoes (11:11) and offers tips for persisting through challenges that will inevitably arise in relationships of all kinds (16:27).

Pro bono work is an important part of lawyers' professional responsibility and has the power to effect profound change. Sometimes it can even save lives. In the newest episode of "Tools of the Trade," Jon Van Gorp sits down with Kamal Ahmad, founder of the Asian University for Women (AUW), to learn about the role Mayer Brown played in the summer of 2021 in the evacuation of nearly 150 students from Kabul, Afghanistan (02:12). While growing up in Bangladesh, Kamal observed that women across Asia and the Middle East were the most undereducated segment of the population and saw the need for a women's university in his native country (05:25). Kamal, who worked in the Firm's London office in the early 2000s, took the first steps to establish what would become AUW with help from pro bono advisor Marc Kadish (03:40). At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, AUW students were encouraged to return to Afghanistan as a safety precaution. But in June 2021, Kamal received SOS messages from students who were facing greater danger by the approaching Taliban and needed help getting out of the country (08:51). Over five harrowing days, a team of more than two dozen lawyers, led by Chicago partner Marcia Goodman and assisted by Director of Pro Bono Activities Marcia Maack, successfully added them to a high-priority fly list and eventually sourced a US military plane to evacuate them to Wisconsin. Kamal is pleased to report that all students are still receiving an education in the US at universities such as Brown, Cornell, DePaul and Arizona State (18:39). Later, Jon checks in with our "Meet Your Neighbor" guest Jennifer Cheung, Hong Kong pro bono and CSR manager (24:07). Jenn previously worked as a lawyer in the US representing low-income and disadvantaged individuals. Since relocating to Hong Kong eight years ago, she has witnessed a steady growth in pro bono across the region (25:38). To learn about ways to get involved in pro bono opportunities—including helping the AUW students get asylum—please contact Marcia Maack (28:32).

Tools of the Trade features a truly inspirational story. In episode 18, Jon and Sally welcome Ken Oliver, who was released from a California prison after serving 23 years of a life sentence for a joy-riding conviction. Of that 23 years, Ken spent an astounding eight years in solitary confinement. A pro bono team led by Northern California partner Ward Johnson worked doggedly to secure Ken's release from prison in 2019. In his interview with Jon, Ken explains how literature, including volumes on Constitutional law, preserved his sanity during his stretch in solitary confinement (3:07). That affinity for books and reading sparked an instant and enduring connection with Ward when Ken met him a few years ago (12:26). While Ken's re-entry into the real world was challenging, his background in reading and writing led quickly to his appointment as a policy director in Sacramento, the capital of California (15:27). As he was progressing in his career, Ken drew on his close relationships with Ward and others on the team to help advance his mission (20:20). Referring to Project Equity, Jon asks: Are we making progress? Ken suggests that there is cause for optimism (22:24). Marcia Maack, the firm's director of pro bono activities, provides a snapshot of her background as a practicing lawyer, which included a stint as a Litigation associate on the team of Mark Ryan, whose death in 2020 continues to be a source of shock and sadness (25:52). Marcia explains how her family's history played a pivotal role in her decision to transition to a successful career in public-interest law (27:42). Marcia describes how she was affected by Ken Oliver's experience (31:00) and concludes her segment by encouraging broader participation in the firm's pro bono initiative (32:04).