Debra Whitson is a New York-based attorney, former prosecutor, family law mediator, and author of Divorce Like a Pro. In this conversation, she shares how mediation offers a healthier alternative to courtroom battles—and why divorce doesn’t have to destroy families. With decades of experience, Debra helps clients find clarity, peace, and dignity in even the most difficult transitions.

LAWYER SIDE HUSTLES

Debra’s side hustle became a calling: she wrote Divorce Like a Pro to provide an accessible, empowering guide for anyone going through separation or family breakdown. The book distills her real-world experience into practical advice and it’s a resource she wishes more people had earlier.

“I wrote the book because I found myself saying the same things over and over again to clients… there are better ways.,” shares Debra Whitson in Episode 75 of You Are a Lawyer.

When she’s not running her practice or writing, Debra is a global advocate for women’s rights through Zonta International. Her passion for service, travel, and equity informs her entire professional ethos, from her client relationships to her vision of justice.

LISTEN TO LEARN

• Why courtroom litigation often makes family issues worse, not better
• How mediation can lead to reconciliation
• The biggest myths Debra wants to debunk about divorce and conflict

WE ALSO DISCUSS

• Debra’s early career as a prosecutor and what pushed her to shift paths
• Her book Divorce Like a Pro and why she felt called to write it
• How international travel and service work shaped her career and values

Elise Holtzman left Big Law to raise her children, without a clear roadmap for what came next. Now she’s a leadership coach and founder of The Lawyer’s Edge, helping lawyers build confidence, develop business skills, and grow professionally. In this episode, Elise shares the mindset shifts that led her from practicing law to coaching those still in the field.

LAWYER SIDE HUSTLES

What began as a curiosity became a calling. Elise explored executive coaching and soon realized she could use her background in law to serve other lawyers. That side interest eventually became The Lawyer’s Edge, which she now runs full-time, offering coaching programs, firm-wide trainings, and a popular podcast.

“I didn’t set out to start a business. I set out to help people,” Elise Holtzman shares in Episode 210 of You Are a Lawyer.

Elise’s story shows how side projects can evolve into full-fledged careers. By paying attention to what energized her, and what drained her, she built a business that supports both her clients and her life. She encourages other lawyers to give themselves permission to try something new, even if it starts small.

LISTEN TO LEARN

• How to overcome the fear of leaving traditional law practice
• What lawyers actually need when it comes to leadership and business development
• How to build a coaching business tailored to legal professionals

WE ALSO DISCUSS

• The identity crisis many lawyers face when stepping away from the profession
• Why law school doesn’t prepare you to be a leader or entrepreneur
• How to balance motherhood and career reinvention

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Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast. 

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Lamia Rahman is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, TEDx speaker, and co-founder of SEEKR, a tech startup creating wearable AI devices for the blind. In this inspiring episode, Lamia shares her journey from law school in Hong Kong to the front lines of legal tech, accessibility, and advocacy.

LAWYER SIDE HUSTLES

SEEKR began as a passion project and has since grown into a globally recognized AI startup. The company develops wearable devices that help blind and visually impaired users navigate the world more independently. Lamia co-founded SEEKR during her law degree, blending her passion for tech with her desire to serve.

“It was a small idea at first. Now we’re building something that’s used across countries. That’s wild,” Lamia Rahman shares in Episode 209 of You Are a LawyerMore than a “side hustle,” SEEKR is a mission-driven business, fueled by Lamia’s belief that tech should be inclusive and empathetic. In the episode, she shares what it’s like to build a team, pitch to investors, and develop AI that solves real-world problems, all while still figuring out what comes next in her legal career.

LISTEN TO LEARN

• How Lamia co-founded an AI startup that creates wearable tools for the blind
• Why legal knowledge helps entrepreneurs navigate business growth
• How public speaking and networking open unexpected career doors

WE ALSO DISCUSS

• Her experience studying law in Hong Kong as an international student
• How being a woman of color in tech and law shaped her journey
• Ways to combine social justice, accessibility, and innovation

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Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast. 

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@youarealawyer

Website: https://www.youarealawyer.com

Daniel Rosenberg is a former prosecutor and defense attorney turned novelist who’s turning real-life courtroom experience into gripping legal thrillers. In this episode, he shares how his background in acting and law helped him build a successful writing career, why COVID was the creative catalyst he needed, and how his novels teach readers about the legal system, without getting lost in legalese.

LAWYER SIDE HUSTLES

Daniel’s side hustle as an author didn’t just stem from a love of books—it came from lived experience. Drawing from real cases he prosecuted and defended, he built compelling plots that read like fiction but are grounded in courtroom realism. He even test-ran his early manuscripts with a jury of trusted friends and lawyers for feedback.

“Write what you know… because I can spot right away someone who’s never been in a courtroom,” Daniel Rosenberg shares in Episode 208 of You Are a Lawyer

He also manages his own publishing relationships and book marketing, blending legal savvy with entrepreneurial spirit. From book signings to readings to podcast interviews, Daniel shows that you can take a legal career and build something entirely new, without leaving your skills behind.

LISTEN TO LEARN

• How courtroom experience can shape compelling legal thrillers
• Why creative skills are valuable assets in a legal career
• How to write fiction that’s both entertaining and educational

WE ALSO DISCUSS

• The role of performance and storytelling in trial work
• How Daniel's background in acting helped him excel in law and writing
• Practical advice for lawyers who want to write books or pursue creative paths

Join the FREE mailing list!

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Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast. 

Follow the podcast:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@youarealawyer

Website: https://www.youarealawyer.com

Candace Spencer is a legal consultant, mediator, and food justice advocate based in Washington, D.C. With a unique blend of legal insight and a lifelong passion for food, Candace has built a career at the intersection of environmental mediation, sustainable agriculture, and racial equity. In this episode, she shares how she’s using her legal background to support Black farmers, empower dairy-free living, and reshape the food system from the inside out.

LAWYER SIDE HUSTLES

Candace’s side hustles are anything but side projects; they’re deeply aligned with her mission. Her YouTube series SSpilled Milk educates and uplifts the dairy-free community with humour and heart. She also creates downloadable legal guides for small food entrepreneurs, helping people start businesses with confidence.

“It means so much to me when my friends include me with dairy-free options. That’s what Spilled Milk is about—making that kind of support easier for everyone,” shares Candace Spencer in Episode 37 of You Are a Lawyer.

Whether she’s consulting on food policy or baking allergen-friendly desserts, Candace is creating systems of care. Her legal and creative ventures work in harmony, bringing clarity, inclusivity, and joy to underserved communities.

LISTEN TO LEARN

• Why legal skills can support advocacy work outside traditional law firm roles
• How Candace empowers people through food-focused legal consulting
• What it means to find creative freedom and impact in your legal career

WE ALSO DISCUSS

• The flaws Candace saw in traditional legal education
• Why dairy-free living is about more than dietary restriction
• How Black farmers and food entrepreneurs can benefit from accessible legal tools

Join the FREE mailing list!

Get behind-the-scenes content from You Are A Lawyer. 

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4) Get emails from me (I won't fill your inbox with junk)!

Interact with You Are A Lawyer

Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast. 

Follow the podcast:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@youarealawyer

Website: https://www.youarealawyer.com

A.X. Foster is a former prosecutor and defense attorney turned novelist who’s turning real-life courtroom experience into gripping legal thrillers. In this episode, he shares how his background in acting and law helped him build a successful writing career, why COVID was the creative catalyst he needed, and how his novels teach readers about the legal system, without getting lost in legalese.

LAWYER SIDE HUSTLES

A.X.’s side hustle as an author didn’t just stem from a love of books—it came from lived experience. Drawing from real cases he prosecuted and defended, he built compelling plots that read like fiction but are grounded in courtroom realism. He even test-ran his early manuscripts with a jury of trusted friends and lawyers for feedback.

“Write what you know… because I can spot right away someone who’s never been in a courtroom,” A.X. Foster shares in Episode 206 of You Are a Lawyer.

He also manages his own publishing relationships and book marketing, blending legal savvy with entrepreneurial spirit. From book signings to readings to podcast interviews, A.X. shows that you can take a legal career and build something entirely new, without leaving your skills behind.

LISTEN TO LEARN

• How courtroom experience can shape compelling legal thrillers
• Why creative skills are valuable assets in a legal career
• How to write fiction that’s both entertaining and educational

WE ALSO DISCUSS

• The role of performance and storytelling in trial work
• How A.X.'s background in acting helped him excel in law and writing
• Practical advice for lawyers who want to write books or pursue creative paths

Join the FREE mailing list!

Get behind-the-scenes content from You Are A Lawyer. 

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2) Add your email address to the Subscribe pop-up box OR

3) Enter your email address on the right side of the screen

4) Get emails from me (I won't fill your inbox with junk)!

Interact with You Are A Lawyer

Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast. 

Follow the podcast:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@youarealawyer

Website: https://www.youarealawyer.com

Gary Martoccio is an employment lawyer and solo practitioner who left a large firm after 12 years to build his own plaintiffs-side practice. In this episode, Gary shares what it’s like to advocate for employees, run your own firm, and earn multiple state licenses through bar exams and reciprocity. If you’re curious about employment law or considering going solo, this episode gives a real-world perspective you won’t find in law school.

WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH A LAW DEGREE

Gary’s journey shows how a law degree can provide both structure and flexibility. Even if your first idea doesn’t stick (or your clients don’t make it to the big leagues), your training equips you with skills to succeed in high-stakes environments.

“Don’t just limit yourself to traditional practice… it truly sets you up for so many different avenues," shared Gary Martoccio on Episode 205 of You Are a Lawyer.

Today, Gary practices employment law across multiple states thanks to a smart mix of bar exams and reciprocity. He reminds lawyers and law students that options expand when you take strategic risks early on and the earlier you pivot toward work that feels aligned, the better.

LISTEN TO LEARN

• How to start and grow your own law firm after working in Big Law
• What it really looks like to practice plaintiffs-side employment law
• How to use bar reciprocity and strategy to gain licensure in multiple states

WE ALSO DISCUSS

• The emotional and professional payoff of advocating for employees
• How to tell if your law firm (or area of law) is a good long-term fit
• Why it’s never too late to pivot toward work that energizes you

Join the FREE mailing list!

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Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast. 

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@youarealawyer

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Nick Troxel is a lawyer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Troxel Fitch, LLC, a business-focused law firm in Denver. In this episode, he shares how he went from driving Lyft after law school to building a thriving firm with his law school roommate. If you've ever dreamed of starting your own legal business, or wondered if it's worth the ris, this conversation is for you.

LAWYER SIDE HUSTLES

Nick didn’t have a side hustle in the traditional sense—his firm was the hustle. He and his partner built it in real time, taking every contract and client they could, learning by doing, and stretching every dollar. The early months were full of late nights, part-time jobs, and small wins that added up to something bigger. Over time, that side hustle became a full-fledged, thriving firm.

“I didn’t do this to be super rich or anything. I mean, I want freedom. And that’s ultimately what entrepreneurship can give you,” shares Nick Troxel in Episode 76 of You Are a Lawyer.

In addition to running his practice, Nick also co-authored How to Be a Lawyer, a book that aims to demystify the transition from law school to practice. His passion for helping new lawyers build sustainable careers has become a core part of his identity. He proves that a non-traditional career doesn’t mean a lesser one. It often means a more fulfilling one, especially when it’s built with intention and courage.

LISTEN TO LEARN

• What it really takes to start a law firm straight out of law school
• Why lifestyle goals should guide your legal career decisions
• How to build resilience through uncertainty (and global pandemics)

WE ALSO DISCUSS

• Entrepreneurship as a mindset, not just a job
• How to avoid “golden handcuffs” in your career
• Why law students should focus on the life they want—not just the job they think they should take

Join the FREE mailing list!

Get behind-the-scenes content from You Are A Lawyer. 

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4) Get emails from me (I won't fill your inbox with junk)!

Interact with You Are A Lawyer

Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast. 

Follow the podcast:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@youarealawyer

Website: https://www.youarealawyer.com

Rhonda Coleman Wandel is a commercial attorney, podcast host, and founder of RCW Strategies LLC, a legal consulting firm serving visionary companies and legal teams. In this episode, she shares her bold transition from education to law, her path through in-house legal roles, and why she recently stepped into entrepreneurship after years at companies like Accenture and Google. From Memphis to Chicago, single motherhood to legal leadership, Rhonda’s story is about clarity, courage, and walking your own path.

LAWYER SIDE HUSTLES

Rhonda is the host of the Rhonda Coleman Wandel Podcast, a platform she created to amplify women's career stories and celebrate nontraditional professional journeys. The podcast was born from her own pivot into law and a desire to show women that they can chart their own course—regardless of what the status quo says.

“I wanted to create a space for women to come and talk about their unique career paths... and validate for other women like, look, you can walk your own path,” Rhonda Coleman Wandel shares in Episode 203 of You Are a Lawyer.

Through her show, Rhonda has interviewed remarkable women who’ve reinvented themselves, pivoted industries, and built lives of purpose and alignment. The podcast, like her legal career, is about service, voice, and visibility. It’s also an extension of her belief that success doesn’t look one way—and that storytelling can help us find freedom in our professional lives.

LISTEN TO LEARN

• How to break into in-house legal roles, even without Big Law experience
• Why meditation and movement matter in high-achieving legal careers
• What “commercial transactional law” really means in the tech industry

WE ALSO DISCUSS

• How to stay ambitious without burning out
• Why clarity around your values is key to career decisions
• What lawyers can learn from entrepreneurship and education

Join the FREE mailing list!

Get behind-the-scenes content from You Are A Lawyer. 

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2) Add your email address to the Subscribe pop-up box OR

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4) Get emails from me (I won't fill your inbox with junk)!

Interact with You Are A Lawyer

Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast. 

Follow the podcast:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@youarealawyer

Website: https://www.youarealawyer.com

Keith Shannon is a former lawyer, legal educator, and lifelong theater fan. Kara Shannon is his daughter and creative collaborator. In this episode, Kyla speaks with the father-daughter duo about their journey from legal careers and musical soundtracks to launching Fourth Row Center, a podcast celebrating Broadway and family bonds. Their story is a heartfelt reminder that success can look like connection, creativity, and choosing joy on your own terms.

LAWYER SIDE HUSTLES

Launching a podcast wasn’t just a fun hobby for Keith and Kara, it was a way to stay connected, be creative, and invite others into their world of Broadway fandom. What started as casual chats about shows turned into Fourth Row Center, a podcast that’s part review, part family banter, and part love letter to the stage.

“We started the podcast and love it together, so why not? And it gives us an excuse to chat a little bit,” Kara Shannon shares in Episode 202 of You Are a Lawyer.

This father-daughter side hustle is a reminder that legal professionals can (and should) pursue joy. Whether you're behind a mic or in the audience, there's power in showing up fully—as a parent, partner, or creative collaborator.

LISTEN TO LEARN

• How a law degree can support creative and nontraditional careers
• Why launching a passion project with a loved one is so powerful
• How to prioritize values like family, storytelling, and joy

WE ALSO DISCUSS

• The practical power of paralegals in the legal field
• How Kara and Keith’s shared love of musicals became a podcast
• Why flexibility and curiosity are career superpowers

Join the FREE mailing list!

Get behind-the-scenes content from You Are A Lawyer. 

1) Visit www.youarealawyer.com

2) Add your email address to the Subscribe pop-up box OR

3) Enter your email address on the right side of the screen

4) Get emails from me (I won't fill your inbox with junk)!

Interact with You Are A Lawyer

Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast. 

Follow the podcast:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@youarealawyer

Website: https://www.youarealawyer.com