You Are A Lawyer: Take Risks and Change Careers in Law

Sheila M. Wilkinson is a lawyer, social worker, consultant, and career transition coach. Sheila also talks about her mission to help lawyers make aligned decisions, set boundaries, and focus on what they truly want to do rather than what they think they should do. She believes in reconnecting the intellectual self with the emotional self and offers guidance to lawyers in this process.

This episode is Part 2 of a two-part series with Sheila M. Wilkinson. (Catch up on Part 1 Here)

Lawyer Side Hustles

Sheila's coaching business focuses on helping lawyers create a joyful and thriving life. Through her holistic approach, she combines her background in social work with human design principles to guide her clients in aligning their energy and making decisions that are true to their authentic selves. Sheila believes that lawyers often find themselves stuck in a cycle of overthinking and burnout, and she aims to break this pattern by helping them tap into their true passions and desires. She understands lawyers' unique challenges and provides practical tools and strategies to help them navigate their careers with more fulfillment and balance.

"The sooner you understand the distinction and … how we are designed to make decisions … you give yourself permission to follow that quicker … you will get to where you want to be," shares Sheila M. Wilkinson in Episode 126 of You Are a Lawyer.

Sheila's approach combines her background as a licensed social worker with her legal expertise, allowing her to guide her clients through their careers' emotional and intellectual aspects. She encourages her clients to reflect on their experiences and goals, providing them with the support and guidance they need to navigate the challenges of the legal profession.

LISTEN TO LEARN

• About Human Design as a tool for aligning one's energy with their natural design
• The importance of holistic approaches in coaching and social work
• The impact of addressing and working through personal shadows and fears

WE ALSO DISCUSS

• The importance of not judging oneself for emotions that arise
• Prioritizing self-care and sleep for optimal functioning
• The tendency of lawyers to overanalyze and overthink

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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

Sheila M. Wilkinson is a social worker, lawyer, career transition coach, and podcaster who spends half the year in Brussels, Belgium, and half the year in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her life is centered on taking risks, rejecting boring careers, and people-pleasing. In this episode, Sheila emphasizes the importance of connecting with people and offers recommendations for books that can help her clients on their personal and professional journeys.

Sheila also talks about her mission to help lawyers make aligned decisions, set boundaries, and focus on what they truly want to do rather than what they think they should do. She believes in reconnecting the intellectual self with the emotional self and offers guidance to lawyers in this process.

This episode is Part 1 of a two-part series with Sheila Wilkinson.

Lawyer Side Hustles

Sheila has built a successful coaching business. In her coaching practice, she helps lawyers build rich, joyful, and thriving lives and businesses. Sheila believes that many lawyers are caught up in doing what they think they should do rather than focusing on what they truly want. She emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with one's emotions and desires to create a fulfilling and intentional life.

"Because most people are doing all the things that they think that they should be doing instead of the things that they actually should be doing, which is the things that they want," shares Sheila M. Wilkinson in Episode 125 of You Are a Lawyer.

Sheila's approach combines her background as a licensed social worker with her legal expertise, allowing her to guide her clients through their careers' emotional and intellectual aspects. She encourages her clients to reflect on their experiences and goals, providing them with the support and guidance they need to navigate the challenges of the legal profession.

LISTEN TO LEARN

• How to build a rich, joyful, and thriving life and business
• The benefits of setting daily goals and reflecting at the end of the week
• How to disconnect intellect from emotion

WE ALSO DISCUSS

• The importance of connecting with people, especially in a post-lockdown world
• Doing what you actually want to instead of what you think you should
• Challenges lawyers face in balancing their personal and professional lives

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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

Rho Thomas, a money coach and lawyer based in Atlanta, Georgia, shares valuable insights on managing finances and developing a healthy money mindset in this episode. Rho helps lawyers improve their money mindsets and manage their finances effectively. From debunking the belief that money is complicated to discussing the importance of finding inspiration in debt stories, Rho offers practical advice and personal experiences that can help listeners gain control over their finances and unlock the power and freedom that comes with it.

Lawyer Side Hustles

Rho is the founder of Money Mastery for Lawyers, a money coaching business that helps lawyers manage their finances and develop a healthy money mindset. In the podcast episode, Rho emphasizes the importance of taking control of one's finances and unlocking the power and freedom that comes with it. She addresses common misconceptions about money, such as thinking it is complicated or believing that creating a budget is tedious. Rho's approach is relatable and accessible, making financial management more approachable for lawyers who may feel overwhelmed or unsure about their financial situation.

"I then could be that inspiration for other people who were similarly situated to us because they likely also were not finding people who had similar debt stories," shares Rho Thomas in Episode 124 of You Are a Lawyer.

In the episode, Rho shares her personal journey of managing her finances as a lawyer and starting her coaching business. She discusses how she transitioned from blogging to podcasting, allowing her to reach a wider audience and offer coaching services. Rho's authenticity and willingness to share her own experiences, including her six-figure debt, make her relatable to others in similar situations. She aims to inspire and motivate lawyers who may feel isolated in their financial struggles, providing them with the guidance and support they need to achieve financial success.

LISTEN TO LEARN

• How to take control of your finances
• Why your money mindset is the key to personal finance
• How to overcome the belief that money is complicated

WE ALSO DISCUSS

• How social media is a valuable networking opportunity
• The importance of finding a supportive community
• The power of authenticity

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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

Felicia Luck, a registered nurse and CEO of Stars and Stripes Legal Nurse Consulting, joins the podcast to discuss her unique business that serves lawyers and attorneys. With her extensive medical knowledge and experience, Felicia helps attorneys navigate complex medical records, provide expert opinions, and offer valuable insights in cases involving personal injury, medical malpractice, and more. She shares her journey of merging the worlds of nursing and law, the challenges she faces, and the importance of work-life balance.

Why Legal Consulting

Felicia chose to pursue her role as a legal nurse consultant because of her passion for both medicine and law. With a background as a registered nurse and experience in emergency medicine, Felicia saw an opportunity to bridge the gap between the medical and legal worlds. She recognized the need for someone who could understand complex medical records, decipher medical language, and provide valuable insights to attorneys working on cases involving personal injury, medical malpractice, and more.

"Just like the legal world for attorneys is a whole realm in itself of learning, so is the medical world.," reflects Felicia Luck on Episode 123 of You Are a Lawyer.

Felicia's goal is to make the lives of lawyers easier by summarizing medical records, offering expert opinions, and providing recommendations for next steps. She also aims to educate attorneys on medical matters, helping them navigate the intricacies of the medical field. Felicia's unique combination of medical knowledge and understanding of the legal language allows her to provide valuable assistance to attorneys, ultimately helping them build stronger cases and achieve better outcomes for their clients.

LISTEN TO LEARN

• The role of a legal nurse consultant and benefits of hiring one for your practice
• The importance of marketing and advertising in growing a business
• Why medical knowledge and understanding is important in legal cases

WE ALSO DISCUSS

• The risks and challenges of balancing work and family life
• Subcontracting to those who specialize in different fields for expert opinions
• Balancing a career as a nurse and a legal consultant

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Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast.

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Devin Zito, a technology professional and lawyer, shares his unique journey from running his own IT company to becoming the Director of Information Services and Corporate Counsel at Assurance Financial Group. He discusses the intersection of technology and law, the value of legal education in various industries, and the importance of embracing non-traditional paths to career success.

What Can You Do with a Law Degree

Devin Zito's journey with a law degree is a testament to the power of embracing one's unique interests and skill sets. With a background in technology and entrepreneurship, Devin found a way to integrate his passion for both fields seamlessly. After starting his own successful tech company, he pursued his long-held dream of attending law school. Armed with his computer information systems degree and a drive to explore the intersection of technology and law, Devin embarked on a non-traditional path that would lead him to become a technology professional and lawyer.

"Pairing a technology background with a legal background. There's nobody out there doing that," said Devin Zito on You Are A Lawyer.

As the Director of Information Services and Corporate Counsel at Assurance Financial Group, Devin leverages his technology background to lead the company's IT department while providing legal counsel. His expertise in both areas allows him to navigate the complex landscape of technology and law, ensuring that Assurance Financial remains at the forefront of innovation and compliance. Devin's ability to bridge the gap between these two fields has set him apart and opened up new opportunities for growth and success. Through his unique journey, Devin proves that a law degree can be a powerful tool for those who dare to think outside the box and embrace their diverse interests.

LISTEN TO LEARN

• The value of a legal education and the opportunities it provides
• The importance of scholarships and grants
• Why balancing work and family life is important

WE ALSO DISCUSS

• Attending law school while running a company
• Balancing responsibilities and time management
• Pursuing non-traditional career paths

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Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast.

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Victoria Collier, a lawyer and founder of Quid Pro Quo, specializes in helping lawyers buy and sell law firms, as well as coaching law firms on how to build value and become sellable in the future. In this conversation, Victoria shares her journey of selling her own law firm, the importance of education and options in the legal industry, and the power of niching down and finding your expertise within a niche. Tune in to gain valuable insights into the world of law firm buying and selling.

Lawyer Side Hustles

Quid Pro Quo, founded by Victoria Collier, is a unique business that specializes in helping lawyers buy and sell law firms. With a focus on providing coaching, valuations, and guidance on building law firms with future sellability, Quid Pro Quo offers a comprehensive range of services to support lawyers in their transition. Victoria's own experience of selling her law firm in 2020 and her early success in helping others sell their firms inspired her to start the business. Through her podcast, Smart Lawyers Position to Transition, Victoria aims to educate lawyers about their options and the process of selling a law firm. She emphasizes the importance of positioning oneself for a successful sale and highlights the various ways lawyers can exit their firms, whether by stepping back from their role or completely exiting the firm.

"I want them to know that they have options, that there is no one way to exit… I want people to get out of the podcast is number one is that you have options, you have so many options and number two is that there are things that you can and should do to position yourself to sell that you can't just wake up one morning and say, I don't want to do this anymore and think that people are going to be knocking on your doors," explains Victoria Collier in Episode 121 of You Are a Lawyer.

Quid Pro Quo's mission is to empower lawyers with the knowledge and resources they need to make informed decisions about their law firms and successfully navigate the process of selling or transitioning their practices.

LISTEN TO LEARN

• The valuation process for selling a law firm
• Different ways to exit a law firm
• The importance of education and options when it comes to selling law firm

WE ALSO DISCUSS

• Adapting leadership skills for virtual teams
• The process of selling a law firm using Facebook
• Finding a niche area of law

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Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast.

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Erin Potempa-Wall, a lawyer turned beauty brand founder, shares her journey from practicing law to starting her own beauty company. She shares her experiences as a prosecutor and former law firm owner, her passion for equity and civil rights, and how her philosophy background helped shape her advocacy approach.

What Can You Do with a Law Degree

After law school, Erin worked as a prosecutor before starting her own law firm with a classmate. However, she wanted to start something new and build a brand to bring good into the world. Erin founded The Beachwaver Co., a beauty company specializing in rotating curling irons and vegan haircare products, alongside her sisters. Erin's legal background was instrumental in protecting the company's ideas and ensuring proper legal compliance.

The Beachwaver Co. focuses on innovation, accessibility, empowerment, and sustainability. Erin emphasizes that feminism is about supporting women and men to be who they want to be and doing what makes them fulfilled. The company aims to provide confidence and opportunities for individuals to pursue their passions.

"For me, starting the company is a very, you know, seemingly drastic departure. But for me, it's kind of building on what I've learned being a lawyer and building on those skill sets and building on that philosophy of what we're trying to put out into the world and doing that in this different format," said Erin Potempa-Wall on You Are A Lawyer.

Erin credits her legal education for providing a strong foundation in contract review, negotiation, and finding her voice. She believes that law school helped her develop the skills necessary to run a business and make informed decisions.

LISTEN TO LEARN

• The importance of finding your voice and advocating for yourself and others
• How to see potential career changes and pursue different paths
• What it means to support brands that align with sustainability and empowerment

WE ALSO DISCUSS

• Equality, civil rights, and advocating for children's rights
• Building a feminist beauty company
• How to fully actualize your potential

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Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast.

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Keith Ligori, managing partner and founder of Ligori & Ligori Law Firm, shares his journey from working in the state attorney's office to building a successful personal injury practice. With a passion for trial advocacy and a dedication to helping clients, Keith discusses the importance of courtroom experience, family members as co-workers, and advice for young lawyers looking to make their mark in the legal profession.

What You Can Do With a Law Degree

According to Keith, there are several things you can do with a law degree. One option is to specialize in a specific area of law, such as personal injury, criminal defense, or family law. By diving into a particular field, you can become an expert and significantly impact your clients' lives.

"Find the area of law that you have a passion about, dive into it, educate yourself as much as you can, join the associations, and then get with a law firm where you can really learn and handle that area of law," emphasizes Keith Ligori, on this episode of You Are a Lawyer.

Another option is to explore marketing and public relations opportunities within the legal industry. Having a background in marketing can help you effectively promote yourself and your firm without resorting to cheesy advertising tactics. Additionally, getting involved in professional organizations and attending seminars can help you stay on top of the law and build relationships with other lawyers in the community.

LISTEN TO LEARN

• Why marketing and PR are essential for lawyers
• The value of gaining courtroom experience in criminal law and personal injury law
• Advice specifically for law students and young lawyers

WE ALSO DISCUSS

• The rewards and challenges of trial advocacy
• Finding passion in legal practice
• The benefits of working for yourself and opening your own law firm

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Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast.

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Dan Reilly, the co-founder of Legably, a platform that connects lawyers, paralegals, and law students with short-term freelance opportunities, joins the You Are a Lawyer Podcast this week. Dan shares the story behind Legably's creation, the challenges of introducing freelance platforms to the legal profession, and how the platform revolutionizes how attorneys and legal professionals work.

What You Can Do With a Law Degree

A law degree opens possibilities and allows individuals to pursue various career paths. As Dan, the co-founder of Legably, mentioned in the podcast episode, "The true answer is you really can do anything." Whether practicing law in a firm, working in-house for a company, starting your own business, or even transitioning into a different field, the skills and knowledge gained from a law degree are precious. New lawyers must keep their options open, explore other areas of interest, and be open to new opportunities. The key is to find what aligns with your passions and strengths and to adapt and continuously evolve in your career journey.

"The law degree is a great credential to have in the business world if you never practice," emphasizes Dan Reilly, on this episode of You Are a Lawyer.

This highlights the versatility of a law degree and its applicability beyond traditional legal practice. The critical thinking, analytical skills, and attention to detail developed through legal education can be valuable assets in various industries and professions. So, whether you choose to practice law or venture into other fields, a law degree provides a solid foundation and opens doors to many opportunities.

LISTEN TO LEARN

• About the creation and purpose of Legably
• Benefits of using Legably for solo practitioners and law firms
• The availability of Legably and how to access it

WE ALSO DISCUSS

• The challenges of introducing freelance platforms in the legal profession
• Advice for new lawyers exploring different areas of law, finding their niche
• The importance of understanding the business aspect of practicing law

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Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast.

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Sarah Cottrell, founder of the Former Lawyer Podcast, discusses the challenges and identity struggles that lawyers often face, the misconceptions surrounding the legal profession, and the importance of exploring alternative career paths. Sarah shares her journey from practicing law to becoming an entrepreneur and offers valuable insights for lawyers seeking fulfillment outside traditional legal practice. Tune in to gain insights into the nuances of being a lawyer and the importance of setting boundaries.

What You Can Do With a Law Degree

According to Sarah, there are various options for individuals with a law degree beyond practicing law. She emphasizes different ways to help and advocate for people, and being a lawyer is just one avenue. Sarah encourages individuals to explore their motivations and values when assisting others, as numerous career paths can align with those goals. She also highlights the importance of understanding that being a lawyer is not the only way to make a meaningful impact and that there are many fulfilling options outside the legal profession.

"There are all different sorts of options and practicing law is one of them. But there are lots of other things you can do as a law student, or as a young lawyer. It might be the exact opposite," emphasizes Sarah Cottrell, on this episode of You Are a Lawyer.

Sarah shares that a law degree opens up many possibilities and that individuals should not limit themselves to traditional legal roles. It encourages law students and lawyers to think outside the box and consider alternative career paths that align with their interests, values, and strengths.

LISTEN TO LEARN

• Some of the myths of big law
• Why therapy is essential for self-discovery
• How to transition from lawyer to entrepreneur

WE ALSO DISCUSS

• The narrow ideas of achievement and career paths
• Alternative career choices for lawyers
• How law school can sometimes limit self-expression

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

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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