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

Justin Stivers is the founder and CEO of The Probate Law Firm. Once told that he could do anything with a law degree, Justin Stivers went to law school after a non-traditional path. After living in Honduras with the Peace Corps and considering a career as a scuba instructor, Justin Stivers found that being a lawyer was a great career for him.

Justin Stivers decided to use social media to teach others about probate law and estate planning. After challenging himself to create content every day for a year, Justin Stivers found that consistency and authenticity allowed him to reach thousands of people.

Listen to learn:

• When to open your own law firm
• How financial advisors and estate planners work together
• Why philosophy is a great major for pre-law students

We also discuss:

• How to test-drive living abroad (hint: don't quit your day job)
• Best career choices if you have a JD and philosophy background
• What to do if you are miserable while practicing law

Justin Stivers is licensed to practice law in Florida and Tennessee. Learn more about You Are A Lawyer guest Justin Stivers:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stiverslaw/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcIyGEpme0t_h2R73CdKOBw

LinkedIn: ​​https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-stivers-289b38100/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justin.stivers

*

You Are A Lawyer is hosted by Kyla Denanyoh. Follow the podcast:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarealawyer/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/YouAreA_Lawyer

Website: https://www.youarealawyer.com

Join the FREE mailing list and get behind-the-scenes content from Kyla.

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)!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Grab Kyla's favorite books here: https://amzn.to/3FpCo2K

Elisabeth Steele worked in the White House as a Special Assistant to Thurgood Marshall Jr. before attending law school. Then, Elisabeth Steele taught others through online undergraduate programs, where Elisabeth realized that a genuine connection could be built virtually.

Elisabeth Steele recently left the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she was the Director of Admissions. Now, Elisabeth Steele teaches educators and lawyer-types to communicate online.

Listen to learn:

• How to be confident through virtual conference platforms (Zoom, Skype, Teams, TikTok)
• The importance of choosing to do what you want to do
• How others can pivot in their careers

We also discuss:

• How to embrace your large personality and succeed
• Best career choices if you have a JD and enjoy teaching
• Why attend Yale Law School and not take the bar exam

Elisabeth Steele is not licensed to practice law. Learn more about You Are A Lawyer guest Elisabeth Steele:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisabethsteelehutchison/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elisabethsteelagram/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElisabethTweele

Website: https://www.elisabethsteele.com/

*

You Are A Lawyer is hosted by Kyla Denanyoh. Follow the podcast:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarealawyer/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/YouAreA_Lawyer

Website: https://www.youarealawyer.com

OTHER EPISODES YOU MAY ENJOY

How Sales Funnels are Changing the Legal Industry feat. Sam Mollaei -

https://www.youarealawyer.com/posts/sam-mollaei-legal-funnel-founder-and-lawyer

From First Gen College Student to Lawyer and College Fundraiser feat. Jera Oliver -

https://www.youarealawyer.com/posts/jera-oliver-philanthropy-director-and-lawyer

Why I Design Clothes and Practice Law feat. Robert Uy -

https://www.youarealawyer.com/posts/robert-uy-pandamic-clothing-designer-and-lawyer

Grab a book mentioned in the podcast: https://amzn.to/3FpCo2K

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Join the FREE mailing list and get behind-the-scenes content from Kyla.

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)!

Maya Markovich is the Chief Growth Officer at Nextlaw Labs, a legal innovation organization founded by Denton's. After working as a change management consultant, Maya Markovich took her interest in technology to propel legal tech innovations. If you are seeking mentorship or want to discuss law and tech, contact Maya Markovich at [email protected].

Listen to learn:

• How legal innovation will make law firms become client centric
• The importance of project management in law firms
• How law firms can overcome the productivity paradox

We also discuss:

• Why legal innovation is client-driven
• Career choices with a JD and change management background
• How to build a network of people doing interesting stuff
• Why the legal industry is slow to change and modernize

Learn more about You Are A Lawyer guest Maya Markovich:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarkovichMaya

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayamarkovich/

*

You Are A Lawyer is hosted by Kyla Denanyoh. Follow the podcast:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarealawyer/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/YouAreA_Lawyer

Website: https://www.youarealawyer.com

Join the FREE mailing list and get behind-the-scenes content from Kyla.

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)!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Grab a book mentioned in the podcast: https://amzn.to/3FpCo2K

Caroline Vickers became a coach for repeat and first-time bar exam takers. After Caroline Vickers started coaching her friends who were taking the bar exam, Caroline Vickers noticed that multiple people had the same issues with their mindset. After realizing that the confidence and mindset of repeat bar exam takers was lacking, Caroline Vickers created Bar Prep Champs and incorporated group coaching for participants.

Listen to learn:

• How to change your mindset to pass the bar exam
• Why repeat bar exam takers have difficulty with the exam
• How to write for the bar exam

We also discuss:

• How the shame of not passing the bar exam will affect your future exam decisions
• Best career choices if you have a JD and enjoy teaching
• Why California allows you (and Kim Kardashian) to take the bar exam without attending law school

Caroline Vickers is licensed to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Learn more about You Are A Lawyer guest Caroline Vickers:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barprepchamps/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarPrepChamps

Website: https://www.barprepchamps.com

*

You Are A Lawyer is hosted by Kyla Denanyoh. Follow the podcast:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarealawyer/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/YouAreA_Lawyer

Website: https://www.youarealawyer.com

Join the FREE mailing list and get behind-the-scenes content from Kyla.

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)!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Grab Kyla's favorite books here: https://amzn.to/3FpCo2K

Ali Awad became a social media mogul and edutains (educates and entertainer) others about personal injury law and how to excel with social media. After realizing that Ali Awad was a natural salesman, Ali Awad found that his authenticity and natural acting skills attracted millions of social media followers. Now, Ali Awad teaches others to build a brand online and Ali Awad manages a multi-million dollar personal injury law practice.

Listen to learn:

• How to attract clients from social media
• The importance of having a hustler mentality
• How to build a business with nothing

We also discuss:

• Being Muslim and a lawyer
• Best career choices if you have a JD and enjoy acting
• Why Ali Awad wants to have the biggest law firm in the United States
• The CEOLawyer Media Summit

Ali Awad is licensed to practice law in Georgia. Learn more about You Are A Lawyer guest Ali Awad:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceolawyer/?hl=en

Website: https://ceolawyer.com

*

You Are A Lawyer is hosted by Kyla Denanyoh. Follow the podcast:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarealawyer/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/YouAreA_Lawyer

Website: https://www.youarealawyer.com

Join the FREE mailing list and get behind-the-scenes content from Kyla.

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)!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Grab Kyla's favorite books here: https://amzn.to/3FpCo2K

LISTEN TO LEARN

• Why law school fails at teaching you to be a lawyer
• The importance of mentorship when choosing a law school
• Food deserts and how to advance racial equity in food justice
• What is a food consultant?

‍

WHAT WE DISCUSS

• How to create a dairy-free holiday meal
• Why a lawyer would create a YouTube channel
• Podcasts about food and agriculture, like the podcast Black in the Garden
• Why law schools should eliminate the grading curve

Candace Spencer was destined to become a food consultant. At eight years old, her mother discovered that Candace had a food allergy and Candace started the journey of living (and eating) dairy-free.

When her father encouraged Candace to attend law school, this was a seed that would grow into Candace founding a food and legal consultancy, where she teaches others how to live empowered lives.

"I tell everyone that law school sucks," explains Candace Spencer. Candace shares how law school is a system not designed for everyone to win. The systematic racism and competition ingrained in law school makes higher education a difficult experience for Black people. But Candace Spencer endured law school and had no idea what she wanted to do after graduation. However, Candace quickly looked toward food advocacy, an issue that has always been a large part of her life.

Honestly, food restrictions are very serious… but often overlooked by people who don't experience them. This is why Candace insists on teaching others how to openly discuss their dietary restrictions and how to insist that friends keep their restrictions in mind when choosing restaurants and other events to attend.

"I helped my friend create a dairy-free Thanksgiving menu," shared Candace Spencer during the interview. I also teach others how to discuss their allergies without shame and how to use different phrases to mention their dietary restrictions. This is why Candace Spencer believes in food advocacy. After working for a non-profit agency, Candace then moved into a mediator role. Candace is passionate about teaching Black people how to run stronger farms and how to fight food inequities.

Candace Spencer has a side hustle, where she works as a food and legal consultant. In her food consultancy, Candace empowers others to discuss their dietary restrictions and embrace dairy-free living. Candace created the YouTube channel, Spilled Milk, where she touts "There's no crying over spilled milk… We weren't going to drink it anyway."

‍

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - INTRO

00:29 - Welcome to the podcast!

00:33 - Would you tell the audience about yourself, Candace Spencer?

00:58 - Have you always enjoyed baking? Do you like to bake everything? Where did this love of baking come from? I've watched your YouTube videos on the Spilled Milk channel.

01:39 - You can be a baker and a lawyer. This platform is all about doing everything. Did you grow up enjoying sweets and did your mom use a lot of cookbooks when you were a kid?

02:42 - I read cookbooks because I find them relaxing. I have at least 18 cookbooks. Do you still enjoy cookbooks and have you found dairy-free cookbooks?

03:47 - Not following the recipe is very 'anti-lawyer;' you're making things fit into what you want.

04:23 You went to undergrad and law school at the University of Florida. Did you enjoy law school?

06:33 - You have to find the practical courses in law school or you will only learn theory. I was lucky to find Southern University Law Center because I didn't attend an HBCU in law school.

07:30 - Discussion about how to find the right law school and being determined to leave your home state; Kyla ran from Ohio and Candace wanted to run away from Florida.

08:41 - You were eight years old when you discovered your food allergy. Now you work as a food consultant. What do you do as a dairy-free consultant?

09:47 - So you are empowering people in being dairy-free. It is more than just getting a Whopper with no cheese because there are restaurants that butter their bread.

10:45 - Let's discuss your YouTube channel, Spilled Milk, where you mention "No need cry over spilled milk because we are not going to drink it anyway." Why did you start the Spilled Milk YouTube channel and why is it so important to you?

12:37 - It is an important distinction that eggs are not included in being dairy-free. Dairy sections of grocery stores often include eggs and cheese in the area

13:10 - Jeni's Ice Cream makes a lot of dairy-free ice cream options and it is so good and the calories are a lot less than the dairy-based ice cream flavors. Are you a fan of dairy-free desserts?

13:53 - I love your platform because if you, Candace, can say that you don't eat dairy or I don't feel good when you eat dairy. But when you empower another person and that motivates someone else to speak up, then we can have a movement.

14:29 - You are currently in Washington, D.C. When brought you to DC?

15:14 - Is your current job food and agriculture policy?

15:34 - What does a typical day look like as a mediator for a nonprofit consulting firm?

16:15 - I am picturing you in an office, wearing a white lab coat with beakers and creating the reports that tell the public where there is a romaine lettuce shortage. Is this the case?

17:02 - This is very interesting because you don't work for the USDA and a mediation firm that works with the USDA. I am excited to be informing the public about food justice and the fact that food and agriculture mediation exists.

17:53 - I'm listening to all the jargon that you have from being in this space!

18:22 - I saw on your website, www.candaceaspencer.com, that you also do legal consulting. How is that going and is it also in the food space?

19:51 I love the look of your website. You mention that you want to "Bring justice to the food system for Black people." Why this specific group of people and how do you bring justice to the food system?

21:38 You even have the privilege of being in food and agriculture, because I don't know many Black and brown people in this space.

22:10 - I know you wouldn't have your legal consultancy without going to law school, but how do you think law school has helped with running other businesses and starting your YouTube channel?

23:09 - So you hated law school, even though you love being a lawyer. You said that you always wanted to be a lawyer. Did you always feel that way, or did you consider doing something else than looking at law school?

24:36 - I hope the audience is capturing that you can write your own ticket and do whatever you need to do to advocate in law school. Even though the law is a tool, you can be rebellious and put applesauce in a recipe if you want and who is gonna stop me?

25:12 - Is there anything that you would like to share about being a lawyer, what it takes to become a lawyer

26:20 - There is room to be creative in the law.

26:30 - OUTRO - Thank you for listening to You Are A Lawyer. Rate the podcast and join the email list to get new episodes in your email inbox.

Candace Spencer is licensed to practice law in Florida. Learn mor...

David Orozco has not sat for a bar exam, but David has not removed the option of ever taking a bar exam. David creates businesses and teaches with this same anticipation or expectation to be surprised by what will happen next.

As an undergraduate student at New York University, David Orozco took a Civil Liberties elective in his final year of school. This course piqued David's interest in becoming a lawyer. David quickly turned his initial fear of discovering case law and legal jargon into an appreciation for legal research and procedures.

David attended law school at Northwestern's Pritzker School of Law and he thoroughly enjoyed law school. David participated in a number of organizations and worked as an editor. David planned to work in a large law firm or on Wall Street, but David's need to explore led him toward academia.

After graduating from law school, David began a research fellowship at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. After the fellowship, David began teaching at Michigan Technological University before teaching business administration at Florida State University.

David Orozco is also the Editor-In-Chief of the American Business LawJournal and co-founder of SettleShark, LLC. SettleShark assists consumers and small business owners with settling their disputes. David sees SettleShark as a consumer resource and activist tool to help the average consumer understand their rights and how to act with large corporations.

SettleShark was created after David used demand letters to win thousands of dollars for consumers and David realized that this resource did not exist. Together with his business partner, Lonny, David uses SettleShark to level the playing field and educate the masses.

David Orozco is not licensed. Connect with David Orozco on Twitter @ProfessorOrozco and @SettleShark and on LinkedIn. Contact David Orozco at [email protected] for access to his article about TicketMaster and its marketing practices.

You Are A Lawyer is hosted by Kyla Denanyoh. Follow the podcast:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarealawyer/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/YouAreA_Lawyer

Website: https://www.youarealawyer.com

Join the FREE mailing list and get behind-the-scenes content from Kyla.

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)!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Grab a book mentioned in this episode: https://amzn.to/3FpCo2K

If you ever daydreamed about leaving your job, grabbing your passport, and moving to a new country, Michelle Words believes you should and will help you prepare to do so. Michelle Words lives an organic life; she believes that you make plans, plans change, you work with those new plans and see what happens.

Michelle Words is an avid international traveler, business law professor, expat, and podcast host. Yet, Michelle did not embrace the thrills of travelling until she was in graduate school. Michelle obtained a Master's degree from Clark Atlanta University, where Michelle studied finance. Then life happened and Michelle decided to attend law school.

After law school and working as an associate vice president of Bank of America, Michelle decided that she wanted to truly embrace life and get off the corporate "hamster wheel." A Mediterranean cruise sparked Michelle's interest in international travel; an appreciation that led Michelle to visit more than 60 countries. Although Michelle encourages international travel, Michelle encourages you to learn as much as you can about the culture, customs, and best practices before your plane leaves the States.

Michelle has spent the last seven years living in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, teaching business law, and sharing her career experiences with undergraduate and business students. Michelle inadvertently discovered that she truly enjoys teaching and using her work experiences as examples in the classroom.

Michelle Words is also the podcast host of Flippin' The Script! In each podcast episode, Michelle speaks with mature women about how they change their lives (e.g. their scripts) and encourages women to seek change, instead of settling for what is expected. Flippin' The Script is available on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and you may find more information at flippinthescript.com.

Michelle Words is licensed in Wisconsin. Connect with Michelle Words on LinkedIn and Instragram @flippinthescriptpodcast.

You Are A Lawyer is hosted by Kyla Denanyoh. Follow the podcast:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarealawyer/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/YouAreA_Lawyer

Website: https://www.youarealawyer.com

OTHER EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE Rho Thomas Wants Lawyers to Enjoy Life While Becoming Financially Free -

https://www.youarealawyer.com/posts/rho-thomas-money-coach-and-lawyer

How to Knock Out the Bar Exam with Caroline Vickers - https://www.youarealawyer.com/posts/caroline-vickers-retake-the-bar-exam-like-a-champ

Why I Never Discussed My Yale Law Degree featuring Elisabeth Steele -

https://www.youarealawyer.com/posts/elisabeth-steele-the-choice-to-not-do-something-is-a-choice-thats-valuable SUPPORT YOU ARE A LAWYER

Buy my favorite books here: https://amzn.to/3OTfrrZAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Join the FREE mailing list and get behind-the-scenes content from Kyla.

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)!

If you think having a law degree limits your creativity you haven't met Katherin Hervey. Katherin has worked as a magazine editor, a public defender, a film enthusiast, a holistic artist, a director, and filmmaker.

After studying cross-cultural communications, which was a self-designed major at the University of Washington, Katherin found that curating her own degree was her way of diving into her interests. Katherin was able to take women's studies courses, ethnicity, psychology and sociology courses which motivated Katherin to pick up a camera.

Katherin Hervey attended law school at Loyola- Los Angeles and later became a public defender. Katherin found the tradition, patriarchy, and hierarchical processes of law school to be stifling, and Katherin rebelled against most of what she saw in law school. Law school inspired Katherin to wonder about the people behind the case law and find her own way to tell stories of others.

Katherin's interest in the background stories combined with her experiences as a public defender in California motivated Katherin to go behind the prison walls to share the stories of men on death row. Katherin wants you to know that the stories of the men behind the walls could be you, these men could be your brothers, uncles, or nephews.

Katherin used language and terminology learned from being a public defender while appealing to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to gain access to the men inside. Katherin's mission in filming 'The Prison Within' is to show the empathy of the men behind the walls; show the work that these men are completing and showing their humanity. Every person is on a parallel journey to healing and these men are not unlike the lives of those who live the outside of the walls.

Although Katherin believes that she would have taken a creative path regardless of attending law school, Katherin Hervey knows that she would not have created a project like 'The Prison Within' had she never attended law school.

Learn more about 'The Prison Within' at theprisonwithin.org, and watch the film 'The Prison Within' on Tubi, Amazon Prime, iTunes, and Google Play.

Katherin Hervey is licensed in California. Connect with Katherin Hervey on Instagram @theprisonwithin.

You Are A Lawyer is hosted by Kyla Denanyoh. Follow the podcast:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarealawyer/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/YouAreA_Lawyer

Website: https://www.youarealawyer.com

Join the FREE mailing list and get behind-the-scenes content from Kyla.

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)!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Grab a book mentioned in this episode: https://amzn.to/3FpCo2K

What do you want people to say about you at your retirement party? Frank Ramos wears multiple hats, but all of his activities and hobbies are centered around ensuring that his life is meaningful.

Licensed in Florida, Frank Ramos is a litigation partner and has worked with the same law firm for 23 years. However, Frank has diverse interests which range from being an author to mentoring lawyers to being a former podcast host.

Among his 18 other books, Frank is the author of a book called the Associate Whisperer. Frank is empathetic with young lawyers in a way that resonates with them. This book provides probing questions and assignments for these lawyers to determine where they want to be in life and ensure that they are in the right place.

Frank Ramos created the website, Miami Mentor, to provide information about public speaking, trial skills, being published and even evaluating your law firm. Most of these resources are free; services that Frank provides to the world for the purpose of giving everyone the opportunity to educate themselves in weak areas. Frank has resources for law students, young lawyers and established lawyers because Frank has been in all of these roles and uses his experiences to teach others.

Frank Ramos also spends his time working as a purpose coach where he challenges people to look for their mission, their destiny or what they are supposed to do in their lives. Frank is adamant that this self reflection is not only necessary as a new lawyer, but tenured lawyers may also learn about what motivates them.

Frank Ramos is licensed in Florida. Connect with Frank Ramos on LinkedIn and at www.miamimentor.com.

You Are A Lawyer is hosted by Kyla Denanyoh. Follow the podcast:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarealawyer/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/YouAreA_Lawyer

Website: https://www.youarealawyer.com

MORE EPISODES YOU MAY ENJOY How Career Strategists Help Lawyers Discover Their Passions feat. Michelle Thompson -

https://www.youarealawyer.com/posts/michelle-thompson-career-strategist-and-lawyer

Why Lawyers Should Podcast (and How To Get Started) feat. Robert Ingalls -

https://www.youarealawyer.com/posts/robert-ingalls-lawpods-founder-and-lawyer

From Intern to Data Privacy Counsel feat. Terrance Pryor -

https://www.youarealawyer.com/posts/terrance-pryor-data-privacy-counsel-and-lawyer

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Grab a book mentioned in this episode: https://amzn.to/3FpCo2K

Join the FREE mailing list and get behind-the-scenes content from Kyla.

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)!