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

In this bonus episode, podcast host Kyla Denanyoh is answering frequently asked questions from the podcast audience and social media. Questions like:

• Are you married to a lawyer?
• Is podcasting your full-time job?
• How do you find guests for the podcast?

Kyla gets help from her best friend Lauren to ask these FAQs and Kyla gets vulnerable and shares about her life behind the microphone.

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

Vernon W. Thomas is a member of the U.S. Army Reserve Judge Advocate General Corps (JAG), an Orleans Parish city prosecutor, a bookworm, former East Baton Rouge Parish public defender and has experience as a solo practitioner. Yet, Vernon did not grow up with aspirations to be a lawyer.

Vernon grew up watching his father, Vernon P. Thomas, a 1979 Southern University Law Center graduate, run a thriving legal practice. However, Vernon attended Dillard University with intentions to become a school teacher. After numerous discussions with his father, Vernon realized that his analytical mind might enjoy law school.

As a 2009 Southern University Law Center graduate, Vernon studied with a group of classmates for the bar exam. While being too broke to pay for a formal bar prep course and having military-style discipline, Vernon endured a tenuous schedule and prides himself on passing the Louisiana bar exam on his first try. After working in various legal roles, in numerous cities, and on multiple active duty assignments with the United States Army Reserves, Vernon is back in his hometown of New Orleans.

Currently, Vernon W. Thomas is a lawyer with the Law Office of Vernon P. Thomas; a role that Vernon inherited after his father passed away in 2016. Vernon and his brother, Hunter Thomas, a 2017 Southern University Law Center graduate, both share the workload at their fathers' namesake office.

Vernon W. Thomas is licensed in Louisiana. Connect with Vernon W. Thomas on LinkedIn.

Follow the You Are A Lawyer podcast on Twitter @YouAreA_Lawyer, Instagram @youarealawyer, Clubhouse @youarealawyer, and on LinkedIn. Follow the podcast host, Kyla Denanyoh, on Instagram @mrsdenanyoh. Kyla Denanyoh is a 2015 graduate of Southern University Law Center (SULC) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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

Dana Shaker has an intriguing career journey. When Dana began law school, she was convinced that she wanted to work in policy and advocate for food practices. However, the three rigorous years of law school led Dana to consider other options. After taking the California bar exam twice and not passing the test, Dana listened to urging from her family and friends to take the D.C. bar exam. Not only did Dana Shaker pass the D.C. bar exam, but it made sense for Dana to be licensed where Dana had multiple relationships and career connections.

This meandering road to becoming a licensed attorney led Dana to working as a policy consultant in Sacramento, California. The irony of working in the state where she originally wanted to be licensed is not lost on Dana.

After rediscovering her enjoyment of yoga, Dana Shaker became certified in yin yoga and hosts numerous courses, in person and online, teaching others the benefits of yoga. Dana finds that her background as a lawyer allows her to resonate with others in the legal profession. Through her business, The Inward Journey with Dana Shaker, Dana entourages bar examinees and lawyers to journal and Dana lends a listening ear to her clients, when it's needed.

Dana Shaker is licensed in the District of Columbia.

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 happens when two people nudge you to leave your job and you get approval from a respected colleague to do something else? Emily Hirsekorn ran with these hints for her to pursue something else and Emily has created a career of encouraging others to challenge themselves.

Emily Hirsekorn was a corporate lawyer turned volunteer turned law school career coach turned energy coach. Currently, Emily Hirsekorn offers weekly or biweekly sessions in energy support to assist emerging lawyers with their careers. Emily explains that there is energy in how we show up and the things we are doing.

Emily specifically works with entry level and new(er) lawyers, to address any workplace and career confidence issues before burnout can occur. Emily has experienced being an overworked and stressed associate and Emily is resolute about preventing the experiences that she encountered from occurring with other lawyers.

Emily is certified with IPEC (Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching), which identifies Emily Hirsekorn as an expert in the coaching space. As an energy coach, Emily offers energy leadership index assessments, which walk lawyers through the seven levels of energy. In this time of finding your purpose and living authentically, Emily wants to challenge this notion and teach others to intentionally show up at work and in her career in a very specific manner.

Emily is excited to show lawyers that energy coaching is not about fantastical ideas of life or the "woo woo", but to find your optimal self and acknowledge your energy throughout the day.

Emily Hirsekorn has an inactive license in California. Connect with Emily Hirsekorn on LinkedIn, on her website Hirsekorncoaching.com and on Instagram @hirsekorn_coaching.

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

Alban Brooke comes from a long line of lawyers; his father, grandfather, and great grandfather were lawyers. Alban's legal journey began in construction law, where Alban worked as a runner, then helped a coworker start their own construction firm, and eventually worked as a paralegal. As an attorney, Alban practiced what he knew, which was construction law. However, Alban realized that what he thought being a problem solver, streamlining processes, and ways to make himself invaluable were not traits that he loved about being a lawyer. Those were traits of being a new(er) hire in young companies. This spurred Alban's comments about eventually leaving law.

After law school, Alban would frequently tell his entrepreneur friends that he would leave law to work at their tech company. After a couple years, his friends' company was hiring for a head of marketing role. When this job posting was mentioned to Alban, it was official: Alban's bluff was being called. True to his word, Alban decided to stop practicing law to work for Buzzsprout. Buzzsprout is a podcast hosting company and Alban is in charge of technology, marketing, and researching software developments, among other tasks.

At Buzzsprout, Alban insists that every day looks different, with the exception of discussing podcasts, creating content (podcasts or YouTube videos) about podcasts and pushing the business forward. While at Buzzsprout, Alban is unable to directly use many of the skills he learned in law school, but Alban's legal education indirectly is present in many of his decisions and actions.

Alban credits law school with teaching him to over prepare for meetings, training his editing skills to review an email three times before sending it out, and allowing Alban to enjoy the freedom to find assignments that suit him.

Alban Brooke is licensed in Georgia and Florida. Connect with Alban Brooke on Twitter @albanbrooke.

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

Anjie Vichayanonda is a first generation lawyer who sought out lawyers to gain a better understanding of law school. Anjie was connected with a wonderful mentor and followed her dreams to becoming a lawyer. However, Anjie wants to make it easier for others to learn about law school and find mentors.

Anjie created Leg Up Legal, which is a virtual mentorship platform to connect pre-law students to lawyers. Schools may join Leg Up Legal to provide their services to students or individuals may use the Leg Up Legal app to be connected with lawyers and learn more before committing to law school. Anjie also created a podcast, Leg Up Legal Podcast.

Anjie is a contributing author to the book, "Networked", where a group of 20 women lawyers explained how their businesses or practices changed in 2020 while living during a pandemic. You may purchase "Networked" on Amazon and at tinyurl.com/networked.

Anjie Vichayanonda is licensed in the District of Columbia and has an inactive license in Virginia. You may connect with Anjie on Instagram @leguplegal, Twitter @Leg_Up_Legal, on Facebook "leguplegal" and on LinkedIn.

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

Krista Lynn wears many hats: she considers herself a "Recovering Superwoman" while Krista balances her career as a business lawyer with complex commercial transactions, and a mother.

As the creator and blogger of "Recovering Superwoman," Krista advocates for others who have faced any adversity in their lives.

Recovering Superwoman is a blog that was originally started from Krista's personal journal, where Krista discovered that there was strength in not having to do everything herself. People resonated with the vulnerability and authenticity of Krista's, which has led to Krista being a public speaker and coach.

As the Deputy General Counsel for Airbus OneWeb, Krista does not believe that law school prepared her to be an in-house lawyer. The pleading drafting, legal research, and archaic property law ideals did not serve her well as a business lawyer, even though Krista took a lot from her law school experience.

Krista Lynn was persistent that she would not become a lawyer, until she became competitive with her college boyfriend while he studied for the LSAT. That experience coupled with Krista's passion for business led Krista to attend law school. Krista began and left law school knowing that she wanted to be a business lawyer and work in-house at a corporation or organization. Krista knew what she wanted to do and she took a different path to get there.

As a mother, Krista finds that although her days are busy, she is immensely proud of her family and the strength they've exerted when tested. Krista has removed the necessity to perform for coworkers, family members, her children, parents, etc. Although Krista believes that she can do anything, Krista learned that she doesn't have to handle everything herself.

Krista Lynn is licensed in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, D.C. and Florida. Connect with Krista on LinkedIn, Instagram @recoveringsuperwoman and read her blog, recoveringsuperwoman.com.

Follow the You Are A Lawyer podcast on Twitter @YouAreA_Lawyer, Instagram @youarealawyer and on LinkedIn. Follow the podcast host, Kyla Denanyoh, on Instagram @mrsdenanyoh. Kyla Denanyoh is a 2015 graduate of Southern University Law Center (SULC) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Josue Jimenez' career is ahead of his personal schedule. Currently, Josue is the Assistant Director of Admissions, Josue travels the country to meet law students, attend law school fairs, gives tours of the law school, advocates for law students, reviews student applications, and prepares various training materials to further the reach of Campbell Law.

However, Josue's path to school administration began as a child when Josue knew that he wanted to be a lawyer. As a child, Josue was passionate about helping others and staying involved in his community; a trait that was instilled in him from his parents. This passion is prevalent in the pro bono assignments that Josue completes during his free time and Josue's leadership as a faculty advisor for the Hispanic Law Student Association.

As a law student, Josue did not have an interest in being a school administrator, let alone working at his alma mater. But after graduation and working in various legal roles, Josue was presented with the opportunity to work as the Assistant Director of Admissions at Campbell Law.

After some internal debate, Josue ultimately felt comfortable with accepting this new role because Josue could combine his passion for community with his experiences as a law student. Josue leaned on his training as a Wallace Public Service Fellowship for Campbell Law participant, where Josue helped oversee all of the law school's student organizations and pro bono projects.

Josue Jimenez is licensed in North Carolina. Connect with Josue Jimenez on LinkedIn.

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

Nathan Sawaya was a corporate lawyer for five years and spent his evenings working with clay, paints, and other materials to release his creativity. Eventually, Nathan picked up LEGO®-brand bricks and created an apple, then other items in his apartment and finally a sculpture. Nathan's talent with these bricks led Nathan to create a website to display his artwork.

After his website, Brick Artist, crashed from too many visits, Nathan stopped practicing law to become an artist full time. Nathan Sawaya's sculptures have been displayed in many art museums, Nathan has created LEGO Oscars® statues for the 2015 Academy Awards, Nathan is a consulting producer on the LEGO Master show, and Nathan has founded The Art Revolution Foundation. Nathan has been commissioned numerous times to create unique and incredible art from LEGO-brand bricks.

While many people are familiar with LEGO-brand bricks, Nathan Sawaya has a partnership with LEGO that allows the company to send him bricks in specific hues and designs. In his California studio, Nathan keeps at least 10 million LEGO-brand bricks available to him. Nathan credits his law degree for preparing him to negotiate with large toy manufacturers and agents for his commissioned art.

Nathan Sawaya was licensed in New York. Connect with Nathan at https://www.brickartist.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 a book mentioned in this episode: https://amzn.to/3FpCo2K

Lori Mihalich-Levin believes that parenthood can make a person a better employee. Parenting entails time management, project management, multitasking, prioritizing and budgeting, to name a few things. When Lori was on maternity leave from her role as a medical reimbursement attorney, Lori created Mindful Return out of sheer desperation.

After being unable to find resources to assist a parent into being a new parent and this change in their identity, Lori created the program to assist the new parent with this transition. Employers are able to offer the program to their employees as a benefit when they are on parental leave.

Mindful Return is an online program that assists people in transitioning back into the workforce after parental leave. Each program is a cohort of parents with different employers. Mindful Return is available for those who identify as moms, dads, are parenting special needs children, adoptive parents, and surrogate parents.

There is also a manager track of Mindful Return which prepares a manager for the biggest differences when a team member is on leave. You may register for Mindful Return as an individual, or connect your Human Resources department with Mindful Return. Visit mindfulreturn.com for additional details.

Lori Mihalich-Levin is licensed in New York. Connect with Lori on Twitter @mindfulreturn and Instagram @mindfulreturn.

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