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

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.

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

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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

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.

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

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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

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.

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

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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

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.

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

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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.

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

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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

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.

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

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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

Aman Costigan was once a partner at a Canadian law firm, teaching yoga on the side and quietly craving more freedom and alignment in her life. In this powerful conversation, she shares how she found her voice, launched Beyond Yoga for Lawyers, and began to merge wellness with law in a meaningful way. The episode captures a moment in time when Aman was redefining what a legal career could look like — and today, her journey continues beyond the courtroom

Lawyer Side Hustles

Beyond Yoga for Lawyers began as a side project. Aman felt a pull to share what she had learned through yoga and mindfulness, especially with other lawyers who were struggling with burnout and disconnection. She started teaching classes, offering workshops, and building a community.

Over time, that side hustle grew into a brand and a business. Today, she offers coaching, yoga, and wellness content specifically designed for lawyers who want more than just billable hours and burnout. It's a testament to what's possible when you start small, stay consistent, and let your vision evolve.

LISTEN TO LEARN

• How to break out of burnout and build a new rhythm
• Why you don't have to choose between ambition and peace
• How yoga and mindfulness can transform legal careers

WE ALSO DISCUSS

• The early signs of needing a career shift
• The journey of building a business as a lawyer
• How to expand your identity beyond your title

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

Austin Brittenham is a first-generation lawyer, legal tech founder, and the creator of 2nd Chair, an AI-powered tool designed to help solo and small firm lawyers work faster and smarter. In this episode, Austin and Kyla talk about space law, law school culture, and what it really means to use your legal education creatively. From debating in high school to launching two startups, Austin proves that you don't have to follow the traditional legal path to make a meaningful impact.

Lawyer Side Hustles

Austin's side hustle is now his full-time gig. He founded 2nd Chair while still in law school and used his background in AI and education startups to build something lawyers actually need. The tool creates litigation timelines, drafts legal materials, and helps lawyers save time and serve more clients. But it's not just about software, it's about increasing access to justice and making legal practice more sustainable.

Austin's story reminds us that entrepreneurship doesn't have to mean abandoning the law. It can mean expanding it, reimagining it, and making it more human. 2nd Chair exists because Austin saw a gap in the system and took the risk to build something better.

LISTEN TO LEARN

• How Austin built 2nd Chair to support small firm lawyers
• The difference between legal knowledge and legal value
• How to take career risks using your law degree as a safety net

WE ALSO DISCUSS

• The pros and cons of legal tech adoption across generations
• Austin's detour into space law and education startups
• Why volunteering and community work can shape your legal future

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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

Dr. Rhonda Glover Reese is a certified career and leadership coach with 34 years of FBI experience under her belt. From counterintelligence to white collar crime, her federal career was vast and dynamic. In this powerful episode, Dr. Rhonda shares how her dream of working for the FBI led to a fulfilling career in public service and how her new chapter as a coach helps others step into their purpose with confidence.

Side Hustles

Dr. Rhonda's "side hustle" is far from traditional. After retiring from the FBI, she launched a coaching business to help others find fulfillment in their careers. Her passion lies in career and leadership development, especially for those in law enforcement. She also offers training, speaks at events, and creates space for honest conversations about burnout, purpose, and growth.

Her journey from federal agent to entrepreneur was not accidental. It was built on prayer, reflection, and a growing awareness that people were turning to her for guidance. Today, she is intentional about the size and structure of her business to maintain the life she wants; one that includes faith, flexibility, and continued service

LISTEN TO LEARN

• What a long-term FBI career looks like behind the scenes
• How coaching and law enforcement can work hand in hand
• Why fear keeps us stuck and how to move through it

WE ALSO DISCUSS

• The truth about leadership and being in the arena
• Building trust and vulnerability in coaching relationships
• The power of lived experience and mentorship in helping others grow

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

1) Visit www.youarealawyer.com

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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

Bill Mitchell is a veteran litigator, negotiation strategist, and the author of The Disruptive Lawyer's Little Black Book of Litigation Management. With three decades of experience, Bill has a bold message for lawyers: less litigation, more resolution. In this episode, he shares how he became a top 1% dealmaker by helping clients resolve cases faster and cheaper, without sacrificing strategy or results.

Lawyer Side Hustles

Bill's side hustle? Changing how lawyers think. He authored The Disruptive Lawyer's Little Black Book of Litigation Management and teaches a course called "Masters in Negotiation" for attorneys, claims professionals, and in-house counsel. His mission is to equip lawyers with the tools they didn't learn in law school, including how to close cases with confidence and clarity.

His upcoming book, The Disruptive Lawyer's Little Black Book of Negotiation, builds on that mission. Whether training junior associates or consulting with Fortune 500 legal departments, Bill is helping shift the mindset from litigation to resolution.

LISTEN TO LEARN

• Why 99% of lawsuits should never reach a courtroom
• How lawyers can provide more value by closing, not extending, cases
• Why client goals should define legal success, not just billable hour

WE ALSO DISCUSS

• How Bill built a national practice with a resolution-first mindset
• The problem with traditional billing incentives in litigation
• How to train new lawyers to think like dealmakers

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