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Lowenstein Sandler's Women's Initiative Podcast: Real Talk

Lowenstein Sandler's Women's Initiative Podcast: Real Talk
Author: Lowenstein Sandler LLP
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© 2021-2023 Lowenstein Sandler LLP
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Through the Lowenstein Women’s Initiative Network, we have had a forum for our women to build genuine friendships, facilitate trust and camaraderie, and gain new perspectives about the issues that often come to define the professional and personal lives of women operating in the corporate world. In this podcast, we’re going to discuss strategies and practical tips that have been key to our successes and those of our colleagues and mentors, and just as importantly, talk through constructive ways to deal with setbacks and disappointments. Our goal will always be to keep our conversations honest and to provide our listeners with real, actionable advice and information to enrich your professional and personal lives.
43 Episodes
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In this episode of "Real Talk," host Megan Monson sits down with partner Julia E. Sanabria and Kerry A. Lunz, Lowenstein's Director of Recruiting and Integration, to cover lateral career moves for women in the legal field from both a recruiting and candidacy perspective. Lunz walks listeners through the recruiting and integration processes, highlighting key considerations for candidates making a lateral move. Sanabria then shares her experience transitioning to Lowenstein, discussing her approach to client relationships and how she acclimated to the firm. Speakers: Megan Monson, Partner, Executive Compensation, Employment, and Benefits Julia E. Sanabria, Partner, Real EstateKerry A. Lunz, Director of Recruiting and Integration
In this episode of Real Talk, Leah R. Duggins, legal counsel and administrative director for the Litigation Department; Patti Scott, Lowenstein's director of professional development; and Sarah Scott, Lowenstein's associate general counsel, join Megan Monson and Diane Moss to share their personal career trajectories and illustrate that no legal career is alike. From conventional pursuits to partnership or pivots to non-practicing roles, the guests' career stories support that there are multiple ways to leverage a law degree. The guests offer advice to listeners at a career crossroads on listening to their gut and making career decisions without placing undue emphasis on traditional expectations or outside opinions. Speakers: Megan Monson, Partner, Executive Compensation, Employee BenefitsDiane Moss, Counsel, Emerging Companies & Venture CapitalLeah Duggins, Legal Counsel Administrative Director, LitigationSarah Scott, Associate General CounselPatti Scott, Director of Professional Development
In this episode of Real Talk, Megan Monson chats with Lowenstein attorneys Melissa K. Parres and Bonnie E. Schipper about the valuable, transferrable skills women learn from playing competitive sports. Melissa and Bonnie share their personal team sports experiences from childhood to present day and how such experiences honed skills in leadership, teamwork, collaborative competition, and self-advocacy that they leverage in their careers as corporate attorneys. Speakers: Megan Monson, Partner, Executive Compensation, Employee BenefitsMelissa K. Parres, Counsel, Mergers & AcquisitionsBonnie E. Schipper, Associate, Corporate
In this episode of Real Talk, hosts Rachel Moseson Dikovics and Alessandra M. Moore sit down with Karen Kessler, powerhouse CEO of Kessler PR Group, to explore her remarkable journey from a young professional penning cold networking letters to a trusted advisor leading one of the nation’s premier crisis communications firms. Karen shares how she built her firm from the ground up, discusses the nuances of managing public perception at the intersection of law and media, and offers advice ranging from the art of strategic networking to maintain perspective when balancing work and personal lives. Speakers: Rachel Moseson Dikovics, Counsel, White Collar Defense Group Alessandra M. Moore, Associate, White Collar Defense Group Karen Kessler, Chief Executive Officer, Kessler PR Group
In this episode of "Real Talk," hosts Megan Monson and Rachel Moseson Dikovics talk with Alessandra M. Moore about mentorship and sponsorship – inspired by the lyrics of the Wicked song “Popular” – by sharing their own experiences on both sides of each role. They emphasize the importance of building relationships with individuals who will publicly vouch for you and privately guide you and offer advice to junior professionals who want to build their mentorship and sponsorship relationships. Speakers: Megan Monson, Partner, Executive Compensation, Employee BenefitsRachel Moseson Dikovics, Counsel, White Collar Criminal DefenseAlessandra M. Moore, Associate, White Collar Criminal Defense
In this episode of “Real Talk,” host, Megan Monson, partner in Lowenstein Sandler's Executive Compensation Employment and Benefits Practice Group, talks with Robin Goldfischer, senior vice president and general counsel at Valley Health System, about her career path, how she manages her own work-life balance, and the importance of knowing when you don’t know the answer. Robin says that her 40 years of experience in the practice of law has taught her many important lessons, including that learning is a continuous process, there is value in being kind, and professional women must advocate for each other. Speakers: Megan Monson, Partner, Executive Compensation, Employee BenefitsRobin L. Goldfischer, Senior Vice President & General Counsel, Valley Health System, Inc.
In this episode of Real Talk, host Megan Monson chats with Patricia A. Barbieri, Esq., Special Advisor at Daiichi Sankyo, about her career path from paralegal to general counsel and all the steps in between. As she contemplates her upcoming retirement, Pat shares the lessons she has learned along the way and offers advice on ignoring negative self-talk, making (and learning from) mistakes, and being nimble when life goes differently than you initially planned. Speakers: Megan Monson, Partner, Executive Compensation, Employee Benefits Patricia A. Barbieri, Esq., Special Advisor, Daiichi Sankyo
In this episode of “Real Talk,” Lowenstein lawyers Megan Monson, Nicole Fulfree, and Rachel Moseson Dikovics discuss the Surgeon General’s recent advisory titled “Parents Under Pressure,” which described the state of American parents’ mental health as “an urgent public health issue.” They share their own experiences in trying to balance the demanding roles of woman, attorney, and mother, and offer advice to working parents and their employers. Speakers: Megan Monson, Partner, Executive Compensation, Employee BenefitsNicole Fulfree, Partner, Bankruptcy & RestructuringRachel Moseson Dikovics, Associate, White Collar Criminal Defense
Today on “ Real Talk,” Rachel Moseson Dikovics, Amanda K. Cipriano, Brianna M. Ferrante, and Jessica I. Kriegsfeld discuss what law firm life looks like to associates who joined the practice of law during or after COVID. Lawyers who graduated law school in 2020 and after describe the challenges of returning to the office, including practicing time management, forming relationships with potential mentors, and balancing both working from home and being in the office. They also talk about the benefits of hybrid schedules and the importance of technology in effectively navigating the modern workplace. Speakers: Rachel Moseson Dikovics, Associate, White Collar Criminal Defense Amanda K. Cipriano, Associate, White Collar Criminal Defense Brianna M. Ferrante, Associate, Mergers & Acquisitions Jessica Kriegsfeld, Associate, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits
In this episode of “Real Talk,” Nicole Fulfree, Megan Monson, Julia E. Sanabria, and Rachel Moseson Dikovics tackle the subject of microaggressions: comments or actions that subtly and often unconsciously or unintentionally expose a prejudiced attitude towards a member of a marginalized group. Women who experience microaggressions at work are 4.2 times more likely to feel burned out, 3.3 times more likely to consider leaving their company and 3.8 times more likely to feel that they don't have an equal opportunity to advance. The hosts discuss what microaggressions are, a range of different circumstances and intentions that can give rise to these situations and offer tips on navigating these instances when they occur. Speakers: Nicole Fulfree, Partner, Bankruptcy & RestructuringMegan Monson, Partner, Executive Compensation, Employment & Benefits Julia E. Sanabria, Partner, Real Estate Rachel Moseson Dikovics, Associate, White Collar Criminal Defense
This episode of “Real Talk” features a discussion with Nicole Fulfree, Megan Monson, Kristin V. Taylor, and Rachel Moseson Dikovics about whether the self-promotion gender gap—a concept explored by researchers at Harvard and Wharton—really exists, and to what extent professional women may be disproportionately impacted by its repercussions. The hosts discuss why some women might shy away from taking credit, explore the societal and cultural reasons women may approach self-promotion a bit differently, and provide suggestions for women on increasing visibility at work without feeling cringey. Episode Resources: The Gender Gap in Self-Promotion – National Bureau of Economic Research Women Don’t Self-Promote, But Maybe They Should – Harvard Division of Continuing Education Rent the Runway Is Giving $1 Million in Monthly Subscriptions to Women Celebrating Career Wins on LinkedIn Speakers: Nicole Fulfree, Partner, Bankruptcy & Restructuring Megan Monson, Partner, Executive Compensation, Employment & Benefits Kristin V. Taylor, Partner, Tax, Private Client Services Rachel Moseson Dikovics, Associate, White Collar Criminal Defense
In this episode of “Real Talk,” Amanda K. Cipriano and Rachel Moseson Dikovics speak with Dr. Traci Cipriano, clinical psychologist, formerly practicing lawyer, and a speaker, executive coach, consultant and author, about emotional intelligence and how it can be used as a professional tool. Dr. Cipriano says that emotional intelligence reflects one’s ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions and use them strategically to influence thinking and behavior; she describes it as an ability to recognize other people's emotions by interacting them, reading the room, and responding appropriately; it also reflects an ability to cope with difficult challenges, especially regarding the workplace, work demands, and work environment. The most effective leaders are high in emotional intelligence, and research suggests that their teams and their organizations are more productive and generate more revenues. Speakers: Rachel Moseson Dikovics, Associate, White Collar Criminal Defense Amanda K. Cipriano, Associate, White Collar Criminal Defense Traci Cipriano, JD PhD LLC, Clinical psychologist, formerly practicing lawyer, speaker, executive coach, consultant
Today on “Real Talk,” Megan Monson, Nicole Fulfree, and Sarah Cole address the dos and don’ts for women attorneys seeking to develop effective management skills, emphasizing the critical role of emotional intelligence in legal practice. In addition to sharing their personal experiences and opinions on the most effective management styles, the hosts explore some of the hurdles women in law face in acquiring managerial training, discuss the importance of emotional intelligence in fostering teamwork, client relations, and personal growth, and provide practical advice on learning and teaching within the legal profession to enhance both personal and team success. Speakers: Megan Monson, Partner, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Nicole Fulfree, Partner, Bankruptcy & Restructuring Sarah Cole, Senior Counsel, Capital Markets & Securities
On today’s episode, Rachel Moseson Dikovics, Amanda K. Cipriano, Claire Dronzek, and Lauren Russell discuss Gen Z’s perspective of young lawyers on issues such as work-life balance, organizational values, and mentorship. They talk about how COVID impacted attorneys’ priorities, and their opinions on flexible schedules, partnership, and the moral values of prospective employers. They also address young professionals’ needs to feel valued, have mentors, and for opportunities to share their challenges. Speakers: Rachel Moseson Dikovics, Associate, White Collar Criminal DefenseAmanda K. Cipriano, Associate, White Collar Criminal Defense Claire Dronzek, Associate, Emerging Companies & Venture CapitalLauren Noval Russell, Associate, Corporate
Today on “Real Talk,” hosts Megan Monson, Nicole Fulfree, and Rachel Moseson Dikovics are joined by Joann S. Lublin, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, former management news editor and current regular contributor to The Wall Street Journal, and author of two books on executive women's leadership: Earning It: Hard-Won Lessons from Trailblazing Women at the Top of the Business World, and Power Moms: How Executive Mothers Navigate Work and Life. The women share their personal experiences as mothers in the workplace, how things have and have not changed over the past twenty years, and valuable tips on successfully navigating the demands of parenthood and a career. Speakers: Megan Monson, Partner, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Nicole Fulfree, Partner, Bankruptcy & Restructuring Rachel Moseson Dikovics, Associate, White Collar Criminal Defense Joann S. Lublin, Author, Power Moms: How Executive Mothers Navigate Work and Life
Today on “Real Talk,” hosts Megan Monson and Diane Moss are joined by Carol Sutton Lewis, a former practicing attorney who now hosts and produces the award-winning podcast, ‘Ground Control Parenting.’ Lewis describes how her legal skills have enhanced her role as a podcaster and parenting expert, and how being a parent has influenced her career and her outlook on life; she encourages listeners to understand that it’s not about balancing ‘work’ and ‘life’ because ”it’s all life…don't forget to focus on the joy. “ Speakers: Megan Monson, Partner, Employee Benefits & Executive CompensationDiane Moss, Counsel, The Tech GroupCarol Sutton Lewis, Founder, Ground Control Parenting
In today’s episode of “Real Talk,” Megan Monson, partner in Lowenstein Sandler's Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation practice, speaks with her colleagues Diane Moss, counsel in Lowenstein's Emerging Companies & Venture Capital group, and Lynda A. Bennett, Chair of the firm’s Insurance Recovery group, about how lawyers can cultivate their brands so that they stand out amongst competitors, attract potential clients, and foster relationships with existing clients. They describe the benefits of intentionally spending one’s non-billable time through involvement with organizations, boards, and groups—both law-related and otherwise; how networking can build transferrable skills such as consensus building and problem solving; and the importance of authenticity. Speakers: Lynda A. Bennett, Partner and Chair, Insurance Recovery Megan Monson, Partner, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Diane Moss, Counsel, The Tech Group
In this episode of “Real Talk,” the hosts talk with Deirdre Stanley, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of The Estée Lauder Companies, about her career: how she decided to go in-house, her role in the merger between Thomson and Reuters, and her passion for business strategy. Deirdre also addresses the importance of diverse voices having “a seat at the table;” of developing and nurturing relationships through formal and informal venues; of advocating for yourself; and of not taking yourself too seriously. Speakers: Megan Monson, Partner, Employee Benefits & Executive CompensationDiane Moss, Counsel, The Tech GroupDeirdre Stanley, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
In this episode of “Real Talk,” the hosts share their experiences as junior associates and what they wish they had known before starting their careers in Big Law. They offer tips on jumpstarting your career as a summer associate, managing your docket, and how to lay down a foundation for a long and satisfying career. Speakers: Nicole Fulfree, Partner, Bankruptcy & Restructuring DepartmentChandra Shih, Partner, The Tech GroupAmanda Cipriano, Associate, White Collar Criminal DefenseMegan Williams, Associate, The Tech Group
In this episode of “Real Talk,” the hosts talk with Diana Ingallinera Faillace about taking time off from the practice of law, and how to facilitate a smooth return to your career. They emphasize maintaining one’s network and technological skills, as well as the importance of confidence and communicating one’s entire skill set—not just in legal services but in areas such as time management, organization, and staying calm under pressure. Speakers: Megan Monson, Partner, Employee Benefits & Executive CompensationAmanda Cipriano, Associate, White Collar Criminal DefenseDiana Ingallinera Faillace