Big Law Life

Mid-career partners can begin quietly wondering whether they should stay where they are or explore a move. This isn't driven by crisis or failure. It's driven by subtle shifts, such as declining energy for a platform that once fit well, strategy drift inside the firm, client relationships that feel different, or internal politics that have grown wearisome. Yet most partners stall making a decision because they don't want to make the wrong call and the ambiguity keeps them stuck. In today's episode, I walk through the five stages I see that partners typically move through when confronting the stay-or-go question: detecting early signals without overreacting, running a true cost-benefit audit, separating fact from extreme thinking about portability, pressure-testing the market and assumptions, and exploring parallel stay and go plans.  I share the specific diagnostics I suggest partners consider, the risks partners often underestimate, the structural problems that rarely improve with time v. the irritations that can usually be changed, and how to evaluate the potential options through financial, client-continuity, and cultural-stability filters. If you're a partner feeling the need to examine your place in your practice or platform, this episode helps you approach that crossroads with clarity, data, and control. At a Glance 00:00 Why mid-career partners begin questioning whether to stay or go 02:44 Stage 1: Quiet doubt and the early signals partners tend to overlook 03:54 A three-question diagnostic for evaluating how to initially frame what may be going on  05:39 Stage 2: The cost-benefit audit and quantifying what staying v. going actually buys you 07:18 How politics, write-offs, and strategic stagnation erode partner value 08:42 Distinguishing temporary irritations from structural misalignment 10:10 Stage 3: Counterfactuals and why partners get stuck in best-case and worst-case assumptions 10:55 Reality-checking which clients would follow you and which would not 11:24 How to quietly stress-test the market without signaling intent 12:37 Stage 4: The real risks of leaving: portability, client transfer, compensation, and culture 14:19 Identifying what must change for you to stay, and how to design parallel stay and go plans 15:35 The three filters for evaluating any move: financial survivability, client continuity, and cultural stability 16:25 Stage 5: Why this decision can feel like an identity crisis and how to regain agency Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? Here are ways to reach out to her: www.lauraterrell.com  laura@lauraterrell.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/  Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast

After years as a partner inside global law firms, I've seen one stage of a BigLaw career quietly determine everything that comes after it. It isn't the first year, when everyone expects some struggle and a lot of learning. And it isn't partnership, when you've reached that tier and are now working to build your book of business and establish your role in that space. The most dangerous stage is the mid to senior associate years. Years four through seven are where many lawyers stall without realizing it. They're billing hard, getting strong reviews, and hearing they're "doing great." But behind the scenes, their future is already taking shape. In this episode, I break down the shifts most associates never see coming: when technical excellence stops being enough, when your reputation gets fixed without your input, and when firm economics matter more than compliments. I walk through why at this stage judgment matters more than output, how client readiness is built long before partnership, and why waiting to become strategic often means you've missed your chance to demonstrate what your firm needs to see. If you believe good work alone will carry your career, this episode explains why that mindset can quietly derail it, and what you should be doing now instead. At a Glance 00:01 Why years four through seven matter most 02:50 When execution gives way to judgment 05:24 How reputations form without you 07:45 Why client work can't wait 10:04 How firm economics affect you early 12:02 How political capital can determine survival 13:59 Defining your value before others do 15:36 Managing matters and people 17:01 When non-billable work counts 18:10 The signals firms send before decisions 19:10 Becoming more than a technician Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? Here are ways to reach out to her: www.lauraterrell.com  laura@lauraterrell.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/  Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast  

After years as a partner in global firms, I've watched countless associates struggle with the billable hour for reasons that have nothing to do with their talent or work ethic. What often derails them are avoidable habits: reconstructing time at the end of the month, underbilling to appear efficient, overlawyering simple assignments, taking on too much work at once, relying on one partner for all their hours, failing to bill fully legitimate work, and assuming non-billable hours will meaningfully count toward their annual target. In this episode, I walk through the seven most common pitfalls I've seen across firms and explain exactly how they show up in day-to-day practice. These aren't theoretical issues. They're the real behaviors that cause associates to miss targets, lose credibility, or burn out. If you've ever wondered why your hours don't reflect the amount of time you know you're putting in or why the math never seems to add up, this conversation will help you identify what needs to change and how to regain control of your billable life. At a Glance 00:00 Why the billable hour creates so much anxiety 02:08 How late time entry leads to lost hours 03:41 Why underbilling backfires 04:29 How overlawyering wastes time and damages trust 05:29 What to clarify with partners before starting work 06:22 The danger of saying yes to everything 07:31 What to do when teams overload you 07:59 Why relying on one partner is risky 09:28 Legitimately billable work associates forget to record 10:15 How travel time rules differ across firms and clients 11:03 The trap of "fake billable hours" 13:59 Why unbilled time erodes your evaluation 14:27 A final reminder to examine your billable habits Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? Here are ways to reach out to her: www.lauraterrell.com  laura@lauraterrell.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/  Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast  

After over two decades in BigLaw, I've seen just how rare it is to find candid, practical conversations about what life in a large firm is really like. That's why reaching the 100-episode milestone of Big Law Life feels so significant.  In this special episode, I step out from behind my usual role behind the microphone and reflect on the real stories, hidden challenges, and universal themes that have surfaced over the past hundred conversations. I share why I started this podcast, what continues to surprise me, which episodes unexpectedly struck a chord with lawyers across firms, and how this work has continued to expand and deepen my own appreciation BigLaw culture.  If you've ever felt isolated in your BigLaw career or wondered whether others are grappling with the same uncertainties, this behind-the-scenes milestone episode offers clarity, validation, a preview for what comes next. At a Glance 00:00 Why I launched Big Law Life and the gap it fills 01:20 Celebrating 100 episodes and shifting to a special interview 02:49 How my experience sparked the idea for the podcast 03:28 What practical BigLaw conversations were missing elsewhere 05:12 The unseen challenges lawyers face in firms 07:18 The most meaningful listener feedback 08:41 How many BigLAw attorneys lack mentorship and internal guidance 10:23 Themes that repeat across firms and career levels 12:57 Some of the episodes that particularly resonated with listeners(#39 & #79) 14:40 Why partnership and practice area choices carry so much uncertainty 16:25 Reactions from lawyers who find the show while seeking help 18:18 What's ahead for the next 100 episodes 19:16 Innovations from firms that have been great to spotlight on the podcast 21:19 Gratitude for listeners and the community Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? Here are ways to reach out to her: www.lauraterrell.com  laura@lauraterrell.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/  Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast

In this episode, I tackle one of the most persistent myths inside BigLaw: that partnership guarantees freedom. After years of billing, grinding through deal cycles, and fighting for promotion, most lawyers expect partnership to mean finally having more control over clients, staffing, and schedules. But as I explain, the modern BigLaw firm operates much more like a global corporation than the old-school partnership many lawyers imagined as they were working their way towards becoming a partner in their firm. Centralized management, committees, client teams, centralized staffing, and internal politics shape a partner's actual authority far more than most attorneys realize. I walk through how partners can actually feel a loss of autonomy in areas they assumed they would gain more control over, why this happens, and, most importantly, the steps smart partners take to regain meaningful agency inside a the structure of their firms. At a Glance: 00:00 Introduction and the myth that partners "finally get to do what they want" 01:20 How autonomy erodes through committees, billing rules, discounts, and restrictions on expenses 02:15 Why client teams and global relationship partners can limit control, even over clients you originate 02:39 The gap between what lawyers imagine partnership to be and the corporate reality of BigLaw 03:00 How institutionalization has changed BigLaw  03:30 Why centralized systems protect firms but often reduce individual partner freedom 04:09 How client management may be reassigned to multi-partner teams 04:41 The politics of potentially being a "co-relationship partner" and thus losing losing influence and authority over key client relationships 05:04 Centralized staffing and resource managers replacing partner-led staffing 05:28 Why partners feel responsible but not in charge 05:53 Structural dependency: why BigLaw's infrastructure limits independence 06:21 How platform reliance prevents partners from "going independent" 06:42 Deferred comp, origination credit rules, and how compensation systems quietly place limits on  partners 07:16 The psychological dependency created by discretionary compensation factors 07:47 The emotional side of autonomy: validation, identity, and exhaustion 08:36 The paradox: greater authority but less agency 08:59 What smart partners do to regain leverage 09:22 Building allies across finance, HR, IT, and marketing 09:48 Owning the client relationship, not just the work 10:13 Developing portable capital so you're staying by choice, not constraint 10:42 Building strong internal teams to regain practical autonomy 11:12 Why complete independence is tough to achieve and what autonomy actually looks like in 2025 11:38 Understanding what you control vs. where you only have access 12:07 Reframing autonomy and focusing on leverage that matters 12:47 Closing reflection and how to use this understanding to build the practice you want Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? Here are ways to reach out to her: www.lauraterrell.com  laura@lauraterrell.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/  Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast  

In this episode, I take a closer look at a topic that many BigLaw lawyers misunderstand: profitability. Most partners focus on the firm's overall "profits per equity partner" (PEP), but that number tells only part of the story. There are other profitability numbers - internal, often unseen analyses that many attorneys don't focus on but in fact shape how practices and partners are viewed, rewarded, and resourced. I explain how these shadow numbers differ from the publicly announced firm metrics, how factors like leverage, write-offs, and politics distort perceptions of profitability, and why understanding these differences can make a difference to you at your firm. Knowing how your firm evaluates profitability in different ways and how to influence those numbers is a crucial career advantage. At a Glance: 00:00 Introduction to the concept of firm profitability 01:20 Why PEP only tells part of the story and how shadow P&Ls work 02:05 How internal accounting and practice-level metrics shape profitability 03:27 Defining "shadow P&L" and how practice groups interpret performance differently 04:01 How leverage and write-offs impact profitability and risk across practices 07:14 Examples of approaches and how accounting treatments reshape profit 10:55 Why long-term relationship value can be less valued in firmwide numbers 12:18 How firms use both official and shadow P&Ls to evaluate partners and practices 13:30 How politics and perception influence profitability outcomes 15:17 How to challenge assumptions and advocate for your practice's true value 18:14 Final reflection and wrap-up   Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? Here are ways to reach out to her: www.lauraterrell.com  laura@lauraterrell.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/  Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast

In this episode, I tackle one of the most common frustrations I hear from partners and senior associates: why business development efforts so often fail to produce consistent, meaningful client work. From my own years as a BigLaw partner and now as a coach, I've seen too many capable lawyers equate effort with results, attending conferences, posting on LinkedIn, and taking endless coffee meetings only to find their pipeline still flat a year later.  In this episode, I break down the five most common reasons business development efforts stall: lack of focus, inconsistent systems, confusing visibility with credibility, misaligned firm incentives, and fear or perfectionism. I share examples of how these pitfalls show up in real life, how to shift your mindset and methods, and the practical steps that can help you turn scattered efforts into sustainable business growth. At a Glance: 00:00 Introduction and framing the issue of stagnant business development 02:13 Defining what "failure" in business development really looks like: activity without progress 03:09 Reason #1: Lack of focus and overly broad positioning 03:35 How to describe your niche using client-centric language that connects 04:40 Evolving your focus when your market slows, expanding adjacent to your strengths 06:07 Reason #2: Treating business development as an event instead of a system 06:40 Why bursts of activity fail and how to create rhythm and consistency 07:31 How to structure weekly, monthly, and quarterly follow-up systems 08:20 Applying the "Rule of Seven" to build recognition and trust 08:41 Reason #3: Confusing visibility with credibility 09:10 The difference between posting for attention and sharing insights that attract clients 10:13 How to shift from "look at me" to "here's what I see in your world" 10:41 Reason #4: Misalignment between firm incentives and personal goals 11:02 How origination credit and short-term revenue pressure discourage long-term growth 12:00 Steps to clarify success criteria and build internal allies across practices 12:39 How to align your BD projects with both firm strategy and personal goals 13:02 Reason #5: Fear and perfectionism: the emotional barriers that stall progress 13:32 How overthinking and hesitation block momentum 14:18 The power of small, genuine gestures in reconnecting with clients 15:07 Reframing BD as helping, not selling, to make outreach feel natural 15:37 The traits of lawyers who succeed in business development: clarity, systems, authenticity, and resilience 16:33 Three reflection questions to reset your BD strategy for the year ahead Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? Here are ways to reach out to her: www.lauraterrell.com  laura@lauraterrell.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/  Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast  

In this episode, I tackle a  critical question for many partners - how to tell when your firm no longer values you and what steps you should take next. I've seen too many strong, capable partners blindsided by subtle shifts that signal declining influence, reduced credit, and a fading role in firm strategy. Drawing from my own experience as a BigLaw partner mentoring and managing other partners, as well as serving on executive and other firm leadership committees, I walk through six clear warning signs, from being left out of key decisions to watching your client relationships being reassigned without input. I also share practical ways to assess your standing, gather data, and take deliberate steps, either to reassert your value internally or to plan a confident move elsewhere. At a Glance: 00:00 Introduction and why this topic is difficult for many partners to face 02:14 Sign #1: You're no longer invited to key meetings or included in major firm decisions 03:00 Real-world example of a partner sidelined after years of practice growth 03:46 How to reassert your relevance and get back in the room 04:05 Sign #2: Your clients are being shared or reassigned without your consent 05:41 How to document your client contributions and credit 06:27 Sign #3: Declining origination credit or compensation without clear explanation 07:37 What early questions to ask to prevent surprises at comp time 08:54 How to use firm metrics to track and present your value 09:15 Sign #4: Your practice isn't being supported with people, budget, or visibility 10:12 How to connect your requests to firm goals and growth priorities 11:24 Sign #5: Your internal visibility and influence are fading 11:50 How to rebuild influence through mentoring and collaboration 12:14 Sign #6: You're doing heavy administrative work with little reward 13:34 Setting boundaries around internal service work and when to pull back 15:12 How to assess your data objectively and start reclaiming or rebuilding value 16:29 Preparing to have candid conversations with leadership 17:21 Knowing when it's time to test the market and plan your exit 18:09 The bottom line: clarity is not failure, it's power Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? Here are ways to reach out to her: www.lauraterrell.com  laura@lauraterrell.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/  Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast

Most lawyers can recite their firm's PEP number, but few truly understand what it measures, how their day-to-day actions affect it, or how it affects them (even if they are a non-eequity partner). In this episode, I explain why PEP is often misunderstood, the hidden levers that drive it, and what  partners need to know about how it can broadly impact all attorneys across the firm. From billing and collections to leverage ratios, capital contributions, and distribution timing, I break down what really impacts profitability and what that means for both equity and non-equity partners. I also share practical steps to become financially savvy inside your firm, strengthen your influence, and plan ahead for the realities of partner cash flow and tax obligations. At a Glance: 00:00 Introduction and overview of why PEP matters for partners 02:17 What PEP actually measures and how it's calculated 03:31 Why new partners misunderstand PEP as guaranteed income 04:26 The misconception that billing more always leads to earning more 05:19 How margin and leverage, not volume, drive profitability 06:18 How accounting rules and firm policies affect profit definitions 07:14 Why realization and collections are critical to firm profitability 08:06 How capital contributions and working capital impact partner cash flow 09:26 What delayed distributions mean for tax and personal finance planning 11:09 Example showing how rising revenue can still reduce PEP 12:38 The ripple effect of declining PEP on both equity and non-equity partners 13:27 More metrics each partner should track: RPL, leverage, realization, and contribution margin 15:36 How to apply financial knowledge to strengthen your position 16:23 The importance of understanding your firm's leverage and margin model 17:15 Managing your own cash flow, reserves, and quarterly taxes 17:38 Why mastering firm economics builds long-term influence and stability 18:07 The bottom line: understanding the business of law is essential for partner success Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? Here are ways to reach out to her: www.lauraterrell.com  laura@lauraterrell.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/  Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast  

When you've spent years building trust with a partner who once championed your career, it can be deeply unsettling when they suddenly stop giving you work, exclude you from client calls, or even fail to support your partnership candidacy. I've seen this happen often in BigLaw. It's painful, hard to understand, and often tough to find a way to move forward without that support. In this episode, I explain the structural, economic, and political reasons that drive this kind of behavior, and the concrete steps you can take to protect your career, your client relationships, and your reputation within your BigLaw firm. I also share how to recognize early warning signs, document your value, and rebuild momentum through new mentors, visibility, and business development efforts. At a Glance: 00:00 Introduction and the reality of losing a mentor partner's support 02:12 The first signs of a deliberate cutoff and how to recognize the shift 03:40 Structural reasons behind the change, including billable pressure and firm economics 05:26 How your mentor may fear losing client credit or control as you become more visible 06:45 Why mentors can begin to see protégés as competitors rather than allies 08:24 The emotional impact of losing your mentor, and how to separate feelings from facts 09:54 Protecting your hours and finding alternate work streams 11:03 Documenting every contribution and communicating it effectively 12:52 How to prepare for a difficult conversation with your mentor partner 14:35 Turning insights into a strategy for next steps 15:48 Expanding mentorship, sponsorship, and visibility 16:23 When and how to escalate the issue if needed 19:52 Steps to rebuild relationships and regain career stability 23:25 Why losing a mentor can become a turning point for independence Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? Here are ways to reach out to her: www.lauraterrell.com  laura@lauraterrell.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/  Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast  

Today, the road to partnership involves more than billing hours and producing great work. It's also now about more than business development, firm economics, and client relationships. A new factor also driving advancement is artificial intelligence. AI is already reshaping research, diligence, drafting, and reporting. In addition, it compresses tasks that once justified entire teams of associates. That means the old BigLaw pyramid model is under pressure, and the skills firms now look for in future partners are shifting rapidly.  In this episode, I walk through what partnership track lawyers need to know about AI's impact on the profession, how to use it strategically in your practice, and how to position yourself as indispensable to both clients and your firm. At a Glance: 00:00 Introduction and why AI is changing the partnership track 01:20 How AI is replacing work once handled by junior associates and large diligence teams 02:45 The decline of the BigLaw pyramid in the age of AI and the new calculus for partnership success 03:12 Why firms prioritize high-value, complex matters that AI cannot commoditize 04:18 How associates can leverage their need to expand expertise in AI to seek early exposure to client calls, strategy meetings, and negotiations 04:44 Using AI tools on low-risk tasks and showing measurable client outcomes 05:10 Leading multidisciplinary teams that now include data scientists and technologists 06:30 Demonstrating client judgment in AI-assisted work by asking "Would I trust this outcome if I were the client?" 07:25 Joining firm AI committees and pilots to gain visibility and credibility 08:17 Shifts in client expectations: efficiency, cost transparency, and outcome-based fees 09:45 The lawyer's edge: spotting risks that AI misses and proving strategic value 11:01 Rewriting your career narrative for the AI era: from hard worker to AI-enabled strategist 12:05 Freeing time for business development by leveraging AI efficiencies 12:50 Tracking and sharing metrics on time saved, cost savings, and improved margins 13:54 How AI enables more volume, fewer write-offs, and stronger profitability 14:42 Why AI should be seen as an accelerator, not a competitor 15:21 What firms will value most over the next decade: legal judgment, client impact, and tech fluency Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? Here are ways to reach out to her: www.lauraterrell.com  laura@lauraterrell.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/  Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast

If you have built your BigLaw career around a thriving regulatory or enforcement practice, you know how difficult it can be for you and your practice when that work suddenly isn't there. One month you are buried in nvestigations motivated by government inquiries or merger reviews, and the next your phone goes quiet because enforcement priorities shifted, agency budgets got cut, or a new administration has redirected resources. It is unsettling, especially when your brand, reputation and and client base are tied to that flow of work. In this episode, I walk through the reality of what it can feel like and what to do when your once-busy enforcement and regulatory practice slows. I share how to distinguish between cyclical downturns and structural changes that reshape a practice like this long term, and share some specific examples across areas such as FCPA, antitrust, and privacy to illustrate how BigLaw attorneys can pivot effectively. I also outline practical steps to stay visible with clients as well as inside your firm so that even when the billable work is not there, your value and future opportunities are. At a Glance: 00:00 Introduction need to navigate BigLaw downturns in regulatory and enforcement work 01:20 When busy practices suddenly dry up: regulatory shifts and enforcement changes 02:14 How external forces such as politics, budgets, and agency leadership reshape your practice overnight 03:03 Early warning signs that your work is slowing down in these areas 03:37 The emotional impact: anxiety, uncertainty, and fear of career derailment 04:08 Diagnosing cyclical vs. structural downturns with concrete indicators 05:16 Why this distinction matters for your long-term career strategy 05:39 Examples of temporary pivots that kept practices alive (FCPA, antitrust, GDPR, privacy) 07:04 How lawyers can broaden their practices to adapt to structural changes 08:08 The importance of proactive client communication, including with "good news" updates 09:37 What to do when billable hours stall: seeking work across departments and staying visible 10:41 Positioning yourself as a thought leader through articles, CLEs, and conferences 11:29 Documenting outreach, cross-practice contributions, and client loyalty for firm leadership 12:21 Demonstrating cross-practice value: aligning with busier groups inside your firm 13:30 How client loyalty and referrals strengthen your standing even in slow periods 13:58 Reframing your practice to be less narrowly defined by one enforcement area 14:27 How one partner survived cuts by documenting value and broadening expertise 15:16 Long-game mindset: showing your firm that you are indispensable beyond billable hours Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? Here are ways to reach out to her: www.lauraterrell.com  laura@lauraterrell.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/  Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast

Collaboration can feel like a buzzword that doesn't align with how law firms actually reward people. Hours and origination credit often outweigh teamwork, and silos, competition, and fee pressures make working together seem like an uphill battle. But here's the truth: collaboration isn't optional if you want to grow in BigLaw. Clients expect seamless service across firms and practices, and internally within your firm, collaboration expands your visibility, strengthens trust, and opens doors to opportunities might never get on your own. In this episode, I break down the real obstacles that make collaboration so difficult and share practical strategies for overcoming them. I cover traps like silos, credit battles, and disorganized matter management, and I explain how clarifying roles, overcommunicating, and sharing credit generously can transform how you're perceived by clients and colleagues. I also share real stories, both successes and failures, that show exactly what's at stake when collaboration works and when it doesn't. At a Glance: 00:00 Why collaboration is rarely rewarded in BigLaw but is still essential to success 01:20 How client expectations drive the need for cross-practice teamwork 03:17 Why silos, competition, and fee pressure derail collaboration 04:52 Common traps: "eat what you kill," clashing work styles, and version chaos 06:32 Practical strategies: clarify roles, align early, and use firm tools effectively 07:26 How overcommunication early prevents wasted time and turf wars later 08:11 Adapting to partner preferences and sharing credit generously 09:34 Soft skills that make collaboration work: listening, empathy, and conflict resolution 11:04 Case study: how a global deal team aligned as "one voice" and won repeat business 12:17 Late-night collaboration between associates that built goodwill with a client 13:15 A cautionary tale of poor version control that damaged client trust and associate morale 14:26 Why collaboration is not optional, it's critical to reputation, client service, and career growth Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? Here are ways to reach out to her: www.lauraterrell.com  laura@lauraterrell.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/  Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast

One of the toughest parts of BigLaw life is dealing with unclear or contradictory instructions. Partners often send cryptic emails, clients can be vague, and deadlines shift without explanation. You can waste hours second-guessing what a partner really wants. Or you can get smart about how to deal with ambiguity and recognize that mastering it is part of the job in BigLaw.  In this episode, I share the practical strategies you can use to navigate those moments, from clarifying vague assignments without pestering, to using timeboxing and judgment calls when no direction is available. I also explain how to read a partner's "ambiguity profile" so you can adapt to their style and avoid unnecessary frustration. At a Glance: 00:00 Why ambiguity is built into BigLaw and why clear instructions are the exception rather than the rule 01:20 How partner communication shortcuts and client vagueness create trickle-down uncertainty 02:39 Common scenarios such as three-sentence emails, vague quick overviews, and missing context 03:51 Four practical tools to navigate unclear assignments: clarify, timebox, skeleton outlines, and judgment 05:07 Examples of clarifying questions that suggest options and avoid over delivering 06:11 Why timeboxing prevents wasted hours and misaligned deep dives 06:38 Using a one pager or outline to confirm direction before investing too much time 07:30 When judgment is the only option and how to demonstrate initiative with uncertain asks 08:53 Reframing ambiguity as an opportunity to show judgment rather than a test of failure 10:19 Why forward progress matters more than perfection in firm culture 11:19 Understanding a partner's ambiguity profile and adapting to different supervision styles 12:40 Practical tactics for working with partners who do not respond, do not realize they are vague, or want independence 13:22 Why ambiguity is normal in BigLaw and how associates who thrive are those who navigate it 14:05 Final advice: treat ambiguity like a puzzle, not a problem Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? Here are ways to reach out to her: www.lauraterrell.com  laura@lauraterrell.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/  Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast  

Profitability is a word that makes many lawyers cringe. We know firms measure it, but the methods and metrics often feel murky—or worse, toxic to firm culture. Still, ignoring profitability is not an option if you want to succeed and thrive in BigLaw. In this episode, I break down what profitability really means inside large firms, why it's far more than just gross billings, and how to take control of the numbers that impact your compensation, partnership prospects, and long-term career.  From cost structures and volume to realization and collections, I share how firms evaluate lawyers and practices, and the concrete steps you can take to ensure you're seen as a profitable and valuable member of your firm. At a Glance: 00:00 Why profitability is uncomfortable for many lawyers but unavoidable in firm evaluations 01:20 Why profitability metrics can feel toxic and how firms define them in different ways 02:39 Revenue versus profitability—why $5 million billed doesn't mean $5 million in profit 03:59 Partner cost per revenue dollar and how staffing models impact profitability 05:10 High-volume, lower-margin practices versus high-margin, resource-intensive matters 07:11 Comparing a $15 million practice with 15% margin to an $8 million practice with 30% margin 08:12 Why collections matter more than billings if the firm isn't getting paid 08:41 Understanding your standard rate, average billed rate, and why the gap matters 10:06 Realization rate explained with examples and what your firm expects from you 12:38 Collections as the true test of profitability and what firms conclude about lawyers who can't collect 14:18 The risks of unreliable clients, poor billing practices, or weak client control 15:28 How cost allocations and overhead factor into your profitability picture 16:22 Using dashboards, financial analysts, and legal operations pros to understand your data 17:13 Asking the right questions of CFOs and practice leaders to align with benchmarks 17:36 Why profitability is multi-dimensional and how to shift the conversation from toxic to strategic Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? Here are ways to reach out to her: www.lauraterrell.com  laura@lauraterrell.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/  Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast  

Strategic planning often feels like corporate jargon that doesn't belong in law firms. Yet without a clear plan, too many lawyers end up chasing random opportunities, wasting time, and missing the clients and matters best suited to help them succeed with building their practice and their business.  In this episode, I talk with Sheri Palomaki, Director of Practice Operations at K&L Gates [Energy, Infrastructure, Resources] about why strategic planning is a critical skill for lawyers today, what makes it so difficult in our environment, and how attorneys in BigLaw can use practical tools like SWOT analysis, SMART goals, and accountability partners to align priorities with results. If you've ever wondered how to turn priorities like "bring in more clients" into real progress, this conversation will give you a concrete path forward. At a Glance: 00:00 Why strategy feels elusive for lawyers but is essential to your practice 01:20 Framing why strategic planning matters for lawyers and practice leaders 03:29 Sheri's career path from practicing at Skadden to law firm operations and strategic planning, and how that shaped her perspective 05:21 Why law firms resist planning: cash-basis financials, partnership politics, and individual achievement culture 08:17 The dartboard and football analogies: why random wins aren't a strategy 10:04 The trap of setting too many priorities and why 2-3 is the sweet spot 12:15 Using SWOT analysis effectively and avoiding the problem of one partner speaking for everyone 14:04 Turning priorities into SMART goals and why specificity matters 16:27 How to avoid chasing the wrong kinds of clients by segmenting your long tail 18:29 Fitness and sports analogies: daily actions, not lofty goals, drive results 21:12 Guarding against shiny object syndrome and staying intentional about shifts 23:10 How recurring accountability meetings and role assignments keep execution on track 25:02 The "accelerator program" model for training rising partners in business development 26:12 First steps: finding an accountability partner and communicating priorities Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. Learn more about Sheri Palomaki and Legal Value Network LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheripalomaki/ https://www.legalvaluenetwork.com/ Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? Here are ways to reach out to her: www.lauraterrell.com  laura@lauraterrell.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/  Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast  

Building and sustaining a practice in BigLaw can sometimes feel like you're carrying the entire business development and marketing load yourself. From writing client alerts and chasing follow-ups to hosting webinars and developing leads, many lawyers know the frustration of not having enough support from firm marketing and business development teams.  In this episode, I break down how to work smarter with the limited internal resources you may have -- even in a BigLaw firm -- where and how to create repeatable business development habits, how to leverage platforms outside your firm, and how to protect and invest in your own book of business when firm support simply isn't there. These strategies are designed to give you a clear path forward even if it feels like you're doing it all alone. At a Glance: 00:00 Why business development often feels like a solo effort in BigLaw 02:12 How to adjust expectations of firm resources and ask for targeted support 03:24 Examples of specific requests that firm resources can realistically deliver 04:37 Building simple, repeatable business development habits that create momentum 05:18 Repurposing client questions and content into multiple formats and opportunities 06:23 Streamlining workflow with templates, automation, and saved materials 07:10 Leveraging external platforms, like industry events, podcasts, and alumni groups 08:41 Making internal wins visible and quantifying results for leadership 10:54 Proactive updates that keep you on practice chairs' radar without seeming boastful 11:16 Asking whether you're building your firm's platform or your own and why it matters 12:59 Framing requests for firm resources with clear business justification 15:09 When to hire outside PR, marketing, or business development help to protect and grow your book of business Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? Here are ways to reach out to her: www.lauraterrell.com  laura@lauraterrell.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/  Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast  

Making partner in BigLaw is rarely a straightforward path and the feedback you get from your firm can be really cryptic. In this episode, I break down common things firms say to explain why they're holding off on your promotion and what they really mean. We go deeper into three of the most frequent partnership "holding patterns": the need for more visibility, more business development, and more leadership.  I share exactly how each one shows up in day-to-day practice, the actions that actually move the needle, and the questions you should be asking to turn vague guidance into a clear plan. If you're on the partner track—or wondering why you're stalled—this conversation will help you decode the signals and take targeted action that matters in your firm's decision-making process. At a Glance: 00:00 Why partnership feedback is often vague and how to read between the lines 02:28 The need to be "more visible" and why this may mean leaders don't know your value 04:06 Specific ways to build visibility in the right rooms 05:14 Three questions to assess whether you have a visibility problem 06:02 "We'd like to see more business development" and the different forms it takes 07:20 Value-driven business development that goes beyond landing big new clients 08:32 How to maintain relationship velocity with existing and potential clients 09:15 The five stages of business development progression for lawyers 10:29 Questions to ask when feedback on business development is unclear 10:50 "We'd like to see more leadership" and what that really looks like in BigLaw 11:30 Behaviors that show you're shaping strategy, not just completing tasks 12:16 How cultural fit and internal leadership roles influence partnership decisions 12:57 Asking for specific examples to strengthen your leadership profile 13:17 Final advice for clarifying vague feedback before your next partnership conversation Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars.   Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? Here are ways to reach out to her: www.lauraterrell.com  laura@lauraterrell.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/  Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast  

The legal industry has long assumed that once you make partner, you no longer need training. But as law firm operations have become more complex, and leadership expectations more demanding, that mindset no longer serves the firm or its partners. In this episode, I talk with Leigh Riley, a longtime partner at Foley & Lardner and architect of the firm's PEAK (Partner Excellence Actionable Knowledge) program, which is redefining what professional development looks like for senior lawyers. Leigh shares the real-world gaps she experienced after making partner and how she helped build a program to address the business, leadership, and people-management skills that partners are now expected to master. We get into everything from billing strategy and succession planning to managing laterals and navigating the emotional dynamics of career evolution. Whether you're a new partner, a lateral, or approaching transition in your practice, this episode offers a clear look at how firms can better support lawyers at every stage of partnership. At a Glance: 00:00 Why the idea that partners don't need training is outdated 03:13 Leigh's realization that partnership came with less guidance, not more 05:07 The moment she advocated for firm-wide partner development 06:15 Why people management is core to Foley's culture 07:58 Common partner questions that shaped the program 10:18 How mentorship gaps persist well into partnership 12:02 Why internal leaders are the primary trainers—not outsiders 13:25 How training is delivered: live sessions, short videos, and an on-demand library 14:49 Helping lateral partners understand firm culture and support systems 15:13 Involving business professionals in training content 16:12 How PEAK differs from traditional leadership programs 17:10 Training on listening, feedback, and generational differences 18:12 Feedback from partners and why it drives program longevity 23:10 Planning for transitions as partners evolve into new career stages 25:14 The challenges and importance of client succession planning Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. Reach Leigh Riley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leigh-riley-747b515/ lriley@foley.com https://www.foley.com/people/riley-leigh-c/ https://www.foley.com/  Information about Foley's PEAK program May 2025 Foley Career Perspectives blog post re overview of all tenure-based training academies at Foley, including PEAK: https://www.foley.com/insights/publications/2025/05/investing-attorneys-arc-careers/ October 2024 PEAK highlighted in The American Lawyer: https://www.foley.com/news/2024/10/foleys-peak-training-program-highlighted-in-the-american-lawyer/ September 2024 press release re PEAK launch: https://www.foley.com/news/2024/09/foley-launches-peak-partner-training-program/ Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? Here are ways to reach out to her: www.lauraterrell.com  laura@lauraterrell.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/  Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast

When you're early in your legal career—or even well into it—it can feel like raising your professional profile is only possible if you're already visible. But in this episode, I share how lawyers at all levels can expand their reputation strategically, even without headlining conferences and events, or getting opportunities to publish in legal journals and publications. I walk through the barriers lawyers face with getting more external visibility, including for attorney working in-house or at firms with less resources or ability to assist their practictioners, and break down practical, ethical, and effective ways to build your brand in both the legal and business communities. From LinkedIn strategies to industry group engagement, from social circles to generosity-based networking, I cover a range of tactics that can help to gain traction. Whether you're trying to become known as a trusted expert in your niche or simply want to find a path to more leadership and client-facing opportunities, this episode outlines steps you can take now to build a stronger, more memorable presence—starting today. At a Glance: 00:00 Why visibility is hard in both junior and senior stages of your career 02:30 What to do when legal speaking and publishing opportunities feel limited 02:59 How to answer "What do you do?" in a way that reflects your expertise 04:23 The difference between title-based and value-based branding 05:09 How to quietly build industry presence on LinkedIn 06:15 A low-effort way to become a recognized voice in your niche 07:10 Why business groups (not just legal ones) matter 08:16 How social and civic groups can organically build your brand 09:02 Letting your best traits speak for themselves outside of legal roles 09:48 Writing about law-adjacent topics when legal topics are off-limits 11:01 The role of generosity in expanding your reputation 12:14 How being a "connector" gets you invited to speak and lead Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? Here are ways to reach out to her: www.lauraterrell.com  laura@lauraterrell.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/  Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast