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

Felicia Harris Hoss is an attorney, mediator, and arbitrator who transitioned from litigation to helping parties resolve disputes more efficiently. In this episode of You Are A Lawyer, Felicia shares why early dispute resolution deserves more attention, how mediation can help clients save time and money, and why lawyers should recognize that successful advocacy doesn't always require a courtroom.  Lawyer Side Hustles Beyond conducting mediations and arbitrations, Felicia contributes to the legal profession through writing, policy development, and community involvement. She authored the report supporting American Bar Association Resolution 500, which promotes early dispute resolution, and has worked with colleagues and law students on an article examining how attorneys can use early mediation more effectively. She also serves as a director of the Harris County Dispute Resolution Center in Houston, where mediation services help community members resolve conflicts. "Think about it earlier in the process. Don't wait until you're about to go to trial to say, maybe we should go negotiate," Felicia Harris Hoss expresses in Episode 267 of You Are a Lawyer. Felicia's professional activities demonstrate how lawyers can use their expertise beyond representing individual clients. Through continuing legal education, writing, policy work, and community dispute resolution, she helps other attorneys understand the value of resolving conflicts before litigation becomes unnecessarily expensive. Her work also introduces law students and newer attorneys to opportunities within the legal profession that may receive less attention than traditional courtroom practice.    This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

Wani Iris Manly, Esq. is an IP attorney, entrepreneur, author, and speaker who has spent nearly two decades creating a legal career that looks like her. In this episode of You Are a Lawyer, Wani shares how moving to Paris changed the trajectory of her career, why she built an IP practice serving online entrepreneurs, and how embracing creativity and self-expression helped her expand beyond the traditional expectations of being a lawyer. Lawyer Side Hustles Wani's ventures outside traditional legal practice eventually became substantial businesses of their own. After moving to Paris, she began writing and sharing her story, which unexpectedly opened the door to public speaking. During the COVID lockdown, when in-person speaking stopped and online entrepreneurship accelerated, she responded by creating Where Inspiration Meets Law®, offering legal education and templates to online coaches and entrepreneurs. That business also helped reshape her law firm's clientele. "I always thought I was going to be only a lawyer for my entire life," shared Wani Iris Manly on Episode 266 of You Are a Lawyer. Instead, Wani Manly became a speaker, author, consultant, and multi-business entrepreneur alongside her legal work. She now speaks about change and entrepreneurship, while continuing to serve clients through her IP practice and exploring emerging issues involving AI, intellectual property, governance, and ethics. What began as opportunities outside the expected lawyer path became an important part of both her income and her identity.   This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

Nikita Lamar is a Texas attorney, entrepreneur, mediator, and author who built a virtual law firm while living in Mexico. In this episode, she shares how taking an unconventional path to law school shaped her career, why estate planning became deeply personal, and how lawyers can create careers that fit their lives instead of fitting into outdated expectations.   Lawyer Side Hustles Nikita's entrepreneurial mindset extends far beyond her law practice. Inspired by gaps she observed in the legal profession, she developed The Last Last, an estate planning journal that helps families organize important information before it's needed. More recently, she created Divorce Retreat, an innovative service that combines mediation, legal guidance, and professional resources into a collaborative experience for couples seeking an amicable divorce.  "You can create anything with your law degree," Nikita Lamar expresses in Episode 258 of You Are a Lawyer. Rather than waiting for someone else to solve problems she repeatedly encountered, Nikita chose to build solutions herself. Whether developing new legal services, writing resources for clients, or embracing virtual practice, she continues finding creative ways to use her legal education beyond traditional practice.  This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

Lee Rudin is a New Orleans personal injury attorney and founder of Get Rude, a law firm built around bold branding, authentic marketing, and exceptional client service. In this episode, Lee shares why he left defense work to represent injured people, how building a recognizable brand has transformed his practice, and why lawyers shouldn't be afraid to show their personality.  Lawyer Side Hustles Building Get Rude wasn't simply about opening a law firm. It was about creating a business that reflected Lee's personality while helping potential clients feel comfortable reaching out. Instead of relying solely on traditional advertising, he embraced social media, humor, costumes, and memorable content to stand out in a crowded marketplace.     "You just need to be authentically you," Lee Rudin expresses in Episode 257 of You Are a Lawyer. Lee explains that branding isn't about pretending to be someone else. It's about leaning into what naturally makes you different. His willingness to embrace creativity while remaining an excellent attorney has allowed him to build a practice that feels genuine and memorable, proving that authenticity can be one of a lawyer's greatest marketing advantages.   This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

Sam Mollaei is a California attorney, entrepreneur, and founder of Legal Funnel. After realizing traditional legal practice wasn't the life he wanted, Sam built multiple virtual law firms and now teaches attorneys how to automate client acquisition, streamline their businesses, and create practices that are virtual, scalable, and designed for freedom.  Lawyer Side Hustles Legal Funnel began after Sam successfully applied online sales funnels to his own law firms and realized other attorneys could benefit from the same systems. Today, he mentors hundreds of lawyers through group coaching, teaching them how to automate client intake, delegate work, and build businesses that continue growing without sacrificing their personal lives.  "I love giving. I love sharing," shares Sam Mollaei in Episode 56 of You Are a Lawyer. For Sam, mentorship has become just as meaningful as entrepreneurship. After experiencing the impact of having his own business mentor, he now helps attorneys create sustainable firms while encouraging them to think differently about what's possible with a law degree.  This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.