Why São Paulo?

Ever wondered what makes São Paulo, Brazil, a magnetic force for creatives and innovators worldwide? Host Emily Witt takes a bold step away from her successful legal podcast to immerse herself in the pulsating heart of South America's dynamic metropolis. Widely regarded as a cultural hub, São Paulo is home to world-class art galleries, a thriving music and nightlife scene, and a culinary landscape that reflects the city's incredible diversity. In this special announcement episode, Emily shares her vision for 'Why São Paulo?' - a new podcast that promises to uncover the soul of this incredible city through intimate conversations with its people and exploration of its unique spaces. Listeners will gain authentic insights into Brazilian culture, discover hidden gems of São Paulo's urban landscape, and understand what makes this city a global hub of creativity and innovation.

Ever wonder how a big law career can align with your passion for making a difference? This episode's guest is Jamie Schafer who explains her path to fulfillment and the advice she has learned along the way.  Jamie is a Partner in Perkins Coie’s White Collar & Investigations practice as well as the International Transactions & Trade practice. She is also a co-chair of the firm’s Sports industry group. Jamie represents entities and individuals in complex U.S. domestic and cross-border criminal and regulatory matters.  In this episode, learn how to:  Leverage big law resources for social impact  Build niche expertise in areas you're passionate about  Use pro bono work to develop skills and drive change  Tune in now to discover how Jamie Schaffer found purpose and made a meaningful impact while thriving in Big Law.   Topics discussed:  Jamie's journey to becoming a lawyer  Developing expertise in white collar and international law  Leveraging pro bono work for skill development  Balancing big law demands with personal interests  Using law firm resources for social impact  Importance of mentorship and networking  Adapting to changing work environments  Strategies for career intentionality  Involvement in Scouts and driving organizational change 

Ever wonder how to find true fulfillment in your legal career? Many lawyers struggle to align their work with their values and desire for a balanced lifestyle. In this episode, we're joined by Chris Jones, a startup attorney who found his path to freedom and meaning through law. You'll learn how to: Connect your spirituality to your legal practice Find innovative law firms that support work-life balance Use career breaks to gain perspective and new skills Listen now to discover how you can transform your legal career into a path of freedom, meaning, and personal growth. Chris shares his journey from big law to entrepreneurship and back to a fulfilling legal practice, offering valuable insights for lawyers at any stage of their career. Topics discussed: Meditation and spirituality in legal practice Transitioning from traditional law to startup and tech law The benefits of taking career breaks Finding alignment between personal values and legal work Building meaningful relationships with clients Innovative law firm models Overcoming fear to make career changes Blending entrepreneurship and legal practice Learning from experienced founders and deal-makers The importance of trust and creativity in client relationships

Have you ever felt a strong sense of purpose but struggled to find a career that aligns with your values? Many professionals seek fulfilling work that allows them to make a meaningful impact, but it can be challenging to navigate the transition into a different field, especially one as demanding as public interest law. In this episode you will: Gain insights into the rewarding journey of a public interest attorney dedicated to serving immigrant communities. Discover practical strategies for exploring new career paths while maintaining work-life balance. Learn how to leverage networking and mentorship opportunities to pursue your passion. Tune in to this inspiring conversation with Ernie Collette, a dedicated public interest attorney, as he shares his transformative journey and offers invaluable advice for those seeking purposeful work. Topics Discussed Ernie's personal journey and what led him to public interest law Balancing passion and preventing burnout in demanding legal work The importance of mentorship and representation in the legal profession Practical advice for exploring new career paths through networking The emotional fulfillment of helping clients in immigration law Navigating the transition into public interest work Strategies for maintaining work-life balance The role of curiosity and continuous learning in career growth Overcoming the fear of saying "no" and setting boundaries Building a supportive community for underrepresented groups in law

Natalie R. Birnbaum, Esq. is a healthcare regulatory attorney and a state policy consultant serving at the intersection of sex equity,  healthcare technology & innovation, and reproductive, health, rights, and justice.  She is the owner of the legal & policy consulting company, Repro Solutions, P.C., Of Counsel at Nelson Hardiman, LLP, and co-chair of the New York City Bar Association's Sex & Law Committee.  

Wendy Heilbut provides legal solutions and guidance to high-growth companies: bridging the gap between traditional legal service and strategic advice. Along with her team, she supports companies navigating the development of novel intellectual property offerings, complex corporate negotiations, and innovative business developments. She has an innate ability to understand and communicate with parties on all sides. Wendy is well connected in the start-up, investor, and female founder ecosystem of New York City and loves making connections for her clients and contacts. Prior to founding Heilbut LLP, Wendy was the Managing Partner of a boutique law firm as well as an associate at a large global law firm; she also started and ran a non-profit for underserved mothers and worked at a start-up. When not tending to her clients and her team, Wendy is tending to her garden, her children, and her personal wellness. Wendy was Emily's guest on Beyond the Legal Lens once before: In July, 2022. Listen to that episode here:  https://beyondthelegallens.libsyn.com/series-2-episode-5-wendy-heilbut-the-intersection-of-law-and-innovation

Eunsoo Choi is a dedicated 3L at Loyola University Chicago School of Law, on her way to becoming a healthcare litigator upon graduating in the Spring of 2024. She has gained valuable expertise both before and during law school. Currently serving as a Judicial Extern at the U.S. District Courts, Eunsoo is gaining invaluable insights into the intricacies of the legal system. She also spent two summers at prestigious firms, Barnes & Thornburg and Reed Smith, where she absorbed the thriving world of big law. Eunsoo had the pleasure of seconding to Blue Cross and Blue Shield in the summer of 2023, giving her a unique perspective on the intersection of law and healthcare. She also served as an Extern at Walgreens during the Fall Semester of 2022. Eunsoo's passion for healthcare law is deeply rooted in her personal experiences and her unwavering commitment to advocacy. She aspires to use her legal knowledge to make a meaningful impact, championing the causes she is passionate about. Solange Hackshaw graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Political Science and a B.S. in Communication Studies in 2021 from Boston University. As a Trinidadian-American immigrant, she is passionate about advocating for marginalized communities and challenging systemic inequities. Solange is currently a first-year law student at Duke University School of Law. Emily is available for coaching! Visit Beyondthelegallens.com  

JoAnn Holmes, Esq. (“Jo") is an IP & digital assets attorney, Web3 advisor and founder of Holmes@Law.  She consults with business leaders globally to navigate evolving Web3 legal and regulatory risks, and help clients leverage blockchain technologies into revenue ecosystems.  With expansive experience as Outside General Counsel to international brands and tech companies, Jo has overseen multi-billion dollar intangible asset portfolios spanning more than 150 countries.  And, she’s consistently closed lucrative agreements with IP innovators like Disney, Microsoft and the NFL.   Jo serves on the inaugural Blockchain Law for Social Good Center board, and is featured among the global Top 100 Women of the Future™.  She regularly advises elite accelerators like Techstars, Dapper Labs and the Atlanta Blockchain Center.  Jo has spoken more than 30 times in the US and abroad, delivering pragmatic insights on blockchain law and Web3 revenue strategies for both public audiences, and in private corporate workshops.   www.holmesatlaw.com   Emily is available for coaching! Visit Beyondthelegallens.com

Elise Holtzman is passionate about attorney success and happiness! She is a former practicing lawyer, professional coach and trainer, and the Founder & CEO of The Lawyer’s Edge®, which works with law firms to grow thriving businesses by helping lawyers become better business developers and leaders.  In addition to hosting The Lawyer’s Edge podcast and speaking frequently for law firms and bar associations, Elise is the creator of the Lawyers Making Rain™ program and the Ignite Women’s Business Development Accelerator.  Elise earned a BA in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and her JD from Columbia Law School, where she was a senior editor of the Columbia Law Review and is now a Vice President of the Columbia Law School Association. Prior to founding The Lawyer’s Edge, Elise practiced law in New York City with AmLaw 100 firms Fried Frank and Morgan Lewis. https://thelawyersedge.com/about-us/meet-elise-holtzman/ Emily is available for coaching! Visit Beyondthelegallens.com

Dyllan Brown-Bramble is a NY Biglaw privacy and cybersecurity associate and a Senior Fellow at the Internet Law and Policy Foundry. At his firm, Dyllan maintains an active pro bono practice with a focus on advising low-income entrepreneurs and small businesses. He also serves on the VOLS Pro Bono Advocates Council and the junior board for the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project. While in law school, he was a Tech Law & Policy Scholar, represented clients in the Intellectual Property and Information Policy Clinic, was a research assistant at the Center on Privacy & Technology, and was a teaching assistant for Computer Programming for Lawyers and Legal Communication Design. He also worked as a legal intern at Morgan Stanley and SambaTV and as a fellow at Mount Sinai Innovation Partners and InSITE. Internet Law & Policy Foundry VOLS Pro Bono Advocates Council Surveillance Technology Oversight Project   Emily is available for coaching! Visit Beyondthelegallens.com        

Bree's Personal Story My roots lie on a corn, soybean, potato, and onion farm in Southeastern North Dakota, where I had the opportunity to manage crop variety and chemistry test plots. Occasionally, I even got behind the wheel of a tractor or combine. Growing up in this environment, I witnessed the remarkable impact of biotechnological, chemical, mechanical, and electrical innovations as they completely transformed not only my family's commercial agriculture operation but also our entire rural community. As an academic scientist, my journey has taken me on kayaking adventures across the lakes of Minnesota, living and working in the captivating landscapes of Iceland, picking cotton under the blazing Texas sun, and collaborating closely with regulatory officials in Kenya. I attended law school part-time and worked in various roles throughout the past four years. First, I served as a policy advisor on Capitol Hill. Then, I managed global business development for an antibody discovery contract research organization. Concurrently, my journey in patent prosecution began at an IP boutique firm and then most recently continued in big law. Outside of work, my rescue dog, Kai, and rescue horse, Rico, keep me active outdoors. I also enjoy engaging in various forms of physical activity, including yoga, [solid core], and Pure Barre. My love for holistic personal and professional development continuously drives me to keep learning and growing. I am also passionate about studying nutrition, and during COVID, I completed my Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Certificate. https://www.linkedin.com/in/breevculek/    

Principled and approachable, Amy Kluesner is a trusted advisor who cares deeply about the clients she serves. She offers comprehensive advice to healthcare providers and private equity funds, providing counsel to public and private entities on mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, corporate governance matters and associated healthcare regulatory requirements. She identifies and mitigates risk, navigates organizations through growth and change and collaborates closely with business leaders to resolve complex legal issues. Amy’s industry know-how, coupled with her joyful personality, enable her to effectively and efficiently close deals. Before joining Barnes & Thornburg, Amy served as general counsel for a dental support organization (DSO) and for a private equity-backed healthcare company. She is adept at providing outside general counsel services to growing portfolio companies, particularly with regard to mergers and acquisitions and regulatory compliance in the DSO space. Amy also spent several years in private practice as a transactional attorney, representing domestic and global companies as both acquirers and sellers in asset and stock M&A deals. She is skilled in coordinating all aspects of a transaction and efficiently moving transactions from the initial letter of intent stage to closing. https://www.linkedin.com/in/amykluesner/  

    Zane is a corporate attorney at Gesmer Updegrove LLP in Boston, MA representing clients in their business transactions and assisting with their general corporate matters. Zane is originally from Albany, NY, and graduated from Boston College Law School in 2021. He started his legal career as a Private Equity Associate at Ropes & Gray LLP in Boston, MA. Zane is passionate about law and helping entrepreneurs with their business goals and challenges. He is also strongly committed to diversifying the legal profession and lawyer well-being and mental health. In Zane’s free time, he loves to read and go for long walks with his dog, Koda!     Learn more about Emily's work helping lawyers find their dream careers at her website, or on her LinkedIn profile.             

My guest this week, Ashleigh Giovannini, partners with domestic and international health care, digital health, health care innovation and life sciences businesses at all stages of development, to build solid legal and regulatory compliance foundations while balancing risk tolerance and acceleration toward strategic business goals. Additionally, she helps her clients devise creative approaches to complying with state, federal and international privacy and cybersecurity frameworks for health and other sensitive data and partners with a wide array of businesses to develop and negotiate unique data, technology and health care services contracts to optimize growth. As a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) through the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), Ashleigh has a clear understanding of emerging privacy and security issues in the health care industry. With this knowledge, Ashleigh makes it a point to deeply immerse herself in the business models of her clients to help them establish sustainable consumer trust while maximizing growth potential. Ashleigh values mentorship and has made it a personal mission to uplift up and coming professionals in the fields of law, digital health and health care innovation, and data privacy and cybersecurity. She is especially passionate about raising awareness for neurodivergence in the workplace. In her free time, Ashleigh enjoys resistance training, travel, antiquing, and crafting. She is in constant pursuit of new knowledge and is currently learning calculus and Italian. You can connect with Ashleigh on LinkedIn where she shares insightful commentary on emerging issues in tech, health care, data privacy and security, and Artificial Intelligence.  Learn more about Emily's work helping lawyers find their dream careers at her website, or on her LinkedIn profile.       

  Bethany Corbin is an attorney, activist, and advocate seeking to revolutionize women’s health through powerful thought leadership, strategic business and legal guidance, and educational/policy advocacy. She is passionate about helping entrepreneurs transform the way society thinks about human health by disrupting and enhancing the “standard” model of healthcare delivery.Overcoming her own women’s health experience, Bethany understands first-hand the challenges women face navigating a healthcare system that consistently dismisses and diminishes their pain. She’s actively working to break down social taboos and stigmas that attach to women’s health while enhancing respect for women’s privacy and autonomy. Bethany’s passion and activism make her a leading voice on women’s health innovation, femtech, and data privacy. She recently launched Feminnovation, Revolutionizing Women’s  Health Through Advocacy, Education & Consulting, and you can also find her on her website.  Learn more about Emily's work helping lawyers find their dream careers at her website, or on her LinkedIn profile.