Kyla Denanyoh is bursting with energy and excitement because of THREE huge things. First, there is a You Are A Lawyer newsletter that is released on the opposite weeks of the podcast episodes and you need to join it and find out what is happening behind the scenes with the podcast. Second, if you are interested in weekly You Are A Lawyer podcast episodes, let Kyla know all about it. Email kyla@youarealawyer.com and tell Kyla that you want WEEKLY You Are A Lawyer podcast episodes. Third, in celebration of Kyla’s birthday, Kyla wants you to tell five people about the You Are a Lawyer podcast. Not ten people, not one person, but tell FIVE people about the You Are A Lawyer podcast because this podcast is all about: Finding out why people went to law school, What people are doing in their current careers, Why do people change their minds about their careers, and Why people are doubling down on what they really enjoy. You Are A Lawyer is hosted by Kyla Denanyoh. Kyla Denanyoh is a 2015 graduate of Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Kyla Denanyoh is not a licensed or practicing attorney. Follow the podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarealawyer/Twitter:  https://twitter.com/YouAreA_LawyerWebsite: https://www.youarealawyer.com

Christon Halkiotis always knew that she wanted to become a prosecutor. After interning with the District Attorney’s office as a 3L, Christon Halkiotis excelled as a prosecutor where she participated in more than 300 bench trials and 35 jury trials. In 2019, Christon Halkiotis opened her law firm where she serves criminal defense clients. Listen to learn: How to be a zealous advocate for your client The importance of the personal relationships between lawyers and criminal defendants (and having a physical office for clients to visit) How to become a court-appointed attorney on the North Carolina Capital Defense Roster We also discuss: The power shift from being a prosecutor to working in criminal defense The difference between bench trials and jury trials The prestige of being admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States Bar Christon Halkiotis is licensed to practice law in North Carolina. Learn more about Christon Halkiotis:  Instagram: @cshlawpllc.com*You Are A Lawyer is hosted by Kyla Denanyoh.  Follow the podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarealawyer/Twitter:  https://twitter.com/YouAreA_LawyerWebsite: https://www.youarealawyer.comADVERTISER:  This episode is sponsored by the Law Office of Vernon P. Thomas.

Jaya Saxena practiced law for a few years before working in law school administration and back to a law firm, but focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. Now, as the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at The Brattle Group, Jaya Saxena creates strategy and acts as an internal consultant to ensure that DEI is represented in all aspects of the company.Listen to learn: How Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is a cross-functioning role, regardless of where the program is housed in a company. DEI is not strictly an HR function. The importance of focusing on what you can control to eliminate stress Why pre-law programs benefit law students  We also discuss: How most careers are non-linear yet meaningful and beneficial Cultural pressures that motivate people to seek advanced degrees or attend law school Five-year undergraduate and Master’s degree programs at Carnegie Mellon University Jaya Saxena is licensed to practice law in Maryland. Learn more about Jaya Saxena:  Twitter: https://twitter.com/thezenlegalmamaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayasaxena2010/*You Are A Lawyer is hosted by Kyla Denanyoh.  Follow the podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarealawyer/Twitter:  https://twitter.com/YouAreA_LawyerWebsite: https://www.youarealawyer.comADVERTISER:  This episode is sponsored by the Law Office of Vernon P. Thomas.

James Mattox III intended to become a parole officer before a college professor encouraged him to impact more lives by becoming a lawyer. James Mattox III started law school without knowing anyone who looked like him or came from a small town. Now, James Mattox III is co-founder of the law firm that specializes in personal injury, bankruptcy, and Texas family law.Listen to learn: Advice for cofounding a law firm Why bankruptcy and personal injury law pair are complementary practices The benefits of virtual law firms for new lawyers We also discuss: How bankruptcy and personal injury law interact Best career choices if you have a JD and want to own a business How an encouraging teacher can change your life The importance of getting honest advice when choosing a law school James Mattox III is licensed to practice law in Texas. Learn more about James Mattox III:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carwreck_professor/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattoxlawfirmFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/themattoxlawfirm/Website: https://www.themattoxlawfirm.com*You Are A Lawyer is hosted by Kyla Denanyoh.  Follow the podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarealawyer/Twitter:  https://twitter.com/YouAreA_LawyerWebsite: https://www.youarealawyer.comADVERTISER:  This episode is sponsored by the Law Office of Vernon P. Thomas.

Sharon Christie began teaching women lawyers to run successful businesses.  After realizing that she no longer loved being a partner in a law firm, Sharon Christie set up her own law firm where she worked on disability cases. Now, Sharon Christie created Bold Women Lawyers, where Sharon coaches and consults with female lawyers with solo or small practices.Listen to learn: How to create a social security and disability law practice The importance of leaving the law when it no longer suits you How to look at different areas of law before leaving the practice How to structure your life around traveling every quarter  We also discuss: How to change careers from nursing to law Best career choices if you have a JD and enjoy teaching Why hiking through Europe could be beneficial to a lawyer How to be totally in control of your time Sharon Christie is licensed to practice law in Maryland. Learn more about You Are A Lawyer guest Sharon Christie:  Instagram: www.instagram.com/boldwomenlawyers/?hl=enTwitter: www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-christie-3849961/Website: www.boldwomenlawyers.com*You Are A Lawyer is hosted by Kyla Denanyoh.  Follow the podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarealawyer/Twitter:  https://twitter.com/YouAreA_LawyerWebsite: https://www.youarealawyer.comADVERTISER:  This episode is sponsored by the Law Office of Vernon P. Thomas.

Jolene Blackbourn ignored moot court, law review, and on-campus interviews; everything she could to avoid litigation. After a professor explained that Jolene had a knack for litigation work, Jolene Blackbourn found that she enjoyed the research and preparation needed for trial. Eventually being known as the “Trial Queen,” Jolene excelled when she worked in-house on corporate defense matters. Now, Jolene Blackbourn runs The Legal Learning Center, where she helps students graduate in less time and with less debt.Listen to learn: How to find your debt to income ratio before attending law school The importance of examining careers before committing to law school How to use a podcast to become an author We also discuss: How corporate defense lawyers help small business owners  Best career choices if you have a JD and enjoy mentoring Why you should research the salaries of lawyers in different roles Jolene Blackbourn is licensed to practice law in California. Learn more about Jolene Blackbourn:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legallearningcenter/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolene-blackbourn-esq/*You Are A Lawyer is hosted by Kyla Denanyoh.  Follow the podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarealawyer/Twitter:  https://twitter.com/YouAreA_LawyerWebsite: https://www.youarealawyer.comADVERTISER:  This episode is sponsored by the Law Office of Vernon P. Thomas.

Devin Zito studied computer information before creating a company that wrote code for financial companies. After being encouraged by his wife to attend law school, Devin Zito studied as a part-time student in both the day and evening programs at Southern Law because Devin wanted to continue running his technology company. Now, Devin Zito is the Director of Information Services and Corporate Counsel at Assurance Financial.Listen to learn: How to attend law school while running a business The importance of using your college credits to prepare for law school Why your solo practice should align with your existing non-legal interests We also discuss: The impact of being an adjunct law professor  How an information systems background is a good foundation for law school Why keeping in touch with people is REALLY important (yay networking!) Devin Zito is licensed to practice law in Louisiana. Learn more about Devin Zito:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devin-j-zito-1013593a/*You Are A Lawyer is hosted by Kyla Denanyoh.  Follow the podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarealawyer/Twitter:  https://twitter.com/YouAreA_LawyerWebsite: https://www.youarealawyer.comADVERTISER:  This episode is sponsored by the Law Office of Vernon P. Thomas.

Justin Stivers is the founder and CEO of The Probate Law Firm. Once told that he could do anything with a law degree, Justin Stivers went to law school after a non-traditional path. After living in Honduras with the Peace Corps and considering a career as a scuba instructor, Justin Stivers found that being a lawyer was a great career for him. Justin Stivers decided to use social media to teach others about probate law and estate planning. After challenging himself to create content every day for a year, Justin Stivers found that consistency and authenticity allowed him to reach thousands of people. Listen to learn: When to open your own law firm How financial advisors and estate planners work together Why philosophy is a great major for pre-law students We also discuss: How to test-drive living abroad (hint: don’t quit your day job) Best career choices if you have a JD and philosophy background What to do if you are miserable while practicing law Justin Stivers is licensed to practice law in Florida and Tennessee. Learn more about You Are A Lawyer guest Justin Stivers:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stiverslaw/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcIyGEpme0t_h2R73CdKOBw LinkedIn: ​​https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-stivers-289b38100/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justin.stivers*You Are A Lawyer is hosted by Kyla Denanyoh.  Follow the podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarealawyer/Twitter:  https://twitter.com/YouAreA_LawyerWebsite: https://www.youarealawyer.comADVERTISER:  This episode is sponsored by the Law Office of Vernon P. Thomas.

Elisabeth Steele worked in the White House as a Special Assistant to Thurgood Marshall Jr. before attending law school. Then, Elisabeth Steele taught others through online undergraduate programs, where Elisabeth realized that a genuine connection could be built virtually. Elisabeth Steele recently left the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she was the Director of Admissions. Now, Elisabeth Steele teaches educators and lawyer-types to communicate online.Listen to learn: How to be confident through virtual conference platforms (Zoom, Skype, Teams, TikTok) The importance of choosing to do what you want to do How others can pivot in their careers We also discuss: How to embrace your large personality and succeed Best career choices if you have a JD and enjoy teaching Why attend Yale Law School and not take the bar exam Elisabeth Steele is not licensed to practice law. Learn more about You Are A Lawyer guest Elisabeth Steele:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisabethsteelehutchison/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elisabethsteelagram/Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElisabethTweeleWebsite: https://www.elisabethsteele.com/*You Are A Lawyer is hosted by Kyla Denanyoh.  Follow the podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarealawyer/Twitter:  https://twitter.com/YouAreA_LawyerWebsite: https://www.youarealawyer.comADVERTISER:  This episode is sponsored by the Law Office of Vernon P. Thomas.

Maya Markovich is the Chief Growth Officer at Nextlaw Labs, a legal innovation organization founded by Denton’s. After working as a change management consultant, Maya Markovich took her interest in technology to propel legal tech innovations. If you are seeking mentorship or want to discuss law and tech, contact Maya Markovich at maya.markovich@gmail.com.Listen to learn: How legal innovation will make law firms become client centric The importance of project management in law firms How law firms can overcome the productivity paradox We also discuss: Why legal innovation is client-driven Career choices with a JD and change management background How to build a network of people doing interesting stuff Why the legal industry is slow to change and modernize Learn more about You Are A Lawyer guest Maya Markovich:  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MarkovichMayaLinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayamarkovich/*You Are A Lawyer is hosted by Kyla Denanyoh.  Follow the podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarealawyer/Twitter:  https://twitter.com/YouAreA_LawyerWebsite: https://www.youarealawyer.comADVERTISER:  This episode is sponsored by the Law Office of Vernon P. Thomas.

Caroline Vickers became a coach for repeat and first-time bar exam takers.  After Caroline Vickers started coaching her friends who were taking the bar exam, Caroline Vickers noticed that multiple people had the same issues with their mindset.  After realizing that the confidence and mindset of repeat bar exam takers was lacking, Caroline Vickers created Bar Prep Champs and incorporated group coaching for participants.  Listen to learn: How to change your mindset to pass the bar exam Why repeat bar exam takers have difficulty with the exam How to write for the bar exam We also discuss: How the shame of not passing the bar exam will affect your future exam decisions Best career choices if you have a JD and enjoy teaching Why California allows you (and Kim Kardashian) to take the bar exam without attending law school Caroline Vickers is licensed to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Learn more about You Are A Lawyer guest Caroline Vickers:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barprepchamps/Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarPrepChampsWebsite: https://www.barprepchamps.com*You Are A Lawyer is hosted by Kyla Denanyoh.  Follow the podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarealawyer/Twitter:  https://twitter.com/YouAreA_LawyerWebsite: https://www.youarealawyer.comADVERTISER:  This episode is sponsored by the Law Office of Vernon P. Thomas.

Ali Awad became a social media mogul and edutains (educates and entertainer) others about personal injury law and how to excel with social media.  After realizing that Ali Awad was a natural salesman, Ali Awad found that his authenticity and natural acting skills attracted millions of social media followers.  Now, Ali Awad teaches others to build a brand online and Ali Awad manages a multi-million dollar personal injury law practice.Listen to learn: How to attract clients from social media The importance of having a hustler mentality  How to build a business with nothing We also discuss: Being Muslim and a lawyer Best career choices if you have a JD and enjoy acting Why Ali Awad wants to have the biggest law firm in the United States The CEOLawyer Media Summit Ali Awad is licensed to practice law in Georgia. Learn more about You Are A Lawyer guest Ali Awad:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceolawyer/?hl=enWebsite: https://ceolawyer.com*You Are A Lawyer is hosted by Kyla Denanyoh.  Follow the podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarealawyer/Twitter:  https://twitter.com/YouAreA_LawyerWebsite: https://www.youarealawyer.comADVERTISER:  This episode is sponsored by the Law Office of Vernon P. Thomas.

Candace Spencer became a dairy-free consultant to empower others with food restrictions.  After realizing that law school sucks, Candace Spencer became a mediator for a non-profit consulting firm. Now, Candace Spencer has embraced her role as a Black woman in the food and agriculture field.Listen to learn: How to support your friends and family who follow a dairy-free diet The important distinction that eggs are not dairy How to advance racial equity in food justice  We also discuss: Best career options if you have a JD and love food  Why people agree to follow the law Candace Spencer is licensed to practice law in Florida.  Learn more about You Are A Lawyer guest Candace Spencer:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candaceaspencer/Twitter: https://twitter.com/CandaceS2510Website: https://candaceaspencer.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLNspKWOm6Kn0VKqxPox_bg*You Are A Lawyer is hosted by Kyla Denanyoh.  Follow the podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarealawyer/Twitter:  https://twitter.com/YouAreA_LawyerWebsite: https://www.youarealawyer.comADVERTISER:  This episode is sponsored by the Law Office of Vernon P. Thomas.

David Orozco has not sat for a bar exam, but David has not removed the option of ever taking a bar exam.  David creates businesses and teaches with this same anticipation or expectation to be surprised by what will happen next. As an undergraduate student at New York University, David Orozco took a Civil Liberties elective in his final year of school.  This course piqued David’s interest in becoming a lawyer.  David quickly turned his initial fear of discovering case law and legal jargon into an appreciation for legal research and procedures. David attended law school at Northwestern’s Pritzker School of Law and he thoroughly enjoyed law school.  David participated in a number of organizations and worked as an editor.  David planned to work in a large law firm or on Wall Street, but David’s need to explore led him toward academia. After graduating from law school, David began a research fellowship at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.  After the fellowship, David began teaching at Michigan Technological University before teaching business administration at Florida State University. David Orozco is also the Editor-In-Chief of the American  Business LawJournal and co-founder of SettleShark, LLC.  SettleShark assists consumers and small business owners with settling their disputes.  David sees SettleShark as a consumer resource and activist tool to help the average consumer understand their rights and how to act with large corporations. SettleShark was created after David used demand letters to win thousands of dollars for consumers and David realized that this resource did not exist. Together with his business partner, Lonny, David uses SettleShark to level the playing field and educate the masses.  David Orozco is not licensed.  Connect with David Orozco on Twitter @ProfessorOrozco and @SettleShark and on LinkedIn.  Contact David Orozco at info@settleshark.com for access to his article about TicketMaster and their marketing practices.Follow the You Are A Lawyer podcast on Twitter @YouAreA_Lawyer, Instagram @youarealawyer, Clubhouse @youarealawyer, and on LinkedIn.  Follow the podcast host, Kyla Denanyoh, on Instagram @kjd796. This episode is sponsored by the Law Office of Vernon P. Thomas.

If you ever daydreamed about leaving your job, grabbing your passport, and moving to a new country, Michelle Words believes you should and will help you prepare to do so.  Michelle Words lives an organic life; she believes that you make plans, plans change, you work with those new plans and see what happens. Michelle Words is an avid international traveler, business law professor, expat, and podcast host. Yet, Michelle did not embrace the thrills of travelling until she was in graduate school. Michelle obtained a Master’s degree from Clark Atlanta University, where Michelle studied finance. Then life happened and Michelle decided to attend law school.After law school and working as an associate vice president of Bank of America, Michelle decided that she wanted to truly embrace life and get off the corporate “hamster wheel.” A Mediterranean cruise sparked Michelle’s interest in international travel; an appreciation that led Michelle to visit more than 60 countries. Although Michelle encourages international travel, Michelle encourages you to learn as much as you can about the culture, customs, and best practices before your plane leaves the States. Michelle has spent the last seven years living in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, teaching business law, and sharing her career experiences with undergraduate and business students.  Michelle inadvertently discovered that she truly enjoys teaching and using her work experiences as examples in the classroom. Michelle Words is also the podcast host of Flippin’ The Script! In each podcast episode, Michelle speaks with mature women about how they change their lives (e.g. their scripts) and encourages women to seek change, instead of settling for what is expected.  Flippin’ The Script is available on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and you may find more information at flippinthescript.com.Michelle Words is licensed in Wisconsin.  Connect with Michelle Words on LinkedIn and Instragram @flippinthescriptpodcast.Follow the You Are A Lawyer podcast on Twitter @YouAreA_Lawyer, Instagram @youarealawyer, Clubhouse @youarealawyer, and on LinkedIn.  Follow the podcast host, Kyla Denanyoh, on Instagram @mrsdenanyoh. This episode is sponsored by the Law Office of Vernon P. Thomas.

If you think having a law degree limits your creativity you haven’t met Katherin Hervey.  Katherin has worked as a magazine editor, a public defender, a film enthusiast, a holistic artist, a director, and filmmaker.  After studying cross-cultural communications, which was a self-designed major at the University of Washington, Katherin found that curating her own degree was her way of diving into her interests.  Katherin was able to take women's studies courses, ethnicity, psychology and  sociology courses which motivated Katherin to pick up a camera.Katherin Hervey attended law school at Loyola- Los Angeles and later became a public defender.  Katherin found the tradition, patriarchy, and hierarchical processes of law school to be stifling, and Katherin rebelled against most of what she saw in law school.  Law school inspired Katherin to wonder about the people behind the case law and find her own way to tell stories of others.  Katherin’s interest in the background stories combined with her experiences as a public defender in California, motivated Katherin to go behind the prison walls to share the stories of men on death row. Katherin wants you to know that the stories of the men behind the walls could be you, these men could be your brothers, uncles, nephews.  Katherin used language and terminology learned from being a public defender while appealing to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to gain access to the men inside.  Katherin’s mission in filming ‘The Prison Within’ is to show the empathy of the men behind the walls; show the work that these men are completing and showing their humanity.  Every person is on a parallel journey to heal and these men are not unlike the lives of those who live on the outside of the walls.Although Katherin believes that she would have taken a creative path regardless of attending law school, Katherin Hervey  knows that she would not have created a project like ‘The Prison Within’ had she never attended law school. Learn more about ‘The Prison Within’ at theprisonwithin.org, and watch the film ‘The Prison Within’ on Tubi, Amazon Prime, iTunes, and Google Play.Katherin Hervey is licensed in California.  Connect with Katherin Hervey on Instagram @theprisonwithin.Follow the You Are A Lawyer podcast on Twitter @YouAreA_Lawyer, Instagram @youarealawyer, Clubhouse @youarealawyer, and on LinkedIn.  Follow the podcast host, Kyla Denanyoh, on Instagram @kjd796. This episode is sponsored by the Law Office of Vernon P. Thomas.

What do you want people to say about you at your retirement party?  Frank Ramos wears multiple hats, but all of his activities and hobbies are centered around ensuring that his life is meaningful. Licensed in Florida, Frank Ramos is a litigation partner and has worked with the same law firm for 23 years.  However, Frank has diverse interests which range from being an author to mentoring lawyers to being a former podcast host.Among his 18 other books, Frank is the author of a book called the Associate Whisperer.  Frank is empathetic with young lawyers in a way that resonates with them.  This book provides probing questions and assignments for these lawyers to determine where they want to be in life and ensure that they are in the right place. Frank Ramos created the website, Miami Mentor, to provide information about public speaking, trial skills, being published and even evaluating your law firm.  Most of these resources are free; services that Frank provides to the world for the purpose of giving everyone the opportunity to educate themselves in weak areas.  Frank has resources for law students, young lawyers and established lawyers because Frank has been in all of these roles and uses his experiences to teach others.Frank Ramos also spends his time working as a purpose coach where he challenges people to look for their mission, their destiny or what they are supposed to do in their lives.  Frank is adamant that this self reflection is not only necessary as a new lawyer, but tenured lawyers may also learn about what motivates them.Frank Ramos is licensed in Florida.  Connect with Frank Ramos on LinkedIn and at www.miamimentor.com.Follow the You Are A Lawyer podcast on Twitter @YouAreA_Lawyer, Instagram @youarealawyer, Clubhouse @youarealawyer, and on LinkedIn.  Follow the podcast host, Kyla Denanyoh, on Instagram @kjd796. Kyla Denanyoh is a 2015 graduate of Southern University Law Center (SULC).This episode is sponsored by the Law Office of Vernon P. Thomas.

In this bonus episode, podcast host Kyla Denanyoh is answering frequently asked questions from the podcast audience and social media.  Questions like:  Are you married to a lawyer? Is podcasting your full time job? How do you find guests for the podcast?Kyla gets help from her best friend Lauren to ask these FAQs and Kyla gets vulnerable and shares about her life behind the microphone.Follow the You Are A Lawyer podcast on Twitter @YouAreA_Lawyer, Instagram @youarealawyer, Clubhouse @youarealawyer, and on LinkedIn.  Follow the podcast host, Kyla Denanyoh, on Instagram @kjd796. Kyla Denanyoh is a 2015 graduate of Southern University Law Center (SULC).

Vernon W. Thomas is a member of the U.S. Army Reserve Judge Advocate General Corps (JAG), an Orleans Parish city prosecutor, a bookworm, former East Baton Rouge Parish public defender and has experience as a solo practitioner. Yet, Vernon did not grow up with aspirations to be a lawyer. Vernon grew up watching his father, Vernon P. Thomas, a 1979 Southern University Law Center graduate, run a thriving legal practice.  However, Vernon attended Dillard University with intentions to become a school teacher.  After numerous discussions with his father, Vernon realized that his analytical mind might enjoy law school.  As a 2009 Southern University Law Center graduate, Vernon studied with a group of classmates for the bar exam.  While being too broke to pay for a formal bar prep course and having military-style discipline, Vernon endured a tenuous schedule and prides himself on passing the Louisiana bar exam on his first try.  After working in various legal roles, in numerous cities, and on multiple active duty assignments with the United States Army Reserves, Vernon is back in his hometown of New Orleans.Currently, Vernon W. Thomas is a lawyer with the Law Office of Vernon P. Thomas; a role that Vernon inherited after his father passed away in 2016.  Vernon and his brother, Hunter Thomas, a 2017 Southern University Law Center graduate, both share the workload at their fathers’ namesake office.  Vernon W. Thomas is licensed in Louisiana.  Connect with Vernon W. Thomas on LinkedIn. Follow the You Are A Lawyer podcast on Twitter @YouAreA_Lawyer, Instagram @youarealawyer, Clubhouse @youarealawyer, and on LinkedIn.  Follow the podcast host, Kyla Denanyoh, on Instagram @mrsdenanyoh.  Kyla Denanyoh is a 2015 graduate of Southern University Law Center (SULC) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Dana Shaker has an intriguing career journey.  When Dana began law school, she was convinced that she wanted to work in policy and advocate for food practices.  However, the three rigorous years of law school led Dana to consider other options.  After taking the California bar exam twice and not passing the test, Dana listened to urging from her family and friends to take the D.C. bar exam.  Not only did Dana Shaker pass the D.C. bar exam, but it made sense for Dana to be licensed where Dana had multiple relationships and career connections. This meandering road to becoming a licensed attorney led Dana to working as a policy consultant in Sacramento, California.  The irony of working in the state where she originally wanted to be licensed is not lost on Dana. After rediscovering her enjoyment of yoga, Dana Shaker became certified in yin yoga and hosts numerous courses, in person and online, teaching others the benefits of yoga.  Dana finds that her background as a lawyer allows her to resonate with others in the legal profession.  Through her business, The Inward Journey with Dana Shaker, Dana entourages bar examinees and lawyers to journal and Dana lends a listening ear to her clients, when it's needed.Dana Shaker is licensed in the District of Columbia.  Connect with Dana Shaker on Instagram @thelotuslawyer, Pinterest @thelotuslawyer, and her website, danashaker.com.Follow the You Are A Lawyer podcast on Twitter @YouAreA_Lawyer, Instagram @youarealawyer, Clubhouse @youarealawyer, and on LinkedIn.  Follow the podcast host, Kyla Denanyoh, on Instagram @mrsdenanyoh.  Kyla Denanyoh is a 2015 graduate of Southern University Law Center (SULC) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.