In this episode, host Kathryn Rubino chats with Cecilia Poullain, an international executive coach and former lawyer. Cecilia shares insightful career transitions from law to coaching, focusing on empowering women to become partners in law firms. The episode uncovers the hidden challenges of partnership, the importance of confidence, and striking a work-life balance. Cecilia’s personal stories reveal the necessity of understanding one’s true career desires. A must-listen for aspiring partners and those questioning their legal career path.

Highlights

• Transitioning from law to executive coaching.

• Valuable skills from a legal background in the financial sector.

• Discovering a path through Gestalt therapy.

• Challenges in the partnership journey for women.

• The hidden skills needed for partnership.

• Confidence issues and perfectionism in law.

• The loneliness and mental health in law firms.

• Recognizing and utilizing emotional intelligence in law.

• Balancing personal life with demanding legal careers.

• Flexibility in work arrangements as a solution.

• Navigating personal goals within rigid law firm structures.

• Coaching focus: achieving partnership to improve firm culture.

Episode Sponsored By

• https://www.lexisnexis.com/lexisplus

Links and Resources

• https://www.ceciliapoullain.com/

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Kathryn Rubino chats with Olga Berson partner at Thompson Coburn. Olga shares her journey from a scientist to a top patent attorney, tackling AI’s impact on patentability and the evolving biosimilar litigation. Her unique insights and balance between law and ballroom dancing make it an inspiring episode!

Highlights

• Path from science to patent law.

• Patent lawyers as the geeks of the law field.

• Collaborating across legal disciplines.

• Day-to-day life of a patent partner.

• Unique career spanning patent prosecution, litigation, and more.

• Key issues: Patent eligibility and AI.

• Patent law and its challenges with biotech and AI.

• Balancing AI’s role in innovation and patentability.

• AI hallucinations and legal implications.

• Lateral move to Thompson Coburn and its appeal.

• Combining a demanding career with ballroom dancing.

• Advice for aspiring patent lawyers: Build client trust.

Episode Sponsored By

• https://www.lexisnexis.com/lexisplus

Links and Resources

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/olga-berson-phd-patent-attorney/

• https://www.thompsoncoburn.com/people/olga-berson-ph-d/

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Kathryn Rubino chats with Padideh Jafari founder and CEO of Jafari Law and Mediation Office. Discover Padideh’s inspiring journey from a five-year-old aspiring lawyer to a successful family law practitioner and advocate. With fascinating insights into handling high-conflict divorce cases, Jafari offers valuable advice for budding lawyers on balancing a demanding career with personal well-being. Tune in for a dose of inspiration and practical tips.

Highlights

• Inspiration to pursue law from age five.

• Overcoming skepticism and pursuing legal education.

• Challenges and attrition in law school leading to camaraderie.

• Early passion and varied legal experiences.

• Balancing personal interest with market demand.

• The advantage of pre-law school attorney roles.

• Choosing family law despite initial reluctance.

• Importance of work experience during law school.

• Specializing in high-conflict cases and mediation.

• Integrating technology like AI into law practice.

• Significance of community involvement in legal practice.

Episode Sponsored By

• https://www.lexisnexis.com/lexisplus

Links and Resources

• https://www.instagram.com/jafarilegal/?hl=es-la

• https://www.youtube.com/@jafarilegal

• https://www.tiktok.com/@jafarilegal

• https://x.com/jafarilawfirm

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Kathryn Rubino chats with Cayce Lynch, the new national managing partner at Tyson & Mendes. Discover Cayce’s inspiring journey from paralegal to managing partner, the unique culture at her firm, and how they’re innovating in defense law. An uplifting listen for aspiring legal professionals!

Highlights

• Deciding to go to law school.

• Mentors and law school experience.

• Discovering a passion for civil procedure.

• Moving to California and taking the bar.

• Discovering the right firm by chance.

• Why Tyson & Mendes is the perfect fit.

• Growth and transition to managing partner.

• Going into the business side of law.

• Breaking the glass ceiling in the legal industry.

• Maintaining firm culture during expansion.

Episode Sponsored By

• https://www.lexisnexis.com/lexisplus

Links and Resources

• https://www.tysonmendes.com/attorneys/cayce-e-lynch/

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Kathryn Rubino chats with Jesse-Justin Cuevas, partner at Susman Godfrey, about her inspiring journey from high school debater to a successful litigation partner. Discover her insights on balancing a high-stakes legal career with personal life and why mentorship is crucial. A must-listen for aspiring lawyers and anyone curious about the legal profession!

Highlights

• Decision to pursue law school
• Business disputes as human disputes
• Typical day for a litigation partner
• Importance of mentorship
• Path to partnership at Susman Godfrey
• Early career realization through intense casework
• Benefits of clerkship experiences
• Balancing personal life with a legal career

Episode Sponsored By
https://www.lexisnexis.com/lexisplus

Links and Resources

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-justin-cuevas-559443174/
• https://www.susmangodfrey.com/attorneys/jesse-justin-cuevas/

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Kathryn Rubino chats with Peter Bruland, a Senior Managing Associate at Sidley, who is set to argue before the Supreme Court! Discover his inspiring journey from law school to tackling crucial, high-stakes legal issues. Don’t miss this captivating episode filled with insights into Supreme Court advocacy and the balance between pro bono work and career development. It’s a must-listen for aspiring lawyers and anyone intrigued by the art of legal persuasion.

Highlights

• Discovering law through criminal procedure class.
• Thrill of solving puzzles in appellate work.
• First Sidley associate to argue before the Supreme Court.
• Stakes in criminal cases: freedom on the line.
• Preparing for the Supreme Court oral argument.
• Balancing pro bono work with billable hours.
• Strategic impact: procedural vs. emotional appeals.

Episode Sponsored By
https://www.lexisnexis.com/lexisplus

Links and Resources
https://www.sidley.com/en/people/b/bruland-peter-a

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Kathryn Rubino chats with Corinna Lain who reveals the chilling realities of lethal injection as detailed in her new book, “Secrets of the Killing State.” This episode exposes the grim processes hidden from the public eye, challenging perceptions on the death penalty. A must-listen for insights into a controversial legal practice!

Highlights

• Legal Academia: Balance of Teaching and Publishing
• University of Richmond: Teaching Importance
• Journey to Death Penalty Expertise
• Initial Skepticism About Supreme Court
• The Fragility of Lethal Injection
• Doctrine vs. Reality: Protecting Unpopular Minorities
• Changing Views on Death Penalty
• Execution Process: Front-Row Seat
• Case Example: Brian Dorsey Story
• Victim Closure: A Misleading Promise
• Surprising Findings on Lethal Injection
• Non-Medical Executions: A Shocking Truth
• Legal Violations in Drug Procurement
• Glossop Case: Legal and Moral Implications
• Supreme Court’s Unsettling Divisions
• Future of Capital Punishment: A Dying System
• Decline in Death Penalty Support

Episode Sponsored By
https://www.lexisnexis.com/lexisplus

Links and Resources
https://nyupress.org/9781479832965/secrets-of-the-killing-state/

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Kathryn Rubino chats with Joann Rezzo who shares her unconventional journey from aspiring CIA agent to law school, through big law, and eventually to mediation. Joan highlights the power of empathy, her knack for negotiation, and how varied experiences helped shape her career, enriching both her mediation skills and her personal growth. Hear Joann’s vibrant anecdotes, including a clever courtroom victory involving an unexpected witness. A must-listen for insights on navigating a diverse legal career path and finding fulfillment.

Highlights

• Choosing law school over CIA.
• Navigating a nepotistic law school environment.
• Career path: From Big Law to small firm.
• Transition to plaintiffs and defense work.
• Benefits of trial experience in Big Law.
• Conflicts check process at a small firm.
• Importance of understanding both plaintiffs and defense perspectives.
• Motivation to transition to mediation.
• Financial readiness enabling career shifts.
• Knowing when to jump into new opportunities.
• Traits for a successful mediator: empathy and listening.
• Memorable litigation story: Using a surprise rebuttal witness.

Episode Sponsored By
https://www.lexisnexis.com/lexisplus

Links and Resources

• https://signatureresolution.com/neutral-CPT/joann-rezzo/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/joann-rezzo-62396449/

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• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts