Lawyers Who Lead

"Leadership in law means having a clear vision, a sense of what's important ... your own sense of values, and not being afraid to be vocal about them and impart them to others." - Akiva Shapiro, Gibson Dunn, On Leading by Bringing Your Whole Self to Work Listen here or anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gN8fct_P Follow Lawyers Who Lead and Lawline for the best legal content for #Leaders in #Law! #LawyersWhoLead #Lawyer #Leadership

"If you're true to your principles, to your beliefs, and you stand by what you write, then you should feel good about what you're doing. And that's the test that I give myself whenever I write something. I say, is there anyone who would read this and I wouldn't be proud of it, or I wouldn't stand by it? I feel like I need to be able to stand by it. I'm speaking publicly, obviously, but I'm also, I'm speaking for myself. And so I always want to be able to stand by and stand on what I'm writing. If you have something to say that you feel is important, that you feel is right, that, advances justice. And you're thoughtful about it. You think about what the reaction might be and and you feel confidently that you believe in it. That's something you should feel comfortable." - Akiva Shapiro, Gibson Dunn , On Leading by Bringing Your Whole Self to Work Listen here or anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gN8fct_P Follow Lawyers Who Lead and Lawline for the best legal content for #Leaders in #Law! #LawyersWhoLead #Lawyer #Leadership

Our next Lawyer Who Leads is Akiva Shapiro, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP Partner and Chair of the firm's New York administrative law and regulatory practice group. Akiva discusses his unconventional journey into law, from aspiring writer and academic to a respected litigator recognized for his appellate, constitutional, media, entertainment, technology, and securities litigation work. He also details the founding of a Sabbath observant affinity group at his firm, aiming to empower legal professionals to bring their whole selves to work without compromising their religious identity. The group's success led to the firm-wide recognition and accommodation of Jewish holidays and practices. Shapiro concludes by speaking about his active role in addressing antisemitism, leveraging his platform to promote justice and understanding. He also touches on leadership in law, the challenges of the billable hours model, and the importance of balancing professional dedication with personal and spiritual rejuvenation. Listen here or anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gN8fct_P Follow Lawyers Who Lead and Lawline for the best legal content for #Leaders in #Law! #LawyersWhoLead #Lawyer #Leadership

In episode four of our 2024 NALP AEC coverage, Sigalle Barness interviews Matthew Galando, Director of Professional Development at K&L Gates. With 22 years at K&L Gates, Matthew shares his journey in law firm professional development, focusing on local and global training programs that span business development, technology, and legal training. He highlights the impact of the K&L Gates HUB, a digital platform providing business and legal insights, and discusses developing cross-practice, experiential programs that enhance associate skills and promote firm-wide connections. Matthew also talks about the firm's new partner learning series, associate leadership development curriculum, and the importance of listening and learning from industry peers to continuously improve and tailor professional development initiatives within the firm. Additionally, he provides a sneak peek into an upcoming conference panel aimed at improving attendance for firm programs. Listen here or anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts: https://lnkd.in/ggfaUYZa Follow Lawyers Who Lead for the best legal content for #Leaders in #Law! #LawyersWhoLead #Lawyer #Leadership

In episode three of our 2024 NALP AEC coverage, Sigalle Barness interviews Chelsey Parrott-Sheffer, SPHR (she/her), the Director of Professional Development at Saul Ewing LLP. Chelsey shares her unique journey into legal professional development, starting from being a history major and a paralegal to becoming a certified executive coach with 14 years of experience in the legal field. She discusses the importance of continuous learning and development within law firms, highlighting initiatives like the Senior Attorneys Resource Group and a leadership pipeline program for professional staff members at Saul Ewing. Although not a lawyer, Chelsey's story illustrates how non-traditional career paths can lead to fulfilling roles in legal professional development, emphasizing the significance of mentorship, skill-building, and fostering leadership across all levels of a firm. Listen here or anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gupdN7RR Follow Lawyers Who Lead for the best legal content for #Leaders in #Law! #LawyersWhoLead #Lawyer #Leadership

In episode two of our 2024 NALP AEC coverage, Sigalle Barness interviews Tiffany F. Jordan, Esq., MSW, Director of Coaching and Planning at Troutman Pepper. Tiffany shares her unique journey within the legal profession, from deciding to become a lawyer at a young age to transitioning into roles beyond traditional legal practice by leveraging her education in social work and her intrinsic curiosity about systems and organizational dynamics. Tiffany emphasizes the importance of service, intentionality, and strategic alignment of personal roles with organizational goals. She also discusses the value of vulnerability and authenticity in leadership, especially post-pandemic, and the positive impact this can have on the legal profession and beyond. Listen here or anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gzqUJ84e Follow Lawyers Who Lead for the best legal content for #Leaders in #Law! #LawyersWhoLead #Lawyer #Leadership

In episode one of our 2024 NALP AEC coverage, Sigalle Barness interviews Jennifer Lucas-Ross, the Director of Attorney Recruiting and Professional Development at Morris James LLP. Jennifer shares insights into her journey from pharmaceutical marketing to leading professional development within the firm. Jennifer highlights the collaborative culture at Morris James and her role in fostering professional growth for attorneys and partners through innovative programs like the 'MOMI' - a monthly leadership insights email. The episode concludes with Jennifer's impromptu haiku on leadership, encapsulating the spirit of creativity and the significance of leadership in professional development within the legal industry. Listen here or anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts: https://lnkd.in/g-Tx2bYn Follow Lawyers Who Lead for the best legal content for #Leaders in #Law! #LawyersWhoLead #Lawyer #Leadership

"Doing the work is at the core of growing." - Alain Mathieu, Leading by Doing the Work Listen here or anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts: https://lnkd.in/geJm5Y6g Follow Lawyers Who Lead and Lawline for the best legal content for #Leaders in #Law! #LawyersWhoLead #Lawyer #Leadership

"I think looking at the big picture for those of us who want to be very good lawyers. Who want to have very successful careers. Doing the work is at the core of growing. It really involves doing the work. I view that as a necessary sacrifice. A lot of the time, I think where it gets a little bit trickier is where it starts to feel as though the job or the career starts to really impose upon or really infringe on someone's, um, personal life, their family life, their relationships. But I think when you, look at the big picture and you try to keep the, the larger goals in mind, so long as you feel empowered and that you're taking the steps to be the lawyer that you want to be, then all of the other stuff, the sacrifices at the end of the day, at least in my experience are really worth it."- Alain Mathieu, Leading by Doing the Work Listen here or anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts: https://lnkd.in/geJm5Y6g Follow Lawyers Who Lead and Lawline for the best legal content for #Leaders in #Law! #LawyersWhoLead #Lawyer #Leadership

Our next Lawyer Who Leads is Alain Mathieu, Associate Attorney at Mintz, a full service AmLaw 100 law firm employing approximately 600 plus attorneys serving clients worldwide. Alain shares how his grandfather's political stance in Haiti inspired his legal career, highlighting the sacrifices and dedication needed for success while underscoring the importance of personal boundaries. He delves into navigating the complexities of big law, advocating for proactive career development, mentorship, and finding a balance between professional growth and personal well-being. He emphasizes the role of a supportive firm culture, with mutual respect and DEI efforts, in enhancing work quality and mental health for legal professionals. Concluding, Alain touches on self-care, community involvement, and the impact of authenticity and empathy on a fulfilling legal career, illustrating how true self-expression and understanding others are fundamental to not just succeeding, but thriving in law. Listen here or anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts: https://lnkd.in/geJm5Y6g Follow Lawyers Who Lead and Lawline for the best legal content for #Leaders in #Law! #LawyersWhoLead #Lawyer #Leadership