Lawyers Who Lead

In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews Akiva Shapiro, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher litigation 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. Visit https://www.gibsondunn.com/lawyer/shapiro-akiva/ to learn more.

In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews Matthew Galando, Director of Professional Development at K&L Gates during the NALP's 2024 annual education conference in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. Visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattgalando/ to learn more.

In this week's episode, Sigalle interviews Chelsey Parrott-Sheffer, the Director of Professional Development at Saul Ewing. 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. Visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsey-parrott-sheffer-sphr-she-her-50b4b064/ to learn more.

In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews Tiffany Jordan, Director of Coaching and Planning at Troutman Pepper, recorded live at the NALP's 2024 Annual Education Conference in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. Visit https://www.troutman.com/professionals/tiffany-f-jordan.html to learn more.

In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews Jennifer Lucas-Ross, the Director of Attorney Recruiting and Professional Development at Morris James, recorded live at the NALP's 2024 Annual Education Conference in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. Visit https://www.morrisjames.com/people-Jennifer-Lucas-Ross.html to learn more.

In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews Alain Mathieu, Associate Attorney at Mintz, a full service AmLaw 100 law firm employing approximately 600+ 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. Visit https://www.mintz.com/our-people/alain-p-mathieu to learn more.

In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews Puja Bhatia, Senior National Attorney at For The People, an organization that supports prosecutors to look back at past sentences, and safely bring people home from prison. Puja discusses how her work enables prosecutors to reflect on their previous recommendations and bring safe early releases for convicts who might have reformed or unnecessarily received lengthy sentences. She emphasizes how reflecting on past cases can help inform future decisions resulting in a more equitable justice system. Moreover, Puja emphasizes the importance of strong leadership in law and how law firms should embrace paths and opportunities for public interest. Visit https://www.fortheppl.org/ to learn more.

In this week long series, Lawyers Who Lead covers insights from 2024 ABA Tech Show in Chicago, Illinois. In episode four, we interview Mathew Kerbis, founder of Subscription Attorney, a law firm offering limited scope legal services through a monthly subscription model. Having spent nine years in private practice, Mathew started the Subscription Attorney in a bid to abandon the traditional billable hour. Inspired by companies like Costco and Amazon Prime, Mathew explains how the subscription model has not only proven beneficial for both lawyers and clients, but also covers aspects of DEI, attorney wellness and access to justice. He also discusses the role artificial intelligence has to play in the future of legal tech, suggesting that it will soon be a commonplace tool for streamlining the industry. He affirms that lawyers who do not adopt these changes will risk being outdone by competitors. Visit https://subscriptionattorney.com/ to learn more.

In this week long series, Lawyers Who Lead covers insights from 2024 ABA Tech Show in Chicago, Illinois. In episode three, we interview Gyi Tsakalakis, the president of Attorney Sync, a digital marketing company that helps law firms grow their businesses. Gyi's discusses the importance of online visibility for lawyers and how his company leverages Google Business Profiles. He also emphasizes the rising role of AI in the legal world, particularly its potential in client communications and data analysis. He argues that though AI is transforming efficiency in law practices, lawyers must understand the technology ethically and practically. The conversation ended with his views on legal tech leadership and its responsibility towards improving client experiences and access to justice. Visit https://www.attorneysync.com/ to learn more.

In this week long series, Lawyers Who Lead covers insights from 2024 ABA Tech Show in Chicago, Illinois. In episode two, we interview Greg Siskind, co-founder of Siskind Susser, P.C. one of the leading immigration law firms in North America. Greg, a renowned legal professional with over three decades of experience, shares his thoughts on integrating technology into legal practices and how it impacts the economics of law practice. He also discusses the creation of AI tools that replace labor-intensive tasks and provide efficient solutions for lawyers, while also highlighting the importance of professionals understanding the underlying processes that are being automated. Concerns regarding client preferences towards AI and the ethics of using such tech in law practices are also addressed. Visit https://www.visalaw.com/ to learn more.