You Are A Lawyer: Take Risks and Change Careers in Law

Aman Costigan was once a partner at a Canadian law firm, teaching yoga on the side and quietly craving more freedom and alignment in her life. In this powerful conversation, she shares how she found her voice, launched Beyond Yoga for Lawyers, and began to merge wellness with law in a meaningful way. The episode captures a moment in time when Aman was redefining what a legal career could look like — and today, her journey continues beyond the courtroom Lawyer Side Hustles Beyond Yoga for Lawyers began as a side project. Aman felt a pull to share what she had learned through yoga and mindfulness, especially with other lawyers who were struggling with burnout and disconnection. She started teaching classes, offering workshops, and building a community. “I didn’t see anyone else doing it in the way I wanted to. So I just did it,” expresses Aman Costigan in Episode 105 of You Are a Lawyer. Over time, that side hustle grew into a brand and a business. Today, she offers coaching, yoga, and wellness content specifically designed for lawyers who want more than just billable hours and burnout. It’s a testament to what’s possible when you start small, stay consistent, and let your vision evolve. LISTEN TO LEARN * How to break out of burnout and build a new rhythm * Why you don’t have to choose between ambition and peace * How yoga and mindfulness can transform legal careers WE ALSO DISCUSS * The early signs of needing a career shift * The journey of building a business as a lawyer * How to expand your identity beyond your title Join the FREE mailing list! Get behind-the-scenes content from You Are A Lawyer.  1) Visit www.youarealawyer.com [http://www.youarealawyer.com/] 2) Add your email address to the Subscribe pop-up box OR 3) Enter your email address on the right side of the screen 4) Get emails from me (I won't fill your inbox with junk)! Interact with You Are A Lawyer Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast.  Follow the podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@youarealawyer [https://www.youtube.com/@youarealawyer] Website: https://www.youarealawyer.com [https://www.youarealawyer.com/]

Austin Brittenham is a first-generation lawyer, legal tech founder, and the creator of 2nd Chair [https://www.2ndchair.ai/], an AI-powered tool designed to help solo and small firm lawyers work faster and smarter. In this episode, Austin and Kyla talk about space law, law school culture, and what it really means to use your legal education creatively. From debating in high school to launching two startups, Austin proves that you don’t have to follow the traditional legal path to make a meaningful impact. Lawyer Side Hustles Austin’s side hustle is now his full-time gig. He founded 2nd Chair while still in law school and used his background in AI and education startups to build something lawyers actually need. The tool creates litigation timelines, drafts legal materials, and helps lawyers save time and serve more clients. But it’s not just about software, it’s about increasing access to justice and making legal practice more sustainable. “We can distribute more justice, we can serve more people—or just have more vacation,” expresses Austin Brittenham in Episode 200 of You Are a Lawyer. Austin’s story reminds us that entrepreneurship doesn’t have to mean abandoning the law. It can mean expanding it, reimagining it, and making it more human. 2nd Chair exists because Austin saw a gap in the system and took the risk to build something better. LISTEN TO LEARN * How Austin built 2nd Chair to support small firm lawyers * The difference between legal knowledge and legal value * How to take career risks using your law degree as a safety net WE ALSO DISCUSS * The pros and cons of legal tech adoption across generations * Austin’s detour into space law and education startups * Why volunteering and community work can shape your legal future Join the FREE mailing list! Get behind-the-scenes content from You Are A Lawyer.  1) Visit www.youarealawyer.com [http://www.youarealawyer.com/] 2) Add your email address to the Subscribe pop-up box OR 3) Enter your email address on the right side of the screen 4) Get emails from me (I won't fill your inbox with junk)! Interact with You Are A Lawyer Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast.  Follow the podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@youarealawyer [https://www.youtube.com/@youarealawyer] Website: https://www.youarealawyer.com [https://www.youarealawyer.com/]

Dr. Rhonda Glover Reese is a certified career and leadership coach with 34 years of FBI experience under her belt. From counterintelligence to white collar crime, her federal career was vast and dynamic. In this powerful episode, Dr. Rhonda shares how her dream of working for the FBI led to a fulfilling career in public service and how her new chapter as a coach helps others step into their purpose with confidence. Side Hustles Dr. Rhonda’s “side hustle” is far from traditional. After retiring from the FBI, she launched a coaching business to help others find fulfillment in their careers. Her passion lies in career and leadership development, especially for those in law enforcement. She also offers training, speaks at events, and creates space for honest conversations about burnout, purpose, and growth. “I'm great at mentoring and coaching, particularly in that law enforcement space. I'm good. I'm great,” expresses Dr. Rhonda Glover Reese in Episode 199 of You Are a Lawyer. Her journey from federal agent to entrepreneur was not accidental. It was built on prayer, reflection, and a growing awareness that people were turning to her for guidance. Today, she is intentional about the size and structure of her business to maintain the life she wants; one that includes faith, flexibility, and continued service LISTEN TO LEARN * What a long-term FBI career looks like behind the scenes * How coaching and law enforcement can work hand in hand * Why fear keeps us stuck and how to move through it WE ALSO DISCUSS * The truth about leadership and being in the arena * Building trust and vulnerability in coaching relationships * The power of lived experience and mentorship in helping others grow Join the FREE mailing list! Get behind-the-scenes content from You Are A Lawyer.  1) Visit www.youarealawyer.com [http://www.youarealawyer.com/] 2) Add your email address to the Subscribe pop-up box OR 3) Enter your email address on the right side of the screen 4) Get emails from me (I won't fill your inbox with junk)! Interact with You Are A Lawyer Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast.  Follow the podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@youarealawyer [https://www.youtube.com/@youarealawyer] Website: https://www.youarealawyer.com [https://www.youarealawyer.com/]

Bill Mitchell is a veteran litigator, negotiation strategist, and the author of The Disruptive Lawyer’s Little Black Book of Litigation Management [https://cmlawfirm.com/the-disruptive-lawyer/]. With three decades of experience, Bill has a bold message for lawyers: less litigation, more resolution. In this episode, he shares how he became a top 1% dealmaker by helping clients resolve cases faster and cheaper, without sacrificing strategy or results. Lawyer Side Hustles Bill’s side hustle? Changing how lawyers think. He authored The Disruptive Lawyer’s Little Black Book of Litigation Management [https://cmlawfirm.com/the-disruptive-lawyer/] and teaches a course called “Masters in Negotiation” for attorneys, claims professionals, and in-house counsel. His mission is to equip lawyers with the tools they didn’t learn in law school, including how to close cases with confidence and clarity. “I do an eight-part series on negotiation. If 92% of all cases settle, you need really good negotiators,” expresses Bill Mitchell in Episode 94 of You Are a Lawyer. His upcoming book, The Disruptive Lawyer’s Little Black Book of Negotiation, builds on that mission. Whether training junior associates or consulting with Fortune 500 legal departments, Bill is helping shift the mindset from litigation to resolution. LISTEN TO LEARN * Why 99% of lawsuits should never reach a courtroom * How lawyers can provide more value by closing, not extending, cases * Why client goals should define legal success, not just billable hour WE ALSO DISCUSS * How Bill built a national practice with a resolution-first mindset * The problem with traditional billing incentives in litigation * How to train new lawyers to think like dealmakers Join the FREE mailing list! Get behind-the-scenes content from You Are A Lawyer.  1) Visit www.youarealawyer.com [http://www.youarealawyer.com/] 2) Add your email address to the Subscribe pop-up box OR 3) Enter your email address on the right side of the screen 4) Get emails from me (I won't fill your inbox with junk)! Interact with You Are A Lawyer Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast.  Follow the podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@youarealawyer [https://www.youtube.com/@youarealawyer] Website: https://www.youarealawyer.com [https://www.youarealawyer.com/]

Margeaux Thomas is a litigator and founder of The Thomas Law Office, P.C., a firm that focuses on "business divorces" – complex breakups between business partners. In this episode, Margeaux shares her journey from Ohio to the DMV, what drew her to commercial litigation, and how she built a thriving law firm dedicated to helping small businesses through conflict. She also talks about growing up around quiet entrepreneurship and why personality type plays a big role in choosing your legal niche. Lawyer Side Hustles While Margeaux’s legal practice is her main business, she also maintains a vibrant presence on LinkedIn and integrates her personal interests, especially swimming, into her professional brand. By sharing her swim journey, personal milestones, and non-legal reflections, she’s built an engaged audience that connects with her on multiple levels. This has become a powerful tool for business development. “I also post a lot about things that aren’t legal… People follow that and I go places and people talk about it, which is kind of cool,” expresses Margeaux Thomas in Episode 197 of You Are a Lawyer. Her “side hustle” isn’t a separate business, but rather a lifestyle of authentic marketing and personal storytelling that enhances her professional success. Her experience demonstrates how being relatable and real online can complement a highly focused and serious legal career. LISTEN TO LEARN * How to carve out a niche in commercial litigation * What it takes to build and scale your own law firm * Why business divorces require both legal strategy and emotional intelligence WE ALSO DISCUSS * The emotional complexity of business disputes * The intersection of personality and legal practice areas * How social media can support organic law firm growth Join the FREE mailing list! Get behind-the-scenes content from You Are A Lawyer.  1) Visit www.youarealawyer.com [http://www.youarealawyer.com/] 2) Add your email address to the Subscribe pop-up box OR 3) Enter your email address on the right side of the screen 4) Get emails from me (I won't fill your inbox with junk)! Interact with You Are A Lawyer Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast.  Follow the podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@youarealawyer [https://www.youtube.com/@youarealawyer] Website: https://www.youarealawyer.com [https://www.youarealawyer.com/]