Counsel to Counsel - Career Advice for Lawyers

In this episode, Steve speaks with the administrative team at the NALP Foundation, a nonprofit research organization focused on the advancement of the legal profession. They explore recent data on associate hiring, attrition, and retention—highlighting what lawyers can learn from these trends to shape more satisfying careers. 💡 Topics Covered: * Why lawyers are leaving law firms—and why some are choosing to stay * The top factors driving associate retention (hint: it’s not just about money) * What the research says about generational differences and shifting career expectations * How to use data to be more intentional about your career development * Advice for lawyers feeling disengaged or considering alternative paths 🎧 Whether you're early in your legal career or at a crossroads, this episode offers practical insights for anyone looking to navigate a more fulfilling professional path.

In this episode, I take another break from interviewing guests to share some quick thoughts on how to use job boards effectively in your job search. While I spend a lot of time encouraging clients to make networking the central focus of their career exploration, job postings still have value—if used strategically. I share practical tips on how to leverage listings for market research, generate new ideas, and customize your applications to stand out.

In this episode, Steve Seckler speaks with Jonathan White [https://jordanwhitellc.com/], a Boston-based trusts and estates attorney and a self-described AI enthusiast. Jonathan shares practical insights into how he is using artificial intelligence tools to streamline his law practice and enhance client service. He also reflects on his career transitions—from litigation to insurance defense, to real estate, and finally to trusts and estates—and how his current involvement with Atticus is helping him and other lawyers build more fulfilling and profitable practices. 🎧 Topics Covered: * Jonathan’s career path: from civil litigation to trusts and estates * What inspired him to embrace AI in his legal practice * Practical applications of AI * Best practices and cautions for using AI in a legal setting (10-80-10 rule, client disclosure) * His involvement with Atticus and his path to becoming a coach 🛠️ AI Tips for Lawyers: * Start with one or two tools and go deep * Disclose AI usage in your client engagement agreements * Verify all AI output—use human judgment to review * Use AI as a support, not a replacement

In this episode, I’m taking a break from interviewing guests to share some exciting news—my new book, Think Like a Lawyer, Act Like an Entrepreneur, is being published by the American Bar Association in late March! If you’ve ever struggled with marketing yourself or felt uncomfortable with business development, this book is for you. As lawyers, we’re trained to be analytical and risk-averse—great for legal work, but not always helpful when it comes to growing a practice. In the book, I share practical strategies to help you shift your mindset, build relationships, and integrate marketing into your professional life in a way that feels natural. Tune in to hear about my own journey with business development, why I wrote this book, and how it can help you market yourself without feeling like a salesperson. To order, click here [https://www.americanbar.org/products/inv/book/449547309/].

In this episode, business coach Dominic Grew [https://elevatebusinesscoaching.com/] returns to discuss how solo and small firm lawyers can strategically grow their practices without overextending themselves. Dominic shares practical insights on leveraging time, outsourcing non-billable tasks, and using fractional resources before committing to full-time hires. Key Topics: * When to consider hiring support staff or associates * The benefits of fractional hires and outsourcing tasks like bookkeeping and IT * Avoiding common mistakes when expanding a law practice * How to balance delegation while maintaining quality * Real-world scenarios: Hiring a first employee, sharing an associate, and weighing contract help vs. joining a larger firm Why You Should Listen: If you’ve ever wondered how to scale your law firm while maintaining efficiency and profitability, this episode provides actionable strategies to help you make informed decisions about growth. Additional Resources: * Episode 110: Getting to No – Turning Leads into Business with Dominic Grew [https://counseltocounsel.libsyn.com/episode-110-dominic-grew-on-getting-to-no-turning-leads-into-business-and-other-ways-to-succeed-in-private-practice]