Big Law Life

#33: From Associate to Practice Group Leader: Lessons from Cannabis Law Trailblazer Sarah Blitz

Aug 14, 2024

Sarah Blitz, a senior associate and co-founder of the Cannabis Industry Team at Sheppard Mullin, shares her fascinating journey from law school to becoming a cannabis law leader. She discusses the challenges of building a nontraditional practice and emphasizes the importance of aligning personal passions with professional goals. Sarah offers insights into navigating market trends, client needs, and the ethical considerations of cannabis law. Her story showcases how entrepreneurial thinking can redefine a career in Big Law, providing guidance for associates eager to carve out their own path.

36:54

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Episode guests

Sarah Blitz

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Quick takeaways

Sarah Blitz illustrates how merging personal interests with professional ambitions can create unique opportunities in emerging legal fields like cannabis law.

The podcast emphasizes the necessity of understanding industry trends and client needs to build a successful practice in nontraditional sectors.

Deep dives

Navigating Big Law Success

Success within a large law firm requires more than just strong legal skills; it necessitates an understanding of firm culture and business dynamics. Many associates struggle to create a career path that aligns with their interests, particularly in emerging areas of law. A proactive approach includes researching firm capabilities and aligning personal passions with the firm’s goals, particularly in niche practice areas that may be developing. Learning from those who have successfully carved these paths can provide invaluable insights for associates seeking to navigate their own careers.

Intro

4min

Navigating the Intersection of Passion and Profession in Cannabis Law

6min

Navigating Cannabis Law: A Countercultural Approach

22min

Balancing Career Ambition with Family Life

2min

Navigating Innovation in Cannabis Law and Mentorship

3min

In today's episode, I am joined by Sarah Blitz, a senior associate at Sheppard Mullin and co-founder and leader of Sheppard Mullin’s Cannabis Industry Team. She shares her journey from law school to becoming a recognized leader in the legal cannabis space, offering insights into how she merged her personal interests with her professional ambitions. We delve into the challenges of building a practice in a nontraditional area, the importance of being aware of broader industry trends, and the value of staying flexible and proactive in your legal career. Sarah’s story demonstrates the power of entrepreneurial thinking in BigLaw and provides valuable guidance for associates looking to carve out their own niche.

At a Glance:

01:20 - 02:08 Introducing Sarah Blitz and her role at Sheppard Mullin
02:08 - 04:00 Sarah's path from law school to Sheppard Mullin
04:00 - 06:07 Discovering her passion for litigation and personal development
06:07 - 09:02 The intersection of personal interests with professional practice
09:02 - 12:16 Building a cannabis practice: From idea to implementation
12:16 - 14:23 Overcoming resistance and planning for pushback
14:23 - 16:09 Making the business and ethical case for a cannabis practice
16:09 - 18:22 The importance of understanding market trends and client needs
18:22 - 19:21 Advice for associates on career development and flexibility
19:21 - 22:52 The importance of identifying and cultivating a unique expertise
22:52 - 24:00 Balancing litigation work with advisory roles in the cannabis sector
24:00 - 27:06 Navigating the complexities of legal services in a new industry
27:06 - 30:20 Diversity in the cannabis industry and client engagement
30:20 - 32:05 Sarah’s vision for the future of her career
32:05 - 35:56 Sarah’s approach to balancing professional and personal life

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How to reach Sarah Blitz

sblitz@sheppardmullin.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahakblitz

www.sheppardmullin.com/sblit

Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? - here are ways to reach out to her:

www.lauraterrell.com

laura@lauraterrell.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/

Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast