#078: Alé Dalton - Healthcare Transactional Attorney & First Gen Lawyer
Aug 26, 2022
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Alé Dalton, a healthcare transactional attorney, discusses her journey as a first-generation lawyer, the importance of finding a niche in law practice, and leveraging social media for networking. She provides insights into the complexities of healthcare transactions, emphasizing the need for clear communication in M&A deals. The podcast also touches on the significance of curiosity and mentorship for new lawyers entering the field.
Healthcare transactional attorneys navigate complex regulations in mergers and acquisitions, clinical research, and telemedicine.
First-generation lawyers offer valuable mentorship to underrepresented students, emphasizing seeking support and overcoming barriers.
Sharing personal narratives fosters connection and authenticity in professional environments, enhancing inclusivity and mutual support.
Deep dives
The Role of a Healthcare Transactional Attorney
Lawyers specializing in healthcare transactional work provide counsel during mergers and acquisitions in the highly regulated healthcare industry. They advise clients on issues related to clinical research, telemedicine, and legal service gaps. These attorneys are actively involved in community legal clinics and pro bono programs, addressing legal needs. They also contribute to diversity initiatives within law firms, serving as mentors for first-generation students and offering guidance on building professional networks.
Challenges Faced by First-Generation College and Law Students
First-generation college and law students often struggle to navigate academic environments. Advice includes taking advantage of resources like office hours, building relationships with professors, and not being afraid to seek help. Emphasizing the importance of overcoming hesitations to ask for support, particularly for underrepresented individuals in educational settings. Cultural differences and socio-economic disparities can create challenges that require self-acceptance and seeking assistance from available programs and support systems.
Importance of Sharing Personal Stories
Encouragement to be vulnerable and share personal stories in professional settings. Highlighting the value of storytelling for creating connections and deeper understanding among colleagues, mentors, and potential employers. Advice includes balancing vulnerability with professionalism and considering the impact of personal narratives on building relationships and fostering inclusivity in diverse work environments. Emphasizing the power of personal stories in demonstrating authenticity and promoting mutual support in the legal profession.
Utilizing Social Media for Professional Growth
Exploration of leveraging social media platforms, particularly Twitter and LinkedIn, to stay updated on industry trends and connect with legal professionals. Discussing the benefits of curating feeds to access legal insights, mentorship, and career development resources. Encouraging engagement with legal communities on social media for knowledge-sharing, networking, and mentorship opportunities. Highlighting the value of online platforms in expanding professional networks, accessing industry expertise, and fostering connections within the legal field.
Developing Transactional Skills for Legal Practice
Practical advice on developing transactional skills through specialized coursework, practical competitions, and law firm programs. Emphasizing the value of hands-on experiences like transactional law meets competitions for honing contract drafting and negotiation skills. Encouraging law students to seek opportunities to engage in transactional practice through clinics, coursework, and law firm initiatives. Highlighting the importance of practical training and experiential learning to prepare for careers in transactional law practice.
In today’s episode I speak with Alé Dalton who is an associate at Bradley LLP’s Nashville Office. Her practice focuses on healthcare transactional work where she provides counsel during mergers and acquisitions, as well as guiding clients through issues that arise from the complex nature of operating in a highly regulated industry. She also advises clients in matters involving clinical research and telemedicine. Beyond her healthcare industry work she is committed to doing pro bono and helping to meet the legal service gaps in the state by staffing community legal clinics. In addition to being active in Bradley’s pro bono program she serves as vice chair of the firm's Lawyers of Color Resource Group and as a liaison for the firm’s Women’s Initiative. Alé is a first-generation college student, lawyer, and American with a keen interest in mentoring other first gen students. She is a 2016 graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law and Lipscomb University.
In our conversation we talk about her path to the profession as a first generation American, college, and law student (who early on had a dream to become a surgeon); the ways that the internet and social media can support more junior lawyers in building and expanding their networks; the day-to-day life of a lawyer who helps clients buy and sell hospitals and healthcare facilities; how to stand out as a junior associate; and how to find your niche and grow during the first few years of law practice.
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