The Free Lawyer

We lawyers are so often involved in situations of conflict. Disputes arise from many directions. Sometimes we do not respond correctly, and it all goes downhill. But instead, we can navigate through differences with others in ways that produce positive, healthy, and peaceful outcomes. Dr. Debra Dupree joins The Free Lawyer today. She is a high-conflict expert, dispute-resolution specialist,  instructor, and author. She shows us today how to transform challenges into learning opportunities. In addition, she shares powerful insights about: -Conflicts arise from a difference of perspective, not right and wrong -The importance of mindfulness and self-awareness -In a challenging situation, how to pause before responding, reflecting, and asking insightful questions to obtain more understanding - How critical it is not to take things personally and to understand the other party's unpleasant approach is more often a reflection of what their issues -Using deep breathing techniques to relieve stress  Dr. Debra Dupree is a Dispute Resolution Specialist, Conflict Coach, Mindset Doc, International Trainer, and Keynote Speaker. Dr. D is the host of the bi-weekly podcast ‘Decoding the Conflict Mindset’ bringing ‘thought leaders’ from various disciplines to gain insight on engaging themselves and others in difficult conversations, high emotions, and tough negotiations. In addition, Debra delivers training throughout North America, Australia, India, and the Pacific Rim in workplace mediation strategies and advanced mediation strategies for leaders and dispute resolution professionals for today’s hybrid work world.

Have you ever heard all the lawyer jokes made? Mocking the legal profession for a lack of honesty? We are often perceived as lacking in integrity. Why is that? Is that justifiable? And what can be done about it? In this episode, I will discuss what integrity is; its hallmarks, the perception of the legal profession for integrity, what are the gifts of integrity, and how to be more successful in practicing integrity as an attorney. We can together improve our own future and the reputation of the legal profession.  Are any of you suffering from burnout and a difficulty in setting boundaries? If so, obtain my free tips on how to set boundaries and avoid burnout here: https://www.garymiles.net/burnout

Wow, what a blockbuster episode! Aliza Shatzman, President and Co-Founder of the Legal Accountability Project, shares her harrowing story of harassment and retaliation in her clerkship at the hands of a former judge. Fueled by lack of effective means of redress, and the cloak of secrecy around judicial misconduct, Aliza is now seeking to remedy that situation. She is attempting through her non-profit to bring transparency to the clerkship process and support for the law clerks. She details her disturbing story of mistreatment by a former DC judge, and the hurdles she faced in seeking relief from the retaliation. She lost her dream legal position as a result.  But that did not stop her. Aliza's story is one of courage, resilience and passion. She is now attempting to bring dramatic changes to judicial accountability. Your eyes will be opened when you hear Aliza's journey and how she is creating a new clerkship world.  Aliza Shatzman is the President and Founder of The Legal Accountability Project, a nonprofit aimed at ensuring that law clerks have positive clerkship experiences, while extending support and resources to those who do not. Aliza earned her BA from Williams College and her JD from Washington University School of Law. After law school, Aliza clerked in D.C. Superior Court during the 2019-2020 term. In March 2022, Aliza submitted written testimony for a House Judiciary Subcommittee hearing about the lack of workplace protections in the federal judiciary, detailing her personal experience with gender discrimination, harassment, and retaliation by a former D.C. judge, in order to advocate for the Judiciary Accountability Act, legislation that would extend Title VII protections to judiciary employees, including law clerks. Aliza now writes and speaks regularly about judicial accountability. Want to help?? You can contact her directly at Aliza.Shatzman@legalaccountabilityproject.org, https://www.legalaccountabilityproject.org/ Connect with her on LinkedIn / Follow her on Twitter @AlizaShatzman Want to learn more? See her written testimony, submitted to the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet on March 17, 2022; her article with the Harvard Journal on Legislation, The Conservative Case for the Judiciary Accountability Act; her article with the UCLA Journal of Gender & Law, Untouchable Judges? What I've learned about harassment in the judiciary, and what we can do to stop it; her article with the Administrative Law Review, The D.C. Courts Are Article I Federal Courts, and They Should Be Regulated That Way; and The Legal Accountability Project's website: legalaccountabilityproject.org.

Do you ever find you spend too much energy wondering what others are thinking about you? Do you worry that others might be judging you or thinking less of you because of something you are doing or some project you are undertaking? Are you concerned that if you fail at some task they will think less of you? Are you ever afraid to take on a new challenge because you wonder what others will think of you? And how does that make you feel? I know I have. I have frequently let  myself be controlled worrying about what others think of me, and what opinions they hold of me. This is a very common problem for many of us, but not healthy. And we do have it within our power to escape from this prison. In this episode of The Free Lawyer, I will talk about why we worry so much about what others think of us; discuss some of the problems that causes for us, explain why other people’s opinions of us really do not matter; and give you tangible tools to start living your life free of the opinions of others.

Owen McGrann reinvented his legal career after overcoming a life-threatening health scare. Today he has built the law practice of his dreams, practicing law the way he chooses, creating synergy with his clients, and finding the balance he has always craved. In this dynamite episode, he explains how we can build the law practice we are excited to work in. Key takeaways: -Hourly billing creates enormous stress on the attorneys and conflict with the clients -The importance of keeping our priorities in order, remembering that our health and happiness are foremost -The many benefits of value based pricing, having the client agree to the fee up front, creating a sense of team with the client, relieving the client of the burden of worrying about the charge for each call, building more profitability and finding greater fulfillment -The challenges of maintaining our mental health in today's legal market;  -Finding ways to do each day what we really love

Are you ever in a mindset where you think negative thoughts, expect poor results, and that’s what happens? Or, alternatively, have you ever envisioned success, the good result, victory, and that has occurred? In this week's Episode, we will examine the Law of Attraction, discuss what it is, its pitfalls, how it can affect your life, and give you tangible steps to make it work for you. Are any of you suffering from burnout and a difficulty in setting boundaries? If so, obtain my free tips on how to set boundaries and avoid burnout here: https://www.garymiles.net/burnout

Kimberly Rice has a passion for helping women professionals be as successful and fulfilled as they can. Speaker, author, marketing expert, and professional coach, Kimberly explains some of the most important issues facing the female lawyer today and how to overcome them. Some key takeaways: -Competency as a lawyer is just the price of admission; given the surplus of attorneys today, the attorney must also know how to build a book of business and develop a personal brand -The 3 keys to being a successful business owner and lawyer is to build the essential relationships, to enhance our reputation, and to build those connections over time -Women lawyers, although well-represented by percentages in the private practice are very underutilized in the key management roles in firms -How important it is to have a supportive community lifting the female attorney -How to build our prosperity and find fulfillment -How to overcome the conflict between the logical, linear legal mind, and the creative forward thinking entrepreneurial role -The importance of mental health and wellness and how to support it in our career.  This is a can't miss episode!

A recent Washington Post article was entitled “Want to be happy? Then don’t be a lawyer.” Is it possible to be truly happy as an attorney? Are you fulfilled, and do you find enjoyment in your work? If not, how can we change that? In this newsletter, I will briefly discuss the Washington Post Article; review some of the major stresses we face as attorneys, and share thoughts about how we can find joy and fulfillment in our legal practice. You, too can be happy as a lawyer!

Daya Naef, lawyer and executive coach, joins us today to share her expertise about how to enjoy the practice of law despite the pressures we all face. Key takeaways: -Stress and burnout are becoming very common in the legal profession -Consistently good sleep and keeping well hydrated help to fuel our performance -The virtual world has additional pressures, making it harder to set boundaries between our office and home life and limiting genuine connection -It is critical to take breaks during the day to help keep us fresh and alert -Time blocking, planning our schedule, and eliminating multitasking help us to be more productive -We create personal freedom when we have the flexibility to choose how we want to live our life You will love the nuggets in this episode!

Have you, or anyone you know or care about, ever felt hopeless or that you had lost control? That there was some power running your life that was stronger than you? Or that you were controlled by some force that was holding you back? Many of us have struggled with losing power to some negative force, such as addiction or depression. For example, I have suffered from alcoholism. Unfortunately, we also often suffer silently, feeling like we are alone and that our life is hopeless. The legal profession confronts incredible struggles with addiction, substance abuse, depression, and other mental health challenges. But, unfortunately, many who face such obstacles do so alone and secretly. It does not have to be that way. In this episode, I will discuss what our legal profession faces, share my personal story with addiction and recovery, and give five critical principles for us to focus on as we try to free ourselves or someone we care about from this prison. We can all transform our world from a dying caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly.