Big Law Life

If you've ever wondered why business development in BigLaw feels so slow, frustrating, and opaque even when you're doing everything right, this episode is for you. I break down the structural and strategic reasons many top-tier BigLaw attorneys struggle to build books of business.  From long sales cycles to limited access to decision makers and visibility issues within firms, I explore what’s really going on beneath the surface. If you’re doing all the “right” things but not seeing results yet, I walk through the key signals that you’re still on the right path and why your firm might not be noticing what you're doing well.  You’ll leave this episode with a better understanding of how to reframe your timeline, assess your positioning, and advocate for yourself with clarity. At a Glance: 00:00 Why business development in BigLaw often feels slow—even for high performers 02:01 Structural barriers: access, trust cycles, and firm dynamics 03:30 Why early efforts rarely lead to immediate results 04:50 How your practice area impacts business development timing and strategy 06:04 Building credibility without headline matters or public wins 07:21 Finding your authentic style even if it’s not networking events 08:29 What quiet traction looks like (and why your firm might miss it) 10:14 Engagement signals that show you’re on the right track 11:07 Roles and visibility that deepen client relationships 12:25 Taking ownership of your business development strategy with structure and follow-up Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. 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  

If you’ve ever lost credit for work you led, grown a client relationship that someone else now claims, or watched a colleague take center stage at a pitch you prepared, this episode is for you. I walk through what professional credit theft looks like in Big Law and how to respond in a way that’s smart, strategic, and fact-based. Whether it’s origination, execution, or visibility, losing credit can hit your comp, promotion, and internal standing hard, and it can happen pretty often in law firms. I break down how to document your contributions, when (and how) to raise the issue, and what to do if things escalate. I'll also share some specific language you can use in emails and comp memos to reclaim credit without causing unnecessary friction. Big Law isn’t always a level playing field, but this episode arms you with the tools to assert your value and protect your future. At a Glance: 00:00 Why credit theft is such a serious issue in Big Law 01:20 The three types of credit theft: origination, execution, and visibility 02:41 How to assess the real impact—on comp, promotions, and perception 03:40 What to document: emails, billing records, client praise, and more 04:57 Power dynamics: how seniority affects your strategy 05:39 When and how to confront the credit thief directly 06:20 Sample email language that’s assertive but professional 07:51 The range of responses you might receive—and how to handle them 09:01 What to do next if the response is defensive or dismissive 09:40 Escalating the issue without sounding like a complainer 10:13 What to say to a mentor, group head, or comp committee member  11:02 Proactively increasing your internal visibility 11:44 A real example of leadership backing the right person 12:35 What to include in your comp memo to document your role 13:36 Why context, not just credit, matters in compensation conversations 14:23 How to quote client feedback to strengthen your case 14:57 Sample language for your comp memo when someone else has claimed your work 15:41 Why visible, fact-based stories beat vague complaints every time 16:06 The importance of defending your contributions at every stage Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. 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  

If you’ve ever found yourself rewriting an email ten times, hedging every sentence in a memo, or avoiding a hard conversation with a colleague or client—you’re not alone. In this episode, I dive into why communication is one of the most underestimated challenges in Big Law, and how it can make or break your success. Lawyers are trained for precision and risk mitigation—not for clarity or connection. And firm culture only reinforces that. But when your writing is dense, your feedback is vague, or your tone is overly formal, it’s not just style—it’s a barrier to effective leadership, client trust, and team performance. In this episode, I break down the most common communication traps in Big Law, why even the top attorneys fall into them, and how to shift toward language that is actually helpful, direct, and practical. From speaking up without a fully formed answer to giving (and receiving) better feedback, this episode is packed with specific strategies you can apply right away. At a Glance: 00:00 Why communication challenges are so common in Big Law 01:20 How legal training encourages hedged, dense, and formal language 02:09 The difference between being technically correct and being useful 03:00 Real examples of communication breakdowns with clients and teams 04:13 The cultural factors that cause lawyers to avoid directness 05:03 Why fear of being wrong leads to silence or delay 05:33 How conflict avoidance undermines feedback and clarity 06:32 Expertise isn’t communication—why tone, context, and structure matter 07:27 What better communication actually looks like 07:51 How to write clearly: start with what the reader needs to know 08:18 The role of senior lawyers in modeling direct, contextual feedback 08:41 What to say (and ask) when vague comments like “fix this” come up 09:06 Why it’s okay not to have all the answers—and what to say instead 09:29 Spotting and replacing gobbledygook language in firm conversations 09:53 How firm hierarchy silences real dialogue 10:15 The importance of regular, real-time, two-way feedback 10:55 How to ask clarifying questions without apologizing 11:44 Why lawyers sound overly formal—and how to sound human again 12:10 Read the room: adjust your tone and delivery to your audience 12:33 Final thoughts: break bad habits, aim for clarity over complexity Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. 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  

If you’ve ever left a conference wondering whether it was worth the time, money, and disruption to your client work, this episode is for you. I break down how Big Law attorneys can approach conferences more strategically—before, during, and after—so they actually generate business, deepen client relationships, and build visibility with the right people.  Too often, conferences are treated as obligatory or status-based, without a clear plan for return on investment. But with tight schedules and high expectations, you can’t afford to attend just to check a box. I share the steps I walk through my coaching clients to evaluate which events are worth attending, prepare for targeted interactions, and follow through to maximize long-term value. This isn’t about collecting badges or LinkedIn selfies—it’s about making sure the time you spend translates into opportunities that move your practice forward. At a Glance: 00:00 Why many Big Law attorneys struggle to get ROI from conferences 01:44 How to choose events that align with your business development goals 03:04 The problem with conferences filled only with other law firm lawyers 04:04 How to assess whether attendees include real decision-makers 05:10 Why smaller, niche conferences can offer greater access 06:08 Hidden pitfalls of vendor-heavy conferences and VIP sponsor tiers 06:55 Mapping a before-during-after strategy for each event 07:44 Defining specific goals for client relationship-building 08:43 Using LinkedIn and firm connections to prep in advance 09:25 What to say when meeting new people—and how to reconnect 10:25 Why personal touches help build rapport faster than a hard pitch 11:04 How to use dedicated time (like meals and coffees) to go deeper 11:43 Smart ways to continue the conversation without being transactional 12:20 Why taking real-time notes is non-negotiable 13:05 Capturing your own visibility as a speaker or attendee 14:00 How to spotlight clients and earn goodwill through social content 14:22 The most common reason great conference connections fizzle out 14:41 The 72-hour rule: blocking time for personalized follow-up 15:05 Follow-up ideas that feel helpful, not salesy 15:24 Coordinating with your firm’s client team on next steps 15:47 Turning one insight into scalable content or broader BD initiatives 16:08 Measuring conference ROI over 6, 12, and 24 months 16:28 Final thoughts on being intentional with your time and brand Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. 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  

Most BigLaw firms offer a broad array of benefits, including to meet important needs for caregiving for children. But there is still a large gap in many firms for lawyers and other professionals when it comes to benefits that assist in meeting broader family needs, including when it comes to caring for parents, adult dependents, spoues and other family members. In this episode, I speak with Thomas Adrian, who leads HR and wellness at Sheppard Mullin, a firm which has adopted one of the most comprehensive programs in BigLaw to address overall family caregiver needs. We talking about how Sheppard Mullin's partnership with  HomeThrive helps lawyers and other professional staff to handle real-life carer responsibilities without having to sacrifice their careers.  Thomas walks through how the program works, including how it is structured to avoid red tape, and how it delivers tangible ROI through increased retention, better productivity, and stronger firm culture. For firms that want to lead in talent strategy, and attorneys looking for better ways to share with their firms how to meet this challenge in the marketplace, this episode is worth a close listen. At a Glance: 00:00 Why adult caregiving needs more attention in law firm benefits 01:46 Key statistics on working caregivers and the impact on careers 03:07 Sheppard Mullin’s motivation to address caregiving needs 04:20 How the firm began identifying caregiving as a wellness priority 07:13 Why Sheppard Mullin chose Homethrive and how the program works 09:46 Real-life examples of remote caregiving support across the U.S. 11:09 The range of support Homethrive offers beyond elder care 12:25 How Sheppard Mullin defines “family” inclusively  14:15 How the program has been leveraged by those who benefit from it 15:16 Impact stories from attorneys and staff who avoided burnout or resignation 16:40 Extending the benefit to all employees—not just lawyers 17:59 Gaining leadership buy-in for progressive benefits 19:23 ROI vs. Return on Value: how the firm measures program success 20:50 Billing more hours thanks to offloaded caregiving logistics 22:07 Vendor collaboration: why integration across wellness programs matters 24:16 How word-of-mouth drives adoption across practice groups 25:11 Why Sheppard Mullin is committed to leading in this area 26:21 Thomas’s personal passion and family experience that inspires his work Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. To reach out to Thomas Adrian for more information about Sheppard Mullin's approach: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomadrian/ www.sheppardmullin.com  To reach out to HomeThrive about the benefits and parternships they offer to law firms and companies: https://homethrive.com/  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  

When you’ve been assured you’re “on track” for partnership, but still don’t have a clear timeline, it’s time to push for specifics. In this episode, I walk through how to navigate one of the most sensitive—but critical—conversations in Big Law: asking WHEN you’ll actually be put up for partner. I lay out the right questions to ask, the right people to approach, and how to handle vague responses or firm-wide delays that stall your trajectory. If you’ve been hearing encouragement without clarity, this episode gives you the tools to stop guessing and start getting real answers. Because timing is everything. At a Glance: 00:00 The disconnect between “you’re on track” and having real, concrete timelines 02:30 How to initiate a formal conversation and what to say 04:35 Questions to ask when timing remains unclear 06:06 What to do when you’re told “it’s not my decision” 08:22 How to bring mentors and sponsors into the loop strategically 09:29 Using metrics to frame your case with practice group leaders 11:26 When to escalate beyond your group for real answers 12:54 Why in-person meetings matter and how to push through excuses 14:00 What to make of vague delays—and what they reveal about firm culture 16:22 Final thoughts on asking the harder, more important question: when Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. 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

In Big Law, doing what is asked of you is expected—what sets you apart is how you show up beyond that. In this episode, I talk about the silent missteps that hold many associates back, from treating assignments as isolated tasks to assuming visibility and feedback will come without asking. I walk through real examples of how missed context, lack of sufficient follow-through, and playing it safe can quietly stall your career, even if you’re billing plenty of hours and meeting expectations on paper. For lawyers early in their Big Law career, who want to move from competent to highly valued, this episode breaks down what it really takes to build momentum, reputation, and trust with senior lawyers. I share exactly what I looked for when I managed associates, and the small signals that showed me who is thinking like a future partner. If you’ve ever wondered whether doing the work and getting good evaluations is enough, this conversation will give you a more indepth view of how top associates stand out—and how to make sure you’re one of them. At a Glance: 00:00 Why lawyering well isn’t enough in Big Law 01:20 The mistake of keeping your head down and assuming no feedback is good feedback 02:10 Assignments are not tasks, they’re tests of judgment and strategic thinking 03:02 Why doing only what is asked can fail to advance your career 04:04 When failing to raise key issues can suggest you lack judgment 05:09 Why thoughtful questions show strength, not weakness 06:02 The danger of treating assignments like schoolwork with a finish line 06:48 How silence makes you forgettable and how to avoid it 07:09 What asking for feedback really signals to partners 07:51 The growth that only happens when you reach beyond your comfort zone 08:49 Specific examples: secondments, cross-border teams, and fast-moving deals 09:37 The importance of internal visibility beyond billables 10:16 Why Big Law isn’t built for associates who operate in isolation 10:44 How disengagement quietly damages your reputation over time 11:13 Why initiative matters more than raw competence 11:40 Final thoughts: what Big Law actually rewards Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. 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  

Making the decision to pivot to or re-entering Big Law after time in a smaller practice—whether solo or at a boutique firm—is not a decision to make lightly. In this episode, I lay out what every experienced attorney should evaluate before making the leap to a large firm. From navigating equity status, benefits and health insurance costs, to understanding the real expectations around origination credit, profitability metrics, and collaboration—you’ll hear what questions to ask and areas to do your due diligence on now to avoid misalignment later.  I also cover what internal resources to ask about and people to meet with before your first day, and how to set yourself up for success in your first year, particularly if business development support is limited. If you’re an experienced practitioner considering a move to Big Law, this episode will help you think through what you need to know before you sign. At a Glance: 00:00 Why this episode matters for returning or first-time Big Law partners 01:20 Common motivations for moving to Big Law from solo or small-firm practice 02:07 Equity vs. non-equity partner status—what to clarify and why it varies 03:07 Key comp variables: point charts, bonus eligibility, and guaranteed years 04:16 What solo and small-firm lawyers may overlook about health and retirement costs 05:08 Capital contributions, K-1s vs. W-2s, and hidden costs you should ask about 06:22 What firms are really hiring you to do—it may not be to help with someone else’s book 07:17 Why low-rate clients may become an issue, even if you bring a full pipeline 07:39 Metrics that matter in Big Law—what you’ll be evaluated on annually 08:03 The illusion of collaboration—why many firms still operate in silos 08:45 What to do if you’re expected to originate work immediately 09:05 Why you need to meet practice management, pricing, and BD leaders before signing 09:49 Understanding what the platform really offers—and where it may fall short 10:39 You will be held accountable for profitability—ask who’s helping you deliver 11:05 Don’t assume resources will be available when you arrive—get clarity in advance 11:26 Why you need a marketing and BD plan in place before day one 12:14 Smart strategies for integrating internally and externally 12:35 What your BD budget should include—and how to advocate for it 12:59 Why assuming flexibility or financial support will be there without a solid plan 13:27 The value of engaging internal BDs to champion your strategy 13:51 Final reminders: the questions to ask, the pitfalls to avoid, and how to make the right move Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. 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

As the legal industry reckons with the growing influence of generative AI and automation, law firms are facing far more than just new tools—they’re confronting a fundamental shift in how talent is managed, work is structured, and value is delivered. In this episode, I’m joined by Keith Maziarek, a Big Law expert in strategic pricing and legal project management, to talk about how AI is reshaping the legal talent model and how firms will measure and track value—from flattening the traditional associate pyramid to forcing firms to rethink hiring, development, and retention strategies. Keith and I dive into what this means for lawyers and business professionals alike, and why this is likely to mean that law firms will need fewer—but more specialized—junior lawyers, how non-legal professionals like data scientists will be essential to client service, and the ways in which the future of legal work will demand both new skillsets and new incentives. If you’re a senior lawyer navigating firm leadership, or thinking about how to future-proof your career, this episode is essential listening. At a Glance: 00:00 Introduction and why Big Law isn’t ready for what’s coming 01:20 Keith Maziarek returns to share insights on generative AI’s disruption of legal work 03:01 How automation changes the leverage model and firm economics 05:13 Why the traditional associate-heavy pyramid is changing 06:21 The shift toward a rectangular org chart and what that means for firm structure 07:26 Shocking stat: 80% of associates leave by year five—and why that’s unsustainable 08:50 Future associates will need a new skillset law schools still aren’t teaching 10:07 Why firm recruiting, professional development, and retention must evolve now 11:20 Non-lawyer experts—data scientists and technologists—are becoming central 12:40 Firms rely on lawyer-only profit-sharing, but this may not be sustainable 14:03 Hiring fewer lawyers doesn’t cut costs but will shift them to expensive specialists 15:34 Investigations and data science: where collaboration is already essential 16:26 How embedded data teams are unlocking new revenue and client insights 17:32 Can firms fairly compensate non-lawyers generating economic value? 18:07 Rethinking pricing: how to quantify the value of data-driven insights 20:53 True value-based pricing is possible—when noise is removed by data teams 22:19 Why most firms still aren’t prepared to sell or price non-legal services 24:23 The market isn’t ready—and clients struggle to evaluate unfamiliar services 25:23 Why this creates opportunity for innovation in both delivery and monetization 26:04 Keith shares details on upcoming Legal Value Network events Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. Ways to reach Keith Maziarek www.legalvaluenetwork.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/legal-value-network/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithmaziarek/  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  

When it feels like you’re one of thousands of lawyers competing for the same clients, even within your own firm, differentiation becomes critical. In today’s episode, I talk about how to stand out when everyone around you seems to have the same credentials, practice area, and experience. I walk through tangible steps you can take—starting today—to position yourself as a go-to expert by identifying what makes your legal practice different and making that difference obvious to clients, partners, and prospective business. From narrowing your niche to using specific language that paints a vivid picture of your value, I cover ways to clarify your messaging, share your wins, and better connect with what your clients actually care about. Whether you’re frustrated by a lack of inbound work, worried that your expertise is becoming commoditized, or simply trying to rise above the noise, this episode offers a practical approach to help you cut through. At a Glance: 00:00 Competing in a saturated legal market and why general expertise falls flat 02:10 Reframing self-doubt into an opportunity to differentiate your legal practice 02:56 Carving out a niche with specificity—without becoming too narrow 04:09 Why factual, example-driven descriptions resonate more than generalities 05:06 Sharing proof of success: specific outcomes and stories that build trust 05:59 How to communicate your expertise effectively with media and audiences 07:15 A 3-question framework to define your unique value proposition 08:31 Going beyond labels: describing what you do in real terms 10:02 Understanding how you help clients—and what makes your approach unique 11:40 Tying it all together: using this framework to refine your personal brand 12:11 Listening to your clients to understand what success means to them 13:10 A client re-engagement story that shows the power of simply checking in 14:09 Why differentiation about personal resilience as well as strategy Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law.  For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast here!  For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars. 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