Erasing the Stigma

In order for your lawyers and professionals to thrive, they need to be in an environment where they are comfortable and receptive to constructive feedback. In this episode of Erasing the Stigma, Sheila Murphy, CEO of Focus Forward Consulting, explains to Mark Yacano the importance of cultivating your culture and then identifying the skills within each of your employees that will allow them to contribute the best to your firm or team.

Brad Baum, venture capitalist with Lightbank, knows a good idea when he hears it, which is why he believes in the development and distribution of technology that supports mental health and access to its services. In this episode of Erasing the Stigma, Brad and Mark Yacano talk about various technological tools available to clinicians and their clients and how the digitization of therapy has lowered the barrier to access—and hopefully the stigma.

Mark Goldstein accepted his depression and set out to feel like himself again, taking a leave of absence from the law. When he returned, he shared his story in The American Lawyer and now he shares his story with Mark Yacano in this episode of Erasing the Stigma. Listen in as Mark G. discusses the reactions he received and why he advocates for mental health awareness and normalization in the law and society.

Hosts Andrea Bricca and Eliza Stoker wrap up 2020 with a look back at the amazing conversations they’ve had with women who are leading the way in the legal profession. They chat about authenticity, the effects of the social justice movement on 2020 and how to support each other in this 30-minute conversation.

Laurie Lebrun, a partner with Major, Lindsey & Africa, has had an exciting career that took her from New York to Tokyo. In this episode of Millennial Murmurs, she shares with Nathan Peart how mentors (both formal and informal) guided her in her career, especially during her career transitions. They also chat about Nathan’s experience having Laurie as his mentor and about what Laurie has learned as a mentor.

Everyone comes to a place in their life and career where they may feel stuck and unsure of how to get out of their rut. In this episode of Erasing the Stigma with Mark Yacano, Madelaine Weiss, clinical social worker and executive, career and life coach, shares real-life examples of how people, particularly lawyers, have made positive transformations in their lives and found sustainable happiness using her G.R.E.A.T. strategy.

Paula Boggs took a leap into the unknown in 2012, leaving an unparalleled career in the law and starting her music career. In this episode of B.S.: Beyond Stereotypes, Paula retired GC of Starbucks and current frontwoman for the Paula Boggs Band, shares stories of her upbringing, her love of music and why being a Black woman has been her superpower.

With 30 years of experience as a law firm gaming attorney, Ellen Whittemore was up for the challenge when she stepped into the top legal role at Wynn Resorts. In this episode of Between the Legal Lines, Ellen talks to Andrea Bricca about what it was like to go from being a law firm partner to a general counsel. She also shares advice on what she would have done differently along the way and how leading during COVID has been an incredible learning experience.

If the idea of traveling the world sounds appealing to you or is on your bucket list, a career break may be the way to go. Claire Logan, counsel at Robert Weinberger Law PC, always knew she wanted to travel, so when she reached a crossroads, she decided it was time to go on a grand adventure and take a break from the law. In this episode of Millennial Murmurs, Claire and Nathan Peart chat about why she decided to take a break from her legal career, the steps she took to prepare for her break...

Creating a healthy work environment starts with the tone set by leadership. In this episode of Erasing the Stigma, Misti Burmeister, author and executive coach, discusses with Mark Yacano the importance of leaning in, listening and asking questions to connect commonalities. Using her personal experiences, Misti explains how we all need to get in touch with the emotional and accept that vulnerability in order to truly understand your people and create a safe space.

Growing up, David Kelly wanted to be a basketball player and a musician. While his path ultimately has led him to a career as an NBA lawyer, he is also a successful musician and underground rapper. In this episode of B.S.: Beyond Stereotypes, David, Chief Legal Officer of The Golden State Warriors, shares with Merle Vaughn how he landed his dream role, the sponsors who helped him along the way—and his insights on the league and team culture. He also discusses his passion for hip hop and how...

Traevena Byrd, vice president, general counsel and secretary for American University, has a unique legal career path growing up and excelling in higher education. Her experience in higher education has allowed her to talk about subjects that may be taboo in other industries, benefit from the mentorship of other women, and explore all sides of the higher education experience—from teaching to recruiting. In this episode of Between the Legal Lines, Traevena and Andrea Bricca discuss everything...

At the start of your career, your long-term career plans may seem impossible to plan for. Rob Cacace, executive director of the Office of Career Strategy at Georgetown University Law Center, and Nathan Peart have helped hundreds of law students and associates build career roadmaps and start down their legal career path. In this episode of Millennial Murmurs, Rob and Nathan discuss long-term career planning, exploring tips for how to prepare for your first job out of law school and providing...

Managing—and maintaining—your physical and mental health is an ongoing challenge for many people. Kelsey Heenan, co-founder of HIIT Burn and The Daily Kelsey, explores the mind-body connection needed to find happiness and embrace your body image in this episode of Erasing the Stigma. As she chats with host Mark Yacano, she talks about finding confidence in the clothes you wear, not measuring success by a number on the scale, and taking the first step to a sustainable lifestyle.

Steven Hunter, partner at Quarles & Brady, doesn’t let anything hold him back from being his authentic self and living his best life. In this episode of B.S.: Beyond Stereotypes, Steven shares stories about what has inspired him to pursue his passions and chats with Merle Vaughn about his competitive drive and commitment to creating opportunities for other diverse lawyers.

As the first general counsel for goop, Virginia Llewellyn came into the organization ready to take on any legal challenges it faced. But this isn’t the first time Virginia has been the first GC for an organization; in fact, she’s playing that role several times before. In this episode of Between the Legal Lines, Virginia chats with Andrea Bricca about her career path, why she sought out an executive MBA and what leading during a pandemic has been like.

Growing up on the basketball court, O’Melveny’s David Lash was not your stereotypical player. In this episode of B.S.: Beyond Stereotypes, David chats with Merle Vaughn about getting beyond stereotypes personally and the eye-opening moments from some of his most memorable pro bono cases, several of which are “ripped from the headlines” and one that was made into a movie.

Jill Twedt, vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of Boise Cascade, talks to Andrea Bricca about her road to the GC role, working her way up and adjusting to new challenges along the way. She also shares her experiences as a women leader in a male-dominated industry and as a new leader navigating a global pandemic.

Issues of mental health in the legal profession have been a hot topic for ALM Media. Gina Passarella, editor-in-chief, speaks with Mark Yacano about the results of the yearlong Minds Over Matters project and the impact of COVID-19 on the lawyers with whom she’s recently spoken.

Sheila Foster, a Professor of Law and Public Policy at Georgetown University, loves disrupting expectations. In this episode of B.S.: Beyond Stereotypes, Sheila chats with Merle Vaughn about how her youthful appearance, race, and gender often present challenges within the classroom, and how she maintains her authenticity by always speaking her truth and staying grounded and connected to the community. She also explores the benefits of meditation and how her Zen-like focus helps her through...