Counsel To Counsel - Career Advice For Lawyers

Artificial intelligence is dramatically changing how legal services are marketed—and how clients find lawyers. In this episode, Steve Seckler speaks with Annie Stern, a seasoned digital marketing strategist, about what lawyers need to know to stay relevant in the AI era. Key Takeaways: AI tools like ChatGPT are reshaping how clients discover and vet lawyers, including those who rely heavily on referrals. A strong digital footprint—updated bios, accurate directories, and mentions on reputable sites—is now critical for visibility. Traditional SEO isn’t dead but must be complemented by AI-readiness strategies. Annie shares the top three things every solo or small firm lawyer should do today to ensure they're discoverable by AI. Resources & Contact: Learn more about Annie Stern’s work at RizeUp Media or email her at annie@rizeupmedia.com.

As lawyers, we are trained to analyze, critique, and mitigate risk — all essential skills in practice. But when we bring that same mindset into our everyday conversations, we can unintentionally undermine connection and trust. In this episode, Stephen Seckler explores how the habits that make us successful advocates can backfire in networking, business development, and even personal relationships. Stephen breaks down some of the most common communication traps lawyers fall into: Leading with skepticism instead of curiosity Listening to respond instead of truly listening to understand Correcting others unnecessarily Over-sharing your own experiences instead of showing empathy Over-explaining and focusing too much on procedural detail Turning casual conversations into debates Whether you're trying to deepen client relationships, network more effectively, or simply communicate better with colleagues and friends, this episode offers tools to help you become a more impactful and trusted communicator.

In this solo episode, attorney Stephen Seckler reflects on the importance of building small, consistent habits—both for professional success and personal wellbeing. Drawing on his own efforts to reduce news and screen time, improve sleep hygiene, and maintain dental health, Stephen underscores how selfcare routines can create calm and clarity in stressful times. He also highlights how the same principle applies to business development: splashy efforts are no substitute for consistent outreach and visibility. Whether it's connecting with referral sources, posting on LinkedIn, or attending networking events, success comes from showing up regularly. Tune in to hear why both wellness and marketing are long games—and how you can make progress one habit at a time. Additional Resources Episode 139-Conquering Perfectionism in the Practice of Law with Jordana Confino Episode 140- Naïs Mouret on Emotional Intelligence, Physical Well-being, and the Practice of Law Episode 135-Tackling Mental Health Issues in the

Many lawyers find themselves questioning whether the traditional practice of law is the right long-term fit. In this episode, host Stephen Seckler speaks with Kim Fine and Neil Handwerker, co-founders of ex judicata, a platform designed to help lawyers explore and transition to non-legal careers. Kim Fine brings a wealth of experience as a legal industry executive, including her time as Managing Director at ALM (American Lawyer Media). Neil Handwerker is a former practicing attorney and seasoned legal recruiter who has advised lawyers on career transitions for decades. Together, they launched ex judicata to address a growing need: helping lawyers find more fulfilling career paths outside of traditional legal roles. In This Episode: * The origin story of ex judicata and the founders' earlier work with Fulcrum Information Services * Common reasons lawyers want to transition out of practice: burnout, billable hour pressure, and desire for team-oriented environments * How ex judicata supports lawyers: diagnostic

In this special solo episode of Counsel to Counsel, I take a break from my usual interview format to share something personal: the audio version of Chapter One of my new book, Think Like a Lawyer, Act Like an Entrepreneur, just published by the American Bar Association. This book is a field guide for lawyers who are skeptical about marketing and allergic to the idea of “sales.” It’s designed to help you shift your mindset, find a more authentic and comfortable approach to business development, and ultimately grow your practice in a way that feels right to you. I don’t plan to release a full audiobook, but many of you have asked for one—so I’m starting here. If you've ever struggled with the idea of self-promotion or found traditional marketing advice unrelatable, this first chapter is for you. Tune in to hear how I kick off the book, and let me know what you think! Topics Covered: Why lawyers often resist marketing and business development How entrepreneurial thinking can help lawyers reframe their approach

In this episode of Counsel to Counsel, Steve speaks with legal tech executive and former practicing attorney Ben Chiriboga, founding team member of Nexl, a legal CRM platform built specifically for law firms. Ben shares how Nexl is transforming how lawyers manage client relationships and streamline business development—and offers a candid look at his own journey from litigator to legal tech entrepreneur.

In this episode, Steve speaks with the administrative team at the NALP Foundation, a nonprofit research organization focused on the advancement of the legal profession. They explore recent data on associate hiring, attrition, and retention—highlighting what lawyers can learn from these trends to shape more satisfying careers.

In this episode, I take another break from interviewing guests to share some quick thoughts on how to use job boards effectively in your job search. While I spend a lot of time encouraging clients to make networking the central focus of their career exploration, job postings still have value—if used strategically. I share practical tips on how to leverage listings for market research, generate new ideas, and customize your applications to stand out.

In this episode, Steve Seckler speaks with Jonathan White, a Boston-based trusts and estates attorney and a self-described AI enthusiast. Jonathan shares practical insights into how he is using artificial intelligence tools to streamline his law practice and enhance client service. He also reflects on his career transitions—from litigation to insurance defense, to real estate, and finally to trusts and estates—and how his current involvement with Atticus is helping him and other lawyers build more fulfilling and profitable practices.

In this episode, I’m taking a break from interviewing guests to share some exciting news—my new book, Think Like a Lawyer, Act Like an Entrepreneur, is being published by the American Bar Association in late March! If you’ve ever struggled with marketing yourself or felt uncomfortable with business development, this book is for you. As lawyers, we’re trained to be analytical and risk-averse—great for legal work, but not always helpful when it comes to growing a practice. In the book, I share practical strategies to help you shift your mindset, build relationships, and integrate marketing into your professional life in a way that feels natural. Tune in to hear about my own journey with business development, why I wrote this book, and how it can help you market yourself without feeling like a salesperson. To order, click here.

In this episode, business coach Dominic Grew returns to discuss how solo and small firm lawyers can strategically grow their practices without overextending themselves. Dominic shares practical insights on leveraging time, outsourcing non-billable tasks, and using fractional resources before committing to full-time hires. Key Topics: When to consider hiring support staff or associates The benefits of fractional hires and outsourcing tasks like bookkeeping and IT Avoiding common mistakes when expanding a law practice How to balance delegation while maintaining quality Real-world scenarios: Hiring a first employee, sharing an associate, and weighing contract help vs. joining a larger firm Why You Should Listen: If you’ve ever wondered how to scale your law firm while maintaining efficiency and profitability, this episode provides actionable strategies to help you make informed decisions about growth. Additional Resources: Episode 110: Getting to No – Turning Leads into Business with Dominic Grew

In this episode, host Stephen Seckler welcomes back Gary Johnson, president of J2 Marketing Consultants, for a dynamic session of role-playing client intakes. They explore how lawyers can turn initial business conversations into productive relationships. Gary, an expert in coaching attorneys on growing their practices, shares practical techniques for understanding client needs, building trust, and addressing objections. Role-play scenarios include consultations with a restaurant owner expanding his business, a divorcing client navigating complex emotions and custody issues, and parents of a special needs child seeking estate planning advice. Each scenario highlights the importance of active listening, empathy, and providing tailored solutions. Gary also emphasizes the long-term value of relationship-building in legal marketing. This episode is packed with actionable insights for lawyers aiming to enhance their client interactions and business development strategies. Additional Resources Episode 74-Turning Bu

In this host Stephen Seckler sits down with Carrie Flynn, a fractional CMO and growth marketing consultant, to explore the evolving landscape of marketing for lawyers and law firms. Carrie brings over eight years of experience helping professional service businesses scale their revenue and impact through tailored digital and traditional marketing strategies. Together, they unpack the essential elements of building a robust marketing plan that balances relationship-building with digital tools.  Key Topics Discussed:  Marketing Fundamentals for Law Firms: How to identify your ideal client and develop targeted messaging to stand out in a competitive market.  The Power of Diversification: Combining referral marketing with digital strategies like email marketing, social media, and SEO to drive consistent lead generation.  Data-Driven Strategies: Leveraging past performance to inform future marketing decisions and optimize results.  AI in Legal Marketing: The opportunities and ethical considerations when incorpora

In this episode of Counsel to Counsel, host Stephen Seckler is joined by Susanne Aronowitz, a senior consultant with Beard Strategies and a Professional Certified Coach, to discuss career transitions and job satisfaction for lawyers. Susanne shares her journey from employment attorney to career coach, offering insights drawn from her 25 years of experience. Together, they explore how lawyers can address career dissatisfaction, identify whether issues are fixable within their current role, and recognize when it’s time to move on. Susanne also provides actionable advice on navigating involuntary job loss, reframing layoffs as opportunities for growth, and leveraging networking for successful transitions. The conversation covers strategies for improving job satisfaction, such as proposing changes to employers, adjusting responsibilities, and exploring complementary practice areas. Susanne highlights the importance of self-care and managing negative self-talk during career transitions, as well as practical ste

In this episode of the Counsel to Counsel podcast, host Stephen Seckler engages with Nancy Capistran, founder of Capistran Leadership and a Vistage chair, to delve into the transformative impact of peer advisory groups and executive coaching. Nancy, an internationally certified executive coach and crisis advisor, is renowned for her commitment to Expanding Human Excellence®. She is also the author of the best-selling book Open Your Eyes and LEAD: Hardship and Wisdom Shape the Best Leaders in Life, which offers insights into overcoming challenges to achieve exceptional results. In this conversation, Nancy shares how group coaching fosters leadership growth through collaborative learning, diverse perspectives, and collective problem-solving. She also distinguishes between group and one-on-one coaching, emphasizing how each format can transform leaders both personally and professionally. Whether you’re a legal professional or a business executive, this episode provides practical insights into leadership d

Starting your own law practice is a bold and rewarding move, but it comes with its share of challenges. In this episode of Counsel to Counsel, host Stephen Seckler sits down with Chris Earley, a Massachusetts-based personal injury attorney and business coach, to discuss lessons from his journey building the Earley Law Group from scratch. Chris shares insights from his ABA article, "Five Mistakes to Avoid When Starting Your Law Practice," and offers actionable advice for attorneys looking to take the leap into entrepreneurship. Chris recounts the early days of his practice, launching in 2005 with no cases, money, or connections, and the hustle it took to get his firm off the ground. He emphasizes the importance of networking and creative marketing, lessons he learned the hard way. Chris also reflects on how shifting his mindset from being a lawyer to being a business owner transformed his approach to growth. From leveraging his last name in branding to building a strong referral network, Chris’s story is pack

In this episode of Counsel to Counsel, host Stephen Seckler shares insights from his recent experiences volunteering during the 2024 election. Drawing lessons from the power of listening in political campaigns, Steve explores how lawyers can apply the same principles to business development. He emphasizes that active listening and understanding client concerns are key to building trust and turning relationships into business opportunities. Steve breaks down practical strategies for lawyers: Ask open-ended questions to uncover client needs. Help clients articulate the urgency of solving their problems. Position yourself as a problem-solver, not a salesperson. Build trust by guiding clients through a thoughtful, solution-focused process. Tune in to learn how these strategies can help you grow your practice authentically and effectively.

In this episode Steve Seckler speaks with Judith Kurnick, an executive transition coach who specializes in guiding late-career lawyers, executives, and business owners as they navigate career transitions. Judith delves into the “longevity revolution,” the idea that professionals in their 60s can expect to live and thrive for another 25-30 years.    She shares strategies for overcoming challenges like ageism, health concerns, financial planning, and maintaining relevance while transitioning from demanding roles. The episode provides practical advice on shifting mindsets, exploring new roles, and developing personalized plans to stay productive, engaged, and fulfilled in later career stages. Judith also emphasizes the importance of repurposing skills rather than retiring, helping listeners rethink what’s possible in their next chapter.   Judith Kurnick is an executive transition coach, speaker, and writer with over 35 years of experience as a strategic communications leader. Drawing from her background as a

In this episode of Counsel to Counsel, host Stephen Seckler welcomes Dena Lefkowitz, a professional coach and former practicing attorney who helps lawyers navigate the complexities of career development, marketing, and finding professional fulfillment. Dena practiced law for over 20 years before transitioning to coaching and has authored the book Winning in Your Own Court, published by the American Bar Association. The book has garnered notable recognition, including the Nautilus Silver Award for Inner Prosperity & Right Livelihood. Together, Stephen and Dena discuss key insights from the book, focusing on how lawyers can take control of their careers, improve well-being, and discover greater satisfaction in their work. Tune in as they explore topics such as why attorneys often become dissatisfied in their careers, strategies for managing burnout, the importance of self-awareness, and practical steps for improving time management. They also delve into networking, setting boundaries, and how lawyers can em

In this episode of Counsel to Counsel, I am joined by Jeffrey Soilson, Esq. and Ashleigh Louis, Ph.D., founders of Quantum ADR, an innovative co-mediation practice. Quantum ADR takes an interdisciplinary approach to conflict resolution by combining Jeff's 25 years of family law expertise with Ashleigh's deep understanding of psychology. Together, they offer a unique "two-coach" model that addresses both the legal and emotional aspects of disputes, creating a more holistic process for their clients. In this episode, Jeff and Ashleigh share their insights into how their combined expertise helps clients navigate complex situations like divorce, co-parenting, and even workplace conflicts while also fostering skills for conflict prevention. The conversation highlights the distinct advantages of having both legal and psychological perspectives in mediation, such as the ability to understand emotional blockages that often hinder resolution and the importance of aligning clients’ actions with their core values. Jeff