The Newfangled Lawyer

AboutOdette Ansell is a Canadian litigator and the host of Non-Billable Hours, a podcast dedicated to honest conversations about life in and beyond the law. With a passion for connecting with lawyers across every practice area, she creates space for candid discussions about the joys, pressures, and personal passions that shape legal professionals. Odette is driven by a desire to spotlight what truly lights lawyers up outside their work, from creative pursuits to family life to unexpected hobbies. Through her thoughtful interviews, she explores the common challenges many lawyers experience but rarely voice. Her work aims to build community, normalize vulnerability, and remind lawyers that their identities extend far beyond their billable targets.https://www.linkedin.com/in/odetteansell/https://www.youtube.com/@NonBillableHoursPod

In this episode of The Newfangled Lawyer Podcast, host Patrick welcomes Krisina Zuñiga, a newly minted partner at Susman Godfrey, as the first episode of Season 3 following a brief hiatus. Krisina offers insights into balancing a demanding legal career while maintaining personal well-being. Krisina shares her path to becoming a partner, highlighting her background growing up in Laredo, Texas, a border town, and her experiences as both a federal law clerk and attorney. She reflects on how her upbringing shaped her professional identity. Krisina also explains how her philosophy studies, particularly in ethics and logic, enhanced her ability to navigate the complexities of law with a sharp, analytical approach, bringing a fresh perspective to her litigation work. The conversation explores being a female Hispanic attorney and how Krisina manages the balance between her legal career and motherhood. She describes her approach to handling both worlds with intention, supported by a strong family network and a firm culture that embraces work-life balance. Krisina also touches on her mentorship and involvement in the community, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing what truly matters. This engaging episode offers a fresh take on what it means to be a "newfangled lawyer" — one who embraces both professional excellence and personal fulfillment. Krisina’s story is not only a testament to her resilience but also an inspiration for attorneys who aspire to make meaningful choices in their careers and lives. About Krisina: Krisina Zuñiga represents plaintiffs and defendants in all types of commercial litigation. Career highlights include securing a dismissal of the FTC’s antitrust challenges to client Intercontinental Exchange’s proposed $11+ billion acquisition of Black Knight; winning a nearly $40 million judgment for the defendant Repeat Precision after a federal court trial; and representing the City of Baltimore in its litigation against the opioid distributors and manufacturers that fueled the worst opioid epidemic in the country, which litigation is ongoing and has already resulted in $242.5 million in settlements, a larger recovery than the City would have received under the global settlement. Krisina has been recognized by the American Bar Association as one of the nation’s Top 40 Lawyers Under 40, by the National Law Journal as a Rising Star of the Plaintiff’s Bar, by Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star,” by Bloomberg Law as an “Intellectual Property Fresh Face,” by Texas Lawyer as one of fewer than 30 lawyers “On the Rise,” and by the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce as a “Breakthrough Woman.” Krisina joined Susman Godfrey after clerking for the Honorable Diana Saldaña of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas in her hometown of Laredo, Texas, and the Honorable Jennifer Walker Elrod of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Krisina earned her J.D. from Stanford Law School after graduating summa cum laude from Rice University. She is a past president of the Houston Young Lawyers Association and a board member of the Houston Bar Foundation and the Hispanic Bar Association of Houston. www.linkedin.com/in/krisina-zuniga https://www.susmangodfrey.com/attorneys/krisina-zuniga/

About Megan: Megan Senese, a former Big Law legal marketing and business development professional, is now the co-founder of stage. stage, a women-owned legal marketing and business development firm, specializes in coaching and actionable strategies to boost empathy, revenue, and visibility for lawyers, with a particular focus on women. stage stands out as one of the pioneering in-house legal marketing teams to transition from Big Law and launch an independent venture as a united team. Additionally, stage provides free business development coaching to support working parents before and after parental leave. Megan brings over 16 years of experience in professional services marketing and business development, covering personalized coaching, revenue growth strategies, new team development, co-selling initiatives, programming, and content campaigns for profile building. Her passion and expertise make her a valuable asset in the legal marketing and business development field. https://www.linkedin.com/in/megansenese/ www.stage.guide

About Chris: Chris Valdheims is an entrepreneur, writer, podcaster, and lawyer dedicated to helping creative people turn things into reality. While he does a lot of this through his innovative law firm, Counsel for Creators, he also shares insight into the creative process on his podcast. Chris has long been an innovator in the legal field, and is well known for pioneering one of the first viable subscription/based law firms. https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisvaldheims https://counselforcreators.com

About Lauren: Lauren is a consultant lawyer, Human Design guide and career strategist. As the creator of Legally Different, Lauren's mission is to support legal professionals to create careers, businesses & beyond by design. Powered by a passion to; transform the one-size-fits-all model for success, create feelings of true personal fulfilment and improve team & collective working dynamics, Lauren’s work marries soul-level depth with strategy & pragmatism to inspire, empower & equip people to understand and leverage their innate blueprint for success. www.legallydifferent.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-kay-o%E2%80%99sullivan-96139570/

About Paul: Paul Karvanis is a recovering lawyer, an author, speaker, and coach. He practiced as a corporate lawyer for 12 years (in private practice, in-house, and government). He's been coaching for 6+ years and has created The Happy Lawyer project, where he has interviewed over 100 lawyers, determined the blueprint to being happy as a lawyer, and put it all into his new book The Happy Lawyer. https://www.linkedin.com/in/karvanis/ https://leaderrising.com/

Join me and Adriana Paris, the only other attorney that might say "dude" more than I do, in the 29th Episode of The Newfangled Lawyer Podcast. We chat about productivity, recovering attorney life, yoga, discovering who you are, and so much more! About Adriana: As the Director of Attorney Development and Recruiting at Rissman Law, Adriana oversees the hiring, training, and retention of lawyers who share our firm's values and vision. She has more than 10 years of experience as a civil litigator, working in-house and at two large law firms, where she handled complex and high-stakes cases across various industries and jurisdictions. She also wrote "Rising Lawyer," a practical guide for law students and junior associates who want to succeed in the legal profession. Earlier this year, Adriana ventured into the world of coaching where she works 1:1 with lawyers on productivity, implementing better time skills & reworking their daily routines in order to create more time for their personal lives. https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianaparis/ adrianaparis.com

In this episode of the Newfangled Lawyer Podcast, host Patrick Patino sits down with guest Jonah Perlin to explore the windy road of the professional journey. Jonah, the host of "How I Lawyer," shares insightful perspectives on how lawyers can navigate their professional paths with flexibility and resilience. They discuss the evolving roles of fathers in the legal profession and society, challenging traditional perceptions and embracing the idea of being an active, present parent. Jonah reflects on his experiences in private practice, transitioning to academia, and the surprising journey of launching and sustaining his podcast. They touch on the power of narrative in legal education and the importance of sharing diverse stories to inspire the next generation of lawyers. The conversation delves into the importance of storytelling in the legal profession, emphasizing the value of diverse narratives and experiences. Jonah highlights the need for lawyers to share their stories authentically, disrupting confirmation biases and inspiring the next generation of legal professionals. Patrick and Jonah discuss the evolving perception of creativity in the legal field, challenging traditional notions of success and highlighting the role of problem-solving and innovation. Drawing parallels between sports and law, they explore the mindset of high-performing individuals and the importance of embracing the unexpected twists and turns in one's career. With anecdotes from their own journeys, Patrick and Jonah offer practical advice for lawyers seeking fulfillment and purpose in their professional lives. From embracing uncertainty to finding joy in the unexpected, this episode inspires listeners to embrace the winding road of legal careers and seize opportunities for growth and self-discovery. Tune in to gain valuable insights into the evolving landscape of legal careers and discover how embracing uncertainty can lead to new possibilities and personal fulfillment. About Jonah: Jonah Perlin is an Associate Professor of Law, Legal Practice at the Georgetown University Law Center. Jonah teaches and writes about legal communication, legal ethics, and technology of law. Jonah is also the host of How I Lawyer, a Top-25 Careers Podcast where he has conducted more than 125 interviews with lawyers about what they do, why they do it, and how they do it well. Previously, Jonah was a litigator at Williams & Connolly LLP and a law clerk on the District Court for the District of Columbia and the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonah-perlin-7554025/ howilawyer.com

In the 25th episode of the Newfangled Lawyer Podcast, host Patrick Patino engages in a candid and insightful conversation with guest Elena Gurevich. The episode delves into the evolving landscape of the legal profession, emphasizing the importance of human connection, authenticity, and soft skills in the face of advancing technology like AI. Elena advocates for a more humane and personalized approach to legal practice, prioritizing civility, and genuine human connection. Throughout the episode, they explore the human side of innovation, discussing how advancements in technology affect individuals on a personal and professional level. The conversation extends beyond legal matters as Elena and Patrick explore the significance of curiosity and personal growth outside the professional realm. From delving into linguistic nuances to reflecting on cultural differences in social interactions, they highlight the value of continuous learning and embracing change. They reflect on their personal journeys of embracing change and staying curious, with Elena revealing how the COVID-19 pandemic transformed her introverted nature into a desire for meaningful connections. Through their dialogue, Elena and Patrick underscore the essence of being a "newfangled lawyer" – someone who embraces authenticity, adapts to change, and prioritizes meaningful connections over traditional norms. Join them for an engaging discussion that challenges the status quo and celebrates the multifaceted nature of the legal profession. About Elena: A multilingual lawyer with a background in intellectual property law, and a keen interest in data protection, AI, and blockchain technology. I am passionate about learning and sharing my knowledge on how these technologies can transform creative industries and the legal profession. https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-gurevich/ YouTube Channel