Big Law Life Laura Terrell

In today’s episode, I am joined by Amanda Raad, co-leader of Ropes & Gray’s Global Anti–Corruption and International Risk Practice and co-founder of R&G Insights Lab. Amanda shares her experiences of moving her practice from the US to London, the challenges and opportunities that came with that pivot, and how she successfully navigated the path to partnership along the way. She also discusses the importance of understanding firm culture, the strategic benefits of qualifying in a new jurisdiction, and the development of Ropes & Gray's Insights Lab. 
Learn the importance of embracing new opportunities and fully committing to them as a unique way to bolster your professional integration and growth in a new market.
 
At a glance:
02:02 - Amanda’s role and expertise at Ropes & Gray
03:02 - Amanda’s journey from Indiana to London
05:08 - Motivation and support for moving to London
07:15 - Commitment and integration into the UK legal system
09:20 - Importance of qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales
11:49 - Building relationships and understanding the UK legal market
13:39 - Balancing US and UK legal practices
16:15 - Amanda’s promotion to partner and its impact
18:08 - Developing client relationships and growing a practice
20:23 - Building a US and UK qualified team at Ropes & Gray
22:23 - Challenges and benefits of cross-border work
24:42 - Personal reflections on ten years in London
27:02 - Overcoming setbacks and staying committed
30:19 - Advice for attorneys considering international moves
33:13 - Balancing personal life and professional commitments
34:07 - Overview of Ropes & Gray’s Insights Lab



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How to reach Amanda Raad:
Amanda.Raad@ropesgray.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-raad-947a194
 
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 today’s episode, I am joined by Kelley Brubaker, a CPA advising attorneys and their firms, and the host of the “Your Profitable Law Firm” podcast.  Kelly shares how law firm shareholders and owners can better approach tax planning, budgeting, and the transition from W-2 employees to equity partners. 
Learn how to manage unpredictable income, set up multiple bank accounts for better financial management, and the importance of early consultation with tax professionals. 
 
At a glance:
02:32 - Kelly Brubaker’s experience transitioning from Big Four to owning her own firm
04:30 - The importance of understanding tax implications when transitioning to an equity partner
07:15 - Understanding the financial and tax changes when becoming an equity partner
09:14 - Explanation of K-1 forms and tax responsibilities for equity partners
10:29 - Importance of early tax planning and quarterly payments to avoid penalties
12:37 - High interest rates and penalties for not paying taxes properly
13:37 - Advice on consulting tax professionals immediately upon making partner
14:45 - Managing unpredictable distributions and setting up bank accounts for different financial purposes
16:38 - Planning for capital calls and understanding their tax implications
18:15 - Managing unpredictable income and expenses throughout the year as a partner
19:56 - Using the Profit First methodology to manage finances and tax obligations
22:17 - Setting up bank accounts for specific expenses
24:08 - Explanation of basis and its tax implications for partners
25:25 - Importance of separating personal and business expenses for tax purposes
26:53 - Misconceptions about business deductions and the impact of the 2017 tax code changes
28:32 - Tracking business expenses and using technology to manage finances
29:46 - Common financial mistakes new partners make and how to avoid them
31:10 - The need for continuous involvement and awareness of firm finances
32:19 - Understanding state and local tax implications when firms expand to new jurisdictions



Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
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. 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! A new episode releases every week! Follow now!



How to reach Kelley Brubaker:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelleybrubaker/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@profit.scale.thrive
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profit.scale.thrive
Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@profit.scale.thrive
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/profit.scale.thrive
X/Twitter - https://x.com/kelleybrubaker
Podcast – “Your Profitable Law Firm” - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-profitable-law-firm/id1675779501
 
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 today’s episode, I share critical factors lawyers should consider when thinking about whether to leave their current law firm. These include the various challenges and frustrations lawyers face, such as promotion paths, practice area prioritization, support within the firm, financial metrics, client contact, and alignment with personal values. 
I provide actionable insights for lawyers at a crossroads in their careers, helping them evaluate their current positions and consider alternative options for professional growth and satisfaction.
 
At a glance:
01:20 - Key factors to consider when thinking about leaving your law firm
02:00 - Common reasons for lawyer turnover in big law firms
03:16 - Challenges with the promotion path and partnership
05:17 - Impact of firm's practice area prioritization on career progression
07:56 - Importance of having the right supporters or champions within the firm
09:30 - Financial metrics and profitability expectations in law firms
11:01 - The pressure of developing business and securing clients
12:03 - Lack of direct client contact and its impact on career advancement
13:08 - The misalignment of firm's values and priorities with personal goals
15:11 - Evaluating alternative options for professional growth
 
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
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. 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! A new episode releases every week! Follow now!



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 today’s episode, we discuss the strategic use of LinkedIn for lawyers with Annette Choti, an attorney and the Founder of Law Quill, a full-service legal marketing agency, and Click Magnet Academy, where she teaches professionals how to leverage LinkedIn. 
Annette shares insights into creating a compelling LinkedIn profile, the importance of content, and how to utilize LinkedIn as a powerful networking tool. Whether you're looking to establish your presence or enhance your professional brand, this episode is packed with practical advice tailored for legal professionals navigating the BigLaw landscape.
 
At a glance:
01:21 - Annette’s journey from theater to law and digital marketing
02:15 - Annette's Career transition from government to founding Law Quill
04:15 - Addressing the gap in understanding legal compliance and marketing
06:13 - How Law Quill differentiates itself from other marketing agencies
08:21 - Creating engaging and authentic social media content
11:18 - The significance of LinkedIn for lawyers
14:15 - Key steps to enhance your profile
16:03 - Tips for creating relevant and engaging posts
19:21 - ChatGPT and using AI to inspire content ideas
23:05 - Navigating firm policies and personal branding on LinkedIn
26:56 - Practical steps to strategically pitch LinkedIn activities to firm management
29:14 - Key actions lawyers can take to improve their LinkedIn presence
 
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
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. 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! A new episode releases every week! Follow now!


 
How to reach Annette Choti: 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annettechoti
Email: annette@lawquill.com
The Legal Marketing Lounge Podcast: https://lawquill.com/podcast 
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 today’s episode, I share important aspects of approaching your legal career through the lens of a business mindset. 
This is an area where BigLaw can fail to help attorneys who need to know that the practical realities of practicing law require more than what you learned in law school.  
Problems arise when lawyers aren’t educated about how they fit into the firm’s overall profile and when individual lawyers can’t identify how their business goals and ambitions match the firm, company or other organization that they are working in. So it’s time to get smart on how to have a more business-focused approach.
 
At a glance:
01:40 - The importance of understanding the business model of your law firm and aligning it with your personal goals
03:05 - How to cultivate a business mindset and why it's crucial for career progression in BigLaw
04:07 - Challenges lawyers face when their contributions don't align with the firm's business needs and potential consequences
06:01 - Tips to avoid career pitfalls by actively understanding and engaging with the firm's business strategies
07:51 - The significance of aligning with your clients' business needs and building deeper, more strategic relationships
09:53 - The broader impacts of understanding your industry and client's business landscape on legal practice
11:57 - The importance of being adaptable and willing to pivot your legal practice in response to changing market demands
14:28 - Maintaining a proactive approach to your career in BigLaw, leveraging a business mindset
 
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
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. 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! A new episode releases every week! Follow now!


 
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 today’s episode, I share my insights on difficult questions BigLaw associates frequently ask. 
While your law firm readily provides guidance regarding edits to memos, formal evaluations, and instructions about how to enter and close time, there is a lot more to life in a big law firm, and many of those questions are difficult to raise. 
In this episode I discuss how to know whether or not it’s time to leave your firm early in your career, tips to navigate switching practice areas well, how to manage your workload and talk to partners about capacity, and more.

 
At a glance:
01:46 - Addressing tough questions about firm dynamics and personal career paths
02:30 - Deciding whether to stay at or leave a law firm early in your career
05:14 - Challenges of managing client demands in private practice and moving in-house
07:13 - Strategies for handling disputes about your billed time and work
11:05 - How to handle leaving a firm with a toxic work environment
14:12 - Considerations for switching practice areas within law
16:28 - Managing workload and communicating with partners about capacity



Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
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. 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! A new episode releases every week! Follow now!


 
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