You Are A Lawyer: Take Risks and Change Careers in Law

Kyla Denanyoh
  • 5.0 (26)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

You Are A Lawyer is the podcast for lawyers, law students, and law graduates who know there’s more than one way to build a meaningful career. Host Kyla Denanyoh interviews attorneys who have started businesses, built creative careers, pursued ambitious side hustles, overcome setbacks like the bar exam, and redefined success on their own terms. Some still practice law. Others have taken their legal skills into entrepreneurship, technology, investing, education, media, and beyond. Whether you’re considering a career change, exploring JD-advantage opportunities, growing a business alongside your legal career, or simply looking for inspiration, these conversations prove that your law degree can open far more doors than you may have imagined. Every episode reminds you of one simple truth: there are countless ways to use your law degree—and every one of them is valid. If you’ve graduated from law school, you are a lawyer. Discover new episodes, career resources, and more at YouAreALawyer.com.

  1. 2d ago

    Building a Law Practice Without Borders feat. Nikita Lamar

    Nikita Lamar is a Texas attorney, entrepreneur, mediator, and author who built a virtual law firm while living in Mexico. In this episode, she shares how taking an unconventional path to law school shaped her career, why estate planning became deeply personal, and how lawyers can create careers that fit their lives instead of fitting into outdated expectations.   Lawyer Side Hustles Nikita's entrepreneurial mindset extends far beyond her law practice. Inspired by gaps she observed in the legal profession, she developed The Last Last, an estate planning journal that helps families organize important information before it's needed. More recently, she created Divorce Retreat, an innovative service that combines mediation, legal guidance, and professional resources into a collaborative experience for couples seeking an amicable divorce.  "You can create anything with your law degree,” Nikita Lamar expresses in Episode 258 of You Are a Lawyer.Rather than waiting for someone else to solve problems she repeatedly encountered, Nikita chose to build solutions herself. Whether developing new legal services, writing resources for clients, or embracing virtual practice, she continues finding creative ways to use her legal education beyond traditional practice.  This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

    Building a Law Practice Without Borders feat. Nikita Lamar

  2. Aug 13

    Why Lawyers Need to Stand Out feat. Lee Rudin

    Lee Rudin is a New Orleans personal injury attorney and founder of Get Rude, a law firm built around bold branding, authentic marketing, and exceptional client service. In this episode, Lee shares why he left defense work to represent injured people, how building a recognizable brand has transformed his practice, and why lawyers shouldn't be afraid to show their personality.  Lawyer Side Hustles Building Get Rude wasn't simply about opening a law firm. It was about creating a business that reflected Lee's personality while helping potential clients feel comfortable reaching out. Instead of relying solely on traditional advertising, he embraced social media, humor, costumes, and memorable content to stand out in a crowded marketplace.     "You just need to be authentically you,” Lee Rudin expresses in Episode 257 of You Are a Lawyer.Lee explains that branding isn't about pretending to be someone else. It's about leaning into what naturally makes you different. His willingness to embrace creativity while remaining an excellent attorney has allowed him to build a practice that feels genuine and memorable, proving that authenticity can be one of a lawyer's greatest marketing advantages.   This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

    Why Lawyers Need to Stand Out feat. Lee Rudin

  3. Aug 6

    From Lawyer to Legal Innovator feat. Sam Mollaei (August 2022)

    Sam Mollaei is a California attorney, entrepreneur, and founder of Legal Funnel. After realizing traditional legal practice wasn't the life he wanted, Sam built multiple virtual law firms and now teaches attorneys how to automate client acquisition, streamline their businesses, and create practices that are virtual, scalable, and designed for freedom.  Lawyer Side Hustles Legal Funnel began after Sam successfully applied online sales funnels to his own law firms and realized other attorneys could benefit from the same systems. Today, he mentors hundreds of lawyers through group coaching, teaching them how to automate client intake, delegate work, and build businesses that continue growing without sacrificing their personal lives.  "I love giving. I love sharing,” shares Sam Mollaei in Episode 56 of You Are a Lawyer.For Sam, mentorship has become just as meaningful as entrepreneurship. After experiencing the impact of having his own business mentor, he now helps attorneys create sustainable firms while encouraging them to think differently about what's possible with a law degree.  This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

    From Lawyer to Legal Innovator feat. Sam Mollaei (August 2022)

  4. Jul 30

    Why Bigger Isn't Always Better feat. Ruma Mazumdar

    Ruma Mazumdar is a New Jersey real estate and estate planning attorney who built a successful virtual law firm after leaving Big Law. In this episode, she shares how working as a paralegal shaped her legal career, why she chose entrepreneurship despite growing up around family business, and how redefining success led her to build a practice that supports the life she actually wants. Lawyer Side Hustles Launching her own law firm wasn't originally part of Ruma's plan. Growing up with entrepreneur parents, she witnessed the sacrifices that came with running a business and initially wanted the stability of traditional employment. But after several years in private practice and the shift toward remote work during the pandemic, she realized she wanted to build something on her own terms.    "I wanted to just have that sort of life,” Ruma Mazumdar expresses in Episode 255 of You Are a Lawyer.Today, Ruma operates a fully virtual law firm while living outside the state where she practices. She has also embraced human design as a framework for understanding how she works best, allowing her to build a business that prioritizes sustainability over constant growth. Her journey demonstrates that entrepreneurship isn't simply about owning a business. It's about intentionally creating a career that aligns with your values and lifestyle. This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

    Why Bigger Isn't Always Better feat. Ruma Mazumdar

  5. Jul 23

    What Law School Doesn't Prepare You For feat. Jay Coleman

    Jay Coleman is a criminal defense attorney, probate attorney, Social Security attorney, and law firm owner based in Arkansas. Returning to You Are a Lawyer six years after his first appearance, Jay reflects on how his career has evolved, the realities of running a law practice, and why finding balance has become just as important as building a successful legal career.   Lawyer Side Hustles For Jay, entrepreneurship wasn't always part of the plan. Like many lawyers, he initially imagined working for someone else. Running his own firm gradually taught him that practicing law and operating a business require two very different skill sets.   "I didn't go to law school planning to have my own business,” Jay Coleman expresses in Episode 254 of You Are a Lawyer.Today, Jay spends as much time thinking about leadership, operations, and creating systems as he does practicing law. He's also intentionally working toward something many lawyers struggle to achieve: balance. Rather than measuring success solely by billable hours or case outcomes, he's learning to prioritize his own health, hobbies, and relationships alongside his growing practice. His journey reflects a reality many lawyers experience but don't often discuss openly.  This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

    What Law School Doesn't Prepare You For feat. Jay Coleman

  6. Jul 16

    Helping Small Businesses Win Big Contracts feat. Amber Johnson

    Amber Johnson is an attorney whose legal career has evolved from civil rights and compliance work into helping small businesses compete for multimillion-dollar airport contracts. In this episode, Amber shares how her law degree opened unexpected doors, why transportation is full of legal careers beyond aviation law, and how lawyers can use their skills to build stronger organizations and stronger communities.     Lawyer Side Hustles Although Amber no longer practices law full time, she intentionally maintains her law licenses while continuing to grow her leadership career. Along the way, she has discovered that the skills lawyers develop are remarkably transferable across industries.   "Think about what you're passionate about and then find a role that fits that,” Amber Johnson expresses in Episode 253 of You Are a Lawyer.Amber's professional journey has taken her from diversity, equity, and inclusion work to civil rights compliance, public transportation, and now airport operations. Each transition built upon the last, proving that legal careers don't have to follow a straight line. Instead of limiting herself to one definition of success, she continues finding new ways to combine law, leadership, and community impact.  This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

    Helping Small Businesses Win Big Contracts feat. Amber Johnson

  7. Jul 9

    The Mentor Every Future Lawyer Needs feat. Anjie Vichayanonda (December 2021)

    Anjie Vichayanonda is the founder and CEO of Leg Up Legal, a mentorship platform that connects aspiring law students with attorneys before they apply to law school. In this episode, Anjie shares how mentorship changed the course of her own career, why exposure matters before making the investment in law school, and how lawyers can use their knowledge to create opportunities for others. Lawyer Side Hustles Leg Up Legal began as an effort to solve a problem Anjie experienced firsthand. She knew how difficult it could be for aspiring lawyers to find mentors, learn about different practice areas, and understand what life as a lawyer actually looks like before committing to law school. Instead of accepting that challenge as inevitable, she built a platform designed to make mentorship more accessible.  “I wanna be able to teach these things to hundreds of people, thousands of people,” shares Anjie Vichayanonda in Episode 28 of You Are a Lawyer.In addition to running Leg Up Legal, Anjie also became a published co-author of Networked, an anthology written alongside 19 other women lawyers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project captured stories of resilience, career pivots, personal challenges, and professional growth during a historic moment. Both the book and Leg Up Legal reflect Anjie's broader passion for helping people navigate uncertainty through connection, mentorship, and community.   This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

    The Mentor Every Future Lawyer Needs feat. Anjie Vichayanonda (December 2021)

  8. Jul 2

    What Law School Never Taught You About Success feat. Robert Hartmann

    Bob Hartmann is a criminal defense attorney, author, and rainmaker who has spent nearly four decades building a successful law practice. In this episode, he shares why bringing in business is one of the most important skills lawyers can develop, how entrepreneurship created the lifestyle he wanted, and why lawyers should stop being afraid to build careers on their own terms.   Lawyer Side Hustles Bob’s side hustle eventually became a second professional identity. After years of building his own successful practice, he began teaching other lawyers how to develop business, create referral networks, and build sustainable firms. His upcoming book, Making It Rain: The Art of Building a Successful Law Practice, shares practical lessons for attorneys who want greater control over their careers and financial futures. "You can absolutely live the life you want to live, not the life that's given to you or dictated to you by partners in a corner office,” Bob Hartmann expresses in Episode 251 of You Are a Lawyer.Much of Bob’s motivation comes from personal experience. By operating his own practice, he was able to coach his daughter's softball teams, attend her games, travel with her during recruiting visits, and prioritize family without sacrificing professional success. His story demonstrates that entrepreneurship is not only about earning more money. It can also create the flexibility and freedom to build a life aligned with your values. This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

    What Law School Never Taught You About Success feat. Robert Hartmann
See All (267)

Trailer

5
out of 5
26 Ratings

About

You Are A Lawyer is the podcast for lawyers, law students, and law graduates who know there’s more than one way to build a meaningful career. Host Kyla Denanyoh interviews attorneys who have started businesses, built creative careers, pursued ambitious side hustles, overcome setbacks like the bar exam, and redefined success on their own terms. Some still practice law. Others have taken their legal skills into entrepreneurship, technology, investing, education, media, and beyond. Whether you’re considering a career change, exploring JD-advantage opportunities, growing a business alongside your legal career, or simply looking for inspiration, these conversations prove that your law degree can open far more doors than you may have imagined. Every episode reminds you of one simple truth: there are countless ways to use your law degree—and every one of them is valid. If you’ve graduated from law school, you are a lawyer. Discover new episodes, career resources, and more at YouAreALawyer.com.

Information

You Might Also Like