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

Kyla Denanyoh
  • 5.0 (27)
  • Careers
  • Updated Weekly

You Are A Lawyer is a career podcast for lawyers, law students, and law school graduates exploring alternative legal careers, career changes, entrepreneurship, side hustles, and all the unexpected ways to use a law degree. Hosted by Kyla Denanyoh, You Are A Lawyer features candid conversations with attorneys and law school graduates who have taken risks, changed careers, started businesses, survived the bar exam, pursued creative interests, and built lives that don't fit the traditional lawyer mold. Some guests still practice law. Others have taken their JDs into technology, investing, education, media, coaching, entrepreneurship, and careers they never imagined when they started law school. If you've ever wondered: What else can I do with a law degree? You're in the right place. Whether you're considering leaving the law, searching for JD-advantage careers, building a business or side hustle, questioning your career path, or simply curious about what other lawyers are doing with their lives, You Are A Lawyer gives you real examples of what's possible. Because your law degree doesn't have to determine your job title. There are countless ways to use a law degree and no single definition of a successful legal career. If you've graduated from law school, you are a lawyer. Find new episodes, career resources, and the Career Possibility Directory at YouAreALawyer.com. Recommend a guest or say hello: hello@youarealawyer.com

  1. 6d ago

    Why Lawyers Should Think Differently About Mediation feat. Felicia Harris Hoss

    Felicia Harris Hoss is an attorney, mediator, and arbitrator who transitioned from litigation to helping parties resolve disputes more efficiently. In this episode of You Are A Lawyer, Felicia shares why early dispute resolution deserves more attention, how mediation can help clients save time and money, and why lawyers should recognize that successful advocacy doesn't always require a courtroom.  Lawyer Side Hustles Beyond conducting mediations and arbitrations, Felicia contributes to the legal profession through writing, policy development, and community involvement. She authored the report supporting American Bar Association Resolution 500, which promotes early dispute resolution, and has worked with colleagues and law students on an article examining how attorneys can use early mediation more effectively. She also serves as a director of the Harris County Dispute Resolution Center in Houston, where mediation services help community members resolve conflicts. "Think about it earlier in the process. Don't wait until you're about to go to trial to say, maybe we should go negotiate," Felicia Harris Hoss expresses in Episode 267 of You Are a Lawyer. Felicia's professional activities demonstrate how lawyers can use their expertise beyond representing individual clients. Through continuing legal education, writing, policy work, and community dispute resolution, she helps other attorneys understand the value of resolving conflicts before litigation becomes unnecessarily expensive. Her work also introduces law students and newer attorneys to opportunities within the legal profession that may receive less attention than traditional courtroom practice.    This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

    Why Lawyers Should Think Differently About Mediation feat. Felicia Harris Hoss

  2. Oct 15

    Lawyers! Stop. Playing. Small. feat. Wani Iris Manly, Esq.

    Wani Iris Manly, Esq. is an IP attorney, entrepreneur, author, and speaker who has spent nearly two decades creating a legal career that looks like her. In this episode of You Are a Lawyer, Wani shares how moving to Paris changed the trajectory of her career, why she built an IP practice serving online entrepreneurs, and how embracing creativity and self-expression helped her expand beyond the traditional expectations of being a lawyer. Lawyer Side Hustles Wani's ventures outside traditional legal practice eventually became substantial businesses of their own. After moving to Paris, she began writing and sharing her story, which unexpectedly opened the door to public speaking. During the COVID lockdown, when in-person speaking stopped and online entrepreneurship accelerated, she responded by creating Where Inspiration Meets Law®, offering legal education and templates to online coaches and entrepreneurs. That business also helped reshape her law firm's clientele. "I always thought I was going to be only a lawyer for my entire life," shared Wani Iris Manly on Episode 266 of You Are a Lawyer. Instead, Wani Manly became a speaker, author, consultant, and multi-business entrepreneur alongside her legal work. She now speaks about change and entrepreneurship, while continuing to serve clients through her IP practice and exploring emerging issues involving AI, intellectual property, governance, and ethics. What began as opportunities outside the expected lawyer path became an important part of both her income and her identity.   This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

    Lawyers! Stop. Playing. Small. feat. Wani Iris Manly, Esq.

  3. Aug 20

    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

  4. 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

  5. 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)

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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You Are A Lawyer is a career podcast for lawyers, law students, and law school graduates exploring alternative legal careers, career changes, entrepreneurship, side hustles, and all the unexpected ways to use a law degree. Hosted by Kyla Denanyoh, You Are A Lawyer features candid conversations with attorneys and law school graduates who have taken risks, changed careers, started businesses, survived the bar exam, pursued creative interests, and built lives that don't fit the traditional lawyer mold. Some guests still practice law. Others have taken their JDs into technology, investing, education, media, coaching, entrepreneurship, and careers they never imagined when they started law school. If you've ever wondered: What else can I do with a law degree? You're in the right place. Whether you're considering leaving the law, searching for JD-advantage careers, building a business or side hustle, questioning your career path, or simply curious about what other lawyers are doing with their lives, You Are A Lawyer gives you real examples of what's possible. Because your law degree doesn't have to determine your job title. There are countless ways to use a law degree and no single definition of a successful legal career. If you've graduated from law school, you are a lawyer. Find new episodes, career resources, and the Career Possibility Directory at YouAreALawyer.com. Recommend a guest or say hello: hello@youarealawyer.com

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