Lawyers in the Making Podcast

Nate Crespo
  • 5.0 (9)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT

This Podcast explores the unique journeys of Law Students and professionals in the legal field, sharing their stories, experiences, and wisdom. lawyersinthemaking.substack.com

  1. E155: Richard Honen Partner at Phillips Lytle

    4D AGO

    E155: Richard Honen Partner at Phillips Lytle

    Richard is an Albany Law School Graduate and currently works as a Partner at Phillips Lytle. This episode with Richard Honen hits close to home, literally. Rich is a fellow University at Albany alum, or as he calls it, Albany State, and an Albany Law School graduate who has been practicing law right here in Albany for 40 years. Rich takes us down his journey, from drifting into law school after his roommate convinced him to apply on a Smith Corona typewriter, to helping carry a conference table into the office on his very first day at a brand new firm, to eventually buying that firm, putting his name on the door, and later merging it with Phillips Lytle, where he now leads their startup and venture capital practice. What I love about Rich’s story is the entrepreneurial thread that runs through all of it. He built a firm from two file cabinets of cases into something worth merging with one of the biggest firms in upstate New York, all while questioning whether he could really hang with the Harvard guys. And his advice on not overcomplicating things, drawing from his days as the least talented guy in a seven-person band at UAlbany, is something I think everyone can take to heart. This was an incredible conversation with someone who has seen it all in Albany’s legal world and is still going strong. Rich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-honen Be sure to check out the Official Sponsors for the Lawyers in the Making Podcast: Rhetoric - Empowers your teaching and training with AI that strengthens learning, protects integrity, and proves authentic understanding, for students and professionals alike, with CICERO. Find them here: userhetoric.com The Law School Operating System™ Recorded Course - This course is for ambitious law students who want a proven, simple system to learn every topic in their classes to excel in class and on exams. Go to www.lisablasser.com, check out the student tab with course offerings, and use code LSOSNATE10 at checkout for 10% off Lisa’s recorded course! Start LSAT - Founded by former guest and 22-year-old superstar, Alden Spratt, Start LSAT was built upon breaking down barriers, allowing anyone access to high-quality LSAT Prep. For $110, you get the Start LSAT self-paced course, and using code LITM10, you get 10% off the self-paced course! Check out Alden and Start LSAT at startlsat.com and use code LITM10 for 10% off the self-paced course! Lawyers in the Making Podcast is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Lawyers in the Making Podcast at lawyersinthemaking.substack.com/subscribe

    52 min
  2. E154: Patrick Hagen Associate Attorney at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough

    FEB 26

    E154: Patrick Hagen Associate Attorney at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough

    Patrick Hagen is a Regent University School of Law graduate and works as an Associate Attorney at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough. This episode with Patrick Hagan is one that truly captures what it means to play the long game in the legal profession. Patrick takes us down his journey, from growing up with a lawyer father, to scanning documents in his dad’s office and deciding law wasn’t for him, to working at GEICO, where the spark was reignited, all the way through law school at Regent, clerkships at the state and federal level, and into private practice at Nelson Mullins. Patrick breaks down the two essential skill sets every lawyer needs: the practical lawyering skills and the people skills, and with over 41,000 followers on LinkedIn, he shares how he built an incredible platform around legal writing tips, lessons from the bench, and professional growth, further showing the power of putting yourself out there consistently. This was a fantastic conversation with a guy who truly embodies ownership, mentorship, and playing the long game. One you don’t want to miss! Patrick’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hagenlaw Be sure to check out the Official Sponsors for the Lawyers in the Making Podcast: Rhetoric - Empowers your teaching and training with AI that strengthens learning, protects integrity, and proves authentic understanding, for students and professionals alike, with CICERO. Find them here: userhetoric.com The Law School Operating System™ Recorded Course - This course is for ambitious law students who want a proven, simple system to learn every topic in their classes to excel in class and on exams. Go to www.lisablasser.com, check out the student tab with course offerings, and use code LSOSNATE10 at checkout for 10% off Lisa’s recorded course! Start LSAT - Founded by former guest and 22-year-old superstar, Alden Spratt, Start LSAT was built upon breaking down barriers, allowing anyone access to high-quality LSAT Prep. For $110, you get the Start LSAT self-paced course, and using code LITM10, you get 10% off the self-paced course! Check out Alden and Start LSAT at startlsat.com and use codeLITM10 for 10% off the self-paced course! Lawyers in the Making Podcast is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Lawyers in the Making Podcast at lawyersinthemaking.substack.com/subscribe

    49 min
  3. E153: Cameron Schank Nontraditional Law Student a part of the California Office Study Program

    FEB 19

    E153: Cameron Schank Nontraditional Law Student a part of the California Office Study Program

    Cameron is a current student, a part of the California Law Office Study Program. Currently working as a Law Firm Administrator at Earl Carter Criminal Defense and Schank Family Law. This episode with Cameron Schank is one that is the epitome of the kind of stories I love to highlight on this podcast. The most unique journey I have encountered throughout all 153 episodes so far. Cameron is a part of the California Office Study Program, which allows him to take the bar without ever stepping into a Law School classroom. Cameron brings us down his journey, noting how he came to find this program, how it works, and how it has been thus far. And despite not being in Law School, Cameron has made incredible efforts on LinkedIn to still build his network and build relationships, despite never stepping into a law school classroom, which further shows the necessity of building a network within the field of Law. This episode was a fascinating listen for a new pathway into the law, which, before this episode, I had no idea about. And even better, it came from a fascinating man! Cameron’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronschank Be sure to check out the Official Sponsors for the Lawyers in the Making Podcast: Rhetoric - Empowers your teaching and training with AI that strengthens learning, protects integrity, and proves authentic understanding, for students and professionals alike, with CICERO. Find them here: userhetoric.com The Law School Operating System™ Recorded Course - This course is for ambitious law students who want a proven, simple system to learn every topic in their classes to excel in class and on exams. Go to www.lisablasser.com, check out the student tab with course offerings, and use code LSOSNATE10 at checkout for 10% off Lisa’s recorded course! Start LSAT - Founded by former guest and 22-year-old superstar, Alden Spratt, Start LSAT was built upon breaking down barriers, allowing anyone access to high-quality LSAT Prep. For $110, you get the Start LSAT self-paced course, and using code LITM10, you get 10% off the self-paced course! Check out Alden and Start LSAT at startlsat.com and use code LITM10 for 10% off the self-paced course! Lawyers in the Making Podcast is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Lawyers in the Making Podcast at lawyersinthemaking.substack.com/subscribe

    59 min
  4. E152: Austen Lott Legal Recruiter at Flare and Marble Law

    FEB 11

    E152: Austen Lott Legal Recruiter at Flare and Marble Law

    Austen Lott is a Marquette University Law School and currently works as a Legal Recruiter at Flare and Marble Law. Austen’s journey represents one we appreciate immensely on this podcast. A unique journey. Austen decided to go to Law School, by the seat of his pants, and decided in one moment he was going to take the LSAT and arrive at Law School. His journey showed off the hardships he endured throughout, including medical issues as a result of burnout, which he not only experienced once, but twice throughout his journey. Overcoming these moments made him stronger and showed him that these stories turned out to be the most relatable part of himself. Austen also shows through his story the power of skill stacking, and gaining a new skill at each job, and each turn in life. His attitude towards life is one that everyone can gain something from. Go out and take action, and figure the rest out later. This episode with Austen further proves the hypothesis I started the podcast about. There is no straight path in the legal field, only your Unique Journey to it. Austen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austenlott/ Be sure to check out the Official Sponsors for the Lawyers in the Making Podcast: Rhetoric - Empowers your teaching and training with AI that strengthens learning, protects integrity, and proves authentic understanding, for students and professionals alike, with CICERO. Find them here: userhetoric.com The Law School Operating System™ Recorded Course - This course is for ambitious law students who want a proven, simple system to learn every topic in their classes to excel in class and on exams. Go to www.lisablasser.com, check out the student tab with course offerings, and use code LSOSNATE10 at checkout for 10% off Lisa’s recorded course! Start LSAT - Founded by former guest and 22-year-old superstar, Alden Spratt, Start LSAT was built upon breaking down barriers, allowing anyone access to high-quality LSAT Prep. For $110, you get the Start LSAT self-paced course, and using code LITM10, you get 10% off the self-paced course! Check out Alden and Start LSAT at startlsat.com and use code LITM10 for 10% off the self-paced course! Lawyers in the Making Podcast is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Lawyers in the Making Podcast at lawyersinthemaking.substack.com/subscribe

    53 min
  5. E151: Jess Sargus CEO, Founder, Speaker & Self Leadership Coach at Legal Athlete and Author of Fierce Agency: How to Be the Best Leader You've Ever Had

    FEB 4

    E151: Jess Sargus CEO, Founder, Speaker & Self Leadership Coach at Legal Athlete and Author of Fierce Agency: How to Be the Best Leader You've Ever Had

    Jess Sargus is a University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School graduate and currently works as the Founder, CEO, Speaker & Self Leadership coach at Legal Athelete and Author of her upcoming book, Fierce Agency: How to Be the Best Leader You’ve Ever Had. This episode with Jess navigates her journey through Law School and the Law. From picking Law School as an opportunity to combine her skills and interests, to representing MMA and boxing competitors, working at Marvel, and scaling a unicorn tech company, Jess’s journey is a wild roller coaster of learning and taking opportunities to the fullest. And on top of this all, Jess is a trained and former competitive Mixed Martial Artist. Many of the learnings and wisdom throughout this episode take the mental aspects of MMA and bring them to the Legal world. Jess and I also spoke about what she does today, as the CEO, Founder, Speaker, and Self-Leadership coach at Legal Athlete. We covered her 5 pillars of Fierce Agency, a part of her upcoming book, Fierce Agency: How to Be the Best Leader You’ve Ever Had, which is available for Pre-Sale TODAY! (So I recommend you all get it below.) This episode with Jess was one of my favorite conversations I have ever had in this podcast’s history, clinging to every word of wisdom and insight for dear life! Be sure to check out Jess and her upcoming book below! Jess’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesssargus Legal Athlete: https://thelegalathlete.com/ Firece Agency: How to Be the Best Leader You’ve Ever Had Pre-Sale: https://books.manuscripts.com/product/fierce-agency/#rewards Be sure to check out the Official Sponsors for the Lawyers in the Making Podcast: Rhetoric - Empowers your teaching and training with AI that strengthens learning, protects integrity, and proves authentic understanding, for students and professionals alike, with CICERO. Find them here: userhetoric.com The Law School Operating System™ Recorded Course - This course is for ambitious law students who want a proven, simple system to learn every topic in their classes to excel in class and on exams. Go to www.lisablasser.com, check out the student tab with course offerings, and use code LSOSNATE10 at checkout for 10% off Lisa’s recorded course! Start LSAT - Founded by former guest and 22-year-old superstar, Alden Spratt, Start LSAT was built upon breaking down barriers, allowing anyone access to high-quality LSAT Prep. For $110, you get the Start LSAT self-paced course, and using code LITM10, you get 10% off the self-paced course! Check out Alden and Start LSAT at startlsat.com and use code LITM10 for 10% off the self-paced course! Lawyers in the Making Podcast is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Lawyers in the Making Podcast at lawyersinthemaking.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 21m
  6. E150: Conner Purcell Litigation and Enforcement Associate at Ropes & Gray

    JAN 28

    E150: Conner Purcell Litigation and Enforcement Associate at Ropes & Gray

    Conner is a Touro University Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center graduate and currently works as a Litigation and Enforcement Associate at Ropes & Gray. Conner’s journey to Law School and the Law is a story of a desire to help others, make a bit more money, and get the experience to work in the greatest city in the world. In this episode, Conner and I discussed his reasons to go to Law School, growing up on Long Island (fellow Long Islanders), his unique experience as part of the part-time evening program, and his 1L experience. As well, Conner spoke about his day-to-day life as a Litigation associate in BigLaw, dispelling some BigLaw myths, and his exceptional experience thus far. All in all, Conner preaches the importance of having a schedule, staying organized, and executing at every step of the way! Conner’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conner-purcell-790193150 Be sure to check out the Official Sponsors for the Lawyers in the Making Podcast: Rhetoric - Empowers your teaching and training with AI that strengthens learning, protects integrity, and proves authentic understanding, for students and professionals alike, with CICERO. Find them here: userhetoric.com The Law School Operating System™ Recorded Course - This course is for ambitious law students who want a proven, simple system to learn every topic in their classes to excel in class and on exams. Go to www.lisablasser.com, check out the student tab with course offerings, and use code LSOSNATE10 at checkout for 10% off Lisa’s recorded course! Start LSAT - Founded by former guest and 22-year-old superstar, Alden Spratt, Start LSAT was built upon breaking down barriers, allowing anyone access to high-quality LSAT Prep. For $110, you get the Start LSAT self-paced course, and using code LITM10, you get 10% off the self-paced course! Check out Alden and Start LSAT at startlsat.com and use code LITM10 for 10% off the self-paced course! Lawyers in the Making Podcast is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Lawyers in the Making Podcast at lawyersinthemaking.substack.com/subscribe

    34 min
  7. E149: Daniel Steinberg Founder and CEO of Lawbrokr

    JAN 2

    E149: Daniel Steinberg Founder and CEO of Lawbrokr

    Daniel is a Western University Graduate, and currently works as the Founder and CEO of Lawbrokr. Daniel’s journey represents another unique journey to the Law. Having never attended Law School, Daniel ventured into the world of legal technology at Clio, leading him to start his company, Lawbrokr, showing us all that no matter where we start, the opportunity to join the legal industry and be integral to it is always there. Daniel and I started years before he arrived in the Legal industry. He spoke about the various experiences leading up to his entry, speaking on how important sales is for anyone’s career, transforming the way you engage with individuals and organizations. Sales for him created a lifelong skill set, learning how to speak with potential clients, and drastically improving soft skills. Daniel then spoke about his time at Clio, noting how important this introduction to the legal space was for his future, and how he began to learn the psychology of how lawyers and legal professionals think. Daniel would take these learnings and start Lawbrokr. Lawbrokr would require some pivots to get the product right, and didn’t come without its hardships. Daniel said his competitiveness to succeed and make a product and platform that fit his clients’ needs drove him to work through the tough times. This episode with Daniel further shows that no one’s journey to the Law or Law School is a straight path. The winding roads and paths are all a part of the journey! Happy New Year! Daniel’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dsteinberg9 Lawbrokr: https://www.lawbrokr.com Be sure to check out the Official Sponsors for the Lawyers in the Making Podcast: Rhetoric - empowers your teaching and training with AI that strengthens learning, protects integrity, and proves authentic understanding, for students and professionals alike. Find them here: userhetoric.com The Law School Operating System™ Recorded Course - This course is for ambitious law students who want a proven, simple system to learn every topic in their classes to excel in class and on exams. Go to www.lisablasser.com, check out the student tab with course offerings, and use code LSOSNATE10 at checkout for 10% off Lisa’s recorded course! Start LSAT - Founded by former guest and 22-year-old superstar, Alden Spratt, Start LSAT was built upon breaking down barriers, allowing anyone access to high-quality LSAT Prep. For $110, you get yourself the Start LSAT self-paced course, and using code LITM10 you get 10% off the self-paced course! Check out Alden and Start LSAT at startlsat.com and use code LITM10 for 10% off the self-paced course! Lawyers in the Making Podcast is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Lawyers in the Making Podcast at lawyersinthemaking.substack.com/subscribe

    47 min
  8. E148: Nima Ostowari Founder and CEO of JusticeArch

    11/20/2025

    E148: Nima Ostowari Founder and CEO of JusticeArch

    Nima is a Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law graduate and currently works as the Founder and CEO of JusticeArch. Nima’s journey demonstrates that betting on yourself and succeeding in that bet can yield the greatest dividends throughout life. Nima and I started prior to Law School, where at UCLA, he would cold call his way into his first job, and explore his interests in policy and non-profit organizations. Law School was always on his mind, and during the intermission between college and law school, Nimma recommended the various pre-law school legal experiences he had and just how impactful they were. Then we moved to Nima’s introduction to Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, on a full scholarship. Going into his first year, Nima would face some health problems, making an already tough 1L year into a nightmare. But, despite it all, Nima persevered, a huge topic of importance for him. We then spoke about Nimma’s various legal internships during Law School and his decision to open up JusticeArch in his 2L year. What makes the JusticeArch story so fascinating is that it was a completely different service at the beginning than it is today. After realizing what he sought in JusticeArch may not work, Nima would pivot into what it is today, a Legal Marketing infrastructure built by JDs, for JDs. Finally, Nima and I spoke about the biggest decision of all and why he did it, turning down an offer from Kirkland & Ellis, and going all in on himself and Justice Arch. Nima shows in this episode that the greatest bet one could make is the bet on themselves! Nimma’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nima-ostowari JusticeArch: https://justicearch.com Be sure to check out the Official Sponsors for the Lawyers in the Making Podcast: Rhetoric - takes user briefs and motions and compares them against the text of opinions written by judges to identify ways to tailor their arguments to better persuade the judges handling their cases. Rhetoric’s focus is on persuasion and helps users find new ways to improve their odds of success through more persuasive arguments. Find them here: userhetoric.com The Law School Operating System™ Recorded Course - This course is for ambitious law students who want a proven, simple system to learn every topic in their classes to excel in class and on exams. Go to www.lisablasser.com, check out the student tab with course offerings, and use code LSOSNATE10 at checkout for 10% off Lisa’s recorded course! Start LSAT - Founded by former guest and 22-year-old superstar, Alden Spratt, Start LSAT was built upon breaking down barriers, allowing anyone access to high-quality LSAT Prep. For $110, you get yourself the Start LSAT self-paced course, and using code LITM10 you get 10% off the self-paced course! Check out Alden and Start LSAT at startlsat.com and use code LITM10 for 10% off the self-paced course! Lawyers in the Making Podcast is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Lawyers in the Making Podcast at lawyersinthemaking.substack.com/subscribe

    1 hr
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

This Podcast explores the unique journeys of Law Students and professionals in the legal field, sharing their stories, experiences, and wisdom. lawyersinthemaking.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Nate Crespo
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    156
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Lawyers in the Making Podcast
  • Show Website
    Lawyers in the Making Podcast