Lawyer Launcher - Behind the Bar

Susan Van Dyke
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Law school teaches you the law. This podcast teaches you how to succeed inside a law firm. Lawyer Launcher – Behind the Bar is for law students and newly called lawyers who want to thrive and build confidence when they start practice. Hosted by Susan Van Dyke, a trusted advisor to law firms and a guide for new lawyers navigating their first year, this show offers an insider perspective from the other side of the hiring table. With over 30 years of experience working with law firms and their leadership teams, Susan knows exactly what firms expect from new hires—and what they rarely explain. This podcast fills that gap, with practical advice, candid conversations, and tools to help you build confidence, credibility, and competence from day one. New episodes drop every two weeks. Because landing the job is just the beginning.

  1. Jul 3

    How to Actually Belong in a Law Firm (And Get Hired Back)

    In this episode I'm speaking straight to the law student sitting alone in their office wondering if everyone else has figured out something they haven't. I name it clearly: the assimilation gap. The space between who you are when you walk into a firm and who the firm needs you to become. Every student has one. The ones who make it are the ones who close it intentionally. I build out the full picture: what belonging in a law firm actually requires, what to do when you're struggling and the instinct is to shrink, how to find the one lawyer who can change your entire trajectory, and — critically — the three questions partners are actually asking when the hire-back conversation happens. It isn't about brilliance. This episode is for the student who is struggling and equally for the student who is doing well but wants to accelerate. I close with a webinar invitation and a reminder that the students who reach out are exactly the ones who end up where they want to go. Free live webinar for summer students and articling students. Come with your questions. Here’s the link: https://forms.gle/mr5iWFhZGskKNYtK8 Lawyer Launcher links: Instagram: https://instagram.com/lawyerlauncher/ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@lawyerlauncher/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@LawyerLauncher-BTB/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/susanpvandyke/ -- Chapters: 0:00 — Introduction: Why This Episode Is Different 2:00 — The Assimilation Gap: What Nobody Tells You on Day One 5:30 — There Is No Wallpaper in a Law Firm 8:00 — The Three Layers of Belonging: Relational, Reputational, Functional 10:15 — PROMO: Like and Share This Episode 10:30 — If You're Struggling Right Now: The Move Is Toward People, Not Away 14:00 — The Free Live Webinar: Ask What You Can't Ask Inside Your Firm 16:30 — How to Accelerate: Going From Satisfactory to Irreplaceable 17:30 — Finding Your Champion: The One Relationship That Changes Everything 20:00 — Making Yourself a Known Quantity Beyond Your Assigned Work 21:00 — Build Your Reputation With Everyone, Not Just the Lawyers 21:15 — PROMO: Share This Episode 21:30 — What Partners Are Actually Asking Themselves About You 24:00 — What "Easy to Work With" Really Looks Like on a Regular Tuesday 27:00 — Closing: You Have More Authorship Over This Story Than You Think 30:00 — You Belong Here. Now Go Show Them.

  2. Jun 19

    Law Firm Realities, The Generational Gap, and Building a Portable Reputation

    Welcome back to Lawyer Launcher: Behind the Bar. This week, we are doing something a little different. I recently had the lovely opportunity to be a guest on Claudio Klaus's podcast, Studying Law Around the World. We had such a wonderful conversation about the realities of the legal industry that I wanted to share the episode directly with all of you right here on the channel. During our chat, I shared some of my experiences and observations from my 30 years in law firm management and recruitment. We talked about how law firms truly operate as businesses, some common misunderstandings students have when they first enter the field, and how we can all better navigate the generational gaps we are seeing in the office today. We also touched on the practical, everyday qualities that often help students secure a hire-back. I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation as much as I enjoyed having it! My thanks to Claudio for hosting me on his popular podcast Studying Law Around the World! Featured Guest: Claudio Klaus, host of the Studying Law Around the World podcast Guest Links: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudyingLawAroundTheWorld/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claudioklausjr/ Website: https://law-learn-link.base44.app/ Lawyer Launcher links: Instagram: https://instagram.com/lawyerlauncher/ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@lawyerlauncher/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@LawyerLauncher-BTB/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/susanpvandyke/ -- Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast Collaboration 00:46 Claudio Klaus Welcomes Susan Van Dyke 02:04 Susan Van Dyke 30 Year Career Journey 06:58 What Law Students Misunderstand About Law Firms 10:28 Navigating the Generational Gap in Big Law 13:05 Hiring Secrets Who Gets Hired Back 18:46 Recruitment Secrets and Warm Networking Tips 22:30 Where to Connect with Lawyer Launcher Online 24:22 Three Rules for a Sustainable Legal Career

  3. Jun 5

    Signs You Won’t Get Hired Back at a Law Firm (Part 2 of 2)

    What if nobody tells you that you're not on track to get hired back? In Part 2 of this Behind the Bar series, Susan Van Dyke explores two more invisible warning signs that law students and summer students often miss. You may still be getting assignments. People may still be friendly. Nobody may have given you negative feedback. But behind the scenes, partners are making decisions. Are they coming back to you for more work? Are they confident in your work product? Do they trust you with their files? Drawing on decades of experience working inside and alongside law firms, Susan explains what these signals really mean, why students often miss them, and most importantly, how to course correct before it becomes a bigger problem. You'll learn: • Why lawyers stop returning with additional assignments • What repeated corrections to your work may be telling you • How trust is built inside a law firm • Why visibility and responsiveness matter more than you think • Practical ways to improve your reputation immediately • How to recover when you sense confidence is slipping If you're a summer student, articling student, law student, or junior associate, this episode may help you spot issues early and take action before opportunities disappear. Lawyer Launcher links: Instagram: https://instagram.com/lawyerlauncher/ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@lawyerlauncher/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@LawyerLauncher-BTB/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/susanpvandyke/ -- Chapters 00:05 - Introduction and Part 2 Overview 01:22 - Welcome to the Lawyer Launcher Podcast 01:57 - Mindset Shift: From a 9-to-5 to Legal Professionalism 02:51 - Support the Show: Subscribe and Share 03:24 - Understanding Subtle Signals in Law Firms 04:00 - Invisible Sign #3: Past Assigning Lawyers Aren't Coming Back to You 09:58 - How to Fix Sign #3: Re-engaging and Building a New Pipeline 12:57 - Office Visibility vs. Remote Work Strategy 15:42 - Invisible Sign #4: Misinterpreting Too Much Feedback 18:21 - How to Fix Sign #4: Managing Up and Getting Better Instructions 20:34 - Utilizing Internal Resources and Law Librarians 21:36 - Collaborating with Paralegals and Assistants 23:07 - The Final Pass: Ensuring Work Accuracy and Quality 27:38 - Summary of the 4 Invisible Signals and Final Takeaways

  4. May 22

    Signs You Won’t Get Hired Back at a Law Firm (Part 1 of 2)

    How do you actually know if you’re on track to get hired back at your law firm? The answer isn’t obvious. Firms rarely tell you directly. But they do signal it — quietly, consistently, and early. In this episode, I walk you through the subtle signs that law students miss, including how your work is evolving, how feedback is being given, and what lawyers are really thinking when they decide who to invest in. More importantly, I show you exactly what to do if you start seeing these signals — how to course correct, how to ask for feedback, and how to position yourself as someone lawyers want to work with again. If you’re starting your first law firm role, this is essential listening. Lawyer Launcher links Instagram: https://instagram.com/lawyerlauncher/ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@lawyerlauncher/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@LawyerLauncher-BTB/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/susanpvandyke/ -- Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:45 Why firms don’t tell you directly 03:30 This is your career, not just a job 05:40 Sign 1: Your work isn’t evolving 08:30 How to fix it and earn better work 11:30 Sign 2: You’re not getting real feedback 14:30 How to ask for feedback properly 17:15 What to do if work is drying up 20:30 The email that gets you feedback 22:50 What lawyers are really evaluating 25:00 You’re not a top candidate — now what 27:30 How to make feedback easy for lawyers 29:10 What to say in a feedback meeting 30:00 Final thoughts

  5. May 8

    What 75 lawyers say about legal careers

    In this episode of Lawyer Launcher, Behind the Bar, Susan speaks with Claudio Klaus, a Brazilian trained lawyer now articling in Ontario and host of Studying Law Around the World. Claudio shares what he learned from speaking with more than 75 University of Toronto Law alumni as part of the school’s 75th anniversary project, including the two themes that came up again and again: there is no single legal career path, and networking is not optional. This conversation is especially useful for law students who are trying to figure out recruitment, articling, coffee chats, LinkedIn, international pathways, and the invisible job market. Claudio explains why credentials matter, but not as much as students think, and why communication, curiosity, generosity, and genuine relationships often create the opportunities that job boards never show you. It is a practical, encouraging conversation for any law student feeling behind, uncertain, or discouraged about their path into the profession. Claudio’s 75 conversations project is also featured by the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, which notes that he spoke with more than 75 lawyers and found recurring advice around staying open, taking risks, building genuine relationships, and staying curious. Show notes: Guest: Claudio Klaus Podcast website: https://law-learn-link.base44.app/ Podcast link: https://pod.link/1547616885 75 Lawyers, 75 Stories: https://jackmanlaw.utoronto.ca/news/75-years-75-stories Claudio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudioklaus/ Lawyer Launcher links Instagram: https://instagram.com/lawyerlauncher/ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@lawyerlauncher/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@LawyerLauncher-BTB/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/susanpvandyke/ ---- Chapters  01:50 Why Claudio interviewed 75 lawyers  03:40 Two themes from 75 lawyer conversations  06:51 The harder than expected path to being called  08:41 Building an international legal career  14:52 What is your legal career pathway  19:03 Why networking and communication matter  21:28 Coffee chats with law students  27:35 What matters more than credentials  30:09 Why interpersonal skills matter in law firms  39:00 If LinkedIn was a law student  39:35 Seeds law students can plant now  41:08 Encouragement for discouraged law students  42:46 The invisible legal job market  43:56 What is next for Claudio’s podcast

  6. Apr 24

    How to Network in a Law Firm

    Most law students think networking means being charming, confident, and effortlessly good at small talk. It doesn’t. It means not knowing what to say. It means standing in a room full of lawyers and wondering how to enter a conversation. It means overthinking every word and then replaying it later like a bad exam answer. And here is the problem. The students who figure this out early build relationships … and get hired back. The ones who avoid it stay invisible. Susan Van Dyke breaks down what networking in a law firm actually looks like, why most students are getting it wrong and how to engage more comfortably. This is not about being outgoing or “good with people.” It’s about understanding how trust is built in a professional environment and how small, consistent interactions shape how lawyers see you. Susan covers: - how to start conversations without sounding awkward - what to say at firm events, coffee chats, and hallway run-ins - why listening is more powerful than talking - how to follow up in a way that actually builds relationships - why being quiet and invisible is not a strategy - how to show up at firm socials without hurting your reputation If networking makes you uncomfortable, this episode will help you stop avoiding it and start approaching it in a way that feels natural, thoughtful, and effective. Because in a law firm, relationships are not optional. They are how your career actually moves forward. Lawyer Launcher links Instagram: instagram.com/lawyerlauncher TikTok: tiktok.com/@lawyerlauncher YouTube: youtube.com/@LawyerLauncher-BTB LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susanpvandyke

  7. Apr 10

    What Happens on Your First Day at a Law Firm?

    Starting at your first law firm can feel exciting, awkward, intimidating, and strangely high stakes, all at the same time. In this solo episode of Lawyer Launcher, I break down what orientation is really about, what law firms are actually paying attention to in your first few days, and how law students can build trust, confidence, and credibility from day one. This is not fluff. It is practical advice about what to do when you arrive, how to engage during orientation, what invisible mistakes to avoid, how to interact with lawyers and staff, and how to manage the discomfort of being new without disappearing into the wallpaper. If you are a summer student, articling student, or law student about to start in a firm, this episode will help you look more prepared, feel less lost, and understand what your first week is really doing to shape your reputation. Show notes Episode topic: What orientation is really about, what firms notice immediately, and how law students can make smart, practical moves in their first week. Guest This is a solo episode, so there are no guest links for this one. Lawyer Launcher links Instagram: instagram.com/lawyerlauncher TikTok: tiktok.com/@lawyerlauncher YouTube: youtube.com/@LawyerLauncher-BTB LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susanpvandyke

  8. Mar 27

    How to Get Hired Back at a Law Firm

    This episode breaks down what actually determines whether law students get hired back after a summer, articling, or internship position. Susan cuts through three persistent myths that mislead students from day one: that good work is enough, that mentorship will be structured and consistent, and that someone else is responsible for your development. Instead, she explains how law firms really operate. Time is scarce, expectations are implicit, and the students who succeed are the ones who take ownership early. This episode gives you a practical framework for standing out in an environment that can feel unstructured and unpredictable. If you are heading into a law firm role or trying to secure a return offer, this is essential listening. ⌄ Follow the Lawyer Launcher channel here ⌄ https://www.instagram.com/lawyerlauncher tiktok.com/@lawyerlauncher linktr.ee/lawyerlauncherbtb

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Law school teaches you the law. This podcast teaches you how to succeed inside a law firm. Lawyer Launcher – Behind the Bar is for law students and newly called lawyers who want to thrive and build confidence when they start practice. Hosted by Susan Van Dyke, a trusted advisor to law firms and a guide for new lawyers navigating their first year, this show offers an insider perspective from the other side of the hiring table. With over 30 years of experience working with law firms and their leadership teams, Susan knows exactly what firms expect from new hires—and what they rarely explain. This podcast fills that gap, with practical advice, candid conversations, and tools to help you build confidence, credibility, and competence from day one. New episodes drop every two weeks. Because landing the job is just the beginning.

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