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.

Episodes

  1. 5D AGO

    Confidence and anxiety: a 30 year litigator tells you the truth with Mark Virgin

    In this episode of Behind the Bar, I sit down with litigator, Mark Virgin, who brings more than 30 years of practice experience—and an extraordinary level of candor—to a conversation every law student and junior lawyer needs to hear. Mark shares the lessons he wishes he knew as an articling student, including why you should always ask the “stupid” question, how to find the right mentors inside a firm, and what it actually means to “reach up” when you need help. He also speaks openly about his journey with anxiety, how he learned to manage it, and why early-career lawyers must proactively build healthy habits and support systems. We also cover:  • How to communicate effectively as a junior lawyer—and avoid the 50% misunderstanding trap  • Why self-awareness, curiosity, and preparation are foundational to success  • The professional etiquette expectations that genuinely matter in law firms  • How to build a client-centric mindset early in your career  • The long-term value of community involvement and choosing causes that matter to you  • Why your ethical compass—and your reputation—are your most important assets in law This conversation is packed with practical guidance, stories from Mark’s career, and honest reflections that will help you navigate articling, summering, and your first few years of practice with more confidence, clarity, and resilience. Episode notes: Anxiety Canada: https://www.anxietycanada.com/ Lawyers Assistance Program BC: https://www.lapbc.com/  CBA Lawyer Assistance Program: https://cba.org/resources/well-being-and-lawyer-assistance/

    1h 1m

  2. DEC 5

    Retired Managing Partner Tells the Truth About Starting in Law with Murray Gottheil

    Behind the Bar – Lawyer Launcher  Real advice from real experience — the things law school never told you. In this episode, Susan sits down with retired business  lawyer and former managing partner Murray Gottheil, known for his frank, funny, and refreshingly honest insights about the legal profession. From the “safety of retirement,” Murray shares the truths he wishes he’d known earlier — and the hard lessons he believes every law student, summer student, and new associate needs to hear before starting in a law firm. Together, Susan and Murray break down: The biggest mistakes new lawyers make Why confidence and self-awareness matter more than you think How introverts (and extroverts!) can set themselves up to succeed What “ownership mentality” really looks like — and why partners value it How to ask better questions without driving your supervising lawyer crazy The hard truths about starting your legal career You know far less than you think after graduation — and that’s normal Why legal success isn’t about hard work alone The reality of learning outside billable time How culture varies between firms, offices, and practice groups Why defining your own version of success is essential for long-term health Murray also shares stories from decades in practice — from articling in the 80s, to hiring students, to mentoring young lawyers — with practical, actionable advice to help you thrive, not just survive. If you’re preparing for summering, articling, or your first year of practice, this episode will give you the insight (and perspective) you won't find in textbooks. Listen now and start building the leadership habits your future self will thank you for. Don’t forget to subscribe to Lawyer Launcher for more episodes that help you thrive in the legal profession. Episode notes: Law & Disorder Inc: https://www.murraygottheil.com/ Murray Gottheil LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/murray-gottheil-58787b1/

    48 min

  3. NOV 21

    How to build trust and set yourself apart with Linda Lucas

    In this episode, I’m joined by Linda Lucas—a longtime law firm and professional services executive and now a sought-after leadership coach and trainer. With 25+ years of strategic, operational, and financial leadership experience, Linda shares practical insights every law student, summer/articling student, and new lawyer needs to hear. Her core message: leadership starts on day one, not when you get a title. What you’ll learn (and why it matters early in your career): • How to be a leader at any level   Small daily habits build your long-term reputation and influence. • Why “thinking like an owner” sets you apart   Students who take responsibility for their work get noticed—fast. • The behaviours that build trust   Integrity, accountability, follow-through, honesty, courage, and truly listening. These skills make colleagues want you on their team. • EQ as the #1 skill in legal workplaces   It’s learnable, and it’s what differentiates good junior lawyers from exceptional ones. • What to ask yourself before starting your career   Identify your values, imagine your future, and choose firms aligned with both. • How to stand out in applications and early roles   Be authentic, stay curious, and apply what you learn. • How to avoid common pitfalls in law firms   Understand firm culture, get clarity on expectations, record all your time, and protect your well-being. • Why mentors and coaches matter—even early on   The most successful professionals invest in their growth. Listen now and start building the leadership habits your future self will thank you for. Don’t forget to subscribe to Lawyer Launcher for more episodes that help you thrive in the legal profession. Episode notes: Lead Vantage: www.leadvantage.ca Linda Lucas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucaslinda/

    51 min

  4. NOV 7

    The Four Steps You Need to Recover from a Setback with Jayne Rossworn

    How do you come back from a setback? Most of us have experienced a setback - at work, in sport or our personal life. How do you regain confidence and develop resiliency when you’ve been knocked off your path?  High achieving law students, and other new professionals, often have  unique challenges when expectations are not met.   Jayne Rossworn is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with The Lawyer Mindset takes us through a four-step framework that will help you recover and rebuild your confidence. She also shares some personal examples of how she has bounced back herself. Episode notes: The Lawyer Mindset website: www.thelawyermindset.com Jayne’s email: Jayne@lawyermindset.com. Jayne’s Linkedin Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayne-rossworn-892642b9/

    51 min

  5. OCT 24

    The Truth About How Law Firms Make Money (And Why You Should Care) with Colin Cameron

    Colin Cameron, CPA, CA, takes us through the basics of law firm compensation and profitability and why it's important for law students and new lawyers to understand how billing rates and recording time tie into profits. We discuss the evolution of the business of law, the emergence of law firm business professionals, and how new lawyers can learn from them. Colin Cameron is the founder of Profits for Partners, Management Consulting Inc. Colin has been advising professional service firms for more than 35 years and in his previous role as COO, he led his firm to become one of the most profitable firms in British Columbia. He is a management consultant and advises law firms in the following key areas related to profitability: Profitability improvement, strategic planning, firm governance, partner compensation, financial management and operations management. Episode notes: Colin's blog: www.lawprofitability.com Profits for Partners: https://www.profitsforpartners.com/ Author David Maister: https://davidmaister.com/books.mtpsf/

    38 min

  6. OCT 10

    The Rainmaker Roadmap with Kimberly Rice

    Kimberly Rice joins us to discuss how law students and new lawyers can learn how to become firm rainmakers. Legal competence is the price of admission to law firms these days. To succeed you must set yourself apart, and Kimberly has amazing tips to get you started. Takeaways from this episode include: - Understand the governance & power structure of your new firm and befriend the power players - Visibility matters. Seek out opportunities to be seen by those in power, push past self-doubt, and crash the party - don't wait to be invited! - Relationships and your internal will be your key to success - and this means all law firm staff, not just other lawyers.  - Develop a marketing mindset and a "servant's heart" - what do we mean? You will have to tune in!  With decades of law firm experience, Kimberly Rice is a Chief Changemaker at CHANGEMAKERS, a business accelerator program specially designed to educate, empower and equip women professionals to create the careers of their dreams by charting their own course. She has successfully coached and trained thousands of women professionals to navigate the landmines that stand between them and their perceived obstacles to a more prosperous, fulfilling career and life. Episode Notes:  - Rainmaker Roadmap: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Prosperous Business https://www.amazon.ca/Rainmaker-Roadmap-Step-Step-Prosperous/dp/1942489374 - CHANGEMAKERS: https://werchangemakers.com/

    45 min

  7. OCT 10

    Bridging the Confidence Gap with Bena Stock

    Bena Stock spent over 24 years as a litigator before turning her talents to counselling others. In this episode she draws upon her personal experience, sharing tools that new and aspiring lawyers can use to quiet anxiety, grow confidence, and build a happier and more successful practice. She also addresses common career saboteurs such as imposter syndrome, perfectionism (yes, it's a problem), and the paralysis resulting from fear of failure. You will also learn the significance of "cow paths" - curious? Tune in to find out! Episode Notes: - Bena Stock Counselling & Consulting: https://www.benastock.com/ - The Power of Believing That You Can Improve: https://www.ted.com/talks/carol_dweck_the_power_of_believing_that_you_can_improve - Fake it Till You Make It: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVmMeMcGc0Y - VIA Character Strengths Survey: https://www.viacharacter.org/  - Change Your Mindset, Change the Game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tqq66zwa7g  - How to Make Stress Your Friend: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcGyVTAoXEU

    58 min
  • 7 Episodes

About

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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