This Legal Life: Lessons Learned from a Life in Legal

Nexl
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Join host Ben Chiriboga, Chief Growth Officer at Nexl as he interviews guests to get their lessons learned from a life in legal. From overcoming practice silos to fostering collaboration and battling toxic work environments while building strong client relationships -- This Legal Life leaves no stone unturned.

  1. The Power of Voice: David Pope on Gravitas, Authenticity & Legal Communication

    10 AGO

    The Power of Voice: David Pope on Gravitas, Authenticity & Legal Communication

    Voice is more than sound — it's a leadership tool. In this episode of This Legal Life, Ben Chiriboga sits down with David Pope to explore his journey from BBC studios to coaching law firm partners across Asia and the Middle East. With decades of audio expertise and 30,000 hours in the studio, David now helps lawyers master their vocal presence, command gravitas, and build confidence from the inside out. A must-listen for legal professionals ready to own the room — one word at a time. About Our Guest: Dividing his time between Hong Kong, Dubai and London, BBC trained Executive Voice Coach David Pope has spent the last 30 years with one aim in mind, to help GOOD speakers become GREAT speakers. Working with 1000’s of legal professionals globally in Magic Circle, US and local firms, across a huge range of practice groups, he knows that there are 3 things that will always make you stand out as an exceptional communicator: Voice – having a voice that is engaging, inspiring, captivating.Presence – being able to command the attention of a single listener or an entire room.Delivery – being able to deliver a message that moves people to take action, that inspires and educates.His highly successful Voice Intensive Program revolves around extensive recording and analysis of the voice, so that every legal professional he works with 1-1 gets to understand their vocal strengths and areas for improvement. He has coached legal professionals in global law firms in Tokyo, Sydney, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, Dubai, Riyadh and London. He works with senior associates, preparing them for partner selection programs, partners being called on to speak more at conferences, and managing partners readying them for global speaking events. He has developed CPD accredited voice, presence and storytelling workshops that he delivers in-person or online to global audiences. So, wherever he is in the world, he can ensure his sessions deliver valuable content that can engage and educate. He has also developed online video courses: Unlocking The Power of Your Voice, Projecting Leadership With Gravitas, and Storytelling For Business, that can complement law firm’s training requirements for self-study. His full suite of offerings can be found on his website at: allvoicetalent.com Connect with him on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/popedavid/ Email him at: info@allvoicetalent.com

    36 min
  2. Rewiring Legal Growth: Guy Alvarez on AI, Authenticity & the Art of Starting Over

    4 AGO

    Rewiring Legal Growth: Guy Alvarez on AI, Authenticity & the Art of Starting Over

    In this episode of This Legal Life, Guy Alvarez—Founder of Alvarez AI Advisors and former Good2bSocial CEO—joins Ben Chiriboga for a candid conversation about bold reinvention and the evolving role of technology in legal practice. From building one of the first law firm websites in the ’90s, to pioneering digital legal marketing, to now guiding firms through AI-powered growth, Guy reflects on the moments that shaped his career—and the mindset shifts that made reinvention possible. For legal professionals navigating this “time between worlds,” Guy offers hard-won lessons on timing, courage, and building with both tech and heart. About our Guest: Guy Alvarez, a former practicing attorney, combines legal training with a genuine passion for how technology transforms the practice of law. After discovering the power of digital tools early in his career, he built executive experience at KPMG as Global Director of Digital Marketing where he managed a complex network of websites across global markets. At the Practising Law Institute, he led the development of their online center, fundamentally changing how the organization delivered legal education. In 2012, Alvarez founded Good2bSocial, working directly with law firms of all sizes to improve their digital marketing and client relationships. His hands-on approach and practical understanding of attorneys' needs helped the company grow until its successful acquisition by Best Lawyers in 2023. Rather than stepping back, Alvarez recognized that AI represented the next significant shift in legal practice—one moving faster and with deeper implications than previous technological changes. Driven by curiosity and a desire to help firms navigate this transition, Alvarez completed MIT Sloan and CSAIL's Artificial Intelligence program in early 2025. Today, he works alongside law firms implementing AI solutions that enhance their operations while preserving what matters most: the judgment, empathy, and wisdom that define great legal service. His work bridges the gap between technological possibility and practical application, helping attorneys embrace powerful new capabilities while staying true to their professional values and client relationships.

    39 min
  3. Leading by Instinct: Hannele Korhonen on Reimagining Law from the Inside Out

    28 JUL

    Leading by Instinct: Hannele Korhonen on Reimagining Law from the Inside Out

    What if legal innovation starts within? In this episode of This Legal Life, Hannele Korhonen joins Ben Chiriboga to share her extraordinary journey from in-house counsel to legal entrepreneur, coach, and PhD researcher in intuition. Through design thinking, radical self-inquiry, and soul-level leadership, Hannele offers a new vision for what legal careers—and legal change—can look like when we stop pushing and start listening. This episode is for lawyers ready to lead from the inside out. Meet our Guest: Hannele Korhonen is a Business Design & Innovation Coach and PhD researcher exploring how intuition can spark radical innovation in law and design. She’s the founder of Lawyers Design School, a global learning-first legal design platform that helps legal professionals reimagine their work through legal design thinking. A former corporate lawyer, she has founded her own law firm and co-founded a legal tech startup. Today, she coaches purpose-driven entrepreneurs and legal creatives to design scalable, soul-aligned businesses using design thinking, the same method trusted by the world’s most innovative companies. Her work weaves together practical tools, research, empathy, creativity, and intuition to help clients build human-centered services that feel as good as they work. Whether through her signature program The Freedom Incubator, custom workshops, or 1:1 coaching, Hannele’s mission is to support a future where business is soulful, law is human, and the people doing the work feel free. Links: Connect with Hannele on Linkedin Learn more about The Freedom Incubator Lawyers Design School

    46 min
  4. Unmasking Success: Gavin Sharpe on Identity, Reinvention & Authentic Leadership Beyond Law

    21 JUL

    Unmasking Success: Gavin Sharpe on Identity, Reinvention & Authentic Leadership Beyond Law

    In this episode of This Legal Life, Gavin Sharpe—former lawyer, legal recruiter, and now executive coach in Monaco—joins host Ben Chiriboga to share how a personal identity reckoning led him to leave behind external success and embrace his “original child.” From scaling a global business to launching a purpose-driven coaching practice, Gavin discusses the deep work required to lead without the mask. From creating space for leaders to grow to helping lawyers reconnect with who they really are, Gavin shares a deeply personal story of identity, reinvention, and what the legal profession must unlearn in order to truly thrive. Meet Our Guest: Gavin Sharpe is a seasoned advisor with nearly 30 years of experience working with global law firms, corporations, and senior leaders. Gavin combines his deep expertise in coaching, business, and psychology to help high-performing law firms (and other professional services organisations) drive meaningful, sustainable change. Gavin began his career as a lawyer with Allen & Overy before founding SSQ, a leading international legal search firm. He played a pivotal role in launching the London offices of several U.S. law firms and led some of the most prominent partner and team moves of the decade. After selling his shares in 2010, Gavin retrained as an executive, team, and group coach, as well as a psychotherapist. In 2016, he founded Riviera Wellbeing, a practice dedicated to executive coaching, organizational development, and wellbeing. Gavin is a sought-after speaker, having appeared at global events including TEDxMonteCarloSalon, and he has reached international audiences through his radio show, The Wellbeing Window on 106.5FM Riviera Radio. Based in Monaco, Gavin works with elite performers—including Formula One drivers, billionaires, and C-suite executives—guiding them to unlock their full potential and live their best lives. He lives in Monaco with his husband and their three dogs. Connect with Gavin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavinsharpe/ www.rivierawellbeing.com

    43 min
  5. From Lawyer to Leader: Susan Seah on Building Community, Confidence & Career Clarity

    14 JUL

    From Lawyer to Leader: Susan Seah on Building Community, Confidence & Career Clarity

    How do you grow when the traditional path no longer fits? In this episode of This Legal Life, Ben Chiriboga sits down with Susan Seah to chart her journey through big law, in-house life, entrepreneurship, and now a leadership role at Latitude Legal. Susan opens up about starting The Koa Club to empower women, redefining her identity beyond “lawyer,” and why being fearless often starts with asking new questions. If you’ve ever felt the urge to step outside your comfort zone, this episode offers the insight—and the encouragement—you need. Meet Our Guest: Susan Seah is a Partner at Latitude Legal, where she connects law firms and corporate legal departments with exceptional legal talent tailored to their evolving needs. With a strong background as both a practicing attorney and legal executive, Susan brings deep insight into the business of law and talent strategy. She is also the founder of The Koa Club, a professional community dedicated to empowering women to lead bold and authentic lives through skill-building, knowledge-sharing, and connection. In addition to her legal and leadership roles, Susan is the author of the award-winning Poetry for Pups, a heartfelt collection of poetry celebrating the joy and companionship of dogs. She is passionate about supporting professionals and creating spaces that inspire growth, creativity, and community.

    38 min
  6. The Map I Draw: Heidi Brown on Identity, Writing, and Reinventing Your Legal Life

    7 JUL

    The Map I Draw: Heidi Brown on Identity, Writing, and Reinventing Your Legal Life

    In this powerful episode of This Legal Life, Ben Chiriboga sits down with Heidi Brown—law professor, former litigator, and author of The Introverted Lawyer—for an unflinching look at reinvention, authenticity, and navigating fear in the legal profession. From surviving 9/11 to walking away from tenure, Heidi shares her journey of writing through shame, embracing introversion, and rejecting traditional legal molds. With the release of her most personal work yet, The Map I Draw, Heidi offers a blueprint for building a meaningful career rooted in knowing yourself—and choosing yourself. Meet Heidi: Professor Heidi K. Brown is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, Associate Dean for Upper Level Writing at New York Law School, and a former litigator in the construction industry. Heidi is the author of three books about well-being for law students and lawyers, including The Introverted Lawyer, Untangling Fear in Lawyering, and The Flourishing Lawyer: A Multi-Dimensional Approach to Performance and Well-Being. In 2021, she earned a master’s degree in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. She is the 2023 Recipient of the Award for Outstanding Contributions to Well-Being in Legal Education from the Association of American Law Schools’ (AALS) Section on Balance and Well-Being in Legal Education. With 30 years of experience in legal practice and academia, Heidi champions the importance of openly discussing stressors, anxieties, and fears in lawyering—and helping quiet and anxious law students and lawyers tap into their individual strengths to become profoundly effective advocates, in their authentic voices. Her debut travel memoir, The Map I Draw: A Memoir of Travel as a Passport to Self, launched in June 2025. 🔗Connect with Heidi Amazon (New Book): The Map I Draw: A Memoir of Travel as a Passport to SelfWebsites: www.heidikristinbrown.com | www.theflourishinglawyer.orgInstagram: @introvertedlawyer | @heidiographiaLinkedIn: Heidi BrownNYLS Profile: Heidi K. Brown - New York Law SchoolSubstack: Heidiography

    55 min
  7. Making Change Happen: Stephen Revell on Building Law Firms That Last

    30 JUN

    Making Change Happen: Stephen Revell on Building Law Firms That Last

    In this episode of This Legal Life, host Ben Chiriboga sits down with Stephen Revell—Founder, Senior Partner at Making Change Happen—to explore what it really takes to future-proof a law firm and lead with purpose. A Freshfields veteran with 43 years at the firm, Stephen shares his evolution from international dealmaker to trusted advisor helping law firms around the world navigate leadership transitions, strategy, and client relationships. He opens up about the power of going first, the importance of mentoring the next generation, and why law firms must be built for longevity—not just short-term success. Meet Our Guest: Following his retirement as a partner at Freshfields, Stephen has established a consulting firm – Making Change Happen – through which he provides management advice to law firms and other professional service providers throughout the world. He advises on a wide range of topics relevant to the management of law firms, ranging from governance and remuneration to right-sizing business services and implementing new pricing strategies. He works for law firms all over the world and of many different sizes and shapes. As part of his work for law firms, he often speaks directly to partners either in one-on-one mentoring sessions or at partner retreats. Stephen practiced at Freshfields for over 41 years on 3 different continents and was a partner for 33 years. He was actively involved in creating Freshfields’ Stronger Together initiative, its network of relationship firms around the world that allows it to deliver Freshfields’ service to clients in any market. He has extensive experience representing corporate and institutional clients in all types of corporate transactions – from M&A and joint ventures to IPOs, equity offerings, and debt offerings of all kinds – many with a cross-border element and involving emerging markets. He has worked in over 50 countries. As part of his portfolio of activities, he is a member of the advisory boards of several law firms and is an independent non-executive director on the board of several companies including Crown Resorts Limited, a leading player in the Australian entertainment industry. He is co-author of a variety of books and a regular speaker on law firm management topics. Most recently he edited a second edition of Business Development – an IBA/Globe book that is the ‘bible’ on the subject. Stephen has been very active in the IBA for many years and is involved in a wide array of projects, activities, and committees. He is the immediate former Co-Chair of the Law Firm Management Committee, the SPPI/PPID Representative on the LPD Council, and a member of the Group Members Membership Committee.

    45 min
  8. Playing the Long Game: Scott Oliver on Niching Down, Building Up, and Owning Your Legal Path

    23 JUN

    Playing the Long Game: Scott Oliver on Niching Down, Building Up, and Owning Your Legal Path

    In this episode of This Legal Life, host Ben Chiriboga sits down with Scott Oliver—Partner at Lewis Kappes, educator, and SBA Closing Attorney—to explore what it means to build a legal career with intentionality and direction. From publishing content as a first-year associate to leading a national lending practice, Scott shares how focusing deeply on a niche, nurturing authentic relationships through LinkedIn, and playing the long game helped him grow from junior lawyer to practice leader. Together, they discuss business development as a young associate, the underrated power of networks, scaling with purpose, and why betting on yourself (and your niche) can be your greatest asset in an evolving legal world. Meet our Guest: Scott Oliver is a Partner at Lewis Kappes, a law firm based in Indianapolis with a national practice representing banks and non-bank lenders in SBA-financed transactions. Over the course of his career, Scott has closed thousands of deals, with a focus on business and real estate acquisitions. In addition to his legal practice, Scott serves as an Adjunct Professor of Law, a frequent public speaker, and a recognized content creator for students, attorneys, and entrepreneurs. He attributes his growth in practice and business development to strategic focus, thought leadership, and building genuine professional relationships. A forward-thinking practitioner, Scott is passionate about innovation, legal tech, and staying ahead of industry trends by always asking, “Where is the puck going?” It’s a mindset that shapes how he helps clients and colleagues stay on the cutting edge of what’s next.

    37 min
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Join host Ben Chiriboga, Chief Growth Officer at Nexl as he interviews guests to get their lessons learned from a life in legal. From overcoming practice silos to fostering collaboration and battling toxic work environments while building strong client relationships -- This Legal Life leaves no stone unturned.

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