Ask Your Law Mom

Lisa Bauer & Jennifer Scharf

Ask Your Law Mom is a podcast devoted to...professional legal issues and professional mom issues.

  1. Jun 27

    Mom, I need a job change - can I sing about muffins?

    Jen and Lisa discuss their shared dislike of change while acknowledging it is constant and can be positive, reflecting on end-of-school-year transitions, an amazing new colleague, and a work trip to the EATS conference in St. Pete’s/Treasure Island, where they tried “Mom Water” and visited Malio’s. They interview success coach Deb Pratt about career change and learn about PEST/VUCA and VUCA Prime, as well as balancing job search with strategic transition. Lizzy Vinyl-Adams shares her career shift from Neighborhood Legal Services to working with Jen & LIsa, advice on seizing opportunities, and now-famous Gen Z slang. The episode also includes a related idiom segment, an iconic Pride Month-themed trivia segment, and a possible manatee sighting.00:00 Why Change Is Hard04:36 Malios Podcast Pilgrimage (check out Jen's favorite - Lawyers Behaving Badly Episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lawyers-behaving-badly/id1654960102?i=1000604439661)07:34 On the Ground With Trent10:42 Meet Success Coach O. Deborah Pratt: https://www.consultacoach-odp.com49:19 Product of the Week: Diet Cherry Coke Returns: https://www.target.com/p/diet-coke-feisty-cherry-12pk-12-fl-oz-cans/-/A-1295295852:11 (Re)Meet Lizzy Vinyl01:04:38 Lisa's Bad Parenting (or Crafting) Confession01:05:57 Pigeonholed Idiom Explained01:10:22 Pride Month Trivia Game with Bill MacDonald01:20:43 Shoutouts

    1h 26m

  2. Jun 13

    Mom, Are We Having the Same Conversation?

    In Season 2, Episode 7 of Ask Your Law Mom, Jen and Lisa recap attending their law daughter Jane’s wedding to John, share hot takes and play live “on-the-ground” interviews about the no-cake choice, smelling salts, and Buffalo Bills references. The episode then continues their series on dealing with difficult coworkers by interviewing Heather Johnston, an attorney and psychologist, who explains her career path and offers a step-by-step conflict approach. Professor Angie McDuff discusses communication patterns in law students, active listening, building relationships, de-escalation, and resources. They add an AI “tone check” tip, do trivia with Bill McDonald, cover an idiom (“on your toes”), fact-check Lisa's cats (Cupcake and Mae), recommend Trader Joe’s bonding shampoo/conditioner, and give shout-outs. 00:00 Welcome and Wedding Highlights05:16 Live Wedding Interviews 09:15 Main Topic: Difficult Co-Workers and Excellent Communication 11:58 Meet Lawyer/Psychologist Heather Johnston https://illumination-psychotherapy.com/45:23 Communication Skills Spotlight with Professor Angelyn McDuff01:14:05 AI Tone Check Tips01:18:50 Trivia With Bill MacDonald01:26:10 Idiom of the Week: On Your Toes01:27:46 Fact Check01:29:50 Product of the Week: Trader Joe's Bonding Shampoo & Conditioner https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/bonding-shampoo-08284201:32:13 Sunscreen Update: Mineral Based Recommendation https://bluelizardsunscreen.com/products/sensitive-mineral-sunscreen-lotion-spf-5001:34:04 Shout Outs and Wrap

    1h 36m

  3. May 30

    Mom, how can I lead this jackass to water?

    Jen and Lisa open season two, episode six of the Ask Your Law Mom podcast with a brief commencement recap and delve into this episode's main topic: helping new legal professionals handle difficult coworkers, featuring in-house attorney Amy Blakely (“jackass whisperer”) on building support networks, finding something to like, using humor, and self-care, and conflict-management professor Elizabeth McMillan on conflict definitions, self-management, preparation, generational dynamics, boundaries, and resources. 00:00 Welcome to the Season of Graduations! Shout out to Pretzalo https://www.facebook.com/share/1Bao3j4ECt/?mibextid=wwXIfr and The Lunch Box https://www.thelunchboxbuffalo.com/  15:45 Macro and Micro advice from Jen and Lisa on the difficult coworker21:36 Guest Amy Blakeley, Jackass Whisperer46:49 Guest Elizabeth McMillan, Conflict Management01:21:02 Idiom of the Week: cross the line01:22:52 Product of the Week: Stelle Dancewear https://stelleworld.com/01:24:18 Trivia *Without* Bill01:31:31 Sports Wall Fact Check01:37:24 Graduation Shout Outs Finale

    1h 39m

  4. May 15

    Mom, have you proofread this episode?

    Jen and Lisa open with a fact check on Imperial vs. Metric measurements (including cups, gallons, and stones), then pivot to advice for summer legal internships and for employers training interns. Guests Nicole Kobis and Lucy Dadd describe their firms’ summer programs and what they value and insights to both students and employers about successful summer programs. Rising 3L Sarah Sauer shares self-starting, using mentors, asking questions, and getting comfortable being uncomfortable. The episode ends with trivia, a hockey hot take answered by Professor Drew, idioms, and a product pick (Vuori).00:00 Welcome and Imperial vs Metric Fact Check27:51 Meet Guest Nicole Kobis, Lindabury - https://www.lindabury.com/nicole-a-kobis.html52:24 Meet Talent Leader Lucy Dadd, Harter Secrest & Emery - https://hselaw.com01:10:07 Meet Rising 3L Sarah Sauer01:25:56 Hot Takes Hockey Logic from...Jen(?!)01:28:48 Product of the Week - Vuori - https://vuoriclothing.com01:29:50 Summer Trivia Showdown01:35:24 Bonus Qs and Mother’s Day01:37:01 Live Hockey Fact Check01:40:31 Sports Idioms and Wrap

    1h 42m

  5. Apr 25

    Mom, how many grams of protein are in this episode?

    Jen rages about struggling to meet protein goals while Lisa is struggling with be forced to unnecessarily fill out forms. Guest Kate Alnutt shares her inspiration and tips for maximizing protein intake, including tracking using ChatGPT and meal-prep/high-protein ideas like protein coffee, overnight oats, and protein-focused bowls. Law daughters Jane and Lizzie discuss maintaining fitness as young lawyers, marathon/half-marathon training, bar prep routines, and sourdough resilience. The episode ends with trivia (National Ice Cream Month and AFI movie heroes are both lawyers and mothers), the idiom “throw your hat in the ring,” and a BloomChic pocket swimsuit product pick. 00:00 Welcome 04:39 Forms Fatigue Rant12:11 Moon Calendar (Passover & Easter) Fact Check17:54 Protein Rage25:50 Kate Alnutt Joins the Pod01:08:07 The Law Daughters Offer Details of Fitness Routines as Lawyers 01:27:22 Trivia with Bill MacDonald 01:33:30 Idiom of the Week: Throw Your Hat in the Ring 01:34:37 Product of the Week: https://bloomchic.com/

    1h 38m

  6. Apr 4

    Mom, how long is this game?

    Jen and Lisa open their Ask Your Law Mom podcast with discussion of recording delays, travel frustrations, and Easter Bunny anecdotes, then fact-check the youngest Supreme Court appointee. They answer a listener question about when to apply for jobs. The episode’s theme is “playing the long game,” linking strategy and consistency in careers and life, including adoption and other “liminal” waiting periods. Guest Fonda Kubiak describes her Buffalo legal career and community programs including a Supreme Court Historical Society My Hometown high school project seeking student and volunteer participation. 3L Francesca Manzella discusses winning a mediation competition in India and an outstanding advocate award at a South Carolina trial competition, and her preparation habits. The episode includes trivia with Bill McDonald and a product pick: infrared sauna/red light therapy at Lumos. 00:00 Podcast Intro: the weather, the Bunny, and travel planning woes14:15 Supreme Court Fact Check17:06 Stars Aligned Idiom19:58 Listener Question: Do I have to apply to a job post immediately?24:11 Playing The Long Game39:23 Interview of Fonda Kubiak and the My Hometown Project https://www.nywd.uscourts.gov/Civic-Education58:03 Meet Frankie Manzella01:23:11 Trivia Master Bill MacDonald Returns01:31:25 Product Of The Week: Lumos Infrared Sauna https://lumosinfraredsauna.com/01:33:21 Shout Outs And Wrap

    1h 35m

  7. Mar 7

    Mom, can I put preparing my taxes on my résumé?

    Jen and Lisa return on Ask Your Law Mom after a long break, the moms return with complaints about winter, a recurrent critter issue, and the official launch of a new segment: TRIVIA (and, pet peeves).  Lisa and Jen talk about taxes and the unavoidable task of updating professional materials, urging listeners to refresh resumes regularly (at least annually) and use tax season as a reminder, alongside updating LinkedIn, bios, formatting, and removing outdated details. They discuss building resume content through board service, speaking, volunteering, and strong interests, and debate employer-requested application videos. Segments include an idiom explaining Uncle Sam’s origins, a product-of-the-week endorsement of AirTags, trivia with Professor Bill MacDonald, hot takes on matinees and night showers, Gen Z/Gen Alpha slang, and shout-outs.00:00 Show Intro Disclaimer00:33 We Are Back02:04 Winter Talk Groundhogs & the Squirrel Basement Saga08:31 Episode Topic Setup38:24 Idiom of the Week: Uncle Sam Origins41:59 Product of the Week: Airtags 46:11 New Segment: Trivia with Bill MacDonald01:07:02 Hot Takes: Matinees01:09:51 Gen Z Slang Drop01:11:45 Shoutouts And Wrap

    1h 14m

  8. 11/22/2025

    Mom, who wants to be a winner?

    In the first episode of Season 2 of 'Ask Your Law Mom,' Jen and Lisa dive into the theme of WINNING. The episode highlights various competitions and successes, including a chocolate cake contest, where law student Max Battaglia's King Arthur recipe cake takes the win. The hosts discuss winning moments from their trial teams, share experiences from a challenging travel episode to Fort Lauderdale, and emphasize the hard work behind their achievements. The episode also features an interview with Professor Bill McDonald, a seasoned legal professional and game show winner who shares his experiences on 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' and 'Jeopardy.'00:00 Introduction to Ask Your Law Mom00:28 Season Two Kickoff: Winning Theme01:29 Cake Contest and Legal Achievements02:57 Live Podcasting from Fort Lauderdale16:17 Chocolate Cake Contest Highlights23:34 Winning in Law, Life and Game Shows with Professor Bill MacDonald01:08:42 Fun with Food: Cake Contest and Cooking Tips with Young Legal Professional Max Battaglia01:23:26 Product of the Week: L'Occitaine Almond Shower Oil https://www.loccitane.com/en-us/almond-shower-oil-29HD500A22.html

    1h 29m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Ask Your Law Mom is a podcast devoted to...professional legal issues and professional mom issues.

Information

  • Creator
    Lisa Bauer & Jennifer Scharf
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Lisa Bauer & Jennifer Scharf
  • Show Website
    Ask Your Law Mom