Lawyer Life Podcast

Lawyer Life Podcast
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The Lawyer Life Podcast covers the professional, personal, and sometimes political lives of lawyers. Hosts Mike Anderson and Darlene Tonelli use their experience across music, media, tech, and entertainment to explore the news of the day and how lawyers can bring their A-game in their careers while enjoying life. Email us: lawyerlifepod@gmail.com

  1. New Year, New Goals - Goal-setting for 2026 with Mike and Darlene

    JAN 14

    New Year, New Goals - Goal-setting for 2026 with Mike and Darlene

    It’s a new year, and for the Lawyer Life Podcast, that means it’s time to set some goals for 2026. Longtime listeners know that this is a beloved annual tradition for Mike and Darlene. This year we're keeping it light, and focusing on small areas for constant and never-ending improvement in our lives in the office and in our personal lives. And of course we have our goods and gripes! Join us for this chat.

    36 min

  2. 11/25/2025

    Contract Law Gripes - How to Keep Contracts Efficient and Fair

    No matter how much you love your job, there will always be things about it that you wish you could change. It's no different for contract lawyers. On this episode of the Lawyer Life, Mike and Darlene get into the weeds and start pulling up the peskiest side quests that come up in contract negotiation, including befuddling signature blocks, unsuitable templates, and the risks of in-document commenting practices.

    42 min
  3. "Goodbye Cruel Wordle" - Talking Detox from Phone Addiction with Steve Pratt

    10/30/2025

    "Goodbye Cruel Wordle" - Talking Detox from Phone Addiction with Steve Pratt

    If every buzz, badge, and Wordle streak has you checking your phone like it’s your job—well, you’re not alone. And if you are a lawyer, it kind of IS your job. Between clients, courts, and colleagues, being “always on” can feel like the only option. But what if you could make a few simple tweaks to reclaim your attention (and maybe your sanity)? In this episode, we talk with Steve Pratt—author, entrepreneur, and podcast expert—about his personal mission to break up (a little) with his phone. We wanted to hear from him about the real-life experiment he has been running as part of his "Midlife Field Guide" project, to see how small, intentional changes can free up more time and make those hours actually feel good. In our conversation, we dive into how technology messes with our brains, what’s at stake when we never unplug, and why it’s surprisingly hard to scroll less. And yes, we laugh—a lot—because if you can’t laugh about your screen addiction, what can you laugh about? Full credit to Steve for the title of this episode, which came from his excellent Midlife Field Guide experiment and Substack posts recording the journey: https://www.midlifefieldguide.com/.

    49 min

  4. 10/08/2025

    Excellence Without Extremes

    Is it really true that you have to do everything with excellence to succeed in life? In this episode of the Lawyer Life Podcast, we unpack the pressure to be exceptional at all times—and how that mindset can actually hold you back. From perfectionism to burnout, we explore the hidden costs of chasing excellence in every corner of your life, and why it's okay (and often smarter) to focus your energy more strategically. Tune in for our conversation about redefining what excellence really means—and how to set the bar for yourself at a reasonable level. Listen now and subscribe to the Lawyer Life Podcast for more conversations like this.

    40 min
  5. There Has To Be a Better Way: Rethinking Justice in the Hockey Canada Case with Pam Hrick

    09/17/2025

    There Has To Be a Better Way: Rethinking Justice in the Hockey Canada Case with Pam Hrick

    In this episode, we sit with the discomfort and frustration that followed the acquittal in the Hockey Canada case — a decision many lawyers saw coming, given the high bar for criminal convictions in sexual assault cases. It feels like there has to be a better way for society to reckon with harm, responsibility, and repair in the wake of these very public criminal trials. To help us explore that possibility, we’re joined again by Pam Hrick, who is the former Executive Director and General Counsel, Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF). We discuss restorative justice as an alternative model — one that doesn’t replace the legal system, but offers a different path when the law can’t or won’t address the full complexity of harm. This is a conversation about accountability without a criminal conviction, and what it might mean to build systems that actually meet the needs of survivors and communities outside the criminal justice system. 🛑 Content note: This episode includes discussion of sexual violence. Please listen with care. Pam has written about this subject for the Globe and Mail: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-the-criminal-justice-system-keeps-failing-sexual-assault-survivors/ https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-survivors-of-sexual-violence-should-have-greater-access-to-restorative/

    56 min
  6. Starting Strong: Tips for New Lawyers from Those Who Have Been There

    08/28/2025

    Starting Strong: Tips for New Lawyers from Those Who Have Been There

    Heading back to the office this fall? Whether you're a fresh-faced law student or a new associate, this episode is for you. Mike and Darlene crack open the memory vault to share the best advice they received as junior lawyers — the kind that helped them survive (and thrive) in both in-house roles and private practice. They also tap into the wisdom of the wider Inter Alia crew and a few in-house friends to round out the insights. If you're looking for real talk, practical tips, and a few laughs along the way, hit play. This episode is all about helping you build a career in law that works for you — not the other way around.

    44 min
  7. The Making and Unmaking of a Great Canadian Law Firm featuring Adam Dodek

    08/12/2025

    The Making and Unmaking of a Great Canadian Law Firm featuring Adam Dodek

    Mike and Darlene interview Adam Dodek, author and professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa, about his recent book "Heenan Blaikie: The Making and Unmaking of a Great Canadian Law Firm". It's a great chat full of lessons for lawyers setting out to improve on the business model in law. Professor Dodek interviewed over 180 former Heenan Blaikie lawyers to write the book, and it is a real page turner from start to finish. Join us for this chat! You can find the book here: US: https://www.amazon.com/Heenan-Blaikie-Making-Unmaking-Canadian/dp/0774870737 Canada: Indigo https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/heenan-blaikie-the-making-and-unmaking-of-a-great-canadian-law-firm/9780774870733.html Amazon https://www.amazon.ca/Heenan-Blaikie-Making-Unmaking-Canadian/dp/0774870737 UBC Press https://www.ubcpress.ca/heenan-blaikie

    47 min
  8. Are Lawyers Motivated by Revenge?

    07/23/2025

    Are Lawyers Motivated by Revenge?

    Is justice just revenge with better PR? In this episode, we dig into the idea that lawyers might be chasing more than fairness — maybe it’s payback too. Could the same fire that fuels equity also fuel a thirst for retribution? And is that… a bad thing? Join us as we unpack the messier motivations behind why some of us went to law school in the first place. This episode is an "Aftershow" - our discussion after listening to the Armchair Expert podcast interview with James Kimmel Jr. about his book: "The Science of Revenge: Understanding the World's Deadliest Addiction."

    35 min
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About

The Lawyer Life Podcast covers the professional, personal, and sometimes political lives of lawyers. Hosts Mike Anderson and Darlene Tonelli use their experience across music, media, tech, and entertainment to explore the news of the day and how lawyers can bring their A-game in their careers while enjoying life. Email us: lawyerlifepod@gmail.com

Information

  • Creator
    Lawyer Life Podcast
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    81
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Lawyer Life Podcast