The Newfangled Lawyer Podcast offers a fresh perspective of lawyers. Through candid conversations and storytelling, we aim to humanize the lawyer experience. By doing so, we want to provide opportunities for our listeners to get to know lawyers in a unique way. In our episodes, we feature lawyers discussing their passions, sharing unique stories, and offering insights into their lives outside of the law. We challenge preconceived notions and emphasize the multifaceted nature of lawyers. We hope to inspire our listeners to embrace their own humanity and stories. Hit up newfangled.legal
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August 13, 2026Episode 7752 min
Episode 77: HeyCounsel with Brian Scherer
In this episode of The Newfangled Lawyer , host Patrick Patino and guest Brian Scherer explore the intersection of managing a high-stakes law firm and the unpredictability of daily life. Brian shares the candid reality of balancing a growing firm with personal responsibilities, including a newborn at home and the challenges of team management. Together, they discuss the "nonattachment" required to handle professional chaos, advocating for a human-centric approach defined by trust, grace, and the ability to roll with the punches. Challenging the traditional, always-on legal archetype, they redefine what it means to be a truly "newfangled" lawyer—one who knows that sometimes the most important professional move is showing up for your life. About Brian Founder of HeyCounsel, bringing the power of numbers to boutique and solo lawyers. We say "big firm power for smalls and solos"... and we mean it. https://www.heycounsel.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianscherer1/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Season Sponsor: Andy Gregory Law, PLLC
August 6, 202624 min
Minisode: Community with Andy Gregory
We dive deep into the realities of launching a solo practice, focusing on: The Power of Community: How Andy and his peers turned forced networking into a vibrant, informal monthly meetup that balances shop talk with genuine friendship. Entrepreneurial Lawyering: Why the "best days" in his practice have nothing to do with billable hours and everything to do with curiosity, human connection, and having zero ego. Hunting vs. Farming: How he approaches business development—balancing visibility with authentic relationship-building. The Listening Approach: Why success in estate planning isn't about selling documents; it’s about reading people, building trust, and acting as a dedicated human advisor rather than a transaction-focused service provider. Join us for a conversation on de-optimizing the grind and rediscovering the "old school" value of being the family lawyer who actually cares about the family. About Andy Andy has been passionate about the law for many years. During an extended career with the federal government, he began pursuing his dream of becoming a practicing attorney. Andy graduated cum laude from Mitchell Hamline School of Law in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and served as an Associate on the Mitchell Hamline Law Review. He earned his bachelor's degree in business finance from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Andy’s practice consists primarily of Estate Planning, Estate Administration, Wills and Trusts, and Conservatorships/Guardianships. In his estate planning, he works with individuals, couples, and families to develop comprehensive and efficient estate plans through wills, trusts, incapacity instruments, and other related documents. Andy also works with those suffering from the loss of a loved one to smoothly and cost-effectively navigate the administration of an estate through the probate system or by providing counsel to trustees. Additionally, his experience provides him with insights into the financial decisions, social work, and life care plans associated with guardianships and conservatorships. This background informs his personalized service and compassionate approach to family legal matters. Andy is professional yet approachable and is full of positive energy when it comes to helping his clients. A dedicated member of the legal community, Andy serves as a Governing Council Member of the Minnesota State Bar Association Probate & Trust Law Section. He is a recognized "North Star Lawyer," having donated over 50 hours of pro bono service annually to programs such as the Minnesota State Bar Association Wills for Heroes Program and the Probate Advice Clinic. Licensed in Minnesota and North Carolina, Andy lives in Minneapolis with his wife, Jessica, and their three cats. Outside the office, he enjoys running and bike rides. https://www.andygregorylaw.com/
July 30, 2026Episode 761 hr 5 min
Episode 76: Into the Wild with Heather Cantua
In this episode of The Newfangled Lawyer, host Patrick Patino and guest Heather Cantua of Scale LLP explore the intersection of high-tech legal practice and nature-aligned living. Heather shares her journey from a fast-paced career in San Francisco to finding balance and a new perspective on professional practice in the temperate rainforests of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. Together, they discuss the "juxtaposition" of maintaining a modern, distributed legal practice while deeply valuing analog traditions, such as salmon habitat restoration and manual labor. Challenging the traditional, aggressive legal archetype, they advocate for a human-centric approach defined by curiosity, trust, and adaptability, redefining what it means to be a truly "newfangled" lawyer. About Heather I'm a first generation college student who stumbled into law school and feel like I've been creating my own path since. I started at a big law firm in San Francisco, went in-house to a large publicly traded company, then a small one, and now practice at a fully remote law firm. During the pandemic I moved to the rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state. https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-cantua-31a39b30/ https://scalefirm.com/team-members/heather-cantua/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Season Sponsor: Andy Gregory Law, PLLC
July 16, 2026Episode 7557 min
Episode 75: Fractional with Kimberly DeCarrera
This episode of the features a conversation with Kimberly DeCarrera of Springboard Legal, who uniquely serves as both a fractional general counsel and CFO for small and medium-sized growing companies. Throughout the episode, Kimberly and Patrick explore the convergence of law and finance, emphasizing that legal and financial decisions are deeply intertwined and should not be managed in isolation. Key discussion points include: Proactive Risk Management: Kimberly emphasizes the importance of identifying business-specific risks—ranging from unclaimed property to ransomware—and implementing internal policies and procedures to mitigate them, often serving as a necessary precursor for insurance coverage. The Power of Systems: A central theme is the necessity of standardized, documented workflows for scalability. Kimberly explains that without these systems, firms struggle to deliver consistent client service, leading to CEO burnout and operational instability. Human-Centric Legal Services: Despite the rapid advancement of technology and AI, both speakers argue that the value of a modern lawyer lies in their ability to provide "human therapy"—listening, empathizing, and helping clients navigate the emotional complexities of business decision-making. Navigating the Modern Legal Model: The discussion contrasts traditional, high-friction legal models with flexible, proactive partnerships. Kimberly shares insights on how she uses her unique dual-role expertise—and even her experience working from an RV—to offer highly personalized, mobile, and responsive counsel to her clients. Ultimately, the episode serves as a guide for law firm owners and business leaders on moving away from reactive "firefighting" toward building sustainable, tech-enabled, and human-centered organizations. About Kimberly What happens when a Chief Financial and Legal Officer gets burned out from hyper growth? She goes back to her own law firm, starting a new business model of Fractional General Counsel. But not to leave her finance experience behind, she also offers Fractional CFO services to clients. In particular, law firms. Because they didn't teach us how to run law firms in law schools, Kimberly DeCarrera uses her experience to build better law firms, trying to escape the toxicity of some of her prior employers as well as helping clients with sustainable growth. So they don't burn out or run out of cash. https://springboardlegal.com https://linkedin.com/in/kdecarrera https://threads.com/kdecarrera https://facebook.com/springboardlegal ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Season Sponsor: Andy Gregory Law, PLLC
July 9, 2026Episode 7457 min
Episode 74: Radical Authenticity with Zach Anderson
In this episode, host Patrick Patino chats with Zach Anderson, attorney, go-go dancer, spin instructor, and Nebraska’s premier queer advocate. Zach shares his unconventional journey from growing up in a devout, dogmatic environment to building a law practice that shatters the traditional, stuffy legal archetype.We dive into what it means to be a "new fangled" lawyer in a profession that is often resistant to change, covering: Authenticity as Strategy: Why bringing your full, tattooed, colorful self to the office isn't just a personal choice—it’s a powerful client-care model that fosters radical trust. Trauma-Informed Practice: Moving beyond "technical" lawyering to support the human experience during life’s most difficult transitions, like divorce. Challenging the System: How a new generation of attorneys is pushing back against the old-school "hazing" culture and the traditional archetype of lawyering. The "Drag" of Law: Why we all choose our own "drag" in our professional lives, and how choosing your own identity can fundamentally change how you relate to your work and your clients. Join us for a candid conversation about shedding shame, prioritizing mental health, and why the future of law is relational, not transactional. About Zach Zachary W. Anderson is Nebraska's Premier Queer Attorney, based in Lincoln who helps clients through some of life’s most personal and difficult legal issues, including family law matters, guardianships and conservatorships, mediation, and estate planning. He is known for a practical, compassionate approach that combines clear guidance with strong advocacy. Through his work, Zach focuses on helping people make thoughtful decisions and move forward with confidence during challenging times. zandersonlaw.com IG: @zandersonlaw or @motionsustained ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Season Sponsor: Andy Gregory Law, PLLC
July 1, 2026Episode 7417 min
Minisode: Journey with Andy Gregory
In this introductory minisode, host Patrick is joined by his friend and "your neighborhood’s friendliest estate planning attorney," Andy Gregory. Andy shares his unique 20-year journey from graduating college to finding his true calling in the law. Key Highlights: An Untraditional Path: After graduating into a tough economy, Andy spent a decade in financial services working for the federal government. The Turning Point: After moving to Minnesota in 2016, Andy experienced a professional re-ignition that led him to attend Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul as a full-time evening student while working full-time. Finding Joy in Estate Planning: Unlike many law school graduates who leave feeling depleted, Andy loved his law school experience and found his passion in estate planning—a field he describes as a perfect puzzle that blends numbers with human interaction. Building Community: Now running his own solo practice for the past four years, Andy highlights the supportive, vibrant, and collegial nature of the Minnesota estate planning bar and discusses the monthly informal meetups he organizes to build connection and combat the isolation of solo practice. Tune in to hear an inspiring conversation about stepping out of your comfort zone, embracing a collaborative mindset, and redefining what it means to practice law. About Andy Andy has been passionate about the law for many years. During an extended career with the federal government, he began pursuing his dream of becoming a practicing attorney. Andy graduated cum laude from Mitchell Hamline School of Law in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and served as an Associate on the Mitchell Hamline Law Review. He earned his bachelor's degree in business finance from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Andy’s practice consists primarily of Estate Planning, Estate Administration, Wills and Trusts, and Conservatorships/Guardianships. In his estate planning, he works with individuals, couples, and families to develop comprehensive and efficient estate plans through wills, trusts, incapacity instruments, and other related documents. Andy also works with those suffering from the loss of a loved one to smoothly and cost-effectively navigate the administration of an estate through the probate system or by providing counsel to trustees. Additionally, his experience provides him with insights into the financial decisions, social work, and life care plans associated with guardianships and conservatorships. This background informs his personalized service and compassionate approach to family legal matters. Andy is professional yet approachable and is full of positive energy when it comes to helping his clients. A dedicated member of the legal community, Andy serves as a Governing Council Member of the Minnesota State Bar Association Probate & Trust Law Section. He is a recognized "North Star Lawyer," having donated over 50 hours of pro bono service annually to programs such as the Minnesota State Bar Association Wills for Heroes Program and the Probate Advice Clinic. Licensed in Minnesota and North Carolina, Andy lives in Minneapolis with his wife, Jessica, and their three cats. Outside the office, he enjoys running and bike rides. https://www.andygregorylaw.com/
June 25, 2026Episode 7357 min
Episode 73: Introspection with Ben Chiriboga
Ever feel like you’re living on autopilot, just going through the motions? In this episode, former lawyer and legal innovator Ben Chiriboga shares how he moved from survival mode to true alignment by embracing silence, intuition, and community. We explore why our best breakthroughs happen in the quiet moments we usually try to fill, and how letting go of rigid planning can radically change your perspective. About Ben Ben Chiriboga is a lawyer, founder, and legal technology executive. Check out his podcast, This Legal Life and his Substack, Reframe.Lawyer, to learn how legal professionals are reframing their careers in a rapidly changing legal industry. linkedin.com/in/benchiriboga https://reframe.lawyer/ This Legal Life Podcast ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Season Sponsor: Andy Gregory Law, PLLC
June 18, 2026Episode 7255 min
Episode 72: Abundance with Heather Reese
Unlock the secret to redefining what it means to be a lawyer—and why leading with authenticity can revolutionize your life and career. Heather Reese, a multi-passionate activist, model, and lawyer, shares how embracing her diverse personalities shattered the traditional legal mold, opening doors to unexpected opportunities and impactful activism. If you're feeling boxed in by societal expectations or craving a more fulfilling, boundary-pushing path, you’ll want to hear how Heather’s bold choices transformed her world—and can do the same for yours. This episode dives into the power of authenticity in a world that often values conformity. Heather reveals how she actively cultivates her personal brand around her true self—supporting small businesses, modeling, and activism—challenging the stereotypical lawyer persona. You'll discover her approach to leading with activism over law, how intentional spending is a form of impact, and why the traditional “lawyer lifestyle” is ripe for reinvention. We break down practical insights, including how to build a personal brand rooted in your passions, ask for opportunities boldly, and create boundaries that foster happiness without sacrificing success. Heather shares her journey navigating the challenges of being a Latina lawyer in a predominantly white profession, why diversity and representation matter, and how to find joy and purpose outside the pressure of perfection. The stakes? Without authentic self-expression, many talented professionals burn out or remain trapped in outdated narratives. But by stepping into your truth, you unlock creative avenues—modeling, activism, side ventures—that not only enrich your life but can also reshape your community and industry. This episode is perfect for lawyers, entrepreneurs, or anyone feeling the pull to break free from societal scripts and lead with purpose. Tune in to discover how leading with your genuine self isn’t just liberating—it’s a game-changer. Heather proves that breaking the mold isn’t just possible, it’s essential for a life of impact, authenticity, and joy. Get inspired to live unapologetically, embrace all your facets, and build a legacy rooted in realness. About Heather Heather Reese is a Philadelphia-based personal injury lawyer, runway model, speaker, and content creator who believes no one should be boxed into just one identity. In the courtroom, she advocates for injured clients with compassion and strength. Beyond law, she uses her platform to encourage others to embrace being multidimensional, share their stories, and pursue every passion they have. A strong voice for boundaries, wellness, and authentic living, Heather inspires others to succeed professionally while honoring themselves personally. IG: @heather_rxoxo ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Season Sponsor: Andy Gregory Law, PLLC
June 11, 2026Episode 711 hr 8 min
Episode 71: Fireside Chat with Maddison Koper & Sarae Smith
Most legal professionals accept a brutal, burnout-filled path. But what if there's a radically different way to live, work, and thrive? Maddison Koper and Sarae Smith share how breaking free from traditional rules and embracing authenticity can transform your legal career and life. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Season Sponsor: Andy Gregory Law, PLLC
June 2, 2026Episode 7614 min
Microsode with The Newfangled Lawyer: What Kind of Life Do You Want to Live?
In this microsode I discuss the importance of figuring out the life you want to live before designing your law firm. Also, you can now work with me outside of the confines of the podcast walls. Hit up https://newfangled.legal/ and check out my new services from 1:1 strategy conversations to speaking to consulting. I am taking the newfangled lawyer ethos, vibe, and values to you and your firm/legal organization.
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