This Lawyer's Life

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Nov 2024

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About the show

A professional development podcast from the New York City Bar Association where we talk with lawyers about seizing opportunities, learning lessons the hard way, and about what makes them tick.

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3 recent

November 25, 202454 min

This Lawyer’s Life: Gregory Diskant, Big Law Leadership and Litigation

Today we meet Greg Diskant, a Senior Litigator at Patterson Belknap and former Chair of the firm. In this special episode, Greg is interviewed by City Bar President Muhammad Faridi, a Patterson colleague. They discuss key moments from Diskant's illustrious career, including his clerkship with Justice Thurgood Marshall and Judge Skelly Wright, his experiences as an assistant U.S. attorney, and his successful trial work in private practice. The conversation delves into leadership at the highest firm levels, handling the pressure of significant cases, and the joys of the intellectual demands that come with patent litigation. Greg also shares his experience co-authoring a recent, major City Bar report calling on Congress to pass a mandatory and enforceable code of ethics for the U.S. Supreme Court. Read the report: The Supreme Court Needs a Mandatory and Enforceable Code of Ethics (https://www.nycbar.org/reports/the-supreme-court-needs-a-mandatory-and-enforceable-code-of-ethics/) Join a diverse network of over 23,000 colleagues—in private practice, public service, the judiciary, government, academia, in-house, and law school—who share membership and expand your personal and professional horizon. By becoming a member today, you help shape the future of the profession as a critical link in one of its most influential organizations: https://www.nycbar.org/member-committee-career-services/membership/ 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 02:25 Greg Diskant's Early Career and Influences 12:19 Insights into Trial Work 18:34 High-Profile Cases and Public Interest Litigation 26:09 Balancing Professional and Personal Life 32:08 Law Firm Leadership and Mentorship 36:53 Client Relations and Bet-the-Company Lawsuits 40:07 Pro Bono Work and Democracy Issues 42:38 Supreme Court Ethics and Reform 52:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

October 17, 202455 min

Muhammad Faridi: City Bar President, Commercial Litigator, Civilian Rep. to NYC Handschu Committee

Today we meet Muhammad Faridi. He is President of the New York City Bar Association, a Partner at Patterson Belknap who has scored billions and numerous wins for his commercial litigation clients, and the Independent Civilian Representative for New York City’s Handschu Committee. Muhammad told us his story of finding success in the law while staying true to the principles of justice that motivated him to enter the profession. As Muhammad put it, there is nothing “fundamentally inconsistent in maintaining a robust private practice and a pro bono practice. And in some ways the two practices complement one another.” He balances obligations to his family and his Muslim community with the many overlapping obligations of his professional life – no easy feat for someone who achieves so much. Tune in for a special discussion of the work of the New York City Bar Association, the perspective of one of the legal profession’s leaders on AI’s entry into legal practice, and stories from a great legal career. Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/4h7J7z9 Join a diverse network of over 23,000 colleagues—in private practice, public service, the judiciary, government, academia, in-house, and law school—who share membership and expand your personal and professional horizon. By becoming a member today, you help shape the future of the profession as a critical link in one of its most influential organizations: https://www.nycbar.org/member-committee-career-services/membership/ 01:15 Muhammad Faridi's Journey to the Law 04:09 Balancing Presidency and Legal Practice 16:09 Commitment to Pro Bono Work 21:23 Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession 26:53 The Art of Legal Writing 33:47 Impact of AI on Legal Services 37:33 Clerking for Judge Jack B. Weinstein 41:56 Role as Independent Civilian Representative 47:55 AI and the Future of Law 52:34 Conclusion and Farewell

September 11, 202449 min

Rudhir Krishtel: Executive Coach and Joyful Optimist

Today we meet Rudhir Krishtel, an executive coach who leads Krishtel, a consultancy that focuses on providing spaces to have meaningful dialogue and growth around wellbeing, DEI, leadership and business. Rudhir spent 15 years in patent law, five as Senior Patent Counsel at Apple, before starting his business. In conversation with Greg, he explained how he structures his day, lives by his values, and inspires his clients. Rudhir weighed in about generational workplace communication gaps, the importance of in-person networking, and the value of understanding neurodiversity in the legal industry. Rudhir also provides practical advice on leadership development, navigating career transitions gracefully, and the critical role of mindfulness and emotional self-regulation in professional growth. Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/4e9L0JC 00:00 Introduction to This Lawyer's Life Podcast 00:19 Meet Rudhir Krishtel: From Patent Law to Career Coaching 00:49 A Day in the Life of Rudhir Krishtel 02:45 The Power of Optimism in Coaching 05:44 Challenges and Opportunities for Gen Z in the Workplace 08:55 The Importance of Relationships and Communication 13:22 Understanding Neurodiversity in the Legal Profession 18:14 Navigating Career Transitions Gracefully 21:19 Mastering Business Development 24:29 The Power of Self-Value in Legal Practice 25:21 Setting Clear Goals for Success 25:46 Building Relationships: One-on-One and One-to-Many 26:48 Overcoming Coaching Challenges 30:06 The Unique Nature of Lawyers 32:00 Mindfulness and Emotional Self-Regulation 38:51 Trends in Feedback and Leadership 44:11 Embracing the AI Revolution