You Are A Lawyer: Take Risks and Change Careers in Law

Hosted by Kyla Denanyoh

Business EntrepreneurshipInterviews guests

Website RSS feed Instagram YouTube

Episodes

268

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

About the show

You Are A Lawyer is a career podcast for lawyers, law students, and law school graduates exploring alternative legal careers, career changes, entrepreneurship, side hustles, and all the unexpected ways to use a law degree. Hosted by Kyla Denanyoh, You Are A Lawyer features candid conversations with attorneys and law school graduates who have taken risks, changed careers, started businesses, survived the bar exam, pursued creative interests, and built lives that don’t fit the traditional lawyer mold. Some guests still practice law. Others have taken their JDs into technology, investing, education, media, coaching, entrepreneurship, and careers they never imagined when they started law school. If you’ve ever wondered: What else can I do with a law degree? You’re in the right place. Whether you’re considering leaving the law, searching for JD-advantage careers, building a business or side hustle, questioning your career path, or simply curious about what other lawyers are doing with their lives, You Are A Lawyer gives you real examples of what’s possible. Because your law degree doesn’t have to determine your job title. There are countless ways to use a law degree and no single definition of a successful legal career. If you’ve graduated from law school, you are a lawyer. Discover new episodes, career resources, and the Career Possibility Directory at YouAreALawyer.com. Recommend a guest or say hello: hello@youarealawyer.com

Listen to episodes

60 recent

September 10, 2026Episode 26132 min

From the Arts to International Law feat. Elektra Yao

Elektra Yao is an international attorney, law firm founder, and lifelong creative who built a legal career serving artists and creators. In this episode, Elektra shares how studying and working internationally shaped her approach to law, why she considers law her creative medium, and why young attorneys should network, experiment, and fail faster. Lawyer Side Hustles Elektra encourages young lawyers to think of career development almost like having two jobs. The first is becoming excellent at the substantive work of being an attorney. The second is intentionally developing relationships, joining committees, finding mentors, attending events, and creating a professional reputation that exists beyond a job title. That additional investment can create options when an unexpected career change eventually arrives. "For my baby attorneys, my young attorneys, fail faster. Fail faster, fail faster,” Elektra Yao expresses in Episode 261 of You Are a Lawyer. For Elektra, experimenting early is preparation rather than failure. She encourages lawyers to use the early years of their careers to meet people, test ideas, develop skills, and make themselves known within the legal community. As responsibilities increase later in a career, time becomes increasingly valuable, making those early relationships and experiences an important professional foundation. This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff , a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

September 3, 2026Episode 26028 min

Building a Legal Career Around Helping People feat. Kayla Williams-Campbell

Kayla Williams-Campbell is Deputy Director of Community Legal Services of Prince George’s County, where she oversees attorneys, manages grants, and supports eviction prevention programs. In this episode, Kayla shares how networking opened doors throughout her career, why public service became her passion, and how young lawyers can build careers around work they genuinely care about. Lawyer Side Hustles Kayla’s career story expands the idea of what lawyers can build beyond traditional client representation. Although she isn’t pursuing a conventional side hustle, her role requires her to use skills that reach far beyond litigation. Grant writing, program management, data reporting, staff supervision, training development, and organizational leadership have all become important parts of her work. Those skills have allowed her to create impact without spending every day in the courtroom. “I just want to highlight the importance of taking advantage of different areas of law that your office provides,” Kayla Williams-Campbell expresses in Episode 260 of You Are a Lawyer. That approach has allowed Kayla to explore expungements, domestic violence matters, wills, and other areas beyond eviction prevention. Rather than allowing a job title to define the limits of her experience, she intentionally looks for opportunities to learn. For young lawyers, that mindset can turn a single position into a much broader professional education and create options for future career moves, leadership opportunities, or entirely new directions. This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff , a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

August 27, 2026Episode 25926 min

Law Firm Owner to Marketing Agency Founder feat. Kristen Porter

Kristen Porter built a successful niche law firm in Australia, sold 75% of the business, and returned to her first love: marketing. In this episode, Kristen shares how entrepreneurship helped her rediscover her creativity, why lawyers should market according to their personalities, and why choosing one career path doesn't mean you're stuck with it forever. Lawyer Side Hustles Entrepreneurship has been a recurring theme throughout Kristen's career. Her law firm wasn't built like a traditional practice. Alongside custom legal services, the firm developed an online template store, a subscription membership model, courses, and training for real estate agents. Those experiences allowed Kristen to explore the creative and business-building side of herself that had been largely dormant during her earlier legal career. "I think once I went to law school, the creativity side of my brain just turned off,” Kristen Porter expresses in Episode 259 of You Are a Lawyer. Building her firm helped turn that creativity back on. Kristen discovered that she loved creating, launching, and marketing businesses, eventually leading her to establish a marketing agency specifically for law firm owners. Instead of leaving her legal experience behind, she found a way to combine it with the career she originally wanted. This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff , a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

August 20, 2026Episode 25829 min

Building a Law Practice Without Borders feat. Nikita Lamar

Nikita Lamar is a Texas attorney, entrepreneur, mediator, and author who built a virtual law firm while living in Mexico. In this episode, she shares how taking an unconventional path to law school shaped her career, why estate planning became deeply personal, and how lawyers can create careers that fit their lives instead of fitting into outdated expectations. Lawyer Side Hustles Nikita's entrepreneurial mindset extends far beyond her law practice. Inspired by gaps she observed in the legal profession, she developed The Last Laugh , an estate planning journal that helps families organize important information before it's needed. More recently, she created Divorce Retreat, an innovative service that combines mediation, legal guidance, and professional resources into a collaborative experience for couples seeking an amicable divorce. "You can create anything with your law degree,” Nikita Lamar expresses in Episode 258 of You Are a Lawyer. Rather than waiting for someone else to solve problems she repeatedly encountered, Nikita chose to build solutions herself. Whether developing new legal services, writing resources for clients, or embracing virtual practice, she continues finding creative ways to use her legal education beyond traditional practice. This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff , a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

August 13, 2026Episode 25728 min

Why Lawyers Need to Stand Out feat. Lee Rudin

Lee Rudin is a New Orleans personal injury attorney and founder of Get Rude , a law firm built around bold branding, authentic marketing, and exceptional client service. In this episode, Lee shares why he left defense work to represent injured people, how building a recognizable brand has transformed his practice, and why lawyers shouldn't be afraid to show their personality. Lawyer Side Hustles Building Get Rude wasn't simply about opening a law firm. It was about creating a business that reflected Lee's personality while helping potential clients feel comfortable reaching out. Instead of relying solely on traditional advertising, he embraced social media, humor, costumes, and memorable content to stand out in a crowded marketplace. "You just need to be authentically you,” Lee Rudin expresses in Episode 257 of You Are a Lawyer. Lee explains that branding isn't about pretending to be someone else. It's about leaning into what naturally makes you different. His willingness to embrace creativity while remaining an excellent attorney has allowed him to build a practice that feels genuine and memorable, proving that authenticity can be one of a lawyer's greatest marketing advantages. This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff , a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

August 6, 2026Episode 25618 min

From Lawyer to Legal Innovator feat. Sam Mollaei (August 2022)

Sam Mollaei is a California attorney, entrepreneur, and founder of Legal Funnel. After realizing traditional legal practice wasn't the life he wanted, Sam built multiple virtual law firms and now teaches attorneys how to automate client acquisition, streamline their businesses, and create practices that are virtual, scalable, and designed for freedom. Lawyer Side Hustles Legal Funnel began after Sam successfully applied online sales funnels to his own law firms and realized other attorneys could benefit from the same systems. Today, he mentors hundreds of lawyers through group coaching, teaching them how to automate client intake, delegate work, and build businesses that continue growing without sacrificing their personal lives. "I love giving. I love sharing,” shares Sam Mollaei in Episode 56 of You Are a Lawyer. For Sam, mentorship has become just as meaningful as entrepreneurship. After experiencing the impact of having his own business mentor, he now helps attorneys create sustainable firms while encouraging them to think differently about what's possible with a law degree. This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff , a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

July 30, 2026Episode 25529 min

Why Bigger Isn't Always Better feat. Ruma Mazumdar

Ruma Mazumdar is a New Jersey real estate and estate planning attorney who built a successful virtual law firm after leaving Big Law. In this episode, she shares how working as a paralegal shaped her legal career, why she chose entrepreneurship despite growing up around family business, and how redefining success led her to build a practice that supports the life she actually wants. Lawyer Side Hustles Launching her own law firm wasn't originally part of Ruma's plan. Growing up with entrepreneur parents, she witnessed the sacrifices that came with running a business and initially wanted the stability of traditional employment. But after several years in private practice and the shift toward remote work during the pandemic, she realized she wanted to build something on her own terms. "I wanted to just have that sort of life,” Ruma Mazumdar expresses in Episode 255 of You Are a Lawyer. Today, Ruma operates a fully virtual law firm while living outside the state where she practices. She has also embraced human design as a framework for understanding how she works best, allowing her to build a business that prioritizes sustainability over constant growth. Her journey demonstrates that entrepreneurship isn't simply about owning a business. It's about intentionally creating a career that aligns with your values and lifestyle. This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff , a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

July 23, 2026Episode 25428 min

What Law School Doesn't Prepare You For feat. Jay Coleman

Jay Coleman is a criminal defense attorney, probate attorney, Social Security attorney, and law firm owner based in Arkansas. Returning to You Are a Lawyer six years after his first appearance, Jay reflects on how his career has evolved, the realities of running a law practice, and why finding balance has become just as important as building a successful legal career. Lawyer Side Hustles For Jay, entrepreneurship wasn't always part of the plan. Like many lawyers, he initially imagined working for someone else. Running his own firm gradually taught him that practicing law and operating a business require two very different skill sets. "I didn't go to law school planning to have my own business,” Jay Coleman expresses in Episode 254 of You Are a Lawyer. Today, Jay spends as much time thinking about leadership, operations, and creating systems as he does practicing law. He's also intentionally working toward something many lawyers struggle to achieve: balance. Rather than measuring success solely by billable hours or case outcomes, he's learning to prioritize his own health, hobbies, and relationships alongside his growing practice. His journey reflects a reality many lawyers experience but don't often discuss openly. This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff , a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

July 16, 2026Episode 25323 min

Helping Small Businesses Win Big Contracts feat. Amber Johnson

Amber Johnson is an attorney whose legal career has evolved from civil rights and compliance work into helping small businesses compete for multimillion-dollar airport contracts. In this episode, Amber shares how her law degree opened unexpected doors, why transportation is full of legal careers beyond aviation law, and how lawyers can use their skills to build stronger organizations and stronger communities. Lawyer Side Hustles Although Amber no longer practices law full time, she intentionally maintains her law licenses while continuing to grow her leadership career. Along the way, she has discovered that the skills lawyers develop are remarkably transferable across industries. "Think about what you're passionate about and then find a role that fits that,” Amber Johnson expresses in Episode 253 of You Are a Lawyer. Amber's professional journey has taken her from diversity, equity, and inclusion work to civil rights compliance, public transportation, and now airport operations. Each transition built upon the last, proving that legal careers don't have to follow a straight line. Instead of limiting herself to one definition of success, she continues finding new ways to combine law, leadership, and community impact. This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff , a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

July 9, 2026Episode 25217 min

The Mentor Every Future Lawyer Needs feat. Anjie Vichayanonda (December 2021)

Anjie Vichayanonda is the founder and CEO of Leg Up Legal, a mentorship platform that connects aspiring law students with attorneys before they apply to law school. In this episode, Anjie shares how mentorship changed the course of her own career, why exposure matters before making the investment in law school, and how lawyers can use their knowledge to create opportunities for others. Lawyer Side Hustles Leg Up Legal began as an effort to solve a problem Anjie experienced firsthand. She knew how difficult it could be for aspiring lawyers to find mentors, learn about different practice areas, and understand what life as a lawyer actually looks like before committing to law school. Instead of accepting that challenge as inevitable, she built a platform designed to make mentorship more accessible. “I wanna be able to teach these things to hundreds of people, thousands of people,” shares Anjie Vichayanonda in Episode 28 of You Are a Lawyer. In addition to running Leg Up Legal, Anjie also became a published co-author of Networked , an anthology written alongside 19 other women lawyers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project captured stories of resilience, career pivots, personal challenges, and professional growth during a historic moment. Both the book and Leg Up Legal reflect Anjie's broader passion for helping people navigate uncertainty through connection, mentorship, and community. This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff , a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.