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

Hosted by Kyla Denanyoh

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271

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Nov 2026

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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. Find new episodes, career resources, and the Career Possibility Directory at YouAreALawyer.com. Recommend a guest or say hello: hello@youarealawyer.com

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November 12, 2026Episode 27030 min

Why Winning Isn't Always Winning feat. Bill Reid

Bill Reid is a plaintiff's attorney, University of Texas law professor, and author of Fighting Bullies: The Case for a Career as a Plaintiff's Lawyer. In this episode, Bill shares how he discovered plaintiff-side litigation after years of exploring other legal roles, why law schools should expose students to more career options, and how prioritizing practical experience, mentorship, and meaningful work can shape a fulfilling legal career. Lawyer Side Hustles In addition to practicing law, Bill teaches complex financial litigation at the University of Texas School of Law and mentors younger attorneys. His course takes a practical approach, using cases from his own career to show students how legal principles apply outside the classroom. He also invites defense attorneys, experts, and mediators to share their perspectives, helping students understand that opposing counsel can maintain professional relationships even while representing competing interests. "I spent two years writing my book to fill that gap and reach a broader audience than my class," Bill Reid expresses in Episode 270 of You Are a Lawyer. Bill's desire to reach more students eventually led him to write Fighting Bullies: The Case for a Career as a Plaintiff's Lawyer. The book grew from a class discussion he called Advice I Wish Someone Gave Me, which focused on lessons he had learned through experience rather than formal legal education. Although Bill continues to enjoy practicing law, he finds mentoring particularly rewarding at this stage of his career. Through teaching, writing, and professional mentorship, he hopes to help younger lawyers make more informed career decisions and avoid spending years in positions that don't align with their goals. This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff , a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

November 5, 2026Episode 26926 min

Teaching Kids The Power Of Advocacy feat. Shanene Muldrow

Shanene Muldrow is a financial services professional, chief of staff, and children's book author who turned an unexpected career change into an opportunity to build a different future. In this episode of You Are A Lawyer , Shanene shares how law school rejection led her into financial services, why she created the Sawyer Kid Lawyer book series with her brother, and how teaching children to advocate for themselves connects to lessons she's learned throughout her own life. Lawyer Side Hustles Outside her corporate career, Shanene is the creator of Sawyer Kid Lawyer, a children's book series she developed with her brother, Sheldon, who illustrates the books. The idea grew from Shanene's lifelong love of creative writing and her desire to build a family legacy project. During the COVID pandemic, she returned to storytelling and began developing characters inspired by her own family. The series follows Sawyer, a young girl learning to advocate for herself and others through everyday childhood experiences. "What we instill in each of our books is really a lesson about empowerment," Shanene Muldrow expresses in Episode 269 of You Are a Lawyer. The first two books, Teacher vs. Naptime and Playground Debate, introduce young readers to respectful advocacy, fairness, and problem-solving. Shanene and her brother were also developing a third book, Scout versus Sawyer, which shifts the focus toward sibling relationships. Beyond writing, Shanene participates in readings at schools and churches and has introduced a Sawyer doll to accompany the series. She hopes to continue expanding the characters and eventually explore opportunities in television or other media. For Shanene, the books combine creativity, entrepreneurship, and the advocacy lessons she first learned as a child. This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff , a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

October 29, 2026Episode 26820 min

Redefining Success and Prioritizing Yourself feat. Suzi Hixon (December 2022)

Suzi Hixon is an intellectual property attorney, podcaster, and founder of Legally Blissed, a community helping women lawyers become better advocates for themselves. In this episode of You Are A Lawyer , Suzi shares why lawyers need to prioritize their mental health, how to define success according to their own values, and why changing career paths doesn't mean abandoning everything they've worked to achieve. Lawyer Side Hustles Suzi's entrepreneurial journey began with Legally Blissed Conversations, a podcast where she interviewed women attorneys about their experiences, challenges, and accomplishments. Those conversations revealed recurring themes around mental health, self-advocacy, and the pressure to meet traditional expectations of success. Suzi eventually expanded the podcast's mission by creating Legally Blissed, a community where women lawyers could continue those conversations and support one another. "We talk about defining your values before creating your goals, which I think is really, really important because there are a lot of ways to kinda go after your goals," shares Suzi Hixon in Episode 69 of You Are a Lawyer. Through Legally Blissed, Suzi encourages members to examine their personal values before setting professional goals. She believes that lawyers can become so focused on pursuing titles, salaries, and traditional milestones that they forget to question whether those achievements align with what they actually want. Her community offers resources and conversations around self-reflection, mindset, and self-advocacy, helping women attorneys define success in ways that make sense for their individual lives. This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff , a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

October 22, 2026Episode 26724 min

Why Lawyers Should Think Differently About Mediation feat. Felicia Harris Hoss

Felicia Harris Hoss is an attorney, mediator, and arbitrator who transitioned from litigation to helping parties resolve disputes more efficiently. In this episode of You Are A Lawyer , Felicia shares why early dispute resolution deserves more attention, how mediation can help clients save time and money, and why lawyers should recognize that successful advocacy doesn't always require a courtroom. Lawyer Side Hustles Beyond conducting mediations and arbitrations, Felicia contributes to the legal profession through writing, policy development, and community involvement. She authored the report supporting American Bar Association Resolution 500, which promotes early dispute resolution, and has worked with colleagues and law students on an article examining how attorneys can use early mediation more effectively. She also serves as a director of the Harris County Dispute Resolution Center in Houston, where mediation services help community members resolve conflicts. "Think about it earlier in the process. Don't wait until you're about to go to trial to say, maybe we should go negotiate," Felicia Harris Hoss expresses in Episode 267 of You Are a Lawyer. Felicia's professional activities demonstrate how lawyers can use their expertise beyond representing individual clients. Through continuing legal education, writing, policy work, and community dispute resolution, she helps other attorneys understand the value of resolving conflicts before litigation becomes unnecessarily expensive. Her work also introduces law students and newer attorneys to opportunities within the legal profession that may receive less attention than traditional courtroom practice. This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff , a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

October 15, 2026Episode 26630 min

Lawyers! Stop. Playing. Small. feat. Wani Iris Manly, Esq.

Wani Iris Manly, Esq . is an IP attorney, entrepreneur, author, and speaker who has spent nearly two decades creating a legal career that looks like her. In this episode of You Are a Lawyer , Wani shares how moving to Paris changed the trajectory of her career, why she built an IP practice serving online entrepreneurs, and how embracing creativity and self-expression helped her expand beyond the traditional expectations of being a lawyer. Lawyer Side Hustles Wani's ventures outside traditional legal practice eventually became substantial businesses of their own. After moving to Paris, she began writing and sharing her story, which unexpectedly opened the door to public speaking. During the COVID lockdown, when in-person speaking stopped and online entrepreneurship accelerated, she responded by creating Where Inspiration Meets Law®, offering legal education and templates to online coaches and entrepreneurs. That business also helped reshape her law firm's clientele. "I always thought I was going to be only a lawyer for my entire life," shared Wani Iris Manly on Episode 266 of You Are a Lawyer. Instead, Wani Manly became a speaker, author, consultant, and multi-business entrepreneur alongside her legal work. She now speaks about change and entrepreneurship, while continuing to serve clients through her IP practice and exploring emerging issues involving AI, intellectual property, governance, and ethics. What began as opportunities outside the expected lawyer path became an important part of both her income and her identity. 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 Last , 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.