Patrick Jester is a Southern University Law Center graduate, metrology consultant, writer, and JD Advantage professional whose legal education now supports a global consulting career. In this episode, Patrick shares how law school changed his path, how missing the Louisiana bar exam by two points shaped his next chapter, and why trusting the process led him to work he loves.

Elaine Lee is a lawyer, travel journalist, and author of Go Girl: The Black Woman’s Book of Travel and Adventure. In this episode, Elaine shares how she built a legal career rooted in civil rights work, how a trip to Paris changed the trajectory of her life, and how she designed a lifestyle that allows her to travel the world while still using her law degree.

Anne Marie Engel is a lawyer, fractional general counsel, and self-described accountability architect. In this episode, Anne Marie shares how her 30-year legal career led her to rethink the role of lawyers in business, why accountability and fiduciary duty are being lost in the profession, and how she now helps companies prevent problems before they start.

Sean Olson is a trial lawyer and founder of Olson Law Firm in Colorado. In this episode, Sean shares how he transitioned from journalism into law, built a personal injury firm from a solo practice into a growing team, and why he still makes time for the courtroom even as a CEO.

Caroline Vickers is an attorney, entrepreneur, and founder of Bar Prep Champs, where she coaches first time and repeat bar takers to pass the exam with strategy and confidence. In this episode, Caroline shares how her own law school experience shaped her career, why mindset is the missing piece in bar prep, and how she built a business helping lawyers overcome shame and finally pass.

Aman Costigan is a former law firm partner, life strategist, yoga teacher, podcaster, and financial independence advocate. In this episode, Aman shares why she left the law from a place of happiness and completion, how she and her husband planned their exits strategically, and why financial literacy is the key to career freedom.

Victoria Inoyo is the Director of Advising at Juris Education, an edtech platform advising students toward careers in law, and a lawyer working in business affairs and creative marketing at Apple. In this episode, Victoria shares how she navigated law school as a first generation American, why she chose the creative side of the legal industry, and how she now helps aspiring lawyers “take the elevator” instead of the stairs through the admissions process.

Kyla Denanyoh, founder and host of You Are a Lawyer, steps into the guest seat in this special episode as she is interviewed by her former law school classmate Vernon Thomas. Together, they unpack a question many lawyers quietly ask: how valuable is a law degree, really? Kyla reflects on her own journey, the evolution of the podcast, and why she believes the JD is more expansive than most people realize.

Kyle Sherman is a trial specialist, civil plaintiff’s attorney, and founder of Trial Structure. In this episode, Kyle shares why law school was the hardest season of his life, how Jerry Spence Trial College reshaped his confidence, and why he believes jury work is about persuasion, not convincing.

Kyla Denanyoh, founder and host of You Are a Lawyer, steps into the guest seat in this special episode as she is interviewed by her former law school classmate Vernon Thomas. Together, they unpack a question many lawyers quietly ask: how valuable is a law degree, really? Kyla reflects on her own journey, the evolution of the podcast, and why she believes the JD is more expansive than most people realize.

Lawrence Blackmon is a trial attorney, Mississippi House Representative, and the CEO of Legal Ease, a consumer facing legal tech company using artificial intelligence to help people handle certain non complex legal matters without hiring an attorney. In this episode, Lawrence shares how mock trial shaped his confidence, how he stepped into public service, and why he believes lawyers can use their training far beyond traditional practice.

Francesca Chang is a lawyer, former travel blogger, and entrepreneur who sued the U.S. Department of Education to discharge nearly $260,000 in student loan debt. In this episode, Francesca shares what it was like to declare bankruptcy, represent herself pro se, and fight for relief in a system with a historic 0.1 percent success rate.

SeNita McRae is a legal operations professional with a background in broadcast journalism, public administration, and law. In this episode, SeNita shares how she built a thriving career in eDiscovery and legal operations, why passing the bar was not required for her success, and how every degree she earned eventually fit together.

John Lopez is the Legal Director of the Youth Sentencing and Reentry Project, where he supports children charged as adults across Pennsylvania. In this episode, John shares how combining law and social work allowed him to practice in alignment with his values, and why treating people as people is central to meaningful legal advocacy.

Casey Berman is the founder of Leave Law Behind and a former in-house lawyer who helps attorneys transition into careers that better align with their skills, values, and lives. In this episode, Casey shares how he left traditional legal practice, built a remote business from Hawaii, and helps lawyers rethink identity, risk, and what fulfillment can look like after law.

Kyla Denanyoh interviews Bianca Van Heydoorn about juvenile life sentences, reentry, and centering dignity in criminal justice work.

Michelle Words is a business law professor and licensed attorney who has spent the last seven years living and teaching abroad in the Middle East. In this episode, Michelle shares how her law degree became a tool for freedom, travel, and reinvention.

Kyla Denanyoh interviews David Sclar is a technology lawyer and the author of Workplace Strategies for Technology Lawyers. In this episode, David explains why soft skills are essential for modern legal careers, how he found his place in law after early uncertainty, and what lawyers can do to build careers that align with how they actually work.

Kyla Denanyoh interviews Mary Ellen O’Connor to discuss workers’ compensation and Social Security disability law.

Kyla Denanyoh interviews Akshay Verma, Chief Operating Officer at SpotDraft and a former environmental lawyer whose career spans law firms, legal operations, and executive leadership in tech. In this episode, Akshay shares what it felt like to leave firm life, take a financial risk for his family, and build a career that better aligned with how he wanted to live and work.