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What Makes a Law Degree Valuable feat. Kyla Denanyoh, Interviewed by Vernon Thomas
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.
Mar 113 min read


Finding Your Niche in Legal Operations feat. SeNita McRae (October 2022)
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.
Feb 192 min read


When Advocacy Becomes the Career feat. Mary Ellen O'Connor
Kyla Denanyoh interviews Mary Ellen O’Connor to discuss workers’ compensation and Social Security disability law.
Jan 83 min read


What’s Harder: Law School or a PhD? feat. Daria Levina
Kyla Denanyoh interviews Daria Levina is a lawyer, academic, and business owner whose path spans Russia, the United States, Italy, and now Berlin. With two law degrees, a PhD in law, and a thriving admissions-advising business, Daria brings a global perspective to legal education and career design. In this episode, she shares what makes a PhD different from a JD, how stand-up comedy transformed her thinking, and why she believes education should be accessible to everyone.
Dec 4, 20253 min read


Reinventing Your Legal Career After 40 feat. Anne Hamer (August 2023)
Kyla Denanyoh interviews Anne Hamer is a top-rated family lawyer based in Nashville, Tennessee, whose path to success was anything but traditional. After years in corporate and plaintiff work, and even a decade as a stay-at-home mom, Anne returned to the courtroom with a new sense of purpose. In this episode, she shares how to change your legal career at any age, how her own divorce reshaped her understanding of family law, and why it’s never too late to find work you love.
Nov 20, 20253 min read


Building Confidence and Clarity as a Lawyer feat. Laura Terrell (August 2023)
Laura Terrell is an executive coach, general counsel, and former special assistant to the president who has built a career across government, private practice, and nonprofit leadership. In this episode, she shares how coaching helps lawyers advocate for themselves, embrace career pivots, and find clarity in uncertain times.
Oct 23, 20253 min read


Redefining Success and Alignment in Law feat. Arivee Vargas
Kyla Denanyoh interviews lawyer and coach Arivee Vargas shares her journey from Big Law to coaching, writing, and alignment, showing how to create a career that fits your life.
Oct 16, 20254 min read


Solo Firm Autonomy: Escaping the Partnership Trap feat. Yladrea Drummond
Kyla Denanyoh interviews Yladrea Drummond went from being “team no care about the law" to becoming a highly successful trial attorney and solo firm owner in Maryland and DC. She openly shares the grit required to get barred after a seven-year journey, how she transitioned her practice from family law to dominating criminal defense, and the non-negotiable value of complete autonomy that running her own firm provides.
Oct 9, 20254 min read


Save Your Relationships with Mediation or Divorce Like a Pro feat. Debra Whitson (February 2023)
Kyla Denanyoh interviewsfFormer prosecutor turned mediator Debra Whitson shares how mediation can save relationships, even during divorce. Learn how she helps families navigate separation with less conflict and more compassion.
Sep 25, 20253 min read


Reinventing Your Legal Career Through Coaching feat. Elise Holtzman
Kyla Denanyoh interviews former Big Law attorney Elise Holtzman shares how she built a coaching business helping lawyers grow their leadership and business development skills.
Sep 18, 20253 min read


Building an Age Tech Startup from Law School feat. Lamia Rahman
Kyla Denanyoh interviews Lamia Rahman shares how she co-founded an age tech startup during law school, combining her legal training with a mission to build accessible tools for the blind.
Sep 11, 20253 min read


How to Balance Law, Life, and Leadership feat. Rhonda Coleman Wandel
Rhonda Coleman Wandel is a commercial attorney, podcast host, and founder of RCW Strategies LLC, a legal consulting firm serving visionary companies and legal teams. In this episode, she shares her bold transition from education to law, her path through in-house legal roles, and why she recently stepped into entrepreneurship after years at companies like Accenture and Google. From Memphis to Chicago, single motherhood to legal leadership, Rhonda’s story is about clarity, cour
Jul 31, 20253 min read


How to Navigate a Business Breakup Like a Pro feat. Margeaux Thomas
Margeaux Thomas is a litigator and founder of The Thomas Law Office, P.C., a firm that focuses on "business divorces" – complex breakups between business partners. In this episode, Margeaux shares her journey from Ohio to the DMV, what drew her to commercial litigation, and how she built a thriving law firm dedicated to helping small businesses through conflict. She also talks about growing up around quiet entrepreneurship and why personality type plays a big role in choosing
Jun 19, 20253 min read


How To Embrace Career Growth Without Burning Out feat. Anna Krolikowska
Anna Krolikowska is a divorce attorney, mediator, and past president of the Illinois State Bar Association. In this thoughtful and candid episode, Anna shares how she transitioned from litigation to collaborative law, navigated new motherhood while leading 30,000+ lawyers statewide, and built a career that supports her life, not the other way around. This is a powerful listen for anyone wondering if they can have it all—or what “all” should really look like.
Apr 17, 20253 min read


How To Pivot With Purpose and Confidence feat. Danielle Lyn
Danielle Lyn is a practicing attorney, coach, speaker, and podcast host who is boldly redefining what career success looks like. In this honest and energizing episode, Danielle shares her transition from corporate law to a more aligned life of coaching and creating content that empowers others. Whether you’re a law student feeling boxed in or a mid-career professional exploring a pivot, this episode is a must-listen.
Apr 3, 20253 min read


How to Embrace Career Evolution and Follow Your Curiosity feat. Juliet Peters
Juliet Peters has never been afraid to reinvent herself. She started in journalism, moved into litigation, transitioned to in-house counsel, and now runs Framework Legal, a business law firm helping entrepreneurs navigate transactions and growth. Throughout her career, curiosity has been her greatest asset—leading her to explore new industries, embrace change, and design a career that fits her strengths. In this episode, Juliet shares why lawyers should lean into career evolu
Mar 27, 20253 min read


How to Stop Feeling Overwhelmed and Take Control of Your Legal Career feat. Dina Cataldo
Dina Cataldo knows what it’s like to feel completely overwhelmed by the demands of being a lawyer. As a former criminal prosecutor, she worked long hours, prioritized everything except herself, and thought stress was just part of the job—until she was forced to rethink everything. After a life-changing health diagnosis, Dina began a journey to redefine success and take control of her time, energy, and mindset. Now, as a Master Certified Coach for Lawyers, she helps attorneys
Mar 6, 20254 min read


How to Unlock Your Full Potential as a Lawyer feat. Yeve Chitiga
Yeve Chitiga, a lawyer turned executive coach, is on a mission to help attorneys move past fear, doubt, and uncertainty to create careers that actually excite them. After a decade of practicing law, Yeve realized that so many lawyers felt stuck, uninspired, or unsure of their next steps—so she created Yevezo Coaching & Consulting to help them find clarity, confidence, and joy in their work.
Feb 20, 20254 min read


How to Bring Your Legal and Scientific Expertise to a New Industry feat. Raana Kashani Gregg
Raana Kashani Gregg, attorney-turned-beauty entrepreneur, shares her journey from running her own law practice to founding Lunaescent Clean Skin Labs, an innovative skincare brand. After experiencing severe dermatitis from applying eczema treatments to her son, she saw a gap in the market for hygienic, non-porous skincare applicators—and decided to create one herself.
Feb 13, 20253 min read


How to Find Financial Freedom and Purpose Outside of Traditional Law feat. Tashira Halyard
Tashira Halyard, a former litigator turned solopreneur, content creator, and activist, joins Kyla to share how she built a career that aligns with her values and creative passions. From navigating law school transfers to launching a blog that became a thriving business, Tashira breaks down what it means to truly own your career choices.
Feb 6, 20254 min read
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