Lawyers take risks... 👀 right? (OCTOBER 2023)

Kyla Denanyoh
20 hours ago
3 min read

Lawyers take the BEST risks!

There is a terrible rumor going around about lawyers: lawyers are risk-averse.

I don’t know who started this rumor, but I am ready for it to disappear.

Think about this:

Lawyers know how to mitigate risks. Lawyers know how to anticipate challenges and risks. Lawyers solve problems, and if they cannot solve the issue, they know another lawyer who can handle it.

Risks are exciting!

So, if lawyers can solve problems and mitigate any risk, why don’t we take more risks? Fear.

We are afraid to change our minds. We are afraid to leave our Big Law office. We are afraid to open our own offices. We are afraid to step away from the PD’s office or prosecutors office or whatever.

And if you don’t have to take a risk, why would you?

To feel alive and to challenge yourself!

I have spoken to over 100 lawyers about the amazing risks they have taken. These lawyers started beauty brands and became sculptors, filmmakers or accountants.

These lawyers are no different from you. They just decided to feel the fear and take the risk anyway.

What keeps you up at night? What makes you excited, but terrified? What risks have you been too afraid to take?

Even if you are not prepared right now, as a lawyer, you know HOW to prepare. You can research, study, and prepare for your risks. So please, take the risk!

Current Episode

“How do you leave the office at 3 pm?”

You open a criminal law firm, ensure that it is family friendly, and you close when the work is done for the day. You establish boundaries (risky) and you enforce them.

After being inspired by watching courtroom dramas with her grandmother, Miriam Airington-Fisher decided to become a lawyer.

In Episode 100, Miriam discussed when she opened a law, speaker, and wrote a book about being a parent and lawyer.

Miriam’s book guides female attorneys who want to start their practice or find work-life balance within the legal profession.

This book was written by Miriam Airington-Fisher, the current podcast guest!

In Mom’s a Lawyer, Miriam offers practical advice and strategies for building a successful law firm while prioritizing family and personal well-being. By sharing her journey and lessons learned, Miriam empowers other women to pursue their passions and create a career that aligns with their values.

Long time, no newsletter!

Y’all, I haven’t written a newsletter in 6 weeks. SIX WEEKS. And the guilt has been devastating.

Like any checklist enthusiast, when I miss a task, it’s not as simple as accepting the flaw and moving on. I have been thinking about this newsletter for the last 6 weeks, but also so busy with life that I haven’t sat down and written it.

I’ll take a risk and write 5-6 of newsletters ahead of time. 😊

Prior Episode

Jodie Zerega is a legal recruiter and founder of Zerega Consulting, focusing on finding superb candidates for her law firm and corporate clients.

In additional to managing a team of ten, Jodie created the Attorney Jobs app where law students and attorneys can find fulfilling legal roles.

In Episode 109, Jodie discusses why she considered law school to becoming a director of recruiting at a law firm. She also discusses why she wanted to revolutionize legal recruiting so that law firms and businesses could have better hiring experiences.

Hey Kyla!

In this segment, I will let you know what I am doing, share behind the scenes podcast info, and allow you to get to know me.

Just call me Professor Denanyoh!

While I wasn’t writing this newsletter (so much guilt), I was traveling to Louisiana to speak at my law school. I challenged law students to take more risks and consider everything they could do with their law degrees.

And, of course, I used real life examples from guests on this podcast to explain what you could do with your law degree.