How do you come back from a setback? Most of us have experienced a setback - at work, in sport or our personal life. How do you regain confidence and develop resiliency when you’ve been knocked off your path?  High achieving law students, and other new professionals, often have  unique challenges when expectations are not met.  

Jayne Rossworn is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with The Lawyer Mindset takes us through a four-step framework that will help you recover and rebuild your confidence. She also shares some personal examples of how she has bounced back herself.

Episode notes:

The Lawyer Mindset website: www.thelawyermindset.com

Jayne’s email: Jayne@lawyermindset.com.

Jayne’s Linkedin Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayne-rossworn-892642b9/

Colin Cameron, CPA, CA, takes us through the basics of law firm compensation and profitability and why it's important for law students and new lawyers to understand how billing rates and recording time tie into profits. We discuss the evolution of the business of law, the emergence of law firm business professionals, and how new lawyers can learn from them.

Colin Cameron is the founder of Profits for Partners, Management Consulting Inc. Colin has been advising professional service firms for more than 35 years and in his previous role as COO, he led his firm to become one of the most profitable firms in British Columbia.

He is a management consultant and advises law firms in the following key areas related to profitability: Profitability improvement, strategic planning, firm governance, partner compensation, financial management and operations management.

Episode notes:

Colin's blog: www.lawprofitability.com
Profits for Partners: https://www.profitsforpartners.com/
Author David Maister: https://davidmaister.com/books.mtpsf/

Kimberly Rice joins us to discuss how law students and new lawyers can learn how to become firm rainmakers. Legal competence is the price of admission to law firms these days. To succeed you must set yourself apart, and Kimberly has amazing tips to get you started. Takeaways from this episode include:

- Understand the governance & power structure of your new firm and befriend the power players

- Visibility matters. Seek out opportunities to be seen by those in power, push past self-doubt, and crash the party - don't wait to be invited!

- Relationships and your internal will be your key to success - and this means all law firm staff, not just other lawyers. 

- Develop a marketing mindset and a "servant's heart" - what do we mean? You will have to tune in! 

With decades of law firm experience, Kimberly Rice is a Chief Changemaker at CHANGEMAKERS, a business accelerator program specially designed to educate, empower and equip women professionals to create the careers of their dreams by charting their own course. She has successfully coached and trained thousands of women professionals to navigate the landmines that stand between them and their perceived obstacles to a more prosperous, fulfilling career and life.

Episode Notes:

 - Rainmaker Roadmap: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Prosperous Business https://www.amazon.ca/Rainmaker-Roadmap-Step-Step-Prosperous/dp/1942489374

- CHANGEMAKERS: https://werchangemakers.com/

Bena Stock spent over 24 years as a litigator before turning her talents to counselling others. In this episode she draws upon her personal experience, sharing tools that new and aspiring lawyers can use to quiet anxiety, grow confidence, and build a happier and more successful practice. She also addresses common career saboteurs such as imposter syndrome, perfectionism (yes, it's a problem), and the paralysis resulting from fear of failure. You will also learn the significance of "cow paths" - curious? Tune in to find out!

Episode Notes:

- Bena Stock Counselling & Consulting: https://www.benastock.com/

- The Power of Believing That You Can Improve: https://www.ted.com/talks/carol_dweck_the_power_of_believing_that_you_can_improve

- Fake it Till You Make It: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVmMeMcGc0Y

- VIA Character Strengths Survey: https://www.viacharacter.org/ 

- Change Your Mindset, Change the Game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tqq66zwa7g 

- How to Make Stress Your Friend: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcGyVTAoXEU

In this episode, I’m joined by Linda Lucas—a longtime law firm and professional services executive and now a sought-after leadership coach and trainer. With 25+ years of strategic, operational, and financial leadership experience, Linda shares practical insights every law student, summer/articling student, and new lawyer needs to hear.

Her core message: leadership starts on day one, not when you get a title.

What you’ll learn (and why it matters early in your career):

• How to be a leader at any level
  Small daily habits build your long-term reputation and influence.

• Why “thinking like an owner” sets you apart
  Students who take responsibility for their work get noticed—fast.

• The behaviours that build trust
  Integrity, accountability, follow-through, honesty, courage, and truly listening. These skills make colleagues want you on their team.

• EQ as the #1 skill in legal workplaces
  It’s learnable, and it’s what differentiates good junior lawyers from exceptional ones.

• What to ask yourself before starting your career
  Identify your values, imagine your future, and choose firms aligned with both.

• How to stand out in applications and early roles
  Be authentic, stay curious, and apply what you learn.

• How to avoid common pitfalls in law firms
  Understand firm culture, get clarity on expectations, record all your time, and protect your well-being.

• Why mentors and coaches matter—even early on
  The most successful professionals invest in their growth.

Listen now and start building the leadership habits your future self will thank you for.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Lawyer Launcher for more episodes that help you thrive in the legal profession.

Episode notes:

Lead Vantage: www.leadvantage.ca

Linda Lucas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucaslinda/

Behind the Bar with David Brown — Ascent Employment Law
 In this episode, Susan sits down with employment lawyer and Ascent Employment Law co-founder David Brown for an honest, grounded, and deeply practical conversation about building your legal career with intention. David shares his unconventional articling story, the power of relationships, how to navigate discomfort, and why young lawyers should be both “house cats” and “alley cats” in their early years.

Whether you’re a law student, an articling student, or a new associate trying to find your footing, this episode gives you guidance you can act on today.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• How David created an articling role for himself through strategic relationship-building
  
  
• Why discomfort is part of the profession—and how to lean into it
  
  
• The truth about networking (and why it’s a muscle, not a personality trait)
  
  
• How to think like an entrepreneur early in your career
  
  
• What to do if you’re in the wrong firm or wrong practice area
  
  
• The “house cat vs. alley cat” model for succeeding as a junior lawyer
  
  
• How values shape firm culture—and how Ascent built a values-led practice from day one

Episode notes:

David Brown LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmjbrown/

Ascent Employment Law website: https://ascentemploymentlaw.ca/

In this episode of Behind the Bar, I sit down with litigator, Mark Virgin, who brings more than 30 years of practice experience—and an extraordinary level of candor—to a conversation every law student and junior lawyer needs to hear.
Mark shares the lessons he wishes he knew as an articling student, including why you should always ask the “stupid” question, how to find the right mentors inside a firm, and what it actually means to “reach up” when you need help. He also speaks openly about his journey with anxiety, how he learned to manage it, and why early-career lawyers must proactively build healthy habits and support systems.
We also cover:
 • How to communicate effectively as a junior lawyer—and avoid the 50% misunderstanding trap
 • Why self-awareness, curiosity, and preparation are foundational to success
 • The professional etiquette expectations that genuinely matter in law firms
 • How to build a client-centric mindset early in your career
 • The long-term value of community involvement and choosing causes that matter to you
 • Why your ethical compass—and your reputation—are your most important assets in law
This conversation is packed with practical guidance, stories from Mark’s career, and honest reflections that will help you navigate articling, summering, and your first few years of practice with more confidence, clarity, and resilience.

Episode notes:

Anxiety Canada: https://www.anxietycanada.com/
Lawyers Assistance Program BC: https://www.lapbc.com/ 
CBA Lawyer Assistance Program: https://cba.org/resources/well-being-and-lawyer-assistance/

Behind the Bar – Lawyer Launcher
 Real advice from real experience — the things law school never told you.

In this episode, Susan sits down with retired business  lawyer and former managing partner Murray Gottheil, known for his frank, funny, and refreshingly honest insights about the legal profession. From the “safety of retirement,” Murray shares the truths he wishes he’d known earlier — and the hard lessons he believes every law student, summer student, and new associate needs to hear before starting in a law firm.

Together, Susan and Murray break down:

The biggest mistakes new lawyers make

• Why confidence and self-awareness matter more than you think
  
  
  
• How introverts (and extroverts!) can set themselves up to succeed
  
  
  
• What “ownership mentality” really looks like — and why partners value it
  
  
  
• How to ask better questions without driving your supervising lawyer crazy
  
  
  

The hard truths about starting your legal career

• You know far less than you think after graduation — and that’s normal
  
  
  
• Why legal success isn’t about hard work alone
  
  
  
• The reality of learning outside billable time
  
  
  
• How culture varies between firms, offices, and practice groups
  
  
  
• Why defining your own version of success is essential for long-term health
  
  
  

Murray also shares stories from decades in practice — from articling in the 80s, to hiring students, to mentoring young lawyers — with practical, actionable advice to help you thrive, not just survive.

If you’re preparing for summering, articling, or your first year of practice, this episode will give you the insight (and perspective) you won't find in textbooks.

Listen now and start building the leadership habits your future self will thank you for.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Lawyer Launcher for more episodes that help you thrive in the legal profession.

Episode notes:

Law & Disorder Inc: https://www.murraygottheil.com/

Murray Gottheil LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/murray-gottheil-58787b1/

This episode is not about résumés.

It’s about how you run your job search — and who you become in the process.

In this solo episode of Lawyer Launcher - Behind the Bar, I’m speaking directly to law students and junior lawyers navigating the transition from law school to their first firm role.

After decades working inside and alongside law firms, advising leadership teams, recruiting lawyers, and mentoring students, I’ve seen one consistent truth:

Careers don’t happen by accident. They’re built deliberately.

In this episode, we go beyond recruitment tactics and focus on the structure, mindset, and professional habits that separate reactive candidates from strategic ones. We cover:

• Why searching for a job is a job
• How to normalize (and use) discomfort
• The reality of imposter syndrome at every level
• Why silence from firms isn’t personal
• How hiring actually works inside firms
• Why every interaction is part of your application
• Social media and LinkedIn — what firms really see
• How to build a networking system (not random coffee chats)
• Finding mentors who accelerate your growth
• Narrowing your focus without locking yourself in
• Why comparison will quietly sabotage you

This is about taking ownership early — not waiting for clarity, permission, or perfect timing.

If you’re in OCIs, articling recruitment, internships, or preparing for your first associate role, this episode gives you a practical roadmap you can implement immediately.

In this episode of the Lawyer Launcher podcast, Susan Van Dyke and Johanna Mills sit down with Marketta Jokinen, former national-firm lawyer, law firm recruiter, and career coach, to unpack what law students really need to know about law firm recruitment. Marketta is the Founder of Legal Talent Consultant and Career Coach at Current Talent.

With experience spanning private practice, a labour relations board, and national-firm recruitment and talent management, Marketta brings a rare 360-degree insider perspective on how firms assess candidates—and how students can stand out.

This conversation is essential listening for law students preparing for OCIs, in-firms, summer student applications, and articles, particularly at larger firms.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why mindset matters just as much as grades in law firm recruitment
  
  
• How being “curious” can reduce anxiety and improve interviews
  
  
• Why firms struggle with “I’m open to everything” candidates—and what to say instead
  
  
• How to narrow your focus without pigeonholing yourself
  
  
• What recruiters actually notice when reviewing hundreds of résumés
  
  
• How to turn your résumé from a list of duties into compelling accomplishments
  
  
• The role of storytelling in interviews—and how to avoid sounding over-rehearsed
  
  
• How preparation builds confidence and makes the process more enjoyable
  
  
• Choosing between boutique, mid-size, and large firms—and why applying broadly matters
  
  
• Finding “your people” and assessing firm fit beyond rankings and perks
  
  

Marketta also shares practical, immediately usable tips for:

• Writing stronger cover letters
  
  
• Preparing interview stories
  
  
• Understanding what firms are really hiring for
  
  
• Approaching recruitment as the first step in a long, successful legal career

 Episode notes:

Marketta Jokinen’s website is www.currenttalent.ca 

Markett’s LinkedIn profile is https://www.linkedin.com/in/markettajokinen/ 

In this episode of Lawyer Launcher, mediator Mark Tweedy, K.C,  discusses the rapid growth of mediation across Canada and the U.S., particularly since 2020, and why it has become central to modern dispute resolution.

He explains that mediation is no longer a last-minute procedural step before trial—it is increasingly a strategic inflection point in litigation. Court backlogs, cost pressures, and client expectations have pushed lawyers to pursue resolution earlier and more deliberately.

Key themes include:

• Mediation as strategy, not compromise. Effective lawyers use mediation to shape risk, manage psychology, and test leverage—not simply “split the difference.”
• The psychology of settlement. Ego, perception of fairness, and emotional drivers often matter more than pure legal strength.
• What makes a strong mediation advocate. Preparation, credible risk analysis, and disciplined communication outperform theatrics.
• Common lawyer mistakes. Overconfidence, positional bargaining, and failing to understand the opposing party’s interests undermine resolution.
• Opportunities for junior lawyers. Observing negotiation dynamics and preparing strong briefs can significantly elevate their value in practice.

The episode ultimately reframes mediation as a core litigation competency and a sophisticated discipline requiring strategic judgment and interpersonal skill.

EPISODE NOTES:

Mark’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-tweedy-kc-9172941/ 

Mark Tweedy Mediation + Arbitration: https://marktweedy.com/ 

This episode breaks down what actually determines whether law students get hired back after a summer, articling, or internship position.
Susan cuts through three persistent myths that mislead students from day one: that good work is enough, that mentorship will be structured and consistent, and that someone else is responsible for your development.
Instead, she explains how law firms really operate. Time is scarce, expectations are implicit, and the students who succeed are the ones who take ownership early. This episode gives you a practical framework for standing out in an environment that can feel unstructured and unpredictable.
If you are heading into a law firm role or trying to secure a return offer, this is essential listening.

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In this episode of Lawyer Launcher: Behind the Bar, Susan Van Dyke sits down with leadership coach and former Big Law professional Megan Mallister to unpack one of the most misunderstood success factors in law firms: emotional intelligence.

Law school teaches you how to think. It does not teach you how to navigate personalities, manage pressure, receive feedback, or build trust inside a firm.

Megan reframes “soft skills” as power skills — the capabilities that differentiate lawyers who simply survive from those who thrive.

They discuss:

• What emotional intelligence really means in a law firm environment
  
  
• Why stress is where EQ actually gets tested
  
  
• How to “manage up” and clarify expectations with partners
  
  
• The right way to receive constructive feedback
  
  
• How to create your own development plan as a summer or articling student
  
  
• Why you need an internal “board of directors” instead of just one mentor
  
  
• How to zoom out when early-career pressure feels overwhelming
  
  

If you are preparing to enter your first firm — or trying to stand out in a competitive environment — this episode offers practical tools, scripts, and mindset shifts that will serve you for your entire career.

These are not soft skills.
They are career-defining skills.

EPISODE NOTES:

Megan McAllister Consulting and Coaching: https://www.meganmcallister.ca/ 

Megan’s LinkedIn profile is https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-mcallister/ 

Starting at your first law firm can feel exciting, awkward, intimidating, and strangely high stakes, all at the same time.

In this solo episode of Lawyer Launcher, I break down what orientation is really about, what law firms are actually paying attention to in your first few days, and how law students can build trust, confidence, and credibility from day one.

This is not fluff. It is practical advice about what to do when you arrive, how to engage during orientation, what invisible mistakes to avoid, how to interact with lawyers and staff, and how to manage the discomfort of being new without disappearing into the wallpaper.

If you are a summer student, articling student, or law student about to start in a firm, this episode will help you look more prepared, feel less lost, and understand what your first week is really doing to shape your reputation.

Show notes

Episode topic:
What orientation is really about, what firms notice immediately, and how law students can make smart, practical moves in their first week.

Guest
This is a solo episode, so there are no guest links for this one.

Lawyer Launcher links
Instagram: instagram.com/lawyerlauncher
TikTok: tiktok.com/@lawyerlauncher
YouTube: youtube.com/@LawyerLauncher-BTB
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susanpvandyke

Most law students think networking means being charming, confident, and effortlessly good at small talk.

It doesn’t.

It means not knowing what to say.
It means standing in a room full of lawyers and wondering how to enter a conversation.
It means overthinking every word and then replaying it later like a bad exam answer.

And here is the problem.

The students who figure this out early build relationships … and get hired back.
The ones who avoid it stay invisible.

Susan Van Dyke breaks down what networking in a law firm actually looks like, why most students are getting it wrong and how to engage more comfortably.

This is not about being outgoing or “good with people.”
It’s about understanding how trust is built in a professional environment and how small, consistent interactions shape how lawyers see you.

Susan covers:
- how to start conversations without sounding awkward
- what to say at firm events, coffee chats, and hallway run-ins
- why listening is more powerful than talking
- how to follow up in a way that actually builds relationships
- why being quiet and invisible is not a strategy
- how to show up at firm socials without hurting your reputation

If networking makes you uncomfortable, this episode will help you stop avoiding it and start approaching it in a way that feels natural, thoughtful, and effective.

Because in a law firm, relationships are not optional.

They are how your career actually moves forward.

Lawyer Launcher links
Instagram: instagram.com/lawyerlauncher
TikTok: tiktok.com/@lawyerlauncher
YouTube: youtube.com/@LawyerLauncher-BTB
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susanpvandyke

In this episode of Lawyer Launcher, Behind the Bar, Susan speaks with Claudio Klaus, a Brazilian trained lawyer now articling in Ontario and host of Studying Law Around the World. Claudio shares what he learned from speaking with more than 75 University of Toronto Law alumni as part of the school’s 75th anniversary project, including the two themes that came up again and again: there is no single legal career path, and networking is not optional.

This conversation is especially useful for law students who are trying to figure out recruitment, articling, coffee chats, LinkedIn, international pathways, and the invisible job market. Claudio explains why credentials matter, but not as much as students think, and why communication, curiosity, generosity, and genuine relationships often create the opportunities that job boards never show you.

It is a practical, encouraging conversation for any law student feeling behind, uncertain, or discouraged about their path into the profession. Claudio’s 75 conversations project is also featured by the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, which notes that he spoke with more than 75 lawyers and found recurring advice around staying open, taking risks, building genuine relationships, and staying curious.

Show notes:
Guest: Claudio Klaus
Podcast website: https://law-learn-link.base44.app/
Podcast link: https://pod.link/1547616885
75 Lawyers, 75 Stories: https://jackmanlaw.utoronto.ca/news/75-years-75-stories
Claudio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudioklaus/

Lawyer Launcher links
Instagram: https://instagram.com/lawyerlauncher/
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@lawyerlauncher/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@LawyerLauncher-BTB/
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/susanpvandyke/

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Chapters
 01:50 Why Claudio interviewed 75 lawyers
 03:40 Two themes from 75 lawyer conversations
 06:51 The harder than expected path to being called
 08:41 Building an international legal career
 14:52 What is your legal career pathway
 19:03 Why networking and communication matter
 21:28 Coffee chats with law students
 27:35 What matters more than credentials
 30:09 Why interpersonal skills matter in law firms
 39:00 If LinkedIn was a law student
 39:35 Seeds law students can plant now
 41:08 Encouragement for discouraged law students
 42:46 The invisible legal job market
 43:56 What is next for Claudio’s podcast

How do you actually know if you’re on track to get hired back at your law firm?

The answer isn’t obvious. Firms rarely tell you directly. But they do signal it — quietly, consistently, and early.

In this episode, I walk you through the subtle signs that law students miss, including how your work is evolving, how feedback is being given, and what lawyers are really thinking when they decide who to invest in.

More importantly, I show you exactly what to do if you start seeing these signals — how to course correct, how to ask for feedback, and how to position yourself as someone lawyers want to work with again.

If you’re starting your first law firm role, this is essential listening.

Lawyer Launcher links
Instagram: https://instagram.com/lawyerlauncher/
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@lawyerlauncher/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@LawyerLauncher-BTB/
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/susanpvandyke/

--
Chapters

00:00 Introduction
01:45 Why firms don’t tell you directly
03:30 This is your career, not just a job
05:40 Sign 1: Your work isn’t evolving
08:30 How to fix it and earn better work
11:30 Sign 2: You’re not getting real feedback
14:30 How to ask for feedback properly
17:15 What to do if work is drying up
20:30 The email that gets you feedback
22:50 What lawyers are really evaluating
25:00 You’re not a top candidate — now what
27:30 How to make feedback easy for lawyers
29:10 What to say in a feedback meeting
30:00 Final thoughts

What if nobody tells you that you're not on track to get hired back?

In Part 2 of this Behind the Bar series, Susan Van Dyke explores two more invisible warning signs that law students and summer students often miss.

You may still be getting assignments. People may still be friendly. Nobody may have given you negative feedback.

But behind the scenes, partners are making decisions.

Are they coming back to you for more work?

Are they confident in your work product?

Do they trust you with their files?

Drawing on decades of experience working inside and alongside law firms, Susan explains what these signals really mean, why students often miss them, and most importantly, how to course correct before it becomes a bigger problem.

You'll learn:

• Why lawyers stop returning with additional assignments
• What repeated corrections to your work may be telling you
• How trust is built inside a law firm
• Why visibility and responsiveness matter more than you think
• Practical ways to improve your reputation immediately
• How to recover when you sense confidence is slipping

If you're a summer student, articling student, law student, or junior associate, this episode may help you spot issues early and take action before opportunities disappear.

Lawyer Launcher links:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/lawyerlauncher/
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@lawyerlauncher/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@LawyerLauncher-BTB/
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/susanpvandyke/

--
Chapters

00:05 - Introduction and Part 2 Overview
01:22 - Welcome to the Lawyer Launcher Podcast
01:57 - Mindset Shift: From a 9-to-5 to Legal Professionalism
02:51 - Support the Show: Subscribe and Share
03:24 - Understanding Subtle Signals in Law Firms
04:00 - Invisible Sign #3: Past Assigning Lawyers Aren't Coming Back to You
09:58 - How to Fix Sign #3: Re-engaging and Building a New Pipeline
12:57 - Office Visibility vs. Remote Work Strategy
15:42 - Invisible Sign #4: Misinterpreting Too Much Feedback
18:21 - How to Fix Sign #4: Managing Up and Getting Better Instructions
20:34 - Utilizing Internal Resources and Law Librarians
21:36 - Collaborating with Paralegals and Assistants
23:07 - The Final Pass: Ensuring Work Accuracy and Quality
27:38 - Summary of the 4 Invisible Signals and Final Takeaways