The Partner Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Heinan Landa is the Founder and CEO of Optimal Networks, Inc., a globally-ranked IT services firm. After earning his B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University, Heinan went on to receive his MBA from The Wharton School of Business. Featured in Legal Management, Legal Times, Chief Executive, Inc. Magazine, Forbes, CIO, and with regular appearances on WJLA-TV, WTTG-TV, and WUSA9, Heinan is a trusted leader in the legal, technology, and business spaces. Heinan has been providing IT services to law firm for nearly three decades and is the author of “The Modern Law Firm: How to Thrive in an Era of Rapid Technological Change". For more, www.optimalnetworks.com, 240-499-7900, or hlanda@optimalnetworks.com. https://www.modernlawfirmbook.com/ https://www.optimalnetworks.com/workfromhome/

Heidi K. Brown is a graduate of The University of Virginia School of Law, a law professor at Brooklyn Law School, and a former litigator in the construction industry. Having struggled with anxiety and fear as a law student, attorney, and new law professor, she finally untangled her fears, embracing authenticity as a powerful asset in teaching and practicing law. She is the author of Untangling Fear in Lawyering: A Four-Step Journey Toward Powerful Advocacy (ABA 2019), The Introverted Lawyer: A Seven-Step Journey Toward Authentically Empowered Advocacy (ABA 2017), and a two-volume legal writing book series entitled The Mindful Legal Writer. Heidi champions the importance of openly discussing anxieties and fears in lawyering, and helping quiet and anxious law students and lawyers become profoundly effective advocates, in their authentic voices. Her website is www.theintrovertedlawyer.com, and she loves to hear from readers on Instagram @introvertedlawyer and Twitter @introvertlawyer. Contact Information: Heidi.Brown@brooklaw.edu or heidi@theintrovertedlawyer.com Here is the link to Heidi's new book: https://www.americanbar.org/products/inv/book/358687385/

Sarah Tetlow is the founder of Firm Focus which focuses on productivity consulting for attorneys and other legal professionals. She uses her past experiences, organizational and strategic thought process, education, and training to help law firms increase their bottom line and operate more efficiently. More importantly, attorneys see a reduction in stress and anxiety and an increase in focus and new business. Sarah began her career in law in the early 2000's after graduating from UC Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Law & Society. Sarah has experienced first-hand the stresses that attorneys endure in trying to manage multiple projects. They also have the daily necessity to react to more pressing needs in matter of minutes, causing frequent mind-shifting and multi-tasking. Sarah's mission, and the reason for starting Firm Focus, is the desire to see a change in the industry. To help attorneys and other legal professionals experience control over their day and mitigate the poor habits caused by the workload. Sarah is a member of the Legal Marketing Association (LMA), serving on the Local Steering Committee as Secretary (2018-2019) and co-chair of the Programs Committee (2019). Additionally, Sarah is a member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO), and the local chapter of NAPO-SFBA. Sarah has a Workplace Productivity Specialist Certificate from NAPO. https://www.firm-focus.com/ https://www.firm-focus.com/resources  

David Smith, PhD, is the co-author of Athena Rising: How and Why Men Should Mentor Women and Associate Professor of Sociology in the National Security Affairs Department at the United States Naval War College. A former Navy pilot, Dr. Smith led diverse organizations of women and men culminating in command of a squadron in combat and flew more than 3,000 hours over 30 years including combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan As a sociologist trained in military sociology and social psychology, he focuses his research in gender, work, and family issues including gender bias in performance evaluations, dual career families, military families, women in the military, and retention of women. Dr. Smith is the author of numerous journal articles and book chapters - many on the topic of gender and the workplace. Learn more about David at his website: https://www.davidgsmithphd.com https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1633699455/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1      

Amy Verhulst is a business development and marketing professional with over 19 years of experience in the legal and professional services industries. Amy founded and leads the marketing and business Development department at Coats Rose, P.C., a 75-attorney law firm based in Houston, Texas with six offices in Texas, Louisiana and Ohio. She is responsible for all business development, marketing and communications initiatives for the firm including growth strategies to drive revenue, leadership development, brand awareness, content management and public relations. Amy has a passion for professional, peer-to-peer organizations, and currently serves as President-Elect of the Legal Marketing Association (LMA) Southwest Region. She has served in several leadership roles within the LMA organization throughout her career, including Chair of the 2019 LMA Southwest Region Conference, Co-Chair of the LMA Membership Engagement Committee, Director-at-Large-Communications for the Southwest Region and former Texas Chapter, and as Local Leader for both the Austin and San Antonio Local Steering Committees. Additionally, Amy has served in leadership roles with Entrepreneurs' Organization (Austin Chapter), the Livestrong Foundation, and Leadership Austin. Amy earned her B.A. in Mass Communications - Advertising from Texas State University. https://www.coatrose.com Email Amy - AVerhulst@coatrose.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/amypaytonverhulst/              

David Smith, PhD, is the co-author of Athena Rising: How and Why Men Should Mentor Women and Associate Professor of Sociology in the National Security Affairs Department at the United States Naval War College. A former Navy pilot, Dr. Smith led diverse organizations of women and men culminating in command of a squadron in combat and flew more than 3,000 hours over 30 years including combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a sociologist trained in military sociology and social psychology, he focuses his research in gender, work, and family issues including gender bias in performance evaluations, dual career families, military families, women in the military, and retention of women. Dr. Smith is the author of numerous journal articles and book chapters - many on the topic of gender and the workplace.  Learn more about David at his website: https://www.davidgsmithphd.com https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1633699455/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1  

Silvia is a co-founding Principal of LawVision Group. A sought-after speaker and recognized leader in law firm business strategy, Silvia assists firms with strategic business planning, key client retention and growth strategies, client service strategies, and leadership and organizational culture. She is an Adjunct Faculty member at George Washington University where she teaches in the Masters in Law Firm Management program. Silvia is the co-author of The Woman Lawyer's Rainmaking Game, published by West, and co-author of From Key Clients to Strategic Account Management and Rainmaking Advantage. She is the co-founder and active board member of the Legal Sales and Service Organization. She is a former elected President of the Legal Marketing Association and is an elected Fellow of the College of Law Practice Management. https://lawvision.com  

Mark Beese is President of Leadership for Lawyers, a consultancy focused on helping lawyers and business professionals become better leaders. He provides training, coaching and consulting to lawyers and executives in the areas of leadership, innovation, management and business development. He is a frequent speaker and workshop facilitator in the areas of leadership development, design thinking and innovation for law firms and legal departments. Mark is an adjunct faculty at the University of Denver Sturm School of Law and former adjunct faculty at the Center for Creative Leadership. He is a Fellow of the College of Law Practice Management and an inductee in the Legal Marketing Association Hall of Fame for lifetime achievement.  https://leadershipforlawyers.com/ https://designthinkinglegal.com/ https://leadership.lawyer/                

After 20 years of successfully litigating and developing and coaching talent in corporate America and law firms, Sheila Murphy is pursuing her passion for helping others reach their full potential. Leading with passion and purpose, Sheila is CEO and President of Focus Forward LLC and Chief Learning & Talent Officer of WOMN LLC, which are focused on having individuals and businesses achieve their career and business goals. Sheila also continues to support the financial industry in her role as an expert and consultant at Bates Group.  In 2018, Sheila retired as Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel at MetLife where she provided litigation, regulatory and risk mitigation advice. As a well-respected thought leader, Sheila served as an executive sponsor to MetLife’s U.S. Women’s Business Network, co-chaired the Legal Affair’s Academy providing developmental opportunities to legal and compliance professionals worldwide and served as a member of its U.S. Task Force on diversity.  Prior to joining MetLife, Sheila was at the law firm of Thacher Proffitt & Wood.  Sheila is a member of the Boards of Directors of National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL) and PowerPlay, NYC, an organization that engages and educates underserved girls with a focus on sports. Sheila serves on the advisory board of Transforming Women's Leadership in Law and co-chairs the CARE’s Women’s Network of New York, which works on eradicating poverty through empowering women and girls. Previously, she was a member of the Board for Read Alliance. Corporate Counsel and Inside Counsel recognized Sheila for her commitment to advancing the empowerment of women in law with their Women, Influence, Power in Law Life Time Achievement Award for Inhouse Counsel. Women’s Venture Fund awarded her the highest Leaf Award in recognition of her commitment to helping others advance in their careers. Sheila was named a Most Influential Irish Woman by the Irish Voice, a Leading Women Lawyer in NYC by Crain's New York, and a Business 100 honoree by Irish America. She also has received the Benchmark Litigation In-house Award at the Americas Women in Business Awards, the Virginia S. Mueller Outstanding Member Award from NAWL and a First Chair award for hard work, innovation and significant contributions to the legal community.  Sheila is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where she served on the Comparative Labor Law Journal and the School of Management at the State University of New York at Binghamton where she graduated magna cum laude. Sheila is a frequent speaker on litigation and regulatory issues, talent, and business development, leadership and diversity.  https://focus-forward-consulting.com/  

Deborah McMurray is founder, CEO and Strategy Architect of Content Pilot LLC, a strategy, design, content and technology company. A former law firm CMO, Deborah and her team represent the largest global law firms, regional powerhouses and high performing local boutiques in the design and launch of websites and proposal centers, experience databases and other marketing technology tools. Content Pilot is also hired to overhaul content strategies and work with firms and practice/industry teams on strategic positioning/branding initiatives. In 2008, she was inducted into the Legal Marketing Association’s Hall of Fame, and in 2007, was elected as a Fellow in the College of Law Practice Management. In 2013, she was on the inaugural list of National Law Journal’s “2013 Top 50 Legal Business Trailblazers & Pioneers.” Deborah is the co-author of four ABA books, with her latest released in 2017: “The Lawyer’s Guide to Marketing on the Internet, 4th edition.” Read her Law Firm 4.0 Blog and follow her on Twitter at @ContentPilot. https://www.contentpilot.com/ https://www.contentpilot.com/subscribe/ https://lawfirm4-0.typepad.com/law_firm_40_blog/