Andrea Bird, a founding attorney at Bird Law Group, shares her story about how she became a leader in the cannabis law field, a new and ever changing area of the law, going from Big law to starting her own practice, how she managed to have a thriving practice in the span of a few months and her pro bono cases where, changed her client’s life, and set legal precedent ensuring that she helps others in the same situation.  A lot of us go to law school wanting to help other and change the laws – Andrea managed to do that in her practice.

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

- How Andrea got started in the field of Cannabis Law and how she managed to become a leader in the field in a rather short amount of time,

- Showcasing your expertise through CLE presentations and industry related events,  

- Andrea’s pro bono case where she argued at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on behalf of Carey Avendano-Hernandez, a transgender woman from Mexico who was tortured by police and military officials, resulting in a published Ninth Circuit opinion granting relief under the Convention Against Torture.  

Resources:

Public Law Center (if you’re in Southern California)  

Contact Information:

abird@birdlg.com

Thanks for Checking Out the Show Notes and for Listening!

I really hope you enjoyed this episode. I would really appreciate it if you shared this episode with a friend who could benefit from listening to this particular episode. I wanted to thank our sponsor Court Call.  If you’re interested in making court appearances without having to physically go to court, then visit them at www.courtcall.com/genylawyer -

Also, please don’t forget to subscribe to the GWL Podcast in Apple Podcasts or in Stitcher Radio. That way, every time I prepare a new episode for you, it’ll automatically show up in your phone.

Once last thing: I would truly appreciate it if you could leave an honest review for The Gen Why Lawyer Podcast in Apple Podcasts. Positive ratings and reviews help boost the visibility of the show and help me in reaching more lawyers.

For this episode, I interviewed Zack Levine.  We had a great conversation about how he became a video game lawyer, interesting facts about video game law and the clients he works with, and his advice on becoming an expert in a new area of the law.  Zack is a partner with Wolk & Levine, LLP, a business and intellectual property law firm in Glendale, California. He is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Southwestern Law School and Glendale College of Law, where he teaches a number of classes covering video game law, contract drafting, and corporate law; he is also a regular contributor to the LA Times and the Cyberspace Lawyer. Zack's practice is focused on representing content creators and technology companies. 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

- What video game law involves,

- How Zack started practicing in video game law, who his ideal clients are and some of the most interesting issues he has encountered,

- Advice on becoming an expert on a new area of the law.

Contact Information:

You can reach Zack at his firm’s website or Facebook page at:

wolklevine.com , and

 facebook.com/wolklevine

Thanks for Checking Out the Show Notes and for Listening!

I really hope you enjoyed this episode. I would really appreciate it if you shared this episode with a friend who could benefit from listening to this particular episode.

Also, please don’t forget to subscribe to the GWL Podcast in Apple Podcasts or in Stitcher Radio. That way, every time I prepare a new episode for you, it’ll automatically show up in your phone.

Once last thing: I would truly appreciate it if you could leave an honest review for The Gen Why Lawyer Podcast in Apple Podcasts. Positive ratings and reviews help boost the visibility of the show and help me in reaching more lawyers.

Toya Gavin, Esq. is an attorney, legal consultant and founder of Legally Bold, an online coaching and consulting agency where Toya shows women how to make an impact and income with their law degree while creating a life they love. She challenges women in the law to peel back the legal label and reveal the person and professional they always wanted to be.

Before founding Legally Bold, Toya worked as a prosecutor and owned a solo practice focused on small business law. Toya loves her friends and family.  She also is obsessed with YouTube videos on natural hair, cooking and eating, any show created by Shonda Rhimes, and working out (because she cooks and eats). Find out more by visiting www.legally-bold.com and connect with Toya on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

She joins us in this episode to share her journey from working as a prosecutor, to having her solo practice and then starting a legal consulting company.   She shares her tips on learning new skills and a new practice area, and how she decided to switch gears after dealing with anxiety and depression

What you’ll learn in this Episode:

• The 5 steps to learning new skills and how to come up to speed on a new practice area
• How writing can help you figure out what you really to do in life.
• Learning when to take a break to take care of yourself and when to switch gears to best help people and be the best lawyer you can be.

Resources:

• Marie Forleo’s B School program
• The first 20 hours – how to learn Anything.. Fast - by Josh Kaufman (affiliate link)

Contact Information:

Toya Gavin Law on social media and Toya’s website: www.legally-bold.com

Thanks for Checking Out the Show Notes and for Listening!

I really hope you enjoyed this episode. I would really appreciate it if you shared this episode with a friend who could benefit from listening to this particular episode.

Also, please don’t forget to subscribe to the GWL Podcast in Apple Podcasts or in Stitcher Radio. That way, every time I prepare a new episode for you, it’ll automatically show up in your phone.

Once last thing: I would truly appreciate it if you could leave an honest review for The Gen Why Lawyer Podcast in Apple Podcasts. Positive ratings and reviews help boost the visibility of the show and help me in reaching more lawyers.

Ed Monsour is a tax attorney and a professor.  He joins us in this episode to share his journey from working at the Ohio lottery office with deferred prize winners to starting his own practice, and how teaching allowed him the travel the world.  He also shares tips on how to build an efficient practice and attract your best clients.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How using the Pareto Principle (80-20 rule), focusing and attracting your best clients can save you time and headaches and help you grow your practice.
• Paradox intention: How facing and following your fears allows you to grow and live life to the fullest.
  • a technique pioneered by Victor Frankl who wrote a book called Man's Search for Meaning.
  • For anyone unfamiliar with him or his work, Viktor Frankl was a psychologist who was a Holocaust survivor. His book is an account of his experiences while imprisoned, and the discoveries he made about human nature when we are put through such extreme and dire conditions.

• Using an anchor, be it a picture of your family on your desk or whatever is important to you, to remind yourself of your whys and to stick to your important goals.
• How there will always be changes in tax law, giving the practice area some security.

Resources:

• Man’s search for meaning by Viktor Frankl (affiliate link)
• On the shortness of life: Life is long if you know how to use it by Seneca (affiliate link)

Contact Information:

elm2669@gmail.com

Thank you to our show Sponsor CourtCall

This episode is brought to you by CourtCall, the leader in remote court appearances. Use CourtCall to more efficiently serve your clients while saving time for other important things in your life. You can schedule your appearance online 24 hours a day. Learn more about CourtCall and if it’s available in your court by visiting www.courtcall.com/genylawyer.

Thanks for Checking Out the Show Notes and for Listening!

I really hope you enjoyed this episode. I would really appreciate it if you shared this episode with a friend who could benefit from listening to this particular episode. 

Also, please don’t forget to subscribe to the GWL Podcast in Apple Podcasts or in Stitcher Radio. That way, every time I prepare a new episode for you, it’ll automatically show up in your phone.  

Once last thing: I would truly appreciate it if you could leave an honest review for The Gen Why Lawyer Podcast in Apple Podcasts. Positive ratings and reviews help boost the visibility of the show and help me in reaching more lawyers.