In this episode, Megan & Jennifer welcome Heather Stevenson, General Counsel at Red Cell Partners, whose career path proves that bold moves can pay off. From starting as a litigator at Sullivan & Cromwell to owning and running a Boston juice bar, then returning to law to lead at the Boston Globe, and now at a tech incubation firm, Heather’s journey is anything but linear. She shares how entrepreneurial lessons, marathon training, and curiosity have shaped her leadership style, why personal connections matter more than perfect client alerts, and the boundaries that help her thrive as GC. This is a conversation about resilience, reinvention, and redefining what a legal career can look like.
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In this episode, Megan & Jennifer are joined by the incomparable Roy Sexton, Chief Marketing Officer at Vedder Price, former International President of the Legal Marketing Association, and one of INvolve’s Top 100 OUTstanding LGBTQ+ Executives.
In this warm, funny, and deeply insightful conversation, Roy opens up about how he’s learned to lead without losing himself, including why he no longer ties his self-worth to professional validation, what helped him climb out of burnout, and how he approaches every CMO role with humility and curiosity. He shares the unexpected path that led him into legal marketing (spoiler: it involves penny loafers, a theater degree, and a rocking chair), his take on building true connection through content, and the power of karaoke.
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In this episode, Megan & Jennifer sit down with Khurram Naik, founder of Freshwater Counsel, to discuss the journey of moving from big law to starting a legal recruiting agency and the importance of authenticity in your career. Khurram, a former patent litigator at Goodwin and Polsinelli, shares how his deep connections and relationship-building approach have fueled his success in the legal world.
He opens up about the challenges of showing up authentically in a firm environment, how social media and LinkedIn became key to his personal brand, and the value of taking risks to build a unique narrative. Khurram also dives into how his family life and values guide his work-life balance and the importance of prioritizing well-being while managing a growing business.
This conversation touches on everything from navigating career transitions and burnout to managing the emotional aspects of legal recruiting. Whether you’re considering a career pivot, seeking to refine your personal brand, or just trying to balance it all, Khurram’s insights are bound to resonate.
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Learn more about Freshwater Counsel
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In this episode, Megan & Jen are joined by David Cross, law firm partner at Goodwin, to talk about the intersection of leadership, disability, and finding purpose in your career. With over 20 years of experience in high-stakes antitrust and civil rights cases, David shares how he transformed his perception of success and found the courage to embrace vulnerability.
David talks about the evolution of leadership, from hierarchical structures to fostering inclusive, flat teams that invest in each individual’s growth. He dives into the emotional journey of navigating his disability, learning to lead with kindness, and using his platform to advocate for others. Through his story, David offers valuable insights on creating a supportive environment in both the legal field and beyond.
This conversation explores personal and professional growth, the importance of mentorship, and why leadership is about more than just titles—it’s about the impact you make on others. Whether you're a seasoned leader, someone navigating burnout, or simply looking for a fresh perspective on success, David's story will resonate.
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Explore David's insights in the Bloomberg article, Disabled but Equal
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In this episode, Megan & Jen are joined by Aubria Ralph, award-winning lawyer, strategist, author, and founder of scrappy girl project, to talk about trauma-informed leadership, career pivots, and what it really means to stay human in high-stakes environments. With over 20 years of experience in finance law and leadership consulting, Aubria blends legal acumen with heart-first strategy to help individuals and organizations transform from the inside out.
She shares insights on managing personal and community trauma, what it takes to lead without a formal title, and why rejection isn’t always redirection. It can sometimes feel like robbery. Aubria also talks about the launch of scrappy girl project, her transition from law firm life, and how prayer, resilience, and self-awareness have shaped her journey.
This conversation dives deep into spirituality, self-leadership, and the unspoken emotional labor of being a “strong one.” Whether you're burnt out, building something new, or just looking for language for what you’ve been feeling, Aubria’s perspective will stick with you.
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Learn more about scrappy girl project
Buy Aubria Ralph’s children’s book Adventures of Boo and Chin
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In this episode, Megan and Jen are joined by Dan Barr, Chief Deputy Attorney General for the State of Arizona, to talk about public service, purpose-driven legal careers, and building trust in government institutions. Dan shares lessons from nearly four decades in private practice, representing clients like Apple and CBS, before stepping into public service to help uphold the rule of law. He opens up about the motivations behind his transition, how he mentors the next generation of lawyers, and why curiosity, good judgment, and understanding your client’s goals matter more than billable hours. The conversation also touches on the state of pro bono work, the importance of showing up with common sense in a polarized world, and how even small, everyday actions can help defend democracy and strengthen the legal profession.
Dan Barr is a longtime advocate for access to justice and a respected voice in Arizona’s legal community. Before joining the AG’s office, he spent over 37 years at Perkins Coie, where he led the pro bono program and represented the First Amendment Coalition of Arizona. Today, he continues to serve with purpose, collaborating across party lines and mentoring attorneys who are driven by more than just career success. Whether in the courtroom or online, Dan brings clarity, humility, and humor to some of the most complex challenges facing the legal field today.
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Connect with Dan Barr on LinkedIn
Learn more about the Arizona Attorney General’s Office
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In this episode, Megan & Jen are joined by Jonah Perlin, associate professor of law at Georgetown University, to chat about legal education, career development, and navigating the evolving legal industry. Jonah shares insights from his extensive experience teaching and mentoring students, as well as his reflections on the changing landscape of law firms and law schools. With a career that spans both private practice and academia, Jonah discusses the challenges and opportunities faced by Gen Z in law, the impact of the pandemic on legal education, and why career paths don’t always follow a straight line. He also shares his thoughts on teaching professional identity, diversity, and the importance of self-reflection in law and life.
Jonah Perlin is a senior fellow at the Center for Ethics and the Legal Profession at the Georgetown University Law Center. He is also the host of How I Lawyer, a top 30 careers podcast for junior lawyers, where he shares stories about what it means to practice law and how to build a successful legal career. Jonah’s work spans legal practice, education, and ethics, and he is passionate about preparing the next generation of lawyers for success in a rapidly changing profession.
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Learn more about Coston Consulting
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This episode, Megan & Jen are joined by Michael Coston, to chat about entrepreneurship, leadership, and building cultures that actually help people thrive.
Michael Coston is the founder and CEO of Coston Consulting, a firm made up of powerhouse consultants: former CMOs, DEIB leaders, and BD experts, who help organizations drive growth through people-first strategy. He’s been named to Lawdragon’s 100 Leading Legal Consultants and Strategists, honored by the National Diversity Council as one of the 100 Most Influential African American Leaders in Business, and awarded the Black Leadership Award by Profiles in Diversity Journal.
Before launching Coston Consulting, Michael served as CMO at McKool Smith for nearly a decade and led BD and marketing initiatives at multiple Am Law 100 firms. He also headed up PR for the global beauty brand Tweezerman. He holds a master’s degree in Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication and dual bachelor’s degrees in English and Black Studies from the University at Albany. He’s also certified in Fostering Inclusion and Diversity from the Yale School of Management.
Michael is a firm believer in passion as a superpower, and he’s on a mission to help leaders and organizations unlock high performance by making space for people to thrive.
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Learn more about Coston Consulting
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In this episode, Megan & Jennifer sit down with Kelly Harbour to explore what it truly means to start over and how to embrace change with confidence. They also discuss the power of leading with kindness and the lasting impact it can create.
After 10 years at Goulston & Storrs in Boston, Kelly made the jump to join Moore & Van Allen as the firm’s very first Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer in North Carolina.
Kelly is a fellow at the College of Law Practice Management and the Director of Member Engagement for the SALI (pronounced “Sally”) Alliance, a nonprofit publishing a standard taxonomy for the legal industry.
She is an accredited partner in the Smart Collaboration Accelerator, a Certified Master Coach by Legal Sales and Service Organization, Inc. (LSSO), a Legal Lean Sigma Green Belt, and she is active in the Legal Marketing Association, most recently serving as co-chair for the Northeast Region Conference. Plus, she is a parent to both a human and a dog!
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