Today we meet Greg Diskant, a Senior Litigator at Patterson Belknap and former Chair of the firm. In this special episode, Greg is interviewed by City Bar President Muhammad Faridi, a Patterson colleague. They discuss key moments from Diskant's illustrious career, including his clerkship with Justice Thurgood Marshall and Judge Skelly Wright, his experiences as an assistant U.S. attorney, and his successful trial work in private practice. The conversation delves into leadership at the highest firm levels, handling the pressure of significant cases, and the joys of the intellectual demands that come with patent litigation. Greg also shares his experience co-authoring a recent, major City Bar report calling on Congress to pass a mandatory and enforceable code of ethics for the U.S. Supreme Court.  Read the report: The Supreme Court Needs a Mandatory and Enforceable Code of Ethics (https://www.nycbar.org/reports/the-supreme-court-needs-a-mandatory-and-enforceable-code-of-ethics/) Join a diverse network of over 23,000 colleagues—in private practice, public service, the judiciary, government, academia, in-house, and law school—who share membership and expand your personal and professional horizon. By becoming a member today, you help shape the future of the profession as a critical link in one of its most influential organizations: https://www.nycbar.org/member-committee-career-services/membership/  00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 02:25 Greg Diskant's Early Career and Influences 12:19 Insights into Trial Work 18:34 High-Profile Cases and Public Interest Litigation 26:09 Balancing Professional and Personal Life 32:08 Law Firm Leadership and Mentorship 36:53 Client Relations and Bet-the-Company Lawsuits 40:07 Pro Bono Work and Democracy Issues 42:38 Supreme Court Ethics and Reform 52:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Today we meet Muhammad Faridi. He is President of the New York City Bar Association, a Partner at Patterson Belknap who has scored billions and numerous wins for his commercial litigation clients, and the Independent Civilian Representative for New York City’s Handschu Committee. Muhammad told us his story of finding success in the law while staying true to the principles of justice that motivated him to enter the profession. As Muhammad put it, there is nothing “fundamentally inconsistent in maintaining a robust private practice and a pro bono practice. And in some ways the two practices complement one another.” He balances obligations to his family and his Muslim community with the many overlapping obligations of his professional life – no easy feat for someone who achieves so much. Tune in for a special discussion of the work of the New York City Bar Association, the perspective of one of the legal profession’s leaders on AI’s entry into legal practice, and stories from a great legal career. Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/4h7J7z9 Join a diverse network of over 23,000 colleagues—in private practice, public service, the judiciary, government, academia, in-house, and law school—who share membership and expand your personal and professional horizon. By becoming a member today, you help shape the future of the profession as a critical link in one of its most influential organizations: https://www.nycbar.org/member-committee-career-services/membership/ 01:15 Muhammad Faridi's Journey to the Law 04:09 Balancing Presidency and Legal Practice 16:09 Commitment to Pro Bono Work 21:23 Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession 26:53 The Art of Legal Writing 33:47 Impact of AI on Legal Services 37:33 Clerking for Judge Jack B. Weinstein 41:56 Role as Independent Civilian Representative 47:55 AI and the Future of Law 52:34 Conclusion and Farewell

Today we meet Rudhir Krishtel, an executive coach who leads Krishtel, a consultancy that focuses on providing spaces to have meaningful dialogue and growth around wellbeing, DEI, leadership and business. Rudhir spent 15 years in patent law, five as Senior Patent Counsel at Apple, before starting his business. In conversation with Greg, he explained how he structures his day, lives by his values, and inspires his clients. Rudhir weighed in about generational workplace communication gaps, the importance of in-person networking, and the value of understanding neurodiversity in the legal industry. Rudhir also provides practical advice on leadership development, navigating career transitions gracefully, and the critical role of mindfulness and emotional self-regulation in professional growth. Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/4e9L0JC 00:00 Introduction to This Lawyer's Life Podcast 00:19 Meet Rudhir Krishtel: From Patent Law to Career Coaching 00:49 A Day in the Life of Rudhir Krishtel 02:45 The Power of Optimism in Coaching 05:44 Challenges and Opportunities for Gen Z in the Workplace 08:55 The Importance of Relationships and Communication 13:22 Understanding Neurodiversity in the Legal Profession 18:14 Navigating Career Transitions Gracefully 21:19 Mastering Business Development 24:29 The Power of Self-Value in Legal Practice 25:21 Setting Clear Goals for Success 25:46 Building Relationships: One-on-One and One-to-Many 26:48 Overcoming Coaching Challenges 30:06 The Unique Nature of Lawyers 32:00 Mindfulness and Emotional Self-Regulation 38:51 Trends in Feedback and Leadership 44:11 Embracing the AI Revolution

Today we meet Chaula Shukla, Manager of Legal Recruiting and Learning & Development at Sullivan & Cromwell. Chaula possesses a wealth of knowledge about navigating a legal career and creating opportunities for growth. Not only is she a Big Law professional development pro, but her career has taken her through many twists and turns of her own devising, from social work to public interest law to law school advising even before bringing her talents to Big Law. Chaula and Greg talked about building a supportive professional ecosystem filled with true friends. They investigated the narrow line between charismatic confidence and cringey self-sales. This is also one of our most emotional episodes because Chaula was so honest and open about her experience of loss and her ability to bring that part of herself to work. Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/3SeuPC3 00:51 Chaula Shukla's Career Journey 02:14 Transitioning from Social Work to Law 03:10 Experiences in Law School and Public Interest Law 04:06 Shifting to Career Development and Mentorship 07:45 Building Confidence on the Interview Circuit 13:27 How to Know When It’s Time for a Change 27:19 Professional Friends 33:36 Career Advancement and Management Committee of the City Bar 37:10 Sibling Loss and Opening Up in Work Spaces 44:09 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 47:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Today we meet Whytne Brooks, Vice President of the Office of Governmental Affairs at New York Life Insurance Company. Whytne shares her journey from a small town in Maryland to becoming a litigator and then a lobbyist, emphasizing the vital role that mentorship and sponsorship played in opening up avenues for her career. Whytne’s story is one of capitalizing on unconventional opportunities and her soft-skill superpowers. She discusses the effects of COVID-19 on her career, how she navigates bias in the profession, and how she has risen through the ranks of the City Bar into its leadership on the Board of Directors. Additionally, Whytne offers personal insights into her routine, values, and passions, including her vegan lifestyle and love for Formula One racing. Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/3UZUGy5 Want to dive deeper into the mindset of successful in-house lawyers? Join us at our upcoming City Bar CLE Program: Current Ethical Issues for In-House Counsel & Those Who Advise Them (https://bit.ly/4bXVXwG) on June 18. (This program will be available on-demand thereafter.) Use this link (https://www.nycbar.org/events/) to find all of the most up-to-date information about our upcoming programs and events.  Episode Outline: 00:00 Introduction to This Lawyer's Life 00:20 Meet Whytne Brooks 00:53 Journey into Policy Work 03:45 The Role of Mentorship 06:12 Navigating Career Challenges 11:03 Current Work and Challenges 12:34 Differences Between Lawyers in NY and DC 15:31 Soft Skills and Relationship Building 19:57 Impact of COVID-19 22:56 Involvement with the City Bar 26:45 Future of the Legal Profession 29:23 Personal Insights and Reflections 37:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Today we meet Erin Gleason Alvarez, a mediator and special master practicing for over 20 years. Erin broke the mold with her path into the mediation world, which is populated largely by former members of the bench or former partners of large firms. Erin’s practice is a success because she works hard to keep her name top-of-mind with potential clients. And she is skilled at the emotional regulation and empathy that are a core part of the mediator’s toolkit. Erin shared stories from the negotiating table as well as from her time teaching mediation at the Elizabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, all on this episode of This Lawyer’s Life. Tune in to learn more about: • How Erin builds trust and employs empathy in her mediation practice. • How Erin found community and tapped into thought leadership at the City Bar. • How Erin approaches teaching mediation, and how she has learned from her students. Want to launch your ADR Career and enhance your mediation skills? Join us at our upcoming City Bar CLE Programs: Adding Mediation to Your Career on May 21 (https://bit.ly/4aKtqKL), and 28-Hour Basic Mediation Training beginning July 15 (https://bit.ly/3UfjcuK). Click here to find all of the most up-to-date information about our upcoming programs and events: https://www.nycbar.org/events/ Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/3Ufb2Ti

Today we meet Joe Wardenski, a civil rights attorney with a special focus on trans students’ rights and LGBTQ equity. Joe spent years as a DOJ trial attorney and told us stories about his work there on several landmark cases seeking justice for trans youth at school. He is now a solo practitioner. After three years in practice, Joe has notched some big wins, but he is still learning how to find the right cases to take and how to build a team that fits the core mission of his business. He got into all of that and more on this episode of This Lawyer’s Life. Tune in to hear more about: • How Joe balances the pursuit of restorative justice in the form of laws and policies changed with the pursuit of monetary damages that make his clients whole and help his firm stay afloat • How Joe supports his practice by building consulting and co-counsel relationships with nonprofits and other litigating organizations • How Joe’s approach to mentorship grows colleagues for his practice right at home • What Joe foresees in the next ten years of the battle for civil rights in the U.S. Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/3I3qn3q

In this episode of This Lawyer's Life we meet Karla Johnson, a Senior Staff Attorney at Mobilization for Justice. Karla started at MFJ ten years ago as a volunteer while completing a dual degree in law and public health. She gives us a day in the life of a public interest attorney as well as the long-term goals that she brings to the work. Karla talked about some of the human skills that she deploys in her delicate, family law work – empathy, listening, compassion – and how they make her more impactful. Karla has plenty of insight to share about steering herself towards opportunity – e.g. a Shriver Center for Racial Justice fellowship – and about being an effective mid-career leader. Tune in to hear more about: • A day in the life of a public interest lawyer • Some of Karla’s most profound successes and challenges working in family law and impact litigation • How Karla balances decisions about what is best for winning her cases with decisions about what is best for her clients as human beings • How a seasoned public interest attorney builds DEI principles into her work and remains open to learning about new viewpoints in the DEI space Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/3Hr8NGk

Celeste Koeleveld is a Partner at Clifford Chance following 25 years of experience and a raft of impressive federal, state and local government titles: Chief of the Criminal Division, Chief Appellate Attorney, and Chief of General Crimes at SDNY; Deputy Superintendent and Special Counsel in the New York State Department of Financial Services; Executive Assistant Corporation Counsel for New York City. Celeste shared a wealth of professional insight about growing into managerial roles, from giving and receiving difficult feedback to recovering from mistakes and delivering on a tight budget. She also got personal with This Lawyer’s Life about her journey, how the lawyer she became does not resemble the lawyers she grew up watching on TV, and her time as an Adjunct at Columbia Law School. Celeste also delves into a variety of topical issues such as the impact of AI on the legal profession, livestreaming of court proceedings, and the role of the legal profession in upholding the rule of law. Tune in to hear more about: • How Celeste climbed the ladder at SDNY from line prosecutor to Chief of the Criminal Division • How to gain managerial skills along the path from managing just yourself to managing a small team to managing hundreds of attorneys • How to give difficult feedback and communicate to those around you that you are open to feedback • How is AI going to impact the legal profession? And what responsibilities do lawyers have in upholding the rule of law today? Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/3TeuZe7

Joam Alisme is the Founder and Managing Partner of Alisme Law, a small law firm focused on representing small businesses in litigation matters. Joam shared his professional story from Air Force to New York State Courts, to Everytown for Gun Safety, to law-firm owner. He’s a practitioner with a strong vision of firm culture and growth as he builds his business from the ground up. Tune in to learn more about: • How Joam’s career led him to start his own law firm • How Joam learned to set himself up for success in solo practice • How Joam builds his business with diversity, equity and inclusion as core values • How Joam builds and maintains a professional network to support him and his business • How Joam chooses clients and manages his relationships with clients for mutual success • How Joam's involvement with the City Bar's Small Law Firm Committee nurtured his career Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bityl.co/M6DA

Gregory Binstock, City Bar Director of Professional Development, is joined by Maia Goodell, a Partner at Vladeck, Raskin & Clark and a civil rights lawyer for people facing employment or disability discrimination. Maia talked about spending her career in pursuit of opportunities to defend equity, and about her experiences litigating against the likes of the MTA, Yale University and Washington, D.C. Tune in to learn more about: • Maia’s path from U.S. Navy Officer to civil rights advocate • How Maia’s belief in equality and human dignity aligns with her own spiritual practice • How a civil rights litigator navigates the sharing of big wins and disappointing losses with her clients, and how she navigates relationships with co-counsel • Maia’s insight about the litigation mindset and how she builds litigation teams Click here for a transcript of this episode: https://bityl.co/LMSe

Tracey took us on a deep dive into her experience mentoring young lawyers and cultivating mentors of her own, sharing how she has navigated through a thirty-year career in Big Law, in-house practice, and as an AUSA. Tune in to learn more about: • How mentors shaped and influenced Tracey’s career • How to build and maintain a “Board of Directors” of mentors for your career • How Tracey nurtures new talent and invests in her mentees’ success and how the work of mentorship has shifted post-COVID • Tracey’s journey through corporate, government, and in-house law • How to master networking and make the jump from workaday lawyer to rainmaker

A professional development podcast where we talk with lawyers about seizing opportunities, learning lessons the hard way, and about what makes them tick. Gregory Binstock, City Bar Director of Professional Development, sits down with Ellen Holloman, a Partner in Cadwalader’s Global Litigation Group. Tune in to learn more about: • How learning flows both ways in Ellen’s mentor/mentee relationship • How leaders should approach lessons in DEI that come from a new generation of attorneys who are at the bottom of the firm hierarchy • How Ellen has navigated unsupportive encounters while seeking supportive spaces • How DEI contributes to winning litigation • How Ellen makes pro bono and service core elements of her career