Lawyer Launcher - Behind the Bar

Law school teaches you the law. This podcast teaches you how to succeed inside a law firm . Lawyer Launcher – Behind the Bar is for law students and newly called lawyers who want to thrive and build confidence when they start practice. Hosted by Susan Van Dyke, a trusted advisor to law firms and a guide for new lawyers navigating their first year, this show offers an insider perspective from the other side of the hiring table. With over 30 years of experience working with law firms and their leadership teams, Susan knows exactly what firms expect from new hires—and what they rarely explain. This podcast fills that gap, with practical advice, candid conversations, and tools to help you build confidence, credibility, and competence from day one. New episodes drop every two weeks. Because landing the job is just the beginning.

Lawyer Launcher - Behind the Bar is a business podcast hosted by Susan Van Dyke, with 25 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Susan Van Dyke hosts Lawyer Launcher - Behind the Bar, a business show with 25 episodes published.

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  Lawyer Launcher - Behind the Bar

  Reframing the narrative of your professional toolkit

  Sep 24, 202642 minS26

  Your next professional connection could start with two minutes by the coffee machine. Susan Van Dyke, founder of Lawyer Launcher, joins Tanya Martinez-Gallinucci, Executive Director of the Office for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, New York City Bar Association, on Building Belonging, a podcast from the New York City Bar Association and its Office for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, to unpack networking, mentorship, and the unspoken rules of a legal career. Susan and Tanya explore how to build a community of mentors, colleagues, and future clients through curiosity, listening, and finding ways to be helpful. They discuss why networking can feel uncomfortable even for extroverts, how brief “micro moments” can lead to meaningful relationships, and what it looks like to take responsibility for your professional growth. You’ll also hear how a successful litigator worked through his anxiety about small talk with a few simple, practiced questions. Whether you’re entering law school, starting at a firm, or strengthening your professional relationships, this conversation offers practical ways to find your people and keep those connections growing. 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 to Building Belonging & ALI 01:22 Meet Susan Van Dyke 04:50 Seeing the Bigger Picture Inside a Law Firm 06:08 Trust, Leadership & Belonging 07:23 The Gap Between Law School and Practice 10:02 Why Mentorship Needs Better Communication 12:01 Taking Responsibility for Your Career 14:09 Building Your Circle of Mentors 15:20 Adjusting to Life Inside a Law Firm 16:43 Introducing Lawyer Launcher 18:24 Law Firm Economics & Career Development 19:51 Making the Unspoken Rules Explicit 20:21 When Networking Feels Uncomfortable 22:55 Bringing Curiosity to New Connections 24:40 Networking Through Helpfulness & Listening 27:01 Finding Your People 29:36 Making the Most of Micro Moments 31:58 Turning Brief Conversations Into Follow-Ups 34:23 Helping a Senior Lawyer Get Comfortable With Small Talk 36:04 Connecting Legal Pipeline Programs & Resources 39:04 Learning From Different Voices in the Profession 40:08 Building Relationships Over Time 41:19 Closing Remarks Opinions expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the New York City Bar Association.

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  Episode #25

  "That's Not Normal" The Conversation That Woke Up Pauline Chan

  Sep 10, 202659 min

  Guest: Pauline Chan, called to the bar in 2010, now leading lawyer experience for a national network of 700+ Canadian lawyers. Pauline's résumé reads like a success story: Big Law, in house, a solo practice, a fitness studio business she built with partners, and now a national leadership role. But this conversation isn't about the résumé. It's about what was happening underneath it: the 2 a.m. phone checks that spiked her heart rate before she was even fully awake, the bladder infections from refusing to leave her desk, and the afternoon she caught herself envying a colleague whose broken arm meant a month off work, thinking nothing of it. Pauline and Susan trace the moment that "normal" stopped being normal: the outside conversation (with a husband, then two mentors) that finally named what her environment couldn't see. From there, Pauline walks through the messy, non linear path to in house to founding her own studio to a fractional practice, and what she learned at each stop about the difference between hard but meaningful work and work that's just hard because something's wrong. This is a candid conversation about burnout culture in law, the myth of the "one right path," how to actually find (and use) a mentor, and why saying "I don't know, yet" might be the most powerful four words in a junior lawyer's vocabulary. If you're articling or interning, a few years in, or quietly wondering whether the grind is sustainable, this one's for you. Guest links: LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/paulinepochan/ Goodlawyer: https://www.goodlawyer.ca/ 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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  Episode #24

  What it actually takes to become a rainmaker

  Aug 27, 202645 min

  Want to stand out as a law student, articling student, or junior lawyer? Building a successful legal career takes more than becoming technically competent. It also means learning how to build relationships, develop your personal brand, navigate your law firm, and eventually generate business. In this episode of Lawyer Launcher - Behind the Bar Susan Van Dyke speaks with Kimberly Rice, author of Rainmaker Roadmap, about the habits young lawyers can start developing from day one to become future law firm rainmakers. Kimberly shares practical career advice for law students, summer students, new associates, and junior lawyers who want to accelerate their professional development and build a strong foundation for long-term success in law. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: • Understand your law firm’s governance and power structure and identify the people who influence your career • Build relationships with mentors, partners, peers, and law firm staff • Increase your visibility within your firm by volunteering, joining committees, attending events, and putting yourself in the room • Push through self-doubt and learn to ask for opportunities instead of waiting to be invited • Develop a strong personal brand as someone who is hardworking, helpful, accessible, and trustworthy • Start developing a marketing and business development mindset early in your legal career • Build an authentic professional network that can eventually lead to referrals and new clients • Understand why relationships with assistants, receptionists, marketing teams, and other professionals can have a major impact on your career • Approach client service with a “servant’s heart” by anticipating what clients need and looking for ways to genuinely help • Build the habits that can turn a new lawyer into a future rainmaker One of Kimberly’s central messages: don’t wait until you’re a senior lawyer to start thinking about networking, business development, and client relationships. The relationships and reputation you build at the beginning of your career can shape the opportunities available to you for years to come. About Kimberly Rice Kimberly is an author and accomplished business and client development professional with 25+ years of demonstrated passionate experience in strategic planning, marketing communications to spearhead growth initiatives. With decades of experience working with law firms and lawyers, Kimberly has coached and trained thousands of women professionals to navigate career obstacles, build stronger professional relationships, develop their businesses, and create more prosperous and fulfilling careers. Episode Resources Rainmaker Roadmap: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Prosperous Business https://www.amazon.ca/Rainmaker-Roadmap-Step-Step-Prosperous/dp/1942489374 If you’re a law student, articling student, intern, new associate trying to understand how law firms really work—and how to build a legal career that goes beyond simply doing good legal work—this episode is for you.

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  Episode #23

  How you and your firm make money

  Aug 13, 202639 min

  Gaining a solid understanding of law firm economics is vital for any new lawyer. Colin Cameron from Profits for Partners joins us to discuss the keys to financial literacy within the legal field, focusing on how new lawyers can navigate their careers with confidence. Understanding the Basics of Law Firm Financials: Colin emphasizes the importance of grasping fundamental economic concepts when entering a law firm. He references David Maister's five profitability levers: rates, leverage, utilization, realization, and margin. These are critical for any lawyer aiming to succeed in the business of law. Rates: Starting with rates, Colin notes that students may come in at an hourly rate of around $150. However, the effective rate—what the firm ultimately bills to clients—can be significantly lower due to write-offs. For instance, a student might bill four hours of work, but with a 50% write-off, the effective rate drops to $75 per hour. Colin advises new lawyers to focus on logging their time accurately while allowing their billing partners to handle the complexities of client invoicing. Leverage: Next, we discussed leverage, which refers to the ratio of associates to partners in a firm. A one-to-one leverage is common, but increasing leverage by hiring more associates can enhance profitability. For example, in fields like personal injury law, firms can leverage more support staff, thereby maximizing efficiency and profits. Utilization: Utilization is another critical concept, with successful associates typically aiming for 1,400 to 1,500 billable hours per year. However, many may find it challenging to reach this figure due to various factors, including the nature of the work and the learning curve for new lawyers. Colin highlights that understanding this metric is key to achieving financial success in a firm. Realization and Margin: Moving on to realization, Colin explains that it measures how much of the billed time is actually collected. A realization rate of 95% is considered excellent and is essential for profitability. Finally, margin represents the net income of the firm compared to its total revenue. With rising associate salaries, maintaining healthy margins is becoming increasingly difficult. Shifting Perspectives in Law Firms: The discussion also touches on the evolving mindset within law firms. As Colin recalls, there was a significant shift in the 90s towards viewing law firms as businesses, spurred by metrics like profit per partner and innovative billing practices. This evolution is crucial for new lawyers to understand as they embark on their careers. Colin's insights provide a roadmap for future lawyers to navigate the complex landscape of law firm economics. By mastering these financial principles, new lawyers can position themselves for success and contribute meaningfully to their firms. Understanding the business side of law is not just beneficial; it's essential for a thriving legal career. 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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  Episode #22

  Your Silence is Costing You Your Career

  Jul 30, 202624 min

  In this episode: You are allowed to ask for what you need. Even in a law firm. In this episode of Lawyer Launcher, Susan Van Dyke breaks down the real cost of staying silent as a law student or new lawyer, and why the quiet things you're tolerating right now (an uncomfortable chair, a confusing review process, an assignment with unclear instructions) may be quietly draining your performance every single day. Through two real client stories, Susan shows exactly how unmet needs affect focus, confidence, and career longevity, and gives you the mindset shift and word for word scripts to fix it. You'll learn how to tell the difference between reasonable self advocacy and entitlement, how to ask for what you need without sounding needy, and how one well timed question can end weeks of anxiety before a performance review. Nearly 60% of legal professionals report poor mental wellbeing, and more than half of lawyers surveyed have considered leaving the profession because of burnout. This episode is about closing that gap, one honest, well placed question at a time. Show details: LawCare: https://lawcare.org.uk/ American Bar Association Well-being Resources: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/lawyer_assistance/resources/links-of-interest/ 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 & Welcome to Lawyer Launcher 02:34 What If You Haven't Asked for What You Need? 03:06 Why Speaking Up Matters to Your Career 05:13 Why Law Students Stay Silent 06:45 The Hidden Cost of Unmet Needs 07:19 The Office Chair That Was Holding a Lawyer Back 09:47 When Uncertainty Creates Unnecessary Anxiety 10:43 The Power of Asking One Simple Question 12:23 The Well-Being Crisis in the Legal Profession 14:18 Common Situations Where You Need to Speak Up 15:53 The Mindset Shift: Think Like a Supervising Lawyer 17:07 Asking for What You Need Without Seeming Entitled 18:48 Three Scripts for Asking What You Need 19:33 Script #1: Asking for a Better Workspace 20:12 Script #2: Preparing for a Performance Review 20:44 Script #3: Getting Clarification on an Assignment 21:17 Four Principles for Making a Professional Ask 21:52 Your Action Step: Identify One Thing You're Tolerating 22:31 Asking Is a Sign of Self-Awareness 22:59 What Are You Waiting to Ask For? 23:28 Final Thoughts & Follow Lawyer Launcher

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