#59 The Foundation You Don't See: A Lawyer's Inner Work

In this deeply personal episode of Lawyers Who Learn, David Schnurman, CEO of Lawline, interviews Somya Kaushik, Associate General Counsel at Mitratech, who reveals the foundation behind her diverse legal career: a lifelong practice of meditation, yoga, and self-empowerment rooted in her cultural heritage. This conversation explores the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern legal practice, showing how inner work creates outer success.

Somya opens up about her non-traditional career path from corporate litigation to founding a legal tech startup (Esq.me) to her current in-house role, but emphasizes that her professional achievements stem from decades of meditation and yoga practice inherited from her family. She explains how these practices help lawyers manage the high-pressure demands of legal work by teaching self-awareness, emotional regulation, and the ability to lead others through chaos while maintaining equanimity.

The discussion provides practical guidance for stressed legal professionals, including specific breathing techniques, the importance of being a witness to your thoughts rather than fighting them, and how movement helps release tension stored in the body. Somya shares her morning routine combining yoga's sun salutation with meditation, and recommends transformative books like "Radical Acceptance" by Tara Brach and "Autobiography of a Yogi."

As a mother of young children who works remotely, Somya demonstrates how to integrate these practices into a busy life while maintaining authenticity. She also reveals her side project authoring a children's book called "You Yes, You" through her company The Veda Club, designed to teach self-awareness concepts to young minds. This episode offers a blueprint for combining ancient practices with modern legal careers to achieve both professional success and personal wellbeing.