Episode 26: Building a Family Law Practice - Insights from Max T. Stephenson

Are you a family law attorney or want to learn more about family law as a practice area? In this episode of the Bottom Up Podcast, produced by the State Bar of Wisconsin, attorney Max T. Stephenson describes his experiences as a family law attorney with Gimbel Reilly Guerin & Brown LLP for more than a decade.

Starting as a new lawyer with no family law experience, Stephenson discusses his 12-year career path and provides insights on building and growing a successful family law practice.

Host Kristen Hardy and guest host Joe Forward engage with Stephenson on the emotional complexities of family law, the importance of maintaining professionalism, and the skills necessary for young lawyers to succeed in this challenging field. 

Max shares insights from his career, including the impact of the pandemic on legal practice, the significance of mentorship, and the evolving landscape of prenuptial agreements. The conversation also touches on the threats he has faced, but also the heartwarming aspects of family law, such as adoption proceedings. Overall, the episode provides valuable advice for young lawyers and law students navigating their careers in family law.

Chapters

00:00  Introduction to Family Law and the Podcast

01:12  Max T. Stevenson: Background and Career Path

04:11  Navigating the Emotional Landscape of Family Law

07:12  Learning to Manage Stress in Family Law Practice

10:19  Handling Non-Legal Issues in Family Law

11:35  Dealing with Threats and Safety in Family Law

14:08  Essential Skills for Young Family Lawyers

16:41  Civility and Networking in Family Law

17:20  Advice for Law Students and Young Lawyers

19:54  The Anatomy of a Divorce Case

22:37  Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

26:27  Pro Se Litigants in Family Law

29:18  Heartwarming Adoption Cases

32:18  The Stress of Adoption Proceedings

35:24  Finding Light After Divorce

.css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}