#100: What 100 Episodes Reveal About BigLaw: Career Realities, Recurring Challenges, and Industry Shifts

After over two decades in BigLaw, I've seen just how rare it is to find candid, practical conversations about what life in a large firm is really like. That's why reaching the 100-episode milestone of Big Law Life feels so significant. 

In this special episode, I step out from behind my usual role behind the microphone and reflect on the real stories, hidden challenges, and universal themes that have surfaced over the past hundred conversations. I share why I started this podcast, what continues to surprise me, which episodes unexpectedly struck a chord with lawyers across firms, and how this work has continued to expand and deepen my own appreciation BigLaw culture. 

If you've ever felt isolated in your BigLaw career or wondered whether others are grappling with the same uncertainties, this behind-the-scenes milestone episode offers clarity, validation, a preview for what comes next.

At a Glance
00:00 Why I launched Big Law Life and the gap it fills
01:20 Celebrating 100 episodes and shifting to a special interview
02:49 How my experience sparked the idea for the podcast
03:28 What practical BigLaw conversations were missing elsewhere
05:12 The unseen challenges lawyers face in firms
07:18 The most meaningful listener feedback
08:41 How many BigLAw attorneys lack mentorship and internal guidance
10:23 Themes that repeat across firms and career levels
12:57 Some of the episodes that particularly resonated with listeners(#39 & #79)
14:40 Why partnership and practice area choices carry so much uncertainty
16:25 Reactions from lawyers who find the show while seeking help
18:18 What's ahead for the next 100 episodes
19:16 Innovations from firms that have been great to spotlight on the podcast
21:19 Gratitude for listeners and the community

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify
Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law. 

For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast here! 

For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars.

Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting?

Here are ways to reach out to her:

www.lauraterrell.com 

[e-mail]  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/ 

Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast