Path to Mastery
Explore the skills modern lawyers need to achieve mastery, from nuanced communication and emotional intelligence to relationship building and AI fluency.
13-Plus Fireflies
Explore 14 powerful lessons on legal career development, professional growth, leadership, workplace success, networking, and continuous learning from an attorney with 13+ years of experience.
Wisdom for Lawyers from Ms JD’s Limitless Honorees
Celebrate the Ms. JD 2026 Limitless honorees—Desiree Ralls-Morrison, Phuong Phillips, and Sheraya Bernard—sharing inspiring career insights, resilience, and leadership lessons.
Moving to Mastery: Rethinking the Role of Memorization in Legal Education
Each fall, as midterm season rolls around, my office hours fill with anxious undergraduates asking, “Will this be on the test?” “Do we need to memorize this case name?” “What about this quote from the
Of Pool Fobs and Stress Overload
This blog post is about recognizing stress overload, the deluge, being slammed, drinking from a firehose, burnout - whatever we choose to call it—and what you can do to regain focus, clarity, and control over the deadlines and obligations you’re facing.
Prep, Minus the Pressure: A Summer Guide for Incoming Law Students
This is not the usual advice like reading for pleasure or taking time to relax (which I hope you have already embraced this summer). Instead, these are low-stakes ways to start engaging with the legal profession and begin thinking like a lawyer so you can hit the ground running in the fall without burning out before the semester begins.
The Journey Through Law School is Just the Start
Dear Friends in the Law,Wow! This is my last blog post with you. The year has flown by, and I have enjoyed our time together. Hopefully, you find some downtime this summer before starting (or continui
Becoming an Authentic and Values-Driven Legal Professional
In our series so far, Jennifer Riggs and I have shared information and research about how stress impacts the brain, mindset shifts for resilience, and ways to improve your brain health. In this last p
Latinas Uprising: Nubia Willman on Bar Success, Brand Building, and Rising into Your Own Power
Nubia Willman didn’t set out to become a digital pioneer for Latinas in law, but that’s exactly what happened when she launched Latinas Uprising in 2014. At a time when social media was still finding
The Body-Brain Connection for a Healthy Legal Career
Jennifer and I are excited to continue our series on wellness in the legal profession (if you missed our first post, feel free to catch up here)! Today, we are focusing on physical strategies for stre
Mindsets for Stress Resilience
I met Jennifer Riggs, JD, PCC, through LinkedIn when she reached out after reading one of my previous posts on Wellness in the Legal Profession. When I read through her biography, I was instantly draw
The Inner Critic: Quieting Imposter Syndrome
The content of this article is strictly editorial and personal opinion, not to be construed as medical advice. When you are the most vulnerable, I am the voice that whispers in your ear, “You will nev
Applying to Law School: Seat Deposits, Waitlists, Open Houses …. Oh My!
In the next post of the Applying to Law School series, we will focus on how to manage the post-application phase of the overall admissions process. We will discuss the critical importance of seat dep
The Ethics of Gratitude
Ethics is “the disciplined concern with what is morally good and bad and morally right and wrong” (source). Ethics are a guiding star in a legal career; you take courses related to ethics and professi
No Más! How I Finally Laid Down the Law on Setting Boundaries (and How You Can Too)
Hard-Earned LessonsYou know how life loves to keep throwing the same lesson at us until we finally get it? For me, that lesson was around setting personal boundaries and let’s just say I was a slow le
Nervous System Regulation for Professional Success
In this next post of the Wellness in the Legal Profession series, I discuss nervous system regulation for professional success. Although this may seem like an unusual topic for a blog post...
Making Networking Work for You
You may have heard the expression “your network is your net worth.” This really epitomizes the importance of networking as legal professionals. Networking is an essential fabric that you are weaving into the tapestry of your professional journey.
From Goal Ghosting to Goal Crushing: A Millennial’s Step-by-Step Plan for Creating and Achieving Your Goals
How are your goals going so far this year? If you’re crushing it, kudos to you, go-getter! But if January has felt like one big Monday and you’ve already stumbled, you’re not alone. By the second week
Applying to Law School: Can Spring Applications Be Successful?
In this post, we will discuss strategies and considerations for spring applications to law school. Keep in mind that each applicant’s timeline and journey will be unique. Use this resource to start thinking, planning, and strategizing for your best spring applications.
Tips for Succeeding in an Online Law Program
Now that I have completed my first semester at Southwestern Law’s inaugural online JD program, I’ve compiled the advice that I wish I had gotten prior to my first day.
Fundamentals of Branding
With a new year comes the opportunity to make goals, refresh priorities, and begin anew. Our topic today is professional branding and I find it to be extremely fitting. After reading this, you may want to think how YOUR brand can be introduced (or re-introduced) for 2025!
Design Your Best Year Yet: A Transformative Guide to Setting New Years Goals Your Future Self Will Thank You For
In less than two weeks, we’ll be ringing in 2025– the first quarter of the 21st century. That’s right, we’re going to be 25% into the new millennium. Are you ready to step into the new year with your
Self-Determination Theory and Well-Being in the Legal Profession
The Self-Determination Theory (SDT) is “a theory of human motivation and personality that suggests that people can become self-determined when their needs for competence, relatedness, and autonomy are fulfilled”. To feel motivated to accomplish a goal or task, humans need all three elements.
Elevating Your Elevator Pitch
Dear Friends,From my lens, I see the academic term both ramping up and settling down. Students are wrapping up classes, presentations are concluding, and winter break will be here before we know it. H
Applying to Law School: Application Check-In
In this next post in the Applying to Law School series, we focus on a unique moment in the application cycle where timelines start to diverge. Some applicants may be taking the LSAT for the first time
Career Counseling
Greetings All!Today’s topic is all about career counseling. As we round out our discussion on career exploration (personal & professional inventory, crafting a career plan, and informational interview
Introduction to Wellness in the Legal Profession
In this first of a series of posts on Wellness in the Legal Profession, you will be introduced to the concept of wellness as it applies specifically to pre-law students, law students, and attorneys. You'll also get tips to help support your well-being, now and how to develop a foundation to support your well-being in the future.
What to Expect from an Online JD Program
As more ABA-approved law programs shift to online education models, law students encounter a different type of legal education than their predecessors. Currently, there are eighteen ABA-approved fully online JD programs in the United States, and I suspect this number will increase as post-COVID Zoom-based higher education systems are becoming increasingly popular nationwide.
Informational Interviews
An informational interview is an opportunity to network and build a professional relationship by connecting directly with an individual in an area of interest to you. While not a job interview, it’s an opportunity to speak with a professional who has expertise in an arena of interest for you and to learn from their real-life experiences.
Applying to Law School: To Early Decision or Not?
Some law schools offer ED programs as an avenue to admission. ED programs are separate from the regular admission cycle and generally have different deadlines and criteria.
There's No Secret Door to Narnia
In the upcoming months, I will be chronicling my experience as a part-time online law student in an ABA-approved school. 7/1/2024 —T-minus Four WeeksOne L is notorious. It’s hell. It’s sleepless. It’s
Crafting a Career Plan of Action
Hello Colleagues! I am pleased to be back to share more advice for your journey toward a career in law. Today we’re going to talk about creating a plan of action for your career.
Applying to Law School: Elements of the Application & Tips for a Successful Application Season
In this first post of a series on the application cycle, we will break down the process and components so you can feel confident as you prepare to apply!
I almost didn’t apply to law school. Now I have a full ride.
There were endless reasons not to, after all. It’s expensive. Prohibitively so. Most law students graduate with at least 130k in debt, and I already have student loans. A lot of student loans. Plus,
Igniting Curiosity: A Legal Career is Much More Than a Job
Discover how to use your own strengths, background, interest, and motivations to find your perfect legal career.