In this episode of Lawyer Launcher: Behind the Bar, Susan Van Dyke sits down with leadership coach and former Big Law professional Megan Mallister to unpack one of the most misunderstood success factors in law firms: emotional intelligence.

Law school teaches you how to think. It does not teach you how to navigate personalities, manage pressure, receive feedback, or build trust inside a firm.

Megan reframes “soft skills” as power skills — the capabilities that differentiate lawyers who simply survive from those who thrive.

They discuss:

• What emotional intelligence really means in a law firm environment
  
  
• Why stress is where EQ actually gets tested
  
  
• How to “manage up” and clarify expectations with partners
  
  
• The right way to receive constructive feedback
  
  
• How to create your own development plan as a summer or articling student
  
  
• Why you need an internal “board of directors” instead of just one mentor
  
  
• How to zoom out when early-career pressure feels overwhelming
  
  

If you are preparing to enter your first firm — or trying to stand out in a competitive environment — this episode offers practical tools, scripts, and mindset shifts that will serve you for your entire career.

These are not soft skills.
They are career-defining skills.

EPISODE NOTES:

Megan McAllister Consulting and Coaching: https://www.meganmcallister.ca/

Megan’s LinkedIn profile is https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-mcallister/

In this episode, I’m joined by Linda Lucas—a longtime law firm and professional services executive and now a sought-after leadership coach and trainer. With 25+ years of strategic, operational, and financial leadership experience, Linda shares practical insights every law student, summer/articling student, and new lawyer needs to hear.

Her core message: leadership starts on day one, not when you get a title.

What you’ll learn (and why it matters early in your career):

• How to be a leader at any level
Small daily habits build your long-term reputation and influence.

• Why “thinking like an owner” sets you apart
Students who take responsibility for their work get noticed—fast.

• The behaviours that build trust
Integrity, accountability, follow-through, honesty, courage, and truly listening. These skills make colleagues want you on their team.

• EQ as the #1 skill in legal workplaces
It’s learnable, and it’s what differentiates good junior lawyers from exceptional ones.

• What to ask yourself before starting your career
Identify your values, imagine your future, and choose firms aligned with both.

• How to stand out in applications and early roles
Be authentic, stay curious, and apply what you learn.

• How to avoid common pitfalls in law firms
Understand firm culture, get clarity on expectations, record all your time, and protect your well-being.

• Why mentors and coaches matter—even early on
The most successful professionals invest in their growth.

Listen now and start building the leadership habits your future self will thank you for.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Lawyer Launcher for more episodes that help you thrive in the legal profession.

Episode notes:

Lead Vantage: www.leadvantage.ca

Linda Lucas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucaslinda/

In this episode of Lawyer Launcher, mediator Mark Tweedy, K.C, discusses the rapid growth of mediation across Canada and the U.S., particularly since 2020, and why it has become central to modern dispute resolution.

He explains that mediation is no longer a last-minute procedural step before trial—it is increasingly a strategic inflection point in litigation. Court backlogs, cost pressures, and client expectations have pushed lawyers to pursue resolution earlier and more deliberately.

Key themes include:

• Mediation as strategy, not compromise. Effective lawyers use mediation to shape risk, manage psychology, and test leverage—not simply “split the difference.”
• The psychology of settlement. Ego, perception of fairness, and emotional drivers often matter more than pure legal strength.
• What makes a strong mediation advocate. Preparation, credible risk analysis, and disciplined communication outperform theatrics.
• Common lawyer mistakes. Overconfidence, positional bargaining, and failing to understand the opposing party’s interests undermine resolution.
• Opportunities for junior lawyers. Observing negotiation dynamics and preparing strong briefs can significantly elevate their value in practice.

The episode ultimately reframes mediation as a core litigation competency and a sophisticated discipline requiring strategic judgment and interpersonal skill.

EPISODE NOTES:

Mark’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-tweedy-kc-9172941/

Mark Tweedy Mediation + Arbitration: https://marktweedy.com/

How do you actually know if you’re on track to get hired back at your law firm?

The answer isn’t obvious. Firms rarely tell you directly. But they do signal it — quietly, consistently, and early.

In this episode, I walk you through the subtle signs that law students miss, including how your work is evolving, how feedback is being given, and what lawyers are really thinking when they decide who to invest in.

More importantly, I show you exactly what to do if you start seeing these signals — how to course correct, how to ask for feedback, and how to position yourself as someone lawyers want to work with again.

If you’re starting your first law firm role, this is essential listening.

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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Chapters

00:00 Introduction
01:45 Why firms don’t tell you directly
03:30 This is your career, not just a job
05:40 Sign 1: Your work isn’t evolving
08:30 How to fix it and earn better work
11:30 Sign 2: You’re not getting real feedback
14:30 How to ask for feedback properly
17:15 What to do if work is drying up
20:30 The email that gets you feedback
22:50 What lawyers are really evaluating
25:00 You’re not a top candidate — now what
27:30 How to make feedback easy for lawyers
29:10 What to say in a feedback meeting
30:00 Final thoughts

Colin Cameron, CPA, CA, takes us through the basics of law firm compensation and profitability and why it's important for law students and new lawyers to understand how billing rates and recording time tie into profits. We discuss the evolution of the business of law, the emergence of law firm business professionals, and how new lawyers can learn from them.

Colin Cameron is the founder of Profits for Partners, Management Consulting Inc. Colin has been advising professional service firms for more than 35 years and in his previous role as COO, he led his firm to become one of the most profitable firms in British Columbia.

He is a management consultant and advises law firms in the following key areas related to profitability: Profitability improvement, strategic planning, firm governance, partner compensation, financial management and operations management.

Episode notes:

Colin's blog: www.lawprofitability.com
Profits for Partners: https://www.profitsforpartners.com/
Author David Maister: https://davidmaister.com/books.mtpsf/

Bena Stock spent over 24 years as a litigator before turning her talents to counselling others. In this episode she draws upon her personal experience, sharing tools that new and aspiring lawyers can use to quiet anxiety, grow confidence, and build a happier and more successful practice. She also addresses common career saboteurs such as imposter syndrome, perfectionism (yes, it's a problem), and the paralysis resulting from fear of failure. You will also learn the significance of "cow paths" - curious? Tune in to find out!

Episode Notes:

- Bena Stock Counselling & Consulting: https://www.benastock.com/

- The Power of Believing That You Can Improve: https://www.ted.com/talks/carol_dweck_the_power_of_believing_that_you_can_improve

- Fake it Till You Make It: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVmMeMcGc0Y

- VIA Character Strengths Survey: https://www.viacharacter.org/

- Change Your Mindset, Change the Game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tqq66zwa7g

- How to Make Stress Your Friend: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcGyVTAoXEU

Welcome back to Lawyer Launcher: Behind the Bar. This week, we are doing something a little different. I recently had the lovely opportunity to be a guest on Claudio Klaus's podcast, Studying Law Around the World. We had such a wonderful conversation about the realities of the legal industry that I wanted to share the episode directly with all of you right here on the channel.

During our chat, I shared some of my experiences and observations from my 30 years in law firm management and recruitment. We talked about how law firms truly operate as businesses, some common misunderstandings students have when they first enter the field, and how we can all better navigate the generational gaps we are seeing in the office today. We also touched on the practical, everyday qualities that often help students secure a hire-back. I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation as much as I enjoyed having it! My thanks to Claudio for hosting me on his popular podcast Studying Law Around the World!

Featured Guest: Claudio Klaus, host of the Studying Law Around the World podcast

Guest Links:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudyingLawAroundTheWorld/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claudioklausjr/
Website: https://law-learn-link.base44.app/

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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Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast Collaboration
00:46 Claudio Klaus Welcomes Susan Van Dyke
02:04 Susan Van Dyke 30 Year Career Journey
06:58 What Law Students Misunderstand About Law Firms
10:28 Navigating the Generational Gap in Big Law
13:05 Hiring Secrets Who Gets Hired Back
18:46 Recruitment Secrets and Warm Networking Tips
22:30 Where to Connect with Lawyer Launcher Online
24:22 Three Rules for a Sustainable Legal Career

This episode breaks down what actually determines whether law students get hired back after a summer, articling, or internship position.
Susan cuts through three persistent myths that mislead students from day one: that good work is enough, that mentorship will be structured and consistent, and that someone else is responsible for your development.
Instead, she explains how law firms really operate. Time is scarce, expectations are implicit, and the students who succeed are the ones who take ownership early. This episode gives you a practical framework for standing out in an environment that can feel unstructured and unpredictable.
If you are heading into a law firm role or trying to secure a return offer, this is essential listening.

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