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Employment law is serious business, but does it have to be? Not according to Leah Stiegler, who elementary school teachers advised "needs self-control" and was warned early in her legal career to stop being the "class clown."

Don't get her wrong. Leah appreciates the gravity of many workplace issues and disputes, and she's at the top of her game representing employers in discrimination, harassment, wage and hour, and compliance matters. But she's discovered the power of humor and storytelling helps people retain information—especially when dealing with sensitive topics. Unconventional? Perhaps. Effective? Definitely.

Join us as this self-proclaimed insubordinate attorney shares her journey from environmental activism to employment law, why she thinks employees and managers are worthy of second chances, and how being curious about clients' real problems—not just their legal questions—can transform workplace cultures and keep people out of trouble.

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Lawyers are often known for their disciplined approaches to learning the facts of a case, applying the rule of law, and doggedly pursuing outcomes for clients. Accomplished musicians share a similar disciplined and meticulous approach to their crafts. And you might be surprised to learn how many attorneys have hidden musical talents.

Attorney Gary Greene was raised in a musical family and mentored by an uncle who founded and led the Jr. Philharmonic Orchestra of California. An accomplished violinist and concert master, Gary first pursued a career in politics after law school before settling into a solo legal practice he’s maintained for 50 years. But he never abandoned music.

In this episode, you’ll hear how Gary launched the L.A. Lawyers Philharmonic with a roster of judges and attorneys who also have serious musical chops. They have also added a Legal Voices chorus and Gary Greene, Esq. and His Big Band of Barristers. These volunteer groups practice weekly and have performed in prestigious venues, often benefiting charitable causes. Gary believes an early exposure to practicing music helped create the discipline that shaped these successful legal minds. Providing a platform for their musical expression benefits his musicians and all who listen.

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The billable hour has been the dominant pricing model in legal practice for decades, but it wasn't always this way—and it was never meant to be permanent.

What started as an accountability measurement has evolved into a system that stifles new thinking about client value and often works against the client's interests and the attorney's well-being.

Well-known in legal circles, Christopher T. Anderson has been leading the charge to disrupt the billable hour. He's a named partner with Anderson Dodson, P.C., the founding consultant of Sunnyside Services, the entrepreneurial mind behind New Leaf Family, and the longstanding host of The Unbillable Hour Podcast. Christopher brings a unique perspective shaped by his background in astrophysics, government studies, and years in legal information and the practice of law. His law firms are testing grounds for innovative approaches that prioritize value over time.

In this episode, Christopher talks with John Reed about the history of legal billing from its origins as an explanatory narrative to today's time-tracking obsession. Listen in as he explains how the billable hour disincentivizes efficiency and how New Leaf's alternative model seeks to efficiently and cost-appropriately solve clients' problems while creating more fulfilling careers for attorneys.

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Have you ever heard of an attorney who went from tax attorney to meal kit general counsel to legal innovator and startup founder? Now you have. It’s Sticky Lawyer Shane Mulrooney.

Shane’s career has been a series of stepping stones and building blocks; one phase providing a foundation for the next. Despite the changes, he has dived into each new role, determined to learn and contribute as much as he can, expand his subject matter expertise, and develop new skills and perspectives.

As you’ll hear, Shane’s in-house litigation experiences sparked the idea for New Era ADR, a digital dispute resolution platform featuring highly sought-after neutrals who resolve matters quickly, thoroughly, and cost-effectively.

Listen in as Shane describes his literal and figurative journey (including a life-changing cross-country bike ride), his observations about the traditional arbitration and mediation, and finding himself in a large law firm’s tax department with no prior financial or accounting background.

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In this special role-reversal episode, Sticky Lawyers host John Reed becomes the interviewee as friend and fellow podcaster Laura Khalil takes control of the microphone to ask the questions. If you’ve ever wondered about the why, how, and who of the podcast, the answers await you.

John explains Sticky Lawyers’ origin, talks about a false start or two, and discusses the show's evolution from its beginnings. Throughout the conversation, his genuine curiosity about diverse legal career paths and his love of learning shine through, along with his belief that highlighting exceptional lawyers helps counter public perception and widespread stereotypes about the profession.

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Lance Johnson didn't set out to become a champion for ecommerce sellers on Amazon, eBay, and Walmart. With a chemical engineering background and experience as a U.S Patent & Trademark Office examiner, he set his sights on a traditional intellectual property practice, which is most of his work. But when his wife faced allegations of trafficking in counterfeit goods, which threatened to destroy her business, Lance found himself pioneering a new niche.

Join us as Lance discusses the legal intricacies of selling products in the digital world, what every new e-seller should know, and the details of the case that started it all. Learn about the inner workings of marketplace ecosystems of sites where we all shop.

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Shifting gears is a good metaphor for Bob Mionske’s career. After starting out as a competitive skier, he shifted to cycling and rose through the amateur competitor ranks to eventually ride for Team U.S.A. at the Olympics in Seoul and Barcelona. But his cycling journey wasn’t over when he hung up his jersey. Pivoting to a legal career, Bob blazed a new trail in the niche area of Bike Law.

Join us as we learn about Bob’s early days in the Midwest racing circuit, his breakout performance at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, and his dramatic race to an Olympic finish line.

Bob also describes his decision to pursue Bicycle Law early in his legal career, writing and podcasting to market his practice, and using his platform and experience to make biking safer across the country. Join us for a wild ride with this Sticky Lawyer!

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Robert Graci has devoted most of his legal career to public service, first with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, where he argued cases in all of Pennsylvania’s appellate courts and before the U.S. Supreme Court. Governor Mark Schweiker later appointed Bob to serve as an appellate judge on the Pennsylvania Superior Court

But then a new opportunity arose. Parlaying both his prosecutorial experience and his time on the bench, Bob served as Chief Counsel to the Judicial Conduct Board of Pennsylvania, investigating and pursuing allegations of judicial ethics violations by state court judges.

Listen in as this Sticky Lawyer discusses his public service, the types of activities that can land judges in hot water, and his commitment to maintaining public confidence in the courts.