Amanda and Kelley Sharp talk with Gervi Cadimas about her path from the Philippines to California, through law school, and into practice. The conversation covers what day-to-day plaintiff-side work looks like, why law school rarely sends you where you expected to land, and how mentors help fill in the human side of legal practice. They also get into the realities of difficult client conversations, career pivots, and a chaotic round of hot takes.

Timestamps

00:00 - First guest energy, podcast chaos, and introducing Gervi Cadimas
01:24 - Growing up in the Philippines
05:37 - Studying business administration and entrepreneurship
06:45 - The LSAT and taking a gap year
09:22 - The COVID waitlist call that changed everything
14:34 - What wildfire litigation covers and who she represents
16:23 - Why immigration law first appealed to her
19:17 - Why pivoting in law is normal and not career-ending
20:31 - Future plans for her own firm and possible practice areas
21:43 - Learning how to have difficult conversations
28:56 - How litigation stress changes the way she handles conflict in life
32:40 - Advice for 3Ls: survive the bar and nurture relationships
37:23 - “The Jury’s Still Out” game
48:13 - Closing thoughts, attorney referrals, and LinkedIn rules

Key topics

• Gervi shares her background growing up in the Philippines, moving to Sacramento in high school, and eventually landing in San Diego through law school.
• She explains why she studied business administration and entrepreneurship as an undergrad.
• She talks about how hard the LSAT was for her, how English being her third language made it more difficult, and why she ultimately took a gap year.
• Gervi tells the full story of getting off a waitlist during COVID, receiving a call from the USD law dean with 24 hours to decide, and starting law school the next day.
• She describes her current work as an associate attorney focused mainly on wildfire litigation, plus a few personal injury and wrongful death matters.
• She reflects on trying different practice areas and why those experiences helped her figure out what fit and what did not.
• The conversation emphasizes that lawyers often need more than black letter law knowledge - they also need mentorship, communication skills, and the ability to handle difficult conversations.
• The episode closes with a rapid-fire game, “The Jury’s Still Out,” where the crew weighs in on everything from pineapple on pizza to showing up exactly on time.

Action items

• If you are a law student, start building mentor relationships early.
• Don’t lock yourself into one narrow practice area too soon if you’re still exploring.
• Treat reputation and follow-up seriously in a small legal market.
• Prepare for hard client conversations by watching how experienced attorneys handle them.
• Be deliberate about how you deliver bad news so you do not overpromise.

The Sharp Sisters Talk Love, Imagination, Space, and More

Join Amanda and Kelley Sharp in this lively episode of The Doctors Are In as they explore a wide range of intriguing topics—from a grassroots matchmaking adventure with Chelsea Handler to fascinating insights on mental visualization and space exploration. This episode is packed with personal stories, amusing debates, and thought-provoking insights that keep the conversation engaging and relatable.

Main Topics Covered:

Amanda's unexpected connection with Chelsea Handler and the viral dating profile

The phenomenon of aphantasia and differences in visual imagination

Internal dialogues: hearing voices or just knowing thoughts exist

Cultural moments: The Devil Wears Prada 2

Unique trivia: trademarking clown faces using eggs and holiday-shaped Reese’s cups

Space exploration highlights: moon landings and Christina Koch’s inspiring story

Personal reflections: twin personality differences and favorite artist collaborations

Practical tips for handling daily frustrations and maximizing life's small moments

Favorite music and ways to shift out of a funk

Dream collaborations, favorite songs, and travel plans

Resources & Links:

Aphantasia Network

I Want to Be Here by Lauren Betts (The Players' Tribune)

Clown Egg Registry (Clowns International)

Notable Quotes:

"Music is a way to connect beyond words and one of the most joyful parts of our lives."

"Planning for the apocalypse is less about fear and more about love for those we want to protect."

In this episode, Amanda Sharp shares her journey from working in sports to attending law school, emphasizing the importance of making choices aligned with personal values. She provides insights into the law school application process, the significance of support systems throughout the process, and the value of networking and mentorship in the legal profession.

Takeaways

• Transitioning between career paths requires self-reflection and the courage to pursue one's true passion.
• Networking and mentorship are crucial in the legal profession.
• Maintaining connections from law school and previous work experiences is key for networking and career opportunities.
• Writing personal notes and having a life motto can provide clarity and motivation during challenging times.

How to Order the Starbuck’s Banana Cold Foam Iced Latte

(1) Open Starbucks app

(2) Click on “Iced Coffee” or whatever drink you want

(3) click customize button

(4) towards the bottom you will find cold foam

(5) click into the cold foam and find banana cold foam

Chapters

• 00:00 LGBTQ Representation in Sports
• 32:18 Finding Purpose in Volunteer Work
• 39:19 Selecting the Right Law School
• 44:32 Tips for Law School Success
• 58:23 Navigating the Legal Job Market
• 01:05:31 Post-Law School Exams and Career Paths
• 01:11:16 Maintaining Connections and Finding Joy
• 01:21:25 The Concept of 'Flat Stanley'