The legal profession demands excellence. But what is the hidden cost of that demand?

In this episode, Neal sits down with Patrick Krill, lawyer and board certified addiction counselor, to explore burnout, perfectionism, alcohol culture, and mental health in law.

Patrick co authored the landmark 2016 national study of 13,000 lawyers that revealed elevated rates of depression, anxiety, and problem drinking. They discuss what the data showed, why so many lawyers ignore early warning signs, and how fear driven perfectionism quietly erodes both performance and well being.

They also talk about law school pressure, comparison culture, loneliness in the profession, work family conflict, and what law firm leadership can do to create meaningful cultural change.

If you are a lawyer who has ever felt exhausted, isolated, or unsure how to sustain this career long term, this conversation is for you.

Follow and subscribe to That One Lawyer Podcast for more conversations that challenge the profession and help lawyers build healthier careers.

Neal sits down with Moe Matabbar, a first year student at Tulane Law School, for a conversation about what 1L really feels like from the inside.

They talk about getting cold called for 30 minutes in the very first class, the reality of the Socratic method, and whether law school is actually as competitive as people say. Moe shares how focusing on grades first semester caused him to miss part of the hiring window, and why that pressure is weighing on many 1Ls right now.

They also discuss first generation uncertainty, changing hiring cycles, technology in legal research, and why relationships inside law school can make or break the experience.

If you are in law school, mentoring someone who is, or thinking about applying, this episode offers a grounded look at what matters and what does not.

Follow and subscribe to That One Lawyer Podcast for more conversations about law school, legal careers, and building a profession that does not harden you.

Burnout is one of the most common conversations I'm having with younger lawyers right now. Not about marketing. Not about tactics. About exhaustion and sustainability.

In this episode, I share a perspective from 35 years in practice: burnout is not the enemy. Surprise is.

If you are building a book of business, launching a firm, or pursuing autonomy in your legal career, this conversation will help you understand the tradeoffs, the seasons of pushing hard, and the guardrails that protect longevity.

Your career is allowed to evolve. The goal is not avoiding burnout forever. The goal is staying in the game long enough to shape it.

Follow the podcast for weekly conversations about what law school didn't teach you.

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