In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews Akiva Shapiro, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher litigation partner and chair of the firm's New York administrative law and regulatory practice group. Akiva discusses his unconventional journey into law, from aspiring writer and academic to a respected litigator recognized for his appellate, constitutional, media, entertainment, technology, and securities litigation work. He also details the founding of a Sabbath observant affinity group at his firm, aiming to empower legal professionals to bring their whole selves to work without compromising their religious identity. The group's success led to the firm-wide recognition and accommodation of Jewish holidays and practices. Shapiro concludes by speaking about his active role in addressing antisemitism, leveraging his platform to promote justice and understanding. He also touches on leadership in law, the challenges of the billable hours model, and the importance of balancing professional dedication with personal and spiritual rejuvenation. Visit https://www.gibsondunn.com/lawyer/shapiro-akiva/ to learn more.

In this week’s episode, Sigalle interviews Matthew Galando, Director of Professional Development at K&L Gates during the NALP's 2024 annual education conference in Boston, Massachusetts. With 22 years at K&L Gates, Matthew shares his journey in law firm professional development, focusing on local and global training programs that span business development, technology, and legal training. He highlights the impact of the K&L Gates HUB, a digital platform providing business and legal insights, and discusses developing cross-practice, experiential programs that enhance associate skills and promote firm-wide connections. Matthew also talks about the firm's new partner learning series, associate leadership development curriculum, and the importance of listening and learning from industry peers to continuously improve and tailor professional development initiatives within the firm. Additionally, he provides a sneak peek into an upcoming conference panel aimed at improving attendance for firm programs. Visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattgalando/ to learn more.

In this week's episode, Sigalle interviews Chelsey Parrott-Sheffer, the Director of Professional Development at Saul Ewing. Chelsey shares her unique journey into legal professional development, starting from being a history major and a paralegal to becoming a certified executive coach with 14 years of experience in the legal field. She discusses the importance of continuous learning and development within law firms, highlighting initiatives like the Senior Attorneys Resource Group and a leadership pipeline program for professional staff members at Saul Ewing. Although not a lawyer, Chelsey's story illustrates how non-traditional career paths can lead to fulfilling roles in legal professional development, emphasizing the significance of mentorship, skill-building, and fostering leadership across all levels of a firm. Visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsey-parrott-sheffer-sphr-she-her-50b4b064/ to learn more.