#124 How a Wake-Up Call at age 43 Sparked 25 Years of Reinvention

Barry Seidel was at the peak of his success—running a thriving personal injury practice while building a lucrative per diem business, which was featured on the cover of the New York Law Journal. Then, at 43 years old, he had a heart attack—one his doctors called a "no-risk-factor" event, apparently triggered by anger and stress. What followed was a complete reimagining of how he approached law and life. In this episode of Lawyers Who Learn, host David Schnurman explores Barry's transformation from an angry, stressed attorney to someone who has embraced the ongoing process of learning to manage the emotional aspects of law practice and life. After a year away from practice, Barry pivoted from personal injury law to probate and estate administration, continuing to practice for another 25 years while developing new skills for handling stress. Barry's journey includes starting his own practice straight out of law school. His recent book, "Evolutions of a Law Practice, How I Opened My Own Practice Right Out of Law School….and lived to tell about it" captures his non-traditional path through multiple career evolutions. In this episode, Barry discusses how staying curious and adaptable can transform adversity into opportunity. Now at 69 and transforming his practice to semi-retirement mode, he's focused on writing, speaking, and helping others navigate legal practice challenges—proof that even the most difficult moments can become the foundation for a life without regrets.