Breaking The Law

In this episode of Breaking the Law, we sit down with Haley Harlan, a former prosecutor, as she bravely shares her personal story of burnout in the public service sector. From recognizing the early signs to finding support, we delve into the mental health struggles faced by many in the legal profession. Together, we discuss how to combat the stigma surrounding these issues and why it's crucial to prioritize mental well-being in a field where burnout is all too common.   https://www.lawyerswithdepression.com/ https://sprc.org/ https://www.americanbar.org/groups/lawyer_assistance/resources/lap_programs_by_state/

 Sam and Ashlyn dive into the darker side of the legal profession by exploring horror stories anonymously shared on the internet. These tales often get dismissed as mere "war stories" or accepted as just part of the job, but Ashlyn and Sam challenge that mindset.   They discuss why these experiences should not be normalized or passed down as part of the industry's culture. Hear from those who are too afraid to speak out due to fear of retaliation and understand why it’s crucial to confront these issues head-on, and continue to unravel these stories and push for a change in how we view and address trauma in the legal field. It’s time to move beyond the horror stories and work toward a better, more supportive legal practice.   https://www.lawyerswithdepression.com/  https://sprc.org/  https://www.americanbar.org/groups/lawyer_assistance/resources/lap_programs_by_state/ 

In this episode of Breaking the Law, we dive into the tough realities of gendered stigma in the legal profession with Professor Amanda Fisher who holds both a JD and a Ph.D. Her groundbreaking dissertation shines a light on the subtle and not-so-subtle biases that women lawyers face daily—and what can be done about it. Through compelling stories from women who’ve been burned by the traditional legal system, we unpack the pervasive gender biases that continue to hold the profession back.  But it’s not all doom and gloom, Professor Fisher brings hope to the table, sharing actionable strategies for combatting stigma and paving the way for real change. Can we truly "break the law" when it comes to gender bias, or is the system too entrenched? Tune in as we explore whether the fight for equality is hopeless—or whether there's a path forward for all of us.

This episode of Breaking the Law, Matt Agnew, founder of Agnew Law, joins Ashlyn Lindskog and Sam Foreman to discuss his journey through Big Law. Matt shares about the toll that Big Law can take, the challenges it presents to prioritizing the things that matter most, and what led him to breaking free from Big Law to choose something better for him and his family.   

So you want to start a law firm? Check out this great conversation between Ashlyn Lindskog, founder of AB Legal, and Sam Foreman, founder of Foreman Law, as they discuss why they decided to start their firms, what they've learned, and practical tips for starting a firm.  

Can you thrive in Big Law? Bill Wahlberg shares his experiences in traditional law firm models with co-hosts Ashlyn Lindskog and Sam Foreman, and identifies some of the keys that have helped him find a place to thrive in Big Law. In particular, Bill shares how big an impact culture and relationships has had on making his experience possible.  

2024 is a great time to be a lawyer. Kyle Robisch, partner at Latitude, a provider of top tier flexible legal talent, joins co-hosts Ashlyn Lindskog of AB Legal, and Sam Foreman of Foreman Law to discuss his journey from Big Law to creating alternative opportunities that enable lawyers and firms to thrive. Kyle shares with our audience, how personal clarity, preparation, and intentional relationships, helped him have a successful experience, and overcome the fear of making significant changes in his career.  

Join Breaking the Law in the discussion of how generational shifts and the conscious upholding of personal boundaries may be transforming the age-old practices of law. In this episode, we chat more with Jordan Carter about the changing dynamics with young law students, the nuanced ways in which young professionals are influencing and redefining the practice of law, and how these shifts may signify a broader transformation in the traditional approach to legal practice.  

 In this episode of "Breaking the Law," join us as we delve into the critical discourse of reimagining legal education with Assistant Professor and Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at KU Law, Jordan Carter. Jordan brings a fresh perspective, shedding light on her work in professional identity formation among young law students. We discuss strategies aimed at empowering students early in their legal journeys to ensure that the practice of law becomes a source of strength rather than a force that breaks them.    

Gloria Farha Flentje, former general counsel of Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems joins Ashlyn Lindskog and Sam Foreman for a discussion of the changes she's seen throughout her career spanning parts of 5 decades, and the impact of sticking to her values.     

Co-hosts Ashlyn Lindskog and Sam Foreman are joined again by their better halves, Arli Lindskog and Meg Foreman, to discuss what the process of moving away from a traditional law firm model was like, and how life has changed since.     Links: https://www.amazon.com/Fight-Club-Brad-Pitt/dp/B0028O9W50/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3SPDWOBBNMUU8&keywords=fight+club+movie&qid=1702497891&s=audible&sprefix=figt+club+movie%2Caudible%2C98&sr=1-2-catcorr  

Co-hosts Ashlyn Lindskog and Sam Foreman are joined by their better halves, Arli Lindskog and Meg Foreman, to discuss what life was like in a traditional law firm model, and how they took steps to break free to try something new.     Links: https://www.amazon.com/Boundaries-When-Take-Control-Your/dp/B072C64V1L/ref=sr_1_1?crid=17KBPTCRKEDYD&keywords=boundaries&qid=1702497675&sprefix=boundaries%2Caps%2C129&sr=8-1  

Janet Thompson Jackson, Founder of Well-Law, and Danielle Hall, Executive Director of the Kansas Lawyers Assistance Program join co-hosts Ashlyn Lindskog and Sam Foreman for a deep dive into the how people are breaking free from the traditional approach to the law. Links: https://www.washingtonpost.com/advice/2022/01/13/carolyn-hax-burned-out-quit-job-second-guessing/ https://www.abajournal.com/voice/article/the-aba-well-being-pledge-turns-5-progress-made-progress-needed Find out more about Foreman Law at https://goforemanlaw.com/ Find out more about AB Legal at https://www.ablegalks.com/ Watch the video episode at https://youtu.be/WCQYCAUEkLo?si=2SF9Z1Tn2AHwJYNO

Danielle Hall, Executive Director of the Kansas Lawyers Assistance Program joins co-hosts Ashlyn Lindskog and Sam Foreman for a deep dive into how the traditional approach to law is broken, including the impacts of culture and business model and more. https://www.law.com/2023/10/25/mothers-still-face-disproportionate-burden-in-legal-field-aba-report-finds/ Find out more about Foreman Law at https://goforemanlaw.com/ Find out more about AB Legal at https://www.ablegalks.com/ Watch the video episode at https://youtu.be/5EYuH2_kpnc?si=SZNRg6NtdInGHz8h  

Janet Thompson Jackson, Founder of Well-Law, and Danielle Hall, Executive Director of the Kansas Lawyers Assistance Program join co-hosts Ashlyn Lindskog and Sam Foreman for a deep dive into how the traditional approach to law is breaking people. The damage goes beyond lawyers, impacting staff, families, clients and communities in areas such as overall wellness, mental health and beyond. Links: https://abovethelaw.com/2020/02/biglaw-partner-uses-sabbatical-to-do-normal-people-things-a-biglaw-schedule-doesnt-allow/ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/lawyer-burnout-unmasking-silent-epidemic-finding-freedom-gary-miles/ https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/stressed-lonely-overworked-what-new-study-tells-us-about-lawyer-suicide-risk-2023-02-15/ https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-news/young-lawyer-problem-drinking-on-the-rise/ Find out more about Foreman Law at https://goforemanlaw.com/ Find out more about AB Legal at https://www.ablegalks.com/ Watch the video episode at https://youtu.be/sc2zj9_MXFw?si=eYs6vGSwNHlA8vYn

An introduction to the podcast Breaking the Law and an overview of our three core topics: The traditional approach to law is breaking people, Because the traditional approach is broken, So it's time to break free. Today's episode includes a discussion of how the traditional approach to law has contributed to suicidal thoughts and in some instances suicide itself. If you or anyone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please get help immediately. You can dial 988 for 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress. For emergencies dial 911 immediately. Your life matters and you are loved and cared for more than you know. Links: https://mnlcl.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Big-Law-Killed-My-Husband.pdf Find out more about Foreman Law at https://goforemanlaw.com/ Find out more about AB Legal at https://www.ablegalks.com/ Watch the video episode at https://youtu.be/skquxkunSlI?si=elqeEWn8zfF4NIgr