Non-Billable Hours

What does running a 50-kilometre ultramarathon have to do with practicing law? More than you might think. In this solo episode, host Odette reflects on her experience completing her first ultramarathon and the surprising parallels between endurance running and building a legal career. While law school and the legal profession often reward speed, intensity, and constant achievement, both running and practicing law ultimately require something much more important: endurance. Using lessons learned on the trail, Odette explores why success in law is less about sprinting and more about putting one foot in front of the other, day after day. She discusses the importance of pacing yourself, taking rest and recovery seriously, relying on support systems, navigating setbacks, and resisting the temptation to compare your journey to someone else's. In this episode, you'll hear about: • Why a legal career is an ultra marathon, not a sprint • The danger of trying to run every day at maximum effort • How rest and recovery are essential for long-term success • The role mentors, colleagues, friends, and family play as your "aid stations" • What to do when you inevitably hit a wall in your career or personal life • Why comparison can rob you of fulfillment and perspective • The problem with chasing constantly moving finish lines • How to build a sustainable, meaningful career in law Whether you're a law student, a junior associate, or a seasoned lawyer, this episode is a reminder that the goal isn't simply to survive the race. It's to build a career—and a life—that you can sustain, enjoy, and be proud of over the long haul. Because in law, as in running, the journey matters just as much as the finish line.  

What happens when you go to law school… but don’t actually want to be a lawyer?   In this episode of Non-Billable Hours, I sit down with Travis Usher - law student turned legal recruiter - to talk about unconventional legal careers, identity outside the law, and building a career on your own terms.   We discuss: • going through law school without a clear passion for legal practice • transitioning into legal recruiting and entrepreneurship • the differences between firm and in-house legal roles • how lawyers can build fulfilling careers beyond traditional expectations   Travis shares an honest perspective on what modern legal careers really look like, and why success in law doesn’t have to follow one rigid path. We also chat about personal identities outside of the law, what kept Travis grounded and sane during law school, and why your personal health and happiness should *not* fall by the wayside when you enter the practice of law.   Whether you’re a law student, junior associate, in-house counsel, or someone questioning your future in the legal profession, this conversation is for you.   Find Travis here: https://www.zsa.ca/our_team/travis-usher/   Full video episodes can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@NonBillableHoursPod/   If you're feeling generous, please give us a like and a subscribe! It's free for you and it really helps this little channel grow   Follow us on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/nonbillablehourspodcast/ https://www.tiktok.com/@nonbillablehourspodcast     The Legal Stuff (because obviously): This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. This is a podcast by a lawyer, for lawyers. But I am not *your* lawyer. I’m also not your therapist, your finance professional, or your personal life coach. Nothing in this podcast should be considered legal advice, and any suggestions or recommendations that you decide to undertake of your own accord, those are on you my friend. This podcast is meant to be a place where we can talk about life as lawyers, but at the end of the day, you are the one making your own decisions. Perhaps we can help you make some better ones. We are not liable for any choices you make. But you probably already knew that.

Ever wonder why so many people become lawyers - even when they’re not passionate about practicing law? In this episode of The Non-Billable Hours Podcast, I sit down with former entertainment lawyer and current creative entrepreneur Jordan Nahmias to talk about the path that led him into law, why practicing never felt right (even after an elite law school education and Big Law experience), and the turning point that changed everything: Jordan opens up about: • Choosing law school without a clear plan • The pressure lawyers feel to follow a “traditional” path • Identity, and questioning success • Embracing creativity, yoga, and the arts • Building a meaningful career in coaching and speaking that still allows for a meaningful life outside of work This conversation is for anyone in law who’s questioning whether the life they built is actually the one they want. Sometimes the career you thought you wanted is just the bridge to the one you were meant to create. Find Jordan Here: https://getunstuckconsulting.com/