3L: Live, Learn, and Lead Like a Lawyer

In this episode of 3L: Live, Learn, and Lead Like a Lawyer, I sit down with Emily Jenkins, Staff Attorney at the Tennessee Justice Center. Emily earned her B.A. at Rhodes College, where she starred on their award-winning Mock Trial team. After her graduation there, she proceeded on to the College of William and Mary, where she received her J.D. in 1997.Emily is an inspirational attorney, and her work in volunteer and pro bono capacities is especially impressive. She has worked as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, helping children receive the resources they need to survive and thrive in the community. She has also served with the Hard Bargain Association to help preserve the historic Hard Bargain neighborhood in Williamson County. This is all on top of her normal professional work at the Tennessee Justice Center, where she focuses on child welfare advocacy and assists clients in receiving Medicaid and SNAP benefits.Emily truly exemplifies what it means to be a servant leader in both her community and the profession, and it was an honor to speak with her. I'm sure you will benefit from her hard-earned wisdom, but I encourage you even more to gain from her wonderful spirit of generosity. In these tumultuous times, we need that more than ever.If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share with a friend! If you’d like to learn more about me or this week’s guest, please visit the links below:https://www.tnjustice.org/team-1/emily-jenkins⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-prim-91638b24b/

In this episode of 3L: Live, Learn, and Lead Like a Lawyer, I sit down with Kaci Garrabrant, Senior Associate at Eric Buchanan & Associates. Kaci first joined EBA as a law clerk at Penn State and has served her clients through plaintiff injury litigation ever since. In our conversation, we are able to discuss why she finds this practice area so fulfilling and the impact she is able to make on the lives of her clients.Kaci is also an expert on managing her time, which we get into as well. As a young attorney with a full case load and a full family life, she emphasizes the importance of staying on top of deadlines and being proactive rather than reactive. She also provides a list of skills she feels young attorneys and law students should strive to cultivate if they are interested in pursuing trial work, such as courage, oral communication, and the ability to tell a story.In recognition of her inspiring work at EBA, Kaci was named the Tennessee Trial Lawyer's Association Young Lawyer of the Year in 2025, which is an incredible honor for an incredible advocate.If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, subscribe, and share with a friend! If you’d like to learn more about me or this week’s guest, please visit the links below:⁠https://www.buchanandisability.com/our-attorneys/kaci-garrabrant/⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-prim-91638b24b/

In this episode of 3L: Live, Learn, and Lead Like a Lawyer, I sit down with Michele Johnson, co-founder and Executive Director of the Tennessee Justice Center. Michele is an alum of the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, where she received both her Bachelors degree and her J.D., and her career has been heavily focused on children with special health care needs. Her work at TJC aims to aid clients in accessing health care, and we were able to get into some of the nuances of the healthcare industry and how it works (as well as how it doesn't). Michele is a brilliant advocate for her clients, and her insight into the healthcare system as someone who has worked so diligently to reform it is immensely valuable.Over her illustrious career, Michele has won numerous awards, including the ABA's Child Advocacy Award in 1999, the Lifetime Achievement Award from Tennessee Voices for Children in 2015, and the Tennessee Bar Association's Public Interest Attorney of the Year. If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share with a friend! If you’d like to learn more about me or this week’s guest, please visit the links below:https://www.tnjustice.org/team-1/michele-johnsonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-prim-91638b24b/

In this episode of 3L: Live, Learn, and Lead Like a Lawyer, I sit down with Laura Brown, executive director of the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS). Laura has a myriad of legal experience and has worked in essentially every sector of the legal profession, which we are able to cover extensively. She began her career at a boutique litigation law firm in East Tennessee and transitioned after her time there to become in-house counsel at Goodwill Industries-Knoxville. She also has extensive public interest experience, including her current role as executive director of TALS.One of Laura's principal characteristics is her love of learning. In addition to her J.D., she also has a Master of Arts in civic leadership from Lipscomb University and is working on her Ph.D in learning and leadership (public policy) at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.This wide-ranging conversation covers topics including public interest work, private practice and litigation strategy, and how lawyers can best lead in their communities. Laura's spirit for the profession and for empowering her clients is truly inspirational, and I know you will gain a lot from her hard-earned wisdom.If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share with a friend! If you’d like to learn more about me or this week’s guest, please visit the links below:https://www.tals.org/apruitt https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-prim-91638b24b/

In this episode of 3L: Live, Learn, and Lead Like a Lawyer, I sit down with Gordon Bonnyman, co-founder of the Tennessee Justice Center and one of the most influential advocates in Tennessee’s modern legal history. Gordon reflects on his remarkable journey from what he once described as a “sanctimonious avenger of the Lord” into a wise, humble, and zealous lawyer devoted to the cause of justice.We explore his tireless impact on poverty and civil rights law, his groundbreaking role in prison reform, and the lessons he learned along the way. Gordon’s story carries echoes of Thurgood Marshall’s legacy, and his story of meeting his hero is one you certainly won't want to miss.This conversation offers a rare glimpse into the heart of a lawyer whose life’s work demonstrates how the law can be harnessed to serve the least among us, and how advocacy, tempered by humility, can leave a legacy that endures.If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share with a friend! If you’d like to learn more about me or this week’s guest, please visit the links below:https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-prim-91638b24b/https://www.tnjustice.org/team-1/gordon-bonnymanhttps://www.vanderbiltuniversitypress.com/9780826505101/everyday-justice/

In this episode of 3L: Live, Learn, and Lead Like a Lawyer, I get to speak with Jason Denton, a phenomenal personal injury attorney from Gallatin, Tennessee, and partner at Rochelle, McCulloch & Aulds, PLLC. Jason walks us through his path to the legal profession and the experiences that shaped his approach to advocacy, from early childhood lessons to years of representing clients facing life-changing injuries. He also offers insight into the law and the real impact of statutory caps on claims in Tennessee and how they impact justice in society.Beyond his professional achievements, Jason speaks candidly about the role his Christian faith plays in his life and work, which has lead to an unrivaled generosity that is truly inspirational. His constant desire to help people through the legal profession is sure to remind you why you wanted to pursue the law in the first place, and I know you'll walk away just as inspired as I was.This conversation is filled with practical wisdom for law students and young lawyers about building a career rooted in purpose, integrity, and service to others. Jason’s example shows how professional excellence and deep personal conviction can work hand in hand.If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share with a friend! If you’d like to learn more about me or this week’s guest, please visit the links below:https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-prim-91638b24b/https://www.rma-law.com/jasondenton

In this episode of 3L: Live, Learn, and Lead Like a Lawyer, we sit down with Kristin B. Brown, an accomplished family law attorney from Shelbyville, Tennessee. Kristin shares her path into the legal profession and the values that have shaped her practice, reflecting on how she discovered her purpose as a lawyer and why that sense of calling continues to guide her work.Our conversation also dives into the realities of running a private practice—from building client relationships, to managing the demands of business ownership, to staying true to one’s principles while navigating the pressures of the profession. Kristin offers thoughtful advice for law students and young professionals on aligning career goals with personal values, building resilience, and leading with integrity in both life and law.We also discuss how Kristin maintains a healthy work–life balance in a demanding profession. From her love of travel to the discipline and energy she finds in kickboxing, Kristin shares how making time for passions outside the office helps her stay grounded and brings fresh perspective to her legal work.If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, andshare with a friend! If you’d like to learn more about me or this week’s guest, please visit the links below:https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-prim-91638b24b/https://www.kristinbrownlegal.com/

In this episode of 3L: Live, Learn, and Lead Like a Lawyer, we sit down with John Nicoll, Public Defender for Tennessee's 14th Judicial District. John shares his unique journey from serving in the U.S. Army as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer to building a career in private practice, and ultimately dedicating himself to public service law through his work in public defense. Along the way, he reflects on the values of servant leadership, the challenges and rewards of defending the underserved, and the lessons he’s carried from the military into the courtroom.Personally, John has been the biggest influence in my legal journey thus far. He allowed me to intern at his office even while I was studying music education, and he gave me a litany of skills and experiences that I could not have gained anywhere else. His generosity of spirit permeates all that he does, and that comes through beautifully in this interview.Whether you’re a law student, young attorney, or simply interested in what it means to lead with service at the heart of your career, this conversation offers valuable insights into practicing law with purpose.If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, andshare with a friend! If you’d like to learn more about me or this week’s guest, please visit the links below:https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-prim-91638b24b/https://tndpdc.org/pd-profiles/district-14/

In this short introductory episode, I share the vision behind 3L: Live, Learn, and Lead Like a Lawyer. Hear what inspired the show, who it's for, and what you can expect from future conversations with attorneys who are shaping the legal profession and leading with purpose in their communities.