It’s Not All Billable

In this special episode of It’s Not All Billable, Jonathan and Kato invite their spouses, Mary Ann and Jean-Paul, to join the conversation for an honest look at what it’s really like to be married to a lawyer. Together, they reflect on law school, career ambitions, family life, and the ways legal work shapes relationships at home. The discussion explores the blessings and challenges of flexibility, travel, communication, and raising children while building demanding careers. With humor, candor, and a lot of affection, this episode offers a personal perspective on partnership, sacrifice, and finding balance beyond the billable hour.

In this episode, hosts Jonathan Bench and Kato Aerts explore the value of mentorship and the role networking plays in finding the right people to guide your growth. Drawing from personal stories, they reflect on early career uncertainty, the mentors who helped shape their paths, and the difference between a mentor who offers honest guidance and a promoter who advocates on your behalf. They also share practical advice for young lawyers on approaching potential mentors, building authentic professional relationships, and learning from people both inside and outside the legal profession. This conversation highlights that mentorship is rarely a one-size-fits-all relationship—it often takes a village, a willingness to ask, and the courage to both receive and eventually offer meaningful guidance.

In this episode of It’s Not All Billable, hosts Jonathan Bench and Kato Aerts dive into the often-misunderstood world of business development in the legal profession. Drawing from personal experiences and candid reflections, they explore the difference between marketing and business development, the role of trust and accessibility in building client relationships, and why many lawyers feel uncomfortable with the idea of “selling.” From networking stories and early career lessons to practical advice on finding your own style and thinking like an owner, Jonathan and Kato offer a grounded, relatable perspective on growing a practice in a way that feels authentic. This conversation highlights that business development isn’t about gimmicks or perfection—it’s about connection, consistency, and playing the long game.

Hosts Jonathan Bench and Kato Aerts continue their origin-story series with an episode focused on Jonathan’s path into law. Kato interviews Jonathan about growing up as one of twelve children in small-town Wisconsin, his early love of books, language, and performance, and the experiences that took him from the Midwest to Hong Kong at nineteen, where his interest in China and international culture took root. Jonathan shares how faith, family responsibility, curiosity about the world, and a search for meaningful mentorship ultimately led him to business law at the intersection of geopolitics, language, and cross-border dealmaking. Along the way, they discuss balancing a large family with a demanding practice, the importance of visibility and mentorship in building a career, and why “it’s not all billable” is a guiding philosophy about connection, purpose, and serving clients beyond transactions. Connect with Jonathan and Kato on LinkedIn for more insights.

It’s Not All Billable  hosts Jonathan Bench and Kato Aerts continue the conversation with an “origin story” episode focused on Kato’s path into law. Jonathan interviews Kato about her childhood in Belgium near Antwerp, her early love of language and learning, and the personal experiences that shaped her interest in litigation and ultimately employment law. Kato shares how curiosity, family influence, and a drive for growth led her to pursue big opportunities—joining a larger firm, finding key mentorship, and saying yes to international involvement through AIJA, which became pivotal to her career and leadership development. Along the way, they discuss the European route to becoming a lawyer, the mindset and “mental game” needed to sustain a demanding practice, and how success can be measured by building a thriving team and helping the next generation enjoy the profession.

In Episode 1 of It’s Not All Billable, hosts Jonathan Bench and Kato Aerts kick off the podcast by introducing themselves, sharing how they met through the International Association of Young Lawyers (AIJA), and explaining why they created a cross-border space to talk about the parts of legal careers that aren’t measured in billable hours. Drawing from their own journeys, they reflect on imposter syndrome, mentorship, client relationships, career growth, and the values that shape a meaningful life in the law. This foundational episode sets the stage for honest conversations about what it really means to build a sustainable, fulfilling legal career—no matter where in the world you practice.