The legal profession demands excellence. But what is the hidden cost of that demand?

In this episode, Neal sits down with Patrick Krill, lawyer and board certified addiction counselor, to explore burnout, perfectionism, alcohol culture, and mental health in law.

Patrick co authored the landmark 2016 national study of 13,000 lawyers that revealed elevated rates of depression, anxiety, and problem drinking. They discuss what the data showed, why so many lawyers ignore early warning signs, and how fear driven perfectionism quietly erodes both performance and well being.

They also talk about law school pressure, comparison culture, loneliness in the profession, work family conflict, and what law firm leadership can do to create meaningful cultural change.

If you are a lawyer who has ever felt exhausted, isolated, or unsure how to sustain this career long term, this conversation is for you.

Follow and subscribe to That One Lawyer Podcast for more conversations that challenge the profession and help lawyers build healthier careers.

Neal sits down with Moe Matabbar, a first year student at Tulane Law School, for a conversation about what 1L really feels like from the inside.

They talk about getting cold called for 30 minutes in the very first class, the reality of the Socratic method, and whether law school is actually as competitive as people say. Moe shares how focusing on grades first semester caused him to miss part of the hiring window, and why that pressure is weighing on many 1Ls right now.

They also discuss first generation uncertainty, changing hiring cycles, technology in legal research, and why relationships inside law school can make or break the experience.

If you are in law school, mentoring someone who is, or thinking about applying, this episode offers a grounded look at what matters and what does not.

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Burnout is one of the most common conversations I'm having with younger lawyers right now. Not about marketing. Not about tactics. About exhaustion and sustainability.

In this episode, I share a perspective from 35 years in practice: burnout is not the enemy. Surprise is.

If you are building a book of business, launching a firm, or pursuing autonomy in your legal career, this conversation will help you understand the tradeoffs, the seasons of pushing hard, and the guardrails that protect longevity.

Your career is allowed to evolve. The goal is not avoiding burnout forever. The goal is staying in the game long enough to shape it.

Follow the podcast for weekly conversations about what law school didn't teach you.

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What happens when a lawyer is told outright that he doesn't belong? In this episode, Neal Goldstein and Jeffrey Possinger talk about rejection, identity, and the emotional cost of chasing approval in the legal profession. Jeffrey shares how being told he wasn't a fit for certain firms forced him to rethink success, integrity, and what kind of lawyer he wanted to become.

This conversation explores belonging, trust, long-term thinking, and why not fitting in can sometimes be the beginning of a more meaningful career. Follow the podcast for more conversations about practicing law as a human being.

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Ego is often rewarded early in law, but it quietly erodes trust, credibility, and long-term success. In this episode, Thomas Tona shares what decades of practice taught him about judgment, self-awareness, and building a law firm that lasts. We talk about burnout, client relationships, discipline, and why humility is often the difference between lawyers who plateau and those who endure.

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If you've ever felt overwhelmed by advice, pressure to be everywhere, or the sense that law school prepared you for everything except real practice, this conversation will feel uncomfortably honest.

Subscribe to the channel for more conversations about what law school didn't teach you, how law firms really grow, and how to build a practice without losing yourself in the process.

Law school teaches you how to think like a lawyer.
It does not teach you how to practice law, build trust with clients, or grow a sustainable firm.

In this episode of That One Lawyer™ Podcast, Neal Goldstein sits down with Florida attorney Ed Wimp to talk about what actually prepares lawyers for real world practice. Ed's path to law was not linear. Before becoming a lawyer, he worked in the music industry, touring nationally and managing high pressure situations long before he ever stepped into a courtroom.

That experience shaped how he practices law today.

This conversation explores the gap between legal education and real practice, especially for young lawyers and early firm owners who are expected to "figure it out" with very little guidance. Ed shares how skills like thinking on your feet, staying calm under pressure, and communicating clearly are learned outside the classroom and why those skills matter more than prestige when building trust with clients.

Neal and Ed also talk openly about burnout, career dissatisfaction, and the moment many lawyers reach when they realize the path they were told to follow is not actually fulfilling. Ed walks through his early legal career, including defense work, corporate style firms, and the turning point that led him to plaintiff work and eventually starting his own firm.

A major theme of this episode is relationship first growth. Ed explains how referrals really happen, why community involvement matters, and how small and mid sized firms can compete without massive advertising budgets. Instead of chasing noise, he focuses on accessibility, answering the phone, and offering concierge level service that builds long term trust.

Watch Full Episode HERE

You will also hear practical insights on:

• Why law school cannot fully prepare you to practice law

• How real world work experience builds better lawyers

• The difference between prestige driven success and purpose driven practice

• What it actually feels like to leave a stable job and start a firm

• How networking works when it is done with intention, not desperation

• Why digital tools introduce relationships but do not replace human connection

• How young lawyers can build credibility early without pretending to be something they are not