blog: behind the scenes.
What If You Don’t Know the Whole Story? White Collar Defense, Confirmation Bias, and the Courage to Listen to Listen (with A
"Can you leave some space for the possibility that you don't know everything, that there could be another side to it?" - Aaron Clark
Most of us think we know exactly what a "white collar criminal" looks like. Aaron Clark wants us to question that assumption.
In this episode of So Much To Say: A Legal Podcast For People, Megan Senese and Jennifer Ramsey are joined by Aaron Clark, white collar defense attorney and former federal prosecutor, for a conversation about justice, confirmation bias, and what it's like to stand beside people during the hardest moments of their lives.
Aaron shares why he left the U.S. Attorney's Office for private practice, what surprised him most about defending people accused of federal crimes, and why listening is often the most powerful skill a lawyer can have.
Along the way, the conversation explores reputation, second chances, business development, and why doing the brave thing every day often starts with something much smaller than you think.
Whether you're a lawyer, legal marketer, or simply someone who wants to think more critically before rushing to judgment, this episode offers a thoughtful reminder that every story has more than one side.
You'll hear about:
Why Aaron transitioned from federal prosecutor to white collar defense attorney
The misconceptions people have about white collar crime
How confirmation bias shapes investigations and everyday life
Why listening is one of the most valuable skills any lawyer can develop
The human cost of criminal accusations, even before a verdict is reached
What it's like to help clients navigate the most difficult moments of their lives
Building a book of business after leaving government practice
Why relationships, not sales tactics, drive long-term business development
The courage it takes to do something that scares you every day
How baking cookies became one of Aaron's favorite ways to connect with clients
About Aaron Clark: Aaron Clark is a white collar criminal defense attorney and former Assistant U.S. Attorney who spent years prosecuting federal cases before moving into private practice. Today, he represents individuals facing government investigations and high-stakes criminal matters, combining his experience on both sides of the courtroom with a thoughtful, people-first approach to advocacy.
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This episode is brought to you by Lateral Hub: Lateral Hub is the premier job board for top large, midsize, and boutique firms. Over 75 firms use their flat-fee membership to promote openings to laterals and judicial clerks as a transparent, targeted, affordable alternative to headhunters or LinkedIn. No hassle. No placement fees. Hiring in 2026? Don’t recruit like it’s the Stone Age.
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Bring these types of conversations to your law firm. These podcast conversations are the same ones happening quietly inside law firms.
Through stage, we work with lawyers at every level and with legal marketing teams on client service, business development, and growth built on real relationships. If these themes are coming up inside your firm, let’s chat.
How Do You Become a Law Firm CMO? Leadership Lessons (with Koree Khongphand-Buckman)
What does it really take to become a Chief Marketing Officer at a major law firm?
For Koree Khongphand-Buckman, the answer isn't a title. It's earning the trust, credibility, and influence to help shape the future of a firm.
“The title of CMO was more about, what do you get to do? I wanted the opportunity to impact and drive particular things within a firm, and to work with leadership at the highest levels.”
In this episode of So Much To Say: A Legal Podcast for People, legal marketing strategists Megan Senese and Jennifer Ramsey sit down with Koree, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Foley & Lardner LLP, to discuss her journey from an accounting background to one of the most respected leadership roles in legal marketing.
From surviving her first week in legal marketing to building firmwide client feedback and lateral integration programs, Koree shares the lessons that helped her become a trusted advisor to firm leadership and why the best legal marketers think like business leaders.
Whether you're an aspiring CMO, a legal marketer looking to expand your influence, or a lawyer interested in how firms grow, this conversation is full of practical leadership advice you can apply immediately.
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
How Koree moved from accounting into legal marketing
What it takes to progress from marketer to strategic business leader
Why relationships often open more doors than titles
How to position yourself for leadership opportunities before you feel fully ready
Why owning your work changes how firm leaders see you
How Koree built client feedback and lateral integration programs from the ground up
Why the best CMOs ask better questions instead of pretending to have every answer
How to become a trusted advisor to lawyers and firm leadership
Why leadership does not have to be lonely
How great leaders create opportunities for the people around them
Why legal marketers should stop waiting for permission to grow their careers
About Koree Khongphand-Buckman:
Koree Khongphand-Buckman is chief marketing & business development officer (CMBDO) at Foley & Lardner LLP where she is responsible for leading the firm’s business development, marketing, client service and branding efforts across all practices, industries, sectors and offices to help the firm achieve its strategic objectives. With 20 years of professional services marketing experience, Koree is adept at crafting and implementing growth strategies for new and existing clients. Learn More:
Connect with Koree
This episode is brought to you by Lateral Hub:
Lateral Hub is the premier job board for top large, midsize, and boutique firms. Over 75 firms use their flat-fee membership to promote openings to laterals and judicial clerks as a transparent, targeted, affordable alternative to headhunters or LinkedIn. No hassle. No placement fees. Hiring in 2026? Don’t recruit like it’s the Stone Age.
5 Ways Lawyers Can Grow a Sustainable Book of Business (Minis with Megan)
Building a book of business does not begin with finding the perfect strategy. It begins with taking thoughtful, consistent action before you feel completely ready.
In this mini episode of So Much To Say: A Legal Podcast for People, Megan Senese shares five principles that helped stage grow from an idea into a legal marketing and business development consultancy.
These are not shortcuts; these are practical, relationship-first approaches that lawyers can use to become more visible, build stronger professional relationships, and grow a sustainable book of business over time. More importantly, they are designed to be realistic enough to keep doing, because the best business development strategy is one you can actually sustain.
Who this episode is for:
Lawyers who want to build or grow their book of business sustainably
Attorneys beginning a new role, launching a practice, or building a firm
Legal marketers supporting lawyer business development
Anyone who has been waiting for the “right time” to begin or needs a kickstart
Five sustainable ways lawyers can kickstart their business development
1. Start before you feel ready
There is rarely a perfect time to begin business development. Momentum comes from taking the first step and continuing to show up.
2. Get specific about who you help
The clearer you are about the people you serve and the problems you solve, the easier it becomes for others to understand your value and connect you with the right opportunities.
3. Reach out like a real person
Strong business development is built through genuine relationships, not polished sales pitches. Lead with curiosity, generosity, and a real interest in the person on the other side of the conversation.
4. Build your network in a way that fits you
You do not have to follow someone else’s networking formula. Choose approaches that reflect your personality, strengths, and capacity so your business development feels natural, realistic, and sustainable.
5. Play the long game
Business development is relationship development. Trust, credibility, referrals, and meaningful opportunities grow through consistency, not one-time efforts or quick wins.
You do not need to have everything figured out before you begin. You need clarity about who you want to help, a willingness to connect authentically, and a business development approach you can keep showing up for over time.
Ready to take the first step?
Email us at info@stage.guide with “Kickstart” in the subject line, and we will send you our one-page guide, 5 Ways to Kickstart Your Business Development.
Tell us what you are working toward or where you are feeling stuck. We would love to hear from you.
Stay Connected:
At stage, we believe business development isn't about chasing clients; it's about building trust. We help lawyers create authentic, relationship-first strategies that grow practices one meaningful connection at a time.
Love So Much To Say? Let us know! Drop a review, give us 5 stars in your favorite podcast app, and tell us what made you laugh, think, or just go “yep, that’s me.” Every review helps us reach more awesome humans who want to make legal…well, human.
“I’m Not a Rainmaker”: The Story You Might Be Telling Yourself as a Lawyer
What if the biggest thing holding your career back is not your skill, your experience, or your ambition, but the story you have been telling yourself?
"I'm not a rainmaker."
"I'm bad at business development."
"I'm just not wired for networking."
They shape how we show up, what opportunities we pursue, and what kind of growth we believe is possible.
In this episode of So Much To Say: A Legal Podcast For People, Megan Senese and Jennifer Ramsey sit down with Mary Ellen Murrah, Chief Marketing Officer at Vista Consulting Team, for a candid conversation about career identity, authentic relationship development, law firm growth, consulting, operations, and the changing plaintiff-side legal market.
Mary Ellen shares how she moved from aspiring lawyer to legal marketing leader, what she has learned helping plaintiff firms grow, and why meaningful progress rarely comes from strategy alone. It comes from implementation, accountability, and the willingness to stop copying someone else’s version of success.
This episode is for anyone who has ever thought, “That’s just not who I am,” and wondered whether there might be a more honest, more effective way to grow.
You’ll hear about:
Why the labels we place on ourselves can quietly shape our careers
How to reframe business development as relationship development
Why authentic networking works better than forcing yourself into someone else’s style
Mary Ellen’s path from aspiring lawyer to legal marketing leader
What Vista Consulting Team helps plaintiff law firms actually implement
Why accountability is often the missing piece after a consulting engagement
The operational differences between plaintiff firms and traditional billable-hour firms
How private equity is reshaping the plaintiff-side legal market
What makes a law firm attractive for acquisition
Why growth often begins with questioning the story you have been repeating
Whether you are building a book of business, leading a team, growing a law firm, or trying to step into your next chapter with more confidence, this conversation offers a more human way to think about success.
Listen to the episode and consider what might change if you stopped defining yourself by the labels that limit you.
About Mary Ellen Murrah:
Mary Ellen Murrah is the Chief Marketing Officer at Vista Consulting Team, where she helps plaintiff law firms grow through operational strategy, leadership development, and marketing. With more than two decades of experience in legal technology, law firm leadership, and business operations, she works closely with firms across the U.S. and Canada to improve efficiency, strengthen culture, and prepare for sustainable growth.
Learn More:
Check out Vista Consulting
Stop Pitching, Start Helping This Summer (Minis with Megan)
Business development doesn't have to start with a sales pitch - it starts with a conversation.
In this mini episode with Megan Senese, we explore why the most effective networking isn't about selling yourself or asking for work. It's about getting curious, building genuine relationships, and showing up with a simple question: How can I help? Megan shares the outreach strategy that transformed stage's first year of business and offers a simple challenge to help you build meaningful connections this summer.
Who this episode is for:
Lawyers looking for a more authentic approach to business development
Professionals who feel uncomfortable reaching out to new contacts
Anyone who worries networking feels too transactional
People wanting to grow their network through genuine relationships rather than sales
Episode takeaways:
Business development begins with relationships, not sales
Most people are far more open to connecting than we assume
A simple, thoughtful outreach often works better than a perfectly crafted pitch
Asking "How can I help?" creates stronger, more memorable relationships
Small, intentional conversations today can become opportunities tomorrow
What to do this summer to build your network:
Reach out to someone new: Invite them to a 15-20 minute virtual coffee or meet-and-greet.
Lead with curiosity: Ask about their work, their interests, and what's keeping them busy.
End every conversation by asking, "How can I help?": You may be surprised by the answer.
Remember what matters to them: Take notes and follow up later on the things they shared.
Plant seeds now: Thoughtful relationships built during slower seasons often grow into meaningful opportunities later.
The Bad Boss Episode: Mita Mallick on Toxic Workplaces, Burnout, and Boundaries
“If anyone takes anything out of today's conversation, it's you gotta find ways to recharge and replenish so you can go back to work and make impact.” - Mita Mallick
Why do so many smart, capable people stay in unhealthy work environments? And why do bad bosses seem to exist in every industry?
In this episode of So Much To Say: A Legal Podcast For People, Megan Senese and Jennifer Ramsey are joined by Mita Mallick, bestselling author, workplace culture expert, and speaker on a mission to make work more human.
Drawing from the stories in her book The Devil Emails at Midnight, Mita shares why toxic leadership is often enabled by systems, why self-awareness is the foundation of great leadership, and how many high achievers unknowingly normalize unhealthy behavior.
This conversation unpacks everything from micromanagers and "rainmakers" to people-pleasing, burnout, and the surprising ways our childhood experiences can shape the bosses we tolerate. If you’ve ever given a bad boss a code name, this episode is for you.
You’ll hear about:
Why Mita believes bad bosses aren't born, they're made
The essential role self-awareness plays in becoming a better leader
How organizations unintentionally protect toxic high performers
Why fear creates short-term results but destroys culture over time
Why people often normalize unhealthy workplace behavior
The importance of boundaries in a 24/7 world
Why taking care of yourself isn't selfish, it's good leadership
What Mita is exploring in her upcoming book, Office Villains
This episode is brought to you by: Latitude Legal
In partnership with Latitude Legal, stage offers four free business development sessions for any lawyer returning from parental leave. We call it Corduroy. It is open to any lawyer. We know how challenging it can be to be a working parent, and this is our way of giving back to the legal community through business development support. If you are interested in learning more about Corduroy for yourself or your team, you can email us at info@stage.guide. Thank you to Latitude Legal and Kyle Robisch for being the sole partner supporting our Corduroy initiative. They recognize the importance of supporting working parents in the legal industry and are generously underwriting this program. To learn more, visit www.latitudelegal.com or contact Kyle directly at KRobisch@latitudelegal.com.
The Upside of Both: Lessons from In-House and Private Practice (with Global Franchise Lawyer, Brittany Johnson)
“The goal was never to be the department of ‘no’. The goal was to find a way for the business to proceed while identifying the risks that you are willing to take and those that you are not.” - Brittany Johnson
What do in-house lawyers actually want from outside counsel?
After spending more than a decade inside one of the most recognizable brands in the world, Brittany Johnson has a surprisingly clear, and uncomplicated, answer.
In this episode of So Much To Say: A Legal Podcast For People, Megan Senese and Jennifer Ramsey sit down with Brittany Johnson to talk about her journey from Big Law associate to leading licensing and expansion work at a global brand, and why she recently made the decision to return to private practice.
Along the way, Brittany shares what life inside a global brand really looked like, the lessons she learned working alongside business leaders, and why the best outside counsel don't just identify risks, they stand by their team and share in the responsibility of all decisions made.
You’ll hear about:
Why Brittany left her "dream job" to begin a new chapter
The anxiety dream that perfectly captured career transitions
What surprised her most about moving from private practice to in-house
Why in-house lawyers are rarely the most important voice in the room
The difference between identifying risks and helping businesses make decisions
The business development mistakes that immediately turn in-house counsel off
Why relationships with in-house lawyers are often a long game
What outside counsel can do to become indispensable partners
The brands Brittany is watching right now
How a non-billable assignment changed the course of her career forever
About Brittany Johnson:
Brittany Johnson is a franchise and licensing attorney with more than a decade of experience spanning both private practice and in-house legal leadership. Throughout her career, she has advised brands on growth, expansion, licensing, and strategic partnerships, helping businesses navigate complex legal and commercial challenges.
Today, Brittany brings her unique perspective as both a former in-house business partner and outside counsel to help emerging and established brands grow thoughtfully and sustainably. Her practice focuses on franchising, licensing, and building practical legal solutions that support business objectives.
This episode is brought to you by: Vista Consulting
Vista Consulting helps law firms navigate the rapidly shifting landscape of private equity and MSO-driven transactions. They serve as strategic advisors to firms preparing for acquisition, merger, or partnership, strengthening operations, aligning leadership, and pressure-testing financial performance. Their hands-on experience ensures firms enter the market organized, confident, and positioned to maximize value when it matters most for long-term success ahead. For more information, check out their Law Firm Owner’s Guide to PE Readiness here or explore Vista Consulting’s M&A advisory services for law firms considering a sale.
How You Feel About Business Development Matters (Minis with Megan)
What if the biggest thing holding you back from business development isn’t your strategy, it’s how you think and feel about it?
In this episode of So Much To Say: A Legal Podcast For People, Minis with Megan, we explore why so many lawyers immediately answer "I'm bad at business development" when asked how they feel about it. By shifting the conversation from performance to emotion, Megan shares a more useful way to identify what’s really getting in the way, and how small, consistent actions can help you build confidence over time.
Who this episode is for:
Lawyers who feel overwhelmed, intimidated, or stuck when it comes to business development
Professionals who believe they're "bad" at networking or relationship building
Anyone looking for a more sustainable and realistic approach to growth
People who want to improve their business development skills authentically
Episode takeaways:
"I'm bad at business development" is often a judgment about yourself
Understanding how you feel about business development helps identify the real challenges you’re facing with BD
Mindset isn't about blind positivity; it's about awareness and practice
There is no one-size-fits-all business development strategy
Small, consistent actions create momentum and confidence over time
Business development tips for lawyers you can try:
Start with the right question: Ask yourself how you feel about business development, not whether you're good at it
Identify the real obstacle: Overwhelmed, nervous, time-constrained, uncertain? Name it first
Treat business development like a skill: Practice matters more than perfection
Take small steps consistently: A few minutes a day is better than waiting for the perfect plan and doing nothing
Experiment without judgment: Find approaches that fit your personality and season of life
Focus on progress, not performance: Confidence grows through action
Stay Connected:
Love So Much To Say? Let us know! Drop a review, give us 5 stars in your favorite podcast app, and tell us what made you laugh, think, or just go “yep, that’s me.” Every review helps us reach more awesome humans who want to make legal…well, human.
Want to go deeper? Curious about 1:1 coaching with Megan or Jen? Or want the inside scoop on stage? Hit us up below, we’d love to chat!
Learn more about stage
Connect with Megan Senese
Connect with Jennifer Ramsey
Building Equity Through IP Education (with Valérie Cambronne, Founder of LegallyBlack)
What if intellectual property education weren’t reserved for corporations, elite institutions, or people who already knew how the system worked?
In this episode of So Much To Say: A Legal Podcast For People, Megan Senese and Jennifer Ramsey sit down with Valérie Cambronne, IP attorney, founder of LegallyBlack, and someone deeply committed to closing the IP literacy gap in underrepresented communities.
What started as a conversation between two law school friends after hearing about young artists being exploited in the music industry, eventually became a nationwide nonprofit teaching students how to protect what they create. From candy-themed trademark workshops with high school students to partnerships with Harvard University, MIT, Howard University School of Law, and the American Bar Association, Valérie is helping reshape who gets access to intellectual property education and why it matters.
You’ll hear about:
How one podcast episode about music exploitation inspired the formation of LegallyBlack
Why Valérie believes IP literacy should be treated and taught like financial literacy
Why so many creators and founders underestimate protecting their IP
The difference between obstacles and resistance, and why that mindset changed everything
Building a nonprofit while practicing law full-time
How LegallyBlack grew through relationships, word-of-mouth, and momentum
Why IP matters for creators, influencers, startups, and students
The surprising intersection between Valérie’s nonprofit work and private practice
Why business development is a long-term investment
The vision for LegallyBlack chapters across the country (and eventually globally!)
About Valérie Cambronne:
Valérie Cambronne is an IP attorney and the Founder & Executive Director of LegallyBlack, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing IP literacy in underrepresented communities. Since launching in 2020, LegallyBlack has delivered free educational workshops across multiple states, reaching students through partnerships with schools, universities, and legal organizations nationwide.
Valérie also runs her own IP practice, where she focuses on trademark counseling, brand protection, and helping creators and entrepreneurs understand the “why” behind intellectual property strategy.
This episode is brought to you by: Vista Consulting
Vista Consulting helps law firms navigate the rapidly shifting landscape of private equity and MSO-driven transactions. They serve as strategic advisors to firms preparing for acquisition, merger, or partnership, strengthening operations, aligning leadership, and pressure-testing financial performance. Their hands-on experience ensures firms enter the market organized, confident, and positioned to maximize value when it matters most for long-term success ahead. For more information, check out their Law Firm Owner’s Guide to PE Readiness here or explore Vista Consulting’s M&A advisory services for law firms considering a sale.
Stay Connected:
Love So Much To Say? Let us know! Drop a review, give us 5 stars in your favorite podcast app, and tell us what made you laugh, think, or just go “yep, that’s me.” Every review helps us reach more awesome humans who want to make legal…well, human.
Want to go deeper? Curious about 1:1 coaching with Megan or Jen? Or want the inside scoop on stage? Hit us up below, we’d love to chat!
Learn more about stage
Connect with Megan Senese
Connect with Jennifer Ramsey