A Human Approach to Law Firm Business Development (with Andraya Brunau)
“I think it’s starting that conversation that there's not just one right way to learn law and have a practice in law.” - Andraya Brunau
Law firm business development does not have to mean becoming someone you are not.
In this episode of So Much To Say: A Legal Podcast For People, Megan Senese and Jennifer Ramsey sit down with IP litigation partner Andraya Brunau to explore what it looks like to build a legal career, a client base, and a team around genuine relationships.
Andraya shares how returning to law after parental leave helped her become more intentional about the practice she wanted to build. For her, a sustainable career is not only about finding work you enjoy. It is also about finding people you enjoy doing that work with.
That philosophy shapes the way she approaches business development. Rather than copying someone else’s version of rainmaking, Andraya focuses on clients who share her values, invests deeply in existing relationships, and builds trust with people who genuinely feel like part of the same team.
She is bringing that same thinking to the lawyers she leads.
Instead of waiting until senior associates are expected to produce business, Andraya is helping lawyers begin developing those skills earlier. One hour a month. Small opportunities to practice. Different approaches for different personalities. The goal is not to create one kind of rainmaker. It is to help every lawyer find a form of business development that feels natural, accessible, and sustainable.
In this episode, you will hear
Why returning from parental leave can clarify what you want from your legal career
How to identify the clients and relationships worth investing in
Why business development should begin before lawyers reach the senior-associate level
How law firms can make business development more accessible to different personalities
What it means to leave a firm, team, or practice better than you found it
Why there is no single right way to build a meaningful career in law
About Andraya Brunau:
Andraya Brunau is an intellectual property litigator and law firm leader whose practice focuses primarily on trademark and copyright litigation, along with patent counseling and litigation matters. She serves in leadership roles within her firm’s IP litigation and commercial litigation practices and is passionate about mentoring younger attorneys, making business development more accessible, and creating a better experience for the lawyers coming behind her.
Learn More:
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This episode is brought to you by stage’s program, corduroy:
corduroy offers business development support for lawyers navigating parental leave. corduroy is a free, four-session business development coaching engagement for lawyers returning from parental leave. Most lawyers don’t need more business development advice. They need business development that fits real life.
To learn more about corduroy for yourself or your team, contact us at info@stage.guide
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.
