Become A Happily Successful Lawyer
Without sacrificing your health, your relationships or your values.
You became a lawyer to make an impact. Thanks to your competitive nature and make-it-happen work ethic, by society’s standards, you’re a success.
Why then, do you so often end up thinking there’s got to be more than…
Snapping at your child (for wanting to spend time with you) & picking an argument with your spouse (over how the laundry was folded) after yet another drink-from-the-fire-hose-day.
Saying “yes” to an over-demanding colleague (for the millionth time, even though it means longer nights doing work you don’t even want to be doing).
Not having the time to schedule a plumber to fix your leaky faucet (for over 2 months now – it feels ridiculous).
Questioning what success means to you at this stage and how to even begin to get to the next level (your plate is already too full).
You time manage like a pro, and have mastered every productivity trick there is.
What, exactly, are you missing?
It’s time for a new approach to success (and balance). Because both are created from the inside-out.
Which is where I come in.
After more than 18 years in private practice and a battle with breast cancer, I traded in my $2.5MM+ practice to help lawyers become happily successful using my unique 4-R Formula.
I’ve spent the past 20+ years mentoring (and now coaching) lawyers – like you – to 10x (or more) your professional and personal results while ditching stress, overthinking and people-pleasing.
Truth: stress, anxiety, and depression (at higher-than-average rates) don’t have to be the norm. There’s a better way.
And yes, you can balance a fulfilling career/practice with a real life. I’ve done it – in BigLaw – and my clients do too.
Whether you’re in private practice or in-house and regardless of how long you’ve been practicing (3, 8 or 20+ years), my mission is simple:
To help you increase your income and impact while advocating for yourself as fiercely as you do for your clients.
The Power Of
The 4-R Formula
Imagine…
Driving home after a long day at work, oblivious to the twinkling red, green & white lights. Irritated by The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year mockingly playing in the background.
Bursting into tears because – after wanting to be an attorney since age 10 – you’re seriously considering giving it all up…
- At the office every weekend.
- Billing 80-90 hours per week.
- Getting 4-5 hours of sleep per night.
… Just barely holding it together.
Did you know that more than 50% of private practice lawyers report feeling stressed and/or anxious all or most of the time?
Yep, that was me – and had been for 3+ years.
I told myself it was the same everywhere and kept pushing, worried about what people might think.
(Everyone thought I had it all)
But that night was different because. . .
My dear husband interrupted my evening gripe-fest to say “Heather, you have a choice.”
We fought, I went to bed angry. But woke up the next morning begrudgingly admitting he was right.
[Worried you’re burning out? Listen to this Life & Law Podcast episode on burnout symptoms, sources and solutions].
I stopped trying to hustle my way to happiness (it doesn’t work) and instead:
- Reframed my thinking.
- Reconnected to my values + strengths.
- Redefined success (on my own terms).
- Realigned around my priorities.
Within months, the inner spark (I thought I’d lost) was reignited.
And bonus: I was performing better than before, and people noticed.
Paper success isn’t success. And you don’t have to sacrifice yourself to succeed.
The 4-R Formula saved me, and helped catapult me to balanced success.
I made partner in an Am Law 100 firm and built my own book of business (to over $2.5MM) while navigating my way through:
- 2 pregnancies (and bed rests).
- The 2008 financial crisis (as a corporate finance partner).
- A battle with aggressive breast cancer.
I made a bigger impact. And yes, I made more money too. But most importantly, I stayed true to my values and had fun.
Let me be clear about something… I’m not a unicorn (as evidenced by the countless attorneys I’ve helped do the same thing).
Success on your terms (and being happy at the same time) is possible for you too.
[Start now with a step-by-step on how to redefine success from the inside-out in this popular episode of the Life & Law Podcast].
I thought I’d be practicing for the long-haul, happily ever after…
But The Big-C Turned My World Upside-Down
I was only 38. With 2 young kids at home – ages 2 and 6.
The cancer was aggressive, the prognosis wasn’t good. Thankfully, I beat the odds.
This experience taught me how to LIVE fully and without regrets. And it changed how I defined one of my top values (service), which is what eventually led me to trade in my thriving law practice to start this business.
I don’t accept that attorneys are destined for high stress, anxiety and burnout. And I know anyone can build their own book of business (even as an introvert).
I’m here to help you accomplish the things you want as a lawyer AND person while staying true to yourself. Whether you work with me or not, my mission is the same. That’s why I have so many articles, free resources and the podcast.
[For more about me – and inspiration around how to transform life’s messiest moments into positive ones – listen to this episode of the Life & Law Podcast].
Was I scared to leave law behind?
Truth: leaving something you’ve been incredibly successful at (for over 18 years) isn’t easy.
I worried it wouldn’t work out and that I’d be judged harshly by former colleagues.
But after what I’d been through, I couldn’t not try. No way would I allow fear to stop me.
And I wanted to show my boys that they have the power to create their own happiness.
P.S. I want that for you too.
You already have what it takes… Smart. Driven. Committed.
You just need help from an expert who understands what you’re going through and how to prevail through it all. So you can create – and successfully implement – a customized game-plan that aligns with your values, personality and strengths.
What My Clients Say
You found the right calling. I’m sure you were a great attorney, but you have a true gift with coaching.
Heather takes a highly individualized approach that delivers. She helped me find and laser focus on the business development techniques that play to my strengths and fit my personality.
Thanks to our work together, I increased originations by close to 30% in one year and am more confident about asking for business.
Heather will help you get to the next level without losing yourself in the process.
Heather challenged me to see situations (and even my own actions) in new ways while also keeping me focused on what was most important. This enabled me to quickly organize my ideas into actionable plans and take consistent action so that I could accomplish my goals while improving both myself and my results.
The results of working with Heather (through individual business coaching and her mastermind) speak for themselves… more than a 20x return on investment.
If you’re someone who agonizes over the same issue again and again, Heather will put you on a fast-track out of that overthinking mindset.
Heather was able to pull things out of me that I’d never before put into words and provided me with a framework for solving my own problems (while giving me gentle nudges to keep me on track).
Working with her empowered me to align my decisions with my priorities without feeling guilty about it. It helps that Heather lives her life this way too.
One of the biggest benefits of working with Heather is her ability to get you to rethink and then refocus on what’s most important.
I often go into our calls thinking that one thing is of most concern, and then she uncovers something deeper (that I never realized was an issue).
Be prepared to uncover things you never before realized about yourself.
Heather is perfect for working parents struggling to do it all who want tangible solutions to create a more balanced life.
When I first came to Heather, I didn’t know how to say no and my inner voice had become very unkind.
Heather quickly identified the root causes for why I felt so stressed and gave me practical strategies to overcome them. I’m now able to carve out time for myself, relax with my family and still work full-time.
She has a special talent for making people’s lives better.
Heather taught me how to ask myself the right questions to go from problem to solution.
When I first started working with Heather, I had lost the passion and drive I once had for my work. I didn’t perceive that I was living a meaningful life.
Coaching with Heather gave me the confidence to effectively communicate why I was the best fit for a big promotion at work (that I got!). I’m now genuinely looking forward to how my future plays out.
One of Heather’s super skills is knowing which questions to ask that uncover the solutions you’ve been looking for. Her targeted approach will help you uncover the answers.
Heather is direct, honest and no-nonsense. If you’re tired of feeling like you’re all over the place, work with her. She’ll keep you on track (and herd you back when needed) so that you can uncover what you want and how to start making it happen.
After working with Heather, I’m able to do more of what I love to do (which doesn’t even feel like work).
Thank you Heather for helping me think through my practice and how my mind works (inside-out) so that I could take the necessary steps to achieve my goals.
Heather helped me assemble the jigsaw puzzle of my thoughts in a way that made sense, and put them into practice. She’s quite versed in breaking down thought patterns and using great analogies with actual steps to resolve issues.
Working with Heather has put me on track to reach (even exceed) my revenue goal for the year.
Heather has a laser-focused ability to quickly get to the heart of a problem, and create a new, simple path forward.
Anyone ready for change and willing to try a new aproach will get tremendous, life-changing benefits from working with Heather.
Insightful and astute, Heather’s in the right business.
Heather has helped me become more self-aware, to re-frame my thoughts and adjust plans so that I can take the right actions to effectively reach my goals.
Everyone needs a Heather in their lives! I’d recommend her to anyone wanting strategic career advice and accountability.
Be The Lawyer, Build The Career You Want
Because you know you’re meant for more than appearing to have it together (yet – in reality – feeling untethered).
Whether you’re looking to trade out emotional exhaustion for balance, wanting a more profitable AND fulfilling practice, or looking to be promoted to partner (or C-Suite) while staying true to your values…
…Working together, you’ll regain your confidence and fearlessly create the practice you want. So you can start feeling like you again while making a bigger impact (and probably more money too).
Things I believe
(You should probably know)
You can’t attract or manifest your dream life because it involves hard work (yet hard work CAN be fun).
Buffy was great television & everyone should follow the Modern Family playbook for treating family members.
According to clients, my superpowers are asking the right questions & simplifying complex situations.
Music feeds your inner soul (when in a bad mood, I dare you to put on a happy song and not feel better).
A growth mindset is your foundation for success but it doesn’t stop there (you also need a strategic plan + support).
I believe you deserve to be happily successful.
