How Big Law is Failing New Parents (And Why It Matters) featuring Lori Mihalich-Levin

Lori Mihalich-Levin explains why she believes parents make the best employees and the importance of having a mindful return to work after parental leave.

In this episode, Lori Mihalich-Levin, a Georgetown Law School graduate, explains why she wants to assist parents with transitioning back to work.

How Big Law is Failing New Parents (And Why It Matters) featuring Lori Mihalich-Levin

<iframe width="100%" height="180" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" seamless src="https://share.transistor.fm/e/d6b7ca40"></iframe>

How Big Law is Failing New Parents (And Why It Matters) featuring Lori Mihalich-LevinHow Big Law is Failing New Parents (And Why It Matters) featuring Lori Mihalich-Levin

About This Episode

Lori Mihalich-Levin believes that parenthood can make a person a better employee.  Parenting entails time management, project management, multitasking, prioritizing and budgeting, to name a few things.  When Lori was on maternity leave from her role as a medical reimbursement attorney, Lori created Mindful Return out of sheer desperation.

After being unable to find resources to assist a parent into being a new parent and this change in their identity, Lori created the program to assist the new parent with this transition.  Employers are able to offer the program to their employees as a benefit when they are on parental leave.

Mindful Return is an online program that assists people in transitioning back into the workforce after parental leave.  Each program is a cohort of parents with different employers.  Mindful Return is available for those who identify as moms, dads, are parenting special needs children, adoptive parents, and surrogate parents.

There is also a manager track of Mindful Return which prepares a manager for the biggest differences when a team member is on leave.  You may register for Mindful Return as an individual, or connect your Human Resources department with Mindful Return.  Visit mindfulreturn.com for additional details.

Lori Mihalich-Levin is licensed in New York.  Connect with Lori on Twitter @mindfulreturn and Instagram @mindfulreturn.


Follow the You Are A Lawyer podcast on Twitter @YouAreA_Lawyer, Instagram @youarealawyer and on LinkedIn.  Follow the podcast host, Kyla Denanyoh, on Instagram @mrsdenanyoh.  Kyla Denanyoh is a 2015 graduate of Southern University Law Center (SULC) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Recent Episodes

How Solo Practice Gives Lawyers More Freedom

Edward Cohn is a criminal defense attorney who has spent 23 years running his own solo practice across three states. In this episode, he shares why opening his own firm right out of law school gave him the freedom he always wanted, how a background in music shaped his confidence and creativity, and why some lawyers thrive when they build their practice on their own terms.
Read and listen here

Authenticity Is Your Strategy: Marketing Lessons for Lawyers

Chelsea Jones is the founder of Chelsea Anne Media, a social media marketing agency that helps lawyers build personal brands that feel genuine, not forced. In this episode, she shares how one Upwork client turned into a thriving niche, why Instagram remains the most powerful platform for lawyers, and how authenticity can turn online visibility into real relationships.
Read and listen here

Tax Attorney Shares When You Really Need Help

Stephen Weisberg is a Detroit-based tax attorney who helps individuals and business owners resolve IRS controversies and tax-debt issues. In this episode, he shares how the 2008 recession launched him from corporate bankruptcy work into tax law, why most people wait too long to seek help, and what every lawyer (and taxpayer) should know before they get that letter from the IRS.
Read and listen here

Why Authenticity Matters for Lawyers

Sergio Gregorio is a lawyer, podcast host, and creative who’s redefining what it means to have a legal career. In this conversation, he shares how growing up in Brooklyn, studying journalism, and working in federal service shaped his storytelling instincts, and why today’s lawyers must balance visibility, authenticity, and creativity in the digital world.
Read and listen here

Redefining Success and Alignment in Law

Arivee Vargas is a first-generation Latina lawyer who went from Big Law litigation to in-house corporate leadership, all before pivoting to become an author, executive coach, and speaker. She shares the raw story of her identity crisis after having her first child and how that led her to develop the framework for her book, Your Time to Rise, focusing on aligning your career with your deepest values. This conversation is essential for any high-achieving lawyer ready to stop checking boxes and start building a life of true purpose.
Read and listen here

Solo Firm Autonomy: Escaping the Partnership Trap

Yladrea Drummond went from being “team no care about the law" to becoming a highly successful trial attorney and solo firm owner in Maryland and DC. She openly shares the grit required to get barred after a seven-year journey, how she transitioned her practice from family law to dominating criminal defense, and the non-negotiable value of complete autonomy that running her own firm provides. This conversation is a raw, honest look at the transition from legal disappointment to becoming a respected "big dog in court" who is truly building a legacy
Read and listen here

How Hiring a Case Manager Will Transform Your Law Practice

Rob Levine is the founder of a multi-state law firm and an advocate for operational efficiency in legal practices. In this episode, he breaks down the vital role of case managers in improving law firm operations, building better client relationships, and increasing profitability. Whether you're a solo attorney or managing a growing team, this conversation will change how you think about delegation and workflow.
Read and listen here

Reinventing Your Legal Career Through Coaching

Elise Holtzman left Big Law to raise her children, without a clear roadmap for what came next. Now she’s a leadership coach and founder of The Lawyer’s Edge, helping lawyers build confidence, develop business skills, and grow professionally. In this episode, Elise shares the mindset shifts that led her from practicing law to coaching those still in the field.
Read and listen here

Building a Legal Tech Startup from Law School

Lamia Rahman is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, TEDx speaker, and co-founder of SEEKR, a tech startup creating wearable AI devices for the blind. In this inspiring episode, Lamia shares her journey from law school in Hong Kong to the front lines of legal tech, accessibility, and advocacy.
Read and listen here

How To Grow a Thriving Multi-Practice Law Firm feat. Daniel Rosenberg

Daniel Rosenberg is a seasoned trial lawyer and the co-founder of a thriving civil litigation firm. With roots in criminal defense and a career built in courtrooms, Daniel shares how he went from retail entrepreneur to legal leader and why flexibility, grit, and courtroom instinct are the skills that drive his success. This episode is all about staying ready, even when your office is your car.
Read and listen here

How to Find New Purpose After a Legal Career feat. A.X. Foster

A.X. Foster is a former prosecutor and defense attorney turned novelist who’s turning real-life courtroom experience into gripping legal thrillers. In this episode, he shares how his background in acting and law helped him build a successful writing career, why COVID was the creative catalyst he needed, and how his novels teach readers about the legal system, without getting lost in legalese.
Read and listen here

How to Take the Leap from Big Law to Solo Practice feat. Gary Martoccio

Gary Martoccio is an employment lawyer and solo practitioner who left a large firm after 12 years to build his own plaintiffs-side practice. In this episode, Gary shares what it’s like to advocate for employees, run your own firm, and earn multiple state licenses through bar exams and reciprocity. If you’re curious about employment law or considering going solo, this episode gives a real-world perspective you won’t find in law school.
Read and listen here

©2025 You Are A Lawyer LLC.
All rights reserved.