Dina Cataldo knows what it’s like to feel completely overwhelmed by the demands of being a lawyer. As a former criminal prosecutor, she worked long hours, prioritized everything except herself, and thought stress was just part of the job—until she was forced to rethink everything. After a life-changing health diagnosis, Dina began a journey to redefine success and take control of her time, energy, and mindset. Now, as a Master Certified Coach for Lawyers, she helps attorneys do the same. In this episode, Dina shares how lawyers can break free from stress, manage their time more effectively, and build practices that support their lives—not the other way around.
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Dina Cataldo spent over 15 years as a criminal prosecutor before realizing that the way she was working was unsustainable. Like many lawyers, she thought long hours, high stress, and exhaustion were just part of the profession. But after being diagnosed with breast cancer at just 29 years old, she was forced to slow down—and in that stillness, she had a realization: she had completely normalized stress, and it was affecting her life more than she ever realized.
“When I went to take a break for chemotherapy and radiation, I realized that that chemo felt like I was taking a vacation. It really dawned on me that the way I had been practicing the law was literally killing me," shares Dina Cataldo on You Are A Lawyer.
Determined to create a healthier, more sustainable way of working, Dina explored different ways to manage her time, reduce stress, and regain control of her life. That journey led her to coaching, where she now helps lawyers create practices that align with their well-being, values, and long-term goals. Today, she’s the founder of Be a Better Lawyer Coaching and hosts the Be A Better Lawyer podcast, where she shares strategies to help attorneys work smarter, not harder.
Dina didn’t come from a family of lawyers—she was a first-generation college graduate and the first in her family to go to law school. She was drawn to the legal profession for its stability, financial security, and potential to make an impact. Growing up in a household where money was tight, she saw law as a way to create opportunities for herself and build the kind of life she wanted.
"My parents really didn't make much money growing up. I really wanted to break that history and create a life where I had financial abundance," reflects Dina Cataldo on Episode 183 of You Are a Lawyer.
But as she moved through her legal career, she realized that working harder wasn’t the key to happiness or success. It was simply leading to burnout. Her journey from prosecutor to coach wasn’t about leaving law—it was about learning how to work smarter so that she and other attorneys could have both success and well-being.
For Dina, a law degree is one of the most powerful tools a person can have—not because of what it allows you to practice, but because of how it teaches you to think. While she started her career in the courtroom, she found that her ability to analyze problems, manage details, and advocate for herself helped her pivot into coaching and business ownership.
“You know, it's so fascinating – You can do anything with your law degree," emphasizes Dina Cataldo on Episode 183 of You Are a Lawyer.
Now, she helps other lawyers recognize that they aren’t trapped in traditional legal roles. Whether they want to become firm owners, entrepreneurs, or leaders in new industries, they already have the skills to succeed. Her work is centered on helping lawyers understand that the way they use their law degree is entirely up to them.
Dina’s journey into entrepreneurship didn’t start with coaching—it started with tea. Wanting to try something new, she launched a loose-leaf tea business, thinking it would be an exciting way to explore business ownership. But as she learned more about entrepreneurship and business strategy, she realized that selling physical products wasn’t where her true passion lay.
“I created a business I don't actually like. I don't like having a physical product. I don't necessarily want to be tied down to this model that I currently have and I'm not really energized towards growing this,” shares Dina Cataldo in Episode 183 of You Are a Lawyer.
Rather than forcing herself to continue with something that didn’t excite her, she pivoted. She applied what she had learned from running a business to a field she was deeply passionate about—coaching. Now, through Be A Better Lawyer Coaching, she teaches attorneys how to work smarter, manage their time more effectively, and build fulfilling careers without burning out. Her experience highlights that side hustles aren’t just about extra income—they’re a way to experiment, grow, and ultimately find the work that truly lights you up.
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Dina is licensed to practice law in the state of California.
Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast.
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