How to Stop Feeling Overwhelmed and Take Control of Your Legal Career feat. Dina Cataldo

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.

LISTEN TO LEARN

  • How to set boundaries, take control of your time, and eliminate overwhelm
  • Why mindset shifts are the key to breaking free from burnout and stress
  • How to create a legal career that supports your personal and professional goals

WE ALSO DISCUSS

  • Dina’s journey from prosecutor to full-time coach for lawyers
  • The importance of prioritizing yourself—before your career forces you to
  • How small changes in your routine can transform your productivity and well-being

Want to start a podcast?

Save time and create faster with KD Creative. KD Creative offers done-for-you podcasting services by launching podcasts for small business owners and editing podcasts for existing podcasters. 

If you’re ready to get your content in the ears of your ideal customers, start working with KD Creative. Visit skiptheboringstuff.com to hire a podcast coach.

How to Stop Feeling Overwhelmed and Take Control of Your Legal Career feat. Dina Cataldo

<iframe width="100%" height="180" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" seamless="" src="https://share.transistor.fm/e/16b5dbe5"></iframe>

How to Stop Feeling Overwhelmed and Take Control of Your Legal Career feat. Dina CataldoHow to Stop Feeling Overwhelmed and Take Control of Your Legal Career feat. Dina Cataldo

About This Episode

Dina Cataldo’s Background

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.

Why Law School

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.

<iframe width="926" height="521" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J_Ia965WfPs" title="" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

What Can You Do with a Law Degree

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.

Lawyer Side Hustles

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.


Join the FREE mailing list!

Get behind-the-scenes content from You Are A Lawyer. 

1) Visit www.youarealawyer.com

2) Add your email address to the Subscribe pop-up box OR

3) Enter your email address on the right side of the screen

4) Get emails from me (I won't fill your inbox with junk)!

About Dina Cataldo

Dina is licensed to practice law in the state of California.

Learn more about Dina

Interact with You Are A Lawyer

Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast. 

Follow the podcast:

YouTube: youtube.com/@youarealawyer

Instagram: instagram.com/youarealawyer

Twitter:  twitter.com/YouAreA_Lawyer

Website: youarealawyer.com

<iframe width="678" height="381" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EbFWNfW8vZs" title="" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Recent Episodes

How To Build a Successful Podcast for Your Law Firm feat. Robert Ingalls

Robert Ingalls is a former attorney who turned his passion for storytelling into a successful media business as a podcast producer. In this episode, he describes his struggle from being over-anxious working in the legal industry to finding joy in podcasting, focusing on the importance of doing what you love and the impact of creativity in your career. Come join Robert as he shares the challenges he encountered, the mistakes he made, and how he now supports others in making their voice heard through podcasting.
Read and listen here

How to Have an Amicable Divorce featuring Nicole Kobis

Nicole Kobis explains why divorce proceedings can be resolved amicably and the importance of finding a legal mentor.
Read and listen here

How to Combine Comedy and Law to Create a Dream Career feat. Joel Oster

Joel Oster, a constitutional lawyer turned stand-up comedian, shares how he combined his passion for public speaking with his legal expertise to create a career he loves. From teaching hilarious CLE courses to arguing cases at the U.S. Supreme Court, Joel’s journey is filled with practical advice and laugh-out-loud moments. This episode offers inspiration for lawyers looking to break free from traditional paths and find joy in their work.
Read and listen here

Why Legal Incubators are Creating Better Lawyers featuring Anne-Marie Rabago

Anne-Marie Rabago explains how to create sustainable businesses and the importance of admitting that lawyers don’t know everything.
Read and listen here

How I Graduated from Law School with Honors After Failing Out featuring SeNita McRae

SeNita McRae explains the difficulty of taking the bar exam while pregnant and the importance of innovating processes and procedures in corporate offices.
Read and listen here

How to Value Your Talents and Discover Career Success featuring Megan Smiley

Megan Smiley explains why she stopped practicing corporate law and the importance of international travel.
Read and listen here

How Philanthropic Giving Promotes Diversity and Opportunity in Higher Ed featuring Jera Oliver

Jera Oliver explains how a law clerkship inspired her non-traditional career and the importance of using money as a tool.
Read and listen here

Learn to Monetize Your Passions as a Travel Blogger featuring Francesca Chang

Francesca Chang explains how learning Mandarin made her closer to her family and the importance of managing your career expectations.
Read and listen here

How to Manage Your Finances and Money Mindset as a Lawyer feat. Rho Thomas

Rho Thomas explains the risks of entrepreneurship and why lawyers should adjust their money mindsets.
Read and listen here

How Sales Funnels Create Million Dollar Law Firms featuring Sam Mollaei

Sam Mollaei explains how sales funnels can work for law firms and the importance of mentorship as an entrepreneur.
Read and listen here

Multiple Career Changes Inspired Me to Become a Career Strategist featuring Michelle Thompson

Michelle Thompson explains why calming the nervous system can make you a better lawyer and the importance of listening to your mom.
Read and listen here

LLM vs JD: An Argument for Alternative Legal Degrees featuring Morgyn Jones

Morgyn Jones explains why you shouldn’t let the fear of not having a JD limit your career prospects.
Read and listen here

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