Legal Practice Coaches, Events, and Resources

As a first generation law student / attorney, no one has benefitted more than myself from incredible mentors and couches that helped me chart a path to Big Law. These individuals knew the kinds of internships to focus on, what mattered most at each stage of the application process and how to overcome any roadblocks that could prevent you landing that coveted 2L summer position. Learning from them was crucial to my job hunt, but more than that, it was inspiring to me personally. I could tell they were invested in my success, and the payoff of landing my dream job was twice as sweet when I could share that accomplishment with them. Since starting my career, I've assisted students from all backgrounds secure offers at some of the most prestigious law firms in the world--and had a great time doing it! If you're looking to break into Big Law, I'd love to be in your corner. My expertise is in the following: 1. Breaking into Big Law: Networking & Applications 2. Standing Out: Big Law Interviews 3. Crafting Your Narrative: Resumes, Personal Statements & Interviews

Hi, I’m Sasha Franklyn, a Harvard-trained biologist turned Columbia Law graduate and former Big Law attorney, where I worked on M&A and sovereign-wealth investments in U.S. energy infrastructure. Today, I coach first-generation and multicultural professionals to build careers and lives that feel purposeful, sustainable, and true to who they are. My path has taken me through science, law, and education, and that mix of rigor, creativity, and empathy shapes every coaching conversation. I’ve also led and managed teams across global organizations, giving me firsthand insight into the challenges of leadership, especially for those navigating diverse, high-pressure environments. Highlights • 20+ years of professional experience across law, education, and leadership development. • Global experience with organizations including Google, Amazon, Daimler, Carrefour, Biomérieux, IBM, Philip Morris, Crédit Agricole, and the OECD. • Legal focus: coach law school applicants, Big Law associates, and career-changing attorneys through admissions, clerkships, DOJ roles, recruiting, and transitions out of practice—with clarity and confidence. • Leadership & executive coaching: support managers and executives in developing emotional intelligence, leading multicultural teams, and communicating with clarity under pressure. • Scientific background: former National Cancer Institute research fellow; research experience at the World Health Organization and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. • Education innovator: designed global learning programs reaching more than a million learners, including collaborations with BTS × HYBE Edu. • Coaching approach: combines evidence-based tools (PQ, ACT, Bicultural Identity Integration) to help clients build confidence, reframe guilt, and create environments where they can thrive. • First-gen perspective: I know what it’s like to be “first”—to balance family duty with ambition—and I coach from that lived experience. Outside of coaching, I write speculative and silkpunk fiction, play the violin and gayageum, and spend time hiking Korean mountain trails that remind me how growth and stillness can coexist

Coaching for Busy Legal Professionals on the Go! With over two decades of legal and managerial experience at leading international law firms, I now help attorneys and business services professionals navigate complex workplaces, career transitions, and interviewing processes. I hope to meet soon and determine how we may work together to achieve your career goals. Please set up an introduction through the Leland prompts- thank you!!

Joseph M. Kemp earned his Juris Doctor & Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan, the #1 public university in the nation,* and a Master’s in Education from the University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League university and the #1 graduate school of education* in the country as a triple-degree graduate student. He completed his Bachelor's degree in philosophy at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY), graduating with Latin and departmental honors. With over a decade of experience in education, Joseph is deeply committed to sharing his knowledge with those who can benefit most. His dedication is rooted in his own journey as a first-generation American, first-generation college graduate, and someone from a low socioeconomic background. He has tutored and taught high school students, young adults, and college students, and has mentored graduate students, impacting 100s of learners along the way — and even earning a coveted spot on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 for his educational venture, Games that Matter. Having founded multiple companies and gained diverse experience at Google, Fidelity Investments, top corporate law firms, venture capital firms, Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and as the youngest appointee to a public sector Executive Council, Joseph brings a wealth of expertise tailored to aspiring graduate students and ambitious founders, particularly those with unconventional paths.

David W. Barlow is an accomplished Hawaii injury lawyer who built his personal injury law practice from the ground up. Since founding his firm in 2009, he has successfully grown it into a respected practice in Honolulu, representing clients in car accidents, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian injuries, and other serious accident cases across Oahu and beyond. His years of courtroom experience, combined with his in-depth knowledge of Hawaii’s insurance and injury laws, have positioned him as a trusted advocate for victims and a seasoned professional in the field of personal injury litigation. In addition to his legal accomplishments, David has developed a wealth of business knowledge by managing every aspect of his firm’s growth. From handling marketing and client acquisition to managing staff, streamlining operations, and building referral networks, he has first-hand experience in what it takes to start and sustain a thriving law firm. His practical insights come not from theory but from more than a decade of navigating the realities of law firm ownership while maintaining a strong focus on client service and results. As a coach and mentor, David now shares this experience with other attorneys who want to launch or expand their own practices. He understands the challenges of going out on your own and the strategies needed to succeed, from building an online presence and attracting clients to balancing financial management and professional development. His mission is to empower lawyers with the tools, mindset, and confidence to create firms that not only succeed financially but also make a meaningful difference in the lives of their clients.

Hello overwhelmed one! It's hard enough working to accomplish your goal; now you have to find the right coach too? How are you supposed to choose? Here's a quick guide to my differentiators. Are we a match? 1. Our collaboration builds your agency instead of taking it: I'm a trained and certified professional coach. But you're the expert on you. You have all the answers you need in order to reach your goal. They're just hidden behind your traditional way of thinking. My job is to ask you questions that make you go "Oh, I never thought about it like that!" Of course, I have all sorts of guidance to offer from my years as a hiring manager, and a coach. But I'm in the business of your empowerment so there will be no lesson plans here. 2. I coach via the four pillars of my practice: Reminding you of your inherent worth Encouraging and celebrating you, especially when you fail Disrupting the limiting beliefs that minimize who you can be and what you can do Ensuring you achieve your goals with deep integrity and empowerment 3. My sessions are informal and playful, but pack a punch: I once took one of those personality tests about what kind of employee I am. I scored off the charts in informality. I use casual language and I integrate my playful sense of humor in all I do (which another one of those tests told me was my #1 strength). That being said, you and I both use our intellect to achieve at work, and since coaching is my work, we're going to have fun with critical thinking skills! You will not leave wondering what you paid for. 4. My greatest professional interest is helping clients disrupt the stories "who do I think I am", "I'm not enough", and "there's not enough (time, energy, money, etc.)." If you think there's any of that standing between you and your goal, you won't find a more dedicated practitioner on Leland. 5. Corrupting my nephews is my joy.

Past clients I worked with have earned admission to T-14 schools and received substantial scholarship offers, even with nontraditional or imperfect profiles. Clients who were more focused on regional schools or specific practices achieved similar results in their domain. I help aspiring lawyers turn imperfect profiles into compelling applications and, ultimately, real careers in law. I’m a practicing attorney in Washington, D.C. with a commercial background both before and after law school, and I’ve mentored students through every stage—from deciding whether law school is the right move to landing their first legal role. My coaching is highly personalized and strategy-driven. We start by mapping your full story, depending where you are at this is anything from GPA, test scores, work experience, gaps, and more. Then we can work together to highlight your strengths, address your shortfalls, and position you as the kind of candidate schools and employers want to bet on. I combine real-world legal experience, a strong professional network, and a practical, supportive style to help you move from “I’m not sure I’m competitive” to “I know exactly how to tell my story.”

Michael Stallworth is a Juris Doctor from UCLA Law, where he specialized in Media & Entertainment, Technology, and Critical Race Studies Law. He has earned various essay-based scholarships and has held multiple leadership positions, including Chief Diversity Editor for the UCLA Law Review, Editor in Chief of the National Black Law Journal, and Co-Chair for the Black Law Students Association. Michael was also part of the UCLA Trial Team that won the BLSA Constance Baker Motley Trial Competition Regional Championship. He is a fellow of the SEO Law Program and has participated in mentorship programs with Afro Scholars, Baker McKenzie, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, in Sociology and Black Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he was recognized with $80,000 in essay-based scholarships, the Michael D. Young Engaged Scholar Award, and the Paul Robeson Award. His extracurricular involvement included serving as Co-Chair for Black Grad, being a tour guide, orientation advisor, and resident assistant, and participating in UCSB Cheerleading. Professionally, Michael has gained diverse legal experience through internships and clerkships at leading firms and organizations. Currently, he is a Legal Intern at Eventbrite, supporting policy development and global compliance audits. He has also clerked at Tyler Chou Law for Creators, where he conducted legal research on copyright and contracts, and at Novian & Novian LLP, where he drafted legal motions and complaints, including high-profile cases involving entertainment law. Additionally, Michael was a Summer Associate at Hogan Lovells US LLP, working in the Litigation, Arbitration, Employment, and M&A practice groups, where he collaborated with IBM in-house counsel on M&A and IP projects related to AI. Michael has developed technical skills in video editing, Photoshop, social media content creation, and podcast hosting. His interests include hiking, surfing, fashion, and music, all of which reflect his passion for a balanced and well-rounded life both inside and outside the legal profession.

My life has been all about taking big leaps and making major pivots - all to live more authentically and find greater meaning in my life and career. After 6 years in the active duty military, I decided to pursue a legal career. I attended Stanford Law School as a Knight-Hennessey Scholar, worked as a Ninth Circuit clerk, and am joining Edelson PC in the fall. I'm a proud Pacific Northwest native, but I have lived and traveled worldwide as an Air Force Intelligence Officer. In my free time, I'm an avid adventurer. I love trail running, mountain biking, and exploring new places.

Proud Ivy League alum, savvy lawyer, and camp counselor extraordinaire with a knack for storytelling and technical editing. Honed as an editor on Northwestern University School of Law's Journal of Law and Social Policy and narrative organization via research at the University of Pennsylvania, this coach brings a dash of New York City hustle along with her big sister energy to the table. She has worked with many students in all stages of college essay development, from digging deep for the perfect topic to polishing that narrative until it shines as bright as they do. Shayna also has 5 years of experience as an alumni interviewer for Penn undergraduate admissions. Let’s team up and turn your journey into a college essay or personal statement masterpiece!