Lowenstein Sandler's Women's Initiative Podcast: Real Talk

In this episode of "Real Talk," hosts Jennifer Fiorica Delgado and Megan Monson sit down with Krista Gundersen, Senior Director of Programs Operations & Systems Management at Practising Law Institute (PLI), to discuss living with Stage IV breast cancer while raising a young child and advancing her career. Krista shares what helped her navigate treatment, advocate for herself, find support, and manage the demands of work and family. She also reflects on the complicated meaning of resilience and offers guidance for people facing a serious diagnosis—and for those who want to support them.

Speakers:

Jennifer Fiorica Delgado, Partner, Commercial LitigationMegan Monson, Partner, Executive Compensation and Employee BenefitsKrista M. Gundersen, Senior Director, Programs Operations & Systems Management at PLI

In this episode of Real Talk's "Coffee Chats with WIN," hosts Jessica I. Stewart and Lauren N. Russell speak with Lesley Adamo, Vice Chair of the Tax Group, New York Office Managing Partner, and Head of Strategic Growth and Initiatives. Lesley discusses her path into tax law and to Lowenstein, the advice that encouraged her not to take herself out of the game while pursuing partnership and family, and the importance of bringing her whole self to work. The conversation also covers what she looks for in junior attorneys, why proactive client ownership matters, and how careers are long, relationships matter, and the legal community is smaller than it may seem.

Speakers:

Lesley P. Adamo, Partner; Vice Chair, Tax GroupJessica I. Stewart, Associate, Executive Compensation and Employee BenefitsLauren N. Russell, Associate, Emerging Companies & Venture Capital

In this episode of "Real Talk," Megan Monson and Kathryn A. Daniel discuss the challenges women may face when navigating divorce in the workplace, particularly in a demanding law firm environment. Drawing on their own experiences, they reflect on balancing privacy and transparency, leaning on personal and professional support systems, using available resources, and finding resilience while moving through a life-altering transition.

Speakers:

Megan Monson, Partner, Employee Benefits & Executive CompensationKathryn A. Daniel, Associate, Trusts & Estates

In this episode of "Real Talk," Megan Monson and Diane Moss are joined by Patsy Doerr, Chief People & Culture Officer at LRN, to discuss her career journey and work advancing inclusion, talent development, and leadership across global organizations. Doerr shares lessons from her experience driving inclusive leadership initiatives and building ethical workplace cultures, emphasizing the importance of leadership buy-in, authenticity, psychological safety, growth mindset, and being bold when pursuing new opportunities.

Speakers:

Megan Monson, Partner, Employee Benefits & Executive CompensationDiane Moss, Counsel, Emerging Companies & Venture CapitalPatsy Sciutto Doerr, Chief People & Culture Officer at LRN

In this episode of "Real Talk," Alessandra M. Moore is joined by Brianna M. Ferrante for the latest installment of the Legal Launchpad miniseries, discussing what students should consider when deciding whether law school is the right path for them. Moore and Ferrante compare their day-to-day experiences in litigation and corporate practice, address common myths about legal careers, and offer practical advice on exploring different practice areas, building key skills, and keeping an open mind early in your career.

Speakers:

Alessandra M. Moore, Associate, White Collar Defense GroupBrianna M. Ferrante, Associate, Mergers & Acquisitions

In this episode of "Real Talk," Megan Monson and Diane Moss are joined by Maria Prince, a board director and senior executive advisor, to discuss her career journey and advice for women interested in pursuing positions on a board of directors. Prince shares how her experience in ESG, supply chain risk, and global operations shaped her path to the boardroom, emphasizing the importance of understanding your value, building experience before you need it, and not waiting until you have checked every box before seeking new opportunities.

Speakers:

Megan Monson, Partner, Employee Benefits & Executive CompensationDiane Moss, Counsel, Emerging Companies & Venture CapitalMaria Prince M.B.A. NACD.DC, Independent Director & Advisor

In this episode of Real Talk's "Coffee Chats with WIN," hosts Jessica I. Stewart and Lauren N. Russell chat with in-house commercial counsel at PSE&G--and former Lowenstein attorney-- Natalie Dallavalle about career pivots and changing goals. She shares her multiple pivots from private practice to in-house counsel, and from litigation to corporate law. She emphasizes that it's okay for your career goals to change and encourages young attorneys to do what is right for themselves, even if it strays from the status quo.

Speakers:

Jessica Stewart, Associate, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Lauren N. Russell, Associate, Emerging Companies and Venture CapitalNatalie Dallavalle, Associate Counsel, Commercial, PSE&G

In this episode of Real Talk, Jennifer Fiorica Delgado and Claire Dronzek are joined by Stephanie Argentine, Chief People Officer & Head of Legal Affairs at Centivo, to discuss the art of career reinvention as Argentine shares her career journey: from pivoting within law to HR and weaving together her strengths for a role that encompasses both. Argentine advises looking at your career as a winding path instead of a linear chronology, adding that you should identify and leverage your superpower as you navigate a career pivot.

Speakers: Jennifer Fiorica Delgado, Partner, Commercial Litigation Claire Dronzek, Associate, Emerging Companies & Venture Capital Stephanie Argentine, Chief People Officer & Head of Legal Affairs at Centivo

In this episode of Women's Initiative Network: Real Talk, Melissa Leidl, Lowenstein's Senior Manager of Entry Level Recruiting, joins host Alessandra M. Moore in the first edition of "The Legal Launchpad" a Real Talk subseries featuring candid conversations about careers in law, the legal profession, and what it takes to succeed. Leidl and Moore share expectations and advice for summer associates, emphasizing the importance of seizing all opportunities throughout the summer.

Speakers:

Alessandra M. Moore, Associate, White Collar Defense Group Melissa Leidl, Senior Manager of Entry Level Recruiting

In this episode of Real Talk's "Coffee Chats with WIN," hosts Jessica I. Stewart and Lauren N. Russell chat with Kathryn A. Daniel about the value in positivity and approachability as a junior associate. Kathryn highlights her adventurous spirit through her career journey, studying in Norway for graduate school before pivoting to law, as well as through her personal interests and experiences, including climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and her love of coffee.

Speakers:

Jessica I. Stewart, Associate, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Lauren N. Russell, Associate, Emerging Companies and Venture Capital Kathryn Daniel, Associate, Trusts and Estates

In this episode of Real Talk's "Coffee Chats with WIN," hosts Jessica I. Stewart and Lauren N. Russell chat with Rachel Moseson Dikovics and Mikayla R. Berliner about pivoting from their initial career paths to go to law school. They share the qualities they seek in team members, dabble in advice for women in demanding careers, and, as always, reveal their go-to coffee orders.

Speakers:

Jessica I. Stewart, Associate, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Lauren N. Russell, Associate, Emerging Companies and Venture Capital Rachel Moseson Dikovics, Counsel, White Collar Defense Mikayla R. Berliner, Associate, White Collar Defense

In this special 50th episode of The Women's Initiative Network: Real Talk, original hosts Nicole Fulfree, Megan Monson, and Rachel Moseson Dikovics are joined by Amanda K. Cipriano to reflect on the podcast's evolution. From standout moments to key takeaways, they explore how authenticity and vulnerability can work to challenge outdated workplace norms and build stronger, more meaningful connections among women.

To another 50 episodes of Real Talk!

Speakers:

Nicole Fulfree, Partner, Bankruptcy & Restructuring Megan Monson, Partner, Executive Compensation, Employment, and Benefits Rachel Moseson Dikovics, Counsel, White Collar Defense Group Amanda K. Cipriano, Associate, White Collar Criminal Defense

In this special episode of Real Talk's "Coffee Chats with WIN," hosts Jessica I. Stewart and Lauren N. Russell chat with the Chair of Lowenstein's Insurance Recovery Group and founder of WIN Lynda A. Bennett. Bennett shares her introduction to insurance law and how WIN has evolved over the last 11 years. She also lends advice on developing your own leadership style, reveals the foundation of mentor-mentee relationships, and, of course, details her caffeine of choice.

Speakers:

Lynda A. Bennett, Partner and Chair, Insurance Recovery Jessica Stewart, Associate, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Lauren N. Russell, Associate, Emerging Companies and Venture Capital

In this episode of Real Talk's "Coffee Chats with WIN," hosts Jessica I. Stewart and Lauren N. Russell chat with Megan Monson and Laura Cicirelli about their career paths, as they demonstrate that no legal career trajectory is the same. They share their biggest career risks, advice to junior lawyers, and, of course, how they take their coffee—or tea.

Speakers:

Laura Cicirelli, Partner, Emerging Companies & Venture Capital Megan Monson, Partner, Executive Compensation, Employment, and Benefits Jessica Stewart, Associate, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Lauren N. Russell, Associate, Emerging Companies and Venture Capital

In this episode of Real Talk's "Coffee Chats with WIN," hosts Jessica I. Stewart and Lauren N. Russell chat with partners Julia E. Sanabria and Nicole Fulfree about their career trajectories, career risks, and most importantly, how they take their coffee.

Speakers:

Julia E. Sanabria, Partner, Real Estate Nicole Fulfree, Partner, Bankruptcy & Restructuring Jessica Stewart, Associate, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Lauren N. Russell, Associate, Emerging Companies and Venture Capital

In this episode of Women's Initiative Network: Real Talk, hosts Jessica I. Stewart and Lauren N. Russell introduce a new series, "Coffee Chats with WIN," where the hosts invite inspiring women to talk candidly about the choices, challenges, and moments that have shaped their careers. Stewart and Russell chat with Nina R. Rodriguez and Julie Levinson Werner about their career trajectories, career risks, and most importantly, how they take their coffee.

Speakers:

Julie Levinson Werner, Partner, Vice Chair, Employment Jessica Stewart, Associate, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Lauren N. Russell, Associate, Emerging Companies and Venture Capital Nina Rodriguez, Law Clerk at the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey

In this episode of Women's Initiative Network: Real Talk, hosts Megan Monson, Rachel Moseson Dikovics, and Lauren N. Russell discuss how best to leverage the mid-point in your career when you are no longer junior, but not yet senior. The conversation assesses the expectation to balance roles as both mentor and mentee as well as adjusting to new responsibilities and coming to terms with your own expertise.

Speakers:

Megan Monson, Partner, Executive Compensation, Employment, and BenefitsRachel Moseson Dikovics, Associate, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Lauren N. Russell, Associate, Emerging Companies and Venture Capital

In this episode of Real Talk, Julie Levinson Werner, Markiana J. Julceus, and Lauren N. Russell join host Jessica I. Stewart to discuss working with multiple generations in the workplace. They discuss fundamental differences in how generations approach work-life balance, communication methods, and connecting with colleagues both generally and at Lowenstein Sandler specifically.

Speakers: Julie Levinson Werner, Partner, Vice Chair, EmploymentMarkiana Julceus, Counsel, White Collar DefenseJessica Stewart, Associate, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Lauren N. Russell, Associate, Emerging Companies and Venture Capital

In this episode of "Real Talk," host Megan Monson sits down with partner Julia E. Sanabria and Kerry A. Lunz, Lowenstein's Director of Recruiting and Integration, to cover lateral career moves for women in the legal field from both a recruiting and candidacy perspective. Lunz walks listeners through the recruiting and integration processes, highlighting key considerations for candidates making a lateral move. Sanabria then shares her experience transitioning to Lowenstein, discussing her approach to client relationships and how she acclimated to the firm.

Speakers:

Megan Monson, Partner, Executive Compensation, Employment, and Benefits Julia E. Sanabria, Partner, Real EstateKerry A. Lunz, Director of Recruiting and Integration

In this episode of Real Talk, Leah R. Duggins, legal counsel and administrative director for the Litigation Department; Patti Scott, Lowenstein's director of professional development; and Sarah Scott, Lowenstein's associate general counsel, join Megan Monson and Diane Moss to share their personal career trajectories and illustrate that no legal career is alike. From conventional pursuits to partnership or pivots to non-practicing roles, the guests' career stories support that there are multiple ways to leverage a law degree. The guests offer advice to listeners at a career crossroads on listening to their gut and making career decisions without placing undue emphasis on traditional expectations or outside opinions.

Speakers:

Megan Monson, Partner, Executive Compensation, Employee BenefitsDiane Moss, Counsel, Emerging Companies & Venture CapitalLeah Duggins, Legal Counsel Administrative Director, LitigationSarah Scott, Associate General CounselPatti Scott, Director of Professional Development