Join host Ben Chiriboga, Chief Growth Officer at Nexl as he interviews guests to get their lessons learned from a life in legal. From overcoming practice silos to fostering collaboration and battling toxic work environments while building strong client relationships -- This Legal Life leaves no stone unturned.
In this episode of This Legal Life, host Ben Chiriboga speaks with Karina DuQuesne—lawyer, investor, operator, and now legal tech founder—about her extraordinary career journey from Goldman Sachs to Big Law, and ultimately to launching a legal tech startup designed to empower underserved entrepreneurs. Karina opens up about the challenges of navigating motherhood in a demanding legal career, the mindset shift from employee to founder, and why she believes general counsel roles are on a natural trajectory toward CEO. Her story is an inspiring blueprint for redefining success in the modern legal landscape. Guest Bio: Karina DuQuesne is the CEO and Co-Founder of Encore, a first-of-its-kind legal intelligence platform built specifically for entrepreneurs. Drawing from her deep experience in both high-stakes corporate law and tech innovation, Karina has steered Encore to deliver legal solutions that are timely, efficient, and cost-effective—helping founders stay focused on building their businesses instead of wrestling with outdated legal processes. Before co-founding Encore, Karina practiced at top-tier law firms, including Saul Ewing and DLA Piper LLP, advising fast-growth tech companies and investment funds on mergers, acquisitions, and strategic transactions. She later established the Technology and Innovation Practice at Caldera Law, shaping legal strategies for venture-backed startups, and remains a Partner there, guiding founders from seed to scale. Karina’s passion for high-impact ventures led her to serve as Chief People Officer, General Counsel, and Interim GM (U.S.) at Ironhack, a global edtech company where she championed rapid expansion and nurtured the next generation of tech leaders. She also played a pivotal role on the executive team of a global enterprise SaaS firm, driving a merger of equals that spanned six countries. Over the course of her career, she has been involved in more than 15 leveraged buyout transactions worth over $2 billion across multiple sectors. A Miami native who began her career as an analyst at Goldman Sachs in New York, Karina returned to her hometown to blend her expertise in finance, law, and technology. Committed to elevating underrepresented voices in the tech sector, she founded the Ironhack Women in Tech Collective and actively invests in diverse early-stage founders. Karina earned her Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School and her Juris Doctor from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, along with a Certificate in Dispute Resolution. Recognized as “Counsel on the Rise” by the Daily Business Review, she continues to shape a more inclusive, forward-thinking startup community—one founder at a time.
In this episode of This Legal Life, host Ben Chiriboga sits down with Hannah Beko — lawyer, coach, author, and mental health advocate — to explore her journey from commercial real estate partner to a purpose-driven legal entrepreneur. Hannah shares how a life-altering moment with her father’s health catalyzed her pivot toward coaching, wellness, and redefining success in law. With honesty and warmth, she unpacks the challenges of running multiple businesses, confronting imposter syndrome, and building a legal life anchored in authenticity. This episode is a powerful look at the intersection of legal leadership, resilience, and humanity. Guest Bio: Hannah Beko is a trauma-informed coach, commercial real estate lawyer, and founder of Authentically Speaking, a coaching and training consultancy supporting legal professionals in creating more sustainable, fulfilling careers. Drawing on her own experience as a practicing lawyer, business owner, and parent, Hannah understands the unique pressures faced by those in the legal profession—constant demands, high stakes, and the challenge of maintaining personal wellbeing in a high-performance culture. Since 2016, she’s been helping legal professionals across the world move beyond burnout and disconnection. Her nervous system-aware approach combines coaching, mentoring, and practical tools to support clients in reconnecting with themselves, navigating stress, and realigning their professional lives with their personal values. Whether working with firm leaders, junior or senior lawyers, or legal entrepreneurs, Hannah creates a compassionate space for reflection, growth, and meaningful change. Her work is grounded in the belief that law doesn't have to come at the cost of health, family, or authenticity. Links: www.authenticallyspeaking.co.uk https://www.amazon.co.uk/Authentic-Lawyer-Hannah-Beko-ebook/dp/B0B1JPNRTS https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahbeko/
In this episode of This Legal Life, host Ben Chiriboga sits down with Shane Percival — a lawyer, engineer, and partner at NOD Law. Shane shares his unique journey from an engineering career during the dot-com era to becoming a leader in intellectual property law. They explore how his technical background and project management skills influenced his legal practice, his path from associate to partner, and the development of a dynamic, hybrid work culture. Shane also discusses the future of boutique law firms, the integration of AI, and how building meaningful client relationships remains central to success. Guest Bio: A problem-solver by nature, Shane frequently organizes cross-disciplinary actions in providing clients innovative legal solutions. As a former project manager tasked with the timely resolution of client issues while operating independently within a client location, Shane translates those previously honed organizational and managerial skills to apply intricate legal frameworks to cutting-edge technology and novel business models. Whether he is providing a client with patent, trademark, transactional due diligence, litigation support, or licensing/commercial agreement work, Shane ensures all firm work product is aligned with the client’s vision and needs. As an engineer, Shane was previously based in London, UK, and frequently worked with customers while stationed in Hong Kong. He is now able to rely on the skills honed during this time when managing clients’ global legal issues to fortify their market position and secure their commercial success.
In this episode of This Legal Life, host Ben Chiriboga sits down with Gwen Griggs — lawyer, co-founder, entrepreneur, consultant , and passionate advocate for reinventing the legal profession. Gwen shares her deeply personal and professional journey from the early spark of inspiration rooted in justice to building a law firm and consultancy grounded in purpose, innovation, and value. She reflects on leaving behind the billable hour, embracing design thinking, and creating systems that center client experience, well-being, and impact. This conversation is a masterclass in courageously aligning professional life with personal values — and designing legal services that truly matter. Guest Bio: Gwen Griggs, co-founder of ADVOS legal and ADVOS Pro, has a background in Big Law and C-suite roles. In ADVOS legal, she and her partner built a new model, that – instead of hours - measures what matters to the client, team, and owner. (Click here for more about Gwen's legal experience.) The innovative approach - solving a problem worth solving, the sustained success, and the impact on the community, earned ADVOS legal recognition by GrowFL as a Florida Company to Watch. Built from the lessons learned in business and ADVOS legal, ADVOS Pro’s created training, coaching and a community helping law firm owners build practices they love that love them back. Gwen is passionate about the world-changing impact of entrepreneurs - especially when those entrepreneurs lead law firms. She has been honored to serve on boards of organizations supporting entrepreneurs and is a frequent speaker on leadership, innovation, and alternative business and pricing models. Links: Website: https://advospro.com PROmance Scorecard: https://advospro.com/promance-scorecard/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gwengriggs/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/griggsgwen/ Schedule a call: https://calendly.com/gwen-griggs/virtual-coffee
In this episode of This Legal Life, host Ben Chiriboga sits down with Tess Blair, former litigation and eDiscovery pioneer at Morgan Lewis, to discuss her journey of building a groundbreaking legal practice and transitioning into a thriving post-retirement career as an artist. From the early challenges of navigating technology in the legal field to leading a transformative practice, Tess reflects on the evolution of law, the creative parallels between legal innovation and art, and the importance of knowing when to pivot. This episode is a testament to the power of reinvention, resilience, and embracing creativity in all its forms. Guest Bio: Tess Blair is a litigator and legal entrepreneur who has practiced at the intersection of law, technology, and design for more than two decades. Tess is the founder and leader of Morgan Lewis’s eData practice, a data-driven practice that combines great lawyering with technology and design to enhance the delivery of legal services. A proven leader with a unique combination of skills: 20+ years of practice at an AmLaw 50 firm, Masters in Law Firm Management, undergraduate studies in Industrial Design. Author, Speaker, Visionary focused on reimagining the delivery of legal services.