090: Musician to Plaintiff’s Attorney to Practice Advisor: A Journey to Find Professional and Personal Happiness with Nora Riva Bergman

Great Practice. Great Life. by Atticus™ Helping attorneys grow thriving practices, increase revenue, lower stress, and achieve a work/life balance.

Have you ever wondered how a personal tragedy can reshape your entire career?

On this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, special guest Nora Riva Bergman takes us through her extraordinary journey from a musician to a plaintiff's attorney and finally to a practice advisor at Atticus Incorporated. Nora opens up about a pivotal personal tragedy that caused her to reevaluate her career path and find her true calling. Gain unique insights into how she now helps lawyers achieve a harmonious balance between their professional and personal lives.

Throughout this episode, we explore how Nora has impacted the legal community. From her early experiences in employment law, which she likens to “corporate family law,” to her tenure as the St. Petersburg Bar Association executive director, Nora's path has been anything but conventional. Learn the importance of building the right team, implementing effective systems, and balancing financial goals with personal well-being to succeed. Nora also shares her experiences as an author and the significance of maintaining a professional online presence in today's digital age.

Lastly, discover Nora's practical strategies for effective time management and mindfulness. She talks about the power of small, consistent changes and how they can transform your practice and life. Nora's actionable tips are designed to enhance productivity and well-being, from blocking dedicated work time to creating a “to-don't” list. Plus, hear about her ambitious goal of circumventing the world on her Peloton bike, reflecting her broader philosophy of sustainable transformation.

Join us for an episode packed with wisdom and actionable advice that will inspire and equip you to make meaningful changes in your life.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Nora Riva Bergman's career transformation from musician to plaintiff's attorney to practice advisor at Atticus Incorporated

• How a personal tragedy led Nora to shift from litigation to mediation and teaching

• Nora’s insights into effective marketing, time management techniques, and impactful daily habits

• The importance of developing the right team, implementing effective systems, and balancing financial goals with personal well-being

• The critical role of maintaining a professional online presence to support client trust

• Benefits of mindfulness meditation and the power of small, consistent changes over time

• Lessons from Nora’s book “50 Lessons for Lawyers,” focusing on self-management, marketing, and building resilience

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Supporting Resources:

• Nora Riva Bergman: Practice Advisor & Attorney: atticusadvantage.com/our-team/nora-riva-bergman

• One-on-One Coaching: atticusadvantage.com/what-we-do/tailored-coaching/one-on-one-coaching

• Disc Assessment: atticusadvantage.com/disc-assessment

• Nora’s Author Page at Amazon.com: amzn.to/46eRT9I

• Author: 50 Lessons for Lawyers: Earn more. Stress less. Be awesome. www.amazon.com/50-Lessons-Lawyers-Stress-awesome/dp/0997263709

• Author: 50 Lessons for Women Lawyers - From Women Lawyers: Career and Life Lessons From 50 Successful Women Lawyers: www.amazon.com/50-Lessons-Women-Lawyers-Successful/dp/0997263717

• Author: 50 Lessons for Happy Lawyers: Boost Wellness. Build Resilience. Yes, you can! www.amazon.com/Lessons-Happy-Lawyers-Wellness-Resilience-ebook/dp/B09TPJGN3L

• Lean Thinking: www.lean.org/explore-lean/what-is-lean

• Cocoanut Grove fire: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocoanut_Grove_fire

• Article: Study on Lawyer Impairment: The Prevalence of Substance Use and Other Mental Health Concerns Among American Attorneys: www.americanbar.org/groups/lawyer_assistance/research/colap_hazelden_lawyer_study

• Article: Stressed, Lonely, and Overcommitted: Predictors of Lawyer Suicide Risk: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9956925

• Book: The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want: www.amazon.com/How-Happiness-Approach-Getting-Life/dp/0143114956

• Book: Happiness at Work: Be Resilient, Motivated, and Successful - No Matter What: www.amazon.com/Happiness-Work-Resilient-Motivated-Successful/dp/0071664327

• Book: Getting Things Done: www.amazon.com/Getting-Things-Done/dp/0143573195

• Great Practice. Great Life.® by Atticus® – 085: Exercise: Is it a Waste of a Billable Hour? with Jonathan White: atticusadvantage.com/episode085

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.