Parenting Through Partnership in Big Law

Where You Can Listen

Description

Can you build a thriving Big Law career without sacrificing family life? In this episode of The LawFin Podcast (presented by Power Forward Group), host Bobby Kaslander and co-host Chris DeVito sit down with Lowenstein Sandler Partner Laura Cicirelli to discuss her journey from top-of-the-class scholar to leading venture counsel.

Laura shares how lessons from her immigrant grandparents shaped her work ethic, why pivoting to Lowenstein Sandler saved her legal career, and the crucial role mentorship plays in supporting young attorneys. She offers actionable advice for associates aspiring to partner, emphasizing the power of setting strict personal boundaries, maintaining transparent communication with law firm leadership, and embracing a supportive firm culture. Additionally, Laura breaks down her work advising venture-backed startups and co-founding The Founder's Hour Podcast.

What's Inside this Episode

1. Big Law Partnership and Family Life Are Not Mutually Exclusive: Achieving partner status at a top law firm does not require sacrificing your personal or family life. Success comes from establishing sustainable habits early, communicating transparently with leadership, and surrounding yourself with a firm culture that values both high output and personal obligations.

2. Set Uncompromising Boundaries and Communicate Them Early: Protect critical personal time- such as family dinners, kids' sports, or personal downtime- by setting firm boundaries and sticking to them. Openly discussing your family commitments with partners and clients builds respect and establishes reliable transparency, proving that setting boundaries enhances professional reliability rather than compromising it.

3. Shift from 'Knowing Everything' to Building Trust and Reliability: Junior and mid-level associates often burn out trying to have every answer upfront. Law firm partners value reliability, resourcefulness, initiative, and open communication far more than unearned expertise. Asking for direction when stuck saves hours of stress and builds long-term professional trust.

4. Don't Be Afraid to Pivot to Find the Right Firm Culture: If your current firm environment feels unsupportive or misaligned with your long-term career vision, making a strategic move can revitalize your legal career. Transitioning to a firm that offers support, organic mentorship, and room to explore your niche—like venture capital and corporate counsel—can be the single best investment in your future.

About Our Guest

Laura Cicirelli is a trusted legal and strategic advisor to startups, venture-backed companies, and investment funds, often serving as outside general counsel to clients across the technology, consumer goods, and Web3 sectors. With nearly a decade of experience navigating complex business and financing transactions, she delivers practical, business-oriented legal solutions that support growth and innovation at every stage.

Laura advises founders, executive teams, and investors on a wide range of corporate matters, including entity formation, corporate governance, capital raising, equity structuring and exit strategies. Laura has become an integral part of her clients’ leadership teams—managing day-to-day legal needs while also guiding strategic decisions, board governance, and complex transactions.

Laura, along with Lowenstein ECVC partner Eric Weiner, co-hosts The Founder’s Hour podcast—a series of candid conversations about what it actually takes to found, build, grow, and sell a company. Drawing on her experience advising founders and investors at every stage of the startup journey, Laura brings a practical, real-world perspective to each episode. Listen here.

Laura began her legal career in private equity at a leading Am Law 10 firm, where she developed a strong foundation in high-stakes transactional work. Today, she leverages that experience to help entrepreneurs and investors navigate growth, scale, and strategic exits with confidence.

Time Stamps

00:00 –Intro: Prioritizing Family While Thriving in Big Law
00:42 – Episode Welcome & Guest Bio: Laura Cicirelli, Partner at Lowenstein Sandler
06:01 – Work Ethic Roots: Immigrant Grandparents & Academic Excellence
10:46 – The Path to Law School & Business Foundations at Scranton
13:52 – Overcoming Early Career Career Uncertainty & Pivoting to Lowenstein Sandler
18:00 – Finding Passion in Corporate Law, Contract Negotiation & Fact-Gathering
19:33 – Managing Big Law Hours, Motherhood & Setting Strict Boundaries
24:38 – Teaching Work Ethic & Humility to the Next Generation
27:28 – Mentorship, Advising Startups & Co-Founding The Founder's Hour Podcast
31:06 – Essential Career Advice for Associates Aspiring to Partner
33:42 – Guilty Pleasure Spends, Financial Freedom & Closing Remarks

Disclosure

For education use only- not to be relied upon as financial advice. The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advise or a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any product or security. Investing includes risk, as well as the potential loss of the money you invest. Insurance and other financial products and services could be subject to certain terms, eligibility requirements, conditions and costs, and may not be right for everyone.
 
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