Retirement -- a life transition that often gets neglected when we talk about lawyer well-being. For many lawyers, the thought of retiring causes stress, worry, and uncertainty. But with thoughtful planning and self-care, it can also be an exciting, rewarding, and fulfilling period in one's life and career.
In this presentation, our panelists lead an open and honest discussion about the lessons they've learned and share their key strategies for retiring well. Whether you're "retirement-curious", approaching retirement, or recently retired, by the conclusion of this presentation, you will acquire these six key tips:
- When to start planning for retirement and financial considerations
- The mechanics of transitioning out of active practice
- How to deal with the emotional and psychological challenges that may come up
- How to take charge of your retirement and “leave well”
 Want to learn more about the RequireWell program? Â
Panelists
Sylvia Chen- Senior Patent Counsel, Google
As Google Senior Counsel, Sylvia works with firms and vendors worldwide to shepherd Google's patent portfolio. After she defined and implemented a scorecard for Google US Patent Firms, she automated the process so very little attorney time is needed to produce the scorecard annually. Prior to joining Google in 2014 and refining their panel of US law firms, Sylvia was a patent attorney at Motorola. Before going in-house, Sylvia worked as an associate attorney at Fulbright & Jaworski LLP (now Norton Rose Fulbright). She inadvertently entered the legal field after graduating from the University of Illinois at Urbana with a B.S. degree in electrical engineering and accepting a job at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Sylvia is interested in leadership issues in the law profession, particularly related to minority and gender factors, and is functionally illiterate in Mandarin Chinese.
Clinton Hallman, Retired Attorney
Prior to his retirement, Clinton held the position of General Counsel at LBP Manufacturing, a maker of innovative food packaging products located in Cicero, Il. Prior to that, he held the position of Chief Counsel, Patents at Kraft Foods.Â
Before he attended law school at George Mason University School of Law, he served as an officer in the United States Navy on several years of sea duty in the engineering departments of Navy ships. He then joined Mobil Oil Corporation, where he gained experience as a project engineer and construction manager responsible for capital improvement projects and environmental clean-up matters.Â
Since retiring, Clinton has served on the Design Review Board for the city of Beaufort, SC where he has lived full-time since 2021. He is a board member for the nonprofit Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park site located on Hilton Head Island.
Â
Michael Pollard, Retired Partner of Baker McKenzie
Michael Pollard retired in 2021 after a 38-year career at the global law firm of Baker & McKenzie LLP. Before retiring, Mike concentrated his practice in appellate advocacy as part of the Disputes Practice Group.
He is an Emeritus Fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Attorneys and was a former president of the Appellate Lawyers Association. In addition to his practice, Mike served as Chair of the Firm’s International Benefits Committee, which oversaw the Firm’s global benefits programs and served as a member of the Knowledge Management and Professional Development Committee, which oversaw the Firm’s training programs throughout the world.Â
Moderator
Lewis Check, Lew Check Coaching and Consulting | EsquireWell Affiliate Coach
Lew Check advises law firms and legal organizations on talent management issues, and mentors and coaches lawyers, law students and legal professionals for their professional and career development. He was the North America Practice Group Talent Management Lead at Baker McKenzie, where he led and managed practice group attorney training, development, mentoring, performance management and evaluation. He collaborated with and advised firm leadership and coached individual attorneys on career development to achieve their business objectives and individual goals.
Prior to joining Baker in 2012, Lew directed the attorney professional development efforts at a Chicago law Firm. He practiced primarily in civil litigation, including nine years as a Visiting Clinical Professor at Loyola University Chicago School of Law and Supervising Attorney at the Loyola Law Center, the school's civil litigation clinic. He earned a B.A. from the University of Michigan, M.A. in English Literature from the University of Chicago, and J.D. from Loyola Chicago School of Law. Lew started his professional career as a public high school English teacher.
Host
Kendra Brodin, Founder & CEO, EsquireWell
Kendra Brodin is the Founder & CEO of EsquireWell, a leading legal well-being and performance consulting firm, providing education, strategic guidance, coaching, and online learning tools to help lawyers and legal professionals be happier, healthier, and more successful. Prior to founding her company, Kendra was Chief Attorney Development Officer at a large national law firm. With a master’s degree in social work from the University of Pennsylvania, a law degree from the University of Minnesota, and nearly 20 years of professional experience in legal professional development and well-being, Kendra brings the "people" side and the "business" side of the law as she guides legal organizations and their team members to thrive now and in the future.
