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Melissa Silverstein is a recovery-informed coach and longtime intellectual property attorney who supports high-achieving professionals in building...
Stephanie Everett leads the Lawyerist community and Lawyerist Lab. She is the co-author of Lawyerist’s new book...
Zack Glaser is the Lawyerist Legal Tech Advisor. He’s an attorney, technologist, and blogger.
| Published: | February 19, 2026 |
| Podcast: | Lawyerist Podcast |
| Category: | Solo & Small Practices , Wellness |
In episode 604 of Lawyerist Podcast, discover how addressing alcohol and mental health can unlock greater clarity, confidence, and long-term success in your legal career. Stephanie Everett sits down with IP attorney and recovery coach Melissa Silverstein to talk about alcohol, achievement, and the hidden pressures inside the legal profession.
Melissa shares her personal journey from high-achieving “functioning” lawyer to long-term sobriety, and explains why so many attorneys struggle silently while still appearing successful on the outside. Together, they explore law firm drinking culture, client expectations, stigma around asking for help, and why recovery does not have to mean labels or all-or-nothing thinking.
If you’ve ever felt burned out, anxious, or not quite like your best self, this episode offers practical insight, reassurance, and a path toward building a healthier, more sustainable legal career without shame.
Listen to our previous episodes on Lawyer Well Being & Recovery.
Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!
If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.
Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.
Chapters / Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro & Conference Recap
08:30 – Melissa’s Story
10:00 – Achievement as a Mask
12:10 – Rethinking Abstinence
14:30 – Harm Reduction & Personal Choice
15:50 – Warning Signs in Law Practice
16:30 – The Role of the Bar
17:50 – Leadership & Language
20:00 – Rethinking Firm Events
23:10 – Career Growth After Recovery
26:00 – De-Stigmatizing Help
29:00 – Closing Thoughts
Special thanks to our sponsor Lawyerist.
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Lawyerist Podcast |
The Lawyerist Podcast is a weekly show about lawyering and law practice hosted by Stephanie Everett and Zack Glaser.
