
Hosted by simonlawfirm · EN

“Feared in corporate board rooms” is how the St. Louis Business Journal describes attorney Mary Anne Sedey. In Part Two of Heels in the Courtroom, this legendary trial lawyer shares more powerful stories from her career, including high-stakes discrimination cases, multimillion-dollar verdicts, and hard-learned courtroom strategies. From exposing systemic racism at a major hotel to winning big against a Mercedes-Benz dealership, Mary Anne walks through the facts, the fight, and the lessons behind each case. She also delivers candid, practical advice for young attorneys: embrace risk, be persistent, pick your cases wisely, and don’t chase perfection at the expense of progress. It’s a masterclass in advocacy, resilience, and building a meaningful legal career.

What was it like to win a landmark case before the U.S. Supreme Court and pursue a high-profile discrimination lawsuit against Anheuser-Busch? In this episode of Heels in the Courtroom, legendary attorney Mary Anne Sedey covers it all, from founding the first women-owned law firm in St. Louis dedicated to advancing employee rights. Along the way, Mary Anne reflects on the realities of litigation, the personal toll on clients, and the courage it takes to challenge powerful institutions. Blending humor, history, and hard-earned wisdom as only Mary Anne Sedey can, this episode captures the legacy of a legal pioneer while offering valuable insight and inspiration for the next generation of trial lawyers.

An honest discussion about imposter syndrome, rejecting societal timelines, and redefining work-life balance with the newest member of the Heels in the Courtroom cast Sydney Marino gives listeners a relatable and inspiring look at the early stages of a legal career and the mindset it takes to thrive. Marino also opens up about navigating burnout through daily walks and leaning on family support and discusses embracing “change” as her defining theme for 2026.

The ladies leading Weigl Jackson share the emotional and legal complexities of discrimination claims, including managing client expectations, confronting difficult truths about the legal system, and balancing empathy with objectivity. Krystal Weigl, managing partner and trial attorney, shares her philosophy of representing “good people and good causes.” Olivia Weigl, the firm’s practice manager, discusses her transition from high school biology teacher to law firm leader, highlighting how her background in education shapes her approach to communication, organization, and client care. The group also explores the power of family dynamics in business, the importance of complementary skill sets, and how a strong internal team directly impacts client outcomes. The discussion sets the stage for part two, where the conversation turns to the business of running a law firm.

The ladies leading Weigl Jackson share the emotional and legal complexities of discrimination claims, including managing client expectations, confronting difficult truths about the legal system, and balancing empathy with objectivity. Krystal Weigl, managing partner and trial attorney, shares her philosophy of representing “good people and good causes.” Olivia Weigl, the firm’s practice manager, discusses her transition from high school biology teacher to law firm leader, highlighting how her background in education shapes her approach to communication, organization, and client care. The group also explores the power of family dynamics in business, the importance of complementary skill sets, and how a strong internal team directly impacts client outcomes. The discussion sets the stage for part two, where the conversation turns to the business of running a law firm.

In this episode of Heels in the Courtroom, Liz Lenivy, Mary Simon, Elizabeth McNulty and Katie St. John explore recent cases raising concerns about attorney-client privilege, confidentiality, and discoverability when AI tools are used. The hosts highlight the risks of exposing sensitive information as more clients use AI to draft summaries of their cases when looking to hire an attorney. The ladies also examine how AI is emerging in discovery and expert research, and what lawyers must do to stay ahead as these tools continue to reshape litigation.

In part two of a conversation with Mollie Farrell Khazaeli and Kelli Dunaway, Mary Simon and Elizabeth McNulty go deeper into the unexpected ways coaching can help women lawyers move from where they are to where they want to be, and how to know if coaching might be right for you.

Mollie Farrell Khazaeli and Kelli Dunaway both left careers in law to become coaches for legal professionals. In this episode, they talk with Mary Simon and Elizabeth McNulty about the difference between a coach and a mentor, as well as how they tackle their most common question among clients.

Imani Maatuka discusses the illusion of choice many law students face in choosing a career and how her scholarship program, Bridging the Gap, is helping these students navigate the process.

What’s it like to go from a big law firm to opening a boutique law firm in partnership with your mother in the first five years of your career? Listen in as Imani Maatuka shares the experience and lessons learned along the way with Liz Lenivy and Elizabeth McNulty.