Episode 202 – Giving yourself permission to create space for you with Rho Thomas

The Happy Lawyer Happy Life Podcast

This week I got to go ‘international’ and chat with a wonderful lawyer in Rho Thomas. Rho is all the way over in the USA where she practices primarily in trademark law. We did talk law and particularly Rho’s life in 2020- managing her role in a large law firm in the city of Atlanta, Georgia. Rho and I recorded this interview a few weeks ago and it sure is an interesting time to be talking about life in the USA versus life in Australia. Given the current challenges as a result of the pandemic, Rho has been working from home, juggling her job around caring for her two young children since April this year which as I am sure we can all imagine, is no easy thing.

I loved the chance to speak with Rho and learn more about the similarities and differences in our experiences in law. When she is not busy being a lawyer, mum and everything else, Rho also runs a great podcast exploring all things finance for lawyers called Wealthyesque. Something that became really apparent to me in this conversation is the significant benefit we have in Australia through our HECS education system- the difference in the cost of becoming a lawyer for Rho as compared with my experience is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Rho’s own experience of student debt and the impact it has had on her family and her colleagues has led to her ‘side hustle’ helping other legal professionals in the USA make better money decisions to ultimately lead better lives.

There is a whole lot in this chat and Rho is a wonderful guest- full of stories that will make you laugh and honesty that will also get you thinking.

In this interview, Rho Thomas and I also chatted about-

• If Rho was not a lawyer she would have been a financial coach.
• Paying off student loans and the impact of the cost of education in America on new lawyers.
• Finding ways early in your business and career to manage money.
• The common money problems Rho sees when coaching lawyers.
• Life growing up in Atlanta and Georgia and the path that led Rho to the law.
• Being a type A personality, Rho wanted to become a lawyer since she was 8 years old.
• The United States College System, which is a total 7 years to become a lawyer, and Rho’s College experience.
• The Bar exam, which lasted over 2 days with hundreds of people.
• The training structure for young lawyers in the USA.
• How a red sole shoe brought Rho to her first role as a trademark lawyer.
• Rho’s tips for managing your work day and a family.
• Giving yourself permission to create space for you.
• Seeking help for challenges and the advantages Rho experienced in her therapy sessions.
• Rho’s perspective on technology and the impact of Social Media.
• A snapshot of Rho’s 2020, and the significant impact of the pandemic on her daily life.
• Rho’s predictions for the impact of COVID on Law Land in America.
• Rho defines herself as a happy human and contributes this to taking time for herself and setting boundaries.
• Rho’s Happiness Tip.

Sit back and enjoy this interview with Rho Thomas.

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Learn more here about upcoming events and courses and connect with Clarissa Rayward at the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life’ knowledge centre- A community for lawyers who want to make the best out of their life in and outside of the law.

Listen to last week’s episode here

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