Episode Description
Negotiation, compensation, and advancement shape a lawyer’s career — but most attorneys are left to navigate those decisions without much transparency.
In this episode of the Sidebar Advisors Podcast, Niraj Chhabra sits down with Jill Cruz, executive coach, career strategist, and founder of JLC Consulting.
Before launching her practice, Jill spent years in senior HR and talent leadership roles inside law firms, advising on hiring, promotion, and compensation decisions. Today, she helps attorneys better understand their value, navigate career inflection points, and advocate for themselves more effectively.
They discuss what Jill learned from seeing these systems from the inside, why so many attorneys underestimate their leverage, how negotiation really starts long before an offer is made, and why mindset plays such a big role in whether people step into bigger opportunities.
They also talk about the structural and cultural barriers that continue to affect women and attorneys of color, and how Jill’s research has shaped the way she coaches today.
To learn more or connect with Jill:
Website: www.jlc.consulting
Email: jcruz@jlc.consulting