Carolyn Elefant is a nationally recognized energy and civil rights attorney, founder of the Law Offices of Carolyn Elefant and MyShingle.com – the longest-running blog for solo and small firm lawyers. A Cornell Law School graduate and former attorney-advisor at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Carolyn has spent decades defending landowners’ Fifth Amendment rights against pipeline projects and eminent domain abuse, while also championing renewable energy, small firm empowerment, and the advancement of women-owned firms in the legal profession. She’s known for pioneering innovative policy and legal strategies that helped lay the groundwork for today’s carbon-free energy transition.
A thought leader in legal tech and law firm entrepreneurship, she’s a frequent speaker, educator, and advisor, and most recently authored a powerful amici brief in Perkins Coie v. United States, defending access to justice for small firms – a brief Nichols Law proudly supported.
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Here’s a glimpse of the episode:
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Carolyn’s early journey launching MyShingle and what’s changed for solos since
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How technology, especially AI, is reshaping small firm practice
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Using briefs, blogs, and social media as tools of advocacy
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Amicus brief in support of Perkins Coie v. United States
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What big law often misses (and small firms do best)
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Navigating the tension between AI innovation and energy infrastructure
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How women lawyers can market authentically and build referral networks
In this week’s episode…
Resources mentioned in this episode:
