A modern, proactive approach to
associate engagement.

A modern, proactive
approach to
associate engagement.

We help law firms develop and retain more engaged, resilient, and effective associates through seminars, coaching, and on-demand video content

Your mid-level associates are your firm’s biggest investment—and also its most precarious.

▸ Low engagement leads to missed billable targets and deadlines.

Unexpected turnover leads to imbalanced workloads and expensive lateral recruiting.

▸ Performance plans are expensive, reactive and often too late.

They’re dedicated, ambitious, and engaged.

Until they’re not.

And even just one unhappy or underperforming associate can unravel a whole department:

The solution?
A proactive approach to fostering sustainable associate engagement.

That’s why we created LEAP, the…

LawyerWise
Engaged Associate Program

01.
Engaging Seminars

that provide actionable tools

+

02. Coaching Sessions

to put the tools into practice

+

03.
Video Content

to deepen knowledge
and refer back to as a resource

01. Seminars

Interactive in-person or virtual seminars to help associates build engagement, resilience, and stronger day-to-day habits

Developed to surface common associate challenges and introduce practical, research-informed tools

Designed for BigLaw associates, by a former BigLaw associate

02. Coaching

Customized one-on-one or small-group coaching to help associates apply the tools in a more personal, practical way

Creates space to reflect on real challenges, test new perspectives, and build momentum over time

Reinforces seminar themes while supporting deeper engagement, accountability, and follow-through

03. Video Content

The Associate Happiness 101 video series is designed to reinforce key ideas from LEAP in a concise, engaging, on-demand format.

13 engaging video modules, each 4-7 minutes long, to fit into a busy associate schedule

Research-informed ideas that build resilience, adaptability, and stronger engagement

Practical tools and insights that associates can apply right away

SAMPLE MODULES

We call it Associate Happiness 101, but at its core it’s about building
stronger engagement and resilience,

GROWTH MINDSET

In this session on Growth Mindset, discover:

What research tells us about nature vs. nurture

Why resilience is so important for lawyers

How associates can prepare for challenge

POSITIVE EMOTIONS

In this session on Cultivating Positive Emotions, discover:

The foundational intervention of positive psychology

Simple and practical tools to reframe careers

Actionable steps to increase gratitude and satisfaction

FAQ

  • LEAP (LawyerWise Engaged Associate Program) is our three-part associate engagement offering, combining seminars, coaching, and the Associate Happiness 101 video series. Built specifically for law firms, LEAP applies practical concepts from psychology to help associates strengthen engagement, resilience, and day-to-day effectiveness.

    Associate Happiness 101 is the on-demand video component of LEAP, designed to reinforce key ideas through concise, engaging YouTube-style modules.

  • In a nutshell, we blend first-hand BigLaw associate experience with actionable, evidence-based frameworks and tools from psychology to help associates thrive.

    See the “Why LawyerWise” section below for more.

  • The LEAP program and Associate Happiness 101 video series are specifically designed for associates at large law firms…but almost everyone can learn something along the way!

  • Not at all! There’s no need to download anything or stress your IT team.

    We’ll send associates an email with one-click access to our content. There’s nothing to download and no complicated logins.

    They can watch content on their computers or their phones, so it’s available whenever works best for them.

  • Program packages can be developed for any price point. Please reach out below to discuss options.

  • Of course! The LEAP program is modular, and we can provide seminars, coaching, and/or the video series separately or as a compiled program to meet the needs of your associates.

  • We don’t claim to offer a magic bullet, but we do aim to help associates build stronger habits, perpsectives, and pathways towards sustainable engagement. Over time, that can support better retention, stronger performance, and lower turnover.

Why LawyerWise?

Real BigLaw associate experience. Deep organizational psychology knowledge.

David Selesnick

As a former BigLaw associate for five years at a top New York firm, David saw first-hand how important engagement and resilience are to associate and firm success.

Now, he combines his extensive firm and in-house experience with his JD/MBA and specialization in positive psychology to help firms increase associate retention and productivity.

As a certified executive coach and an Instructor at the University of Toronto in ethics and professionalism, David leverages his unique experience and dynamic worldview to help associates and firms build stronger engagement.

As a member of both the New York and Ontario bar, David brings a rare combination of legal, business, and psychology-informed insight to the challenge of associate engagement and development.

Emma Rees

Emma is a Business Psychologist and Senior Leadership Consultant with a 20-year track record of talent development impact. A former elite athlete with a decade of experience competing on the world stage, Emma brings deep expertise in performance, development, and talent strategy to help organizations strengthen engagement and long-term success.

As an advisor and coach to elite performers, Emma enables professionals and their companies to reach new heights. She works globally with government, Fortune 500, and growing organizations to design and implement world-class talent development and retention programs.

We combine
legal experience + scientific precision
to ensure your associates
thrive.

Contact Us

For more information, pricing, or to book a seminar or program, please enter your email below.

We aim to respond to all inquiries within 48 hours (and we’re human, so thanks in advance for your patience!)

Sometimes the wise choice is an easy one.