Sales conversations can feel intimidating — especially when you feel judged, unsure of your credibility, or uncomfortable “selling” yourself.

In this episode of The Pathway to Partnership Podcast, Cecilia Poullain breaks down why sales feels so difficult for many women lawyers — and how to approach it in a way that feels natural, credible and confident.

Using a powerful coaching story and real-life examples, Cecilia explains the emotional traps around sales, the double bind women often face, and why confidence can collapse when objections arise. She then shares a simple four-step structure for sales conversations that works whether you’re pitching formally, meeting for coffee or speaking to a referred client.

You’ll learn how to:

• Reframe sales as a professional conversation, not self-promotion
• Balance deep listening with showing up as an expert
• Establish credibility without being aggressive
• Handle objections — including price — with confidence
• Stay in control of next steps instead of leaving conversations open-ended

This episode gives you a practical framework to approach sales conversations calmly and effectively — so bringing in clients feels aligned, professional and sustainable.

— CONNECT WITH ME —

Download my free guide here: "How to make partner in a law firm"

Business development doesn’t have to feel exhausting, awkward or based on luck.

In this episode of The Pathway to Partnership Podcast, Cecilia Poullain breaks down how women lawyers can build a clear, reliable system for attracting work — without trying to do everything.

Starting with a simple story about two lawyers who took very different approaches to relationship-building, Cecilia explains why much of your work is likely already coming from closer than you think — often from inside your own firm — and how focusing on the right relationships makes marketing far easier and more effective.

You’ll learn:

• Why many women lawyers dislike marketing — and the biggest mistake they make
• How to identify where your work actually comes from and focus your energy there
• Why relationship-building inside and outside your firm matters more than visibility alone
• How to use the “know, like, trust” funnel to create a sustainable marketing system

This episode is about replacing scattered effort with focus — so business development becomes simpler, more natural and far more effective over time.

— CONNECT WITH ME —

Download my free guide here: "How to make partner in a law firm"

If your practice is too broad, everything feels harder — from marketing and visibility to attracting the right clients.

In this episode of The Pathway to Partnership Podcast, Cecilia Poullain explores why many women lawyers struggle with positioning — and how trying to “do everything” often leads to vague branding, boring LinkedIn posts and missed opportunities.

Cecilia explains:

• What happens when your positioning is too broad — and why clients and referrers don’t come
• How clearer positioning makes marketing, confidence and client development easier
• The risks of being too narrow — and how to avoid boxing yourself in
• Different ways to position yourself, including audience-based, problem-based and phased approaches

This episode is about finding the balance between focus and flexibility — so you can build a strong reputation, attract the right work and grow your career in a way that feels sustainable and authentic.

— CONNECT WITH ME —

Download my free guide here: "How to make partner in a law firm"