CBA Record March-April 2025

THE YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION

I n my twenties, I had my entire life planned out. Now, a few years later, I can attest that my life has turned out nothing like I planned. I was going to be a professional actor living in New York City, working on stage and in film and television. Instead, I am a full-time litigator in an AmLaw 50 law firm, professional actor, business owner, and educator living in Chicago. My jour ney has been anything but linear. The nonlinear journey can be scary to many young lawyers. But I have learned that the uncon Communications Coach By Ashleigh A. Stochel

Because I realized the value and need of acting training for lawyers, I took a chance in 2020. I presented a CLE through the CBA on “Shakespeare and the Art of Rhetoric,” which focused on how Shakespeare and classical acting techniques could improve a lawyer’s delivery and presence. The CLE was popular, and I received wonderful emails and phone calls from gratified view ers. At that point, I believed I had a unique gift to offer the legal community. I started my business Perilous Mouths, LLC. Shortly

ventional is valuable, and the skill or passion that makes you an oddball could be your greatest superpower. After taking the Illinois bar exam, I began a graduate program in acting at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. I attempted a professional career in acting but eventually turned to lawyering to receive a steady income. I eliminated virtually all forms of artistic expression from my life because I thought life had to be either/or: I could either be a lawyer or an artist. I attended classes at Second City and participated in Shakespeare workshops, but I remained fundamentally unfulfilled and miserable. I knew I needed to find a way back to acting and Shakespeare. When colleagues heard I was an actor, I often received com ments along the lines of “Oh! Well, aren’t the best lawyers the best actors?” Initially, I thought these comments were conde scending. Then, I started to lean into them and would explain how my acting training was useful in the courtroom. I started to believe what I was saying and realized that my acting training is the only way I know how to connect, channel nervous energy, and command space and attention. I did not learn these skills in law school. In fact, these skills are not even taught in law school.

thereafter, I created a weekly workshop. I’m asked to speak at law firms and legal associations. My journey continues as I train on presence and communication with the inimitable Patsy Roden burg in London. My business is constantly evolving to accom modate all types of professionals in addition to lawyers. I was surprised at how much work has gone into building Peril ous Mouths. My weekends are often dedicated to business. My workshops run for eight weeks for three hours an evening after a long day at the office. I also continue to act. Currently, I only have time to perform with Venture Shakespeare in Asheville, North Carolina. Last summer, I was Hamlet! Even then, my weekends and every thought outside of my day job went to Hamlet.

Ashleigh A. Stochel is Senior Counsel at Norton Rose Fulbright specializing in commercial litigation and employment law as well as the founder and owner of Perilous Mouths, LLC, where she uses her classical acting training to empower lawyers to represent their clients’ interests more effectively and with less anxiety.

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