Subscribe
300x300bb (8)-1
0:00 0:00
Podcast

The Attorney Work Styles Framework: What Kind of Lawyer Are You, Really?

42:07 min

In this special episode of Between the Briefs, Adrian Cea sits down with Dylan Ruga, Carly Savar, and Joe Stephens to unpack Steno’s new Attorney Work Styles Framework - a quiz that reveals whether you’re a Research Commander, Strategic Architect, Courtroom Dynamo, or Narrative Weaver.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How the four attorney archetypes work and why none of them is “the best”
  • Why a Research Commander’s strength in precedent can become a limitation without strategy
  • How Strategic Architects see three to four steps ahead and keep cases moving
  • The real-world pressure (and burnout risk) behind being a Courtroom Dynamo
  • Why Narrative Weavers win hearts and how to avoid falling in love with the wrong story
  • Where hallway settlements actually happen and why soft skills matter in court
  • How lawyers evolve across archetypes as their careers change
  • The value of pairing opposite styles to build stronger legal teams
  • Why the most effective lawyers blend story, law, preparation, and adaptability

 

The result of the quiz is less about personality typing and more about awareness, growth, and building better legal teams.

Quotes:

  1. “Someone once described being in trial to me as, you know, having to make a decision, a pretty important decision every ten, fifteen, twenty seconds all day for as long as the trial goes on.” - Joe Stephens
  2. “Being a strategic architect is great if everything works out the way that you hope it'll work out, but it never does.” - Dylan Ruga
  3. “So, having that difference of opinion, I think can be really fruitful. And I think it's really important sometimes for lawyers to seek that out, just making sure that there is someone out there checking on you and making sure that what you're saying, and what you're thinking is coming through the way you think it is.” - Joe Stephens
  4. “We don't lose sight of what the case law is while we're telling the stories that matter. It's who can think ahead, who can articulate what matters and go back to the fundamentals and make sure we're actually citing good law. I think that's going to rule the day…” - Carly Savar

Highlights:

00:00
Introduction

01:15
Breaking Down the Four Archetypes

03:22
Carly: Why I Wanted to Be a Courtroom Dynamo

04:28
Dylan: From Sports to Strategy in the Law

05:33
Joe: Teaching, Trials, and 11 Ironmans

11:20
Working With Different Styles (And Friction)

15:03
Which Archetype Do Top Lawyers Usually Land In?

About the Contributors

Joe Stephens

Joe Stephens, J.D., is Steno's Director of Legal Solutions as well as a Clinical Lecturer at Texas Tech University School of Law. With over 15 years of experience in criminal defense and public service, he founded and led Texas' largest rural public defender office, which serves a 12-county area. A graduate of The University of Texas School of Law (cum laude) and Vanderbilt University (B.A.), Stephens currently serves as a Board Member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer's Association (TCDLA) and sits on multiple State Bar of Texas committees. His expertise spans the intersection of legal practice and technological innovation in the justice system.

View Full Profile Email LinkedIn

Adrian Cea

Adrian Cea is Steno's Social Media Manager, leading content strategy, audience engagement, and digital brand-building across platforms. He also produces and co-hosts Between the Briefs, Steno's podcast covering the intersection of legal technology, court reporting, and the future of litigation. With a background spanning content creation, field marketing, and sales at companies like Sell Better and Chili Piper, Adrian brings a multi-disciplined lens to making complex legal tech topics accessible and engaging.

View Full Profile Email LinkedIn
Podcast

AI Transformation Without Change Management is Useless ft. Mike Russell

Legal AI Case Management & Workflow Legal Industry Trends
Jun '26 • 45:21 min
Joe Stephens
Listen
Podcast

Why Is Legal Still Riding Horses in the Age of GenAI ft. Umair Muhajir

Legal AI Litigation Strategy Case Management & Workflow Attorney Resources Legal Industry Trends
Jun '26 • 45:09 min
Joe Stephens
Listen
Podcast

Why Paralegals Are Quietly Becoming More Valuable Than Associates ft. Michelle Pendleton

Paralegal Resources Legal Industry Trends Legal Resources
Jun '26 • 39:39 min
Joe Stephens
Listen