Shauna knows what it takes for lawyers to build successful careers.
She leads a team with 1100+ client testimonials.
Shauna C. Bryce is the founder and managing principal of Bryce Legal, a boutique career services firm for lawyers that posted its 1000th client testimonial in 2022. With 20+ years in law and legal hiring—as well as degrees from Harvard Law School and the Johns Hopkins University—Shauna is a leader in professional development, career development, career transition, and hiring for lawyers.
Her private roster of clients includes some of the nation’s top lawyers—at places like Global 100 law firms and companies, Google, DreamWorks, Major League Baseball, and the White House. She has also been retained by AmLaw 100 and 200 firms for lawyer professional development coaching and outplacement assistance.
A former practicing attorney, Shauna was also the Chief Diversity Officer and Chief Legal Talent Officer at a multinational AmLaw 100 law firm, where she worked with the Executive, Lateral Partner, Hiring, Professional Advancement, Professional Development, Professional Training, and other Committees.
Frequently interviewed or cited, Shauna has appeared in 50+ news articles, podcasts, and other media. Shauna has spoken at ~40 events, as well as written 50+ articles / blogs and 8 career books for lawyers and law students, including LinkedIn for Lawyers. She has spoken at the Corporate Counsel Women of Color nearly every year for the last decade and she has spoken to Harvard, HLS, Hopkins, and other audiences on executive presence, lawyer well-being, pathways to the C-suite, and career transitions. She was selected by her peers to be an HLS 1996 Class Symposium speaker, addressing mid-career options and decision-making.
Shauna helps and advises attorneys—and aspiring attorneys—at every stage of their legal careers:
“I’ve been channeling my inner Shauna—staying calm, focusing on the positive, and moving forward.”
Defining and achieving individual career goals
Creating and seizing opportunities, both short-term job and long-term career development opportunities
Returning to law practice after personal hiatus or work in other fields
Transitioning among practice areas or sectors (law firm to in-house, military to civilian, government to private, etc.)
Preparing for career advancement and transitioning from individual contributor to leadership roles
Downshifting or designing a fulfilling retirement
Read more about Shauna below.
Shauna’s Focus
Career Stages
Philosophy
Shauna’s mission is simple: helping lawyers get jobs and build careers. To execute this mission, she has developed deep and broad knowledge of the peculiarities of the legal industry, including legal hiring, workplaces, and the challenges facing today’s attorneys. Her work with attorneys emphasizes:
Access to world-class career services for every lawyer and law student
Balance of short-term job needs with long-term career goals
Incorporation of employers’ perspective on hiring and career advancement
Practical advice that takes into account each lawyer’s needs, experiences, abilities, and goals
Individually-crafted solutions rooted in client and marketplace realities, as well as battle-tested career strategies
Shauna encourages attorneys to look beyond traditional prestige-based definitions of success in order to pursue their own definitions of success—incorporating personal factors like fulfillment and happiness.
Background in Law and Legal Hiring
Shauna C. Bryce has been a lawyer in an AmLaw 100 firm, an AmLaw 200 firm, and in a corporate legal department.
She graduated with honors from The Johns Hopkins University before attending Harvard Law School. Among other honors, she was an editor on the Harvard International Law Journal and a research assistant for the late Hon. A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr., former Chief Judge of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals who was, at the time, a professor at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
After law school graduation, Shauna practiced law in the Manhattan flagship office of the AmLaw 100 international law firm Paul Weiss. After moving from New York to New Jersey, she joined the commercial litigation department of the AmLaw 200 law firm Sills Cummis. At Sills, she represented Fortune 500 multinationals, regional companies, and state businesses before federal and state courts. Shauna also worked on trademark and other intellectual property litigation, commercial contract disputes, and medical device and product liability matters. In addition to the law firms of Paul Weiss and Sills Cummis, Shauna spent nearly two years in a regulated utility before being asked to return to Sills as the lead associate on a pharmaceutical manufacturer’s national defense team. That mass tort grew to a federal multi-district litigation with parallel state court actions in more than a dozen states nationwide. As part of that litigation, Shauna served on joint defense committees with lawyers representing co-defendant global manufacturers.
At Sills, Shauna sat on several law firm management committees—including the technology committee and the hiring committee. She reviewed countless résumés, conducted interviews, participated in hiring decision-making, and mentored associates and legal staff. Organically, she became a career confidante of partners, associates, and staff across a range of on-the-job and career-related issues, like:
Changing practice areas
Delegating work
Managing difficult partner and client personalities
Accepting constructive criticism without falling prey to imposter syndrome
Learning to say “no” and define limits
Having difficult conversations
Navigating office politics and workplace relationships
Managing reputations and perceptions
Recruiting and retaining minority lawyers
Deciding among career opportunities
Securing quality work assignments
Building relationships with targeted partners
Developing technical legal skills
After these closed door sessions, Shauna was often told by law firm partners, associates, and staff alike: “This was great,” “I feel so much better,” “This was like therapy,” and “You should do this for a living.” Going into legal careers was an easy decision when she stepped off the partnership track.
She started formally working on the careers-side by becoming a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW) and by interviewing more than 150 attorneys nationwide to learn more about employers’ expectations in the hiring process, as well as how prospective candidates can meet—and exceed—those expectations. This research was the foundation for Shauna’s first book, the acclaimed “How To Get A Legal Job: A Guide for New Attorneys and Law School Students.”
Since then, How To Get A Legal Job® has since expanded into a series. Shauna’s LexisNexis webinars and her expert advice column in Bloomberg Law and the American Bar Association have been made available to nearly every law school and law student in the country. She’s been featured in news, publications, or events with Harvard Law School, PennLaw, Forbes, Fortune, National Association of Women Lawyers, Law360, U.S. News & World Reports, and many others. Her roles have included job search and career development coach, legal résumé writer, author, columnist, blogger, speaker, trainer, alumni leader, and board member for nonprofits devoted to best practices for career professionals.
In 2020, Shauna joined AmLaw 100 law firm Steptoe as its Director of Legal Talent. Shortly thereafter, she added a second vertical as the Director of Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion.
One thing that hasn’t changed over the years: Offering clients lessons learned from an ever-expanding network of attorneys across sectors and industries—in addition to her own experiences and expertise—remains a founding principle of Shauna’s work.
Sample Board Memberships and Affiliations
Shauna has been a leader in and member of a variety of associations, including numerous Harvard and Johns Hopkins alumni and affinity groups. She is the Global Chair of Hopkins Alumni in Law (HAIL), the Official Johns Hopkins University Law Affinity Group.
Leadership and Career Development / HR Associations
Advisory Board Member, Past President and Executive Board Member, former Ethics Chair, national conference speaker, national conference workshop presenter, and 2x teleseminar presenter for The National Résumé Writers’ Association (The NRWA)
Former Board Member and Secretary, and annual conference speaker for the Maryland Career Development Association (MCDA)
Legal Résumé Expert for The NRWA’s Expert Corner (renamed Ask a Colleague)
Career Directors International’s (CDI) Expert in Legal Résumés
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
National Career Development Association (NCDA)
Career Thought Leaders (CTL)
Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Career Coaches (PARW/CC)
Bar Associations and Legal Sector Affiliations
Hopkins Alumni in Law (Global Chair)
National Association for Law Placement (NALP)
National Bar Association (NBA)
National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL)
Corporate Counsel Women of Color (CCWC)
National Legal Mentoring Consortium (NLMC)
and state and local bar associations in DC, MD, NJ, and NY
Bar and Court Admissions (Inactive)
New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and DC bars
U.S. District Courts for EDNY, SDNY, DNJ, and DC
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Books
Author of the How To Get A Legal Job® series and other books:
LinkedIn® for Lawyers: Profiles, Job Search, Networking, Ethics, and Etiquette
The 3-Step Secret to Landing Your Next Job Faster (with Charlotte Weeks)
Ask the Hiring Attorney®: Three Years of Career Q&A Columns
Writing Samples for New Lawyers and Law Students: Proving Your Research, Analysis, and Advocacy Skills
References for New Lawyers and Law Students: An Essential Tool for Getting a Job in the Early Stages of a Legal Career
Networking Cards for New Lawyers and Law Students: A 30-Minute Investment That Enables You to Market Yourself and Network Effectively
How To Get A Legal Job: A Guide for New Attorneys and Law School Students
How To Get A Legal Job: A Guide for New Attorneys and Law School Students—Outtakes!
Speaking Engagements, Presentations, Panels, and Events
Presenter. “The Collective: Illuminate your professional image,” for Hogan Lovells, May 2021.
Alumni Host. “The Power of Thinking Styles and How Yours Influences Your Leadership Impact,”with Eleni Pallas and Shadi Abouzeid, JHU Women’s Leadership Conference, Mar. 2021.
C0-Presenter. “Resume Workshop” and “LinkedIn Workshop,” Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) Law 2020 Career Day, Nov. 2020.
Moderator. “Beyond the Booth: Politics as a Public Good,” with U.S. Senator and Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree Barbara Mikulski and W.E.B. DuBois Distinguished Book Award honoree Prof. Lester Spence, Johns Hopkins University, Sept. 2020.
Panelist. “The Get Involved Gathering: Explore Volunteer Opportunities with JHU Alumni Relations’ Affinity Engagement Programs,” Johns Hopkins Alumni Relations Affinity Engagement Programs, Sept. 2020.
Co-Panelist. “So, You Don't Want to Be GC … That's OK: The Many Tracks to Success in Your Legal Career,” part of full-day pre-con “General Counsel Training and MBA for Lawyers,” Corporate Counsel Women of Color (CCWC) 16th Annual Career Strategies Conference, Sept. 2020.
Panelist. “Justice and Law | Virtual Career Learning Opportunity,” Montgomery County (MD) Public Schools, Aug. 2020.
Co-Panelist. “Is Now the Right Time to Start a Private Practice?,” Maryland Career Development Association (MCDA), Aug. 2020.
Shauna C. Bryce was selected by her classmates to be the Harvard Law School 1996 Class Symposium speaker, addressing mid-career options and decision-making in “Improving with Age: Making the Most of Your Legal Vintage." Introduced by Dave Aronberg, State Attorney for Palm Beach County, Florida.
Presenter. “PODER25,” pipeline initiative for Latinx Fortune 500 General Counsels, National Hispanic Bar Association (NHBA), Aug. 2020.
Faculty. “Impactful Resumes for the GC Position,” part of “Accelerating Your Professional Development in the Pandemic Induced Slowdown” programming for current and aspiring General Counsel, Chief Legal Executive, LLC, June 2020.
Moderator. “From Law to National Public Radio: A Conversation with Glynn Washington, Host and Executive Producer of Snap Judgment, and Art Chung, Head of Production, Vox Media, Inc.,” Hopkins Alumni in Law (HAIL), June 2020.
Moderator and Panelist. “An Insiders’ Guide to Legal Recruiting,” Hopkins Alumni in Law (HAIL), June 2020.
Moderator and Panelist. “Legal Career Building You Can Do at Home,” Hopkins Alumni in Law (HAIL), May 2020.
Moderator. “To Infinity and Beyond: A Space Law Discussion,” Hopkins Alumni in Law (HAIL), May 2020.
Panelist. “COVID and Legal Careers,” Vault.com, Apr. 2020.
Alumni Leader. “Negligence in Neverland? The Trial of Peter Pan - Shakespeare Theatre Company Winter Mock Trial,” Hopkins Alumni in Law (HAIL DC Chapter), Washington, DC, Feb. 2020.
Panelist. “Career Transitions,” Harvard Law School Association of Washington, DC, hosted by Arnall Golden Gregory, Feb. 2020.
Moderator. “The Changing Legal Landscape of Cannabis,” Hopkins Alumni in Law (HAIL DC Chapter), Washington, DC, Feb. 2020.
Guest. “Episode 36: Shauna Bryce on Legal Career Transitions,” Chris Batz, The Lion Group, Jan. 14, 2020.
Co-Panelist. “Maximize Your Potential: Executive Coaching for Success,” part of full-day pre-con “General Counsel Training and MBA for Lawyers,” Corporate Counsel Women of Color (CCWC) 15th Annual Career Strategies Conference, Chicago, IL, Sept. 2019.
Moderator. “Barristers & Beer: The Public Option Brewery Tour & Tasting,” Hopkins Alumni in Law (HAIL DC Chapter), Washington, DC, Sept. 2019.
Moderator. “Private Sector Career Panel,” Harvard Law School Women’s Alliance (DC Chapter), hosted by Miller & Chevalier Chartered, Mar. 2019.
Co-Panelist. “Image is Everything: 5 Business Etiquette Strategies,” part of full-day pre-con “General Counsel Training and MBA for Lawyers,” Corporate Counsel Women of Color (CCWC) 14th Annual Career Strategies Conference, New York, NY, Oct. 2018.
Moderator. “Taking Care of Your Career & Yourself: Practical Strategies for Sustainable Success,” Harvard Law School Celebration 65: Raising Our Voices, Cambridge, MA, Sept. 2018 (Appearance canceled due to Hurricane Harvey).
Co-Presenter. “Success and Wellbeing for Lawyers: How can you be more successful and less stressed?” Harvard Law School Association of Washington DC, hosted by George Washington Law School, Washington, DC, June 2018.
Panelist. “Career Development Forum: Next-Level LinkedIn: Advanced Strategies to Achieve Your Career Goals,” Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) National Capital Region hosted by Hogan Lovells, McLean, VA, Feb. 2018.
Presenter. “Building an Executive Presence,” Harvard Club of Washington, DC co-sponsored by the Harvard Law School Association of Washington, DC and hosted by Hogan Lovells, Dec. 2017.
Host. “Tai Chi & Brunch,” Johns Hopkins Women in Business Affinity Group, Annapolis, MD, Nov. 2017.
Host. Johns Hopkins Women in Business Affinity Group Leadership Retreat, Annapolis, MD, Oct. 2017.
Executive Career Coach. Corporate Counsel Women of Color (CCWC) 13th Annual Career Strategies Conference, New Orleans, LA, Sept. 2017.
Host. “Red Sox vs. O’s: Tour & Talk with David Friedman, Red Sox Senior VP, Legal & Government Affairs,” Johns Hopkins Alumni Association Boston, Law Affinity & YAC, at Fenway Park, Boston, MA, Aug. 2017.
Moderator. “5 Creative Strategies for Career Development: You Don’t Have to Play Golf to Get Ahead,” Corporate Counsel Women of Color (CCWC) One-Day Career Strategies Conference, hosted by K&L Gates LLP, New York, NY, Apr. 6, 2017.
Moderator. “5 Strategies on How to Gain Visibility and Become Invaluable as a Law Firm Associate,” Corporate Counsel Women of Color (CCWC) One-Day Career Strategies Conference, hosted by K&L Gates LLP, New York, NY, Apr. 6, 2017.
Speaker. Envision National Youth Leadership Forum on Law & CSI, Chantilly, VA, July 11, 2016.
Presenter. “Improving With Age: Making the Most of Your Legal Vintage,” Harvard Law School 1996 Class Symposium, Spring Reunion, Cambridge, MA, Apr. 2016.
Alumni Host. “Get Fiscally Fit: Focus on Financial Wellness,” Jania Stout, Johns Hopkins 4th Annual Women in Business Conference, Washington, DC, Feb. 2016.
Panelist. “Carpe JDiem: Leveraging Legal Skills in Alternative Careers,” Penn Law Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA) 15th Annual Conference “Amplify: Promoting Diversity in a Time of Progress,” University of Pennsylvania Law School, Philadelphia, PA, Jan. 2016.
Host. The National Resume Writers’ Association (The NRWA) National Conference, Charlotte, NC, Sept. 2015.
Co-Presenter. “Eye on the C-Suite: A Crash Course for Your Future,” Harvard Club of Washington, DC, hosted by Hogan Lovells, June 2015.
Panelist. Towson University’s College of Liberal Arts Career Symposium, Apr. 2015.
Co-Presenter. “Build a Niche Career Services Firm to Attract and Serve Your Ideal Clients,” pre-conference workshop, The National Résumé Writers’ Association (The NRWA) National Conference, Denver, CO, Sept. 2014.
Shauna C. Bryce was invited by PennLaw APALSA to be a legal careers panelist for “Carpe JDiem: Leveraging Legal Skills in Alternative Careers” at University of Pennsylvania School of Law. Moderated by Vivia Chen, senior columnist at The American Lawyer and the creator of The Careerist blog, with Djung Tran of Tran Law Associations; Scott Lee of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission; and David Zhou of the SDNY U.S. Attorney's Office.
Presenter. “When Dreams Confront Reality: Preparing Students for the New Normal,” Maryland Career Development Association (state division of the National Career Development Association, which is, in turn, part of the American Counseling Association) annual conference, Columbia, MD, Apr. 25, 2014.
Co-Presenter. “Preparing for On-Campus Interviews,” LexisNexis, July 1, 2014.
Panelist. “Interviewing for Internships: Techniques and Etiquette,” The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, Mar. 2013.
Co-Presenter. “Preparing for On-Campus Interviews,” LexisNexis, July 18, 2013.
Panelist. “Internship Interview Techniques and Etiquette,” The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, Oct. 2012.
Co-Presenter. “Preparing for On-Campus Interviews,” LexisNexis, Aug. 12, 2012.
Presenter. “5 Secrets to Getting a Job in the Legal Profession,” Careerealism Expert Hour, Apr. 2012.
Presenter. “PITA Self Defense Class,” The National Resume Writers’ Association (The NRWA), teleseminar, Jan. 2012.
Panelist. “A Career Panel: Seeking Employment and Building a Career in the Public Sector,” Alliance of Black Women Attorneys of Maryland (affiliate of the National Bar Association and the American Bar Association), hosted by University of Baltimore Law School, Nov. 2011.
Panelist. “Internship Interview Techniques and Etiquette,” The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, Nov. 2011.
Guest Speaker. “The Practice of Law,” Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Jan. 2011.
Presenter. “Attorney Resumes,” The National Resume Writers’ Association (The NRWA), teleseminar, Nov. 2010.
Guest Speaker. “The Practice of Law,” Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Jan. 2010.
Panelist. “Job Interview Techniques and Etiquette,” The Johns Hopkins University, Sept. 2009.
Featured Speaker. “Client Agreements,” The National Résumé Writers’ Association (The NRWA) National Conference, San Diego, CA, Sept. 2008.