Getting Personal

About Getting Personal

Ankin Law is Injury Law Made Personal, so we're using this opportunity to get personal with staff at Ankin Law and others in the Chicago community. We're sharing stories, giving some legal advice, and having a great time with hosts Parker Zweiback and Larry Hawley. Visit https://ankinlaw.com for more details.

Publisher

Ankin Law

Category

business · business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

22 Jul 2026

Latest episode

2 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

7 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   2 Oct 2026

   Finding Balance Between Tech, Creativity, and Career Growth With Dora Freitas

   Dora Freitas is the Salesforce Architect at Ankin Law, a personal injury law firm that helps clients with injury and workers' compensation cases throughout Chicagoland. She uses her expertise in Salesforce, technology solutions, and process improvement to help teams work more efficiently. With more than 15 years in technology, Dora brings experience in legal tech, systems development, and emerging tools like AI. Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, she combines her global perspective with a commitment to innovation and collaboration. In this episode… Balancing career growth with creativity can shape how people adapt, solve problems, and find fulfillment at work. In a constantly evolving field like technology, how can professionals stay curious while continuing to grow? Dora Freitas explains that curiosity, continuous learning, and the willingness to embrace change are key to building a lasting career in technology. With more than 15 years of experience in the tech industry and a background in Salesforce solutions, Dora shares how professionals can create value by combining technical knowledge with creative thinking and a people-focused approach. She emphasizes that tools like AI are most effective when used to improve efficiency and give people more time to focus on meaningful work. Her perspective highlights how adaptability and innovation can help professionals thrive in an evolving workplace. In this episode of Getting Personal, Larry Hawley chats with Dora Freitas, Salesforce Architect at Ankin Law, to discuss balancing technology, creativity, and career growth. Dora shares her journey into tech, the role of AI and Salesforce, and finding inspiration through scrapbooking. She also touches on insights for remote teamwork, innovation, and staying curious.

2. 

   18 Sept 2026

   Building Better Workplaces Through Empathy and HR Leadership With Jodi Eisenstadt

   Jodi Eisenstadt is the Human Resources Director and Office Manager at Ankin Law, a Chicago firm representing clients in personal injury, workers' compensation, and Social Security disability matters. Drawing on experience in employment law, HR consulting, and training, she leads recruiting, employee engagement, retention, and workplace development. Jodi focuses on building a positive, high-performing culture where people can grow and serve clients effectively. She earned her law degree from Stanford and holds SPHR and workplace-investigation credentials. In this episode… Strong workplace culture starts with empathy, thoughtful leadership, and helping people grow. When employees feel supported, that impact can reach far beyond the workplace. So how can people-first leadership create a better work environment? The answer starts with putting people at the center of organizational growth. Jodi Eisenstadt, an experienced HR leader specializing in employee development and workplace culture, explains how human resources can help people build skills, find fulfillment, and contribute to something larger than themselves. Jodi also highlights the value of understanding employees as individuals, creating opportunities for growth, and developing an environment where people can do meaningful work. By combining empathy with intentional leadership, organizations can strengthen both employee experience and the impact they have on those they serve. In this episode of Getting Personal, Parker Zweiback sits down with Jodi Eisenstadt, Human Resources Director and Office Manager at Ankin Law, to discuss empathy, HR leadership, and building better workplaces. Jodi shares why she chose HR, lessons from running her own business, and the importance of employee growth. She also touches on mindfulness, creativity, mentorship, and finding meaning in work.

3. 

   17 Sept 2026

   Starting a Legal Career: Lessons for Aspiring Lawyers With Kayla Coates

   Kayla Coates is a Workers' Compensation Associate Attorney at Ankin Law, a Chicago firm representing injured people in workers' compensation and personal injury matters. She advocates for workers hurt on the job, guiding clients through claims and disputes involving medical care, benefits, and insurers. Kayla earned her JD from the Mississippi College School of Law, where she completed pro bono work in immigration and veterans' legal aid, and previously clerked at a personal injury firm serving injured plaintiffs and their families. In this episode… Starting a legal career brings excitement, uncertainty, and plenty of learning. For aspiring lawyers, mentorship and hands-on experience can make the transition from law school much smoother. What can future attorneys do to prepare for that next step? Workers' compensation attorney Kayla Coates emphasizes exploring different areas of law, gaining hands-on experience through clerkships, and choosing workplaces where experienced attorneys are willing to teach. Her path from pre-med to law helped her discover how she could best help others through legal work. Kayla also highlights mentorship as essential for building confidence when handling court appearances, unfamiliar issues, and the pressures of a first attorney role. For law students and new lawyers, gaining exposure, asking questions, and building relationships with supportive mentors can make the early stages of a legal career far more manageable. In this episode of Getting Personal, Larry Hawley talks with Kayla Coates, a Workers' Compensation Associate Attorney at Ankin Law, about starting a legal career and lessons for aspiring lawyers. Kayla shares how mentorship shaped her growth, why clerkships provide valuable hands-on experience, and what law students should consider when choosing a career path. She also touches on managing stress and adjusting to life as a young lawyer in Chicago.

4. 

   2 Sept 2026

   First Chicago Marathon: Lessons, Community and the Finish Line With Jessica Lopez

   Jessica Lopez is a member of the accounting department at Ankin Law, a Chicago law firm representing clients in personal injury and workers' compensation matters. Her work contributes to the financial operations that support the firm and its team serving injured people across Chicagoland. A Chicago native raised in Pilsen, Jessica completed her first Chicago Marathon in 2025 and was the first in her family to finish a marathon. She also raised funds for The Network's "Run DV Out of Town" campaign supporting survivors of domestic violence. In this episode… A first marathon tests preparation, pacing, and perseverance while showing how much support can matter along the way. What does it take to finish 26.2 miles and want to do it again? Jessica Lopez, a Chicago native and first-time Chicago Marathon finisher, shares a firsthand look at what helped her complete the race and what she would change next time. Her experience highlights the importance of consistent training, running at a sustainable pace, and managing sleep and caffeine before race day. Jessica also explains how seeing family, friends, and familiar faces in Pilsen gave her an extra push late in the course. For first-time marathon runners, preparing consistently while staying flexible on race day can make the experience both more manageable and more rewarding. In this episode of Getting Personal, Larry Hawley talks with Jessica Lopez, a member of the accounting department at Ankin Law, about completing her first Chicago Marathon. Jessica shares lessons from training, the importance of finding her own pace, and how family and community support carried her through 26.2 miles. She also discusses running through Pilsen, supporting a domestic violence organization, and the possibility of another marathon.

5. 

   31 Aug 2026

   Making Every Legal Client Feel Heard With Elizabeth Salgado

   Elizabeth Salgado is the Reception Manager at Ankin Law, a law firm that helps injured individuals navigate workers' compensation and other legal matters. She oversees the reception team, manages calls and mail, solves day-to-day issues, and helps ensure clients connect with the right members of their legal team. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Elizabeth also provides vital support to Spanish-speaking clients, helping them feel heard, understood, and reassured throughout the legal process. In this episode… Feeling heard can make a meaningful difference when someone is navigating a stressful legal situation. Clear communication, empathy, and reassurance help clients feel supported even when an immediate answer is not available. So what does it take to make every legal client feel truly heard? Elizabeth Salgado, a reception manager with expertise in bilingual client communication and front-line legal support, believes it starts with listening carefully and making sure every caller knows their concerns matter. She emphasizes the importance of connecting clients with the right team member, communicating clearly, and treating each interaction with empathy. For Spanish-speaking clients in particular, bilingual support can reduce uncertainty and create a greater sense of comfort and trust. Elizabeth also explains how her family's immigrant experience shapes the way she approaches clients who may already feel overwhelmed or afraid, reinforcing the value of patience, accessibility, and human connection. In this episode of Getting Personal, Kelly Pickert sits down with Elizabeth Salgado, Reception Manager at Ankin Law, to discuss making legal clients feel heard. Elizabeth shares how bilingual communication builds trust, why empathy matters in client service, and how reception connects clients with the right support. She also reflects on her family's immigrant journey and its influence on her work.

6. 

   27 Aug 2026

   From College Baseball to a Career in Law With Josh Rudolfi

   Josh Rudolfi is a Partner at Ankin Law, a Chicago law firm representing people in workers' compensation and personal injury matters. A 2025–2026 Super Lawyers honoree, he advocates for injured clients, challenges insurance companies, and works to secure compensation and benefits after workplace accidents and other injuries. Drawing on his own experience with injury and its impact on his career and family finances, Josh brings a personal perspective to his practice when guiding clients through difficult legal and financial circumstances. In this episode… Career paths rarely follow a straight line, and an unexpected setback can open the door to a new opportunity. For someone whose future once centered on college baseball, an injury became the turning point toward law. How can an unexpected setback lead to a profession that feels like the right fit? For workers' compensation attorney Josh Rudolfi, that shift began after a shoulder injury ended his baseball career at Butler University and an advisor encouraged him to consider law school. Once he started studying law, the concepts clicked, and a new career path quickly took shape. Josh shares how mentorship, learning from clients and colleagues, and staying curious have helped him grow as a lawyer. His story offers a practical reminder that career pivots, strong mentors, and a willingness to keep learning can shape long-term success. In this episode of Getting Personal, Larry Hawley sits down with Josh Rudolfi, Partner at Ankin Law, to discuss his journey from college baseball to a career in law. Josh shares how an injury changed his career trajectory, why mentorship matters, and what keeps him motivated in workers' compensation law. He also reflects on early courtroom experiences and offers advice for aspiring lawyers.

7. 

   22 Jul 2026

   Preparation, Advocacy, and the Fight for Injured Workers With Scott Goldstein

   Scott Goldstein is a Partner and an Attorney at Ankin Law, an Illinois firm representing clients in workers' compensation and personal injury matters. He advocates for injured employees, representing them in claims involving medical treatment, wage-loss benefits, settlements, and contested hearings before the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission. Drawing on his union-family upbringing and years of courtroom experience, Scott is known for thorough preparation, practical counsel, and determined representation focused on helping working people secure the benefits they deserve. In this episode… Strong advocacy begins long before a hearing or settlement discussion. For injured workers, careful preparation, prompt documentation, and clear guidance can shape access to medical care, wage benefits, and a fair resolution. What does it take to combine legal strategy with a genuine commitment to working people? Drawing on more than two decades of practice and extensive courtroom experience, workers' compensation attorney Scott Goldstein explains that effective advocacy starts with preparation and a deep understanding of each client's circumstances. Injured employees should report workplace accidents immediately, document what happened, seek medical treatment as soon as possible, and consult an attorney early in the process. Scott also emphasizes knowing every detail of a case, approaching insurance disputes with persistence, and never losing sight of the financial and medical pressures clients face. Together, these practices create a stronger path toward informed decisions and meaningful results. In this episode of Getting Personal, Larry Hawley talks with Scott Goldstein, Partner and Attorney at Ankin Law, about preparation, advocacy, and protecting injured workers. Scott covers lessons from his union-family roots, key steps after a workplace injury, and the value of thorough case preparation. He also discusses mentorship, trial work, and serving clients effectively as a practice grows.

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Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.