Goldberg Segalla partner Caroline J. Berdzik was a featured guest on the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel’s “FedSpeaks” – a podcast series that provides information and interviews with thought leaders and experts from the legal industry.

In the episode “How Busy Lawyers Manage Extra Activities,” Caroline shares insights on managing extra professional activities, particularly her experience co-authoring a chapter of a legal treatise.

“It was one of those check-the-box things I wanted to do… I think being an author is very different than being an editor,” she says. “To actually write a chapter, I think is a completely different experience, and I found it to be very interesting.”

Co-chair of the firm’s nationwide Employment and Labor practice group and chair of the Health Care and Long-Term Care groups, Caroline suggests setting aside dedicated time, such as weekends or very early hours in the office – essentially, any place free from the distraction of work.

She also discusses the importance of mentoring and collaboration.

“It was a real collaborative effort… a nice opportunity to get someone you’re mentoring involved in something as important as this,” she says.

As for her advice on the value of extra activities:

“Just do it. Don’t overthink it…focus on one or two things that you’re passionate about and where you’re going to have the opportunity to learn,” she says. “Doing those extra things builds some fun into your life…and adds a lot to the practice of law, which is a very demanding profession.”

LISTEN TO THE FULL PODCAST HERE: FedSpeaks: “How Busy Lawyers Manage Extra Activities” – Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC), April 2025

MORE ABOUT GOLDBERG SEGALLA’S Caroline J. Berdzik:

Caroline devotes her practice to helping businesses, organizations, and management navigate the panoply of employment law issues, from proactive counseling through alternative dispute resolution and trial. She represents companies in diverse industries such as health care, transportation, retail, construction, insurance, and finance, as well as non-profit organizations and educational and religious institutions.

In every matter, Caroline draws upon her previous experience as an in-house counsel to bring a deep understanding of and sensitivity to the daily challenges and cost considerations companies face. Accordingly, in her role as advisor and advocate, she functions as a virtual extension of clients’ in-house legal and human resources teams, working in integrated partnership with them to protect the company’s best interests and bottom line.