Better Lawyers, Better Dads: Matthew Korn on Balance, Burnout, and Building Community

In this episode of This Legal Life, host Ben Chiriboga sits down with Matthew Korn, Partner at Fisher Phillips and founder of Dad, Esq., to explore the real meaning of success in today’s legal world. From his first job at McDonald’s to navigating layoffs, in-house roles, and the partnership track, Matt shares an honest account of burnout, resilience, and rediscovering purpose as both a lawyer and a father.

What began as a search for connection has grown into a global community where lawyer dads support one another in navigating work, parenthood, and wellbeing. Through candid reflection and practical lessons, Matt shows that community is not just support; it is the foundation of sustainable growth in law and life.

For anyone balancing firm life with family or seeking a more human approach to leadership, this conversation is a reminder that you do not have to do law or fatherhood alone.

Meet Our Guest:

Matthew Korn is passionate about helping employers navigate complex employment law challenges with practical, business-focused solutions. His experience as in-house counsel for a multinational, publicly traded company gives him a unique perspective on the client side of employment law. He uses that insight to help clients align compliance with their broader business goals.

Matthew has extensive experience across industries including healthcare, hospitality, construction, mining, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing. He also has a special focus on working with ABA providers to build compliant employment policies, minimize risk, and prevent litigation.

Beyond his legal work, Matthew is the founder of Dad, Esq., an online community for lawyer dads to connect, share stories, and support one another through the challenges of balancing law and fatherhood.

Links:

• Dad, Esq. Community: https://DadEsq.mn.co
• Website: https://DadEsq.com
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/DadEsq