Unlearning to Grow: Charlotte Smith on Reinvention, Fear, and Building the Future of Legal Performance

In this episode of This Legal Life, Ben Chiriboga speaks with Charlotte Smith, a UK lawyer turned legal tech founder and executive coach, about the courage it takes to start over. After moving from London to California, Charlotte faced an identity crisis that forced her to redefine success and rediscover her purpose. Through resilience, coaching, and curiosity, she rebuilt her confidence — proving that growth often begins with unlearning.

About our Guest:

Charlotte Smith is an Executive Coach and Management Consultant who blends deep legal expertise with a passion for guiding teams, leaders, and organizations to reach their full potential.

She began her career in the UK, becoming a partner at a top-tier firm by age 30, recognized for her forward-thinking approach—including launching a subscription-based employment law service for the travel and hospitality sector.

In 2014, she moved to Silicon Valley, pivoting from lawyer to entrepreneur and coach, combining her legal background with a commitment to innovation and human development.

Charlotte is also the author of How to Attract, Engage, and Retain Top Legal Talent (Globe Law and Business), a resource for teams that embrace change, leverage technology, and optimize human performance. Her consulting engagements have included a wide range of law firm organizations and in-house legal teams.

By integrating energy management, human performance, and mindset strategies, Charlotte empowers General Counsels, law firms, and in-house teams to tackle leadership dysfunction, align teams, and thrive in today’s rapidly evolving legal landscape. Balancing technology, AI, and emotional intelligence, she ensures leaders drive meaningful results without sacrificing well-being.

If you’re ready to transform how you lead, Charlotte is here to help.

Access the updated BETA assessment launching in January: https://d8q79.share.hsforms.com/2B1LXFYArQl-q4_K8pGFVBA

‍