The Remote Antitrust Boutique: How to Compete with Big Law from a Home Office

Welcome to Latte with a Lawyer, the essential podcast for attorneys exploring unique paths to success in the legal field. In this episode, host Jonathan Brickman sits down with Steve Cernak, a 33-year veteran of antitrust law who spent 23 of those years as in-house counsel at General Motors. Steve pulls back the curtain on navigating high-stakes scenarios, from a potential GM-Chrysler merger to joint ventures with Toyota, and reveals how his current firm, Bona Law, operates as a fully-remote antitrust boutique, delivering Big Law experience at a fraction of the overhead. Steve also shares his unconventional journey, from earning a JD and a Master's in Applied Economics in just three years to becoming the first lawyer in his family. As a long-time adjunct professor, he offers a candid comparison between theoretical top-tier law schools and those focused on practical application, emphasizing the crucial skill of being a “storyteller” to make complex business arguments resonate with a jury. Discover the mindset required to build a durable career in a highly specialized legal niche, from a lawyer who has seen it all from both inside the corporation and out. Linkedin:   / steve-cernak-81124226   FIRM Website: https://www.bonalaw.com/ Learn more about EmotionTrac and our AI-driven Emotional Intelligence Platform: https://legal.emotiontrac.com/