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In this episode of the She Lift Project podcast, host Cynthia Kirkpatrick welcomes Krystal Weigl, an attorney, author, and advocate passionate about transforming the legal field. Krystal runs her own law firm, Weigl Law, where she focuses on civil rights, employment law, and supporting individuals and small businesses through creative, people-centered legal solutions. This episode explores her journey in law, her mission to make justice more accessible, and how she’s redefining traditional legal practice with authenticity and empathy.
This episode is for anyone who has ever felt dismissed or overlooked in professional spaces, clients seeking legal support, or aspiring leaders. Listeners will learn how Krystal built her practice by challenging outdated norms, prioritizing fairness, and trusting her values over status quo expectations. After hearing her story, they’ll be better equipped to advocate for themselves, set healthy boundaries, and create spaces—personally or professionally—where integrity and compassion thrive.
00:00 — Intro & Welcome
Cynthia introduces Krystal Weigl, highlights her mission to make the law approachable, and sets the stage for the conversation.
01:19 — Krystal’s Law Origin Story
Krystal talks about entering law early, her lifelong passion for justice, and how she’s shaped her career around meaning and impact.
03:30 — Running a Modern Law Firm
Discussion about Weigl Jackson’s approach, the types of cases they take, and what makes the firm unique.
06:00 — Not Your Father’s Law Firm
Krystal explains why traditional legal approaches don’t always serve clients well and how individualized legal strategy matters.
09:00 — Constantly Challenging the Status Quo
Krystal reflects on how often she has to rethink conventional legal practice to genuinely serve clients.
11:21 — Purpose vs. Profit in Law
Krystal discusses the difference between practicing law for money versus practicing law for purpose and advocacy.
14:14 — Knowing You’re Meant to Do This
A conversation about knowing from an early age that law was her calling and how that shaped her career.
18:50 — Real Practice vs. Legal Idealism
Krystal contrasts her inspiring D.C. experience with the gritty reality of litigating in Chicago.
22:00 — The Experience Clients Have With Lawyers
Krystal talks about how intimidating traditional legal settings can be for clients and why that matters.
30:45 — What Helps vs. What Harms
Discussion of culture, support, and how “negative accountability” hurts workplace and client relationships.
32:40 — Reframing Complaint & Communication
Krystal reframes gossip and complaining as important tools for connection and problem recognition.
37:30 — Asking Questions Without Shame
Krystal shares a personal story about insurance and how dismissive advice reinforces fear and silence.
41:00 — Self‑Worth & Support
Conversation about self‑worth, needing support, and how that impacts professional confidence.
44:40 — Conflict: Necessary but Misunderstood
Krystal explains why conflict shouldn’t be feared and how she approaches it in service of clients.
49:00 — Speaking Up for Others vs. Yourself
Krystal talks about advocating for clients and the challenge of truly advocating for her own needs.
55:30 — Letting Go of Over‑Policing Yourself
A discussion on how women are conditioned to self‑police their identity, voice, and presence.
59:00 — Picking Battles & Boundaries
Krystal talks about setting boundaries, choosing her energy, and balancing work with family.
01:02:14 — Evolution of Self & Work
Cynthia reflects on Krystal’s growth journey from young lawyer to principled leader.
01:08:55 — Civil Rights Wins That Matter
Krystal shares impact‑driven results from civil rights work and what those victories mean.
01:16:42 — Wrap Up & Takeaways
Cynthia and Krystal summarize themes of communication, fairness, doing law differently, and courage.
01:18:27 — How to Find Krystal & Weigel Law
Website, email, LinkedIn, and Instagram details shared for listeners who want to connect.
01:19:36 — Outro
Closing message from Cynthia and wrap of the She Lift Project episode.
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Content Notice
This podcast and all She Lift Project content represents the opinions of Cynthia Kirkpatrick and her guests. The content here is for informational purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice – financial, legal, medical, or otherwise.
Views and opinions expressed in the podcast and across all She Lift Project media channels are our own and do not represent that of our places of work. While we make every effort to ensure that the information we are sharing is accurate, we welcome any comments, suggestions, or correction of errors.
“I got to a point in Frank’s office where I realized there was kind of a ceiling. People that I had come in after me, I was training, were now moving up. And my ego got to the best of me. This is the dream job. Like, what happens after Frank Gehry? What could possibly be next after that?”
We’re catalysts for better conversation. And we know at Filament that the teams that we work with are not looking for the right answer, because there’s no such thing as the right answer. There is the next best answer to the questions that we’re asking.
“Research actually shows when there’s this lack of trust in a relationship, this lack of connection, the same part of our brain that processes physical pain gets activated when there’s an emotional pain. Right? And so if I’m feeling rejected or I’m feeling like I’m not part of the team or I’m not valued in any way, that part of our brain activates and says, like, pain. And so if you think about it in that way, think about the number of people who are walking around your office every day in pain.”
“Women in their 40s start to disappear from photographs because they think that they’re not young enough, thin enough, pretty enough. But the truth is that when you are in your 40s, you are leading a company, you’ve had children, you have a family, you’re doing things in your community. This is when you should be photographed.”
“You have to be cautious and mindful of the board of directors you invite into your head. And we as women especially listen terribly to that board of directors. And if you have one bad seat on there, one bad teacher, one bad classmate, one whatever from your history that you are listening to, it can really sabotage you.”
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