About Us

The Likeable Lawyer delivers tangible techniques and perspectives for short-term results and long-term career satisfaction. Our CLE courses are enjoyable and engaging and illuminate both classical and modern approaches to increase success and fulfillment in the practice of law.

Contact

For questions about course registration please contact us via email.

Facilitators

Brian Hammer is the owner and primary facilitator for The Likeable Lawyer. The Likeable Lawyer offers CLE courses to lawyers nationwide on topics important to lawyer success including: communication, trust and relationship-building, ethical persuasion and client satisfaction. Brian practiced law for over 14 years and has spent the past seven years as an educator and facilitator on the topics of leadership, team-building, communication skill, diversity and relationship-building. Brian has designed and delivered highly-praised programs to law firms, corporations and organizations nationwide. His CLE courses have received over 99% participant satisfaction evaluations from the thousands of lawyers who have attended. He is a frequent speaker at bar conventions, law firm events and other professional association meetings. Brian is a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law, the University of North Carolina School of Business, and holds a Masters of Psychology degree from the University of Santa Monica.

As co-founder of a law firm in Charlotte, North Carolina, Chris Layton developed a real estate practice which embodied both the spirit and content of The Likeable Lawyer. Along with his law degree, Chris has a background in improvisation which he utilizes in his current role as a title attorney, and as a facilitator for Likeable Lawyer. Chris holds a B.A. in Journalism from The University of Maryland at College Park and a J.D. from Wake Forest University.

Brian Shapiro, M.A., has been facilitating Likeable Lawyer courses for over two years, after a decade of teaching communication courses at acclaimed colleges and universities nationally. In addition to teaching, Brian is also the Artistic Director for CultureWorks, a San Francisco-based performing arts company. Brian holds an M.A. in Speech and Communication Studies from San Francisco State University and also completed significant Doctoral coursework at The University of Texas at Austin.

Jeffrey Stec, J.D. has been a licensed lawyer since 1992, having practiced in the area of complex-family matters, including estate, divorce, and child custody disputes. Jeff developed his collaborative skills by becoming a certified mediator and strategic planning facilitator, specializing in family issues. Jeff has developed an expertise in the collaborative resolution of disputes, and in addition to his work with The Likeable Lawyer, he is currently a sought-after consultant who works with non-profits and municipalities to fashion solutions to complex organizational and community issues. Jeffrey graduated with honors from the University of Michigan Law School, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with high honors from the University of Michigan.