Episode 165-Retirement on Trial with Steve Herman

In this episode of Counsel to Counsel, Stephen Seckler speaks with Steve Herman, a civil litigator and documentary filmmaker from Vancouver, Canada. After more than 35 years in practice, Steve turned the camera on himself to explore one of the biggest transitions lawyers face—retirement.

His film, Retirement on Trial, which he produced with his filmmaker wife, Evelyn Neaman, uses humor and introspection to examine what it means to step away from a career that has long defined one’s identity.  In this episode, Steve Seckler speaks with Steve about his journey in making the film

Through interviews with 14 lawyers and judges across North America, Steve explores the challenges of letting go of professional identity, navigating relationships in retirement, and planning psychologically—not just financially—for the next chapter. The film, structured as a farcical courtroom trial of the very concept of retirement, highlights how cultural attitudes toward aging shape our views about purpose and relevance.

The conversation offers practical and emotional insights for lawyers thinking about their “next stage.” As Steve puts it, retirement isn’t the end—it’s a transition into a new stage of growth and fulfillment.

To learn more about the film and view it, visit www.retirementontrial.com.  To learn more about Steve Seckler’s program for lawyers contemplating a retirement like transition, visit www.seckler.com .