Lawyerist Podcast (Lawyerist.com)

Business author and consultant Pat Lencioni discusses what it really means to be a leader. If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! If you’d like to learn more about how to show up consistently and effectively as the leader of your team, check out our resource page on law firm culture & core values.  Thanks to Smith.ai, TextExpander, Back Office Betties, and Casetext for sponsoring this episode!

We hit our 500th Episode! Instead of looking back, the team decided to look to the future. So naturally that led us to Stephanie interviewing our own AI bot lovingly named Lasso the Lab Coach. Hear for yourself exactly what an AI bot trained on all things Lawyerist has to say about how to create your firm’s branding. This one is....different!    Additionally, Zack talks with Waseem Daher, a human from Pilot, about the benefits of a virtual and fractional finance and accounting team.  Links from the episode:   https://Pilot.com/lawyerist/      If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! 

Dreaming of launching your own law firm or leveling up your current practice? In this episode, Stephanie Everett shares the top five game-changing strategies you need to know to build a thriving law firm. From crafting a crystal-clear vision to mastering your tech stack and establishing solid legal and financial foundations, they’ve got you covered.  Links from the episode:   Amplify your legal practice with Paxton AI   Paxton AI  We just announced a $22M Series A funding round  Listeners can sign up for our webinar - accelerating your practice with AI on 2/19 here.   CHAPTERS:   00:00 - Best Law Firm Websites Contest   04:16 - AI in Legal Research with Paxton.ai   12:39 - Introduction to Stephanie   16:48 - Define Vision and Business Strategy   19:30 - Legal and Financial Framework Setup   22:49 - Legal Tech Stack Overview   26:54 - Marketing Strategies for Law Firms   31:05 - Financial and Operational Discipline   33:35 - Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Tracking   37:15 - Importance of Saying No in Business   39:45 - Five Essential Actions for Success   41:43 - Outro 

Lawyerist Product Director, Ashley Steckler, shares her perspective on the personality test industry and how to navigate your results! If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Thanks to  Posh Virtual Receptionists and  Postali for sponsoring this episode.

Sara joins Labster Patricia Mancabelli in a conversation about how an in-person, Lawyerist-facilitated retreat sparked a firm rebranding and enabled her team to hone in on their ideal clients.   Patricia discusses the challenges and benefits of her rebrand and reveals how their new subscription model for female business owners has been a game-changer.   Discover how this approach has allowed the firm to provide more purposeful and impactful support, benefiting both the firm and the women entrepreneurs they serve with accessible, top-notch legal services.  Links from the episode:   Mention Lawyerist when your visit Posh and get a free 2 week trial!     If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! 

We’re talking to Dan Gingiss this week about why experiences matter to your clients and easy ways to wow them! If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Thanks to Rankings.io, TextExpander, and Litera for sponsoring this episode.

Disclaimer: This episode was originally aired on September 6, 2017. According to Dr. Doug Brackmann, traditional meditation may not work for innovators, entrepreneurs, and other highly “Driven” individuals who may possess characteristics commonly associated ADHD or OCD. Instead he proposes an alternative meditation style and productivity tools better suited to the Driven brain. If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Thanks to the Law Firm Growth Summit, ROSS Intelligence, Sanebox, and Alert Communications for sponsoring this episode! Show notes: To find out if you are Driven, take the assessment at HighlyDriven.Life. If you want to learn more, pick up Doug’s book, Driven: Understanding and Harnessing the Genetic Gifts Shared by Entrepreneurs, Navy SEALs, Pro Athletes, and Maybe YOU.

Stephanie talks with Lawyerist Lab coach Ryan McKeen and his former firm partners Meghan Freed and Kristen Marcroft. They discuss their journey in starting a practice together, going their separate ways, and building successful separate practices.  If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Thanks to Albatross Legal Workspaces, Postali, and Posh Virtual Receptionists for sponsoring this episode.

Zack gets real about meetings with Matt Homann. They take on meeting fatigue, the power of asynchronous communication, and the real cost of that all-team morning standup. Listen in to hear what makes a meeting a success and what small changes you can make right now to make your office more effective.   Links from the episode:   Sign up for the Lawyerist KPI Webinar December 11th  Check out Tabs3  Meeting design canvas (we need to ask for this from Matt, but he mentions it in the episode.) He sent a PDF  Connect with Matt 

According to Vanessa Van Edwards, charisma is charisma is “a compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others.” In this episode she explains what factors into charisma—and awkwardness—and how everyone can learn to be more charismatic. Thanks to PwC Insights Officer, Alert Communications, Sanebox, and ROSS Intelligence for sponsoring this episode! Watch Vanessa’s presentation at TEDxLondon in 2017, “You are contagious.” Take the Charisma Quiz and find out where you fall on the charisma scale.

Lawyerist’s Legal Tech Advisor, Zack Glaser, shares his best tips for conducting a tech audit in your firm! If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Thanks to TextExpander, Postali, and Rankings.io for sponsoring this episode.

In this episode, Stephanie talks with Brian Cuban, author of The Addicted Lawyer. Hear Brian’s story of how he battled addiction to alcohol and cocaine starting in college, then law school, and finally as a practicing attorney.   Brian and Stephanie also explore why a compassionate community is a must for everyone in the profession and three easy questions we can ask each other when we see worrisome signs.   Links from the episode:   Lawyers Depression Project   The Addicted Lawyer    If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free!  Thanks to   Posh Virtual Receptionists, NetDocuments & LawPay. for sponsoring this episode.  

This week, Aaron and Sam discuss talk about the five reasons that your customers are leaving. Then, Sam talks with Patrick Palace of Palace Law about opening a boutique law firm and being president of the Washington State Bar Association.

Strategy professor and author Olivier Sibony about learning to recognize biases in your day-to-day decisions. If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Ready to put your new skills with strategic decisions to the test? Learn more about your overall law firm strategy here. Thanks to TextExpander, ESQ.Marketing, Postali, and  CosmoLex for sponsoring this episode.

You own a law firm and have amazing thoughts, ideas, and stories to share. So, what’s holding you back from writing that book? In today’s episode, Stephanie talks with best-selling author and speaker Sharai Robbin about why and how you can write that book.   Links from the episode:   Freebie - 7- Figure Secret Case Study   Upcoming Masterclass - "The 3 Critical Mistakes Stopping Coaches & Experts From Getting Their Books Done"   If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! 

As a well-known lawyer and (former) law professor, Alan Dershowitz gives a lot of advice to young lawyers. At one point, he wrote it all down in Letters to a Young Lawyer. The book has been around for a while, but it is still full of good advice for young lawyers — and so is Dershowitz.

In this episode, Doug Brackmann explains why traditional meditation may not work for innovators, entrepreneurs, and other highly driven individuals. Instead he proposes an alternative meditation style and productivity tools better suited to the "Driven" brain. To find out if you are Driven, take the assessment at HighlyDriven.Life. If you want to learn more, pick up Doug's book, Driven: Understanding and Harnessing the Genetic Gifts Shared by Entrepreneurs, Navy SEALs, Pro Athletes, and Maybe YOU. Dr. Doug Brackmann is a dual Ph.D. in both clinical and organizational psychology. Over the last 30 years he has developed expertise in Driven individuals, roughly 10% of the population. The Driven exhibit a highly competitive and driven nature, are not averse to risk-taking and may struggle with finding balance in their lives.

Jodi Ettenberg left for a vacation, and never came back. On today's podcast, she talks about how to do the same (even if you've got a shorter timeline). But first, did Ohio just issue the dumbest ethics opinion ever?

In this episode, Douglas Sorocco explains why his law firm built a free public event space next door, and why it wound up being a good investment. Before or after you listen, you should watch this video to see how the space gets used: https://vimeo.com/152494352 Doug is an Oklahoma intellectual property lawyer, focused on biotechnology, life sciences, chemistry, and chemical engineering.

We’re back with another stop on our tour through The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited. In these episodes, we dive into each of the six areas of business integral to building client-centered, efficient, and profitable small law firm. Do you know how your clients experience your firm? Designing client experience isn’t something that will happen on its own, you need to be intentional. Today, Stephanie talks with Nkoyo-Ene Effiong, Director of Law Practice Management for the State Bar of Georgia, about Healthy Clients. Learn what that means and tips for how you can do that in a healthy way. Links from the episode:  If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Thanks to Posh Virtual Receptionists, Clio, & LawPay for sponsoring this episode.

In this episode with Allison Shields, we pick up where left off in Episode #22, talking about productivity mindset, delegation, and how better organization sets lawyers up for success.

In this episode with Megan Zavieh, we check in on The Playbook as well talk about her content marketing strategies, including her own podcast is going. Megan shares advice for lawyers thinking about starting podcasts, and a few tips about what has worked in her marketing plan and what hasn’t.

Zack sits down with Ed Walters, Chief Strategy Officer of vLex and founder of Fastcase, to discuss AI's role in legal research. Delve into why it’s important to demystify AI and debunk misconceptions about "robot lawyers." Learn about using AI in discovery, the importance of choosing the right tools, and the limitations of language models like ChatGPT.  And explore how the industry is working to create dependable tools that can be verified by legal professionals, while maintaining human judgment in the legal process.  Links from the episode: Law Review Article  Data-Driven Law: Data Analytics and the New Legal Services (Data Analytics Applications)

Zack talks with lawyer and tech expert, Martin Clausen, about managing the rights and obligations of agreements in real-time with computational contracts. They also touch on how bringing this technology to your clients could help set you apart from the rest of the pack. If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Thanks to LawPay, Postali, and Posh Virtual Receptionists for sponsoring this episode.

Stephanie talks with Lawyerist Lab coach Bernadette Harris, about how to protect your firm from fraud with proper procedures and safeguards, outsourcing accounting, and more.  If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Thanks to Albatross Legal Workspaces, Postali, and Posh Virtual Receptionists for sponsoring this episode.

New Lawyerist Lab coach, Ryan McKeen, discusses hiring and firing within your firm. If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking to learn best practices about hiring, firing, and how to manage effective teams? Learn more here. Thanks to LEXReception, CosmoLex, TextExpander, Postali, and ESQ.Marketing for sponsoring this episode.

In this episode, we have a conversation with Nicole Bradick, our first three-peat guest on the show, about some of the systemic issues in the legal system. Nicole walks us through how she is using technology and the design process to approach those problems, and what needs to happen in order for justice to be accessible for everyone. Nicole is a former lawyer and the founder and CEO of Theory and Principle, a legal technology product development firm. Whether it is improving the delivery of legal services, the justice system, lawyer efficiency, legal education, or access to justice for all, Theory and Principle works with clients who are moved to innovate and build to create a better system.

Author and thought leader Sarah Aviram talks with us about what it means to feel fulfilled with your work, regardless of your location, company, and personal circumstances. If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! If you’d like to learn more about creating goals that will help with your fulfillment at work, check out our resource page on personal goals. Thanks to LexReception, TextExpander, Back Office Betties and LawPay for sponsoring this episode.

In this week’s episode, we talk with attorney branding specialist Nicole Abboud about the benefits of tailoring your firm to meet the demands of a growing millennial clientele.

In this episode with Lee Holcomb, we talk about her career path, her new book Lawyer Lifestyle, and how, with technology, women lawyers can find a voice and position in a challenging and constantly changing legal market.

Lawyerist Lab member Ryan McKeen discusses how to strategize and make action plans for moving forward even with an uncertain future on the horizon.  If you’d like to learn more about deciding on your goals and next steps right now, check out our resource page on personal and career goals.  If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Thanks to Lawyers With Purpose, Back Office Betties, LawPay, and TextExpander for sponsoring this episode!

In this episode with Neil Tyra, we talk about the difference between being an entrepreneur and being a lawyer, all the things they didn’t teach you in law school, and some of the mistakes Neil made along the way in his own practice that helped him grow. We also talk about real estate planning, the future prospects of that practice area, and Neil’s own podcast, The Law Entrepreneur podcast.

Debbie Foster, managing partner at Affinity Consulting, joins Stephanie to share some big news. They detail how to best prepare your team for a merger through honesty and open communication. And outline ways to make a merger easier, whether two businesses are combining or a single partner is coming on board.  Links from the episode: Affinity Consulting Powerful Leaders Podcast If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Thanks to Posh Virtual Receptionists, Clio, & Documate for sponsoring this episode.

The end of the year is upon us and whether we like it or not, it’s time to think about wrapping up our finances. Do you have a plan in place for your financial strategy? Do you know why it matters?  Join Stephanie as she talks with Lawyerist Lab financial coach Bernadette Harris about finding the levers to systemize your firm finances and get ready for tax season. Plus, she shares some tips on how to increase your income but NOT your tax liability!  If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free!

Lawyerist Lab leader and coach Stephanie Everett discusses why you need a business advisory council for your law firm and how to create one.  If you’d like to learn more about investing in support for your professional development and law firm growth, check out our resource page on law firm coaching.  If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Thanks to First Place Legal, Back Office Betties, TextExpander, and LawPay for sponsoring this episode. 

Karin Conroy is back to talk about law firm websites. This is also, you might notice, our last podcast of 2015. Call it the end of Season 1. But don’t worry, we’ll be back in 2016, thanks in large part to your contributions.  

Lawyerist Coach and remote work expert, Maryellen Stockton, shares her tips on how remote companies can successfully onboard new employees. If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking to onboard new associates successfully, so you can get stellar HR processes in your firm? Learn more here. Thanks to Knackly ,Back Office Betties, LawPay, and TextExpander  for sponsoring this episode.

In this episode with Rand Fishkin, we talk about Moz, Rand’s book, Lost and Founder, and SparkToro. We go back to the basics about SEO on this podcast, and also discuss how most law firms are bootstrapped and how firms should think about structure services in the age of Uber and Amazon. Lastly, we dive into the difference between having an audience versus retaining attention.

In this episode, Josie Beets explains why military spouses who are lawyers should be able to get a license to practice law without taking the bar exam over and over again. Josie Beets is President of the Military Spouse JD Network (MSJDN), a bar association for military spouses who are lawyers.

Zack talks with Knackly.io’s CEO, Kim Mayberry, about how lawyers can build apps using document automation platforms. Who is Knackly? They are the fastest, most-powerful document automation software available. They’re already saving other firms over 90% of the time they spent creating, drafting, proofing, editing, and producing legal documents and correspondence. Knackly.io: https://knackly.io Lawyerist Product Spotlight with Knackly: https://youtu.be/0WRKWUgA8Ng If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free!

In this episode with Jan Glassman, we talk about her law firm business model, her flexible service options, and what challenges she has faced growing a law firm focused on social impact and innovation.

In this episode with Greg Crabtree, we talk about the four keys to profitable law firm. This includes how to figure out what a small-firm owner or partner’s salary should be, how to increase productivity in a service business, when to take distributions, and how to think about tax breaks.

In this episode of The Lawyerist Podcast, Gabriel Cheong talks about billing flat fees in unpredictable cases, like contested divorces. Often seeming impossible to implement in a family law firm, Gabriel shares a few tips on how he makes this client service model function in his firm.

In this episode, Zack explores the vital role sleep plays in overall health and well-being with Alex Colkit, Founder and CEO of AC Holistic Wellness. They discuss the connection between sleep and mental health, suggest reminders of sleep importance, and emphasize the significance of a consistent sleep schedule. You’ll learn tips to help form healthy sleep habits and how prioritizing rest can lead to better decision-making and emotional stability. Sleep is the cornerstone of good health and can positively impact one's daily choices and well-being. Lack of sleep and poor mental health are interconnected, and good sleep contributes to better decision-making and emotional stability. Zack asks for tips on forming sleep habits and kicking himself into prioritizing sleep without much thought. Alex suggests finding tricks or touch points to remind oneself of the importance of sleep and the negative consequences of sleep deprivation. Stick to a regular sleep schedule, including wake-up and bedtime, to synchronize with the body's circadian rhythm. Links from the episode:  If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Thanks to Posh Virtual Receptionists, Clio, & LawPay for sponsoring this episode.

Zack talks with Lab Coach Chad Fox about how developing law firm processes can build value for a practice. They specifically discuss how his experience in franchises showed him that the difference between success and failure can often be as simple as creating and abiding by standard operating procedures.  Links from the episode:   Check out and register for LabCon 2024!  CosmoLex: Complete Legal Practice Management for Modern Law Firms     If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! 

In this episode, Dr. Heather Hackman helps us get a new perspective on diversity and the legal profession. She also explains why "doing diversity" doesn't work, and what small firms actually need to do to increase diversity in the legal profession. This may be a challenging podcast for some, but it will reward those who listen with an open mind. Heather has taught, published, and trained on social justice issues since 1992, as a professor at St. Cloud State University in St Cloud, Minnesota, and full-time as a consultant since 2005. Now, she consults nationally on issues of deep diversity, equity, and social justice, especially racism and white privilege, gender oppression, heterosexism and homophobia, and classism.

During this week's podcast, Aaron and Sam discuss why sometimes lawyers should shorten written content, and Sam talks with Katie Floyd, co-host of the Mac Power Users podcast, about setting up her solo practice and tips for Mac and iOS users.

Author and CEO of Hint Water, Kara Goldin, shares her story and what it means to be undaunted throughout your career. If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Thanks to Moneypenny, ESQ.Marketing, CosmoLex, TextExpander, and Postali for sponsoring this episode.

In this episode with Mike Lissner, we talk about the pending PACER lawsuit, monopolies in law, and what the Free Law Project is. We also talk with Mike about why open access to law matters to innovation and access to justice as well as a few ways that courts can help.

In this episode with Stephanie Everett, we talk about a few ways you can create micro-experiences for your clients. We cover retainers, graphics and video, and drafting briefs all as ways you can offer your unique value proposition and personal touch to win with your clients.

Have you heard? We released a new edition of our book! Our goal has always been to help lawyers better manage their firms. Now we have new strategies and stories to help in that journey. Today Jennifer sits down with co-authors of The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited, Aaron & Stephanie. They dive into the reframing they have done since writing the first edition and the major differences in our new book.   Links from the episode:  https://lawyerist.com/book/   If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? Check out our coaching community to see if it’s right for you.   Thanks to Posh Virtual Receptionists, Clio, & Gavel for sponsoring this episode.

This episode we're trying something a bit different. One of our favorite interviews to date was Sam's conversation with Ed Walters about law and robots, so this week we are replaying it. If you missed it the first time around, you'll want to tune in now.

In today’s world, our first instinct is to add. Do more. Consume more information. But, should we be subtracting instead? Doing less. Simplifying.   In today’s episode, Stephanie talks with author Leidy Klotz about his book, Subtract, and why taking away should be part of our decision-making toolkit.   Links from the episode:   Check out CosmoLex!   Subtract by Leidy Klotz     If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! 

In this episode we skip the introductory banter in order to get straight to the conversation with John Suh, CEO of the legal-industry bogeyman, LegalZoom. Not only would Suh like to change that, he's got a strong argument for why lawyers should learn to love his company.

Stephanie talks with Lawyerist’s Operations Director, Paige Atkins, about how lawyers and leaders can avoid burnout and stay engaged in their most important work. They also talk about how to keep your team engaged and avoid overwhelm altogether.  If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Thanks to LawPay, Postali, and Posh Virtual Receptionists for sponsoring this episode. 

In today’s podcast, we talk to Carolyn Elefant about what you can and should do in advance if you are planning to go solo. Then, in our Q&A segment, we talk about whether solos ought to form a business entity or "go naked."

Billie Tarascio started out trying to build a firm that furthers access to justice, and wound up building a pretty innovative law firm with a software backbone that allowed her to deliver legal services at every price point—and it didn't work. You'll find out why in today's podcast, but first, don't forget that clients and customers are looking for very different things.

In this episode, we talk to Joshua Browder about how he built his DoNotPay chatbot—which has already helped thousands an is about to grow into 300+ robot lawyers—has made robot lawyers a reality. The BBC has called Joshua Browder's DoNotPay robot lawyer the Robin Hood of the internet. Border himself is one of Forbes' 30 under 30 for 2017.

In this episode with Tracey Ivanyshyn, we talk about what makes employees happy, and how happy employees lead to happier clients.

The holiday season is here which often brings fun, parties, stress, and a whole host of emotions. That’s why we are revisiting one of our favorite conversations with Annie Grace on some strategies we can use to rethink our relationship with alcohol.   Links from the episode:   The Naked Mind by Annie Grace   The Alcohol Experiment by Annie Grace     If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free!  Thanks to   Posh Virtual Receptionists, NetDocuments & LawPay. for sponsoring this episode.  

What if you could join forces with another professional to both streamline and boost your business? This week’s guests have found a way, through their integrated law and accounting firm (one of the first in Arizona), to better serve their clients and their business. In this episode, Stephanie talks with owners of BOSS advisors, Lawyerist Lab member Mike Payne and non-attorney business partner Chad Huebsch. Learn how they found efficiency and streamlined success through an alternative business structure.

Stephanie talks with Eric Webber about the silent addiction of gambling. In this episode, we explore why you can’t go anywhere or watch a sporting event without hearing betting terms. Online gambling has become all the rage, but it is not without potential dangers.   Especially in a profession like law where attorneys have access to client’s money, problems can turn problematic quickly. Learn more about what is triggered in the brain during gambling, what signs to watch for, and how to know when to suggest help for a colleague or yourself. Understanding this part of addiction is part of nurturing our healthy team.   Links from the episode:   Caron Treatment Center   Judge and Lawyer Assistance Program     If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free!  Thanks to Posh Virtual Receptionists, Postali & LawPay for sponsoring this episode.  

Business owners often hear the advice: “hire help and delegate!” In this episode, Stephanie talks with entrepreneur Dan Martell about why you should hire to buy back your time.   Learn how small shifts in how you think as a business owner can make big impacts on your business—and your happiness! To start, Dan shares why it’s time for lawyers to let go of their inboxes and calendars. We know why you think that is impossible but listen to hear why it is essential.   Links from the episode:   If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free!  Thanks to Posh Virtual Receptionists, Postali & LawPay for sponsoring this episode.  

Family lawyer Emily Cooper discusses how to set your law firm team up to succeed when you’re not in the office or need to adjust to outside circumstances.  If you’d like to learn more about planning for incapacity or your departure from your firm, check out our resource page on succession planning.  If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Thanks to Mockingbird Marketing, TextExpander, Back Office Betties, and LawPay for sponsoring this episode! 

Zack talks with ShareFile’s Laura Kaminski about the challenges of document management in law firms. Listen and learn how cloud-based technologies can provide more secure and user-friendly solutions for attorneys and their clients.  Check out ShareFile for Legal  Five Challenges Shaping the New Legal Paradigm   Streamline your document-related workflows with ShareFile for Legal    If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free!  About ShareFile  ShareFile, a business unit of Cloud Software Group, helps you deliver a modern client experience with collaboration and workflow technology that is secure, easy to use, and made to fit your organization. Designed with highly regulated industries in mind, ShareFile offers a secure, digital solution to simplify workflows and improve collaboration. ShareFile works with your existing technologies and gives you added visibility, speed, and efficiency without having to sacrifice security. www.sharefile.com 

Lawyerist Lab member and estate planning lawyer Rachel Allums knows that the client experience isn’t “one size fits all.”   In this episode, Rachel Allums talks with Zack about her deliberate and thoughtful approach to client experience. Learn how she creates a personalized experience for every client by considering their age, family dynamics, comfort with technology, and more.   Rachel delves into how she integrates both digital tools and traditional methods for efficiency and offers valuable advice on creating educational videos, seeking mentorship, and navigating the path to a successful estate planning business.  Links from the episode:   If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free!  Thanks to Posh Virtual Receptionists, Postali & LawPay for sponsoring this episode.  

In this episode, Billie Tarascio explains why intake is the key to her firm's success, and how her firm uses empathy and data to strategically optimize the intake process. Billie Tarascio is the principal attorney at Modern Law, a family law firm in greater Phoenix, and Access Legal, a legal technology company providing do it yourself resources for self-representing family law litigants.

Stephanie talks with the managing attorney for World One Law Group, Karol Brown, about the importance of tracking KPIs in your law firm.  If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Thanks to LawPay, MyCase, and Posh Virtual Receptionists for sponsoring this episode. 

Stephanie talks with a serial legal entrepreneur, Jay Ruane, about integrating systems in your law firm. If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Thanks to LawPay, MyCase, and Posh Virtual Receptionists for sponsoring this episode.

The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited doubled-down on our Healthy Firm model. But what, exactly, is it? Join us for another stop on our podcast book tour. This week we dive into building, enabling, and integrating Healthy Systems in a law firm.  Lawyerist Labster Matt Loker sits down with Sara to discuss using systems and automation to deliver a consistent service to clients. They dive into how task management is crucial to consistent communication—from finding the right CRM, to rebuilding their systems and automating tasks, to regular system maintenance. Learn how Matt used healthy systems to save time, improve client experience, and create a seamless client journey.   Links from the episode:  https://lawyerist.com/resources/lawyerist-store/ If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free!  Thanks to Posh Virtual Receptionists, Postali & LawPay for sponsoring this episode. 

Dan Pink suggests that your legal work probably isn’t as valuable in the afternoons—the “trough” of your day. (For similar reasons, he avoids afternoon doctor appointments and thinks you should, too.) In this episode Dan discusses the science of timing and productivity, the subject of his latest book, When, and also compensation and motivation, the subject of Drive. Also, Dan says science doesn’t think much of the billable hour: The billable hour is one of the most autonomy-thwarting, controlling, self-direction inhibiting mechanisms that one has. It puts the focus on the clock rather than on the work. If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Mentioned in this episode:   Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing   Thanks to PwC Insights Officer, ROSS Intelligence, SaneBox, and Alert Communications for sponsoring this episode!

Believe it or not, securing a $100 million dollar verdict is not an overnight project. Today Stephanie talks with Lawyerist Lab coach Ryan McKeen about how he built his personal injury firm to support and win a $100M case. He pulls back the curtain and details the work it took and offers advice to other attorneys wanting to do the same.   Links from the episode:    Read the News Article about the Verdict   If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free!   Thanks to Posh Virtual Receptionists, Clio, & Documate for sponsoring this episode.

Lawyers are pretty good at keeping our guards up—especially when it comes to the hard, messy, personal stuff. So, what happens when we let those guards down and share those stories with one another?   This week, Stephanie tackles that issue and more with Sarah Soucie Eyberg, co-author of the new book Law Moms: Juggling Motherhood, Ambition and Personal Fulfillment.  Links from the episode:    Check out Sarah's Book-Law Moms   Lawyerist listeners can get special pricing with Pilot!     If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! 

Lab coach Kelly Street is talking with therapist Sherry Walling about what it looks like to carry your client’s trauma. If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Thanks to DK Global, Rankings.io, TextExpander, and Postali for sponsoring this episode.

Dean Cardinale is no lawyer, but he knows a thing or two about taking informed risks. In this episode, we talk with a professional "adventurer" about achieving big goals, and how you can apply the same knowledge to leverage your own business aspirations. Dean is an avid mountain climber, outdoors enthusiast, and adventure lover, the founder of World Wide Trekking, and the President and Founder of Human Outreach Project.

Sam and Aaron introduce the Lawyerist Podcast and our first guest, Alan Dershowitz. You'll also find out how to send us a question to answer during future podcasts. Subscribe now, either using your favorite podcast app, in iTunes, Stitcher, or find out about new episodes by subscribing to the Lawyerist Insider.

In this episode, Stephanie talks with diversity scholar Dr. Terrell Strayhorn about the concept of belonging, emphasizing its significance beyond buzzwords like diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI). They highlight the positive outcomes of belonging, including increased job satisfaction and productivity and explore obstacles to fostering belonging. Dr. Strayhorn offers strategies for cultivating a sense of belonging in large organizations. The conversation extends to the ongoing need for addressing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in leadership and workplaces. Rewarding behaviors that foster belonging, such as recognizing selflessness and facilitating social connections, is also discussed. They discuss the concept of belonging and its importance, highlighting that it goes beyond buzzwords like diversity, equity, and inclusivity. positive outcomes of belonging, such as higher job satisfaction and productivity in the workplace. They explore the obstacles to creating a sense of belonging in the workplace, highlighting individual, group, and structural factors. Dr. Strayhorn suggests strategies for making large organizations feel smaller and promoting a sense of belonging among employees. discusses the importance of continuing conversations about the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in leadership, the workplace, and job opportunities even beyond the month of June. The discussion also touches on the idea of rewarding behaviors that promote belonging, such as recognizing selfless actions, welcoming newcomers, and facilitating social connections. Links from the episode:  If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Thanks to Posh Virtual Receptionists, Clio, & LawPay for sponsoring this episode.

Here's why cost-cutting measures aren't catching on with firms: many clients care more about the size of the discount than the size of the bill. Plus, how do you know whether the money you are spending on online marketing is getting the results it should?

In this episode with Sherry Walling, we talk about the typical sources of stress and unhappiness for an entrepreneur, and how to be objective about these levels. We also redefine work-life balance and talk about whether or not happiness should be an end goal.

In this episode, we're joined by Peter Aprile and Natalie Worsfold to talk about the way they think differently about building Counter Tax. Learn how they use a long view, process, and firm culture to make big bets on the future. Peter Aprile is a tax controversy and litigation lawyer and the founder of Counter Tax Lawyers, a Toronto-based firm that develops innovative strategies for resolving tax disputes. Peter is also the co-host of the podcast Building NewLaw, along with fellow (cult member) Counter lawyer Natalie Worsfold. A somewhat unconventional lawyer, Natalie spends her days turning the firm into the well-oiled machine of the future, usually by optimizing and building technology that eliminates inefficiency. She's the co-architect behind many of Counter's process workflows and their comprehensive knowledge-base, lovingly named Hank.

We’re joined by author and professor, Susan Ashford, where we talk about how you can use small, daily experiments to grow as a leader. If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Thanks to Postali and Posh Virtual Receptionists for sponsoring this episode.

In this week’s episode with Amy Morin, we talk about what it means to be mentally strong and the steps it takes to get there. Some key points we cover are finding independence and resilience, practicing optimism, and learning how to think, feel, and behave as someone who is mentally strong.

We’re joined by Lawyerist Lab Coach, Ryan McKeen, where we talk why reviews are so important for the growth and success of your business. If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Thanks to Postali and Posh Virtual Receptionists for sponsoring this episode.

Author Jenny Blake explains how to know it’s time to make a change in your professional life and how to start pivoting towards your next chapter.  If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! If you’d like to learn more about connecting your goals and culture at your law firm, check out our resource page on law firm mission, vision, and values.  Thanks to Belay, TextExpander, Back Office Betties, and Casetext for sponsoring this episode!

Representing low-income clients can present challenges for lawyers who are not used to it, but learning to meet those challenges is a good lesson in basic client service. While we're on the subject, what is the access-to-justice gap everyone is talking about, and can you really build a profitable law practice serving people who fall into that gap?

Thought leader & author Amy Gallo talks to us about dealing with conflict in the workplace and how we can effectively communicate with those who have different perspectives from us. If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! If you’d like to learn more about managing a team and tips on communication, check out our resource page on managing people. Thanks to BetterLegal, LawPay, TextExpander, and  Back Office Betties for sponsoring this episode.

Zack talks with Judge Scott Schlegel about how he layers technology on top of courtroom workflows.    If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Thanks to Albatross Legal Workspaces, Postali, and Posh Virtual Receptionists for sponsoring this episode.

Agile project management is huge in software development, but lawyers can take advantage of Agile, too. John Grant explains how to adapt Agile for law practice. But first, is the legal market really experiencing "modest job gains"?

Attorney Craig Dobson, an expert on ethics and professional responsibility, joins Stephanie Everett to talk about the ethical and professional responsibility concerns lawyers face in a rapidly evolving legal landscape. They discuss how solo and small firm attorneys can stay compliant while leveraging new tools, the importance of confidentiality and competence, and the fundamental need to maintain diligence in your practice. Craig and Stephanie examine alternative fee structures beyond just hourly billing and provide guidance on ethical practices around lawyer pricing models. Craig also shares how he’s approaching billing in his own practice and why lawyers need to be proactive about understanding the risks.  Read Craig’s article: Overview | Full Article  Additionally, Zack talks with Curtis, from MyCase and LawPay about their new product, Smart Spend, the LawPay Visa® Business Card is issued by Emprise Bank, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A., Inc.   Listen to our other episodes about ethics and alternative billing practices:   #350: Ethics in Your Business: It's More than Regulations, with Susan Liautaud Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Legal Talk Network  #488: The Power of Value-Based Pricing, with Shaun Jardine Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist   #543: What Lawyers Need to Know About the Ethics of Using AI, with Hilary Gerzhoy Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist  #547: Legal Tech You Need for Flat Fees, with Adriana Linares Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist     Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!  If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.  Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.  Chapters:    00:00 Introduction   00:18 Lawyerist Coaching  05:22 Expense Tracking in MyCase   10:01 Integrating Finance with Practice  14:54 Immigration Law and the Current Administration  17:53 Specialization and Maintaining Competence Across Multiple Areas  22:39 Lawyer Pricing Models in an Era of Uncertainty 

In this episode we speak with the co-author of "Rebooting Justice," Ben Barton, about how making legal technology and innovation a priority in law schools can help shape a market that benefits both lawyers and their potential clients. Professor Ben Barton is also the author of "Glass Half Full: The Decline and Rebirth of the Legal Profession" (Cambridge) and "The Lawyer-Judge Bias in the American Courts" (Cambridge) and a Professor of Law at the University of Tennessee.

Lawyerist Lab coach Stephanie Everett interviews Lab member Aaron Thomas  about their lab journey and what they’re currently dealing with in their small firm. If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Thanks to Timesolv, ESQ.Marketing, CosmoLex, TextExpander, and Postali for sponsoring this episode.

Learn how MeanPug, a law firm marketing company, manages a multitude of projects, tasks, and workflows within their company. Listen-in as Zack talks with founding partner, Bobby Steinbach, about their project management software journey. And learn how you can use project management concepts to drive efficiency and productivity in your firm. 

"Just because you're solo/small doesn't mean you have to struggle all the time." In this episode, Joe Bahgat talks about how a shitty revenue month finally got him to start working on his entertainment law firm, Hub City Law Group, with help from How to Manage a Small Law Firm. Sam and Aaron discuss the value of business coaching and what it takes to get lawyers to think strategically about their law firms. Joe Bahgat is a saxophonist-turned-entertainment lawyer. After playing with Grammy award winners like Ray Charles and the Four Tops, Joe went to law school. Now, he represents artists and businesses in New Jersey and Ohio.

Labster Rebecca Ritchey from Sibus Law Group joins Sara to talk about how she has built a healthy business strategy in her firm—including a flat fee model, a flexible workplace, and opportunities to give back to her community. They delve into how Rebecca makes it work, costs and benefits, and suggestions she has for firms looking to do the same. Links from the episode:  To learn more about Lab Legacy, email Stephanie: stephanie@lawyerist.com If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Thanks to Posh Virtual Receptionists, Clio, & Gavel for sponsoring this episode.

In this episode with Rebecca Sandefur, we talk about why people rarely turn to lawyers or courts for assistance with their problems, how to properly educate civilians on obtaining legal help, and what role small and solo firm lawyers play in the solution.

How well do you know your team? Do they know you care about them? Did you know your relationship with your team can actually impact your bottom line?  In this episode, Sara talks with Lawyerist Lab member Spencer Schmidt about his journey to becoming a great boss. He’s learned that keeping employees engaged and accountable (even if you’re non-confrontational!) is one of the best ways to care for his clients and grow his business. If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Thanks to Posh Virtual Receptionists, Berkshire Receptionists, & Lawyerist Lab for sponsoring this episode.

In this episode with Rachel Rodgers, we talk about how she started an alternative law practice, what it means to build a business focused on serving women and women of color, and why she transitioned into full-time coaching. In line with her own podcast Million Dollar Badass, Rachel also shares advice on how to scale a $100,000 business to a $1 million business.

We’re joined by author and interpersonal dynamics expert, David Bradford, today where we talk about a new way to approach feedback. If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Thanks to Posh Virtual Receptionists and Postali for sponsoring this episode.

Lab coach Ryan McKeen about the components of a business strategy and how to put one together to create a firm you’re proud of.  If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Thanks to Lawmatics, Postali, Rankings.io, and TextExpander for sponsoring this episode.

Zack Glaser talks with our product director here at Lawyerist., Ashely Steckler, about common project management mistakes and how to avoid them. If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Thanks to LawPay, MyCase, and Posh Virtual Receptionists for sponsoring this episode.