Shows
Leadership In Law PodcastS02E89 Discovering Your Dream Job in Franchise Law with Stuti MurarkaDiscover how a skilled franchise attorney transforms from legal advisor to strategic growth partner in this illuminating conversation with Stuti Murarka of Cheng Cohen. Having practiced law on two continents and passed the bar exam twice, Stuti brings a unique global perspective to franchise law that has helped single-unit operations evolve into multi-million dollar empires.The conversation reveals the fascinating journey of a lawyer who never initially planned a legal career but now thrives at the intersection of business strategy and legal compliance. Stuti candidly shares how her mother's unrealized dream of becoming an attorney inspired her...2025-08-1226 min
Leadership In Law PodcastS02E88 Social Media Marketing for Law Firms with Ian A. HarringtonSocial media expert Ian A. Harrington pulls back the curtain on what works for law firms in the digital space during this eye-opening conversation. Having helped generate hundreds of millions in case value for personal injury and workers' compensation firms, Ian's message is clear: social media represents the most cost-effective marketing channel available to attorneys today, but only if you're willing to show up consistently.Unlike traditional marketing, where you can throw money at the problem, social media success requires personal investment. "You have to put yourself in front of the camera hundreds of times," Ian explains...2025-08-0434 min
Leadership In Law PodcastBONUS How AEO Is Replacing SEO—And What Your Law Firm Needs to Do About ItSearch is changing—and fast. If your law firm is still relying on old-school SEO tactics alone, you’re already behind. In this 30-minute workshop, Marilyn Jenkins breaks down the rise of Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)—what it is, why it matters, and how law firms can adapt to stay visible, relevant, and profitable in an AI-driven world.You’ll discover:Why Google’s new AI Overviews and zero-click searches are reshaping how people find legal servicesThe difference between SEO and AEO—and why answering real client questions now beats keyword stuffingHow voi...2025-07-3126 min
Leadership In Law PodcastS02E87 Bootstrapping & Referral Networks for Growth with Chuck PanzarellaEver wondered what happens when legal expertise meets entrepreneurial spirit? Chuck Panzarella embodies this powerful combination, forging a unique career path that spans courtroom advocacy and business development. In this enlightening conversation, Chuck shares his journey from Peace Corps volunteer to successful consumer advocate, revealing how he built a thriving law practice while maintaining his entrepreneurial edge.Chuck's story challenges traditional notions of legal career trajectories. Rather than following his father's footsteps into the judiciary, he carved his path through criminal defense, bankruptcy, and ultimately consumer protection litigation. What makes his approach distinctive is his parallel development...2025-07-2827 min
Leadership In Law PodcastS02E86 Leadership, Hospitality, & Culture for Success with Elise BuieWhat if the secret to building a thriving law practice isn't found in marketing tactics or billable hour targets, but in the mirror? That's exactly what Seattle family law attorney Elise Buie discovered on her journey from solo practitioner to firm founder.Elise opens up about the profound leadership lessons she's learned over eight years of intentional development. The breakthrough moment in her growth came when she realized that every challenge in her firm, from staff performance to profitability gaps, ultimately traced back to her leadership. This shift from outward blame to inward responsibility revolutionized her approach...2025-07-2435 min
Leadership In Law PodcastS02E85 Fresh Start Registry & Family Law Attorneys with the Dreizen SistersWhen life falls apart, where do you turn for practical support? Sisters Olivia Dreizen-Howell and Jenny Dreizen discovered a critical gap in our support systems when they both experienced major life transitions, Olivia through divorce and Jenny through a broken engagement. Their revelation? While we celebrate beginnings with weddings and baby registries, we lack formal support structures for endings and transitions.Fresh Starts Registry emerged from this need, a pioneering platform that allows people navigating divorce, coming out, job changes, grief, and other significant life shifts to create registries for essential items they need to rebuild. More...2025-07-2132 min
Leadership In Law PodcastS02E84 Building a Happy & Profitable Solo Practice with Lauren LesterWhen Lauren passed the bar exam, she faced a reality many new attorneys encounter – law school hadn't equipped her to run a business. Rather than following the traditional path of working as an associate for years, Lauren took a bold approach by starting her practice immediately. What she discovered challenged everything about the conventional law firm model.The prevailing wisdom from established attorneys – high hourly rates, opaque pricing, and aggressive litigation – didn't align with Lauren's client-centered values. She realized she wouldn't be able to afford her services, which sparked a fundamental question: What if there's a better way to...2025-07-1731 min
Leadership In Law PodcastS02E83 Turning Founders into Multi-Millionaires with Gabriela SmithWhen your goal is growing a business to a successful exit, having the right legal strategy can mean the difference between leaving millions on the table or walking away with maximum value. Meet Gabriela Smith, founder of GNS Law and creator of the Company X-Ray program, who has mastered the art of turning founders into multimillionaires.Gabriela's fascinating journey from Argentina to building a successful Texas-based law practice offers a masterclass in leveraging cultural differences as business advantages. Having experienced life in emerging markets before moving to the United States, she uniquely understands both sides of international...2025-07-1436 min
Leadership In Law PodcastS02E82 Expert Witness Strategy for Winning Cases with Dr. Jordan RomanoNavigating the complex intersection of medicine and law demands specialized expertise. Dr. Jordan Romano brings exactly that to this enlightening conversation about the strategic role medical experts play in legal proceedings.With two decades of clinical experience at prestigious institutions like Massachusetts General Hospital and now Tufts Medical Center, Dr. Romano shares how his journey into medical expert witness work evolved from occasional case reviews to comprehensive consulting for law firms nationwide. His passion for elevating the entire system shines through as he explains his dual mission: mentoring physicians to become more effective expert witnesses while helping...2025-07-1020 min
Leadership In Law PodcastS02E81 Developing Your Leadership Skills with Doug ThorpeServant leadership transforms organizations by flipping traditional hierarchy upside down. Doug Thorpe, an executive coach with military and banking leadership experience, reveals how this approach creates sustainable success by putting team members first.Doug's leadership journey started in elementary school when he aspired to be captain of the crossing guards. This early experience established a pattern that would follow him through military service, a 20-year banking career, and into his role as coach to hundreds of business leaders. What stands out in his story is how consistently he found himself in leadership positions—not from ego, but fr...2025-07-0727 min
Leadership In Law PodcastS02E80 Benefits of In Home Notary Services with Phillip HoganPhillip Hogan's entrepreneurial journey is a captivating story of opportunity recognition and strategic growth. After a chance encounter with a mobile notary service during an out-of-state car purchase, Hogan spotted an unmet need in the market that would transform his life path. Drawing from childhood experiences working in his family's retail business and leveraging his military discipline from four years of Navy service, he built Signing Services of America into a powerhouse with 65,000 CFPB-compliant notaries nationwide.What makes Hogan's approach unique is his unwavering commitment to understanding clients' needs. Rather than simply connecting notaries with clients, his...2025-07-0325 min
Leadership In Law PodcastS02E79 Setting Boundaries for Empowerment & Growth with Barb NangleBoundaries might be the missing ingredient in your quest for a successful and fulfilling law practice. In this powerful conversation with boundary coach Barb Nangle, we explore how setting healthy boundaries can transform not only your personal life but also revolutionize your professional relationships and leadership approach.Barb shares her remarkable story of transformation that began at age 52, proving it's never too late to change ingrained patterns. After decades of therapy that barely scratched the surface of her issues, she discovered through 12-step recovery programs that her core wound was codependence, manifesting as people-pleasing, burnout, and an...2025-06-3032 min
Leadership In Law PodcastS02E78 Financials That Achieve Your Goals with Leah MillerFinancial management is often the most intimidating aspect of running a law firm, yet it's crucial for sustainable growth and success. In this illuminating conversation with fractional CFO Leah Miller, we explore how intentional financial planning can transform your law practice from surviving to thriving.Leah shares her journey from paralegal to firm administrator, and then to founding her own financial services company, which helps law firms nationwide. Her approach begins not with spreadsheets but with understanding your personal and professional goals: "How much do you need to be bringing home to live the life you want...2025-06-2627 min
Leadership In Law PodcastS02E77 Winning SEO In a Saturated Market with Lindsey BusfieldLindsey Busfield, VP of Optimize My Firm, shares her journey from managing Amish chicken farms to becoming an SEO strategist for some of the nation's most powerful law firm websites. With refreshing candor, she explains why most traditional SEO tactics fail modern attorneys and reveals the strategies that work in 2023.For small and mid-sized firms competing against giants like Morgan & Morgan, Lindsey offers hope through strategic positioning. Rather than trying to outspend the competition, she advocates for community-based approaches that leverage your authentic connections and interests. "If you're a motorcycle rider, get involved in that community, make...2025-06-2328 min
Leadership In Law PodcastS02E76 Building a Profitable Firm in a Crowded Market with Nick Spetsas & Charles BuistWhat does it take to build a thriving law firm from scratch in one of America's most competitive legal markets? For Nick Spetsas and Charles Buist, the journey began with a friendship in law school that evolved into a powerful business partnership built on shared values and complementary strengths.Starting with just a $40,000 line of credit in Orlando's saturated personal injury market, they faced what seemed like insurmountable odds. But their strategic approach to digital marketing and unwavering commitment to client service quickly set them apart from established competitors.Charles and his partners share honest...2025-06-1933 min
Leadership In Law PodcastS02E75 Level-Up Your Team with Traci AustinTraci Austin brings her two decades of HR leadership expertise to tackle one of the most challenging aspects of law firm management: leading diverse teams effectively without micromanaging. Her refreshing approach centers on a powerful principle: "I can't lead you the way I need to be led. I need to lead you the way you need to be led."The conversation delves deep into the practical applications of this philosophy, exploring how understanding individual behavioral styles transforms team dynamics. Traci explains how personality assessments, such as the Predictive Index, can reveal crucial insights into job fit, team...2025-06-1631 min
Leadership In Law PodcastS02E74 Fractional CFO Strategies for Business Growth with Tom DillonTom brings years of experience as a fractional CFO to the table, offering a wealth of knowledge about how proper financial management can become your firm's secret growth engine. He challenges the common belief that cutting costs is the pathway to profitability, instead advocating for strategic growth investments backed by a solid cash flow understanding.The conversation tackles one of the most uncomfortable yet crucial topics for law firm owners – pricing. "The biggest mistake small business owners make is pricing their services too low," Tom reveals, explaining how raising rates not only improves profitability but often eliminates pr...2025-06-1229 min
Leadership In Law PodcastS02E73 Starting a New Firm After 12 Years in a Large Firm with Gary MartoccioGary Martoccio brings his powerful perspective as a champion for employee rights to this illuminating conversation on employment law and firm ownership. With over $50 million recovered for workers and success in more than 200 federal lawsuits as lead counsel, Gary shares the insights gained through his transition from a large firm to launching his practice seven months ago.The conversation delves into the most common employment law issues affecting workplaces today. Medical accommodations and leave top the list, followed by pregnancy discrimination, traditional discrimination based on protected characteristics, and sexual harassment. Gary offers a candid reality check that...2025-06-0920 min
Leadership In Law PodcastS02E72 Dealing with High Conflict Divorces (Narcissists) with Lisa JohnsonLisa Johnson never planned to become a high-conflict divorce strategist. After enduring a $100,000 divorce that stretched into a decade of legal battles, she discovered a phenomenon she hadn't known existed: legal abuse. Today, she's on a mission to help others navigate the treacherous waters of divorce and custody battles with narcissistic opponents.The conversation explores coercive control, subtle abuse through threats, humiliation, and control that often feels "normal" to victims. Lisa's advocacy helped Connecticut become one of seven states to legally recognize it as domestic violence. This episode stands out for Lisa’s real-world negotiation str...2025-06-0529 min
Leadership In Law PodcastS02E71 High Profile Cases from Prosecutor to Trial Attorney with James PorfidoWhat happens when a seasoned prosecutor crosses the aisle to become a defense attorney? James Porfido's remarkable 35-year legal journey reveals troubling truths about our justice system that every attorney and citizen needs to hear.With his book "Unequal Justice" as a backdrop, James shares how a devastating 1994 vehicular homicide case changed not only his career trajectory but also New Jersey law. When a drunk driver killed a mother of three, James pursued the highest possible charges, while the victim's husband, an attorney, successfully campaigned for stricter mandatory minimums for DUI fatalities. In a heartbreaking twist, this...2025-06-0226 min
Leadership In Law PodcastS02E70 Leveraging AI for Law Firm Growth & Mindset Shift with Ryan GregersonRyan Gregerson's leadership journey offers a masterclass in transforming from successful attorney to visionary law firm owner. From his early days building a family law department from scratch to founding RCG Law Group, Ryan reveals the critical mindset shifts that enabled his success.Ryan stands apart by embracing purpose-driven leadership, inspired by Simon Sinek’s “find your why.” He built a firm culture focused on helping clients rise above their challenges and live their best lives, a mission that shapes hiring, client interactions, and a thriving community. The conversation gets interesting as Ryan shares how he’s us...2025-05-2935 min
Leadership In Law PodcastS02E69 Growing A Successful Personal Injury Firm with Mitchell PanterHow do you build a thriving personal injury law firm that stands the test of time? Mitchell Panter, managing partner of Panter, Panter and Sampedro in Miami, reveals the strategies that have sustained his practice for over three decades.At the core of his success lies a meticulous client intake process that evaluates case viability from day one. Unlike high-volume firms that "sign up everybody and figure it out afterwards," Mitchell's approach ensures both clients and attorneys benefit from realistic expectations. "I have to let that client know at the beginning, your case might be worth a...2025-05-2633 min
Leadership In Law PodcastS02E68 Asbestos Litigation Changes with Justinian LaneJustinian Lane’s grandfather survived World War II but later faced a deadly battle with asbestos exposure—an illness that impacted three generations of their family. This deeply personal experience inspired Lane to shift from a career in IT to becoming a dedicated advocate for asbestos victims, a powerful journey he shares in this compelling conversation. Lane explains how asbestos, once as widespread as plastic, is a hidden danger that was embedded in everyday life for decades. He vividly illustrates how its microscopic, razor-sharp fibers can travel long distances through the air and cause lasting lung damage, with...2025-05-2226 min
Leadership In Law PodcastS02E67 401k Retirement Plan Options with Matt RuttenbergMost attorneys view 401k plans simply as employee benefits, but Matt reveals they're powerful financial tools when properly structured. "That's probably about the farthest from the truth that I can explain to someone," he says, comparing the difference between boilerplate retirement plans and customized solutions to the difference between using a legal template versus hiring an attorney.This conversation goes beyond basics to explore what Matt calls the "retirement plan stack" – an upside-down three-tiered approach that can potentially allow contributions exceeding $300,000 annually. You'll learn about critical deadlines, customization options for eligibility and vesting, and strategies for incentivizing ke...2025-05-1932 min
Leadership In Law PodcastS02E66 Sciences & Intellectual Property with Daniel Scola, Jr.A scientist's stolen notebook sparked Dan Scola's passion for intellectual property law. Now a managing partner at Hoffman Baron LLP, Dan reveals the essential yet often misunderstood world of IP protection on this episode of Leadership in Law.Dan explains that inventors must balance sharing their ideas to sell them with protecting those ideas to profit from them. Using real estate analogies, he clarifies how patents set boundaries for innovations and highlights the key differences between patents, trademarks, and copyrights. He also emphasizes the importance of timing in intellectual property strategy, using the recent expiration of Disney’s...2025-05-1529 min