Shows
The 1958 LawyerGary Savine: The Hidden Risks of Growing a Law FirmHiring your first employee feels like growth — until it turns into a lawsuit, an insurance nightmare, or a compliance mess you didn’t see coming. Today, Gary Savine joins us to talk about building a law firm that’s not just profitable, but protected, scalable, and actually sellable. Gary, let’s start here — what’s the biggest risk firms take before they even realize they’ve taken it?
Why should business owners involve an employment lawyer before making their first hire?
What do most firms misunderstand about PEOs and co-employment arrangements?
How can indemnity clauses quietly shift liability back...
2026-02-2634 minThe 1958 LawyerClint Ind: Smarter Lawyering in the Age of AIAlright, so you’re a lawyer trying to practice law in 2026—and every week there’s a new AI tool promising to draft your briefs, review your contracts, and maybe even run your firm while you sip coffee. Tempting? Sure. Terrifying? Also yes.Today, Ron Bockstahler sits down with Clinton Ind to talk about what AI actually means for the legal industry, how to use it aggressively for speed and efficiency, without risking your license, your reputation, or your sanity. Clinton, let’s start here: What can lawyers absolutely not afford to ignore about AI right now?
2026-02-1932 minThe 1958 LawyerRicardo Santiago: Profitable Practice, Purposeful ImpactRunning a law firm is hard enough. Running one that serves underserved communities—without burning out or drowning in billable hours—takes a whole different kind of thinking. Today, Ricardo joins us to talk about building a family law practice designed around access to justice, cultural competency, and sustainability. From flat fees and bilingual outreach to tech-enabled workflows and teaching the next generation, Ricardo is reimagining what a modern solo practice can look like. Ricardo, let’s start here—how did you decide to build your firm this way? How can underserved communities be served profitably through alternati...
2026-02-1238 minThe 1958 LawyerAtty. Pat Cotter: Justice, Fairness, and the Human Side of LawYou spent decades in courtrooms, chasing justice, and suddenly you realize… the human stories behind contracts, criminal cases, and corporate disputes are what truly matter. Today, retired trial lawyer Pat Cotter joins us to reflect on a 43-year career spent standing for fairness, truth, and compassion—and why even “small” cases can leave a huge impact.Atty. Pat walks us through what it means to treat law as a pursuit of justice, how technology and AI are changing litigation, and why remembering the human side of every case keeps even the most seasoned attorneys grounded. How see...
2026-02-0534 minThe 1958 LawyerJared Reynolds: The Quiet Power of Being Fully YourselfLet’s talk about what it actually takes to build a legal career that doesn’t hollow you out along the way. Not the glossy version. Not the “grind harder” myth. The real thing—loans, losses, courtroom pressure, and the slow work of becoming yourself in a profession that often asks you to disappear. Today, Ron and Clinton sit down with trial attorney Jared to trace a non-traditional legal path shaped by grit, independence, and a defining trial that changed how he measures fear, failure, and success. From public defense to a solo med-mal practice, Jared’s story challenges what a “succ...
2026-01-2949 min
Sales & Marketing Playbook: UnleashedHow Smart Lawyers Stop Doing Busywork And Start Building A Profitable PracticeSend a textWhat if your firm grew faster the moment you stopped doing “everything”? We brought on Ron Bockstahler of Amata Office Centers to show how small and solo law practices scale with less stress by outsourcing the back office, using virtual offices for presence, and focusing lawyer time on what actually pays: legal work and prospecting.We start with a reality check for attorneys leaving big firms. The comforts of enterprise-grade support vanish on day one—secure systems, phones, mail, intake, compliance, and endless admin decisions land on your desk. Ron explains how virtua...
2026-01-2525 min
The 1958 LawyerWelcome Back to The 1958 LawyerAlright, so you’ve hung out your shingle, or you’re thinking about it, and suddenly the practice of law feels a lot lonelier than law school ever warned you it would be. The hours are long, the decisions feel heavier, and everyone else seems too busy (or too proud) to admit they’re struggling too. Welcome to The 1958 Lawyer.In this relaunch episode, Ron Bockstahler and Clinton Ind explain why this podcast exists, who it’s for, and why the traditional way of practicing law is overdue for a serious rethink. This isn’t about case law or leg...
2026-01-2214 min
The 1958 LawyerEp 4: Destination Checklist – An Exit Strategy for a Balanced LifeThey say all good things must come to an end—including your time as a business owner. The trick is making sure your exit isn’t a dramatic collapse but more of a graceful bow-out, preferably with a cocktail in hand. Ron Bockstahler is back one last time to talk about exit strategies, or as I like to call it, ‘How to Leave Without the Whole Thing Going Up in Flames.’ Ron, be honest—how many business owners wait way too long to think about this part? Why should business owners think about their exit strategy from the start?H...
2025-07-1517 min
The 1958 LawyerEp 3: Mid-Journey Checklist – Business Basics for a Balanced LifeAlright, so you’ve started your business, you’ve made some money, and now... your work-life balance is about as stable as a wobbly table at a bad diner. Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Today, Ron Bockstahler is here to walk us through the mid-journey checklist—the part where we figure out how to run a business without working 24/7 or answering emails from the beach like a maniac. Ron, tell us—what’s the first thing we need to stop doing immediately? What’s the key to running a business without it running your life?How can entrepren...
2025-07-1522 min
The 1958 LawyerEp 2: Pre-journey Checklist – Goal-Setting for a Balanced LifeThey say failing to plan is planning to fail, and I don’t know about you, but I’ve had enough of both. Today, we’re diving into the ‘pre-journey checklist’ for life and business—because, apparently, just winging it isn’t a great long-term strategy. Ron Bockstahler is back with us, ready to help us set real, meaningful goals instead of just making to-do lists we’ll conveniently ignore. Ron, let’s be honest—how many of us are doing this whole planning thing completely wrong? Why is it so important to start with the end in mind?How can someo...
2025-07-1515 min
The 1958 LawyerEp 1: Welcome Episode – Who is Ron Bockstahler and Why This Book?Today, we’re talking about balance. And no, not the kind where you finally master standing on one foot during yoga class—this is about balancing life and business without falling flat on your face. My guest is Ron Bockstahler, a man who’s not only built a successful business but also managed to have a life outside of it—an actual, fulfilling life! He’s here to tell us how to do the same, and I, for one, am taking notes. Ron, welcome to the show. What inspired you to write Don't Lose Your Balance?Can you share a...
2025-07-1517 min
Experts SpeakDon't Lose Your Balance with Ron BockstahlerRon Bockstahler started his company decades ago, with one purpose in mind: to spend time with his family. Ron has built an incredible business while spending as much time as he desires with his family, including traveling all 50 states in an RV. Ron understands the challenges of growing a business, but will not allow those challenges to pull him away from his family. Listen to this insightful interview and then you can get a copy of Ron's #1 International Best-Selling book, Don't Lose Your Balance. Learn more about Ron at his website.
2025-03-2630 min
Net Profit Podcast- Accelerate Your Profits with Ryan KimlerRon Bockstahler: Shared Office Spaces and Part-Time HelpAbout Ron Bockstahler: Ron Bockstahler is a Chicago-based entrepreneur, co-founder, and CEO of Amata Office Solutions and principal broker for Amata Realty Group. Since founding Amata in 2002, Ron has developed the most prominent privately-owned office suites provider in Chicago, catering to businesses of all sizes, from solo practitioners and startups to more giant corporations looking to establish satellite locations. As a licensed brokerage, Amata offers its clients the infrastructure of a large law firm, including access to legal support services, practice management software, scalable office options, and remote work solutions. When he’s not working, Ron is a devoted fa...
2023-02-2231 min
Inside BS ShowHow to Create a Disruptive Business | Ron Bockstahler | 491Have you ever wondered how some business owners come up with a concept that disrupts the status quo? On this episode of The Inside BS Show, we have one of those business owners. On this show Dave Interviews Ron Bockstahler, the founder of Amata Offices. Chapters:00:00 How to Create a Disruptive Business01:20 How did Ron go to all 50 states and 9 Canadian provinces in his RV?04:06 Why Amata is a unique business model05:31 What services does Amata offer?06:31 How convenient is Amata for Lawyers?07:15 Is there an affiliate network for Amata?07:55...
2022-05-0928 minThe 1958 LawyerPatrick Carver: Law Firm Marketing SimplifiedPatrick Carver is the Owner of Constellation Marketing, a digital marketing company that focuses on driving growth for law firms using web design, advertising and other tools. In this episode, Ron and Patrick talked about how you can take advantage of the many facets of digital marketing today. Patrick shared how a law firm can attract clients by doing sustainable and organic practices like making articles that are tailored for the client you serve, by designing your website to have relevant information and by working on technical aspects such as google advertising, search engine optimization, backlinking and o...
2022-02-0152 minThe 1958 LawyerMathew Dragatsis: The New Way to Scan and Search Legal DocumentsTimestamps:The most difficult part in file retrieval(1:17)Eliminating the problem of indexing (8:46)Evolving with technology and maintaining client relationships (15:47)Future quality of life features(23:52) “If you’re not evolving exponentially with the technology that comes out, you’re gonna fall behind or you’re not gonna be able to capitalize on opportunities that are really out there for you.” - Mathew Dragatsis Mathew DragatsisWebsite: www.scansearch.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathew-dragatsis-b218883/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScanSearchDAMTwitter: ht...
2022-01-1831 minThe 1958 LawyerMichael DeLon: How to Write a Book and Become an Authority in Your FieldMichael DeLon is the President in Paperback Expert, he is an author, speaker, marketing strategist and business growth coach for business owners and sharp, aggressive entrepreneurs looking to get to the next level in their business. In this episode Michael talks about all the ways you can establish credibility, stand out, and convert leads by publishing a book. He uses three concepts: clarify, simplify, and multiply to harness a lawyer’s journey or life story to make a compelling story out of it which will then be the cornerstone of all their marketing strategies. Timestamps:Te...
2022-01-0438 minThe 1958 LawyerMelissa Costello: The Art of StorytellingMelissa Costello is the creative lead and chief storyteller for MELISSACOSTELLO.COM’s video-centric take on branding and marketing. In this episode, she shares the value of telling stories in marketing and why marketing through video works for lawyers. They talk about how lawyers today need to start thinking differently about their business and embrace marketing. The most important kind of marketing that is especially effective for law firms is using client testimonials. Melissa says that there’s no substitute for testimonial videos, story telling is the most engaging medium of communication and people will want to do bu...
2021-12-2140 minThe 1958 LawyerMarie Sarantakis: Sarantakis Law Group, LTDMarie Sarantakis is the founder of Sarantakis Law Group, LTD. She is a best-selling author, a prominent family law attorney, nationally recognized divorce coach, and the president of Adrikos, LLC. In this episode, Marie talks about narcissism in divorce court cases and defines what it really means and how it differs from mere selfish behavior. They also discussed how divorce coaches can give clients support beyond the courtroom as they are able to provide emotional support and a big picture analysis of the situation. Lastly, they talked about the benefits of the remote environment of the pandemic i...
2021-12-0726 minExperts SpeakGrow Your Business With Proper Leverage (with Ron Bockstahler)In order to grow your business you need people. Instead of hiring them and increasing your overhead, consider the concept that Ron Bockstahler created at Amata Corp. They have an entire suite of support operations for lawyers, including Paralegals, VAs, Intake Specialists, and Shared Office Space. This is quite an amazing concept that helps Amata clients leverage and utilize these services so they can provide better service to their clients and increase their profits. Reach out to Ron and his team to see how they can help you grow your business with proper leverage.
2021-11-3027 minThe 1958 LawyerNate Dinger: Signature BankNate Dinger is the Senior Vice President of Commercial Banking at Signature Bank - he helps small, mid sized businesses, and law firms in Chicago manage their finances. Often times lawyers don’t have any time to take care of their own firm’s financial concerns so Nate, along with Signature Bank, helps them through financial advise, management and even through giving out loans for cases - which is uncommon since banks usually see court cases as high risk situations. Nate also talks about their company vision and focus of being a relationship-based bank. He discusses the big d...
2021-11-2325 minThe 1958 LawyerSteve Mesirow: Mesirow FinancialSteve Mesirow is the Senior Managing Director in Mesirow Wealth Management and he has been providing expert investment advice and financial planning strategies to his clients for over 25 years. In this episode, Steve talks about how law businesses are at a disadvantage because they register their taxes at the highest rates. He discussed all the ways in which lawyers can build and protect their wealth in a tax-advantaged way. Through systems called Cash Balance Plan, Donor Advised Funds, Profit-sharing, or Roth IRA, lawyers can do their best at their career without losing any of their well-earned money. S...
2021-11-0943 minThe 1958 LawyerRyan Kimler: How a Fractional CFO can Help a Firm's ProfitabilityRyan Kimler is the Founder of Financial Clarity, working with solo and partner practice law firms, bringing them financial clarity to grow their law practice into successful and profitable businesses. In this episode, Ryan talks about how important financial discipline and accounting is for a law firm and how invaluable the guidance of a CFO or accountant can be on that regard. They also discuss how the CFO and accountant is not only useful for keeping your law firm financially uncompromised, but also to project future earnings and actions that must be taken to ensure the firm's p...
2021-10-2632 minThe 1958 LawyerEstate Planning: When you have a child with Special Needs!Gregg Garofalo is the Founding Partner at Garofalo Law Group, he has been practicing law for 20 years with a strong focus on probate matters and estate planning. Gregg talks about when it’s right to do estate planning and what are some basic estate planning one should have outright. Gregg also talks about estate planning if you have a special needs child, how you can maximize their benefit to give them the best care they can receive from both your estate and the government. Lastly, he talks about how estate planning must be revisited at least annually to...
2021-10-1229 minThe 1958 LawyerMegan Mathias: Lawyer, Single Mom, Candidate For Chicago AldermanMegan Mathias is the Founder of Lopp Mathias Law, she represents business owners with challenges relating to corporate governance, employment issues, shareholder disputes, Family Law disputes and contract issues. Megan talks about how entrepreneurial knowledge and creating a united culture is important in building a good law firm. She talks about how her law firm started out as a virtual service and how that benefit both the clients and lawyers. Megan also talks about how she was able to manage her time in a season where she had to juggle a lot of responsibilities. They also talk a...
2021-09-2836 minThe 1958 LawyerStephen Seckler: Coaching Can Make All the Difference!In this episode, Stephen E. Seckler, Esq. talks about how lawyers should adopt marketing strategies that feel comfortable and how hiring a coach make a big difference in building a law practice. Steve also talks about how he coaches lawyers through career transitions. He describes the work he is now doing with senior lawyers who are trying to decide what comes next. Steve is host of his own podcast, Counsel to Counsel. He is a lawyer who has dedicated his entire career to helping attorneys find more career satisfaction. Timestamps:How young lawyers can overco...
2021-09-1437 minThe 1958 LawyerMcKenna Prohov: Encouraging Clients to Think With a Legal MindsetMcKenna is the founder of Law x Design, a legal practice that focuses on entrepreneurs, artists and start-ups. In this episode, she talks about encouraging clients to think with a legal mindset to protect themselve’s from liability. She also talks about how people are all unique, and the best way to keep clients is to acknowledge that they’re all individuals and to dedicate a lot of time on networking. The mental health state of younger lawyers were also discussed and what we can do to improve it. They also talked about the current experience of women in law...
2021-08-3129 minThe 1958 LawyerWochner Law Firm LLC - Corinne Cantwell HeggieCorinne Cantwell Heggie is a Principal at Wochner Law Firm LLC and she specializes in estate planning. She advocates to protect your property, regardless of your marital status, your age, your income level or your tax bracket. Corinne gave a general overview of estate planning on why it’s important and who it is for. They also talked about the benefits of joining a Bar association and how it can help you sharpen your skills and build your network.She also talked about simple tech that really makes serving clients more convenient and safer in the pandemic an...
2021-05-2538 minThe 1958 LawyerBill Cisar: Making The Best Out Of Tax Reduction And Legacy-building With Private FoundationsBill Cisar left his career working as an associate at a boutique firm to establish his own practice as an expert in formation of private foundations and other exempt entities, opening this option up even for small businesses or lesser established clients. In this episode, Bill talks about the importance of making legal needs available to everyone, including small businesses and individuals and the greatest benefit of making a private foundation: the potential for legacy-building and ownership. He also discusses simple but utterly helpful technological advances that the system has had that will make your career certainly l...
2021-05-1140 minThe 1958 LawyerFrank Ramos: Advice for young lawyers on building a successful careerFranklin “Frank” Ramos has written over 20 books, 400 articles and spent many years providing invaluable advice to lawyers around the country. In this episode Frank discusses some of the challenges facing young lawyers such as mental health challenges, work-life balance issues, lack of mentorship from experienced lawyers, and expectations that lawyers of color may face. Frank also gives us a glimpse into the future of law, especially as it pertains to technology. He gives advice on what to expect as law becomes more automated and impacted by remote work and how to ensure that you become a well-rounded lawye...
2021-04-2740 minThe 1958 LawyerReynolds & McElwee: Two Attorneys Build a Law Firm Fit for the Future of LawRM LAW GROUP https://www.rmlawfirm.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rmlawgroupllc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rm-law-group-llc MATTHEW MCELWEE, RM Law Group LLC Founding Member Corporate LawMatthew McElwee has worked at some the largest firms in Chicago, IL (Kirkland & Ellis; Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg; and McDonald Hopkins), but entered private practice in 2020 to tailor his approach and his rates to the early-stage startups that he loves to work with.He provides legal counsel, representation and consulting on corporate transactions of all kinds, incl...
2021-04-0659 minThe 1958 LawyerGeo Bellas: Forty-Years of Game-Changing Tech for Law FirmsHis firm’s first game-changing tech adoption was a trio of fax machines that outpaced the competition and he says AI is the next big player. But Geo Bellas – nicknamed Geo as a reference to Neo in The Matrix – hasn’t been a techie simply because of the success it’s brought his practice over the past forty years.He says it's also the fun of getting a “new toy.” Further proof that staying true to your passions in your legal career, and having fun, is an important aspect of long-term success.Forty years of game-changi...
2021-03-3045 minThe 1958 LawyerColeman & Vannucci: How Immigration Attorneys are Handling their Challenging Practice AreaIt’s our first dual-guest interview, with representatives from both areas of immigration law! Christina Coleman is a Canadian immigrant who owns her own practice and focuses on employment-based immigration while Katie Vannucci handles the family-based side as shareholder at a mid-sized Chicago firm.They’ve been friends since law school, and both credit support for each other and in the legal community at large for their fortitude and patience with all a career in immigration law has thrown at them: from difficulties in launching a firm to the tumultuousness in their practice area through the past coup...
2021-03-2358 minThe 1958 LawyerBill Belmont: This Investigative Firm Knows How to Help Attorneys. It was Built by OneBill Belmont was a trial attorney, investigative attorney, worked in law enforcement, and nearly became an FBI agent before starting his investigative firm. He jokes he founded The Belmont Group with one goal in mind: to make more money so that his wife wasn’t relegated to the ‘hillbilly’ lifestyle he enjoyed.Bill has considerable experience investigating civil and criminal matters in a wide range of industries including finance, fashion, entertainment and real estate. And he puts client relationships first, even over the money he claims he started this firm to earn. Jokes aside, helping people in tight...
2021-03-1643 minThe 1958 LawyerLori Levin: From Gov. Prosecution Work to Running a Solo PracticeWe’re going to use the phrase ‘from this to that’ a lot because Criminal Defense attorney Lori Levin’s experience is expansive. She started as a prosecutor in the state’s attorney’s office and in 2009 decided to go private and open her own firm. Running a solo practice meant learning lessons about how to operate both as an attorney and a business owner.Now Lori calls her criminal defense solo work the most fulfilling stage in her career to date. Lori’s amazing experiences in her career and insights from running a solo practice...
2021-03-0944 minThe 1958 LawyerJamie Rubin: Running a ‘Lean & Mean’ Boutique Law FirmInfoLawGroup LLP has offices across the U.S. and covers three major areas of law – advertising, privacy, and technology – but they aren’t a huge firm. They are a boutique law firm and practice in a niche market, where those three practice areas overlap. Jamie explains how their niche powerhouse of firm was built and how they optimize their team’s broad and specialized knowledge. Finding the ‘sweet-spot’ at your boutique law firm:The intersection of 3 practice areas (01:51)Optimizing firm IP and building a forward thinking law practice (22:02)BBQ & Jamie’s team “Silence of the Hams” (35:30...
2021-03-0246 minThe 1958 LawyerAmy Gardner: Law Firm Partner Turned Law Practice Development ExpertThe secret to law practice development? Successful attorneys are using coaches; experts like Amy who know the legal industry inside and out. From law practice partner, to legal educator, to Apochromatik, Amy can offer expertise it’d take decades to learn from books. Which is why her lawyer clients call her their ‘secret weapon.’ Developing Your Law Practice with Actionable Goals:· Driving employee engagement without a traditional office setup (5:44)· Goals you can measure and where attorneys trip up (14:34)· Where do you want to end up? (21:24)· What Amy Gardner wan...
2021-02-2339 minThe 1958 LawyerTracy Coenen: A Fraud Investigator with Investigative IntuitionShe was inspired by Encyclopedia Brown and once aspired to become a prison warden, now Tracy Coenen is a revered fraud investigator and forensic accountant. Attorneys go beyond certifications when picking an investigator; Tracy proves why so many choose her. Key moments:· The 3 areas of fraud and Lifestyle Analysis (02:06)· Being the investigator for both sides of a divorce (08:38)· Picking the best forensic account or fraud investigator for your case (13:23)· Fraud and the consistent mistakes business owners make (16:55) MEMORABLE QUOTES“In many divorces...
2021-02-1629 minThe 1958 LawyerJohn Risvold: Prioritizing Powerful IP Over Fancy Legal TechDon’t equate the tech changes that are happening in the courts, like E-Filing and the incorporation of video calls, with your firm having to adopt all new legal tech to keep up with the times. While John D. Risvold likes the tech changes he sees in the legal system, he credits IP—his own pursuit of medical knowledge and expert support from family, friends, and his colleagues—for his practice’s success. With a focus on strong IP, a server (or cloud drive) and Microsoft 365 is all your firm needs to be profitable. Even the office is optional.
2021-02-0944 minThe 1958 LawyerFaye Gelb: Empowering Women in LawFaye is teaching female attorneys not to make the assumptions she did: that hard work is all it takes to be seen. Previously a lawyer working within the Canadian government, when her boss retired, her job retired too, which was a shock. She now runs Her Legal Global, an international community which empowers women in law through practical skill development and mentorship, in Canada and the United States. Key moments:· Faye’s story (02:00)· Career successes, failures, and discovering yourself (16:50)· How Her Legal Global provides a new environment for female lawyer...
2021-02-0247 minThe 1958 LawyerSean Park: Putting the Personal Back in Personal Injury LawYes, this title is purposefully corny. Personal injury attorneys are often viewed advertising first, and not in a good way. Think ambulance chasers. Or “all ad spend, no customer service.” These firms do exist. When Sean Park markets though, it’s through building referrals and word-of-mouth. He picks clientele with the same mindset as him; not those asking “how much is my case worth” but rather “how can I rebuild my life.” Key Moments:Behind the scenes of those big-ad-spend PI firms (07:07)Drawing in clients with marketing, not advertising (13:13)Technologies th...
2021-01-2634 minThe 1958 LawyerChris Dreyer: Powerful SEO for Attorneys without Compromising AuthenticityDeveloping powerful SEO for your law firm doesn’t mean catering to the robots at the cost of the human being. Attorneys can differentiate their practices, help people, and gain backlinks. Chris Dreyer explains SEO, new options for attorneys, and offers case examples of brand and law firm marketing that offer personality robots could never mimic. Quick answers to hot questions:What is SEO? (09:35)On-site SEO & Off-site SEO (11:46)What’s working right now for law firm marketing (19:32)The 3 funnels of content explained (24:22)How long for SEO r...
2021-01-1944 minThe 1958 LawyerMichelle Lawless: Relief Through Technology. How Family Law Clients Benefit from Tech-Savvy Firms.Family law is rife with emotion. Michelle Lawless kept that in mind when she built her solo family law practice, after a 19-year tenure at a successful Chicago family law firm. Balancing kindness with efficient processes, Michelle explains how technology, which is usually on the wrong side of the ‘good for mental health’ equation, actually makes difficult family matters easier to emotionally handle. It’s just a bonus that it keeps her solo venture moving full speed. Key moments:Attorney assisted mediation and collaborative law (05:16)Crafting a kind and effective intake process...
2021-01-1243 minThe 1958 LawyerSteve Fretzin: Sports Metaphors for Attorneys to Take Chances and Become RainmakersPlatform tennis, golf, ironman competitions, fishing; no sport is safe in this conversation about marketing and building a book of business as a lawyer. Passionate about helping attorneys reach their full potential, Steve Fretzin is regarded as the premier coach and skills trainer on legal business development. Key moments:Making changes and taking chances as an attorney (03:57)Succeeding without running yourself crazy (12:35)Past-Present-Future of marketing for law firms (22:20)The Three Ps: Planning, Process, Performance (31:17)What Steve Fretzin wants to see changed in the legal profession (47:55)
2021-01-0549 minThe 1958 LawyerOdell Mitchell III: Musician, Visual Artist, Single Father, and Lawyer for CreativesIt started as a means to an end. Now it’s a passion filled career. Odell Mitchell III gives us a peak behind the curtain at life as an entertainment lawyer running his own firm, as a single father of two young girls, and as an African American man in the legal industry. Key moments:A glimpse into Entertainment Law (05:51)Juggling single fatherhood and running a law firm (22:43)Music and performance in the time of Covid-19 (27:17)Being African American in a creative industry versus legal industry at lar...
2020-12-2943 minThe 1958 LawyerTrisha Daho: Diversity, Advocacy, and Becoming the Lawyer You Want to BeTrisha Daho has a fun job, she helps attorneys become the people and leaders they want to be. But she also tackles big issues at firms. Like building real diversity and managing a law firm minorities thrive within. The road to partner is getting paved for women and diverse ethnicities, and Trisha is helping firms at every step. Key moments:Differentiating yourself from other law firms (05:46)Diversity and mentorship vs. sponsorship vs. advocacy (09:26)Running a firm? Do the things you want to do (18:35)What Trisha Daho wants t...
2020-12-1534 minThe 1958 LawyerDouglas Church: A 50 Year Journey of Practicing LawDoug Church recently became a Legendary Lawyer at the Indiana Bar Foundation. An incredible honor with intensive qualifications for nominees, including a mandatory 50 years of practicing law. Doug takes us back in time and discusses what he’s seen in law in the past five decades and offers the knowledge he’s learned along the way. Key moments:50 years of practicing law: a journey into the past (1:58)Experiences on the Conner Prairie Board of Directors (22:22)What Douglas Church wants to see changed in the legal profession (31:07) MEMORABLE QUOTES“You need to...
2020-12-0836 minThe 1958 LawyerDaniel A. Cotter: Cyber-Insurance, Legal Tech and The Chief JusticesYou could say Daniel A. Cotter has had an accomplished 26 years so far as an attorney. He’s worked in-house and as outside counsel, taught Insurance Law at the John Marshall Law School, published a book about the Chief Justices, been an Illinois Leading Lawyer and Super Lawyer for four years, and he is active in the Chicago Bar Association and American Bar Association alike. But Dan also makes sure to mention his son benches more than him, the kid he tutors has more intensive math skills, and his marriage is 31 years strong. If you pay attention, life has a...
2020-12-0141 minThe 1958 LawyerMellisa Grisel: Unbundled Legal Services Provide a Bright Future for LawFew attorneys build their law firm against the billable hour. Mellisa Grisel is one of those. Atlas Legal Services, LLC, was made to offer flat fee “unbundled” legal services and provide affordable assistance to the under-represented. A set-up that not only helps the average citizen navigate through legal processes but, she argues, will be a huge component in the future of law. Key moments:“Unbundled” legal services explained and why they work (04:16)How new service concepts play out in a real-life firm (16:26)Technology’s role in the “unbundled” service setup (21:57)
2020-11-1733 minThe 1958 LawyerKendra Spearman: Dismantling Systemic Inequity, As a Lawyer and Citizen AlikeKendra never envisioned herself becoming a lawyer, per se. Like becoming a minister, earning her J.D. and opening her law firm became a way to drive positive change within minority communities – improving access to justice as an agent inside the system. Recently, Kendra also launched The Justice Renewal Initiative, a faith-based non-profit also supporting her singular goal through alternative methods. Key moments:Conception and struggles for a firm built to bridge the Justice Gap (1:00)The Justice Renewal Initiative’s three focuses for change (10:45)Case Study: A man stuck in th...
2020-11-0338 minThe 1958 LawyerClinton Ind: Finding Your Niche In The Business Of LawClinton Ind chose a vastly different route in practicing law compared to his wife: he is a solo attorney turned in-house counsel, while she has worked at a large, international firm. However, how they found their paths, he explains, is the same: self-awareness and asking yourself ‘what’s your greatest attribute as a lawyer.’Key moments:· Large vs. mid vs. solo – finding your niche and support network (3:25)· Moving from solo to in-house counsel (11:42)· Fair billing; it’s not about billable hour versus fixed fee (17:57)· What Clinton Ind wants to see changed...
2020-10-2024 minThe 1958 LawyerRichard Gurak: Building A Powerful Law Firm (Paper-Free) And Out-Of-The-Box ThinkingHow do you build a powerful firm? Take Advitam IP as an example – a firm that started with a blank page, then thought so divergently they decided to just throw paper away entirely. Now, eight years running, embracing the pivot and always keeping cost in mind has made their firm thrive.Key moments:Why you should begin with a blank page (5:07)How firms can meet client billing rate expectations (13:14)Choosing a branded name versus a last name for your firm (24:35)The importance of change in a successful firm (28:20)What Richard Gurak wants to see changed in la...
2020-10-0643 minThe 1958 LawyerJudge Erika Orr: Women In Law, Parenthood, And Asking For What You WantIt’s our first episode and the Honorable Erika Orr helped us launch with a bang. Determining what you want and then asking for it is a key driver of personal success and greater social change. Erika’s insights as woman on a journey to becoming a judge – owning her own firm, working in corporate, and tackling motherhood – prove this over and over. Key moments:Hanging up her own shingle after the 2008 recession (8:40)Conflicts for women developing career and family in America (10:13)Asking for what you want (15:05)What Erika Orr wants to see changed in law (1...
2020-10-0625 min
BE THAT LAWYERRon Bockstahler: Third-Party Suites for Lawyers and CollaborationIn this episode, Steve Fretzin and Ron Bockstahler discuss:Natural networking while working in a suite of lawyers. Building your book of business from early in your career. Finding efficiencies to make the most out of what you have.The changes happening in communication and technology and how it is affecting firms. Key Takeaways:Invest in space to have a successful law firm - but having third party offices may be a really good option. Collaboration is a key aspect to practicing law. Utilize this time that we have to build your brand, reconnect, and h...
2020-07-2729 minThe 1958 LawyerWelcome to The 1958 LawyerIf you’re a lawyer, you’re familiar with the ABA article “The 1958 Lawyer and his 1938 Dollar” which gives our podcast its title, and its inspiration. That article was the start of the billable hour for law firms...And the last major change to the business of law, 70+ years ago now. Well, it’s past time for another change. This podcast is all about bucking the status quo of the business of law. Your hosts Ron Bockstahler and Kirsten Mayfield run Amata Law Office Suites, providing law firms an alternative to the traditional fixed-cost business model that places unwa...
2020-05-1907 min