101: Lead Counsel x They Don't Teach This in Law School Collab: The Future!
Lead Counsel
In this powerful episode of Lead Counsel Podcast, host Tom Tona of TonaLaw and co-host Charley Mann of Law Firm Alchemy tackle the future of the legal profession, breaking down the transformative forces reshaping law firms today. This deep-dive conversation explores the convergence of artificial intelligence, private equity investment, and law firm consolidation, offering actionable insights for law firm owners determined to thrive in a rapidly evolving market. From Tom’s hands-on use of custom GPTs for legal operations, HR, marketing, trial prep, and demand writing, to his candid...
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100: Lead Counsel x They Don't Teach This in Law School Collab: Leadership!
Lead Counsel
What does it really take to lead a successful law firm? In Episode 4 of our special series collaboration between the Lead Counsel Podcast and They Don’t Teach This in Law School, hosts Charlie Mann and Tom Tona, unpack the transition from managing to leading—and how emotional intelligence, intentional growth, and self-awareness are the real tools of successful law firm leadership. This episode explores: The distinction between leadership and management and why both are misunderstood in the legal industry. How micromanagement stems from fear and unresolved trauma. Building a...
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099: Lead Counsel x They Don't Teach This in Law School Collab: Money!
Lead Counsel
In this must-listen second installment of the collaborative podcast series between Lead Counsel and They Don’t Teach This in Law School, hosts Tom Tona and Charley Mann dive into one of the most taboo yet essential topics in law firm ownership—money. If you're a law firm owner constantly asking, “Where the hell did all my money go?”, this episode is your roadmap to finding the answers. Tom unpacks his utilitarian philosophy on money, treating it as a resource rather than a status symbol. He and Charley explore how financial psychology, identity, and emotional self-awareness shape the...
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098: Building to Sell Your Law Firm with Tom Lenfestey
Lead Counsel
In this episode of Lead Counsel, host Tom Tona, Founder and CEO of TonaLaw, is joined by Tom Lenfestey, Founder and CEO of The Law Practice Exchange, to explore one of the most critical—and under-discussed—topics in the legal profession: Succession planning and law firm sales and acquisitions. With a unique blend of legal and financial expertise, Lenfestey shares how he turned a personal revelation into a national platform for buying, selling, and valuing law firms. Together, the two Toms dig into the deep-rooted fears lawyers face around loss of control and the legacy they leave...
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097: Workers' Compensation & Personal Injury: Navigating Complex Intersecting Claims with Mary Ellen O’Connor
Lead Counsel
On this episode of Lead Counsel, host Tom Tona welcomes Mary Ellen O’Connor, founder of O'Connor Law PLLC, a premier New York workers' compensation and Social Security disability law firm. Together, they dissect the complex intersections between personal injury and workers' compensation claims and provide actionable insights for attorneys and injured clients alike. Whether you're a law firm handling injury cases, a solo attorney looking to grow your practice, or someone recently injured on the job or in an accident, this episode is a must-listen. Key Highlights How Workers' Compensation...
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096: Building Bridges After the Exit: Leadership, Loss, and Legacy in Law with Bill Umansky
Lead Counsel
In this powerful and deeply introspective episode of Lead Counsel, host Tom Tona, founder and managing attorney at Tonalaw, sits down with his long-time friend and fellow law firm leader, Bill "The Lawman" Umansky, to explore a transformative topic: what happens to your leadership legacy when team members leave your firm? From million-dollar verdicts to zero-dollar losses, from surprise exits to long-standing professional relationships, Tom and Bill open up about the emotional rollercoaster of law firm leadership. This conversation goes beyond traditional office culture and dives into the...
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095:Mastering Lien Resolution and Settlement Planning with Jason Lazarus
Lead Counsel
On this episode of the Lead Counsel Podcast, host Tom Tona dives deep into one of the most complex and overlooked aspects of personal injury law: lien resolution and settlement planning. Joining Tom is Jason D. Lazarus, Esq., founder of Synergy Settlement Services and a nationally recognized expert in lien resolution, Medicare Secondary Payer compliance, and special needs settlement planning. If you’re a personal injury attorney, legal professional navigating post-settlement challenges, or personall injury client looking to better understand liens and your case this episode is...
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094: Mastering Law Firm Growth and Leadership with Atticus CEO Valerie Peterson
Lead Counsel
What does it take to build a thriving law practice while maintaining a great life? In this episode of Lead Counsel, host Tom Tona, founder of Tonalaw, sits down with Valerie Peterson, CEO of Atticus Advantage, to discuss the key principles behind successful law firm management, leadership, and business growth. Atticus has long been a leader in legal coaching and law firm growth strategies, focusing on time management, profitability, marketing, and team building. Valerie and Tom dive into the fundamental strategies law firm owners can implement to scale their practices, improve efficiency, and,...
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093: Ask Me Anything with Robert Austrian
Lead Counsel
How do you build a successful legal career, grow a law firm, and balance life all at once? In this special "Ask Me Anything" episode, Lead Counsel host Tom Tona, founder and managing attorney at TonaLaw, hands over the mic to Rob Austrian, a rising personal injury attorney, for an unfiltered conversation directed to the newer generations of lawyers. They cover everything from building a legal practice from the ground up to personal development, networking strategies, and the mindset shifts that make a difference. Key Takeaways From This Episode: From Associate to Law Firm Owner: Tom’s early...
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092: Mastering Truck Accident Litigation and AI in Law with Tim Semelroth
Lead Counsel
In this episode of Lead Counsel, host Tom Tona sits down with Tim Semelroth, a board-certified trucking accident attorney and trial advocacy professor, to discuss the power of specialization in personal injury law and the rise and use cases of AI in litigation. They dive into: The rigorous certification process for trucking accident attorneys and why specialization matters. The financial and strategic advantages of referring cases to specialists. The game-changing role of AI in legal practice, from jury selection to trial preparation. The impact of technology on law firm operations, client...
info_outlineIn this powerful episode of the Lead Counsel Podcast, we sit down with renowned trial lawyer John J. Uustal to explore the high-stakes world of personal injury law. John shares his journey from learning under some of the greatest trial lawyers to becoming one of the most respected figures in the field. We delve into his relentless pursuit of justice, including the behind-the-scenes story of a groundbreaking case involving a defective pressure cooker that left a young girl catastrophically injured. John reveals the strategies and mindset that set him apart, his approach to mentoring the next generation of lawyers, and his latest initiative, "Built Different," aimed at shaping the future of the legal profession. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of law, ethics, and the fight for justice.
In This Episode, You Will Hear About:
- How John’s experiences learning from top trial lawyers shaped his career and his approach to passing on that knowledge.
- A deep dive into a high-profile case where John’s firm uncovered the truth behind a defective product that others had overlooked.
- An introduction to John’s new program aimed at training and inspiring the next generation of trial lawyers.
- Maintaining integrity and using one’s skills for good in the legal profession.
- Insights into the personal and professional sacrifices required to achieve excellence in the legal field.
Resources from this episode:
TonaLaw: https://tonalaw.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonalaw/
LuvvvSocials: [email protected]
https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliet-accomando/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnuustal/
https://www.youtube.com/@johnuustal6975
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