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096: Building Bridges After the Exit: Leadership, Loss, and Legacy in Law with Bill Umansky

Lead Counsel

Release Date: 04/03/2025

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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 often-overlooked emotional, psychological, and strategic aspects of team exit transitions. The episode centers around one compelling theme: "building the bridge before and after someone leaves your firm."

Listeners will gain practical tools and philosophical insights into:

  • The Three Phases of Employee Relationship Building: Recruiting with intention, leading with authenticity, and separating with grace.

  • Processing Fear and Loss in Law Firm Leadership: Emotional intelligence as a cornerstone of sustainable success.

  • The ROI of Emotional Investment: How post-exit relationships can become future business development channels or lasting friendships.

  • Leadership Mistakes to Avoid: Burning bridges, trash talk, and reactive behavior during exits—and how to rise above it.

Whether you're an attorney, law firm owner, or business leader, this conversation offers timeless lessons on emotional mastery, organizational culture, and personal growth.

This podcast is sponsored by Tonalaw.
Are you an attorney looking for a trusted partner for your New York personal injury referrals? Since 2001, Tonalaw has been the go-to New York personal injury law firm for attorneys and law firms across the U.S.
At Tonalaw, we pay legal fee participation to referring attorneys in all jurisdictions where it’s permitted.
Refer us a case today and experience the Tonalaw difference.
Call us now at 844-TONALAW or visit tonalaw.com.
Mention Lead Counsel when you call and you'll get directly connected with Tom.

Links and Social Handles

Host - Tom Tona

Guest - Bill Umansky ("The Lawman")