110: From Solo to Scale: Jenn Gore on Building a Legacy Law Firm and the Power of Strategic Mergers
Release Date: 07/10/2025
110: From Solo to Scale: Jenn Gore on Building a Legacy Law Firm and the Power of Strategic Mergers
Lead Counsel
The discussion in this episode brings together highlights from our three past episodes featuring powerhouse personal injury attorney, business coach, and author Jenn Gore on the Lead Counsel podcast hosted by Tom Tona, founder and managing attorney of TonaLaw. In this riveting episode, Jenn and Tom dive deep into what it takes to move beyond the grind of solo practice and build a scalable, sustainable, and sellable law firm in today’s hypercompetitive legal market. Jenn opens up about launching her own law firm while raising a newborn, the pain points of growing under the $10M mark, and the...
info_outline
109: Behind the Briefs: Mastering Law Firm Operations for Sustainable Growth
Lead Counsel
In this insightful solo episode of the Lead Counsel Podcast, host Tom Tona, founder and managing attorney at Tonalaw, takes listeners behind the scenes of what truly drives law firm success: operations. Fresh off a closed-door legal mastermind event in Florida, Tom breaks down the often-overlooked yet critical role of law firm operations, exploring what it is, why it matters, and how top-performing firms leverage it for explosive growth. Whether you’re a solo practitioner scaling your firm or part of a multi-practice operation, this episode sheds light on key operational roles like COOs,...
info_outline
108: Mastermind Magic: It's all in the prep
Lead Counsel
In this solo episode of the Lead Counsel Podcast, host Tom Tona shares a behind-the-scenes look into his intensive preparation and participation in a legal mastermind retreat he headed off to in West Palm Beach. This closed-door mastermind, facilitated by seasoned business coach and EOS implementer Sarah Frasca, brings together top-tier law firm owners for deep strategic discussions that result in powerful revelations and tangible growth for TonaLaw. Tom unpacks the mindset shifts, operational changes, and financial breakthroughs that emerge from his mastermind preparation—including how his...
info_outline
107: Lead Counsel x They Don't Teach This in Law School Collab: Q&A!
Lead Counsel
Welcome to another powerful installment of the Lead Counsel Podcast, hosted by Tom Tona, founder and managing attorney at TonaLaw. In this collaborative episode with They Don’t Teach This in Law School, Tom and his co-host Charley Mann tackle real questions from attorneys around the country, diving into what it takes to build, grow, and sustain a successful law firm. If you're an attorney or law firm owner seeking guidance on growing your legal practice with intentionality, you're in the right place. What You'll Learn in This Episode: LinkedIn Strategy for Lawyers: Tom shares why he uses...
info_outline
106: Lead Counsel x They Don't Teach This in Law School Collab: Hiring!
Lead Counsel
In this powerhouse episode of the Lead Counsel Podcast, Tom Tona of Tonalaw is joined by Charley Mann of They Don’t Teach This in Law School, for a candid, tactical conversation about one of the most impactful – and often painful – aspects of scaling a law firm: hiring the right people at the right time. Why This Episode Matters: If you're a law firm owner, partner, or legal entrepreneur navigating the chaos of team-building, this conversation dives into the real-world hiring struggles and strategies that have shaped Tonalaw’s growth into a leading New York personal injury firm. From...
info_outline
105: Lead Counsel x They Don't Teach This in Law School Collab: Time Management!
Lead Counsel
In this high-impact collaboration between The Lead Counsel Podcast and They Don’t Teach This in Law School, hosts Tom Tona and Charley Mann tackle a fundamental pain point for every legal professional: time management. Drawing from personal experience and hard-earned lessons, Tom and Charley dive into how their approaches to time have evolved—from chaotic calendars and overloaded inboxes to streamlined systems that actually work. This episode doesn’t just scratch the surface; it delivers actionable strategies designed for law firm owners, entrepreneurs, and anyone feeling like they're...
info_outline
104: Lead Counsel x They Don't Teach This in Law School Collab: Q&A, Part 2!
Lead Counsel
Episode 8 of the Lead Counsel podcast, in collaboration with They Don’t Teach This in Law School, delivers a masterclass in growing a law firm that lasts. Hosted by Charley Mann (Law Firm Alchemy) and featuring the raw and insightful Tom Tona (TonaLaw), this final installment of the Q&A series dives deep into what it really takes to scale a firm with precision, purpose, and profitability. Whether you're a solo attorney or running a multi-million dollar operation, this episode offers practical guidance on law firm branding, budgeting for growth, and managing dual practice areas. Tom’s...
info_outline
103: From Bankruptcy to Building an Eight-Figure Legal Empire: How Ali Katz Redefined Success for Lawyers
Lead Counsel
In this episode of Lead Counsel, host Tom Tona, CEO and founding attorney at TonaLaw, welcomes trailblazing legal entrepreneur Ali Katz to unpack the raw truth behind building a sustainable and scalable business. Ali shares the deeply personal and strategic journey that led her from bankruptcy to running a multi-million dollar legal training and licensing company supporting over 700 law firms nationwide. This conversation is an essential masterclass for any attorney on the path from solo practitioner to seven or eight figures—and beyond. The episode dives deep into: Why $10 million is...
info_outline
102: From Local Powerhouse to National Player: Jennifer Gore on Growth, Mergers, and Mindset
Lead Counsel
Jenn Gore has done something most lawyers will never do, monetized her law practice via an equity sale. In this game-changing episode of the Lead Counsel Podcast, host Tom Tona reconnects with powerhouse attorney Jennifer Gore, now Partner at Sweet James Atlanta, to reveal the personal and professional transformation that led her from leading a multi-million dollar Georgia-based PI firm to merging with one of the newest and most dominant national law brands in the country. In a candid and revealing conversation, Jenn shares how she navigated a major business merger, overcame personal...
info_outline
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...
info_outlineThe discussion in this episode brings together highlights from our three past episodes featuring powerhouse personal injury attorney, business coach, and author Jenn Gore on the Lead Counsel podcast hosted by Tom Tona, founder and managing attorney of TonaLaw.
In this riveting episode, Jenn and Tom dive deep into what it takes to move beyond the grind of solo practice and build a scalable, sustainable, and sellable law firm in today’s hypercompetitive legal market.
Jenn opens up about launching her own law firm while raising a newborn, the pain points of growing under the $10M mark, and the intentional decision-making that led her to join forces with Sweet James—a national PI powerhouse. You’ll hear exactly how she transformed her legal business from a solo shop into a growth engine primed for acquisition, what she learned about culture fit during mergers, and how embracing AI and automation reshaped her firm's operations from the inside out.
Tom and Jenn also share their playbooks on:
-
How to avoid building yourself another job (and build a business instead)
-
Creating a firm that can run without you (even while on maternity leave!)
-
Key steps to prepare for merger or acquisition
-
Leveraging coaching, masterminds, and mentors for exponential growth
-
Why AI-native firms will dominate the next decade in personal injury
-
The overlooked power of going outside your market for strategic advice
Whether you’re a solo practitioner, managing partner, or simply a lawyer who wants more freedom, scale, or clarity—this is a must-listen.
Featured Guest:
Jennifer Gore
Attorney & Partner at Sweet James Georgia/East Operations, Founder of @Atlanta Personal Injury Law Group.
Website: https://sweetjames.com/
LinkedIn: Jennifer Gore
Your Host:
Tom Tona
Founder & Managing Attorney, Tonalaw
Website: https://www.tonalaw.com
LinkedIn: Tom Tona
X: @NYPITrialGuy
This podcast is sponsored by TonaLaw.
Attorneys, are you 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 United States.
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 to discuss how we can work together at 833-TONALAW or visit us at tonalaw.com. Mention Lead Counsel and you’ll speak directly with Tom.