Great Practice. Great Life. by Atticus
If you’re a solo or small law firm owner who feels overworked, time-starved, or stuck at your current level, this podcast is for you. On Great Practice. Great Life.® you will hear from successful firm owners who have increased income, reduced stress, and built profitable, sustainable practices. Hosted by Steve Riley, a former trial attorney and law firm coach for more than 20 years, the show dives into real conversations about law firm growth, leadership, and profitability. You will learn how to grow a firm that runs smoothly, from marketing and hiring to operations and culture, so you are not the bottleneck in your own business. Each episode delivers practical, lawyer-specific strategies you can use right away to improve your law practice management, boost firm performance, and create more time for the life you actually want. Follow the show and start building your own great practice and great life. Popular topics include: * Attorney success & personal growth * How to grow a law firm sustainably * Law firm business strategy & leadership * Law firm culture, hiring, and team development * Law firm management, operations, and workflow design * Law firm marketing & client experience * Law firm profitability & financial performance * Attorney work life balance
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What Lawyers Can Learn from Elvis: 4 Surprising Lessons on Success, Marketing, and Burnout | Ep 177
03/30/2026
What Lawyers Can Learn from Elvis: 4 Surprising Lessons on Success, Marketing, and Burnout | Ep 177
Steve Riley did not expect to learn anything at Graceland, but a December trip up the Mississippi, ending in Memphis with his wife and close friends, turned into an unexpected lesson in law firm growth, marketing, and the cost of success. In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, Steve shares four surprising lessons from Elvis Presley’s life that apply directly to attorneys building a practice and trying to protect a life worth living. From Elvis’s personal code, TCB, “Taking Care of Business in a Flash,” to Colonel Tom Parker’s brilliant content marketing machine, Steve unpacks what lawyers can learn about discipline, leverage, marketing, and the power of a clear operating standard. He also explores the one award Elvis cared about most, and why it reveals something deeper about the scoreboard so many high achievers are chasing. This episode is ultimately about more than Elvis. It is about what it takes to build a great practice, how success can become unsustainable when you do not take care of yourself, and why a great practice cannot come at the expense of a great life. In this episode, you will hear: Elvis’s personal code: TCB, Taking Care of Business in a Flash How Colonel Tom Parker turned Elvis into the world's first content marketing machine Why Elvis only personally accepted one award in his entire career The Jaycees recognition as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation and what it reveals about chasing the right scoreboard The hidden human side of Elvis — insecurities, health struggles, and burnout Take Care of Business, Take Care of You ___________ Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on , , or . ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at . ___________ Supporting Resources: Steve Riley Steve’s top 10 favorite Elvis songs Episode 136: The Biggest Marketing Mistakes Lawyers Make and How to Fix Them with Robert Rose Episode 83: Content Marketing for Lawyers with Robert Rose Episode 29: Just Because Every Other Lawyer is Doing It Doesn’t Mean You Should with Robert Rose Learn more about Elvis and Graceland The Lisa Marie': Elvis Presley's Convair 880 Jet Airplane Elvis Presley | U.S. Jaycees| Ten Outstanding Young Men 1970 Elvis Presley - 1971 Jaycees' Speech Graceland Blog Elvis Presley TCB | Taking Care of (Elvis) Business Atticus Newsletter The Path to a Great Practice & Great Life (Discount code: PODCAST500) ___________ Curious about growing your own practice without burning out? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. This podcast for lawyers is part of our broader legal podcast library, offering practical insights on how to grow a law firm through stronger law firm leadership, law firm pricing and management, smarter marketing, intentional hiring, efficient operations, healthy law firm culture, and sustainable profitability, all while addressing law firm burnout and the realities of modern practice. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.
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Why Attorneys Struggle With Business Development (and How to Fix It) with Sean Callagy | Ep 176
03/23/2026
Why Attorneys Struggle With Business Development (and How to Fix It) with Sean Callagy | Ep 176
What does it really take to build a thriving law practice when the odds are stacked against you? In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, Steve sits down with Sean Callagy, a legally blind entrepreneur, attorney, and founder of Callagy Law, whose firm has collected over a billion dollars for clients and produced two top 100 national jury verdicts. But this conversation goes beyond adversity. It’s a conversation about how most attorneys misunderstand business, avoid business development, and unintentionally cap their own growth. Sean breaks down his “money, time, and magic” framework and explains why the path to freedom isn’t working harder, but mastering three things: influence, process, and self. You’ll hear how he built a niche around high-value clients, why he is intentional about where he gives his time, and how learning to “cause yes” with integrity changed everything in his practice. If you’ve ever felt stuck working too much, unsure how to grow, or resistant to sales and marketing, this episode will challenge how you think about your role as a business owner. Because building a great practice isn’t just about being a great lawyer, it’s about learning how to build a business that actually supports the life you want. In this episode, you will hear: Sean Callagy’s journey from Division I athlete to legally blind entrepreneur, and how he built a law firm that has recovered over a billion dollars for its clients How losing his eyesight shaped his mindset and fueled his drive to build Callagy Law The "money, time, and magic" framework and how it creates freedom for attorneys Influence mastery: why causing "yes" with integrity is the only true superpower in business Why so many lawyers avoid business development and how to reframe it The difference between being a business developer and working for one, and why it matters Sean's daily routine, endorphin-dosing philosophy, and how he stays consistent under pressure ____________ Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on , , or . ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at . ___________ Supporting Resources: Sean Callagy, Esq. Unblinded Mastery by Sean Callagy Sean's LinkedIn Sean's YouTube Podcast: Unblinded with Sean Callagy ACTi Atticus Newsletter ___________ Curious about growing your own practice without burning out? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. This podcast for lawyers is part of our broader legal podcast library, offering practical insights on how to grow a law firm through stronger law firm leadership, law firm pricing and management, smarter marketing, intentional hiring, efficient operations, healthy law firm culture, and sustainable profitability, all while addressing law firm burnout and the realities of modern practice. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.
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How to Know If a Team Member Is Ready for a Promotion in Your Law Firm - 3 Promotion Traps to Avoid with Patti Paz | Ep 175
03/16/2026
How to Know If a Team Member Is Ready for a Promotion in Your Law Firm - 3 Promotion Traps to Avoid with Patti Paz | Ep 175
What’s one of the real ceilings on your firm’s growth? Often, law firm promotion is one of them because the moment a firm owner wants to elevate someone and a team member wants to grow, the conversation can quietly break down before either side knows how to move forward. In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, Steve Riley sits down with Patti Paz, coach and facilitator of the Atticus Team Leader Certification Program, to unpack what they call the promotion trap. Patti brings both law firm experience and coaching experience to the conversation, having worked her way through multiple roles inside a law firm and now helping team leaders grow into stronger leaders inside their firms. Steve and Patti walk through the three most common promotion traps that stall advancement. “I’m overwhelmed” can sound like a red light to an owner. “I’m not ready” is often fear dressed up as logic. And “pay me first, then I’ll learn it” can create friction, even when the real concern is whether more responsibility will come with enough support. This episode is valuable because it helps both sides use better language. Owners learn how to stop doing drive-by promotions and start setting the right context with time on the calendar, clear expectations, and a real discussion about what needs to come off a team member’s plate for a promotion to succeed. Team members learn what promotable behavior looks like in real life: ownership, initiative, better questions, and a willingness to learn. If you are a firm owner who feels stuck, this is a reminder that growth isn’t only a business development problem. It’s a people development problem. And if you are a team member who wants to move up, this conversation gives you language that opens doors instead of closing them. When promotion works, the owner gains leverage, the team gains leadership, and the firm has more room to grow. ____________ In this episode, you will hear: The promotion trap and why it limits firm growth Three promotion traps and what team members can say instead Why “I’m overwhelmed,” “I’m not ready,” and “pay me first” can stall a promotion conversation Why drive-by promotions usually backfire How to have a better promotion conversation from both the lawyer’s and team member’s perspective How the Atticus Team Leader Certification Program can help develop team leaders and test promotability Why firm growth depends on growing your people ___________ Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on , , or . ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at . ___________ Supporting Resources: Patti Paz, Practice Advisor Team Leader Certification Program: Get $500 off your Team Leader Certification Program! Use promo code: TLC500 Ep 117: Onboarding as a Competitive Advantage: 7 Essential Tips for Law Firms with Lori Pulvermacher Ep 10: Train Your Team Members, Free Up Attorneys’ Time Ep 19: What is a Team Leader and Do I Need One? with Patti Paz Ep 88: 4 Levels of Team Empowerment with Patti Paz Workshop: The Path to a Great Practice & Great Life Build My Great Team Mark Wight Atticus Newsletter ___________ Curious about growing your own practice without burning out? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. This podcast for lawyers is part of our broader legal podcast library, offering practical insights on how to grow a law firm through stronger law firm leadership, law firm pricing and management, smarter marketing, intentional hiring, efficient operations, healthy law firm culture, and sustainable profitability, all while addressing law firm burnout and the realities of modern practice. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.
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You’re Working Too Hard on the Wrong Problem in Your Law Firm with Dre Baldwin | Ep 174
03/09/2026
You’re Working Too Hard on the Wrong Problem in Your Law Firm with Dre Baldwin | Ep 174
What if the strategy that made you successful is now the very thing holding you back? In this episode, Steve sits down with returning guest Dre Baldwin—author, founder of Work on Your Game University, and fearless thinker—to unpack why high performers, especially lawyers, default to outworking every problem…and why that instinct eventually stops working. Dre and Steve dig into one of the most common traps for attorneys: misdiagnosis. You assume the problem is what you can see; clients aren’t paying, leads have slowed down, billing feels messy, the team can’t keep up. But those are often symptoms. The real issue is usually upstream: poor case selection, weak marketing skills, unclear positioning, or a diluted message that attracts the wrong work. Dre uses the Animal Farm character Boxer and the “kinetic chain” idea to show how effort, when misapplied, becomes its own obstacle and why pressing harder on the gas pedal can keep you stuck. A major thread in this conversation is the shift from improvement to leverage. Once you’ve been in the game long enough, the breakthrough usually isn’t “get better at the job.” It's learning how to extract more output from the ability you already have: through better questions, discernment, niching, signal clarity, delegation, and sometimes doing less in the wrong places so the real constraint shows up. They also talk about the difference between confidence and courage: confidence feels good because the path is familiar; courage is staying focused, like niching down, even when you hit the uncomfortable “void” where optionality shrinks and results haven’t caught up yet. Hedging feels safer, but it dilutes impact. Stop pressing harder on the gas. The leverage you’re looking for is on the other side of a better question, and this episode gives you practical ways to find it, including using outside perspectives (coaches and even well-prompted AI) to challenge assumptions, being willing to be an amateur again in new domains, and testing counterintuitive moves like scaling back effort so better solutions can surface. In this episode, you will hear: Why high performers default to outworking every problem — and when that strategy stops working The Animal Farm "Boxer" trap and what it costs lawyers and professionals over time Diagnosing root causes vs. symptoms using the kinetic chain analogy How to use a coach or AI to challenge assumptions and surface the real issue The courage to do less — and why it's harder than working more Niching down, signal clarity, and the uncomfortable void between pivoting and results The critical difference between confidence and courage, and why courage is what actually creates leverage ----------- Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on , , or . ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at . ----------- Supporting Resources: Dre Baldwin Ep. 139: Too Stupid to Quit: Dre Baldwin on Resilience, Success, and Outworking the Competition Contact Dre: Marielle@DreAllDay.com or text 305-384-6894 to get his free Monday Motivation text Podcast: Work On Your Game: Dominate With Mindset, Strategy & Execution Whatever You Think, Think the Opposite by Paul Arden Summit Atticus Newsletter The Path to a Great Practice and Great Life Workshop (discount code: PODCAST500) ----------- Curious about growing your own practice without burning out? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. This podcast for lawyers is part of our broader legal podcast library, offering practical insights on how to grow a law firm through stronger law firm leadership, law firm pricing and management, smarter marketing, intentional hiring, efficient operations, healthy law firm culture, and sustainable profitability, all while addressing law firm burnout and the realities of modern practice. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.
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Stop Chasing “The Best” and Beat Yesterday with Jake Thompson | Ep. 173
03/02/2026
Stop Chasing “The Best” and Beat Yesterday with Jake Thompson | Ep. 173
Stop Racing Someone Else’s Race and Start Winning Yours! That's the message Great Practice, Great Life has today. Steve Riley welcomes back Jake Thompson, the Chief Encouragement Officer at Compete Every Day and an Atticus community favorite, to deliver a wake-up call every ambitious attorney and firm owner needs to hear. Drawing fresh inspiration from his two newest books, The Line, a compelling story about touching the line and claiming that extra inch of excellence, and Beat Yesterday, the research-driven guide to outrunning your own yesterday, Jake reveals why the relentless pursuit of being “the best” is quietly sabotaging your fulfillment, your energy, and your firm’s long-term growth. Together they expose the hidden traps that derail high-achievers: toxic comparison that breeds complacency or despair, an ego that turns feedback into a personal attack, and the exhausting chase for external trophies (bigger revenue numbers, flashier verdicts, "top firm" status) that never deliver lasting satisfaction. Jake shares clear, immediately usable frameworks to break free: Clarify the real game you actually want to win (your unique vision of a great practice and great life, not someone else's scoreboard). Redefine competition as beating yesterday's version of yourself. Harness small daily margins that create massive separation. Transform uncomfortable feedback (from clients, team members, or lost opportunities) into pure momentum instead of defensiveness. Steve shares a key insight on law firm profitability: lawyers who commit to consistent physical discipline and energy management often double their income within a year—not through magic, but through sharper focus, bolder confidence, the discipline to reject bad cases, and the ability to project the reliability and longevity that high-value clients instinctively trust. If you’re ready to silence the comparison noise, stop borrowing other people’s goals like ill-fitting clothes, and start building a practice that funds and fiercely protects the life you truly want, this conversation hands you both the mindset revolution and the practical tools to make it happen. -------- In this episode, you will hear: The difference between being the best and becoming your best Clarifying the game you actually want to win in your practice and life How unhealthy comparison fuels ego, complacency, and burnout Using comparison as a learning tool instead of a threat Touching the line and the power of small daily disciplines Why physical health and personal discipline impact financial performance Turning uncomfortable feedback into growth instead of defensiveness -------- Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on , , or . ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ -------- If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at . -------- Supporting Resources: Jake Thompson Book: Beat Yesterday: The Playbook for playing life up to your full potential by Jake Thompson Book: The Line: A Story of Excellence in the Margins by Jake Thompson The Summit Episode 34: Your Teammates Determine Your Trajectory with Jake Thompson Episode 79: Creating a Legacy of Resilient and Inspirational Leadership with Jake Thompson Build My Great Team Newsletter -------- Curious about optimising your life as an attorney? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. This podcast for lawyers is part of our broader legal podcast library, offering practical insights on how to grow a law firm through stronger law firm leadership, law firm pricing and management, smarter marketing, intentional hiring, efficient operations, healthy law firm culture, and sustainable profitability, all while addressing law firm burnout and the realities of modern practice. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.
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SYSTEMology for Law Firms: The 7 Steps to a Systems-Driven Firm and the Champion Who Makes It Stick with David Jenyns | Ep. 172
02/23/2026
SYSTEMology for Law Firms: The 7 Steps to a Systems-Driven Firm and the Champion Who Makes It Stick with David Jenyns | Ep. 172
David Jenyns, author of SYSTEMology and Systems Champion and one of the leading voices on building systems-driven businesses, joins Steve Riley on Great Practice, Great Life. Having helped thousands of business owners break free from day-to-day operations, David brings a proven, practical framework that law firm owners can apply immediately. Too many law firm owners become the hero at the center of their own business. Every question, approval, and client issue lands on their desk, and while it feels necessary, the firm is not scaling. It is orbiting you. And that quietly limits growth, profitability, and delegation. If you are constantly interrupted, fielding every decision, and feeling like your law practice cannot function without you, this conversation speaks directly to the leadership challenges inside modern law firm management. David explains how to shift from technician to true owner by building systems that free you from daily chaos. David walks through his complete seven step framework for building effective law firm systems, starting with capturing what is already working, mapping a clear Critical Client Flow, and resisting the urge to optimize before documenting. They also dig into a real-world example from Crow Estate Planning, an actual law firm that implemented this framework, so you can see exactly how it plays out in practice. He also explains why many firms stall when they jump straight to improvement instead of building a repeatable baseline first, and how that mistake limits long term scalability. They explore how documenting systems improves time management for lawyers and creates the foundation for smarter adoption of law firm technology, including AI. A major focus of the episode is the Systems Champion, the leadership role that transforms systemizing from a good idea into a sustainable law firm business strategy. For attorneys who want to grow a law firm without becoming the bottleneck, this role is often the missing link, and as David explains, it is already evolving into the Systems and AI Champion, the person who will determine how well your firm competes in the years ahead. If you are committed to building a more scalable, systems-driven, modern law practice and ready to step into stronger law firm leadership, this episode delivers practical insight you can apply immediately. -------- In this episode, you will hear: Why lawyers become the hero at the center of their firms and how that creates burnout The seven-step SYSTEMology framework to capture and document what already works Defining the critical client flow to reveal bottlenecks and hidden profit leaks Why documenting before optimizing unlocks delegation and scale The role of a Systems Champion in driving real implementation and culture change Turning interruptions and recurring problems into system improvements Using AI as leverage by applying it to clear, documented processes -------- Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on , , or . ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ -------- If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at . -------- Supporting Resources: David Jenyns Book: SYSTEMology: Create time, reduce errors and scale your profits with proven business systems by David Jenyns Book: Systems Champion: Simplify Business Processes, Unlock Team Potential & Achieve True Freedom by David Jenyns Podcast: Business Processes Simplified Critical Client Flow: How to Map Your Entire Business on One Page Crow Estate Planning Systems Champion Case Study Great Practice Great Life Episode 043: How to Fast Track Your Growth with a “Think” Day with Sam Price Team Leader Certification Program (Code TLC500 for $500 off) Grow Your Law Practice with AI Sign Up for the Atticus Newsletter -------- Curious about growing your own law firm without burning out? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. This podcast for lawyers is part of our broader legal podcast library, offering practical insights on how to grow a law firm through stronger law firm leadership, law firm pricing and management, smarter marketing, intentional hiring, efficient operations, healthy law firm culture, and sustainable profitability, all while addressing law firm burnout and the realities of attorney life. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to legal marketing, law firm hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.
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Law Firm Growth through Group Coaching with Aaron Rothert and Chris Murphy | Ep. 171
02/16/2026
Law Firm Growth through Group Coaching with Aaron Rothert and Chris Murphy | Ep. 171
In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, Steve Riley is joined by Aaron Rothert and Chris Murphy, both attorneys and practice advisors, for a candid conversation about why law firm group coaching delivers results that one-on-one coaching often can't match. We dig into the power of group programs, why growth stalls in isolation, and how stepping into the right peer environment can radically accelerate both firm performance and quality of life. Aaron brings the coach's perspective on dedicated focus time, the "if they can do it, so can I" breakthrough moment, and how peer accountability actually sticks. Chris shares what it's like to go from skeptical participant to group leader after transforming his own practice. Together, we unpack why physically removing yourself from the office, witnessing peers solve your exact problems, and committing alongside others creates momentum you simply can't replicate alone. If you're serious about building a practice that supports a great life, and want to stop letting yourself down on the promises you make, this conversation is for you. In this episode, you will hear: Why isolation slows firm growth and fuels burnout How group programs create velocity beyond one-on-one coaching The impact of dedicated time away from daily fire drills Belief shifts that unlock what feels impossible in your practice Accountability and peer pressure that actually move the needle The value of safe spaces for honesty, vulnerability, and real problem-solving Subscribe & Review: Never miss an episode. Subscribe on , , or . ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at . Supporting Resources: Aaron Rothert, Attorney and Practice Advisor Chris Murphy, Attorney and Practice Advisor Law Firm Coaching Newsletter The Path to a Great Practice & Great Life Workshop Curious about growing your own law firm or getting support with law firm group coaching? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. This podcast for lawyers is part of our broader legal podcast library, offering practical insights on how to grow a law firm through stronger law firm leadership, law firm pricing and management, smarter marketing, intentional hiring, efficient operations, healthy law firm culture, and sustainable profitability, all while addressing law firm burnout and the realities of modern practice. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life
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Heal the Leader, Grow the Firm with Chris Earley | Ep. 170
02/09/2026
Heal the Leader, Grow the Firm with Chris Earley | Ep. 170
In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, host Steve Riley sits down with plaintiff’s attorney Chris Earley to explore what truly limits law firm growth and why it is often not marketing, systems, or strategy. Chris shares how unresolved anger, past trauma, and limiting beliefs created an invisible ceiling in his firm, keeping him reactive, overextended, and stuck despite doing all the right things. Through therapy, deep self reflection, and writing his memoir Scaling the Wall, Chris did the inner work that transformed how he leads, practices law, and lives his life. That personal healing unlocked powerful results including calmer leadership, easier delegation, a stronger team culture, authentic client attraction, and sustainable law firm growth driven by impact rather than money chasing. If you are a solo or small firm owner who feels stuck despite your efforts, this candid conversation offers perspective, mindset shifts, and practical insight into how doing the inner work first makes outer law firm growth possible and lasting. In this episode, you will hear: How unresolved personal trauma and limiting beliefs can quietly cap firm growth Removing the “lid” on success through self-awareness, healing, and inner work Writing a book as a catalyst for clarity, credibility, and professional momentum Shifting from anger and reactivity to calm, centered leadership Aligning personal values with marketing, client selection, and firm culture Building visibility and trust through consistent, authentic habits rather than hard selling Why chasing impact instead of money leads to stronger relationships and better results Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on , , or . ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at . Supporting Resources: Chris Earley Earley Law Group Book: Scaling the Wall: One Man's Journey of Healing Childhood Trauma to Find Fulfillment and Success Episode 123: Breaking Free from Bitterness: The Transformative Power of Gratitude with Brother Curtis Episode 137: Grow or Die: John Morgan’s Relentless Strategy for Law Firm Expansion – Part 1 Episode 128: Referral Marketing Secrets to Scale Your Law Firm with Craig Goldenfarb The Path to a Great Practice & Great Life Workshop (Code PODCAST500 for $500 off) Newsletter If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at . Curious about growing your own law practice? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.
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Should We Merge? Part 2: A Merger Case Study with Sasso Guerrero & Henderlite | Ep. 169
02/02/2026
Should We Merge? Part 2: A Merger Case Study with Sasso Guerrero & Henderlite | Ep. 169
This episode continues our two-part series on the law firm merger decision. In , Steve and Daniel explored how to determine whether merging is the right move. In Part 2, the focus turns to execution and what actually makes a law firm merger succeed. On this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, Steve Riley is joined by Molly Sasso, Christie Guerrero, Jay Henderlite, and Atticus Practice Advisor Daniel Struna for a candid breakdown of a successful law firm merger in action. Using their Jacksonville-based family law firm as a case study, they walk through the deliberate process that transformed two practices into a unified 25-person firm led by three board-certified partners. The conversation centers on the execution details most law firm mergers overlook. The group explains how a year-long pre-announcement period, guided by structured conversations and predetermined questions, created clarity and trust before anything became official. They share how they navigated a retiring partner’s evolving exit timeline, designed C-suite leadership roles aligned with each partner’s strengths, and built compensation structures that properly credited non-billable leadership work. They also address power dynamics early, including how two long-standing partners intentionally integrated a third without creating an outsider dynamic. Operationally, the episode highlights the systems and behaviors that supported the merger long term, including their “don’t make me care” empowerment philosophy, processing emotional reactions with a practice advisor before taking action, and using multiple partner retreats to resolve compensation, workload, and decision-making expectations transparently. A recurring theme is that the preparation required for a law firm merger often strengthens a firm even if the deal never closes. This episode is essential listening for firm owners considering a law firm merger or scaling with intention. It shows that successful mergers are not about speed or chemistry alone, but about alignment, structure, and doing the work before problems arise. In this episode, you will hear: Real-world case study on merging two family law practices into one scalable firm Defining executive leadership roles to speed decisions and reduce friction Timeline and strategy from early merger talks to public launch Leading two teams through cultural and operational integration Aligning partner compensation to reward leadership beyond billable hours Building a firm culture that empowers staff while maintaining accountability Why having a practice advisor was critical to merger success Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on , , or . ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at . Supporting Resources: Sasso Guerrero & Henderlite Molly Sasso Christie Guerrero Jay Henderlite Split Happens Podcast Daniel Struna, Practice Advisor & Attorney: Episode 168: Should We Merge? Part 1: The 3 Biggest Mistakes with Daniel Struna Workbook: Should We Merge? Workshop: The Path to a Great Practice & Great Life My Great Life Focus Team Leader Certification Program (Code TLC500 for $500 off) Sasso Guerrero & Henderlite Social Accounts: Facebook: Instagram: YouTube: Curious about growing your own law firm or getting support on how to do a succesful merger? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. This podcast for lawyers is part of our broader legal podcast library, offering practical insights on how to grow a law firm through stronger law firm leadership, law firm pricing and management, smarter marketing, intentional hiring, efficient operations, healthy law firm culture, and sustainable profitability, all while addressing law firm burnout and the realities of modern practice. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.
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Should We Merge? Part 1: The 3 Biggest Mistakes with Daniel Struna | Ep. 168
01/26/2026
Should We Merge? Part 1: The 3 Biggest Mistakes with Daniel Struna | Ep. 168
In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, Steve Riley is joined by Atticus Practice Advisor Daniel Struna for a candid conversation about one of the most consequential decisions a law firm owner can make: whether to merge law practices. Drawing on years of experience advising law firm owners, along with Steve’s own history with failed mergers, they identify exactly where law firm consolidations go wrong. The problem is rarely legal talent or goodwill. Too often, lawyers merge based on mutual respect or personal chemistry without pressure-testing whether their visions and financial realities actually align. Steve and Daniel walk through the fault lines that undermine mergers early. They explore what happens when partners skip hard conversations about the future of the firm and personal life goals, and why avoiding early financial clarity around compensation structure, origination, and profit splits can lead to frustration later. They also draw a clear distinction between a true merger and what many firms mistakenly create instead: roommates sharing space while everything else remains separate. This episode is the first in a two-part series designed to help lawyers slow down and think like owners. Whether you are actively considering a merger or simply curious about future growth options, this conversation will help you ask better questions and spot warning signs earlier. Next week, tune in for Part 2, where Steve and Daniel sit down with the partners of a successful family law merger to unpack what worked, what they aligned on early, and the practical decisions that helped them build the new firm together. In this episode, you will hear: Why most law firm mergers fail due to business misalignment, not legal skill The difference between a true merger and simply sharing office space The danger of merging based on personal rapport instead of strategic fit Aligning long-term practice vision with personal life goals before merging Critical money conversations that must happen early, including compensation and investment Common red flags that signal a merger should not move forward How the merger evaluation process can strengthen your firm even if you don’t merge Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on , , or . ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at . Supporting Resources: Workbook: Workshop: Limited-time offer! My Great Life Focus: Get a one-year supply (4 quarterly focusers) for $99.90 (50% off). Valid through January 31, 2026. Curious about growing your own law firm or getting support on how to do a succesful law firm merger? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. This podcast for lawyers is part of our broader legal podcast library, offering practical insights on how to grow a law firm through stronger law firm leadership, law firm pricing and management, smarter marketing, intentional hiring, efficient operations, healthy law firm culture, and sustainable profitability, all while addressing law firm burnout and the realities of modern practice. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.
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What Should I Charge? Fixing Law Firm Pricing When You’re Busy but Margins Are Thin with Jacquette Timmons | Ep. 167
01/19/2026
What Should I Charge? Fixing Law Firm Pricing When You’re Busy but Margins Are Thin with Jacquette Timmons | Ep. 167
In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, Steve Riley brings back financial behaviorist and pricing strategist Jacquette Timmons to tackle the question that makes even experienced attorneys hesitate: "What should I charge?" When your firm is busy, but margins feel thin, pricing often isn’t “wrong," it’s inconsistent because the logic underneath it is unclear. You’re working hard, saying yes to work, and staying booked, but the income doesn't match the effort. Jacquette challenges the common advice to “charge what you’re worth” and explains why tying fees to your identity creates stress, guilt, and second-guessing. Instead, she reframes pricing as a business decision: you are not your offer, and your fees should reflect the value and outcomes your services create not your personal worth. She also introduces a practical way to diagnose what’s really happening in your firm: treat your services like an offer portfolio. When you look at each service as an asset, you can see which offers truly function as profit centers, which drain time and energy, and whether your marketing dollars are pushing the work that’s least profitable. If you want law firm pricing that supports profit, future capacity and a sustainable life, this episode offers a clear, human-centered reset. In this episode, you will hear: Why “charge what you’re worth” undermines pricing confidence Separating personal identity from business offers Viewing services as a portfolio instead of a menu Average revenue per case vs actual profit per case How pricing decisions shape marketing spend and client mix The financial, personal, and emotional layers of every pricing conversation Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on , , or . ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at . Supporting Resources: Episode 157: Jacquette's Podcast: Limited-time offer! My Great Life Focus: Get a one-year supply (4 quarterly focusers) for $99.90 (50% off). Valid through January 31, 2026. Curious about growing your own practice without burning out? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. This podcast for lawyers is part of our broader legal podcast library, offering practical insights on how to grow a law firm through stronger law firm leadership, law firm pricing and management, smarter marketing, intentional hiring, efficient operations, healthy law firm culture, and sustainable profitability, all while addressing law firm burnout and the realities of modern practice. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.
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2026 Goal Setting for Lawyers Part 2: Design Your Lane and Stay Focused | Ep. 166
01/12/2026
2026 Goal Setting for Lawyers Part 2: Design Your Lane and Stay Focused | Ep. 166
You can have the best intentions in the world, but without focus, they won’t turn into results. In Part 2 of this two-part series, Steve Riley helps lawyers move from insight to execution by designing a practical structure for 2026. Instead of piling on resolutions, Steve makes a counterintuitive case for choosing just two goals: one Great Life goal and one Great Practice goal. Nothing more. He explains why this kind of restraint isn’t limiting, it’s liberating, and why it dramatically increases the odds of real change. The episode builds on the driving framework introduced in Part 1. Your written goals are the map. Your attention is the steering wheel. Your working memory is the windshield. And your weekly structure is the lane that keeps you moving forward. Steve revisits the four “dangerous Ds” that derail high performers and shows why most lawyers aren’t failing at discipline, they’re failing at design. Steve then shares practical steering strategies for staying in your lane, including turning big annual goals into small, protected focus blocks, using simple “if-then” plans to recover quickly when distractions hit, and scheduling weekly reflection so you don’t live the same year on repeat. Along the way, he shares memorable stories and hard-earned lessons, including why chasing every opportunity is like a dog trying to catch ten squirrels, and how many firm owners end up losing by winning when success comes at the cost of health, family, or energy. The episode also connects these ideas to the My Great Life Focus, designed as a weekly lane specifically for lawyers who want progress without burnout. If you’ve ever wondered why good years keep repeating instead of building momentum, this episode offers a clear, disciplined path forward and a practical way to design a year that actually moves the needle. In this episode, you will hear: Why great goals fail without focus, structure, and execution The four dangerous Ds that quietly derail progress Why choosing fewer goals leads to better results How to design a personal lane that protects attention and energy Turning big annual goals into weekly focus blocks Simple steering strategies to stay on track without burning out Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on , , or . ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ Supporting Resources: Study: Worksheet: Worksheet: Limited-time offer! My Great Life Focus: Get a one-year supply (4 quarterly focusers) for $99.90 (50% off). Valid through January 31, 2026. If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at steve.riley@atticusadvantage.com. Curious about growing your own practice without burning out? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. This podcast for lawyers is part of our broader legal podcast library, offering practical insights on how to grow a law firm through stronger law firm leadership and management, smarter marketing, intentional hiring, efficient operations, healthy law firm culture, and sustainable profitability, all while addressing law firm burnout and the realities of modern practice. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.
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2026 Goal Setting for Lawyers Part 1: Why Your Plan Gets Hijacked | Ep. 165
01/05/2026
2026 Goal Setting for Lawyers Part 1: Why Your Plan Gets Hijacked | Ep. 165
Most lawyers don’t struggle with setting goals. They struggle with protecting them. As a new year begins, many high performers find themselves frustrated, tired, and wondering why carefully written plans never quite survive real life. In Part 1 of this two-part series, Steve lays the groundwork for designing a stronger 2026 by first assessing what really happened in 2025. Before you set new goals, you need a structure that can actually protect them. Using a simple driving metaphor, Steve breaks goal execution into four core elements: your map, your steering, your windshield, and your lane. Together, they explain how distractions, interruptions, and cognitive overload quietly pull lawyers off track, often without them realizing it until months later. This episode is a strategy session, not a pep talk. It invites you to take a rearview mirror look at how you actually operated in 2025 so you can build a more resilient plan for 2026 that will not get hijacked the same way. Next week, tune in for Part 2, where Steve helps you set your 2026 goals and build the lane to protect them. In this episode, you will hear: Goal setting versus goal protecting and why most plans fail The difference between writing goals and actually doing them Map, steering, windshield, and lane as focus fundamentals How cognitive overload quietly derails execution The four “Ds” that hijack attention during the year Why 2025 wasn’t a failure but was a teacher Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on , , or . ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ Supporting Resources: Steve Riley: Limited-time offer! My Great Life Focus: Get a one-year supply (4 quarterly focusers) for $99.90 (50% off) . Valid through January 31, 2026. Distracting adults during task makes them behave like children (Wan and Sloutsky study): If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at . Curious about growing your own practice without burning out? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. This podcast for lawyers is part of our broader legal podcast library, offering practical insights on how to grow a law firm through stronger law firm leadership and management, smarter marketing, intentional hiring, efficient operations, healthy law firm culture, and sustainable profitability, all while addressing law firm burnout and the realities of modern practice. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.
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The Best of 2025: Great Life (Top 5 Moments) | Ep. 164
12/29/2025
The Best of 2025: Great Life (Top 5 Moments) | Ep. 164
As 2025 wraps up, Steve revisits five standout moments from some of our most impactful Great Life conversations this year. Like , this episode is built as a highlight reel, with short clips pulled from full-length interviews, but this time the focus is on building a great life so your great practice can grow quicker and easier. The goal is simple: give you the best ideas from 2025 in one place, so you can reconnect with what matters, protect your energy, and approach the new year with more clarity and intention. You’ll hear: Lea Anne Groover on gaining clarity and focus through simple daily structure, movement, and intentional prioritization Dr. Deborah Day on why sleep, exercise, and nutrition are non-negotiables for sustained performance under pressure Brother Curtis on navigating anxiety by bringing it into the light with perspective, trust, and support Matthew Emerzian on the mattering mindset and finding purpose, meaning, and significance in everyday work Blinn Bates on planning real breaks through intentional absence and why “forced exile” strengthens both life and business As you listen, treat this like a personal reset session. Steve tees up five questions to keep in mind: What tiny daily habit can restore clarity and focus? What routine keeps you in a healthy peak state during intense weeks? How do you stop running on anxiety and choose a sustainable performance state? How do you keep meaning, what “great life” means to you, front and center at work and at home? How can you design your firm so you can truly step away? If a clip makes you think, “I needed to hear that,” check the show notes and jump into the full episode for the complete conversation. In this episode, you will hear: Five standout Great Life moments from 2025 A tiny daily movement habit that supports clarity, energy, and focus The Top 3 daily focus method for reducing overwhelm and prioritizing what matters Trial-season self-care: sleep hygiene, nutrition, exercise, and why alcohol undermines recovery Anxiety as “fog,” and how trusted support and better language can reduce its grip The mattering mindset, values, and meaning in stressful seasons “Forced exile” as a true time-off strategy and a systems test for a healthier firm and life Best of 2025: Attorney Success & Law Firm Growth Highlights Follow and Review: Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on , , or . ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ Supporting Resources: Part 1 Episode 163 – The Best of 2025: Great Practice (Top 5 Moments) Episode 141: Your Firm Gets Stronger When You Do with Lea Anne Groover: Lea Anne Groover: Groover Law: Episode 85: Exercise: Is it a Waste of a Billable Hour? with Jonathan White: Episode 99: Do Happy Lawyers Make More Money? with Kevin Snyder: My Great Life Focus: Episode 155: Handling Stress in Your Law Firm: Routines, Boundaries, Debriefs with Dr. Deborah Day: Dr. Deborah Day: Psychological Affiliates: Episode 116: Breaking Free from Fear: Finding Clarity and Resilience in Your Life with Brother Curtis: Brother Curtis Almquist, SSJE: Society of Saint John the Evangelist, Massachusetts: Episode 145: How the Every Monday Matters Mindset Can Reignite Your Law Practice with Matthew Emerzian: Matthew Emerzian: Every Monday Matters: Episode 134: What Surviving a Plane Crash Taught Me About Running a Law Firm with Blinn Bates: Blinn Bates: Woods & Bates, P.C.: Workshop: The Path to a Great Practice and Great Life: (Get $500 off with code Podcast500) If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at . Curious about growing your own practice? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.
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The Best of 2025: Great Practice (Top 5 Moments) | Ep. 163
12/22/2025
The Best of 2025: Great Practice (Top 5 Moments) | Ep. 163
As 2025 comes to a close, Steve revisits five standout moments from five of our most impactful Great Practice conversations this year. This episode is built as a highlight reel, with short clips pulled from full-length interviews that focused on the business side of running a law firm. The goal is simple: give you the best ideas from 2025 in one place, so you can spot the next upgrade your firm needs and put it into action. As you listen, treat this like a working session. Steve tees up five areas to pay attention to, and each clip gives you a practical lens you can apply right away. When a segment makes you think, “That is exactly what we need,” pick one idea to implement this week, then use the show notes to jump into the full episode for the complete conversation. You’ll hear: John Morgan on building a systems-first, 21st-century firm through automation and transparency, and what it looks like to scale without relying on individual heroics Chris Murphy on upgrading your case mix by choosing your lanes, setting intake criteria, and confidently saying no to the wrong work while referring it out the right way Lori Pulvermacher on turning hiring into real capacity with a 90-day onboarding plan that defines what “winning” looks like at 30, 60, and 90 days Barb Betts on asking for introductions instead of transactional referrals, and how to do it with language that feels natural and creates real permission Robert Rose on building repeat referrals with a scalable partner program, using simple relationship “rings” and value touches that keep you top of mind If a specific moment hits home, check the show notes to jump into the full episode with that guest and take the next step from insight to implementation. Next week, we’ll share Part 2: Best of 2025, Great Life. In this episode, you will hear: Five standout Great Practice moments from 2025 Scaling with systems, not heroics Automation and transparency for consistency and leverage Niche discipline, intake criteria, and confidently saying no Hiring into capacity with a 30/60/90-day onboarding plan Asking for introductions and building referral momentum through relationships Building repeat referrals with a structured partner content program Best of 2025: Great Practice Moments on Law Firm Growth & Management Follow and Review: Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on , , or . ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ Supporting Resources: Part 2 – The Best of 2025: Great Life (Top 5 Moments) Grow or Die: John Morgan’s Relentless Strategy for Law Firm Expansion – Part 1: John Morgan: Morgan & Morgan: Litify: Injury.com: The Client Upgrade System That Changes Everything with Chris Murphy: Chris Murphy: Scalli Murphy Law, P.C.: Onboarding as a Competitive Advantage: 7 Essential Tips for Law Firms with Lori Pulvermacher: Lori Pulvermacher: Download: New Hire Onboarding Guide for Law Firms: Beyond Word of Mouth: Systemizing Referral Marketing with Barb Betts: Barb Betts: The Biggest Marketing Mistakes Lawyers Make and How to Fix Them with Robert Rose: Seventh Bear: Reach Out To a Practice Advisor: If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at . Curious about growing your own practice? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.
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Dealing with Toxic People in Law Practice with Dr. Deborah Day | Ep. 162
12/15/2025
Dealing with Toxic People in Law Practice with Dr. Deborah Day | Ep. 162
In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, Steve Riley welcomes back forensic psychologist Dr. Deborah Day for a direct, real-world look at the difficult people lawyers face every single day. High-conflict clients, drama-driven opposing counsel, partners who escalate everything, and even judges who seem to thrive on chaos are not outliers. As Dr. Day explains, roughly one in three people you interact with will behave as if they have a personality disorder, which is exactly why conflict feels endless in law practice. Dr. Day breaks down how to spot these patterns quickly and respond without getting pulled into the emotional spiral. She shares specific moves that lower intensity in the moment, such as a steady voice, grounded body language, eye contact that anchors the room, and the simple phrases that stop hostility before it becomes a threat. She walks through practical ways to structure your office, your meetings, and your documentation so you’re never caught off guard and your team stays protected. The conversation also takes an honest look at lawyer mental health. Dr. Day explains how chronic exposure to conflict chips away at resilience, how to recognize when stress is sliding toward burnout, and how to check in with a colleague who seems overwhelmed without crossing professional lines. She offers a grounded, compassionate roadmap for staying centered in a profession where conflict is the default setting. If you’ve ever left a meeting wondering how a routine conversation turned into a battle, or why certain clients consistently drain your energy, this episode gives you the clarity and tools to take your practice, your boundaries, and your well-being back under control. In this episode, you will hear: The real 1-in-3 statistic inside the litigation world “Bad day” vs. enduring dysfunctional pattern — how to tell in one or two interactions Instant de-escalation tactics: tone, seating, Zoom setup, and “curious questions” Documentation strategies that protect your reputation The “do-not-work-with” list top professionals quietly keep Cluster B red flags every litigator recognizes instantly When and how to bring in a mental-health consultant without offending anyone Simple weekly habits that prevent burnout and keep you and your team resilient Follow and Review: Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on , , or . ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ Supporting Resources: Dr. Deborah Day: Psychological Affiliates: Episode 155: Handling Stress in Your Law Firm with Dr. Deborah Day: Facebook: Instagram: X: Personality Disorders Study: Family Law Group Program: My Great Life Focus: If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at . Curious about growing your own practice? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.
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Before They Sue: How Smart Firms Avoid Malpractice with Brad Wiewel | Ep: 161
12/08/2025
Before They Sue: How Smart Firms Avoid Malpractice with Brad Wiewel | Ep: 161
On this week’s episode of Great Practice, Great Life, you’re in for a ride. Steve Riley sits down with attorney Brad Wiewel, whose career took a wild turn in 1979 when a client’s husband fired a bullet into Brad’s car because Brad was fighting too hard in a divorce case involving a stripper. That single ka-pow moment launched Brad’s 45-year obsession with what he calls Defensive Law; a proactive, slightly paranoid, and incredibly effective system for protecting yourself, your team, and your license when clients lie, forget, or turn on you. This is hands down the most practical malpractice-prevention episode we’ve recorded, and it applies to every practice area: PI, family, estate planning, elder law, business—all of it. Brad walks through the exact tools that have kept him grievance-free and malpractice-suit-free for more than four decades. You’ll hear about the bulletproof fee agreements packed with bold disclaimers, including the now famous “we can fire you for personality conflicts” clause he makes clients read aloud. You’ll learn why every third party, kids, financial advisors, new spouses, sign a non-representation letter the second they enter the room. He shares his library of 100+ one-page “Against My Advice” disclosures clients sign when they insist on risky decisions, the settlement confirmation letter every PI lawyer should require before accepting a dime, and how he turns high-risk fact patterns into written client admissions that stop surprises in court or in front of the bar. And yes, he reveals his dead-simple signing ceremony protocol: hand clients the stack, leave the room for 15 minutes, come back to flawless signatures. No drama. No complaints. No gaps. Brad doesn’t deal in theory; he built one of the largest estate planning practices in Texas on these systems. He credits them for never having a single successful grievance or malpractice claim in 45 years. If you’ve ever lost sleep wondering, “Did I document that conversation well enough?” or heard a former client shout, “You never told me that!”, this episode gives you the exact playbook to make those nightmares disappear. Fair warning: After this conversation, you’ll never look at a client the same way again. (You’ll see every single one as a potential plaintiff, and you’ll sleep like a baby because your files will finally be bulletproof.) In this episode, you will hear: The wild “stripper and the bullet” story that birthed Defensive Law Why every client is a potential plaintiff (and how to sleep anyway) The 5 documents that have kept Brad 45 years grievance-free Fee-agreement clauses that kill most problems on day one The 60-second fix when kids or advisors sit in your meeting 100+ one-page “I’m doing this against your advice” disclosures The settlement letter every PI lawyer must get signed How to make clients admit the real facts — in writing The signing-room trick that makes clients happily sign everything An instant checklist to make your entire practice bulletproof Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on , , or . ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ Supporting Resources: Brad Wiewel: Texas Trust Law, PLLC: Atticus Workshops: The Path to A Great Practice Great Life Workshop: If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at . Curious about growing your own practice? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.
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From Burnout to 200 Days Off: How Kent Berk Rebuilt His Firm to Run Without Him | Ep. 160
12/01/2025
From Burnout to 200 Days Off: How Kent Berk Rebuilt His Firm to Run Without Him | Ep. 160
Time management for lawyers isn’t just a productivity hack, it’s the key to freedom. What if you could take around 200 days off a year without your firm collapsing, and actually increase law firm profitability in the process? That’s exactly what Arizona probate, trust, and estate litigator Attorney Kent Berk has pulled off. In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life., Kent joins Steve to share how he went from overwhelmed and burned out, ready to walk away from his law practice, to leading a focused, profitable firm built on smart law firm business strategy and intentional law firm leadership. You’ll hear how coaching, accountability, and a handful of mindset shifts helped him protect his time, reduce stress, and drive serious law firm growth. Steve and Kent break down the operational side of that transformation: revamping human resources, tightening law firm hiring practices, building an in-house training engine with AI-driven modules and real assessments, and aligning compensation with clear KPIs. With support from Practice Advisor Daniel Struna and the Atticus team, Kent redesigned his law firm operations so his team can train, make decisions, and move cases forward even when he’s not in the office. From rethinking compensation structures and productivity metrics to embracing healthy conflict as a leadership tool, Kent’s story is a practical blueprint for attorneys who want to step into a more intentional role, whether that’s CEO, marketing director, or true firm leader. He shows how grit, clarity, boundaries, and a strong law firm culture can lead to exceptional client experiences and a life you actually enjoy. Whether you’re overwhelmed or simply ready for your practice to support a better life, this episode delivers concrete strategies for attorney success, healthier law firm management, and meaningful, sustainable change. In this episode, you will hear: Kent Berk’s transition from burnout to a balanced, profitable legal practice Strategies for reducing stress through delegation, in-house training, and AI-enhanced operations The importance of a growth-oriented mindset and redefining roles within a law firm Enhancing firm efficiency by refining human resources, aligning compensation with performance, and leveraging technology How to connect traditional pricing models with clear productivity metrics to improve financial performance Embracing conflict and mistakes as opportunities for team growth and improvement The benefits of taking significant time off to enhance creativity, focus, and firm profitability Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on , , or . ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ Supporting Resources: Kent Berk: Berk Law Group: Daniel Struna, Esq., Practice Advisor & Attorney: Law Firm Coaching: Team Leader Certification Program: The Berk Brief (YouTube Series): The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz: Blog “Why Law Firms Lose Top Talent (And How to Fix It)”: Onboarding Guide: If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at . Curious about growing your own practice? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.
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From Failing Everywhere to Focused: How to Cut, Protect, and Refocus Fast | Ep. 159
11/24/2025
From Failing Everywhere to Focused: How to Cut, Protect, and Refocus Fast | Ep. 159
In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, Steve Riley breaks down one of the toughest challenges in law firm leadership: the feeling that you’re failing when life and work start to pile up. Using the story of Kay, a team leader pushed to her limits, Steve explains why overwhelm is rarely a personal flaw and more often a sign that your systems, habits, or support structures need to evolve. Steve reframes failure as feedback, the kind that helps attorneys recognize when they’ve outgrown the strategies that once worked. For anyone juggling client demands, running a practice, or navigating the pressures of law firm management, this perspective shift is a breath of fresh air. To help legal professionals regain clarity, Steve shares the CPR approach: Cut, Protect, and Refocus. By cutting unnecessary commitments, protecting essentials like sleep and focus, and reviving the priorities that matter most, attorneys can reduce stress and strengthen time management for lawyers without sacrificing performance. Drawing on insights often found in law firm business coaching, Steve illustrates how even a thriving attorney can outgrow their current “container,” much like a Bonsai pushing past the limits of its pot. When that happens, the discomfort is a sign of growth, not failure. This episode offers simple, actionable steps that help lawyers reclaim control, reset expectations, and build momentum toward a healthier practice and a more grounded life. In this episode, you will hear: Transforming failure into a tool for growth and success Reframing failure as feedback, not personal inadequacy The CPR technique: Cut, Protect, and Refocus Kay’s story, a team leader overwhelmed by life's demands Importance of pruning unnecessary commitments for personal growth Emphasizing sleep and focus to manage life's challenges Encouragement to make intentional choices for a balanced life Follow and Review: We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on . Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at . Supporting Resources: - If you'd like to personally connect with Steve. Curious about growing your own practice? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.
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Healing Forward: Grief, Community, and the Courage to Confront Life After Loss with Robin Bresky | Ep. 158
11/17/2025
Healing Forward: Grief, Community, and the Courage to Confront Life After Loss with Robin Bresky | Ep. 158
Content note: This episode includes discussion of suicide and mental health. If you or someone you know needs support in the U.S., call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, appellate attorney and Florida Bar leader Robin Bresky joins host Steve Riley for a candid and deeply human conversation about building a thriving law practice and a meaningful life after unimaginable loss. Robin’s story shines a light on lawyer mental health, resilience, and the power of purpose. She shares how she grew from running a solo home office to leading a seven-lawyer appellate firm and eventually merging with a New York powerhouse. Her success wasn’t built on cold calls or advertising; it was fueled by community involvement, bar leadership, and genuine relationships grounded in trust and service. After the tragic loss of her son to suicide, Robin found herself drawing on the very tools she had developed through years of Atticus coaching. Time management, planning, and focus became lifelines as she rebuilt one day at a time. Her experience highlights how intentional structure and clear boundaries can help lawyers navigate grief and return to their practice with clarity and strength. Robin also shares why lawyer mental health needs open, stigma-free conversations. In 2018, she founded the Attorney Wellness Exchange, which has helped countless professionals make wellness a priority. She discusses how physical fitness, mindfulness, and self-care can sustain emotional well-being in high-pressure careers and why checking in with struggling colleagues can truly save lives. This episode is about more than overcoming tragedy. It is a masterclass in transforming pain into purpose. Robin reminds us that community builds referrals, wellness builds strength, and courage builds a life worth living. If you or someone you know is struggling, call 988 (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). In this episode, you will hear: Importance of wellness and self-care in the legal profession Creation and impact of the Attorney Wellness Exchange Building a referral engine through genuine relationships and community involvement Destigmatizing mental health and the challenges of grief Role of mentorship, community support, and professional development in overcoming adversity Embracing resilience and intentional living for personal and professional fulfillment Subscribe & ReviewNever miss an episode. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ Supporting Resources: Robin Bresky: Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP: Attorney Wellness Exchange: My Great Life Focus: Join the Trail Lawyer Group: Learn How to Support Those Struggling with Their Mental Health: If you're interested in becoming a mental health advocate in your community, visit for more information. Curious about growing your own practice? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. Experiences of grief and sudden loss can profoundly reshape lawyer life, reminding us that behind every role and responsibility is a human being navigating real pain and healing. Our coaching is grounded in building law firms and communities that recognize the importance of connection, compassion, and support—especially during life’s most difficult moments. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm, from leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.
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Money by Design, Not by Default with Jacquette Timmons | Ep. 157
11/10/2025
Money by Design, Not by Default with Jacquette Timmons | Ep. 157
Financial stress can linger even in the most seemingly prosperous lives. In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, Steve Riley sits down with Jacquette Timmons, a nationally recognized financial behaviorist, to explore the power of a financial mindset for lawyers. Together, they examine why even successful attorneys can feel financial stress, and how beliefs, habits, and emotional patterns shape the way you manage money—personally and professionally. Financial success isn’t just about numbers on a spreadsheet. It’s about clarity, confidence, and control. Jacquette and Steve unpack the hidden factors, like childhood messages, cultural expectations, and firm dynamics, that influence your money decisions. By understanding these patterns, you can start to make financial choices that align with your values and goals. Through reflective exercises and real-world stories, Jacquette shows lawyers how to identify the emotions driving their financial behaviors. She introduces tools to help reframe limiting beliefs, reduce money anxiety, and create habits that foster long-term stability and satisfaction. By cultivating a stronger financial mindset, you can build not just a great practice, but also a more peaceful, intentional, and fulfilling life. In this episode, you will hear: The emotional and behavioral aspects of financial success with financial behaviorist Jacquette Timmons Debunking the myth that wealth automatically eliminates stress and challenges Understanding the influence of family, culture, and workplace on financial decisions Cognitive biases and inherited beliefs that impact financial habits Shifting responsibilities in retirement planning from employers to employees Encouraging a proactive mindset shift for meaningful financial success and personal growth Practical tools like the “financial flywheel” for aligning financial actions with personal goals. Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ Supporting Resources: Jacquette Timmons: Podcast: More Than Money with Jacquette Timmons: LinkedIn: Instagram: Atticus Newsletter: My Great Life Focus: Curious about growing your own practice? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.
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Bold Moves and Better Margins with Lauren Presser on Courage and Team Investment in Law Firm Growth | Ep. 156
11/03/2025
Bold Moves and Better Margins with Lauren Presser on Courage and Team Investment in Law Firm Growth | Ep. 156
What if you could transform a legacy law firm while staying true to your personal goals? In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, attorney Lauren Presser reveals the law firm growth strategies that transformed her practice, creating clarity, balance, and sustainable growth. After buying out her uncle’s 50-year-old family firm in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Lauren partnered with Atticus to modernize every part of her practice. The result was a 35% increase in revenue within one year, without sacrificing her family time or her sanity. This is a compelling narrative of courage, mentorship, and strategic innovation in a traditionally static industry. Lauren’s transformation began with a clear why: she wanted to be fully present for her children while leading a thriving practice. Every change she made flowed from that intention. With coaching and focus, she trained her legal assistants to lead initial consultations, replaced discounts with fixed-fee packages, and introduced structured scheduling: no walk-ins, time templates, and set client touchpoints. Lauren’s story is a masterclass in law firm growth strategies that actually work. Her firm’s culture evolved too. Lauren implemented a simple bonus structure built around three measurable KPIs, aligning her team and inspiring accountability. The result was a calm, collaborative environment where everyone knew what success looked like. Lauren’s story proves that growth doesn’t require burnout. By setting boundaries, empowering her team, and leading with purpose, she built a profitable firm that supports her life instead of consuming it. Her journey is a powerful example of what’s possible when you pair intentional leadership with practical systems and a reminder that success at work means little if you miss the moments that matter most at home. In this episode, you will hear: Lauren Presser's transformation from associate to principal owner of a 50-year-old law firm Strategies for achieving a 35% revenue increase while maintaining work-life balance Implementation of fixed pricing models and bonus structures based on key performance indicators Overcoming challenges in a family-run firm and navigating systemic changes with the help of mentorship Strategic moves, such as relocating to a larger office space to accommodate a growing team Importance of setting boundaries to ensure personal well-being and professional success Empowering non-lawyers to conduct initial consultations and the benefits of adopting innovative business practices Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ Supporting Resources: Lauren Presser: Ayres Presser Elder Law: Mark Metzger: Julianna Maria: Practice Growth Diagnostic: Code: STEVESENTME to get it for free! DISC assessment: Workshop: The Path to a Great Practice & Great Life: Is It Possible for Non-Lawyers to Do Initial Meetings? with Patti Paz: Lawyer Coaching: My Great Life Focus: The Summit: If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at . Curious about growing your own practice? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.
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Handling Trauma and Stress in Your Law Firm: Routines, Boundaries, Debriefs with Dr. Deborah Day | Ep. 155
10/27/2025
Handling Trauma and Stress in Your Law Firm: Routines, Boundaries, Debriefs with Dr. Deborah Day | Ep. 155
How can legal professionals stay sharp without burning out? In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, psychologist Dr. Deborah Day joins Steve Riley to explore the realities of law firm stress, and the practical ways attorneys and legal teams can manage it. Drawing from decades of experience working with high-performing professionals, Dr. Day explains the difference between acute and chronic stress and how each affects your mind, body, and work performance. She shares actionable tools to help lawyers navigate their demanding schedules, including better sleep hygiene, structured prep time, and clear boundaries that keep work from overtaking personal life. Whether you’re a litigator in the courtroom or part of a law firm’s support staff, these strategies offer tangible ways to reduce stress, protect your health, and sustain long-term success. Steve and Dr. Day also unpack the psychology behind law firm stress; from the intensity of client conflict to the emotional weight of constant decision-making. They discuss how mindfulness, intentional routines, and healthy interactions can transform the way legal professionals experience pressure. Dr. Day emphasizes how simple daily habits like exercise, nutrition, and time for recovery play a powerful role in maintaining focus and avoiding burnout. They also spotlight an often-overlooked part of stress management: training and supporting legal support staff. Dr. Day shares how setting boundaries and preparing team members for emotionally charged cases can protect morale and improve the firm’s overall performance. Her perspective on resilience, trauma recovery, and emotional regulation gives listeners a roadmap for staying steady in the face of adversity. This episode offers lawyers and legal professionals alike a grounded, evidence-based approach to mental health, resilience, and high performance. Dr. Day’s compassionate, practical advice is a reminder that managing law firm stress isn’t just about surviving the job, it’s about building a sustainable, fulfilling career. In this episode, you will hear: Managing stress in the legal profession, including distinguishing between acute and chronic stress Techniques for better sleep hygiene, focus restoration, and structuring work to prevent burnout Setting boundaries to keep work stress from impacting personal life Differences between forensic and clinical psychology in legal contexts, especially in high-stakes cases Strategies for self-care and maintaining mental health, emphasizing sleep, nutrition, and exercise Empowering legal support staff to handle stressful client interactions with assertiveness and clear boundaries Importance of resilience and self-compassion in overcoming challenges and trauma Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ Supporting Resources: Dr. Deborah Day: Psychological Affiliates: Subscribe to the Atticus Newsletter: Aces Aware Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire for Adults: Facebook: Instagram: X: The Path to a Great Practice & Great Life Workshop: If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at . Curious about growing your own practice? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.
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The Power of Niching with The Dash Cam Lawyer | Ep. 154
10/20/2025
The Power of Niching with The Dash Cam Lawyer | Ep. 154
How Shannon Sagan used a memorable niche to drive referrals and build a sellable brand. On this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, Steve Riley welcomes personal injury attorney Shannon Sagan, better known as The Dash Cam Lawyer. Shannon shares his incredible story of how niching for lawyers, done with purpose and creativity, transformed his career from a defense firm associate into a standout personal injury attorney with a national reputation. Shannon’s journey proves that when you lean into what makes you different, you can dominate even the most competitive markets. His passion for dash cams became more than a tool for evidence, it became the foundation of a powerful personal brand. By combining his legal expertise with smart, memorable marketing, Shannon created The Dash Cam Lawyer, a name clients remember and trust. Through niching for lawyers, Shannon built a thriving practice rooted in authenticity. Instead of chasing every case, he focused on organic referrals and strategic branding. That focus helped him rise above large firms, earn recognition, and even launch his own custom dash cam on Amazon. He discusses the process of trademarking his brand, using social media to amplify his message, and balancing creativity with credibility. Beyond branding, Shannon opens up about the habits and mindset that fuel his success. He credits his morning routine, ongoing coaching, and consistent self-discipline as keys to maintaining growth in a fast-paced, competitive field. Together, Steve and Shannon explore how focus, perseverance, and a clear niche can elevate both your practice and your life. This episode is a masterclass in standing out through specialization. Whether you’re just starting your firm or ready to redefine your brand, Shannon’s story will inspire you to find your own lane and own it. In this episode, you will hear: Shannon Sagan’s transition from defense lawyer to The Dash Cam Lawyer and niche marketing success Importance of niche marketing in the legal field and how it differentiates Shannon in a competitive market Benefits and usage of dash cams in legal disputes and personal injury cases Shannon’s journey in entrepreneurship, including launching a custom dash cam on Amazon The role of social media and innovative branding in expanding Shannon’s legal practice Personal growth practices, such as morning routines, and their impact on professional success Advice for young lawyers on networking, marketing, and establishing a unique legal niche Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ Supporting Resources: The Summit: Shannon J. Sagan: The Dash Cam Lawyer: The Driven Agenda Podcast by The Dash Cam Lawyer: The Dash Cam Lawyer Social: Facebook: LinkedIn: YouTube: TikTok: X: Instagram: Dash Shield Pro by The Dash Cam Lawyer: Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine (Entrepreneurship Simplified) by Mike Michalowicz: Ep 106: Building an All In Team with Mike Michalowicz: The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8AM) by Hal Elrod: The Summit: My Great Life Focus: If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at . Curious about growing your own practice? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.
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Building Leaders Who Build Your Firm with Emily Sorbi | Ep. 153
10/13/2025
Building Leaders Who Build Your Firm with Emily Sorbi | Ep. 153
10 insider secrets to leverage a team leader for growth, profit, and balance On this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, Steve Riley talks with Emily Sorbi about how law firms break through growth ceilings by developing a strong team leader. Emily rose from the front desk to Director of Operations and now manages a team of 30 across multiple states. Her story shows what happens when owners invest in values-driven talent and give them the tools to lead. Emily shares ten insider secrets for building leverage through people, systems, and standards so lawyers can focus on revenue work. You will hear how to empower a team lead publicly, set daily check-ins that keep work moving without micromanagement, and protect high performers from burnout. She explains why team leads should not own client files, how to shift them into growth and efficiency projects, and how to handle mistakes without derailing momentum. The conversation gets practical on decision rights and transparency. Emily walks through involving your team lead in hiring, promotions, benefits, and tough personnel calls, including when a high-output but toxic team member needs to go. She also makes the case for giving your team lead access to budgets and key financials so they can make smarter staffing and compensation decisions, even if that transparency feels uncomfortable at first. For owners wondering where to find a team lead, Emily explains why hiring for values and developing internally outperforms bringing in outsiders cold. If you are a firm owner or a rising team lead, this is a practical playbook for scaling with accountability, trust, and clear roles. Team Leader Workshop at !If you’re ready to develop your team leader, join us in Orlando for The Summit 2025 (Nov 6–7). Lead by Patti Paz, this Day 2 workshop maps directly to this episode and gives you tools to execute now. Details here: . (Use code PAZ200 for $200 off) In this episode, you will hear: Emily Sorbi's path from front desk receptionist to Director of Operations of a multi-state law firm Ten proven secrets to effective team leadership and breaking growth barriers Balancing professional roles and personal life as a wife and mother Involving team leads in strategic decision-making and financial transparency Developing internal talent and nurturing future leaders through mentorship programs Empowering team leads with authority, accountability, and protection from burnout Building trust and accountability within teams to enhance law firm operations and growth Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ Supporting Resources: Legacy Counsellors, PC: Emily Sorbi: The Summit: discount code: PAZ200 for $200 off Law Firm Coaching: Team Leader Certification Program: Interested to learn more about the Case Flow Focuser? Schedule a call with us and we’ll walk you through it.: The Path to a Great Practice & Great Life Workshop: If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at . Curious about growing your own practice? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.
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From Free Consultation to High-Value Assessment with Lonny Balbi | Ep. 152
10/06/2025
From Free Consultation to High-Value Assessment with Lonny Balbi | Ep. 152
On this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, Steve Riley sits down with Calgary family law attorney Lonny Balbi to explore how he shifted his consultations from free to paid, and why that change became a game-changer for his practice. Lonny’s innovative Balbi Marital Assessment package breaks away from the traditional free consultation model. Instead of giving away time, he designed a structured, paid service that delivers real value to clients and positions his firm as a leader in a crowded market. The result? Clients feel cared for, lawyers reclaim their worth, and the process sets the tone for long-term relationships. Moving from free to paid wasn’t just about billing; it was about mindset. Lonny and Steve unpack how value-based billing transforms the lawyer-client relationship. By prioritizing transparency and focusing on impact over time, attorneys can build stronger connections, reduce stress, and elevate client satisfaction. This episode also goes into the practical side of packaging services. From creating clear client expectations to handling emotional family law cases, Lonny shares how structured offerings can guide clients through their hardest moments. He explains how AI and innovation support lawyers in delivering personalized services without losing the human touch that matters most. Lonny’s journey proves that rethinking consultations is more than a financial decision, it’s a leadership decision. By shifting to this method, lawyers not only strengthen their firms but also create practices that serve both their clients and themselves better. In this episode, you will hear: Lonny Balbi's innovative approach to legal consultations with the Balbi Marital Assessment package Transition from traditional free consultations to a structured, paid service model Value-based billing over hourly billing to enhance client satisfaction Strategies for client selection and engagement using a structured matrix Importance of personalized, packaged services in family law to improve client experiences Overcoming resistance to adopting new billing models and legal processes Enhancing legal practice through client-centered services and clear value propositions Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ Supporting Resources: Lonny Balbi: Balbi & Company: Balbi Assessment: Learn the Matrimonial Assessment Process: If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at . Curious about growing your own practice? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.
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Near-Collapse to Record Years: How Doré Rothberg Law Rebuilt from the Inside Out | Ep. 151
09/29/2025
Near-Collapse to Record Years: How Doré Rothberg Law Rebuilt from the Inside Out | Ep. 151
What happens when a father-son duo takes on the challenge of revamping a struggling law firm? On today’s episode of Great Practice, Great Life, Carl and Brent Doré share their extraordinary journey of transforming the Doré Rothberg Law Firm into a thriving practice, along with the invaluable support of partner Lisa Rothberg, who was instrumental in stabilizing and growing the firm. After a record-breaking year, momentum reversed and the firm hit a breaking point with cash-flow issues and weak processes. Instead of giving in, they embraced a series of bold, strategic changes. Their story is a masterclass in law firm growth strategies. You’ll hear how they moved operations to the cloud, revamped their onboarding process, and used a unique financial metric they call “DRL hours” to stabilize the firm’s finances. These law firm growth strategies were truly tested when they made the ambitious decision to hire seven new attorneys in just six months. This move, backed by a powerful paralegal team, not only expanded their capacity but also boosted productivity and profitability across the board. Their philosophy is simple: revenue follows capacity. Invest in your people and processes, and the revenue will come. Carl and Brent also share how they navigated the complexities of a family-run business and the challenge of succession planning. Their “shareholder pipeline” strategy creates a clear path for career progression, serving as a powerful tool for hiring and retention. Their journey is a rich tapestry of lessons on firm culture, adaptability, and the power of personal and professional integration. It proves that with the right mindset, you can build a practice and a life you truly love. We are thrilled to have Carl and Brent Doré as at this year's ! With transparency, humility, and a touch of humor, they’ll show how tough conversations, bold hiring decisions, and investing in the right infrastructure and people helped them turn chaos into clarity and scale for the future. In this episode, you will hear: The Doré Rothberg Law Firm’s transformation journey focusing on strategic changes for success Innovative strategies for stabilizing cash flow and enhancing team dynamics, including transitioning operations to the cloud Importance of family dynamics and clear communication in succession planning and leadership transition within a family-run business Hiring strategy in 2022, expanding the team with seven new attorneys, and implementing unique compensation models Development of DRL hours as a key performance indicator to balance productivity across hourly, fixed, and contingency pricing models Challenges and successes of building a resilient and client-focused law firm, emphasizing work-life balance and ethical practices Insight into creative problem-solving as a core value and refining client intake processes to better align with long-term strategic goals Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on , , or . ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ Supporting Resources: Carl Doré Jr.: Brent Doré: Dore Rothberg Law, P.C.: Lisa Rothberg: Law Firm Coaching: My Great Life Focus: The Summit: discount code: DORE200 for $200 off Subscribe to the Atticus Newsletter: If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at . Curious about growing your own practice? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.
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See Through Persuasion and Take Back Your Truth with Ronald Chapman II | Ep. 150
09/22/2025
See Through Persuasion and Take Back Your Truth with Ronald Chapman II | Ep. 150
In an age of constant information, it’s easy to feel lost in the noise. On this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, Steve Riley welcomes back attorney and author Ronald Chapman II to discuss how to navigate our complex digital world and take back your own truth. Drawing on his experiences as a Marine Corps JAG officer and nationally recognized trial lawyer, Ronald offers practical ways to think clearly in an algorithm-shaped media landscape. He shares strategies from Truth and Persuasion: In the Digital Revolution, showing how recognizing cognitive biases and applying systems thinking can strengthen your narrative and leadership. Their conversation moves from the psychology of decision-making to the modern “tribes” formed by our media diets, with touchpoints to Daniel Kahneman, Carl Sagan, and Carl Jung’s call to “make the unconscious conscious.” They explore how tailored messaging contributes to fragmentation—and why that matters for lawyers speaking to clients, teams, and juries. Ronald underscores the value of introspection and clear communication, encouraging critical thinking, grounded inputs, and well-researched information. As Ronald and Steve examine the interplay of truth and persuasion, they emphasize authentic dialogue with yourself and others. Ronald’s reflections on his career and growth testify to the power of integrity in both personal and professional realms. They close with a call to embrace complexity, think deliberately, and lead with purpose. In this episode, you will hear: An exploration of truth and persuasion in the digital age, informed by Ronald’s experience as a Marine Corps JAG officer and trial lawyer How cognitive biases and systems thinking can enhance personal narratives, legal strategy, and leadership The impact of algorithm-driven curation on individual perspectives and broader societal fragmentation Why media “diets” and tailored messaging create modern tribes—and what that means for juries, clients, and families System 1 vs. System 2 thinking (Kahneman) and practical ways to guard against snap judgments The role of authenticity, introspection, and Jung’s “make the unconscious conscious” in maintaining integrity Practical steps to reclaim focus, choose better inputs, and communicate more persuasively in a fragmented environment Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on , , or . ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ Supporting Resources: Ronald W. Chapman II: Episode 142: Stop Hiding Behind the Law: Leading with Truth with Ronald W. Chapman II: Truth and Persuasion: In the Digital Revolution by Ronald W. Chapman II: Free Chapter of Truth and Persuasion: The Chapman Law Firm: Heretic with Hugh Grant: My Great Life Focus: If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at . Curious about growing your own practice? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.
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How to Lead with Purpose Under Pressure with Susan Drumm | Ep. 149
09/15/2025
How to Lead with Purpose Under Pressure with Susan Drumm | Ep. 149
On this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, Steve Riley welcomes Susan Drumm—a Harvard-trained lawyer, bestselling author of The Leader’s Playlist, and leadership advisor whose path from law to acting to consulting shaped her approach to leadership. Susan shows how to lead with purpose by connecting music, neuroscience, and personal growth. Her eclectic career taught her the power of reinvention. Today she helps leaders uncover blind spots, disrupt limiting patterns, and embrace cognitive diversity, enabling purposeful leadership in business and life. Susan shares how music can shift emotional states, rewire the brain, and help leaders stay grounded in high-pressure moments such as client meetings or trials. She explains why processing negative emotions is essential and how reframing them—using tools like music—can turn challenges into opportunities for growth. Listeners will hear vivid stories, like how Bruno Mars’ 24K Magic helped her release resentment and reclaim her confidence. You’ll also learn how her use of the Enneagram can help uncover leadership “superpowers” and strengthen team dynamics. This conversation is a fresh reminder that true leadership is more than strategy. It’s about how you show up, connect with others, and lead with purpose every day. In this episode, you will hear: Susan Drumm’s unique journey from law to leadership advising, integrating music and neuroscience Importance of pattern recognition and cognitive diversity in enhancing leadership and team dynamics Music as a transformative tool for shifting emotional states and breaking free from negative patterns Creating empowering playlists to promote emotional resilience and personal growth Leveraging tools like the Enneagram to identify blind spots and improve decision-making Using music to consciously foster freedom, connection, and playfulness in leadership Advice and resources for using music to enhance leadership skills and personal development Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on , , or . ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ Supporting Resources: Subscribe to the Atticus Newsletter: Susan Drumm: Meritage Leadership Development: The Enlightened Executive Podcast: Leadership Superpower & Roadblock Assessment (Free Quiz on SusanDrumm.com): The Leader’s Playlist Masterclass: Susan’s Enneagram Applied Program: *get 20% off Susan’s Enneagram Applied course with code 20OFFEA Susan’s social media platforms: Benson Boone: The Summit: Music moves brain to pay attention, Stanford study Music doesn’t just evoke memories — it can also change how we remember the past: study Music’s power over our brains The effects of music on brain plasticity Listening to music lights up the whole brain If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at . Curious about growing your own practice? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.
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The Leadership Lesson Every Lawyer Needs to Hear with Patrick McLain | Ep. 148
09/08/2025
The Leadership Lesson Every Lawyer Needs to Hear with Patrick McLain | Ep. 148
On this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, Steve Riley sits down with attorney and former Marine Corps officer Patrick McLain to share the leadership lesson lawyers need most today. Patrick’s path took him from serving as a Marine JAG officer and military judge to building a successful criminal defense practice. Along the way, he discovered that the same principles that carried him through combat zones could also guide him in the courtroom and in leadership. Patrick talks about the challenges of transitioning from military life to private practice, and how niching down in criminal defense allowed him to build a firm with purpose and clarity. He also shares how embracing innovation, empowering his team, and leaning into the human side of advocacy helped him create a practice that thrives in today’s legal world. Yet, the most surprising leadership lesson lawyers need to hear comes at the end of his story. Despite his military background and commanding presence, Patrick reveals that the greatest insight he has learned is love. Leading with compassion, for clients, colleagues, and community, not only defines his approach to law but also shapes the legacy he wants to leave behind. This conversation is both practical and deeply human. It’s a reminder that while systems and strategies matter, the leadership lesson lawyers need is to show up with courage, empathy, and love. In this episode, you will hear: Patrick McLain’s transition from Marine Corps officer to a successful law practice owner The impact of military discipline and leadership on legal practice Balancing family life and a demanding legal career Importance of niching and creating a practice aligned with personal values Mentoring young advocates and fostering the next generation Utilizing technology to enhance efficiency and client interaction Financial prudence, structured systems, and growth strategies in law firm management Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on , , or . ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ Supporting Resources: Patrick J. McLain The Law Office of Patrick J. McLain New Podcast Website Interested in Our Upcoming Trial Lawyers Group? If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at . Curious about growing your own practice? Contact to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. You can also sign up for our to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.
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