Founding Partner Podcast

Hosted by Jonathan Hawkins

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Episodes

134

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

The Founding Partner Podcast follows host Jonathan Hawkins as he interviews the founders of successful law firms across the country. Get the inside scoop on how these legal trailblazers built their firms from the ground up. Learn about their origin stories, the challenges they faced, and the lessons they learned along the way. Whether you're an aspiring lawyer looking to start your own firm someday or just interested in the behind-the-scenes world of law firm entrepreneurship, the Founding Partner Podcast offers an educational, insightful, and entertaining look at what it takes to establish and grow a successful law practice in today's competitive legal market.

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60 recent

June 16, 2026Episode 13212 min

Private Equity Is Coming, Now What? with Jonathan Hawkins

Private equity is entering the legal industry, and lawyers everywhere are asking the same question: what does it mean for my firm? In this solo episode of The Founding Partner Podcast, Jonathan Hawkins breaks down what is actually happening behind the headlines, how MSOs fit into the picture, and why firm owners should focus less on fear and more on building valuable businesses. If you've been wondering whether private equity is a threat, an opportunity, or simply the next evolution of the legal market, this conversation provides clarity.

June 9, 2026Episode 13154 min

Niching Down in a Small Town with Chris Rodd

What happens when a small-town lawyer decides to walk away from a century-old law firm and build something entirely his own?In this episode of The Founding Partner Podcast, Jonathan Hawkins sits down with Georgia trial lawyer Chris Rodd to discuss entrepreneurship, niching down in a rural market, growing a personal injury firm from the ground up, and why some of the best business lessons come from flying airplanes. From courtroom battles to community impact, Chris shares the mindset that helped transform a one-lawyer practice into a thriving regional firm.

June 2, 2026Episode 13057 min

Fighting Fraudsters with Jon David Huffman

What does it take to build a law firm that grows by more than 60% in a single year while staying true to its mission?In this episode of The Founding Partner Podcast, Jonathan Hawkins sits down with Jon David Huffman, Managing Partner of Poole Huffman, to explore the evolution of a litigation boutique that has grown from a small startup into a thriving firm of nearly 40 professionals. Along the way, they discuss fraud litigation, leadership, culture, mentorship, and why the biggest growth challenge wasn't marketing or hiring, it was changing the way Jon David thought about leadership.

May 26, 2026Episode 12959 min

Value over Volume with Chaz Roberts

What happens when a lawyer stops chasing volume and starts building value instead? In this episode of The Founding Partner Podcast, Jonathan Hawkins sits down with Louisiana attorney and entrepreneur Chaz Roberts to talk about intentional growth, grassroots marketing, marathon lessons, and building a law firm around freedom instead of pressure.From hanging his own shingle at 26 to creating a highly respected personal injury firm built on trust and community relationships, Chaz shares the mindset shifts that shaped his journey.

May 19, 2026Episode 12858 min

Building Systems That Scale with Lorena Saedi

What happens when the lawyer who once swore she would never step into a courtroom ends up building a thriving bankruptcy firm and becoming an early adopter of AI? In this episode of The Founding Partner Podcast, Jonathan Hawkins sits down with Lorena Saedi to talk about unexpected career pivots, building systems that scale, and why bankruptcy lawyers may be the first to see economic shifts before anyone else.This conversation explores technology, entrepreneurship, client relationships, and one powerful idea that every founder eventually faces, building a business that works for your life instead of becoming your life.

May 12, 2026Episode 12757 min

Letting Go of Control and Chasing Big Verdicts with Christopher Newbern

What does it take to bet on yourself in one of the highest-risk areas of law?In this episode of The Founding Partner Podcast, Jonathan Hawkins sits down with Atlanta trial attorney Christopher Newbern to unpack the mindset behind massive verdicts, high-stakes litigation, and building a law firm without relying on traditional advertising. Chris shares why he left insurance defense, how he developed the confidence to try difficult cases, and why learning to trust your instincts matters just as much as learning the law.From $42 million verdicts to the pressure of running a boutique trial practice, this conversation is an honest look at fear, growth, and what it really means to believe in your cases.

May 5, 2026Episode 12640 min

Meeting with 10 Successful Law Firm Owners to Ask What Worked and What Didn’t with Aaron Thomas

What if the real problem in your law firm isn’t a lack of leads, but too many? In this episode of The Founding Partner Podcast, Aaron Thomas returns to challenge one of the most common assumptions in legal growth. From scaling consultations to confronting operational bottlenecks, this conversation reveals what actually limits growth, and how to fix it before it’s too late.

April 28, 2026Episode 12543 min

Cybersecurity for Lawyers with Kellam Parks

What if the biggest threat to your law firm isn’t your competition, but a quiet email you didn’t question?In this episode of The Founding Partner Podcast, Kellam T. Parks returns to break down the real risks behind cybersecurity, data breaches, and why even the most sophisticated firms are vulnerable. This is not fear-driven hype, it is a practical conversation about preparation, protection, and the reality that every firm will face this eventually.

April 21, 2026Episode 1241 hr 1 min

Blazing Her Own Path with Bonnie Richardson

What if the thing holding your firm back… is you?In this episode of The Founding Partner Podcast, Bonnie Richardson shares the real story behind building a law firm from the ground up, navigating fear, failure, and growth. From starting with almost nothing to leading a values-driven firm, this conversation reveals what it really takes to evolve from lawyer to founder.

April 14, 2026Episode 12358 min

Building with a Co-Founder with Angel Casarez

What does it take to build a fast-growing law firm while fighting for your life?In this deeply powerful episode of The Founding Partner Podcast, Angel Casarez shares her journey from immigrant roots to building a 90+ person firm, all while navigating a life-threatening illness. This conversation is about resilience, leadership, and what it really means to grow, in business and in life.