Founding Partner Podcast

Hosted by Jonathan Hawkins

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Episodes

143

Latest episode

Aug 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.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 18, 2026Episode 14157 min

Building a Brand That Lasts with Erik Pelton

What happens when a young lawyer combines an entrepreneurial instinct with an early fascination for technology? Erik Pelton turned that combination into a trademark practice that has continued evolving for more than 25 years. In this episode of The Founding Partner Podcast , Erik shares how flat fees, technology, education, content, and a willingness to learn from failure helped him build a distinctive firm. We also explore why lawyers need to advocate for themselves, how delegation changes a founder's role, and why Erik believes some of his greatest successes began with mistakes.

August 11, 2026Episode 14050 min

How to Grow a Law Firm From 1 Attorney to 12 in 3 Years with Bart Denham

What happens when a lawyer sees an underserved market and decides to build something bigger around it? In this episode of The Founding Partner Podcast , I sit down with Bart Denham, founder and principal attorney of Denham Property and Injury Law Firm, to talk about growing from one attorney to twelve in less than three years, expanding into new markets, building a custom case management system with AI, and learning how relationships can fuel explosive growth.

August 4, 2026Episode 13956 min

Building a National Niche Firm with Steven Nassi

What does it take to walk away from more than two decades of legal experience and build something completely different? In this episode of The Founding Partner Podcast , Jonathan Hawkins sits down with Steven Nassi, founder of Rock Point Law, to talk about his move from representing insurance companies to advocating for consumers, why he chose lemon law, and how intentional decisions around client service, culture, technology, and hiring are helping him build a firm designed for long-term growth.

July 28, 2026Episode 13814 min

Designing Fair Partner Compensation with Jonathan Hawkins

How should equity partners be paid, and why do so many compensation systems create unintended problems? In this solo episode of The Founding Partner Podcast , Jonathan Hawkins explores the strengths and weaknesses of common equity partner compensation models, explains why no system is perfect, and shares a practical framework for creating a compensation plan that rewards both ownership and performance.

July 21, 2026Episode 13757 min

Coming Full Circle with Jason DeSouza

What does success really look like for a law firm founder? For Jason DeSouza, it is not measured by having the biggest office or the largest headcount. It is about building a firm that delivers exceptional results for clients while protecting the people who make the work possible, including himself. In this episode of The Founding Partner Podcast , Jonathan Hawkins sits down with Jason DeSouza, founder of DeSouza Injury Lawyers, to discuss entrepreneurship, intentional growth, community relationships, and why knowing your definition of "enough" may be the most important business decision you ever make.

July 14, 2026Episode 13647 min

It's All About the People with Vivek Tata

What does it really take to launch a law firm from scratch, grow it from six lawyers to thirty in just two years, and still keep your culture intact? In this episode of The Founding Partner Podcast , Jonathan Hawkins sits down with Vivek Tata, founding partner and General Counsel of Elsberg Baker & Maruri, to discuss why the best firms are built around people first, not growth targets. From leaving Big Law to launching a litigation boutique that's already earning national recognition, Vivek shares the mindset, systems, and leadership lessons behind building a firm designed to last.

July 7, 2026Episode 13550 min

Making it Happen By Going Above and Beyond with Dwayne Pennant

What does it take to build a successful law firm when your path isn't the traditional one? In this episode of The Founding Partner Podcast , Jonathan Hawkins sits down with attorney Dwayne Pennant to explore how persistence, service, and genuine relationships helped him build a thriving practice across North Carolina and Massachusetts. From failing the bar exam more than once to earning the trust of clients, judges, and court staff, Dwayne shares why success is less about having the perfect résumé and more about showing up with humility and determination.

June 30, 2026Episode 13456 min

Growing a Firm Through Relationships with Bryan Knight

What does it take to leave a comfortable law firm job and build something of your own? In this episode of The Founding Partner Podcast , Jonathan Hawkins sits down with trial lawyer Bryan Knight, founder of Knight Palmer, to discuss the realities of starting a law firm, developing business through relationships, building a trial practice, and growing a firm without losing its identity. From licking stamps in a one-office startup to handling nationwide class actions, Bryan shares the lessons he's learned over nearly fifteen years of law firm ownership.

June 23, 2026Episode 13356 min

Barred and Bearded with Rilee Harrison

What does it take to launch a law firm in today's legal landscape? For Oklahoma trial lawyer Rilee Harrison, the answer is not flashy marketing campaigns or pretending to be something you're not. It's relationships, authenticity, and a relentless commitment to helping clients get the outcomes they deserve. In this episode of The Founding Partner Podcast, Rilee shares how he transitioned from associate attorney to law firm owner, why social media became one of his most powerful business tools, and the vision behind the firm he's building today.

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.