Great Practice. Great Life. by Atticus

Hosted by Steve Riley

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197

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Aug 2026

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About the show

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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August 17, 2026Episode 19740 min

Build a Million-Follower Legal Brand Without Letting Growth Overwhelm Your Firm with Angel Leal | Ep 197

You know your clients and referral sources are on social media. You know you should probably be there, too. But what are you supposed to post? How often? And is any of it actually going to bring business into your firm? In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, Steve Riley sits down with attorney Angel Leal, who went from a zero-dollar marketing budget to building an audience of more than one million followers. Angel shares what changed when he stopped trying to sound impressive and started approaching social media differently. Steve and Angel also explore how visibility can become a real law firm marketing strategy without creating another full-time job for an already busy attorney. If social media has always felt awkward, inconsistent, or like one more thing you "should" be doing, Angel's story may change the way you think about showing up online. ___________ In this episode, you will hear: How Angel built more than one million followers. Why consistency matters more than perfect posts. How media interviews build authority and content. When to add a publicist and support team. Why growth requires stronger systems and capacity. ___________ 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.⭐ If there's a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at steve.riley@atticusadvantage.com . ___________ Supporting Resources: Angel F. Leal, Jr. P.A. https://www.angelleal.com/en/ Ep 184: From Burnout to Thriving Law Firm: What Angel Leal Did Differently https://atticusadvantage.com/podcast/burnout-to-thriving-law-firm-angel-leal Ep 193: When Success Becomes a Trap for Law Firm Owners with Jennie Bretschneider https://atticusadvantage.com/podcast/when-success-becomes-a-trap-for-law-firm-owners-with-jennie-bretschneider/ The Summit https://atticussummit.com The Path to a Great Practice & a Great Life Workshop (discount code: PODCAST500) https://atticusadvantage.com/workshops/the-path-to-a-great-practice-great-life/ Atticus Newsletter https://atticusadvantage.com/newsletter-signup/ Chris Murphy https://atticusadvantage.com/team/chris-murphy Ep. 146: The Client Upgrade System That Changes Everything with Chris Murphy https://atticusadvantage.com/podcast/client-upgrade-system ___________ Curious about growing your own practice without burning out? Contact Atticus 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 newsletter 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.

August 10, 2026Episode 19652 min

The $1 Million Delegation Lesson: Trust, Verify, and Protect Your Law Firm with Craig Goldenfarb | Ep 196

What would you do if you discovered two trusted executives had allegedly stolen nearly $1 million from your law firm? In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, Steve Riley sits down with attorney Craig Goldenfarb to discuss one of the most challenging moments of his career and the leadership lessons that followed. Rather than retreating into micromanagement, Craig rebuilt his firm with stronger systems, better accountability, and a renewed approach to delegation. This is more than a story about fraud. It's a conversation about trust, leadership, and how to protect your firm without becoming the bottleneck. If you're building a growing law firm and wondering how to delegate with confidence while protecting the business you've worked so hard to create, this episode is one you won't want to miss. In this episode, you will hear: The leadership lessons that emerged from a major breach of trust How to delegate without losing visibility or accountability Financial safeguards every growing law firm should consider The role of systems, vendors, and team oversight Rebuilding trust while continuing to grow ___________ 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.⭐ If there's a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at steve.riley@atticusadvantage.com . ___________ Supporting Resources: Craig M. Goldenfarb https://goldlaw.com/about/attorneys/craig-m-goldenfarb GOLDLAW https://goldlaw.com The Secrets to Becoming an 8-Figure Attorney with Craig Goldenfarb https://atticusadvantage.com/podcast/the-secrets-to-becoming-an-8-figure-attorney-with-craig-goldenfarb Referral Marketing Secrets to Scale Your Law Firm with Craig Goldenfarb https://atticusadvantage.com/podcast/referral-marketing-secrets The Summit https://atticussummit.com Group Coaching https://buildmygreatteam.com Atticus Newsletter https://atticusadvantage.com/newsletter-signup ___________ Curious about growing your own practice without burning out? Contact Atticus 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 newsletter 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.

August 3, 2026Episode 19551 min

Let Go of Guilt and Build a More Profitable Law Firm with Jennifer Felten | Ep 195

Do you ever feel guilty no matter what you choose? You're at work thinking you should be home. You're home thinking about work. You grow your firm, but somehow the success doesn't feel the way you expected it would. Attorney Jennifer Felten knows that feeling well. When Jennifer first joined Atticus, her law firm was struggling. Years later, she has a team of nearly 30 people and has grown her revenue by more than 500%. But one of the biggest breakthroughs she experienced wasn't about marketing, hiring, or systems. It was realizing how much guilt was driving the decisions she made every day. In this conversation, Jennifer and Steve Riley talk about the expectations we put on ourselves, why guilt can quietly limit both your life and your business, and how learning to pause instead of automatically saying "yes" changed the way Jennifer leads her firm. If you've ever ended the day wondering why you still feel behind, even though you've accomplished a lot, this episode will probably feel familiar. ___________ In this episode, you will hear: Why guilt follows so many attorneys, at work and at home How guilt can quietly hold back your firm's growth A different way to think about your calendar and your priorities Why "no" is sometimes the best answer for you and your clients One simple question to ask before saying "yes" ___________ 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.⭐ If there's a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at steve.riley@atticusadvantage.com . ___________ Supporting Resources: Jennifer Felten, Esq. https://relawapc.com/team/jennifer-felten/ RELAW, APC https://relawapc.com/ Previous Episode: Breaking Into Growth: How We Grew Our Law Firm 400% Over 6 Years and Learned to Take 6 Weeks Off Annually with Jennifer & Fred Felten https://atticusadvantage.com/podcast/breaking-into-growth-how-we-grew-our-law-firm-400-over-6-years-and-learned-to-take-6-weeks-off-annually-with-jennifer-fred-felten/ My Great Life Focus https://mygreatlifefocus.com Group Coaching https://buildmygreatteam.com Atticus Newsletter https://atticusadvantage.com/newsletter-signup The Great Practice Breakthrough https://atticusadvantage.com/workshops/the-great-practice-breakthrough/ (Code PODCAST100 for $100 off) Atticus Coaching https://atticusadvantage.com/ ___________ Curious about growing your own practice without burning out? Contact Atticus 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 newsletter 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.

July 27, 2026Episode 19433 min

Is Managing Your Law Firm Costing You Money? with Kent Berk | Ep 194

Attorney Kent Berk thought he'd reached the other side. His firm was thriving. He'd built a great team. He was finally enjoying the freedom he'd worked years to create. Then, within days, three key employees were gone. In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, Kent returns to share what happened next. Together, he and Steve Riley unpack the hard lessons that followed, why the setback forced Kent to rethink his role in the firm, and how it ultimately changed the way he leads. This isn't just a conversation about losing employees. It's about what happens when the business you've built suddenly forces you to look at it differently. If you've ever wondered whether you're spending your time on the right things, or what it really takes to build a law firm that lasts, this episode is worth a listen. ___________ In this episode, you will hear: Why losing key employees became the catalyst for building a stronger law firm How fractional leadership can help law firms scale without adding unnecessary overhead The importance of defining your role as the firm owner How KPIs, accountability, and operational leadership work together Why great leaders stop trying to do everything themselves ____________ 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.⭐ If there's a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at steve.riley@atticusadvantage.com . ___________ Supporting Resources: Kent Berk https://berklawgroup.com/team/kent-berk/ Berk Law Group https://berklawgroup.com/ Daniel Struna, Esq., Practice Advisor & Attorney https://atticusadvantage.com/team/daniel-struna/ Episode: From Burnout to 200 Days Off: How Kent Berk Rebuilt His Firm to Run Without Him https://atticusadvantage.com/podcast/from-burnout-to-200-days-off-kent-berk/ Episode: AI Is Not Your Lawyer: Protecting Client Privilege with Kent Berk https://atticusadvantage.com/podcast/ai-is-not-a-lawyer/ Build My Great Team https://buildmygreatteam.com/ DISC Assessment https://atticusadvantage.com/disc-assessment/ Practice Growth Diagnostic https://atticusadvantage.com/practice-growth-diagnostic/ Atticus Newsletter https://atticusadvantage.com/newsletter-signup/ The Great Practice Breakthrough https://atticusadvantage.com/workshops/the-great-practice-breakthrough/ (Use code PODCAST100$ for 100$ off) ___________ Curious about growing your own practice without burning out? Contact Atticus 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 newsletter 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.

July 20, 2026Episode 19355 min

When Success Becomes a Trap for Law Firm Owners with Jennie Bretschneider | Ep 193

From the outside, Jennie Bretschneider's law firm looked like a success. Revenue was climbing, new clients kept coming, and her reputation in the community continued to grow. Behind the scenes, it was a different story. Working 80-hour weeks with no systems, no team, and no clear path forward, Jennie found herself trapped by the very practice she had worked so hard to build. In this episode, she joins Steve Riley to share how she broke free by learning to build a team, document her systems, and lead her law firm instead of carrying it alone. The core lesson: success isn't measured by how much you can handle yourself. The attorneys who build lasting, profitable firms are the ones who increase their capacity, empower their teams, and create a practice that supports both their business and their life. Ready for your own Gut Check? If you heard Jennie's story and thought, "That sounds a little too familiar," I want to invite you to take a simple next step. Schedule a free Law Practice Gut Check call with one of our team members. We'll walk you through the same core areas we talked about in the session Jennie attended three years ago: your time, your money, your team, your systems, and whether you own the practice or the practice owns you. You do not have to figure it out alone. Sometimes the first step is just getting honest about where you are. ___________ In this episode, you will hear: Why successful attorneys often become victims of the "success trap" and how to recognize it before burnout takes over. How building the right team creates capacity, allowing you to grow your law firm without carrying every responsibility yourself. The systems every growing law firm needs to stop relying on the owner's memory and make delegation possible. Why thinking like an athlete instead of a workaholic changes how you approach coaching, leadership, and long-term growth. How investing in your health and personal life can make you a stronger law firm owner—not a less productive one. ___________ 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.⭐ If there's a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at steve.riley@atticusadvantage.com . ___________ Supporting Resources: Jennie Bretschneider https://www.daviswillsandtrusts.com/jennie-brets Davis Wills & Trusts PC daviswillsandtrusts.com Schedule Your Free Law Practice Gut Check Law Firm Coaching https://atticusadvantage.com/coaching The Path to a Great Practice & Great Life https://atticusadvantage.com/workshops/the-path-to-a-great-practice-great-life/ Team Leader Certification Program https://atticusadvantage.com/law-firm-team-leader-certification Intake Mastery workshop https://atticusadvantage.com/workshops/intake-mastery-workshop/ My Great Life Focus https://mygreatlifefocus.com ___________ Curious about growing your own practice without burning out? Contact Atticus 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 newsletter 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.

July 13, 2026Episode 19235 min

From Lawyer to Law Firm Owner: How to Make Big Decisions with Jordan Ostroff | Ep 192

Starting a law firm is one of the biggest decisions an attorney can make, but the real skill isn't deciding to open your own practice. It's knowing how to make that decision, and every one after it, without losing sight of the life you actually want. In this episode, Steve Riley sits down with attorney, entrepreneur, and Atticus Practice Advisor Jordan Ostroff to unpack his framework for making hard decisions with confidence. Jordan shares the moment his wife's pregnancy announcement collided with $200,000 in firm debt, and how it pushed him to cut his marketing budget to almost zero just to get time back with his newborn son. He lays out a four part approach to high stakes decisions, including a Harvard study showing people are often happier when they can't change their minds, and explains why he wrote his own obituary to figure out what actually mattered. If you've ever wondered whether you're building a business that serves your life, or a job that owns you, this conversation will challenge the way you think about both success and the decisions that get you there. ____________ In this episode, you will hear: How to stop building your law firm around someone else's definition of success. A practical framework for making big business decisions with more confidence and less second-guessing. Why most decisions don't deserve your time, and which ones actually shape your future. How to transition from being a busy attorney to becoming the owner of a business that supports your life. Simple ways to test major decisions before making commitments you can't easily undo. ___________ 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.⭐ If there's a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at steve.riley@atticusadvantage.com . ___________ Supporting Resources: Jordan Ostroff, Practice Advisor & Attorney https://atticusadvantage.com/team/jordan-ostroff/ Podcast: From Esq. to Owner https://atticusadvantage.com/podcast-esq-to-owner/ Harvard Study: Decisions and Revisions: The Affective Forecasting of Changeable Outcomes https://dtg.sites.fas.harvard.edu/Gilber%20t%26%20Ebert%20%28DECISIONS%20%26%20REVISIONS%29.pdf Ep 99: Do Happy Lawyers Make More Money? with Kevin Snyder https://atticusadvantage.com/podcast/do-happy-lawyers-make-more-money-with-kevin-snyder/ Kevin's Happiness Scorecard https://atticusadvantage.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Scorecard-Happiness-Advantage.pdf Book: The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward by Dan Pink https://a.co/d/0f2zyqy1 My Great Life Focus https://mygreatlifefocus.com Atticus Newsletter https://atticusadvantage.com/newsletter-signup Atticus Summit https://atticussummit.com/ Listen to From Esq. to Owner Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrh5y6Kzkyb3qfxys1KV_cl8u7BGooZKe Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-leid-back-life-loving-entrepreneurship-and/id1782958064 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7L8yJ0rRL66Nrjfe5uX418 ___________ Curious about growing your own practice without burning out? Contact Atticus 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 newsletter 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.

July 6, 2026Episode 19131 min

The Mid-Year Goal Check Every Busy Lawyer Needs | Ep 191

The goals you set at the beginning of the year didn't disappear. They just got buried beneath client demands, constant interruptions, unexpected challenges, and the daily realities of running a law firm. In this episode, Steve Riley offers a practical mid-year reset for attorneys who feel like they've lost momentum. Using memorable stories, simple frameworks, and actionable coaching, Steve explains why achieving your biggest goals isn't about working harder. It's about protecting your time, focusing your energy, and making room for what matters most. Whether you're ahead of schedule or wondering where the last six months went, this episode will help you clear the mental clutter, refocus your priorities, and build a plan that puts your goals back in sight. ___________ In this episode, you will hear: Why most attorneys have a goal-protecting problem, not a goal-setting problem The four hidden forces quietly pulling you away from your biggest goals How "100 busy Tuesdays" can derail an entire year without you noticing A simple framework for deciding whether to keep, adjust, or release your goals Practical strategies to protect your time, focus, and momentum for the rest of the year ___________ 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.⭐ If there's a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at steve.riley@atticusadvantage.com . ___________ Supporting Resources: Steve Riley, Attorney, Shareholder, & Practice Advisor https://atticusadvantage.com/team/steve-riley Law Firm Coaching https://atticusadvantage.com/coaching My Great Life Focus https://mygreatlifefocus.com Worksheet: Mid-Year Rearview Mirror Check worksheet https://atticusadvantage.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Mid-Year-Steering-Check-Fillable-FINAL.pdf 2026 Goal Setting for Lawyers Part 1: Why Your Plan Gets Hijacked https://atticusadvantage.com/podcast/2026-goal-setting-why-your-plan-gets-hijacked 2026 Goal Setting for Lawyers Part 2: Design Your Lane and Stay Focused https://atticusadvantage.com/podcast/2026-goal-setting-lawyers-part-2-design-your-lane-stay-focused Atticus Newsletter https://atticusadvantage.com/newsletter-signup ___________ Curious about growing your own practice without burning out? Contact Atticus 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 newsletter 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.

June 29, 2026Episode 19028 min

How to Get Lawyers Who Hate You to Send You Business | Ep. 190

Some of the best referrals Steve Riley ever received came from the last place most attorneys think to look: opposing counsel. In this solo episode, Steve shares a simple but powerful strategy for turning professional adversaries into long-term referral sources. Through the story of a high-stakes real estate negotiation and an opposing attorney named Richard, Steve reveals how professionalism, emotional intelligence, and intentional relationship-building can create opportunities long after a case is closed. The core lesson: professionalism is profitable. The lawyers who know how to identify worthwhile adversaries, build trust during difficult matters, and stay connected afterward often unlock a referral pipeline that most attorneys never even see. ___________ In this episode, you will hear: Why opposing counsel may be one of the most overlooked referral sources in your practice The "Worthwhile Adversary Test" and how to identify relationships worth investing in What it means to be a "class act" while still being a strong advocate for your client How emotional intelligence helps resolve matters faster and strengthens professional relationships Why the end of a case is often the beginning of a future referral relationship ___________ 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.⭐ If there's a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at steve.riley@atticusadvantage.com . ___________ Supporting Resources: Steve Riley, Attorney, Shareholder, & Practice Advisor https://atticusadvantage.com/team/steve-riley/ Law Firm Coaching https://atticusadvantage.com/coaching Rivals into Referrals 1-Page Cheat Sheet Email: steve.riley@atticusadvantage.com Atticus Newsletter https://atticusadvantage.com/newsletter-signup The Path to a Great Practice & Great Life Virtual Workshop https://atticusadvantage.com/workshops/the-path-to-a-great-practice-great-life/ ($500 off with code: GPGL500) ___________ Curious about growing your own practice without burning out? Contact Atticus 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 newsletter 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.

June 22, 2026Episode 18932 min

AI Is Not Your Lawyer: Protecting Client Privilege with Kent Berk | Ep 189

Steve Riley sits down with attorney Kent Berk this week, on Great Practice, Great Life, to unpack a case every lawyer needs to understand: United States v. Heppner . A former CEO who used a free Claude account to draft thirty-one documents before he was indicted, and prosecutors seized every one of them. The judge ruled none of it was privileged because no attorney directed the work. The bigger lesson extends far beyond one criminal case. Clients are already using ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and other AI tools to research legal issues, draft timelines, summarize facts, and develop strategies, often without telling their attorneys. Kent and Steve explain why that creates new risks for attorney-client privilege, confidentiality, discoverability, and even the quality of evidence in a case. Whether you run a solo practice or a growing firm, this episode offers a roadmap for addressing AI with clients before a preventable mistake becomes a costly problem. The message is clear: AI is here to stay, but legal judgment, privilege, and client trust still require a lawyer. ___________ In this episode, you will hear: How the United States v. Heppner decision stripped privilege from documents created in a free AI account Why attorney-client privilege does not automatically extend AI tools The hidden risk of clients using AI before, during, and after they hire counsel What attorneys should add to intake processes, engagement letters, and firm AI policies Why AI can assist legal work but can never replace attorney judgment ___________ 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.⭐ If there's a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at steve.riley@atticusadvantage.com . ___________ Supporting Resources: Kent Berk https://berklawgroup.com/team/kent-berk/ Berk Law Group https://berklawgroup.com/ Berk Law Group AI Tip Sheet https://berklawgroup.com/tools/ai-client-tipsheet/ Kent's Previous Episode Ep 160 From Burnout to 200 Days Off https://atticusadvantage.com/podcast/from-burnout-to-200-days-off-kent-berk/ The Summit https://atticussummit.com/ Grow Your Law Practice with AI https://atticusadvantage.com/workshops/grow-your-law-practice-with-ai/ United States v. Heppner Case https://harvardlawreview.org/blog/2026/03/united-states-v-heppner/ Atticus Newsletter https://atticusadvantage.com/newsletter-signup ___________ Curious about growing your own practice without burning out? Contact Atticus 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 newsletter 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.

June 15, 2026Episode 18840 min

What Are You Tolerating? How Attorneys Can Reduce Overwhelm with Mark Powers | Ep 188

Most attorneys don't lack ambition. They're drowning in small, unresolved issues that quietly drain their energy, focus, and peace of mind. The overflowing inbox. The postponed difficult conversation. The underperforming team member. The health goals that never happen. Individually they seem minor, but together they create constant overwhelm. In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, Steve Riley talks with Mark Powers, founder of Atticus, about a powerful yet simple solution: eliminating your "tolerations." Discover why overwhelm comes less from having too much to do and more from tolerating things below your standards, and learn practical ways to remove hidden drains so you can regain clarity, energy, and control. If you're a driven attorney who feels stuck or overwhelmed despite working hard, this episode shows you how removing what's draining you is often the fastest path to a great practice and a great life. ___________ In this episode, you will hear: A clear way to identify the hidden tolerations draining your practice and personal life Why naming a problem is often the most powerful first step Practical strategies to eliminate what's weighing you down The powerful connection between raising your standards and increasing your success When to eliminate, delegate, or consciously accept a toleration ___________ 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.⭐ If there's a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at steve.riley@atticusadvantage.com . ___________ Supporting Resources: Mark Powers, President, Shareholder, & Practice Advisor https://atticusadvantage.com/team/mark-powers Law Firm Coaching https://atticusadvantage.com/coaching My Great Life Focus https://mygreatlifefocus.com Atticus Newsletter https://atticusadvantage.com/newsletter-signup The Summit https://atticussummit.com Other episodes featuring Mark Powers: Success Strategies & Succession Planning with Mark Powers https://atticusadvantage.com/podcast/success-strategies-succession-planning-with-mark-powers How You Can Make More Money by Taking Additional Time Off with Mark Powers https://atticusadvantage.com/podcast/how-you-can-make-more-money-by-taking-additional-time-off-with-mark-powers The Bonus Years: Health, Longevity, and Creating a Life You Love https://atticusadvantage.com/podcast/the-bonus-years-health-longevity-and-creating-a-life-you-love Effective Marketing for Lawyers: A Blueprint for Growth https://atticusadvantage.com/podcast/turning-referral-marketing-into-a-business-growth-machine-firm-with-mark-powers-and-shawn-mcnalis ___________ Curious about growing your own practice without burning out? Contact Atticus 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 newsletter 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.