Lawyerist Podcast

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642

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Oct 2026

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The Lawyerist Podcast helps lawyers build modern law firms that are profitable, efficient, and sustainable. Hosted by the team at Lawyerist, each episode features conversations with law firm owners, legal tech innovators, consultants, and industry experts focused on the business of practicing law. Learn proven strategies for law firm management, legal technology, AI, operations, client experience, leadership, marketing, hiring, and firm growth. Whether you're a solo practitioner or managing a growing team, you'll find practical advice, real-world insights, and actionable ideas you can implement to improve your practice today and prepare for the future of legal services. Subscribe and join thousands of lawyers working to build better businesses, better careers, and better lives.

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October 22, 202639 min

Stop Waiting for the Perfect Plan to Grow Your Law Firm, with Richard Carr

Running a law firm can leave very little time to improve it. Client work takes priority, operational problems pile up, and business planning keeps getting postponed. In episode 642 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Stephanie Everett talks with Lawyerist Business Strategist Richard Carr about finding a manageable starting point when everything feels urgent.  Richard shares why he often begins with a firm owner’s biggest frustration. By identifying where a process breaks down and making a small adjustment, lawyers can start creating the time they need to address larger problems. He walks through how this approach helped one overwhelmed owner get a clearer picture of her caseload and make space for business improvements.  Together, they explore how to connect daily work with long-term goals, protect time for implementation, and improve workflows through testing and automation. They also discuss why waiting for a perfect plan can become its own obstacle.  For lawyers caught between practicing law and managing a business, this episode offers concrete ways to reduce the daily pressure and make steady progress on the firm itself.  Listen to the previous episodes on Law Firm Strategy and Sustainable Growth.  #635: Leading Forward: Why Great Ideas Aren’t Enough for Law Firm Strategy, with Debbie Foster and Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN  #634: Leading Law Firm Operations: Building Systems That Reduce the Daily Firefighting, with Debbie Foster and Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN  #600: Designing a Law Firm You Actually Want to Run, with Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN  #575: From Overwhelmed Lawyer to Strategic Law Firm Owner, with Chad Fox Apple | Spotify | LTN  Links from the episode:  https://smith.ai/  Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!   If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.   Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.   Chapters / Timestamps  00:00 – Introduction00:37 – Turning Conference Ideas into Real Work02:15 – Giving AI the Context It Needs06:09 – Smith.ai Sponsor Conversation: Improving Client Intake09:53 – Qualifying Leads and Creating Clear Next Steps13:33 – Asking Better Intake and Budget Questions18:37 – Meet Richard Carr19:12 – The Two Jobs Every Small Firm Owner Has20:42 – Connecting Law Firm Goals with Everyday Decisions22:06 – Getting Past the Need for a Perfect Plan23:19 – Defining What You Want Your Firm to Support24:51 – Working Backward from Long-Term Goals26:17 – Small Process Changes That Create More Time28:48 – Making Room to Focus on the Bigger Picture31:20 – Finding the Cause of Your Biggest Frustration34:26 – Making Progress Together at LabCon   

October 15, 202634 min

Build or Buy: Choosing the Right AI Tools for Your Law Firm, with Nick Coleman

AI has made it easier for lawyers to build their own software. It has also made it easier to underestimate what comes next. In episode 641 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Zack Glaser talks with Nick Coleman, founder and CEO of LexMed, about when law firms should build their own AI tools and when buying an existing platform makes more sense.  Nick shares how frustrations in his Social Security disability practice led him to create tools that connect medical evidence with complex legal requirements. They explore how AI can make more thorough advocacy possible when time and case economics limit what lawyers can realistically do.  The conversation also examines the responsibilities behind custom software, including security, maintenance, regulatory updates, and ongoing support. Nick explains why customer feedback and shared expertise remain valuable even when code is easier to create. For lawyers considering a DIY solution, this episode offers a practical look at the work behind a tool they can trust.  Listen to the previous episodes on Legal AI and Smarter Law Firm Technology Decisions  #577 – Rethinking Law Firm Growth in the Age of AI, with Sam Harden Apple | Spotify | LTN  #590 – Innovating Without Overwhelm: Practical AI Tips for Lawyers, with Graydon Trusler Apple | Spotify | LTN  #601– Beyond Chatbots: Using Agentic AI in Law Firm Intake, with Matt Spiegel from Lawmatics Apple | Spotify | LTN  #611 – Choosing the Right Legal Tech in the Age of AI, with Scott Clasen Apple | Spotify | LTN  #619 – What Claude Means for Law Firms: AI Skills, Connectors, and Workflow Strategy, with Sam Harden Apple | Spotify | LTN  Links from the episode:  https://lexmed.ai  Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!   If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.   Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.   Chapters / Timestamps  00:00 – Introduction01:00 – Why You Shouldn’t Change Speed Going Uphill04:35 – Meet Nick Coleman05:35 – Building AI Around Real Practice Problems07:20 – Using AI to Find What Lawyers Miss09:50 – When Case Economics Limit Client Advocacy13:05 – Giving Every Client the Attention They Deserve14:05 – Turning an Internal Tool into a Business16:15 – Connecting Medical Evidence to Legal Standards18:35 – When to Build and When to Buy20:30 – Why a Working Prototype Is Just the Beginning23:35 – The Hidden Costs of DIY Legal Tech25:30 – What Software Vendors Offer Beyond Code28:20 – Building Better AI Through Customer Feedback31:00 – Learning to Listen as a Founder32:30 – Is SaaS Really Dead?33:20 – Closing Thoughts   

October 8, 202644 min

Learning AI by Doing, Not Watching, with Ben Schorr

Your firm has AI tools. Your team has questions. In episode 640 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Zack Glaser talks with Ben Schorr about helping lawyers and staff get comfortable using AI through practical, collaborative workshops called prompt-a-thons.  Ben shares what happens when people have time to work through common office tasks with AI, including prioritizing email, preparing reports, and gathering client contact information. As participants improve their prompts and compare ideas, they begin connecting what they are learning to problems they already face at work.  They explore how to organize a prompt-a-thon, why gathering people in the same room can make a difference, and how to keep the experience useful without making it a competition. The conversation also examines how colleagues can become an ongoing source of support as teams discover new ways to use AI.  If your team understands the possibilities but hesitates to try the tools, this episode offers a manageable way to move from watching demonstrations to building practical skills.  Listen to the previous episodes on AI Adoption and Team Confidence.  #624: Building Better Lawyers in the Age of AI, with April Dawson Apple | Spotify | LTN  #598: From Hype to Practice: Using Microsoft Copilot in Your Law Firm, with Ben Schorr Apple | Spotify | LTN  #597: What Lawyers Get Wrong About Teaching Clients and Teams, with Danielle Hall Apple | Spotify | LTN  #590: Innovating Without Overwhelm: Practical AI Tips for Lawyers, with Graydon Trusler Apple | Spotify | LTN   Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!   If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.   Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.   Chapters / Timestamps  00:00 – Introduction  00:32 – How Practice Builds AI Confidence  04:11 – Meet Ben Schorr05:56 – What a Prompt-a-thon Actually Is07:30 – Choosing Everyday Tasks for AI Practice09:36 – Why AI Training Needs a Practice Session12:37 – Building a Community Around AI Use14:13 – Getting Your Inbox Under Control with Copilot15:25 – Refining Prompts for More Useful Results18:18 – Moving from Prompts to Scheduled Tasks and Agents19:44 – Connecting AI to Your Firm’s Information22:00 – Why Documented Procedures Make AI More Useful25:55 – Using AI to Simplify Monthly Reporting27:59 – Extracting Client Contact Information from Email31:35 – In Person, Hybrid, or RemotPrompt-a-thonons37:56 – Measuring Success Through Learning and Confidence39:56 – How to RuPrompt-a-thonthon in Your Firm41:52 – Closing Thoughts 

October 6, 202641 min

Why Copying Competitors' AI Content Won't Grow Your Firm, with Karin Conroy from Conroy Creative

AI can create a law firm website in minutes. Building a useful marketing strategy takes more thought. In episode 639 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Zack Glaser talks with legal marketing consultant Karin Conroy about why easier content creation is leaving so many lawyers overwhelmed and what to do before asking AI for another post.  Karin shares a five-step approach to putting your marketing in order: evaluate your current state, set your strategy, repair the foundation, map your channels, and build a content engine. She explains how understanding your ideal clients and the ways they already find you can help you decide where AI belongs.  Together, they explore why viral posts can generate attention without advancing your business goals, how a polished website can still miss the mark, and why your website, intake process, and referral systems need to support whatever you publish. They also discuss how online marketing and personal relationships can work together to make your firm more memorable.  If every new AI tool makes you feel further behind, this episode offers a practical way to identify what needs attention first and move forward with a clearer plan.  Listen to the previous episodes of our AI, Branding & Law Firm Marketing.  #610: Beyond Copycat Marketing: Building a Law Firm Brand That Actually Converts, with Karin Conroy Apple | Spotify | LTN  #603: Turn Expertise into Clients: Building Authority That AI Recognizes, with Karin Conroy Apple | Spotify | LTN  #584: How to Stay Human in the Age of AI-driven Law Firm Marketing, with Creative Conroy Apple | Spotify | LTN   #580: Smarter Law Firm Marketing: AI Tools That Actually Work, with FirmPilot Apple | Spotify | LTN  Links from the episode:  https://conroycreativecounsel.com/  Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!   If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.   Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.   Chapters / Timestamps  00:00 – Introduction  01:06 – Meet Karin Conroy and the AI Website Question  04:39 – Why Law Firms Skip the Marketing Fundamentals  06:28 – Why AI Creates More Marketing Overwhelm  11:33 – Putting Strategy Before Marketing Tactics  13:56 – Defining Your Strategy and Ideal Client  14:52 – Why Going Viral Doesn’t Mean Getting Clients  16:34 – Why Copying Competitors’ Marketing Doesn’t Work  18:32 – Making Sure Your Website Can Support Your Marketing  21:02 – Choosing Channels Based on How Clients Find You  22:40 – Repairing Your Marketing Foundation Before Adding AI  24:25 – When Your Law Firm Website Needs a Refresh  29:42 – How Website Design Shapes Client Trust  32:58 – Standing Out When Everyone Uses AI  35:22 – Five Steps to Get Your Marketing on Track  36:32 – Connecting Your Online and Offline Marketing  38:09 – Why Human Relationships Still Drive Growth  39:44 – Closing Thoughts   

October 1, 202627 min

Building a Law Firm Around One Clear Vision, with Megan Burns

Running two practice areas can feel like running two law firms under one roof. In episode 638 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Stephanie Everett talks with Megan Burns, managing partner at Mirador Law, about the firm’s decision to focus entirely on plaintiff personal injury after years of also handling criminal defense.  After 20 years as a criminal defense lawyer, Megan knew her trial skills could carry over. The business side required its own transition. She explains how different fee structures, marketing needs, and staffing demands led her and her partner to rethink how the firm operated. They started with a partner retreat to agree on a long term vision, then mapped out the steps needed to make it real.  Together, they discuss how to narrow a practice, support the people affected by the change, and build a firm around a shared direction. If your firm handles several practice areas and you are wondering where to focus, this episode offers a practical place to start.  Listen to the previous episodes of our Law Firm Strategy & Leading Change.  #635: Leading Forward: Why Great Ideas Aren’t Enough for Law Firm Strategy, with Debbie Foster & Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN  #633: Leading People in Law Firms: Building Trust, Developing Talent, and Holding Standards, with Debbie Foster & Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN  #600: Designing a Law Firm You Actually Want to Run, with Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN  #575: From Overwhelmed Lawyer to Strategic Law Firm Owner, with Chad Fox Apple | Spotify | LTN  Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!   If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.   Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.   Chapters / Timestamps  00:00 – Introduction00:47 – Why Law Firm Growth Takes a Process03:19 – Meet Megan Burns03:53 – From Public Defender to Personal Injury Lawyer05:41 – How Trial Skills Transfer Between Practice Areas07:49 – Changing Practice Areas Changes the Business Model09:11 – Flat Fees, Contingency Fees, and Financial Risk11:03 – When Two Practice Areas Became Too Much11:45 – Setting a New Vision at a Partner Retreat13:13 – Why Two Practice Areas Can Feel Like Two Firms15:27 – Getting Law Partners on the Same Page18:00 – Turning the Vision Into a Plan for the Team20:01 – How Leaders Set the Tone for Change22:27 – Building on a 50 Year Firm Legacy24:20 – Competing as a Small Personal Injury Firm26:11 – Closing Thoughts 

September 24, 202633 min

Fifty Referral Partners Is All You Need, with Jay Ruane

Most lawyers know relationships lead to referrals. The challenge is keeping those relationships alive when everything else gets busy. In this episode of the Lawyerist Podcast, Stephanie Everett talks with Jay Ruane about analog marketing and the simple systems that make staying connected part of running a firm.  Jay explains why offline marketing often falls apart after the first month and how a repeatable approach can help lawyers follow through. They explore using AI to identify forgotten connections in your inbox, making time for short coffee meetings, and becoming the person others trust to make a useful introduction.  The conversation also covers networking as an introvert, asking about someone else’s ideal client, and choosing thoughtful gifts that people actually want to keep. Jay shares why his firm sends clients blankets without its logo and why a manageable network of 50 referral partners can support a successful practice.  If your marketing plan depends on remembering to reach out when things slow down, this episode offers a more practical way to build relationships, generate referrals, and keep showing up.    Listen to the previous episodes of our Referral Marketing, Relationship Building & Law Firm Growth.  #636: Why Past Clients May Be Your Law Firm’s Best Growth Strategy, with EJ Stern & Katherine Wilson Apple | Spotify | LTN  #608: Business Development for Lawyers: Building Real Relationships That Lead to Clients, with Megan Senese Apple | Spotify | LTN  #606: Breaking the Copycat Cycle: Building a Law Firm with Personality, with Patrick Patino Apple | Spotify | LTN  #515: Simple Marketing Hacks Lawyers Swear By, with Gyi Tsakalakis Apple | Spotify | LTN  Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!   If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.   Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.   Chapters / Timestamps  00:00 – Introduction  00:59 – Stephanie’s Blog and the Lawyerist Community  03:02 – Meet Jay Ruane  03:57 – Why Relationship Marketing Needs a System  07:17 – Keeping Your Systems Simple  08:46 – Why Analog Marketing Still Works  11:01 – Using AI to Rediscover Referral Connections  12:07 – Building a Network by Connecting Others  14:13 – Networking as an Introvert  17:19 – Preparing for Better Conversations  19:31 – Talking Business Without Forcing a Pitch  20:32 – Asking for Introductions  21:43 – Moving Beyond a Scarcity Mindset  22:41 – Thoughtful Gifts vs. Branded Merchandise  26:16 – Conference Giveaways People Actually Want  27:11 – Making a Book a Personal Gift  28:31 – Building a Repeatable Marketing Routine  29:49 – Why 50 Referral Partners Can Be Enough  30:46 – Closing Thoughts 

September 17, 202638 min

Why Past Clients May Be Your Law Firm’s Best Growth Strategy, with EJ Stern & Katherine Wilson

Law firms spend enormous amounts of time and money winning new clients, then often overlook the relationships they have already built. In episode 636 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Stephanie Everett talks with EJ Stern and Katherine Wilson about how intentional client nurturing can lead to stronger relationships, repeat business, and more referrals.  EJ and Katherine explain why clients can quietly disappear when firms stop staying connected, why asking for feedback can strengthen rather than threaten a relationship, and how lawyers can move beyond being the person clients call with one legal problem to becoming a trusted advisor they call about everything else.  They also share practical ways to stay top of mind, from LinkedIn and personal check-ins to thoughtful gifts, memorable experiences, and small gestures that show you actually know the person behind the matter. As AI-generated communication becomes easier to produce, authentic human connection may become even more valuable.  If your firm is constantly focused on finding the next client, this conversation is a reminder that some of your best growth opportunities may already know, like, and trust you.  Listen to the previous episodes of our Client Retention, Referral Growth & Relationship Building.  #609: Improve Client Satisfaction Without More Work: Designing Smarter Legal Services, with Laura Hartnett Apple | Spotify | LTN  #608: Business Development for Lawyers: Building Real Relationships That Lead to Clients, with Megan Senese Apple | Spotify | LTN  #592: Client Care, Culture, and Character: A Framework for Great Leaders, with William O’Neal Apple | Spotify | LTN  #526: LinkedIn Mastery: Grow Your Law Firm NOW!, with Matthew Hunt Apple | Spotify | LTN  #424: How to Get Great Feedback from Clients, with Ashley Steckler Apple | Spotify | LTN  #347: How a Client Happiness Coordinator Increased My Firm Referrals & Reviews, with Ryan McKeen & Brittany Green Apple | Spotify | LTN  Links from the episode:  https://smith.ai/  8am Kaleidoscope: https://www.8am.com/events/kaleidoscope/  Fractional Law Firm CMO  Fractional Law Firm CMO on LinkedIn  EJ Stern on LinkedIn  Katherine Wilson on LinkedIn  Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!   If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.   Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.   Chapters / Timestamps   00:00 – Introduction  01:16 – Getting More From Conferences  03:02 – AI in Law Firms  06:39 – AI for Client Intake  08:15 – Intake Is a Sales Funnel  11:19 – Fixing Intake Leaks  13:22 – AI for Sales and Intake  14:53 – Meet EJ Stern & Katherine Wilson  15:36 – Why Client Retention Gets Overlooked  16:19 – Turning Clients Into Referrals  17:47 – Why Lawyers Avoid Feedback  21:01 – Why Client Experience Matters  21:54 – Becoming a Trusted Advisor  22:54 – How to Ask for Client Feedback  24:33 – Staying Top of Mind  25:27 – Building Client Loyalty  26:50 – Past Clients and Referral Sources  28:41 – Creative Client Gifts  32:22 – Human Connection in the Age of AI  34:50 – Invest in Existing Clients  35:21 – Building Long-Term Client Relationships  36:11 – Marketing Is Like the Gym  37:13 – LinkedIn and Staying Top of Mind  38:00 – Keep Repeating Your Message  38:21 – Closing Thoughts   

September 10, 202633 min

Leading Forward: Why Great Ideas Aren't Enough for Law Firm Strategy, with Debbie Foster & Stephanie Everett

Law firms know change is coming. Knowing what to do about it is harder. In this episode of the Lawyerist Podcast, Stephanie Everett talks with Debbie Foster about leading a law firm forward as technology, client expectations, and the business of law evolve.  Debbie explains why strategy often gets pushed aside for urgent client work and day-to-day demands. Together, they explore why firms struggle to move beyond “we’ve always done it this way,” how consensus can stall progress, and why great ideas mean little without execution and team buy-in.  They also examine how AI is raising the stakes for law firm leaders. Waiting for certainty is not a strategy. Stephanie and Debbie share practical ways to protect time for strategic thinking, challenge assumptions, build buy-in, and help teams adapt to change.  If your firm keeps talking about what needs to change but struggles to make it happen, this episode will help you move from ideas to action.  Listen to the previous episodes of our Law Firm Leadership Series.  #632: Law Firm Leadership: How to Lead Yourself Before Leading Your Team, with Debbie Foster & Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN  #633: Leading People in Law Firms: Building Trust, Developing Talent, and Holding Standards, with Debbie Foster & Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN  #634: Leading Law Firm Operations: Building Systems That Reduce the Daily Firefighting, with Debbie Foster & Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN  Links from the episode:  https://posh.com/lawyerist/  https://lawyerist.com/scorecard/  https://beanextlevelleader.com/    Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!   If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read Be a Next Level Leader yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.   Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.   Chapters / Timestamps  00:00 – Introduction  01:47 – The New Small Firm Scorecard™  03:23 – Making Law Firm Progress Easier to Measure  06:38 – AI & Virtual Receptionists  08:08 – AI vs. Automation: What’s the Difference?  09:03 – Using AI to Enhance the Client Experience  12:03 – AI for Sentiment Analysis & Quality Assurance  13:04 – Keeping Humans in Control of AI  14:56 – Leading Your Law Firm Forward  15:24 – Why Law Firm Strategy Gets Pushed Aside  16:54 – AI Is Changing the Game for Law Firms  18:35 – Law Firms Are Playing 3D Chess  19:30 – Why Strategic Thinking Needs Protected Time  20:40 – Looking Beyond the Day-to-Day  22:47 – Moving Past “We’ve Always Done It This Way”  24:02 – Why Leading Through Change Is So Hard  24:34 – Great Ideas Aren’t the Problem. Execution Is.  26:58 – The Business Case for Law Firm Strategy  28:39 – Creating Believers Inside Your Law Firm  31:09 – Building a Culture That Thinks Ahead  32:28 – Why Leaders Will Build the Next Era of Law Firms 

September 3, 202633 min

Leading Law Firm Operations: Building Systems That Reduce the Daily Firefighting, with Debbie Foster & Stephanie Everett

Law firm leaders are often so busy putting out fires that they never get the chance to prevent the next one. In episode 634 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Stephanie Everett talks with Debbie Foster about leading operations, the third cornerstone from their book, Be a Next Level Leader (beanextlevelleader.com).  Debbie and Stephanie explore what it means to shift from being the “hero” who solves every problem to the architect who builds systems that help the firm run better. They break down how leaders can help teams prioritize urgent versus important work, clarify decision-making authority, and develop the judgment to make better decisions without constantly escalating them.  They also explain why healthy firms surface problems early instead of hiding mistakes, how solving root causes can prevent recurring operational headaches, and why some law firm meetings cost far more than the decisions being made inside them.  If your days feel like an endless cycle of interruptions, emergencies, and meetings about the same problems, this episode offers practical ways to build systems that create more clarity, accountability, and consistency across your firm.  This week's homework: head to beanextlevelleader.com/resources for a free meeting audit calculator to see what your recurring meetings are really costing your firm.  Listen to our previous episodes on Law Firm Leadership, Systems & Stronger Teams  #633: Leading People in Law Firms: Building Trust, Developing Talent, and Holding Standards, with Debbie Foster & Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN  #632: Law Firm Leadership: How to Lead Yourself Before Leading Your Team, with Debbie Foster & Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN  #631: Tune In Before You Jump In: A Better Way to Delegate, with Shawn Vanderhoven Apple | Spotify | LTN  #616: From Solo to CEO: Letting Go of Legal Work to Grow Your Firm, with Ellen Williamson Apple | Spotify | LTN  #615: How to Stop Being the Bottleneck and Build Stronger Teams, with Debbie Foster and Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN  #530: How to Design Meetings that Drive Results, with Matthew Homann Apple | Spotify | LTN  #522: The EOS Secret to Mastering Law Firm Challenges, with Mike Paton Apple | Spotify | LTN  Links from the episode: Kaleidoscope Conference, September 22-24 in Las Vegas: https://www.8am.com/events/kaleidoscope/ use code “Lawyerist26”    Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram!   For more on leading operations, check out Be a Next Level Leader at beanextlevelleader.com. Looking for help beyond the book?  Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.   Chapters / Timestamps  00:00 – Introduction  00:37 – Lawyerist Heads to Kaleidoscope in Las Vegas  03:23 – What Law Firms Can Learn from the Savannah Bananas  05:01 – Why Ridiculous Ideas Can Lead to Better Solutions  07:20 – The Third Cornerstone of Law Firm Leadership  07:44 – Leading Operations: Turning Ideas into Systems  09:29 – Stop Being the Hero and Start Being the Architect  11:01 – Why Nonbillable Work Can Be Your Most Valuable Work  11:35 – Building Better Systems One Problem at a Time  12:32 – Urgent vs. Important: Helping Your Team Prioritize  13:13 – Why Urgent Work Keeps Taking Over  15:07 – Teach Your Team to Think Without Rescuing Them  15:54 – Priorities, Trade-Offs & Better Judgment  16:45 – Who Actually Gets to Make the Decision?  19:18 – Why Law Firms Struggle with the Fear of Being Wrong  21:02 – Create a Culture Where Problems Surface Early  23:24 – Stop Fixing Symptoms and Find the Root Cause  25:10 – Audit Your Law Firm Meetings  25:50 – The $7,000 Meeting Problem  27:02 – Death by Meeting vs. Not Meeting Enough  28:17 – How to Run Meetings That Actually Accomplish Something  29:27 – Stop the Law Firm Rumor Mill  30:25 – This Week’s Leadership Homework 

August 27, 202623 min

Leading People in Law Firms: Building Trust, Developing Talent, and Holding Standards, with Debbie Foster & Stephanie Everett

Most lawyers are taught how to practice law, not how to lead people. Then one day, they are handed a team and expected to figure it out. In episode 633 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Stephanie Everett talks with Debbie Foster about leading people, the second cornerstone from their book, Be a Next Level Leader.  Debbie and Stephanie break people's leadership into four essential responsibilities: building trust, developing others, communicating clearly, and holding standards. They explain why trust grows through small, human interactions, why leaders often overload their most dependable employees, and how delegation can become a tool for development instead of a way to clear your own plate.  They also explore why teams cannot meet expectations that were never clearly communicated, how positive and constructive feedback help people grow, and why “no news is good news” is not a leadership strategy.  If you want to build a team that can take greater ownership, perform at a higher level, and succeed without relying on one overburdened A player, this episode offers a practical place to start.  Listen to our previous episodes on Law Firm Leadership, Delegation, and Building Stronger Teams.  #632: Law Firm Leadership: How to Lead Yourself Before Leading Your Team, with Debbie Foster & Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN  #631: Tune In Before You Jump In: A Better Way to Delegate, with Shawn Vanderhoven Apple | Spotify | LTN  #616: From Solo to CEO: Letting Go of Legal Work to Grow Your Firm, with Ellen Williamson Apple | Spotify | LTN  #615: How to Stop Being the Bottleneck and Build Stronger Teams, with Debbie Foster and Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN    Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!   If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.   Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.   Chapters / Timestamps  00:00 – Introduction  00:21 – Track Your Firm’s Progress with the Small Firm Scorecard  03:17 – Leading People: The Second Leadership Cornerstone  04:25 – Trust, Development, Communication, and Standards  05:59 – Why Law Firms Do Not Teach People Management  07:42 – Building Trust Through Real Relationships  08:58 – Small Conversations That Strengthen Trust  10:54 – Delegating to Develop, Not Just to Offload Work  11:26 – The Overburdened A Player Problem  12:48 – Becoming a Multiplier for Your Team  13:31 – Match Delegation to Skill and Readiness  14:52 – Set Clear Expectations Before Asking for More  16:38 – Why Feedback Is a Leadership Skill  18:33 – “No News Is Good News” Does Not Work  19:08 – Learn How Your People Want to Be Recognized  19:53 – A Simple Framework for Better Feedback  21:14 – Holding Standards Without Being Harsh  22:15 – Closing Thoughts and What Comes Next 