The Managing Partners Podcast: Law Firm Business Podcast

Hosted by Kevin Daisey & Array

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350

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Oct 2026

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About the show

By tuning in to the leading business podcast for lawyers, you can discover how lawyer entrepreneurs are filling their case pipeline while growing their firms in the process. Kevin Daisey interviews today’s top law firm owners, managing partners, and legal experts who share what they’re doing to exponentially grow their law firm practices. We tackle your most pressing questions about leadership, operations, intake, finance, processes, sales, marketing, culture, and much more. The Managing Partners Podcast is hosted by Array, the thought leader in law firm digital marketing. Subscribe for the latest legal marketing insights! arraydigital.com

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November 5, 202637 min

Building a Litigation Firm Like a Sports Roster: Why Client Results Define Quality

Most firm owners know growth alone doesn't guarantee a healthy business. Bruce Barket explains how he built his firm around intentional hiring and a clear focus on results. Kevin Daisey talks with Bruce Barket, who launched his New York litigation firm in 2012 with four people. It now has about 16 to 18 and offices in Manhattan and on Long Island. Fill each practice area with one top leader, then add support as revenue justifies it Focus on profit, not revenue Use a work pyramid so partners, lawyers, and paralegals each do their highest-value work Hire leaders in the profession and the community Handle client expectations of 24/7 access and a fast intake process Weigh the "three lawyer rule" before taking a case others have turned down Bruce also admits the work is never finished. For law firm owners and managing partners, it is a practical look at team design, staffing, and keeping client results at the center.

October 29, 202638 min

AI Visibility, SEO, and the New Law Firm Discovery Playbook

Law firm marketing is shifting fast, and this episode breaks down what still works, what’s losing weight, and what firms need to do now to stay visible in search and AI results. Kevin Daisey talks with David Arato of Lexicon Legal Content about how SEO is starting to look more like traditional PR, why fresh content and real mentions matter more than ever, and why review signals now extend far beyond Google. In this episode you'll learn: Why AI overviews are changing how people search and compare law firms How Reddit, reviews, and citations are influencing visibility Why content freshness and specificity can outperform recycled SEO pages How community involvement and PR create stronger trust signals Why law firms need reviews on multiple platforms, not just Google For managing partners and law firm owners, this episode is a practical look at where attention should go next. If you want to rank, get cited, and stay relevant as search behavior changes, this conversation gives you the clearest signals to watch. Today's episode is sponsored by The Managing Partners Mastermind. Click here to schedule an interview to see if we’re a fit: https://arraydigital.com/the-managing-partners-mastermind/

October 22, 202634 min

How a North Carolina Law Firm Scaled Through Trust and Smart Niches

This episode explores how Leitner, Bragg and Griffin grew from a close-knit partnership into a regional North Carolina law firm by putting culture, trust, and people first. Managing partner Tee Leitner and partner Ellie Bragg share how their firm started with a simple goal: build a place people actually want to work. From there, they expanded across criminal defense, civil litigation, family law, and unique political and local-government disputes. You’ll hear why they still value general practice, how niche cases like public meetings law and sheriff disputes helped build credibility, and why spouse buy-in, leadership, and Friday-at-2 culture matter just as much as case strategy. Build the firm on trust, not ego Use general practice as a foundation Grow into niche work after the basics are strong Hire for culture fit and leadership potential Protect work-life balance to improve retention Let strong service fuel referrals and reputation If you lead a law firm or want to start one, this conversation shows why culture is not a soft issue, it is the operating system that drives growth, retention, and client experience.

October 15, 202639 min

Profitability First: How a Criminal Defense Firm Scaled Without Chasing Every Case

Jo-Anna Nieves shares how she built a growing criminal defense firm by focusing on profitability, not just revenue. Kevin Daisey digs into the decisions, systems, and mindset shifts that helped her scale while staying selective about the work her firm takes on. In this conversation, Jo-Anna explains how the Nieves Law Firm operates across six locations with a hybrid team of about 50 people. She also breaks down why she targets higher-value violent felony cases, invests in automation, and uses transparency to keep her team aligned. In this episode you'll learn: Why top-line revenue can hide weak profitability How case type selection changes margins Why bad-fit clients drain time and energy How weekly metrics meetings improve accountability Why automation should remove manual work, not people How YouTube and media exposure can accelerate brand growth For law firm owners and managing partners, this episode is a practical look at how to grow without losing control. If you want better margins, stronger team performance, and a more scalable firm, Joanna’s approach offers a clear roadmap. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro and profitability teaser (00:01:09) - Welcome and guest introduction (00:02:45) - Nieves Law Firm overview and growth (00:04:43) - Making the Inc 5000 list (00:05:26) - Profitability over top-line revenue (00:07:30) - Pricing, case types, and targeted marketing (00:09:39) - Identifying ideal clients and red flags (00:11:13) - Niching down and leaning into expertise (00:12:44) - Avoiding bad-fit cases and sales lessons (00:14:49) - Delegation and staying out of casework (00:15:58) - Stages of ownership and 2027 optimization goals (00:18:14) - Building an automation team (00:20:13) - Client experience expectations and adapting (00:21:55) - Growth culture and team opportunity (00:24:02) - Transparency with financial numbers (00:26:07) - Weekly huddles and anonymous surveys (00:27:41) - Company events and team feedback (00:28:29) - Loving the numbers and finance meetings (00:29:14) - Overcoming fear and implementing advice (00:30:03) - YouTube growth success story (00:32:17) - Speed of implementation and coaching value (00:33:32) - Just start: podcasting and content creation (00:34:37) - Brand mentions, SEO, and third-party credibility (00:36:22) - Wrap up and how to connect with Joanna

October 8, 202628 min

Lessons from 40 Years in Law: Trial Preparedness, Client Trust, and Firm Growth

This episode dives into what it really takes to build a lasting law practice, from courtroom discipline to firm leadership. Don Marcari shares hard-earned lessons from more than four decades in law and over 200 jury trials. Kevin Daisey and Don also get into the tension between technology and human connection, why trust still matters in every client conversation, and why some legal rules are still deeply unfair to plaintiffs. In this episode you'll learn: Why trial success starts with knowing every fact and preparing for the unexpected How body language, listening, and rapport still shape outcomes in law Why AI can help the profession without replacing personal connection How Virginia and North Carolina contributory negligence rules affect recovery What Don learned from the real case that inspired A Few Good Men Why law firm owners must treat their practice like a business For managing partners and firm founders, this conversation is a reminder that legal skill alone is not enough. Growth comes from strong systems, trusted relationships, and a business mindset that supports the work. Today's episode is sponsored by The Managing Partners Mastermind. Click here to schedule an interview to see if we’re a fit: https://arraydigital.com/the-managing-partners-mastermind/ Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro: AI and the Importance of Human Connection (00:01:01) - Welcome Back Don Makari (00:02:21) - Don's Background and Firm Growth (00:05:17) - Lessons from 200+ Jury Trials (00:08:34) - Technology, AI, and Preserving Personal Connection (00:11:06) - The 1% Rule and Contributory Negligence (00:12:54) - Public Perception of Lawyers and Lawsuit Reform (00:15:25) - The True Story Behind A Few Good Men (00:21:31) - Movie Trivia and Reflections (00:22:33) - Advice for Young Attorneys and Running a Law Firm Like a Business (00:26:20) - Closing Remarks and How to Reach Don

October 1, 202626 min

Human Intake Over AI for Law Firms

In this episode, Kevin Daisey and Amber Wanner dig into why law firms are still losing cases at the first phone call. The big question is simple: should intake be handled by AI, a call center, or a real person who can build trust fast? Amber shares how her background in tech recruiting led to building a gig economy platform for live phone intake, designed to connect callers with trained humans instantly. They explore why empathy, local knowledge, and lived experience can matter more than speed alone. They also break down how the model can save firms money, improve retention, and fit both large and smaller practices. Why callers trust a real person more than AI How gig workers can handle intake on flexible schedules Why law firms can save money with pay-per-call intake How scripts, transcription, and case management updates work Why after-hours intake is a strong starting point How empathy can improve conversion and retention For managing partners, this episode is a practical look at intake, client experience, and what really happens when a potential client calls your firm. Today's episode is sponsored by The Managing Partners Mastermind. Click here to schedule an interview to see if we’re a fit: https://arraydigital.com/the-managing-partners-mastermind/ Chapters (00:00:00) - Cold Open: AI or Human? A Real-Life Test (00:00:54) - Intro to the Managing Partners Podcast (00:01:24) - Meet Amber Wanner (00:02:45) - Amber's Background in Tech Recruiting and Gig Economy (00:04:12) - Founding Israel: Human Connection vs AI Call Centers (00:06:37) - How the Gig Economy Model Works for Intake (00:07:58) - Why Human Empathy Matters in Legal Intake (00:09:31) - Custom Scripts, AI Integration, and Local Networks (00:10:57) - Matching Gig Workers to Calls in Real Time (00:12:19) - Testing the Model: Trials and Cost Savings (00:14:38) - Beta Program and Building Custom Use Cases (00:15:31) - Why Real People Beat AI for High-Stakes Calls (00:17:34) - Revisiting the Idaho Story and Trust (00:18:27) - The Pullback Against All-AI Solutions (00:19:27) - First Impressions and Brand Impact (00:19:55) - Serving Firms of All Sizes (00:20:43) - Creating Community Jobs and Flexible Income (00:21:46) - Differentiator: Love as a Business Strategy (00:22:38) - How to Connect with Amber and Get Isreal (00:24:17) - Closing Thoughts and Extra Opportunities

September 24, 202651 min

Hire Slow, Scale Smart: The Real Law Firm Staffing Playbook

Hiring is one of the hardest parts of law firm growth, and this episode breaks down why. Kevin Daisey and Daniel Struna of Atticus get real about the tension between urgency and intentional hiring. Daniel shares why so many firms wait too long to hire, then end up making rushed decisions under pressure. He introduces the “humble, hungry, and people smart” framework and explains how culture, core values, and fit should lead every staffing decision. In this episode you'll learn: Why “hell yes or no” is a useful hiring rule How humble, hungry, and people smart predicts team success Why hiring under duress leads to bad decisions When to hire before you think you need to How culture creates a bench of future candidates This conversation is especially valuable for managing partners and firm owners trying to scale without breaking their team or their standards. If staffing has been messy, this episode gives you a clearer way to think about it. Today's episode is sponsored by The Managing Partners Mastermind. Click here to schedule an interview to see if we’re a fit: https://arraydigital.com/the-managing-partners-mastermind/ Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro and Hell Yes Hiring Rule (00:00:51) - Welcome and Guest Introduction (00:01:51) - David/Daniel's Background (00:05:46) - What Is Atticus and Who It Helps (00:10:12) - The Four Foundations of a Law Firm (00:11:20) - Why Staffing Is the Hardest Foundation (00:13:49) - Culture, Core Values, and Hiring Books (00:16:09) - The Ideal Team Player: Humble, Hungry, Smart (00:19:23) - Real Examples of Hiring Mistakes (00:22:36) - Emotional Intelligence and Self-Awareness (00:26:34) - Building Culture to Protect the Team (00:29:59) - Hiring Under Duress vs. Building a Bench (00:35:01) - When Should You Make Your First Hire? (00:37:02) - Capacity Drives Revenue Philosophy (00:41:00) - Investing in Hires Like Investing in Property (00:44:12) - Planning Ahead: A Real Estate/Office Space Story (00:46:30) - Value of Coaches and Community (00:48:13) - Closing Thoughts and How to Connect

September 17, 202643 min

Designing a Personal Injury Firm Around Your Life

This episode explores how Bryce McPartland built a personal injury law firm on his own terms. He and Kevin Daisey dig into what it looks like to choose a practice, a place, and a lifestyle that actually fit the way you want to live. Bryce shares his path from small firm work to opening his own practice, then expanding across Washington and into Idaho. He also explains why remote leadership, intentional office placement, and a strong team have helped the firm keep growing. In this episode you'll learn: Why Bryce knew it was time for a new boss How farming shaped his patience for personal injury work Why office location can affect search visibility and client convenience How core values like creativity, curiosity, consistency, and courageousness guide hiring Why people, not just systems, are the hardest part of firm growth How curiosity and abundance help law firm owners keep improving For managing partners and law firm owners, this conversation is a practical reminder that growth does not have to follow a traditional model. If you want a firm that performs well and supports the life you want, this episode offers a clear blueprint. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro and Welcome (00:02:19) - Bryce's Journey to Law and Starting His Firm (00:05:53) - Firm Locations and Expansion in Washington (00:07:36) - Living Remotely While Running the Firm (00:09:58) - Brick and Mortar vs Online: Office Strategy (00:12:40) - Choosing Submarkets Over Big Cities (00:17:04) - Challenges: People, Mistakes, and Growth (00:19:53) - Core Values and Hiring for Culture (00:23:25) - Personality Testing and Team Dynamics (00:26:05) - Anonymous Surveys and Employee Feedback (00:30:22) - Starting Out: Taking the Leap and Building Referrals (00:35:20) - Networking, Resources, and Building Relationships (00:38:30) - Closing Thoughts and Final Advice

September 10, 202634 min

Scaling a Niche Law Firm Without Losing the Human Touch

This episode is all about how a niche law firm can grow fast without sacrificing client care. Kevin Daisey talks with Shannon Laymon-Pecoraro of East Coast Elder Law about the systems, staffing, and branding decisions that helped her build quickly. Shannon shares how her business background, niche focus, and commitment to staying personal with clients shaped her firm’s growth. She also explains why AI can help some workflows, but why her senior client base still needs real human contact. In This Episode You'll Learn: Why hyper-niching can help a law firm scale faster How Shannon built a seven-figure firm with a lean team Why elder law requires personal service, not just automation How she uses systems like Claude without overrelying on AI Why “highest and best use” is central to delegation How personal branding and community presence compound over time This episode is especially useful for law firm owners and managing partners who want practical ways to grow, delegate, and market more effectively. Shannon’s story is a clear example of how strategy, consistency, and client experience can drive real momentum. Today's episode is sponsored by The Managing Partners Mastermind. Click here to schedule an interview to see if we’re a fit: https://arraydigital.com/the-managing-partners-mastermind/ Chapters (00:00:00) - Growing Your Firm (00:00:44) - Starting a Law Firm (00:01:22) - How to start a law firm with three offices (00:04:43) - What Makes a Niche? (00:06:53) - Grow Your Firm: Part 3 (00:10:36) - Will AI Replace Your Law Firm? (00:15:56) - Bradley: On Delegate Time (00:22:17) - Can I Compete With My Firm? (00:26:29) - Married Businesswoman on Starting Her Own Firm (00:31:10) - A Coast Attorney's LinkedIn Message (00:33:34) - Grow Your Firm With This Podcast

September 3, 202622 min

AI in Criminal Defense: Efficiency Without Losing the Human Touch

Kevin Daisey sits down with criminal defense lawyer Jason Goldman to talk about the realities of running a boutique litigation practice in the age of AI. The big question: how do you get more efficient without sacrificing judgment, preparation, or the human side of lawyering? Jason shares how his background as a Brooklyn prosecutor shaped his aggressive, trial-focused approach and why he often handles cases across state lines. He also breaks down how he uses AI as a support tool, not a replacement, especially for transcripts, templates, and appellate prep. In this episode you'll learn: Why AI should help lawyers get 50 to 70 percent of the way there How Jason uses AI for long transcripts and appellate issue spotting Why trial prep still requires old school case review Why criminal defense intake still needs a real person How referrals and one-on-one relationships built Jason’s firm For managing partners and solo attorneys, this conversation is a practical reminder that the best firms combine speed, technology, and trust. If you want to scale without losing your edge, this episode is worth your time. Today's episode is sponsored by The Managing Partners Mastermind. Click here to schedule an interview to see if we’re a fit: https://arraydigital.com/the-managing-partners-mastermind/ Chapters (00:00:00) - Will AI Help You Pick the Right Case? (00:00:46) - Welcome to The Managing Partners Podcast (00:01:38) - Lawyer at Law: Introducing myself (00:03:12) - Have You Forced Your Lawyers to Travel Out of State? (00:04:51) - Law Firm Talk: AI and the Future (00:10:38) - Getting your Firm AI Ready to Work (00:12:40) - Are You Using ChatGPT or CLAUDE for AI? (00:13:49) - Are You Using Artificial Intelligence in Your Practice? (00:17:03) - Starting a Firm: Pro Tip for New Lawyers