The Maximum Lawyer Podcast

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In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, co-host Tyson Mutrux explores the strategic use of target lists in law firms. Target lists are more than just a to-do list; they are a strategic tool (spreadsheet) that can focus your firm's efforts on specific cases, ensuring that you're not just busy, but productive. 

By identifying the cases that are most likely to be resolved within a quarter, you can allocate your resources effectively and increase your chances of success. This approach is about working smarter, not harder. Listen into the full episode to hear how Tyson does this!

02:51 The components and tracking methods of target lists

04:43 How target lists allow teams to focus on specific cases

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here.

Ask us a question about starting your own law firm here!

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Are you a lawyer who is thinking about starting their own firm? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer podcast, Jim and Tyson speak with Lauren Klein, co-founder of Flourish Law Group. Lauren shares her transformative journey working in a large firm to starting her own boutique firm.

Lauren provides some insight on the challenges and rewards that come with leaving Big Law and starting a small firm. One of the rewards is the focus on marketing. For small law firms, there is flexibility to focus on the clients you want to and design a marketing plan that is unique and not controlled by a larger company. Another reward that comes with having your own firm is the ability to control the delegation of tasks and create a system or workflow that works for you as the owner.

Transitioning from big law to a small firm owner can allow you to help guide new law school graduates. Most new graduates are eager to work in big firms because it means more money and more success. But, Lauren dismisses that idea in that the team and culture you have regardless of the size of the firm is what matters. Asking questions about work life balance as well as what a typical day looks should be used to make a decision.

Listen in to learn more from Lauren!

Jim's Hack:The phrase “first party data” which are the emails and phone numbers of people who consume your content. From an analytics perspective, it is important to know who is watching your content and how to connect with them.

Lauren’s Tip:Do not fall into the trap of thinking that in order to become a successful attorney, you need to be overworked, unhappy and unhealthy. 

Tyson's Tip:Just let it go. If you are having feelings of resentment or anger towards someone, just try to find a way to let it go and focus on yourself.

2:57 The challenges and rewards of starting a law firm

6:30 The struggle of delegation

16:01 Experiences in big law 

28:19 The myth of overwork in the legal profession 

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here.

Connect with Lauren:

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you looking for ways to spice up your team meetings? In the latest episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Tyson reflects on his law firm's recent quarterly meeting, which embraced a "Future is Bright" theme. 

Tyson shares the activities that occurred during the firm's quarterly meeting that can be impactful for staff. Activities included functional games that had a purpose. Some included playing games where you would get feedback from colleagues or games to get to know each other. The goal for these activities is to share ideas that could lead to a change in how something is done in the workplace or the implementation of a new process. Another aspect of these quarterly meetings is to go over the company’s core values, mission as well as the review of the past 4 months to see what has been accomplished.

Listen in to learn how to incorporate Tyson’s ideas into your quarterly meetings!

1:35 Explanation of the theme for the quarterly meeting 

4:32 Description of the light-hearted activities that happen during the meeting

7:03 Discussion and sharing of simple yet impactful ideas

10:01 Review of priorities and future focus for the upcoming quarter

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here.

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you a law firm owner who needs to market their firm better? In this insightful episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Jim and Tyson engage with Vaidas and Steve from RizeUp Media to explore the intricacies of selecting a digital marketing agency. 

When searching for a marketing agency, it is important to find one that aligns with your goals as a firm. Vaidas and Steve share a few red flags to look out for and some things to consider. One red flag is working with a company that does not truly understand the vision of a law firm and what the firm needs from a marketing standpoint. Marketing a firm involves a lot of things, including knowing who your audience is and where they are located. A good marketing agency is going to do the research and work with you to determine these factors.

When it comes to the relationship between a firm and a vendor, like a marketing agency, communication is key to a successful partnership and results that will make the firm money. For a firm it is important to let your partner know what is and isn't working. To maintain consistent communication, set up recurring meetings for 15-30 minutes to go over how things are going for the firm as well as strategizing if a change is needed.

Take a listen to learn more!

RizeUp Media is offering Maximum Lawyer listeners a free competitive analysis of your competition and your market. They will review your current performance and compare it to your competition to help determine what you can do better. Claim yours here! Or email vaidas@rizeupmedia.com or steve@rizeupmedia.com.

Jim's Hack:Using the phrase “happy and grateful” which for him means something needs to get taken care of.

Vaidas’s Tip: is to use the app Loom, which is a recording tool and can be utilized to record short videos or snippets to send to people.

Steve’s Hack:is using legal directories as an analytics tool and seeing how many calls you get from individuals who have found your firm through a directory.

Tyson's Tip:Use a Notebook LM which is a virtual AI assistant. You can upload documents and ask the tool anything which will then provide answers using those documents.

2:49 Discussion on red flags when hiring a digital marketing agency

7:51 Seeking exclusivity in their marketing partnerships.

17:33 The importance of communication for successful partnerships 

19:42 Importance of regular follow-ups and communication with clients

Connect with RizeUp Media:

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here. 

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you a law firm owner that is looking for ways to show appreciation to your staff? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Tyson delves into the positive impacts of the "Teammate of the Quarter" award at his law firm. 

Tyson shares some highlights of the award and what makes it such a great aspect of the law firm. Since law firms are such busy environments, it can be difficult to stop, reflect and recognize the hard work of those who work at the firm. What this award does is cultivate a culture of appreciation for those that contribute to its success. Having a positive work environment is crucial to any successful law firm, and awards like the Teammate of the Quarter help achieve that goal.

The Teammate of the Quarter award contributes to better collaboration and engagement amongst a team. The award allows for team members to get to know each other on a personal level and it can lead to better collaboration when working on tasks and projects. Tools like Zoho and Google Meets Polls can be utilized to create surveys for staff to provide their input on who the Teammate of the Quarter should be!

Listen in to learn how to integrate this award within your firm!

00:24 The benefits of the Teammate of the Quarter Award

3:16 How the award drives a positive work environment

10:28 The success of the award process

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here. 

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you a law firm owner who is thinking about integrating automation into your workflows? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Ali Zahid, CEO of LegalMate, delves into the transformative impact of legal tech on law firms. 

Ali shares the concept of LegalMate and what it tries to solve for law firms and lawyers alike. LegalMate is an automation platform that is integrated with CRM’s like Clio to streamline processes that would otherwise be done using traditional paper based methods. What makes LegalMate so efficient is it takes away the manual labor and gives time back to lawyers. Tasks like intake can be time consuming and using a paper based system is prone to error and can get lost if not filed properly. LegalMate does all the work for law firms and helps with keeping everything in order.

When it comes to integrating automation with workflows, Ali recommends it is best to start small. This is more so for law firms that do not have an automation system in place at all. It can be tough for teams to adapt to a new system if too many things are being implemented at once. It will take time for teams to learn a new automation system and let go of the old way of working. For firms that have a process mapped out already or currently work with some kind of automation, it is still best to start small but aggressively expand to move things along quicker.

Take a listen to learn more about automation in the legal space!

1:42 How Legal Mate helps law firms streamline processes

8:43 The process of assessing law firms' workflows 

11:02 The approach for law firms to start small with automations 

29:43 Discussion on injecting AI into workflows 

Connect with Ali:

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you a lawyer that would like to work on their public speaking skills? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Jim and Tyson are joined by Kerry Barrett, an expert in on-camera media training for Fortune 500 companies. Kerry shares her insights on public speaking and offers tips for lawyers to improve their on-camera skills and connect with potential clients. 

Public speaking can be a very intimidating thing to overcome. For lawyers, public speaking is something that needs to be mastered as there are instances like tv work or in person court hearings and trials that provide the space to speak in front of people. Carrie provides some tips for lawyers to get over this hurdle. One way is to step outside of your comfort zone and find ways to make yourself and your name known to people. Apply to be on a podcast about the legal field or research media opportunities to network and let others know who you are. It is all about getting comfortable with being uncomfortable.    

Communicating to people as a lawyer can be a tricky task, especially if someone is not well versed in speaking with clients. One issue Kerry identifies for lawyers is that most speak to clients using legal terms. Clients do not know any legal jargon, so it is important to break down what is being said in simple terms. This also applies to lawyers who are speaking on camera. In this setting, lawyers are performing and not simply delivering information in a courtroom. What is being provided in terms of content needs to be laid out in a way that can be understood easily.

Listen in to learn more from Kerry on public speaking!

Jim's Hack:If you find yourself with a few minutes to spare, just pull out your phone and record a TikTok to see what happens. Get the content out there and then deal with graphics later on.

Kerry’s Tip:When you are on stage or you're in front of a camera, there are two things you always need to have. One is a plan and one is presence. The plan is that you understand your delivery and the presence is what comes into play when all that other stuff goes sideways.

Tyson's Tip:Ted Talk called the 100 Days of Rejection, where this guy puts himself through 100 days of possible moments of rejection from people. It is a great watch for those that struggle talking to people, being on stage or doing videos.

4:19 Advice on teaching public speaking skills

7:09 Discussion on common mistakes lawyers make on television

17:14 How lawyers can build connections with potential clients

20:06 How to use simple language for effective communication

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here.

Connect with Kerry:

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you a law firm owner who is finding it difficult to manage finances? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Jim and Tyson delve into financial management within law firms.

Many law firm owners struggle with financial management, especially when it comes to paying themselves a salary. Jim and Tyson share the importance of paying yourself as a law firm owner. There is discipline involved when establishing how much money you receive as an owner. Many law firm owners feel they can take however much they want because they are in charge and bring in clients. But, this mentality is how lawyers end up with a struggling business, so it is important to determine and maintain a balance.

Jim and Tyson discuss the emotional and psychological challenges law firm owners face when it comes to handling finances. It is so easy to get lost in the amount of money that starts to come in when things get busy and more staff are hired. It is important to maintain good financial habits to ensure not only you as the owner are given a decent wage, but your employees and all necessary expenses are paid. Hiring a good accountant or bookkeeper for a firm is key to ensuring nothing is out of the ordinary.

Take a listen to learn more about responsible financial management!

Jim's Hack:Download the ChatGPT Apple iPhone app and just talk to it. You can ask it all types of questions and it gets better each day.

Tyson's Tip:Challenge people to not drink for 30 days and see how it makes you feel.

1:38 The importance of paying yourself a salary 

15:20 The psychological barriers associated with financial management

18:13 The importance of reflecting on financial matters

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here.

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

In this podcast episode, Tyson tackles the sensitive topic of employee termination. His tips include: acting promptly, communicating directly and respectfully, and having a termination plan, particularly for remote workers. 

Some of the points Tyson dive deeper in this episode is to avoid prolonging discussions during the termination meeting, being objective, and not disparaging the employee post-termination. You could also offer support for the employee's transition and being transparent with the team are also highlighted. 

It’s the leader's responsibility to make tough decisions for the firm's health which includes the tasks of parting with employees. But hopefully, these shared tips will make things a little easier. Listen in!

01:31 Making the decision to part with an employee

03:41 The preferred method of being direct and respectful when parting with an employee

06:38 The importance of being open with the team about a termination

07:33 Considering offering help to the terminated employee

10:05 The necessity of seeking legal counsel and support

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here.

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you thinking about becoming your own boss and starting a law practice? In this podcast episode, Jim and Tyson interview Margeaux Thomas, a seasoned lawyer who specializes in business divorces. Margeaux shares her transition from working in a large firm to establishing her own practice.

Margeaux provides some insights on establishing her own practice and some things she had to consider beforehand. One thing was connecting with other lawyers in her circle who provided some tips and tricks to getting started on her own and what was needed to become her own boss. Another thing was understanding that as a lawyer, you can always pivot and work at another firm if starting your own doesn't work out. This mentality helped Margeaux in becoming more confident in her ability to succeed.

Margeaux shares her thoughts on how to partner up in a law firm and what to focus on. Looking at a business partnership like a marriage is something Margeaux tells people that come to her for advice. It is important to communicate to a potential business partner about the roles each person will have, finances and each other’s risk tolerance to decide if it is something to move forward with. It is also crucial to get a prenup or operating agreement to ensure both individuals are on the same page.

Listen in to learn more!

Jim's Hack:Read the book “Already Free” by Benjamin Hardy. It is about the intersection of psychotherapy and Buddhism and talks about the value of therapy.

Margeaux Tip:Read the book “Domestic Assistant Advantage’' by Steve Riley. She learned to hire a personal assistant to help with personal tasks to expand her reach. https://amzn.to/3TmuDS8

Tyson's Tip:Use TEMU to order office supplies.

2:17 Discussion of learning curves 

9:24 Insights on partnering in a law firm 

14:26 The importance of building a team earlier when starting a business

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here. 

Connect with Margeaux:

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

In this podcast episode, Tyson shares insights into his firm and the recently revised office hours. The firm shifted from team-specific hours to a more unified approach, introducing one mandatory 15-minute office hour from 12:45 pm to 1:00 pm, and two optional slots at 8:45 am and 3:45 pm, all in central time. 

This office hour change, aims to simplify scheduling, foster better communication, and improve productivity. 

01:12 Tyson explains the new approach with mandatory and optional office hours

03:09 Tyson details the new office hours structure, providing flexibility and opportunities for communication within the firm

05:17 The positive impact of the changes to office hours and encourages feedback from the listeners

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here. 

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you a law firm owner who needs a tool to visualize the work of your team? In this podcast episode, Jim and Tyson interview John Grant about implementing the Kanban methodology in legal practices.

John provides some insight on what the Kanban methodology is and why it is such a great thing to add to law firms. Kanban boards are used in the project management space and can be used as a tool to outline work. It is often used in scrum meetings among teams to break down goals. For example, if a team is working on a project to streamline the intake process, a Kanban board can be used to visualize how that process can go using columns and cards. They are meant to allow users to see workflows and identify areas where there is a roadblock. It can be customized to the likeness of any team!

John shares some of the templates he has created that can help law firms succeed. One is a litigation workflow, which can be used to help outline a case. There is a column for intake and research, one for strategy, one for mediation/negotiation and then one for the trial process. This lays out the whole case in front of you which when visualized can help see the whole picture. The transactional template is similar but might not include a trial phase.

John provides a few examples of different types of Kanban boards. One of them is BusinessMap, which is great for large firms due to the amount of users that can utilize it at once. KanbanZone is another tool that is great for lawyers as there are functionalities that work well for the type of work lawyers do. Choose a Kanban board that works for your firm to maximize its great benefits!

Listen in to learn more from John Grant!

Jim's Hack:Read the book “10 X is Better than 2 X”, by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy. There is a concept in the book about how we ease ourselves out of the day to day practice of the firm by using free days.

John’s Tip:Make policies explicit. It is not just about what the policy is and what I want you to do, but getting to the why behind the policy. 

Tyson's Tip:Use sticky notes to start putting stuff on the walls as a starting ground.

2:59 The Kanban methodology and its application in law firms

7:36 The benefits of using visual Kanban boards to manage tasks

12:51 Recommendations for tools like BusinessMap and Kanban Zone 

15:46 Best practices for setting up a Kanban board for litigation

Connect with John:

 Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here. 

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you a law firm owner who is overworked and needs more support? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Tyson Mutrux discusses the crucial role of delegation in law firm management. 

Running a successful law firm is all about delegating tasks to other employees. Delegation is all about taking things off your plate and allowing yourself as an owner to focus on other important tasks. As an owner, you need to trust your team to do well and allow them to take on the responsibility of doing certain things. If you don’t have trust with your team, there will be no growth and you as a law firm owner will become overwhelmed and burnt out.

Tyson identifies a few tasks that can be delegated to other team members. One of these are routine and repeat tasks such as scanning. Delegating this to another person can really take the stress off of an owner. You can even create a process for scanning that makes it more efficient. Legal research is another time consuming task that can be outsourced to a virtual assistant. Growth tasks such as drafting documents can be given to a junior staff member or a legal student to allow them to build that skill. 

Listen in to learn more about delegation.

00:23 The importance and impact of delegation

1:17 Tips for identifying routine tasks suitable for delegation

5:57 The impact of delegation on team empowerment and growth

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here. https://maximumlawyer.com/tysonmutrux641 

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you an attorney who is interested in joining a supportive group of fellow attorneys? In this podcast episode, Jim and Tyson explore the impact of their mastermind group for lawyers. 

Jim and Tyson discuss the great things that have happened since beginning the quarterly mastermind sessions. One of these things is the ability to learn different ways of doing things from lawyers of all backgrounds. There are multiple ways to succeed and many people tend to not realize that. But, sharing perspective in the mastermind has created this notion for members. Working in law can be stressful and competitive, but Jim and Tyson share how participants are able to network, share ideas, overcome struggles and get validation from their fellow attorneys. The mastermind sessions are all about fostering a supportive environment for attorneys to grow and learn.

Jim and Tyson share their methods for preparing for mastermind sessions. Starting off the mastermind sessions with a few questions help set the tone for the day and get people thinking about their work habits, business decisions and how they interact with clients. Mastermind sessions are all about digging deep with members, helping them understand their problems and receive positive feedback from others.

Take a listen to learn more!

Jim’s Hack:If you find yourself in a rut doing the same thing over and over, just do one little thing differently to be disruptive.

Tyson’s Hack:If you think that you may have hired too many people, go through an exercise of picking your top 6 people that you can’t work without to narrow it down.

5:23 Exploring the benefits of running a mastermind

7:30 The dynamics and perspectives of participants in the mastermind

9:22 Planning and setting the tone for mastermind sessions

23:04 Discussion on the importance of making small changes 

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here.

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you a law firm owner who needs help measuring the success of your firm? In this podcast episode, Tyson delves into the creation and implementation of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for law firms. 

Establishing KPIs for law firms are important because they show how a firm is progressing and what needs to be done to further drive success. Setting up and maintaining KPIs can be difficult, but Tyson provides a few tips on how to customize KPIs and ensure they are working for the firm. It is important to ensure that KPIs are tailored to different roles. Staff within law firms have different tasks and roles and there will be different KPIs needed to measure them. For example, a KPI might be used to measure how many files a case manager reviews every week. But for a receptionist, a KPI could be an average call time or how many calls are being taken a day.

Tyson shares the importance of reviewing your KPIs and adjusting them as the firm grows.  KPIs also need to be adjusted with individual performance. Job tasks will change over time as people take on more responsibility or change the way they are doing their work. KPIs will need to change alongside this as they will reflect new ways of working. Make sure to communicate these KPIs to staff and let them know when and why they are being adjusted.

Take a listen!

2:05 Tips for customizing KPIs to align with the unique objectives

4:41 Setting KPIs that are challenging and attainable for team members.

6:27 Importance of reviewing and adjusting KPIs to align with evolving needs

8:13 Tips for effectively communicating the purpose and importance of KPIs

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here. 

In this episode of Maximum Lawyer, CEO Becca Eberhart shares a cost-saving tip for individuals and businesses: switch from monthly to annual subscriptions to potentially save 16% or more. Many services offer discounts for annual payments and urges listeners to actively review and manage their subscriptions. Becca advises checking for unused services and negotiating better deals, cautioning against long-term contracts that may limit flexibility. Listen in for encouragement and ideas to be proactive and mindful in financial management for immediate savings and long-term fiscal health.

00:24 Opting for annual subscriptions instead of monthly ones

03:54 The importance of actively reviewing and managing subscriptions

05:14 Cautions against locking into long-term contracts

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here.

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you a new law firm owner who is struggling with running your business? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Jim and Tyson are joined by guest Jose de Wit, an immigration attorney who shares his journey of starting and running his own law firm as well as the challenges that exist.

Jose shared the challenges that exist with owning a law firm. One challenge is finding people who are the right fit. Sometimes, it takes a few hires to find that one person that matches well with the owner and the goals of the firm. Hiring for a law firm is also determined based on how the firm will operate. It is important to decide if a front facing or virtual setting is what you want and hire based on that.

Jose provides some tips for those who are hoping to run their own firm. Due diligence is an important aspect when becoming your own boss. There are some things that need to be ironed out at the start. Some of these things include setting up a bank account to receive payments and pay bills as well as seeking advice from other law firm owners in your circle. Platforms like LinkedIn are the perfect place to find other lawyers and make connections. Success in the law firm industry is all about networking and establishing good relationships!

Listen in to learn more from Jose!

Jim's Hack:Let’s push back on the idea that you need to get hiring perfect every time. Make note of what went right and didn't go right and change your strategy the next time around.

Jose Tip:Read the book by Benjamin Hardy, which is about a layered approach to reading physical books and audiobooks, which can help you get through your reading list.

Tyson's Tip:Try playing the game “A Moth Presents a Game of Storytelling”, which includes cards that are great conversational pieces.

1:56 Challenges in running a law firm

6:57 The use of LinkedIn 

10:26 The decision-making process for hiring.

 
Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here. 

Connect with Jose:

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Have you ever wondered what it takes to build a successful law practice? In this episode, Tyson takes a dive deep into the essentials of law firm growth and how to properly structure a firm for maximum efficiency. 

The way a firm is set up can really determine how well it will succeed. Tyson shares the successful method of structuring a law firm using the pod model. The pod model is a team of 3 people which is led by an attorney. They are supported by a case manager and a litigation assistant. This model ensures every attorney has 2 dedicated team members to help with their caseload. A benefit of this structure and why it works so well is the ability to cross train amongst the case manager and litigation assistant. That way staff are skilled in a few different things if there is a need to backfill.

Tyson provides a few tips for law firm owners to use to make sure the pod model works well. Communication is a huge key to not only the success of the pod structure but managing teams as a whole. Scheduling regular team meetings within and outside pods is great to touch base on what is happening with cases. Another tip is the use of a communication tool like Clic or Slack to quickly reach other staff as a way to ensure people stay connected.

Listen in to learn more!

1:11 The benefits of structuring law firms using the pod model

2:10 The distinct responsibilities of roles within the pod structure

3:11 The advantages of the pod team structure

5:55 Tips for successful team management

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here.

In this podcast episode, Becca Eberhart, CEO of Maximum Lawyer, challenges the mindset of waiting for the perfect time to start a law firm. She walks through debunking the myth of needing perfection, ample resources, or complete knowledge to begin. 

It’s time to take action with what you have and that “waiting” is a waste of precious time. It’s time to embrace "good enough" and start before feeling fully ready, with action being your key to turning dreams into reality. 

It’s time to choose progress over excuses and to commit to starting a business without delay. Listen in and be encouraged.

00:24 When you are waiting for the perfect time to start a business

02:14 Successful businesses that started without the best equipment

04:18 The regret of delaying, and the need to start before feeling ready

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here.

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you a law firm owner who needs help running a firm? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Jim and Tyson speak with Marc Lopez, a seasoned criminal defense and personal injury attorney. They discuss the do’s and don’ts when it comes to running a law firm

Running a law firm is not a simple task. It involves a lot of moving parts and strategic planning. Part of this includes hiring the rights attorneys for a firm. Marc provides a few examples of what he considered when hiring for his firm. One thing is to not hire people that are similar to yourself because they will have the same downfalls. You want attorneys who have different ways of working and bring different ideas to the table, so there is a good balance. 

Marc shares some things he does as a law firm owner that helps with keeping things running smoothly. One hack is using the Otter App in the morning to take note of marketing ideas and ways to improve client satisfaction. This is then turned into actionable items that he can bring to the team. Maintaining communication with former clients is a good way to ensure consistent business. Whether it is sending birthday cards or newsletters, this is a good way to get referrals and become the law firm everyone goes to. Having a successful law firm is all about ensuring the client is happy.

Take a listen to learn more about Marc Lopez.

Jim’s Hack:Read the book “10 X is Easier Than 2 X” by Dan Sullivan and Ben Hardy, which talks about how people move from one level of success to another.

Marc’s Tip:Read the book “Influenced” by Robert Cialdini, which outlines the best ways to market for a law firm.

Tyson’s Tip:Sort your inbox for emails in which you have a clean inbox on one side and emails that need reviewing on the other side.

5:26 Advice on managing a law firm

14:12 Financial implications of law firms

18:24 The benefits of working on weekends in a quiet environment

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here.

Connect with Marc:

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Do you need a vacation but don’t know how to prepare for it? In this podcast episode, Tyson underscores the importance of vacations for maintaining work-life balance and recharging. 

For business owners, it can be stressful to plan for a vacation without thinking about how the business will run while you are not there. Tyson shares some things to think about when planning a vacation and leaving the work to your team. Preparing for time off is all about strategically planning and figuring out who needs to oversee what and what needs to be worked on. In preparation, find a point person (for example, an executive assistant or office administrator) and brief them on everything that will need to be covered over the course of the vacation. If you have clients, let them know so they can contact your point person during that period.

Briefing your team and delegating responsibility is a big part of prepping for a vacation as a business owner. Set some time aside to meet with your teams and figure out what is coming up during the time you will be away. Go over what needs to be delivered and how to respond to certain scenarios so there are no surprises. Tyson shares the importance of ensuring you have an out of office message with all the relevant contact information so people know who to reach out to. As a business owner, have trust that your team will be on top of things while you are gone!

Take a listen.

00:23 The need for strategic planning to take vacations

3:53 Briefing the assistant 

5:01 Briefing the team and clients prior to a vacation

10:20 The importance of trusting the team during a vacation

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here.

In this podcast episode, Becca Eberhart, CEO at Maximum Lawyer, explores the "10X is Easier Than 2X" principle for law firms. She discusses insights from a book by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy, emphasizing the need for a mindset shift from incremental growth to exponential thinking. 

Becca shares that envisioning a tenfold increase in business can lead to innovative strategies and a re-evaluation of challenges. She provides questions to help law firm owners adopt this mindset, encouraging them to set ambitious goals and rethink their approach to growth, ultimately redefining their firm's future.

00:23 The concept of exponential growth and the mindset shift needed to achieve it

01:13 The typical mindset of business growth in percentages and the limitations it poses

02:18 The mindset shift to think beyond incremental improvements and brainstorm innovative strategies for explosive growth

03:28 Questions and strategies to embrace the 10X mindset for transformative growth in law firms.

07:15 Creating a roadmap for implementing 10X strategies and defining specific action steps and timelines.

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here.

Resources:

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you a law firm owner who is struggling with trusting others? In this podcast episode, Jim and Tyson discuss the reluctance of law firm owners to delegate and rely on others' expertise. 

Many law firm owners struggle with wanting to take on every task that exists within a firm. But, the reality is lawyers, like many other professionals, are experts in law and not experts in all areas needed for the success of a firm. Jim and Tyson share a few reasons why law firm owners choose to not delegate tasks to others. 

One reason is owners starting their career handling all aspects like bookkeeping, intake and scheduling and not being comfortable with letting that go. Another reason is not having the time to recruit or having a bad experience with too many other professionals. 

Jim and Tyson provide some solutions law firm owners can take to give some of the responsibility back to others so they can get back to doing what they do best. It is important to practice delegating tasks to other people. Think about one area that is taking up too much of your time and search for a tool, company or an individual who can come on board and take it over. Spend more time perfecting your craft as a lawyer and let go of those tasks that can be done by others. It is all about optimizing your time!

Listen in to learn more.

Jim’s Hack:Check out the podcast Tetragrammaton, which is about startup culture.

Tyson’s Hack:Watch the Rick Rubin interview with Andrew Huberman where they discuss how to keep the body still while keeping the mind active.

2:22 The challenges law firm owners face in delegating tasks

4:17 The reasons why law firm owners may avoid hiring experts

14:41 Proposed solutions to address the issue

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here. 

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Is your firm struggling when it comes to communication? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Tyson delves into the practice of time blocking for efficient firm communication. 

Many people who work in law firms deal with constant communication. Whether it be through slack, emails or text messages, there are multiple routes that are used to communicate. Staying connected is great, but the non-stop messages can be a problem for productivity. Tyson provides a few tips for using time blocking to help with communication. One tip is for law firms to block time for office hours. If you have one hour a day dedicated to office hours, this allows for staff to drop in and ask whatever questions they need instead of sending constant messages throughout the day.

Time blocking can be used for focused work as well and can be adjusted to fit how you work best. If you find you're more focused in the morning, block a chunk of time from 9am-12pm. That way you can reserve the afternoon for meetings or other tasks. Some people work better in smaller blocks in which blocking a few one hour blocks throughout the day is better. It is important to communicate and enforce time blocking to your team so your firm can be more efficient.

Listen in to learn more!

2:15 Designated three sets of office hours to manage communication

5:11 Providing flexibility through designated office hours

9:27 Scheduling structured meetings for detailed discussions 

10:11 The benefits of time blocking for focused work time

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here.

Are you in need of some tools to upgrade the way you work? In this podcast episode, Becca Eberhart, CEO at Maximum Lawyer, shares tips on simplifying common tasks using digital tools.

In this day and age, there are dozens of tools to use to make working better and more efficient. Becca shares 3 tips on how to use digital tools to your advantage. One tip is to use the website Unroll.me, which is a tool to tackle getting rid of spam and help unsubscribe from unwanted emails. This tool allows for you to take control of what comes into your email account. The second tip is to use Moonpig.com, which is a website that will help out with sending cards to people. For example, if you have a busy life and lose track of important dates, put that date into Moonpig, personalize the card and it will be delivered to whoever needs it. 

The last tip Becca provides is to use a free Amazon price tracker called Camel, Camel, Camel. We live in a time where the cost for everything is high, so this tool allows you to receive price drop alerts for your favourite items. This will allow you to decide when it is time to buy a product.

Listen in to learn more about these great tools!

1:25 A tool to manage email subscriptions

2:30 A website for scheduling and personalizing cards for special occasions

4:41 A free Amazon price tracker to monitor price history and set price drop alerts

 
Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here.

Resources:

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Jim and Tyson talk with personal injury attorney Kevin Cheney about his Colorado law firm's evolution. They delve into the firm's staffing changes, Kevin's shifting role, and their unique bonus system. 

The addition of Kevin's brother to oversee business operations is a highlight, along with their approach to identifying and rectifying process weaknesses. 

Kevin emphasizes the importance of industry knowledge for decision-making and the need for new hires to immerse themselves in the firm's culture. The episode also touches on the nuances of legal business management, the life of a litigator, and the concept of radical responsibility.

01:02 The transition of his role within the firm

14:21 Identifying inefficiencies in the firm's processes and suggests improvements

19:31 A patient approach to transitioning roles and building a lasting firm

21:03 Understanding operations and identifying weaknesses

Jim’s Hack: Read the the book ”Limitless”, by Jim Kwik, and follow him for great free advice.

Kevin’s Tip:  Read the book “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck”, by Mark Manson, and embrace this idea of radical responsibility, which basically just means internally telling yourself that you are responsible for how you feel and everything that happens to you. I think it's great for business, but also personal life of just really understanding that you're in control of how you feel. And so if you don't like how you're feeling, you have the power to change it.

Tyson’s Tip: Read the book, “33 Strategies of War”, by Robert Greene. It gives you little tips on how to manage day to day life, like going into a difficult situation and how to address that.

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here.

Connect with Kevin:

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you a leader within a law firm who wants to empower their staff? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Tyson explores the concept of high-velocity decision-making within law firms. 

Tyson shares what the concept of high-velocity decision making is and why it is so important to have within a law firm. This concept, by Steve Bezos, is about empowering staff at the lowest levels to make decisions. Most times, these decisions are big and can have an impact on a company. This is more so if companies have staff who are front facing and deal with clients or customers on a daily basis. Empowering staff to make their own decisions can come with the risk of mistakes, but as law firm owners, it is important to communicate with staff that mistakes are part of the process. Tyson shares that allowing staff to make decisions will allow for things to be done faster instead of waiting for the go ahead from those in higher positions with more power.

Empowering staff to make decisions will also allow for people to become more confident in themselves and their ability. Without this mentality, staff will become fearful to make the smallest decision or even make the smallest mistake at the risk of being fired. As law firm owners, having trust in your teams to make their own decisions, especially ones that affect their clients is key to a great work environment and makes you a good leader and decision maker.

Take a listen.

00:24 The importance of empowering team members 

2:07 Encouraging a mindset that allows for mistakes

6:36 The crucial role of giving team members permission to make mistakes

7:29 Encouraging the nurturing of a mindset that allows for quick decision-making

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here. 

Are you a lawyer who is interested in being a part of a community? In this podcast episode, Becca Eberhart, CEO of Maximum Lawyer, details the guild mastermind events, emphasizing their exclusivity for guild members and the advantages of attending. 

Becca shares details of what the Guild Mastermind event is. The Guild Mastermind are quarterly, in person events hosted in different cities around the United States. They take place over the course of a day and a half, with presentations and sessions. 

One of the key highlights is the hot seat session, which involves all members getting a turn presenting a current challenge to the group and then receiving feedback from the coaches and other members. Guild members are lawyers at different stages in their careers from different areas of the country. This brings a unique perspective to these events as other lawyers can learn from each other and network.

Listen in to learn more about the Guild Mastermind!

00:24 Welcome to the Guild!

1:11 Details about the quarterly in-person events

3:25 The advantages of networking with ambitious law firm owners 

4:34 Comparison of guild coaching and mastermind membership levels

 Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here. 

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you a firm owner who is struggling with layoffs? In this episode, Jim and Tyson discuss the difficult layoffs as well as the tough reality of letting people go due to a downturn in business.

Jim and Tyson delve into the reasons why layoffs occur. Jim identifies the issue with spreading yourself too thin, in which too many responsibilities are given to too many people, when it doesn't have to be that way. 

Consolidating where necessary is a good way to keep responsibilities simple and not lead to paying for more employees when less are needed. Layoffs can also occur when a firm owner is thinking too far into the future instead of thinking about what is needed in the moment. For example, many firms experience fast growth. With fast growth comes more clients and therefore more lawyers or support staff. But, firms also experience downturns in work and if this is not documented and that fluctuation is not talked about, it can lead to issues with paying for staff.

Listen in to learn more!

7:04 Analyzing the factors contributing to the need for layoffs

18:42 Discussing the consideration of shifting employees to different roles

19:10 Discussion on the considerations and movements within the firm

Jim's Hack:We aren’t creating enough content! Create more content for marketing your firm. People are not going to get tired of you! Do more! 

Tyson's Tip:You can work harder and it’s not going to hurt you.

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here. 

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you a law firm owner who is thinking about hiring a new staff member? In this podcast episode, Tyson shares insights on the critical role of hiring in a law firm. 

Whether you are hiring attorneys, virtual assistants or office staff, it is so important to hire the right people for a law firm. Bad hires can really disrupt the energy and success of a law firm. Tyson delves into what causes bad hires and how to avoid hiring the wrong person. A bad hire can stem from a variety of reasons. It can be from rushing into the process, ignoring red flags on resumes or during the interview process as well as the values of both sides being different. When you face a bad hire, Tyson shares that it is good to have a pipeline of candidates that you can go back to and consider if needed.

Tyson shares how assessing cultural fit is an important thing to look for in a candidate. Think about what your team values, the personalities that exist and how the team works best. Make sure to consider that when interviewing candidates. Another thing to do to avoid a bad hire is to not rush the process. Rushing the process can lead to the wrong person being hired because you have too many other things going on and just need someone. Tyson emphasizes the importance of creating a good, well thought out hiring process to avoid this.

Listen in to learn more about how to avoid a bad hire!

00:23 Discussion on the significance of hiring the right people for a law firm

1:09 Exploration of the various reasons behind bad hires 

4:38 Emphasizing the significance of assessing cultural fit in the hiring process

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here.

Are you struggling with making decisions in the new year after the holidays? In this podcast episode, Becca Eberhart, CEO at Maximum Lawyer, tackles the issue of decision fatigue and its toll on business owners. 

The end of the year is a time where many people have decision fatigue. Decision fatigue is when there is a decline in the quality of decisions after making too many decisions in a row. Becca delves into what causes this, especially during the holidays. This season is full of holiday parties, shopping, cooking, and events. Making decisions can become overwhelming when there are so many to make for different people and different things.

Becca shares how decision fatigue can affect the growth of a business. Running a business and being a leader means making a lot of decisions. Whether it be how to market your company, if you need to hire staff to help with the growth or what vendors to work with, decision fatigue can lead to feelings of overwhelm. This is more so if you want to be innovative and different in how you run your business. Becca provides some tips to use in order to avoid decision fatigue. One tip is to plan out and schedule your day according to the decisions that need to be made. For example, if you are thinking about working with some new vendors, schedule chats with those vendors in the morning. From this, you might be more inclined to be more alert and can make a decision on who to work with after all meetings are complete. Another tip Becca provides is to really think if a decision needs to be made at that moment. If not, tell yourself to come back to it at a later date so you can relieve some of that stress.

Listen in to learn more tips on decision fatigue from Becca!

00:24 The impact of decision fatigue during December

2:20 The impact of decision fatigue on business growth

4:38 Strategies to manage decision fatigue

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here.

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you a law firm owner who is looking to integrate more technology in your firm? In this podcast episode, Jim and Tyson discuss legal tech with Colin Levy, a lawyer and legal tech expert as they explore the role of artificial intelligence in law.

Colin provides his thoughts on practical tools that law firms can use to become more efficient. One of these tools is Clio. which is a practice management software that is accessible, easy to set up and is great when it comes to the learning curve. This means it is easy to teach first timers. Other tools like Joseph and Brighter (which are code and no code tools) are a bit more advanced and allow users to set up workflows for their teams. Time is money, so these tools are great to get things moving quickly!

Colin shares how many law firms are resistant to using technology and AI because of the misconception that it is expensive and time consuming. The biggest fear many lawyers have is using technology that will give them incorrect information and make their job harder. Most choose to stay within their comfort zone and use tools or methods of working that are not that efficient. AI and technology can help any business grow and innovate the way things are done.

Jim, Tyson and Colin talk through the ideal tech package that firms need if they are just starting out. Clio is great for administrative tasks like invoicing and billing, which is such a crucial part of any business and a good, reliable tool is needed to ensure things are kept in order. Having a tool to streamline intake forms or feedback forms is important so they are collected, received and actioned out to whoever needs to work on it. Another tool is some sort of project management tool that shows workflows, what needs to be focused on or what needs attention.

Listen in to learn more from Colin!

6:10 Accessible tools like Clio

16:01 The fear of technology in the legal field

18:16 Recommended tools for new law firms

Jim's Hack:Read the book called “Extremely Online” by Taylor Lorenz, which talks about the history of different social media channels.

Colin’s Tip:Take time for yourself as the world moves very quickly. Take a few minutes to relax and listen to what your body is telling you.

Tyson's Tip:Experiment with building GPT’s through OpenAI.

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here.

Connect with Colin:

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you a business owner who needs to hire a vendor? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Tyson discusses what to do when you are ready to hire vendors for your business.

Choosing the right vendor can really make or break a business. It is important to think about a few different things when considering a vendor. Tyson shares how it is important to ask the right questions. One of these questions is to ask about a trial period, so you can test and see if the vendor is the right fit and meets all of your business needs. Another question is to ask if their product or service works with the systems of your business. This will allow you to find out if the vendor is compatible and has everything your business needs. Questions like this will ensure you are not wasting money on a vendor that is not a right fit. If you plan on working with a vendor for a long time, it is crucial that you are covering all of your bases and getting all your questions and concerns addressed.

Researching a vendor is another important thing to consider before signing a contract. Ask the vendor for their annual reports or data to show their results. Reach out to individuals or other companies who have worked with them and who have provided good and bad reviews. This will give you a first hand account of how the vendor has worked with other companies. If you are hiring vendors for copywriting or research, find out if you can get samples of their work as part of the research to see if they are telling the truth when it comes to how good they claim to be.

Take a listen.

00:24 Ask the right questions when interviewing vendors

4:00 The importance of insisting on a trial period

5:52 The significance of doing thorough research for potential vendors

7:55 Importance of ensuring that vendors have experience in the specific niche

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here.

Are you someone who has a goal for the New Year but unsure if you will achieve it? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, CEO Becca Eberhart discusses the importance of keeping promises to oneself for personal growth and goal achievement. 

A new year means new goals and achievements. For many people, they are confident that they will achieve their New Year's resolution. For others, they make that promise and then let things fall behind. Becca shares how important it is to not break promises to yourself. In order to see change or growth, the key is to make commitments that are possible in order to get to your goal. 

For example, if you have a goal to lose 10 pounds in 3 months, make a commitment to go to the gym 1 hour a day or meal prep for work days. The follow through is the only thing that will keep that promise. If you struggle to keep promises to yourself, Becca shares a few ways to change this. One way is to change your mindset to respecting yourself the way you do others. Most times, people will not let a friend down so don't do it to yourself.

Following through with promises is more realistic if it is documented. It is so easy to just say in your head that you will lose 10 pounds or eat healthier. Write the promise down on a sticky note or in your notes app on your phone. This is a good way to hold yourself accountable and turn the promise from a thought into something tangible. Holding yourself accountable also shows in being realistic in your goals and what you can actually achieve. Don't set too big a goal if you truly know you can't deliver!

Take a listen to learn more!

00:24 Becca discusses the significance of keeping promises to oneself

2:24 Becca offers advice on how to make changes

3:25 Becca explains the importance of writing down promises

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here. 

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you a law firm owner who needs help with managing finances? In this podcast episode, Jim and Tyson converse with Jessica, a CPA from Silver Peaks Accounting Service, who specializes in accounting for law firms. They discuss common accounting mistakes that law firms make.

As a CPA who works with attorneys, Jessica shares things that lawyers should not be doing when it comes to keeping their books straight and finances in order. One thing is not having accurate trust accounts. It is so important to ensure accounting firms specialize in law firms because if not, the numbers will not be accurate. Getting monthly reports will allow for law firms to stay on top of what is happening and ensure their numbers match. Another thing that many people fall behind on is creating a system to keep and log receipts for expenses. It can be as simple as taking a photo of a receipt and sending it to an assistant or adding it to a folder on your phone. Find a system that works for you!

Jim, Tyson and Jessica discuss what law firm owners need to do when it comes to profit. Jessica emphasizes the importance of ensuring expenses are not higher than the profit a firm is bringing in. To find this out, law firm owners can look at their profit margin percentage over time. Understanding this will also help decide if a firm can afford to bring in more employees to help the profit margin increase. The profit margin will also show if it is time to cut expenses. With that said, it is important to have a good balance when it comes to focusing on the profit margin. Jessica shares an example of a client who was so focused on cutting expenses for their firm, that the firm made less profit that year because the focus was not on making money.

Finding a tax professional that shares the same goals and morals as you is key to having great finances. Think about the kind of business owner you are. Are you conservative, aggressive or frugal? It is best to find a tax professional that shares those same ideals. The worst thing a law firm owner can do is find an aggressive tax professional when the firm is looking to save money. The business relationship will not last long if both sides don't agree.

Take a listen to learn more financial tips from Jessica!

2:57 The common trust account issues that law firm owners have

7:57 Practical tips for managing expenses and receipts

10:15 The importance of profit margin and tracking financial metrics

11:40 Exploration of being overly focused on cutting expenses

13:07 The concern of adding employees and the need to develop a plan

Jim's Hack:Write down on a notepad what he wants to change about the direction of his firm. Spending 15 minutes everyday has brought more insight to bring change.

Jessica’s Tip:Keep things simple. Do what works for you and what will bring you happiness and success.

Tyson's Tip:Watch this Youtube video where Chris Williamson interviews Alex Hermosa. There are some great and valuable insights given. 

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here.

Connect with Jessica:

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you a law firm owner who needs more financial tips to grow your firm? In this final episode of a five-part series, Jim and Tyson discuss financial strategies for law firms. 

Jim shares how it is a great financial hack to diversify revenue streams so you are able to get cases from different areas. There are probably dozens of cases that would never enter the door if you did not seek them out in different sectors. This will allow for a wide variety of cases and clients that could be beneficial for your firm. Another way to diversity is something called “white labeling”. This is when you offer something to a client in partnership with another law firm. This could be offering your client a package from another firm, where you get a percentage of what is sold.

Tyson shares a tip of cutting costs where it makes sense. Review all of your expenses, which includes subscriptions and softwares and really iron down what you are actually using for your firm. If you know something is not useful, cancel that subscription so more money goes into your pocket.

Listen in to learn more!

1:16 The importance of exploring new sources of income

4:08 Tips to save money and increase profitability

6:00 Emphasizing the importance of having a work-life balance

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here. 

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Do you know how many softwares and subscriptions your firm is using? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Jim and Tyson discuss the importance of implementing systems in law firms. This is part four of a five part series where Jim and Tyson help firms launch in 2024.

Jim and Tyson delve into the best ways to systemize firms. A lot of firms spend money on softwares and subscriptions to help with workflows and organization. But, some firms are spending too much on duplication or systems that are no longer helping the firm succeed. A great tip is to do an inventory of all the softwares that your firm uses and think about what can be removed. Another thing to do is keep track of renewal dates. Maybe there is a software that has a renewal date on January 1 and you realize you no longer need it. Go ahead and cancel that to save your firm money in the New Year.

Tyson shares the importance of coming up with a process for system checks. There can be times where something goes wrong that you are not aware of. Are your birthday texts being sent to clients? Are your monthly newsletters going out? Make it a habit (maybe once a month) to go in and check systems to make sure they are functioning properly. 

Take a listen!

00:45 Discussion on the importance of systems

2:05 Advice on reviewing and assessing software subscriptions and monthly expenses

3:22 Ensuring that all systems and processes in the law firm are functioning properly

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here.

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you a firm owner who is struggling with solving operational issues for the firm? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Jim and Tyson discuss strategies for law firm success through defining operational clarity and efficiency. This is part three of a five part series discussing how firms can have a successful launch in 2024.

Jim shares that he would spend his hour going over the organizational charts of the firm to see what the 5 most important things for each role are. It is important to meet with each person and get an understanding of how they are doing and if their roles or responsibilities have changed since they began. This will provide more clarity on what that role consists of. Law firms are always changing and the way people did things a year prior or the responsibilities staff have will change as time goes on. It is important to ensure this is being reviewed each year.

Tyson shares the need to think about a strategy when you choose to grow a law firm. Growing a firm is expensive, especially if you want to create a new team. For example, a team or a pod can consist of a case manager, an attorney and a litigation assistant. That is a team of 3 people with 3 salaries, which can be expensive if you want to grow. Think about how to expand in order to get that new team without hiring everyone all at once. Also think about who should be hired first and where to leverage across other areas until you are ready to hire the second and third person. Tyson also delves into looking at processes and where to trim the fat. Looking at areas where too much is going on and where workflows can be improved is another way to get clarity and efficiency for a firm.

Listen in to learn more!

1:00 The importance of assessing each person in the firm to see how they're doing

4:05 Focusing on evaluating processes and optimizing workflows

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here. 

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Do you need to reevaluate your firm’s intake process? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Jim and Tyson discuss ways to improve the intake process, which is part of a series aimed at preparing law firms for the upcoming year.

The intake process is a very important part of the client-lawyer relationship. This is when a client is first coming on board and it is used to see if a lawyer will take on a case. Jim shares how lawyers should spend time looking at their firm’s process and focus on analyzing how fast or slow it takes for a client to sign up with the firm. Speeding the process up will ultimately lead to more money.

Another part of the intake process is focusing on the sales aspect of it. Make a list of the common objections and questions that you receive in your intake process and then address them as you are marketing your firm to potential clients. An example is while on the phone speaking with someone who would like to take some time to review a contract, have the intake person ask if there is anything that needs to be addressed on the spot. This cuts out the need for someone to call back asking for more clarity. As firm owners, you have a wealth of knowledge that your intake staff might not have. So writing down responses to those commonly asked questions for your staff to have as a script is a great way to ensure more clients are coming through the door.

Listen in to learn how to improve your firm’s intake process!

00:56 Discussion on evaluating the firm's intake process

2:47 Exploration of common objections during the intake process

5:08 Importance of providing information about the firm's background to enhance credibility

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here. 

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you a law firm owner who is hoping to better market your firm? In this podcast episode, Jim and Tyson introduce a five-part series aimed at preparing law firms for 2024, with the first episode focusing on marketing strategies. 

Marketing is all about convincing people to buy what you are selling. For law firms, it is about getting your name out there and telling people why they should hire you if they are in need. Tyson and Jim share how it is important to understand what your competition is doing in order to assess what is being talked about already and what marketing strategies other people are doing. This way it can be used to inform your strategies. If you are trying to improve your marketing for the new year, spend an hour doing this work and make some goals. Think about how your firm is different and what else you can offer.

Auditing your firm’s website is another thing that can help with marketing. Tyson and Jim share how many companies who have not audited their websites have numbers and addresses that are out of date. This is so important because if this information is not reviewed or updated frequently, people will not be able to find you and not become clients to the firm. Auditing can be done on your own or through hiring an SEO person. It is a key aspect of marketing so people know who and where you are.

Take a listen!

00:00 Assessing marketing strategies for law firms

8:12 How to evaluate market positioning as an expert

9:22 The importance of auditing your website

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here. 

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Tyson Mutrux recommends the book "Make Your Bed" by Admiral William H. McRaven. He discusses key principles from the book, such as starting the day with a simple task and being your best in your darkest moments. Tyson emphasizes the importance of staying optimistic and working as a team. He share that the book as a beneficial read for individuals and teams, especially in the context of running a law firm. Tyson concludes by encouraging consistent action to achieve goals.

02:23 Starting the day with a completed task

04:01 Life isn't always fair, and sometimes you have to accept setbacks 

05:45 Even in the worst circumstances, it's important to stay optimistic

Book: “Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World” by Admiral William H. McRaven

Speech: If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed. by Admiral William H. McRaven

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here. 

Are you a law firm owner who is hoping to branch out and learn new ways of working? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Becca Eberhardt, CEO at Maximum Lawyer, encourages law firms to seek inspiration and strategies from outside their industry. 

Becca shares how she has seen a narrow focus to only learn and grow within one’s own industry, which is happening across many organizations including law firms. It is important to understand how other areas are succeeding so it can be applied to your own industry. In the case of law firms, not exploring the business advice or strategies of other industries can have a negative impact. Becca expresses that if all attorneys or firms do everything the same way, clients will look at them like commodities rather than individual people who bring different things to the table.

Looking at other industries for inspiration can really benefit a law firm. It can lead to learning unique and innovative ways to practice. Maybe there is a new recruitment technique happening within the HR space that could really help a law firm do better when it comes to recruiting lawyers. Exploring outside of an industry can also help increase efficiency and improve client services. Looking at industries such as retail, hospitality and sales is great because they do this every day and are experts.

Take a listen to learn more!

00:24 The tendency to stay narrowly focused within one's own industry

1:21 How being focused on one's own industry can lead to tunnel vision

5:18 Examples of businesses that are innovating

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here. 

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you a law firm owner or attorney that needs help in reflecting for the new year? In the final Maximum Lawyer Podcast episode of the year, Jim and Tyson reflect on 2023 and share recommendations for the upcoming year.

Jim and Tyson share their thoughts on what attorneys should think about as they enter the new year. In relation to financial management, Jim emphasizes the importance of spending money that is just sitting there. This money could go towards the employees, such as bonuses for the holiday season or gifts to show appreciation. Other ways to spend that extra money is to invest in more office equipment, especially if a firm is expecting to hire in the new year. Jim suggests spending money on paying vendors up front for monthly subscriptions or softwares, as many companies provide discounts to firms that do.

Jim and Tyson also delve into the benefits of reflecting on the past year as well as what to look forward to for the upcoming year. The time between Christmas and New Year’s is the best time for this reflection. Jim suggests that listeners get a pen and paper and write about the great things that happened this year and what you want to see for yourself in the upcoming year. As law firm owners, Jim and Tyson see this as a great way to really envision what a practice will look like and what needs to be done to ensure a firm reaches the next milestone.

Law firms are always busy and usually have dozens of cases occurring at the same time. Tyson suggests getting rid of cases you don’t want anymore as a way to lighten the workload for staff. It is important to look at those files that can be resolved by the end of the year and get them done. Any cases that can’t be resolved need to be off the roster. Don't be afraid to fire clients or employees to make things easier for the firm.

Listen in to learn more tips for the new year!

1:11 The importance of reflecting on the past year

5:46 Improving financial aspects of an organization

6:45 Reflecting on the year

10:51 Getting rid of cases that are no longer desired or valuable

Jim's Hack:Read the book “Extremely Online: The Untold Story of Fame, Influence, and Power on the Internet” by: Taylor Lorenz. The book goes into the history of social media and understanding the different platforms that exist currently. 

Tyson's Tip:Clean your office. Cleaning your office and organizing your shelves is a great way to declutter for the New Year, that way 2024 will be the best year yet.

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you a new lawyer who is in the early stages of starting their own law firm? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Tyson provides advice for those considering starting their own law firm in 2024. 

Owning a law firm means that a lawyer becomes more than just a legal expert, but becomes a business owner and entrepreneur who is responsible for more than just arguing cases. A new firm owner becomes a leader and employer who will be wearing many hats. Tyson emphasizes the need to niche down when opening a firm. It is important to specialize in one form of law. Is it personal injury, tax, entertainment or criminal? It is key to know what kind of law you will practice that way clients looking for that one thing will come to you.

Tyson delves into the topic of having an online presence as a lawyer and firm owner. These days, people are going straight to Google to find the closest lawyer to them that specializes in what they need. If you do not have an online presence, you will not make money. Start with a website and add all the important information there. Then create an Instagram or Facebook page to get your name out there to those that use the platform. It is all about having the most reach so multiple people (and potential clients) will be able to find you. 

Starting a new law firm means you need to make connections so other lawyers get to know you and will refer clients to you. It is important to reach out to those in your space and schedule weekly or monthly chats with them so you don't lose that connection and you are always top of mind. It can pay off in the end and guarantee you more money if other lawyers know your name and the work you do.

Listen in to learn more!

00:23 Tyson provides advice for anyone thinking about starting their own law firm in 2024

2:20 The importance of choosing a specific niche for your law firm

4:08 The significance of building an online reputation and focusing on one social channel

Are you someone who is thinking of starting a podcast? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Becca, CEO at Maximum Lawyer shares her insights on starting a podcast and covers the various aspects needed to get things off the ground.

Podcasts are quickly becoming a popular platform for people to talk about different things and share their thoughts, especially since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting a podcast is a fairly easy thing to do but there are a few key things to consider in order to do it the right way. One thing is deciding how you will record your audio. Using the voice recorder on your phone, the microphone on your computer or even an external microphone makes recording a podcast versatile. It allows people to record audio from anywhere, whether it be at home, in the office or from the car. Many podcasters begin with a simple setup and overtime will upgrade as their audience and fan base increases.

Becca provides some options for editing podcasts. There are many softwares like Audacity and GarageBand that can be used to edit. AI driven softwares have also been released which edits podcasts for you, making the process faster. Another way to edit is to outsource and hire someone who can use their skills to take editing off your plate so you can focus on recording. Starting a podcast also includes choosing a podcast host, which is where you will upload all of your recordings. Whether it is Transistor, SimpleCast or Anchor, it is important to use this tool to submit your podcast episodes into the directories for Apple Podcasts or Spotify so listeners can access it.

Take a listen to learn how to start your podcast!

00:24 How to start a podcast

1:21 Options for recording audio

5:51 The different podcast hosting platforms

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you a lawyer who is struggling with keeping your head above water? In this podcast episode, Jim and Tyson interview Maria Parker, a training and development consultant specializing in trauma-informed practice. Maria shares her journey from mental health nursing to psychotherapy, her work with legal professionals, and her approach to addressing mental health issues. 

There is no doubt that legal professionals deal with stress, trauma and burnout. It is a part of the job that some handle well and others don’t at all. Lawyers work with people who are going through tough times and deal with situations that are not light in nature, Maria talks about the psychotherapy approach she brings to addressing this aspect of the job. Many lawyers deal with trauma and the profession is the perfect way to get away from it. Working a job that is always busy and on the go allows for your brain cognitively to leave your body or leave that trauma and focus on other people’s needs. Lawyers are always thinking about the client, the case, prepping for the trial and the list goes on. It is the perfect way to not think about anything that is upsetting you personally.

Maria talks about the importance of having a safe space for people to talk about their trauma and stressors. A lot of people will not tell anyone about their troubles because they may feel that person will judge them or misunderstand them. Once there is a safe space, whether that be in a friend’s home or therapist’s office, people feel validated in their thoughts and experiences. From this point, things can really change for someone who is going through a hard time. There is an issue with just diagnosing someone and prescribing medication so they can deal with the pain and go on with life. Maria believes it is crucial to get the diagnosis and acknowledge it, but then parking it and getting to what is underneath. This means getting to the root of the trauma and working backwards to know what has led someone to where they are now.

Tyson, Jim and Maria talk about how common anxiety is among lawyers. Because of the stressful nature of the legal field, many lawyers struggle with anxiety and all that comes with it. There is a struggle to say yes to everything because of the competition that exists within firms. Many lawyers don't get much rest because they are up at all hours working on cases or researching for their trials. There is also an emotionless nature that comes with law where lawyers have to be serious and stone cold to remain professional, which really adds to someone feeling anxious. 

Listen in to learn more from Maria Parker!

1:57 Maria shares the gap she saw in addressing stress and trauma in the legal profession

11:11 The significance of creating a safe space for individuals in therapy

20:43 The increasing prevalence of anxiety among lawyers

23:15 How anxiety serves as a protective mechanism

Jim's Hack:Check out the book “Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon”, by Michael Lewis. Which talks about Sam Bankman-Fried and the rise and fall of crypto. The book provides some good lessons on paying attention to the rules and about the importance of following procedures. 

Maria Tip:Check out the book “No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model” by Dr. Richard Schwartz which is all about family systems.

Tyson's Tip:Check out the new feature in Canva called Magic Studio, in which you tell it what you want and it will create it for you using AI. https://www.canva.com/

Connect with Maria:

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you looking for ways to begin the New Year the right way? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer podcast, Tyson shares three tips for lawyers to start 2024 on a positive note. 

It is common for people to have New Year’s resolutions. Whether it be creating a good workout routine, eating healthier or saving more money, it is a great way to hold yourself accountable and begin working on a goal. Tyson shares a few things lawyers can do to elevate their practice. The first thing is to develop a new routine that is unique. This could be spending 5 minutes every morning meditating, ending the night with writing in a gratitude journal or taking nature walks during your lunch break. It is all about creating a healthy habit.

The second tip is to learn a new skill that is unrelated to law, which helps decompress and move yourself away from thinking about work all the time. Whether it be pottery, painting or coding, these new skills can help with stimulating your brain and sparking creativity in a different way. The third tip is to plan a day for a random act of kindness. This is a great way to give back to someone and pay it forward. Random acts of kindness are really about spreading positivity to others and it can have an impact in a way you will never imagine.

Take a listen!

1:08 Start a unique routine before the new year

2:05 Pick up something completely unrelated to your law practice

3:51 Dedicate a day to performing random acts of kindness

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here. 

Are you a business owner who struggles with perfection? In this episode, Becca Eberhart, CEO at Maximum Lawyer, discusses the challenges of the all-or-nothing mentality in entrepreneurship. 

The all-or-nothing mentality can be a double edged sword for a lot of people. On one hand, it can lead to bold moves but on the other, it can lead to inaction. Becca uses this to talk about effective business planning. If you wait for everything to be perfect when doing a project or planning for next year’s budget, there can be missed opportunities. It is important to have a clear plan but be open to changes as a business evolves and grows.

Engaging in an all-or-nothing mindset can lead to missing out on some things. One thing is missed opportunities. For example, if you were to only focus on the highest priced hiring coach for your business, you could overlook other individuals who bring something to the table that you didn't think you would need. The highest price tag doesn't always mean quality. Another thing is paralysis by analysis. If you are focused on making the perfect choice, you could become indecisive and inactive because you are waiting for the right thing to come along. Inflexibility is another issue as sticking to one thing or staying on one path can lead to a business becoming stagnant and unfit for growth.

If you choose to avoid an all-or-nothing mindset, there are some things that can go well. First is reduced stress as a business owner. With a flexible way of doing business, you can avoid the need for perfection and do things that work for you. Another thing is the ability to innovate. Being open to new ideas and creativity will lead to a business that is always evolving and trying new things. With this, people will see a business that is changing as their consumers do.

Learn about how to avoid the all-or-nothing approach with Becca!

1:20 Exploring the mindset of hiring coaches

2:38 The drawbacks of fixating on making the perfect choice and becoming indecisive

3:57 The benefits of avoiding an all-or-nothing mindset

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you a lawyer who is struggling with marketing their business or themselves? In this episode, Jim and Tyson welcome guest Dave Dee, a professional magician turned marketing and sales expert. He provides some advice on how lawyers can become better salespeople and improve their marketing strategies.

Dave talks about the importance of knowing how to be a master salesperson just as much as knowing your craft. Being good at what you do is not a competitive advantage until the client is working with you. This means you need to reel the client in with marketing in order to get them on board and actually begin using your skills in law. Dave suggests lawyers really take the time to learn about effective marketing strategies to get clients and make money.

Jim, Tyson and Dave discuss the common mistakes lawyers make when it comes to marketing themselves. One mistake is simply doing generic marketing that everyone else in the industry is doing. A lot of lawyers will have the same Facebook ads with the same slogan, fonts and messaging. Dave says that this similar marketing among lawyers makes them look like a commodity. What this does is make the public see all lawyers as operating the same which means they will go with the lawyer charging less money for services. Another issue Dave talks about is not attracting the right prospects. It is important as a lawyer to not focus on getting the most leads but getting the most qualified leads. Dave also notes that lawyers are not only selling their services but themselves, which is why public speaking is crucial to becoming successful in the legal field.

Dave talks through how to deliver a great presentation. It is important to not over deliver information, which is what a lot of people (not just lawyers) do when speaking to an audience and potential clients. This does a few things. Over delivering can cause an audience to feel overwhelmed with information because there is a lot to process and so much jargon. It can also cause audiences to believe they can take on the task themselves since they have all the information. As a lawyer, you want to give enough information to where someone understands what you do and will come to you to figure out the rest. 

Having a Call to Action at the end of a presentation is really what gets people to decide if they want to reach out to you. It is an important piece of a presentation and can really make or break the outcome. A Call to Action can be a few things. It can be telling the audience to call and set up an appointment, directing people to fill out a form, downloading your report on what you do as a lawyer and collecting the audience’s contact information to send out a mass email.

Storytelling is another important aspect of presenting to potential clients. A great way to do this is weave in real stories. As lawyers, there are a million and one stories for almost every scenario due to the different types of cases and people that walk in the door. Wherever there is a connection between a case and a concept or theme in a presentation, tell that story. This will keep people engaged and bring a sense of reality into an otherwise “boring” legal presentation. 

Take a listen to learn more about effective marketing!

4:09 The importance of being a master marketer and salesperson

9:35 Common mistakes lawyers make in their marketing

15:34 Three pieces of information in a presentation

24:45 The importance of having a Call to Action discussion

30:31 The significance of storytelling in sales and marketing

Jim's Hack:Read Dan Kennedy's book, “The No BS Ruthless Management of People and Profits”, which provides those who are business owners and leaders with tips on not being so nice and soft.

Dave’s Tip:Take the Take Charge of Your Life program by Jim Rohn, which really changed Dave’s perspective on life.

Tyson's Tip:Use Cloud Prompter, which is a teleprompter and Mac app for making videos.

Connect with Dave:

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

In this podcast episode, Tyson Mutrux discusses the book "Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity" by David Allen. He shares the book's key concepts of capturing, clarifying, organizing, reflecting, and engaging with tasks. Tyson shares the importance of moving tasks into an external system and breaking them down into actionable items. 

Are you looking for a way to enhance your hiring process? In this episode, Becca Eberhart, CEO at Maximum Lawyer discusses the transformative potential of video introductions in the hiring process. 

AI tools like ChatGPT are being used to craft resumes and cover letters. This means hiring managers are not able to really know if a candidate’s credentials and experience is true or accurate. Becca talks about how integrating video introductions into the recruitment process is a game changer to really get to know the candidate. You are able to hear and see them right off the bat and get to know their personality and style. Normal resumes and cover letters can be generic and it can be difficult to find the perfect candidate for a role. Video introductions act as a preliminary face to face conversation with the candidate. This can quickly cut say 30 resumes down to a select few.

Becca walks through a few things to consider when deciding to use video introductions in the recruitment process. One thing is to establish clear guidelines and instructions for candidates to follow so they create a video that will get them noticed. It is a good idea to not tell them how to 

record the video or what tool to use. This can be a great way to see how resourceful the candidate is. Another thing is to set a time limit of how long the video needs to be. This will show if candidates understand how to be concise and focused. Since it is an introduction, keep videos short and to no longer than 1 minute. 

Listen in to understand how to streamline your selection process!

00:23 Video introductions provide a more personal way to evaluate candidates

1:18 Text-based resumes may not effectively differentiate candidates

2:30 To incorporate video introductions, set clear guidelines for candidates

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here.

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you someone who has had to step back into a previous role? In this episode, Jim and Tyson discuss the challenges and opportunities that arise when law firm owners have to step back into roles they had previously delegated. 

If you are a law firm owner or work in a management role within the legal field, there may come a time where you will have to step into a role that was once filled by someone you delegated. This means there are a lot of learning curves and adjustments needed in order to do things right. Sometimes, being pulled back into a role is unexpected and will shift priorities because a whole team of people need you to step in and take control.

Tyson shares an example of stepping into a role when another attorney resigned. He learned about issues that existed in some cases that he never would have known if he didnt step into the role. This led to some new processes and protocols being put in place to deal with the issues. Jim says as law firm owners, they need to have a more active role in their team’s day to day operations.

Jim shares the frustration of getting pulled back into a leadership role and not feeling okay with giving the reins to the new person. It can be hard to turn things over to a new leader after doing the work for a few months and ironing out all the kinks. Jim shares his experience with finally cleaning up the intake system for his firm and feeling himself holding back in giving the responsibility to the new manager. Sometimes there is this feeling of wanting to perfect something before you give it away. This can cause you to not get back into your former routine and focus on your main tasks. It is important to trust yourself and the person who has come into the role to take over and lead.

Jim and Tyson talk about decision making and the need to make them quickly, especially if you want things to get done and cases to close at times that are appropriate. Whether the decision is right or wrong, it is important to make the decision so you are not lagging and wasting time. For example, if you need to replace a team member or hire because there is a need, do it now so that worry is dealt with.

Take a listen to learn more!

Jim’s Hack: If you don't have an assistant, you are the assistant. If you are doing all the  lower level work and you are busy, you need to pass it down to other people. It is important to hire virtual assistants or other administrative staff to optimize yourself.

Tyson’s Tip: Treat every hour working out or sleeping as being worth $10,000. That way, you are more likely to focus and prioritize doing it.

3:11 Tyson and Jim share their personal experience of being pulled back into a leadership role

11:00 The frustration and guilt experienced when being dragged back into tasks

17:26 Highlighting the need to make decisions quickly

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you an attorney who is looking to improve efficiency with your firm? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Tyson discusses the "90/10 Principle" for improving law firm efficiency and profitability.

Tyson discusses the importance of the 90/10 principle. The principle involves clearing the 10% of cases that are either not profitable for the firm or attorneys don't want to focus on them to create a more lean practice. In order to identify these cases, you need to go through the caseload and pinpoint the bottom 10% by determining the case value. Looking at the financial side of things is a great way to determine this because you can determine how much money it costs to keep the case on the books. 

Figure out how much resources are going towards a case. If it is high, it might be time to cut ties with it. Also consider how much energy is being put towards a case. If the case is sucking a lot of energy and time from the firm, it can be put in that 10%. Once you determine the bottom 10%, look to identify the top 10% of cases for the firm. This is because once you shed the cases you don't want, all that energy will be put towards the top 10%. This could mean delegating your best attorneys to those 10% since they are high priority.

Ensure this is a recurring process. For example, put time in your calendar once a quarter or once a year to re-evaluate the cases that the firm is handling. This could be changing the bottom 10% and top 10% every 4 or 12 months.

Take a listen to find out how to ensure greater efficiency for your firm!

00:24 Introducing the 90/10 principle, a variation of the Pareto principle

2:25 The process of identifying the bottom 10% of cases

3:20 Redirecting the effort from the bottom 10% of cases to the top 10%

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here. 

Do you need some tips in completing projects effectively? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Becca, the CEO of Maximum Lawyer shares essential strategies for executing projects effectively.

No matter the project, it is important to have a clear vision, roadmap and approach to reach the outcome you want. Becca emphasizes the need to start a project with the end in mind. It really helps envision the success of the project. It is important to create an outline to ensure you stay on track. Outline the goal and write out a list of broad steps from the start of the project to the end. After this, it is important to define the due date. It needs to be one that is realistic and attainable. 

If you do not set a due date, the project will simply not get done because other things will take priority or take you away from working on it. When working on a project, it is crucial to ensure you put time in your calendar to get it done. Whether it's 30 minutes a day or a few hours a week, put that block in the calendar so you are accountable to work on it.

Many projects are complex, with multiple people working on them and dozens of tasks to complete. Some tasks themselves are too big to just do and they need to be broken down into subtasks. This will take the overwhelming feeling away from yourself or your team when it comes to getting things done. Make sure to have a good project management system or tool to track all progress. 

Listen in to learn about the best way to get a project done!

00:23 Importance of having a clear vision of the desired outcome before starting any project

1:16 The significance of defining goals and due dates

2:20 The strategy of breaking down broader project steps into smaller subtasks

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here. 

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you an attorney who needs help with delivering presentations? In this podcast episode, Jim and Tyson host Val Madama, a legal presentation coach. Val shares her journey from practicing food and drug law to coaching lawyers on improving their presentation skills.

Mastering presentations is a skill that takes practice. Val goes over a few common mistakes lawyers make when giving presentations. One mistake is assuming everyone needs the same things from the presentation when really everyone needs something different and will walk away with something different. This means the way you communicate to an audience should reflect this idea. Tailoring a presentation to each audience is key to keeping them engaged. If the presentation is about writing legal briefs, tailor your content to that. Another mistake is not presenting using plain language. Legal jargon only makes sense to lawyers. If you are giving a presentation to an audience who is not, ensure your slides and your language is clear and makes sense. Think about starting presentations off with a thesis or why you are there and what you are trying to “prove”.

Val, Jim and Tyson talk about the importance of storytelling when presenting. A lot of people are more focused on making their slides look better or using eye-catching software to create their presentation. Others are more concerned with not stumbling and making sure their entire presentation is perfect. The reality is there will be stumbling or saying “um” or “like” and that is fine. As long as the presentation flows like you are telling a story, the presentation is a success.

Ensuring there is enough time to practice for a presentation is really important to delivering it well. Val talks about developing muscle memory when practicing. The more you practice, the easier it is to remember and create that flow. One trick is to treat the presentation as if it were a conversation with colleagues or a normal Monday morning meeting discussing the week ahead. This also takes the “nervousness” out of presenting because it is being treated like any other conversation. 

Start rehearsing for presentations when you are 75% done creating it. This will allow you to flesh out any issues and go back and forth in how you will say things. This will shape your speech and also develop muscle memory. Though rehearsing is important, make sure to step away from the presentation to allow for the muscle memory to develop better. This will also not create a robotic speech to your presentation.

Take a listen!

Jim’s Hack: There is no substitute for meeting people face to face ( like your team!) 

Val’s Tip: For everyone's next presentation figure out what the action you want people to take, and then identify 1 to 2 benefits of that action, and let that be your whole thesis statement. 

Tyson Tip: Change the mindset with a quote by Guy Ritchie: Love the game because you're in it. Own the game, accept the rules and move into the rules. 

3:00 Common mistakes lawyers make in presentations

4:28 The importance of using plain language and avoiding legal jargon

10:29 Prioritizing content, storytelling, and tailoring the presentation

16:56 Regular practice and muscle memory in improving presentation skills

19:39 The importance of taking a break from rehearsing to allow for passion to consolidate

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.

Connect with Val:

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you looking for a new tech tool to help with making quick searches? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Tyson introduces a new app called Perplexity and how attorneys can use it to their advantage.

Perplexity is an app that simplifies and accelerates searches made on the web. It works differently from a Google search engine that will spit out dozens of websites which forces you to go through every one until you find your answer. The app makes searching for information so much faster. Tyson uses an example of asking the app “How do I speed up a website?” From here, Perplexity organizes the sources. Some responses are to optimize images, use a content delivery network and evaluate the hosting provider. The app lists the sources and websites that the options came from. At this point, you are able to click the options Perplexity gives you which takes you to the website directly.

Listen in to learn more about how the app will simplify legal research!

1:09 Tyson shares the new app called Perplexity

2:05 Features of Perplexity

4:02 Testing Perplexity for legal research

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here. 

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you trying to find a way to become more tech savvy? In this podcast episode, Tyson discusses the capabilities and limitations of ChatGPT, an AI assistant. He demonstrates how it can answer questions, provide suggestions, and engage in dialogue.

ChatGPT as a tool has become more advanced since its launch in 2022. The new function includes a conversational component that is very interesting. The tool can handle text based tasks, can generate emails and create drafts for legal blogs. 

Tyson talks about the voice feature of ChatGPT, which really makes interacting with the tool more like a dialogue. It is a great tool for summarizing and analyzing texts, but not particularly legal texts. Instead of sitting and reading through a text to figure out the important details, you can copy and paste it into the tool and it will provide you with the cliff notes. For the voice feature, you could just ask the tool a question and go back and forth to get the answer you need.

ChatGPT can save searches, responses and conversations as well as create meeting minutes!

Take a listen and learn how to stay ahead of the tech curve as an attorney.

2:11 ChatGPT can handle text-based tasks easily.

3:24 ChatGPT can analyze large chunks of text.

5:31 ChatGPT suggests creating FAQs, using conversational language, and writing blog posts.

Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here.

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you an attorney who needs some tips on what to avoid doing? In this live podcast episode, hosts Jim and Tyson discuss 99 things that lawyers should stop doing. 

Jim and Tyson go over a long list of things attorneys should not do and provide advice on what to do instead in order to become more successful in the legal field. One of these is to not schedule hour-long meetings. Truthfully, most meetings do not need to be a full hour. Go into meetings with a defined agenda and don't waste time talking about things that are irrelevant. 

Attorneys are known to work long hours with little sleep. Tyson and Jim really emphasize the need to get enough sleep to maintain good health and to be more productive. Set boundaries on when you need to finish your work in the office and transition over to doing things that help you unwind. That could be implementing a hard stop at 5pm and putting your phone on silent until the morning. 

Many people fall victim to saying yes to everything as a way to keep the peace and avoid conflict. As attorneys, you will be busy with a lot of moving pieces throughout your day. You will not have time to take on every case or please every client. Learn how to say no and get comfortable with the feeling.

It is important to not compare yourself to others and focus on your own goals. The legal field is full of aspiring attorneys who want to be the best in the business and will try to compete against their fellow colleagues. This can really eat away at many people’s self esteem and progress. Tyson and Jim talk about the importance of focusing on your own goals and not letting other people’s progress affect your own.

Mental health is an important thing to focus on. It is important to focus on both your personal mental health and that of your team. Think about the decisions you make as a leader that affect their work and personal lives. Make it a priority to have routine conversations with your team to understand how they are feeling and how to adjust expectations.

Take a listen to learn more!

1:39 Avoid wasting time on unscheduled phone calls and hour-long meetings

3:13 Prioritize getting enough sleep to maintain good health and improve productivity

8:23 Discussion of the importance of saying no

18:13 Focusing on your own growth and improvement

26:36 Importance of considering the mental health of both yourself and your team

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Meet Aaron Levinson, a former prosecuting attorney who recently launched his own law firm. Aaron's journey from being a prosecutor to starting his own firm is a testament to his determination and resilience. Listen into this episode where Jim and Tyson dive deep into how and what Aaron did to start his own law firm. 

01:06 Aaron’s transition from being a prosecutor to starting his own law practice

07:22 Starting his own firm 

09:53 Aaron discusses his plans and observations while still working as a prosecutor, and the steps he took to prepare for starting his own law firm

11:12 Aaron talks about the different mindset required for being a prosecutor versus a criminal defense attorney and how he approached the moral quandaries of each role

16:57 Aaron discusses the unexpected aspects of running his own law practice, including the supportive network of attorneys and the misconceptions he had about competition. He also shares his plans for future hires

Jim’s Hack: When people show you who they really are, believe them the first time. As it relates to potential new clients.

Aaron’s Tip: Say “Yes!” and be open minded and experience new opportunities.

Tyson’s Tip: Use ChatGPT upgrade where it talks back to you in a conversation

Connect with Aaron:

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Do you want to increase the client experience when using websites? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Tyson discusses the importance of website load speed for law firms. 

Tyson talks about the reasons why load speed is crucial for law firms. One reason is client experience and the second is SEO (search engine optimization). You want to make sure your law firm's website is up to date and running smoothly so clients can access your company’s information quickly and without any issues. If a potential client is finding it difficult to locate you online or if your website is slow, they will give up and click on the next firm’s website. That is one way you lose potential clients, so it is important to focus on this and find quality servers.

Tyson provides a few ways firms can maximize websites for the best results. One is to optimize images. There are many tools on the internet that you can use to reduce the bandwidth of images to which they are reduced but keep the same quality. This helps maintain that good client user experience. Another way is to utilize browser caching, which allows for elements to be stored on the user's (in law firm’s cases, potential clients) browser. This will allow for your information, like your site or images to load faster.  

Listen in to learn more on how to maximize the client experience!

2:06 Tips on how to optimize images on your website to improve load speed

3:22 How to minimizing HTTP requests can speed up your website

5:08 The importance of hosting your website on a private server

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Do you want to know the best method to set and achieve goals? In this episode, Tyson discusses the importance of setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals. 

Goals are only possible if they are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and have a deadline. Many people are not able to reach goals because they are too broad and with that comes impossible ideals in order to achieve it. Goals need to be realistic to you and your lifestyle. If you have a goal to make $1 million in 2 years, think about the actual possibility of that. Think about how much money you make now and what your profit margin needs to be as a business owner to get there. It might include adding or removing a few things to get to that goal.

Tyson breaks down each aspect of SMART goals. The “S” is specific, which means narrowing down your goal to something simple. If someone asks you what your goal is, it should be clear and concise. “M” stands for measurable. A goal needs to be measured or tracked somehow. This could mean every week checking in on the numbers and seeing how things are going. “A” stands for achievable, in which a goal has to be realistic and in your capacity to achieve. If it is not, you need to figure out a way to make it possible. ”R” is relevant, which means the goal needs to align with your mission and what is within your vision. Finally, “T” stands for timebound, which is setting a deadline to finish your goal. Nothing will get done unless a deadline is set. This is not just the case for goals, but for projects. No project just starts and ends as there is work put in with timelines in place to make sure people are held accountable for the work. This applies for individual goals as well.

Take a listen!

00:24 The importance of setting SMART goals
1:13 The struggle with setting specific goals
2:56 The components of SMART goals

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Do you want to learn more about how to create and maintain a successful business? In this episode, CPA Tim McKee delivers a presentation on "Metrics That Matter" at the 2022 Maximum Lawyer conference. Tim discusses the many ways to run a successful law firm.

Tim shares how there are only 4 ways to grow a law firm: increase the value of each transaction or resolution, get clients to revisit, take on more cases and increase the value of those cases. Working in law firms, attorneys focus on identifying what the information is and how to go about obtaining it. Obtaining it comes from data systems such as spreadsheets, KPI systems, case management systems, etc.

As law firm owners, communication is key to a successful business and a well functioning team. Tim talks about the importance of communicating to the team about performance, where things are going well and where things are lagging. Most times, teams don't perform well because there is a lack of clear communication on expectations. If this is the case, you need to ask yourself as an owner if you are providing your staff with the right tools to succeed and if they have had the right training to do it successfully.

It is important to train staff in order to get the results you want for your business. No one walks into a job knowing everything there is to know. You also can’t expect new staff to know everything right off the bat without a proper onboarding plan. There needs to be something in place to ensure staff are showing up and performing, otherwise you get turnover and a bad workplace culture.

Tim goes through a few key performance indicators (KPIs) that businesses and firms should consider to understand how well the firm is doing. One of these is diagnostic reporting. This involves categorizing cases which then are turned into numbers and percentages that can be analyzed. This could be closed cases with a fee, closed cases with no fee, cases that didn't make it to trial, cases with a physical injury, etc. The categories are endless, but what this does is take all of the information and pump out numbers that show the performance of the firm and how many cases are being handled each month or year.

Listen in to learn more!

1:59 Four methods for growing a law firm

9:13 If there is low performance …

13:20 Highlighting the need for training and coaching in order to achieve desired results

Connect with Tim:

Are you wanting to learn a few more law firm business tips? In this podcast episode, Jim and Tyson discuss what they have learned from each other about running a law firm. They talk about lessons learned and things both have implemented over their working relationship.

Jim speaks to the things he has learned from Tyson. One thing is the importance of incremental improvement. Many people feel they need to create the perfect formula or system to get things done. The reality is that improving a little bit each day or slowly working towards a goal little by little will truly get you far. Another thing Jim has learned is to systematize aspects of a firm for maximum efficiency. It is important to identify and invest in systems that will take your firm to the next level and make it the best it can be. This comes with streamlining processes or working with different technologies to make the client intake system better.

Jim continues with learning how to stop the “BS”, which is another thing that Tyson has inspired him to do. Many people struggle with doing what they know they need to do or do what they know is right. It could be fear of rejection or the fear of getting people mad. The reality is nothing will get done unless you do what needs to be done, regardless of who gets upset or if it fails.

Tyson shares how Jim is able to address and embrace the pain he has endured. Jim shares how Tyson is able to address, own and control the painful experiences of the past. A lot of people are not able to do this as it takes a certain level of awareness and strength to use it to one’s advantage. But, to use it as fuel and motivation when working with clients is very rewarding and makes you a better lawyer. Tyson also shares that he has learned the importance of taking a stance and position on things from Jim. Many people struggle with taking a strong stance on something they believe in. Tyson talks about how Jim does this very well in his marketing strategies to convey his message to potential clients. Doing this is not about making sure everyone likes you but about showing those that need your help that you are behind them.

Not caring about other people’s opinion is another thing that Tyson shares that he learned from Jim. This is another issue that people tend to do and it can cause people to minimize their growth and success. The truth is even if you don't believe it inside, saying it out loud can bring a sense of power to you that can then lead you to believing it. With this, it is important to surround yourself with people that matter and will support you through your career.

Take a listen to learn a few things from Jim and Tyson.

2:02 Focus on making small improvements each day 

5:49 Embrace the pain in life

8:15 Dedication to creating and implementing systems

13:22 Exploration of the value of taking a position and not being afraid to be divisive

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here. https://youtu.be/hRsONq-JJL8

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you looking for a unique way to market your law firm? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Tyson discusses the growing use of voice search assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa, and its impact on marketing strategies.

What makes voice search assistants so popular is the conversational piece that exists. It feels like you are having a conversation with someone. Tyson talks about how people are asking more detailed questions. For example, no one is just searching “personal injury law”. People are searching “Where is the closest personal injury lawyer to me” or “What is the best rated personal injury lawyer in my city”.

For these voice search assistants to show your business when someone is searching, it is important to ensure your contact information is up to date. This is because if someone asks Siri or Alexa for the closest personal injury firm in their city, it will pump out all the ones within their range and the information that is already online. If your address is wrong or your phone number is not updated, these assistants will not provide potential clients with the right information. This  truly puts you at a disadvantage. Optimize Google My Business to ensure potential clients are seeing you through voice assistants.

Take a listen!

00:24 The growing usage of voice search assistants like Siri and Google Assistant.

3:20 The importance of optimizing for local search as voice searches are often local.

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HERE

Are you an attorney who needs a new elevator pitch? In this episode, host Tyson introduces the "What Why How" method, a strategy for articulating one's professional role and purpose that can elevate a law practice.

This method can be used as an elevator pitch or if you are wanting to express what your firm does to clients. It is a 4 step process that is designed to articulate what you do, why it matters how it is done and who you serve. There are 4 questions to ask yourself: Why do I do it/Why is it helpful? How do I accomplish it? What is my niche/practice area? What kind of lawyer am I?

This can be taken to another level by adding some storytelling to give the method some life. This allows for more relatability and passion. As a lawyer there are many stories of struggle and strife that clients go through to get their lives back in order. For personal injury lawyers like Tyson, many clients suffer financial loss and mental stress. Weaving in stories of clients who need help and expressing how you are going to help them are great ways to showcase what you do.

Take a listen!

1:03 The “what, why, how method”

2:15 Method example 

3:57 Adding storytelling to the method

Are you thinking about focusing on email marketing for your firm? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Jim provides practical tips for effective email marketing within a law firm. 

In order to do email marketing, you need to be dedicated and committed. This is because email marketing usually entails sending planned mass emails to people depending on what is in your marketing plan. Sending sporadic, random emails to people will not be as effective, so it is important to sit down and plan how email marketing is going to look for your firm. Another aspect of email marketing is building a dedicated email list of people who are already subscribed or have connected with your firm.

Jim outlines the difference between leading and lagging indicators. Leading indicators are what you can control and what you can do to get more subscribers or clients. For example, if you are wanting to dedicate your time to email marketing, focus on sending out dedicated content. Make a plan to send out 3 emails to your email list each week for a year. Lagging indicators are things that you can’t control. This can be losing subscribers or clients as you are dedicating yourself to sending out 3 emails a week.

Planning content ahead is crucial to ensure you do not fall behind. It is important to plan for email launches weeks in advance to ensure everything in your email is covered. Writing an email the day it is to be launched is one of the worst things you can do when email marketing. Make a plan ahead of time!

Jim also talks about the importance of having a call to action for those who are reading your emails. This provides people with things to do. An example can be inviting people to join a Facebook group or to sign up for an upcoming webinar. This connects those on your email list with other platforms and brings more subscribers or watchers to those platforms.

Another important aspect of email marketing is using branded and unbranded emails. Branded emails will have your logo and name of your firm, while unbranded will not. There are reasons to use both which can make email marketing effective. It is good to use branded emails for the sporadic, blow horn emails. Unbranded emails are more effective as they are short, personal and usually ask for a reply. You can even respond to these replies using a template, especially if you are getting the same response from different people.

List segmentation is another great aspect of email marketing. Using email providers like Mailchimp allow you to segment your emails based on a topic. For example, if you get a bunch of people asking about citizenship or the process of getting citizenship, you can segment your list to where you can send these people all types of information only on citizenship. As a lawyer, this will allow you to help solve a specific problem.

Listen in to learn more on how to do effective email marketing.

1:10 The importance of making a decision to do email marketing

10:41 The significance of including a call to action at the bottom of an email

11:37 The effectiveness of unbranded emails that are short and personal

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here. 

Are you a lawyer who doesn't have LinkedIn? In this podcast episode, Jim and Tyson talk with Jason Cheung, a LinkedIn expert who assists lawyers in improving their online presence. They discuss the significance of LinkedIn for legal professionals.

LinkedIn is one of the only platforms that provide exposure to corporate professionals. It provides people with the chance to know who is in their industry and can make that connection for professional development and career growth. Jason provides his approach to using LinkedIn. He uses a storytelling angle that can be beneficial for lawyers. He uses the example of describing a problem a client had and the processes he used to solve that problem. Potential clients want to see how you have helped others which will provide them with comfort that you will do the same. It will also provide partners or other firms with the chance to understand how you work.

Jason shares how to convert LinkedIn posts to actual clients. He talks about the importance of including a call to action in posts. Most people do not want to just cold call a lawyer or email them, but if you add that little message at the end inviting people to reach out, it makes it easier on the client. Another way is to reply to comments from viewers and followers. Ask someone about the problem they're having, which might end up in your direct messages where there is a bit of a back and forth prior to having a client intake call.

For lawyers who use LinkedIn, it is important to engage with people who like your posts. These individuals may not follow you, but there is a benefit in sending them a friend request to connect and adding a message of “Thanks for liking my post, I look forward to connecting”. This allows the individual to know that you are responsive and active and that they can have a chat down the line if they feel you can be of help.

Listen in to learn more!

Jim Hack:Use the 6 minute rule. This rule is when you find yourself done with a project and you have 6 minutes left, start on another project. If you have less than 6 minutes, use it to goof around on your phone.

Jason’s Tip:Is to always make the assumption that people who don't know you would love to talk to you. 90% of the time people do want to engage. You have nothing to lose with this tactic and it is a great way to expand your network quickly.

Tyson’s Tip:Call your parents more because they are getting older and time goes by quickly. The same goes with colleagues. Connect with your colleagues more and check in on them.

5:32 Jason shares his approach to creating LinkedIn posts

11:20 Tips on how to convert LinkedIn posts into actual clients

21:35 Jason provides information about his LinkedIn marketing practice

Connect with Jason:

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.

Are you looking for tips on how to use your phone more efficiently?  In this episode, Tyson discusses various tips and tricks for iPhone users and shares advice on how to use different features.

One feature Tyson talks about is text replacement, which allows you to set up shortcuts for phrases you use frequently. This is great for those that use their phones a lot, especially for work. The pathway to do this is Settings, then General and then Keyboard/Text. Another great feature that many people deal with is silencing unknown and spam callers. We all get those spam calls that just cause frustration. The pathway is Settings, then Phone and then Turn On Silence Callers.

Tyson shares an interesting trick that allows people to create different ringtones and vibrations for different callers. The pathway is to go to the individual contact, then select edit ringtone. This can be done for each person. Another trick for all the headphone users is Siri announcing messages through your headphones. This is really handy if you work with headphones in and don't want to glance down at your phone every time a message comes through. The pathway is Siri and search Announce Messages

There are ways to connect your phone with your computer to work better. There is a feature called handoff that allows you to start something on one device and finish it on another. For example, if you are typing an email on your phone but then you get distracted, you can use the feature to finish it on your laptop. You simply turn on the handoff feature in your settings. 

Listen in to learn more!

1:13 Setting up shortcuts for frequently used phrases on iPhone

2:04 Avoiding spam calls by enabling the "Silence Unknown Callers" setting in iPhone

2:57 Using the back tap feature to execute different actions

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.

Do you need a tip to help with organization while completing a project? In this episode, Tyson discusses the use of Kanban boards for task management and improving productivity. 

Kanban boards are a great way to improve productivity in your firm. Kanban boards are divided into columns, with each representing a stage in your workflow. It shows the start to finish of a project. It is a great way to visualize how your work is getting done. It is perfect for visual learners and working with a solid team. There are many variations of a Kanban board. They can be used in an app or even put up on a wall in your office for everyone to see and add to. A really great way to utilize a Kanban board is to have 4 columns: to do, in progress, review and complete. This way people can move sticky notes from one column to another, depending on where that task is along the cycle of a project.

Kanban boards can also be used for your personal life. If you have a busy life, where personal and business tend to mesh together, you can build a physical one on your wall at home. Add all the different tasks you need to get done: walk the dog, cook dinner, help kids with homework, read a chapter of a book, workout. etc. The list is truly endless. This will allow you to visually see what you need to get done and when.

Kanban boards provide a birds eye view of all ongoing tasks. You can easily see what is happening now and what will happen later on. It also helps to promote better work habits with your teams. Honestly, who doesn't want to have a giant board of sticky notes that everyone is moving around as things get done!

Listen in to learn how to better communicate with your team and enhance productivity.

2:08 Tyson explains the concept of a Kanban board.

9:44 Tyson discusses different ways Kanban boards can be used.

11:28 Kanban boards provide a bird's eye view of ongoing tasks.

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.

Are you struggling with knowing how to build a business from the ground up? In this episode, Jessica Gonifas shares her insights on building a successful law firm. She provides some tips on how to gain the confidence needed to run a business. 

In order to run a business, you need to have a good understanding of your firm’s numbers and where your firm sits financially. Jessica shares some questions to ask when you get your books in order. Ask yourself: Where is the revenue coming from? So what are the types of cases you take and how much profit are making from these cases. Another question is where is your money going? How much is going towards salaries, softwares, training, etc. The last question is what is the firm’s profit margin? With this, it is important to partner with an accountant that understands law firms who can help determine this margin.

When starting out as a new firm owner, it is important to understand what your personal and work goals are as well as the time you are willing to commit. For personal goals, consider how much money you want to take out of the firm and how much your family needs on an annual basis to keep afloat. In relation to work goals, understand what your purpose is at work. Are you reviewing technical work, doing technical work or going out and getting clients? The time you dedicate to your firm is so important because it will determine how much you make. Decide how many hours a week you want to work.

Jessica emphasizes the importance of having a big picture goal. What do you want your firm to look like in 5 years? What steps will you take to get there? In doing this, think about what you need to do as an owner and what your staff need to do as they help you run the business. Think about all the things you want to accomplish (ie. a certain number of cases, a new intake system, a new tech tool for the firm, etc.) and outline exactly how to get there. It might be good to break them down into quarterly objectives, that way it is spread out over 4 periods and you can take time throughout the year to plan.

Listen in to learn more!

1:12 The importance of financial structure and asking key questions

4:16 What about personal goals, work responsibilities and time commitment?

8:16 The importance of setting big picture goals

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.

Connect with Jessica:

Resources:

Do you need help in maximizing productivity as a lawyer? In this podcast episode, Jim and Tyson talk to solopreneur Lauren Lester, who runs her own estate and family law firm, Lester Law. She shares her journey into law as a second career. 

Lauren shares a few tips attorneys can use to maximize productivity. For new attorneys, it is important to identify where inefficiencies lie in the repetitive tasks. Because you are doing things over and over, it makes sense to see what is not working or how to develop a system to do that thing better so it becomes easier and faster for you. For Lauren, she uses technology as leverage to make these tasks more efficient. For those that are too busy to develop systems, it might be best to focus on the one task that either takes the longest to do or is extremely important and build something around it.

Another tip Lauren shares is how to manage a busy personal life with an equally busy business. It is really important to schedule time for yourself when you have a busy life. One thing to do is protect your time. For example, Lauren shares how a client really wanted to meet with her the following morning at 9am, but she already booked an hour 1 gym session. She responded back saying the earliest time available was 11am. Clients do not need to know your work schedule. Doing this will allow for a more structured day where you can fit in time for personal care.

A lot of attorneys struggle with the billable hour, which is charging clients a fee by the hour. You will always hear people say “They charge by the hour” or “I pay $200 for a client call with my lawyer”. For attorneys, it is important to have value based pricing. In this profession, most have worked in the industry for a long time and have a lot of experience and expertise, but do not bill clients based on that. A shift in mindset towards billing based on the value you bring to a client is needed to succeed.

In this day and age, there has been a shift in having a better work life balance. No one wants to work 80 hour weeks, feel burned out and not enjoy the money they make. Lauren provides advice on how older attorneys can work with the younger generation to learn this. The value of an employee is not the time they spend sitting at a desk, but hitting benchmarks in a time that works for them. For example, an employee may be able to accomplish a task in an hour as opposed to spending their whole work day doing it. That person should not be punished because they did their job quicker. As long as the objective for the business is being met, who cares how fast it took them to complete it. 

Take a listen to learn more!

8:17 Tips for solo attorneys or attorneys starting out to maximize productivity

10:49 Tips for managing personal and business life

15:45 Discussion of the challenges attorneys face with the billable hour

18:33 Advice on how law firm owners can work with the younger generation

Jim's Hack: Read or listen to $100M Leads: How to Get Strangers to Want to Buy Your Stuff Alex Hormozi https://amzn.to/4998nkv

Lauren’s Tip: Tech tool called Text Expander, which allows you to create little snippets of things you are constantly writing. Whether it be closing out an email with a signature phrase or acronyms that you need to spell out, the tool allows you to get emails out faster.

Tyson Tip: Use Teleprompter when creating videos, which allows you to copy and paste text into it and then adjust the speed.

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.

Connect with Lauren:

Do you want to learn how to become a keyboard wizard? In this episode, Tyson shares an important tip lawyers can use in their practice, which involves using a keyboard. 

Lawyers are very busy people and usually don't have a lot of time. There are keyboard shortcuts that attorneys can use that will make work more efficient, especially if you do repetitive tasks. 

Some of these shortcuts include functions like: 

There are some advanced functions that Tyson shares. If you want to quickly lock your screen, you press Command + Q for a PC. If you want to open your emoji keyboard on your screen, it's Control + Command + Space for Mac. For a PC, it is “Windows.Windows;” Another interesting function is looking up a definition. For a Mac, click Command + Control + D, all while hovering above the word you want to look up. For PC, it is Alt + Click.

All of these shortcuts take practice to learn and master. Sooner or later, you will be able to use them to streamline your workflows.

Listen in to learn how to master using your keyboard!

1:10 Why keyboard shortcuts are important for efficiency

4:49 Basic keyboard shortcuts for common actions

10:11 How to quickly lock the screen on a Mac or PC using keyboard shortcuts

11:03 How to quickly show the desktop on a Mac or PC

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.

Are you looking for a way to organize your firm better? In this podcast episode, Tyson discusses the benefits of organizing law firms into pods or teams. 

Tyson talks about the benefits of splitting up people within law offices to really maximize the talent that exists. Within Tyson’s firm, staff are a part of different teams that are colour coded. Ultimately, it is a way of organizing an agile team that is composed of an attorney, a case manager, and a litigation assistant. There are many reasons why a system like this is effective. 

One reason is that it allows for clear communication. All members (especially when looking at small teams) know their roles inside and out, which means less chances for misunderstandings and better opportunities for streamlined operations. Looking at the trio of an attorney, case manager and litigation assistant, everyone has a role. The attorney focuses on complex legal stuff, case managers focus on client relations and the litigation assistants focus on the administrative work.

At its core, law is the business of people. Pod systems allow for clients to have consistent, attentive services from the same group of people who know and understand their case. This makes the client management aspect of a firm so much better. Clients can trust the people who are helping them in the journey and don't have to worry about talking to different people.

Small pods can create a close knit nature among the people who work together. People can deliver better if the dynamic and vibe of a team is top tier!

Listen in to learn more about setting up pods in your firm.

2:22 The advantages of organizing a law firm into pods

4:25 How the pod system allows for seamless coverage

7:24 The close-knit nature of pods

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here. https://youtu.be/hDZi1y_Uc6I

Are you looking for systems to manage your tasks better? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer podcast, Ryan Anderson discusses the concept of task-based management in law firms. 

A lot of people run their business using calendar and email based management. It’s so easy for most because many people use their calendar and email frequently. But, Ryan shares how these methods are not efficient to manage your to do lists. He shares how using task based management systems are the way to go when it comes to staying organized and on top of all your tasks. 

Ryan shares its own platform, FileVine. FileVine is a task based management system that allows you to know what you have to get done for the day and what you have assigned to other people. So many lawyers have a million things to do from meetings to research to court. Having a system that lays everything out is ideal for this type of work. What makes FileVine and other project management systems so great is you remove the “email me” from your language. Most times, people will say “just email me”, but that can get lost in a flurry of other emails and priorities. With these systems, you can say “task me”. This allows you to task things out quickly to other people. If not, you are emailing, calling and messaging multiple people to get things done.

Ryan shares that people should be able to use case management systems with no more than their voice. He announces the creation of a voice interface that FileVine will have. With a voice interface, more tasks and communication will get onto the platform. What this feature does is allow someone to make a call to the platform where an AI bot will answer and ask what you would like to do. Let's say you realize at 10pm that you have to do something right when you get into the office, but you are worried you will forget. Call into the platform and let the AI bot know to leave a task for you and have it added to whatever case file. That way in the morning, you will get a notification that the task is waiting for you.

Listen in to learn more!

00:24 The concept of task-based management

6:31 The benefits of using a task-based management system

11:27 Using task-based management to keep track of important information

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here. 

Connect with Ryan:

Have you thought about what you will do when it’s time to retire and leave your law firm? In this podcast episode, Jim and Tyson interview Victoria Collier, the founder and CEO of Quid Pro Quo. Victoria shares her journey in the legal industry, from being a paralegal in the military to starting and selling her own successful law firm. 

Tyson, Jim and Victoria discuss the mission of Quid Pro Quo, which is to guide others to finding their path to life after law. This mission encompasses the idea that you need to begin a career with an end in mind. Most attorneys only think about the next paycheck or next client, but don't think about where they will be at the end of the road. For many law firm owners, they will need to sell their business at some point. Victoria shares the idea that the best way to sell when the time comes is to stay low and stay small.

Victoria discusses the concept of the “owners box” in a law firm. This is the idea that a firm needs to be separate from the owner. Most times, it is harder to sell a firm if the owner is so closely tied to the business. Being closely tied comes with an owner being too involved or front facing. To move away from this, it is important to have people in between the owner and the business. For example, hiring people to answer phones and schedule appointments. This allows owners to not be chained to their desk. Ultimately, being in the owners box means being the visionary of where a law firm is going to go and building a team to help execute it.

There are a few things to consider when selling a law firm at retirement. One thing is ensuring your finances are in order and that you are in the right place to sell. Think about your profit margin and where you will be at retirement. If you don't have enough, you need to think about ways to increase revenue and decrease expenses. Another thing is ensuring you as the owner are a bit removed from the firm, through processes and systems. The whole firm should not revolve around the owner. It is important to maximize the system, processes and people to ensure a firm can run without an owner.

In many cases, there will be multiple partners of a law firm. Victoria talks about how to address an attorney who wants to be a partner. It is important to consider if this individual will add value to your firm and that they have the best intentions. Ask a potential partner why they want to join and how they will make the firm the best it can be.

Listen in to learn more!

3:19 Victoria shares the mission of her company, Quid Pro Quo

10:32 Being in the owner's box

12:26 Considerations for selling a law firm

23:49 Associates expressing interest in becoming partners

27:23 Focus on developing leadership skills

Jim's Hack:Sign up for Gary Falkowitz masterclass on intake and client advocacy, which helps people fix their intake systems at www.maxintake.com

Victoria’s Tip:Start learning about leadership instead of management and how to be a great leader versus a manager.

Tysons Tip:Read “Getting Things Done” by David Allen. The book has a lot of practical tips to help get organized.

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here. 

Connect with Victoria:

Would you like to learn more about sharing Youtube videos more efficiently? In this episode, Tyson shares a tech tip on how to link a specific time to a Youtube video.

If you are sending a video to a client, it can be helpful to inform them of a specific part so they do not waste time watching the whole video (that is if they don’t need to). It is all about making it easier for your clients. On the desktop browser, all you do is go to the Youtube video, move the cursor of your mouse to the part of the video that needs to be shared, click the share button under the video, select “Start at” (make sure the time listed is correct), select copy and then paste the link it to an email or text thread.

At the end of the day, it is important that attorneys make processes that are simple and efficient. This will ultimately help clients understand what is happening with their cases.

Listen in to learn more!

00:24 The benefits of linking to a specific time in a YouTube video

2:16 Step-by-step instructions on how to link to a specific time in a YouTube video

10:11 The benefits of sending a specific segment of a YouTube video to clients

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.

Do you find yourself wasting time between meetings? In this episode, Tyson shares a time management technique called "attacking the open space" that he learned from his friend Jason Selk & Tom Bartow . 

Lawyers are very busy people who usually never have any time. With juggling client meetings, research for cases and court prep, there are many tips to use to maximize the time you have. Tyson shares the technique “attacking the open space” which means using the leftover time you have in your calendar to complete a task on your to-do list. For example, if you have a 60 minute client call and you finish early with 15 minutes left to spare, use that time to tackle a quick task.

“Attacking that time” allows attorneys to get a lot of things done. The amount of time could vary from 2 minutes to 30 minutes, depending on how busy a schedule is. Tackle that time by responding to an email from a client, setting up a meeting to follow up with a partner or conducting some quick research for a case.

It is all about maximizing your productivity!

Take a listen.

1:19 How to identify and utilize the open spaces in your calendar

2:25 The technique of attacking the open space in your calendar

4:13 Understanding how different salary ranges view time in varying units

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.

Do you need virtual support for your law firm? In this podcast episode, Daniel Maxwell, an attorney with Amicus Settlement Planners, discusses the benefits of hiring and training virtual assistants (VAs) for law firms. 

Daniel talks about how hiring internationally located individuals as VAs can help businesses grow and prosper. Many people have fears with hiring VAs, especially ones that live halfway across the world. Daniel says business owners need to move from problem centric thinking to solution focused thinking in order to get over these fears. Thinking about how a VA will help your company instead of what potential issues exist will lead to success. What makes outsourcing work to VAs in other countries beneficial is that people can be working at different times of the day. Daniel shares how he will provide a list of tasks to his VAs before he goes to bed and they are complete when he wakes up.

For many business owners, the question can be where to find the best VAs. Daniel shares the three ways to find VAs: hiring direct, using a freelance marketplace or using a VA staffing firm. It is important to not get stuck in this step. Choose a route to find a VA and follow through. If one method does not work to your liking, try a different one later on. Daniel stresses the importance of hiring a VA for one task. Not all VAs will be able to do everything and that is totally fine. For example, if you need help with invoicing, hire a VA solely for invoicing so they can focus and master that skill. If there are other tasks that they can do down the line, allow them to branch out.

Something to add to your recruitment process is having potential VAs complete a test task. This task should be similar to the work that person would be doing if they were to come on board with your firm. This will narrow down potential hires and sift out those who are not the right fit. It is also important to have a good standard operation procedure (SOP) for VAs to follow so everything is done in the way it needs to. Some examples include access to software or templates to complete work or a video demo on how to complete a task. This all helps VAs become familiar with how you run your firm and decreases the chance of a VA not knowing what to do.

Communicating with your VAs regularly is important. Pick a standard channel, whether it be email, Slack or Asana. Communicating new tasks is also crucial to ensure the VA understands how things work. When you are providing a new task, record a video demonstration so the VA can refer back to it.

Listen in to learn more on hiring VAs!

1:20 Daniel addresses the fears and concerns that may be holding law firms back

6:07 The different options for finding and hiring virtual assistants

9:09 Tips on filtering and hiring virtual assistants

10:14 The importance of having standard operating procedures (SOPs)

14:07 The benefits of investing in virtual assistants

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.

Connect with Daniel:

Do you need help in building toughness within yourself? In this podcast episode, Jim and Tyson interview mental toughness expert Steve Magness. They discuss the misconceptions about resilience and how to build true toughness. 

True Resilience

Steve talks about the thing people get wrong about resilience. Many people think resilience means putting your head down, grinding through anything and not letting emotions get in your way. But, resilience really is navigating discomfort and uncertainty and figuring out ways to decide what is best for you. Navigating new territory is scary and many people get anxious or scared if they don't know what to do. Steve shares that if you do something repetitively in which you are putting yourself in uncomfortable situations, your brain will adjust. It's all about looking for easy ways into that space.

True Toughness

Like resilience, many people get true toughness wrong. Toughness is about developing inner strength in order to choose doing something that is difficult. Whether it be lifting weights or running a marathon, there is an inner strength that is needed in order to decide if you are going to do it. There are ways to foster toughness within people and Steve speaks to law firm owners on how best to do it. One thing is giving staff a sense of autonomy, in which people feel they can actively contribute to their teams. Another thing is competency, in which staff have a path to grow and learn.

Staff Connections

It is so important to make and keep connections, especially while working virtually. It is easy to feel isolated when working from home and working with people who you never see face to face. Steve provides some insight on how to maintain these relationships. Before virtual work became the norm, there were water cooler talks and coffee breaks where people would get together and get to know one another on a personal level. Since most of that has gone away, Steve emphasizes the importance of finding ways to bring those in between moments back. One way is to spend 5-10 minutes at the beginning of meetings to share updates on what is going on in your life. Maybe ask a colleague how their vacation went or what they got up to on the weekend.

Take a listen to learn more!

1:30 Steve Magnus discusses the misconceptions about resilience.

3:13 How controlled stressors can help build mental toughness and resilience.

14:39 How leaders can foster internal confidence and toughness.

21:37 Tips on how to foster connection and belonging in the virtual workplace.

Jim's Hack:If there is something that you're struggling with, look at the people who have succeeded at doing that thing and do what they do. 

Steve’s Tip:Get outside for a couple minutes, even if it is to just look at something natural. Getting outside has a restorative ability to your cognition. It will help get rid of some of that fatigue and help you perform better.

Tysons Tip:Think about how you work and where you're working. Think about reconfiguring things to a way that makes more sense for how you operate and it may help you work more efficiently.

Links mentioned

Book: Do Hard Things: Why We Get Resilience Wrong and the Surprising Science of Real Toughness by Steve Magness

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.

Have you ever accidentally closed a browser tab and did not know how to recover it? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Tyson shares a helpful tech tip on how to reopen closed browser tabs.

Tyson shares how to recover browser windows for both PC and Mac users. For PC users, the method to recover browser windows is clicking Ctrl, shift and T. In order to restore multiple windows, press the same keys over and over and the tabs will reopen in reverse order of when they closed. If you want to use your mouse instead, go to the browser, right click and select “reopen closed tabs”.

For Mac users, the way to recover tabs is pretty similar. It is Command, shift and T. It is important to be mindful that not all Mac computers have the same right click option that PC computers do. If you do not have it set up, use the right click option that your laptop has already (this could be through using the touchpad).

Listen in to learn how to save time with this tip!

00:24 The common issue of accidentally closing a browser tab

1:16 Two methods to reopen a closed browser tab

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here. https://youtu.be/nhBM7gqSm_w

Is your law firm struggling with how to effectively communicate with clients? In this episode, Tyson discusses the importance of client communication in a law firm. He shares tips on how to better communicate and action items firms can take.

Front End Communication

Tyson talks about the importance of front end communication. This involves communicating everything to your clients at the beginning so they don't call back multiple times with questions. Make sure to intentionally plan out what to communicate and when. There may be some information clients will need at different points of the client journey. Tyson uses the example of their own ten day onboarding email sequence, where over the course of 10 days, clients are provided with different types of information.

Client Satisfaction

Keeping clients in the loop is crucial to ensure they are satisfied throughout their time working with you. Track your firm’s responsiveness so you know how well the team is communicating with clients and how often. Tyson uses their own firm’s example, where the team does a client check in every 6 weeks. These calls involve communicating what is going on with a case, how the client is feeling and if they feel they are being represented appropriately. Make sure to build those calls into the calendar so they are not missed.

Ultimately, effective client communication is key to ensure your client knows what is happening and they are always kept in the loop. It is crucial if you want to get referrals as news about good service travels fast!

Take a listen.

1:11 Tips on how to up front load communication

3:47 Importance of tracking team responsiveness and communication scores

9:00 Tips for improving client communication

10:06 The significance of effective client communication for referrals

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.

Are you looking for a way to automate your intake system? Do you use various tools within your firm? In this podcast episode, Kelsey Bratcher from Hired Gun Solutions shares a presentation on automation intake and the evolution of the process.

The intake process began with a simple piece of paper. When someone called a firm, a receptionist or administrator would write their name and number down on a piece of paper. This would then get passed to the attorney. In the legal field today, there are many tools and softwares that are used to automate the intake process, making it more efficient and faster. The ideal intake system will get a client on board in one call, without having to bother with scheduling an appointment.

You want a level of consistency in the intake process. The same questions should be asked, the same information collected and the handoff of information should be right after everything is collected. This will ensure every client is treated the same and nothing is left out for the attorneys. Kelsey emphasizes the need to have a centralized system. If a firm is tracking calls and messages, scheduling meetings and has a marketing channel, all of this needs to be in one place or within one software.

Take a listen!

1:05 Kelsey Bratcher shares the fundamentals of the ultimate intake system

3:46 The need for consistency in how calls are handled

6:38 Centralizing information in one place

8:43 The importance of staying organized in the intake process

9:36 Easy and real-time access to reports and metrics

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.

Connect with Kelsey:

Are you an attorney who wants to get into the social media space? In this podcast episode, Jim and Tyson discuss the importance of creating engaging and entertaining content for law firm videos and social media. 

Creating social media content is a difficult skill to master. It takes time and effort to not only understand how certain apps work but also what type of content is going to reel people in. Social media can be used to attract clients, especially those of a younger demographic. 

Tyson and Jim explore the idea of creating entertaining videos and if it will lead to more viewers and clients. One thing to consider is creating TikTok content that is a mix of fun and legal advice. The fun aspect allows viewers to get to know you as a person and then the legal advice will showcase the expertise.

Tyson and Jim talk about how viewers do not like the “ask” in social media content. The point of social media is to attract people to view your content and subscribe. The last thing people want is to have to go the extra mile for a creator all the time if they are asking their audience to do something. Sprinkling in the “selling” is a good way to get your message across. Giving away your best tips and advice will get people to listen. It is a risk because nobody wants to give everything away for nothing in return, but Tyson and Jim promise it is the best way to get the views without throwing things in people’s faces.

When creating content on apps like Tiktok, it is important to include all the necessary information without taking too much time. Make sure to address the question, provide a solution and have a call to action. It is really important to ensure videos are kept short. No one is going to listen to a video if it is too long because you lose the viewer if you do not get the point.

To be successful on social media, it is important to understand the rhythm of the platform. What are people talking about? What are the trends to know and follow? Get to know your audience and understand what they want to see and what questions they need answered. As attorneys, find out what legal advice people want to know. Is it about immigration, privacy, criminal or copyright? From here, you can create content in a way that will help you attain more clients.

Take a listen!

2:09 The significance of creating engaging and interesting videos

5:42 Balance entertaining content with informative legal content

10:04 Giving away valuable content to attract clients

18:35 The need for law firm videos and social media content to be short

19:56 Advice on how to make TikTok videos interesting by following trends

Jim’s Hack: Read the book $100M Leads: How to Get Strangers to Want to Buy Your Stuff Alex Hormozi 

Tyson’s Tip: Get your personal life organized through a Kanban board. Tyson suggests having columns for buckets such as “new task”, “doing” and “done” and using sticky notes to fill the board.

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.

Does your firm need better Wi-Fi? Do you struggle to have good connectivity during meetings? This episode features Tyson who discusses tech tips to improve Wi-Fi speeds for law practices. 

Regardless of the type of industry you are in, reliable Wi-Fi is a necessity, especially in this day and age. It is one of the only ways we are able to stay connected and know what is happening around us. Tyson talks about the need to understand what you are paying for. He suggests people google an “internet speed test” to check how fast the internet is and to test it all around the office. If the speed and the price don't match, it means it is time to make some changes.

Tyson provides some tips to use to solve connectivity and speed issues. One tip is to simply reboot your router, which involves unplugging the router for 30 seconds, pressing the power button and plugging it back in. This can reset your internet and bring it back to a good speed. Another tip is upgrading your router. Older routers are not able to keep up with the newer demands of Wi-Fi and can really slow everything down. Disconnecting multiple devices is something that can also speed up your Wi-Fi. Most times, people have their phones, laptops and TVs connected to the Wi-Fi which can really slow it down. Encourage people in the office to disconnect devices that they do not need.

Where your router is located in the office can really determine how strong the connection and speed is. If your Wi-Fi is slow, consider moving the router to a more central position. This could be a boardroom or office in the middle of the space. What this does is clear the path and not allow the connection to hit walls or barriers.

Take a listen!

00:24 How Wi-Fi speeds affect law practices

2:33 How to test your internet speeds using Google's internet speed test

4:29 Tips for improving Wi-Fi speeds

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.

Do you need some help in changing habits to reduce stress? In this episode, Tyson discusses the importance of stress reduction and shares practical tips for managing stress in the legal profession and as a business owner.

Tyson talks about the various ways to reduce stress as well as some things he has implemented. One of his tips to reducing stress is the method of box breathing. Box breathing involves inhaling for 4 seconds, holding your breath for 4 seconds, exhaling for 4 seconds and then holding your breath once more for 4 seconds. What this does is help center yourself and reach a state of calm.

Another tip is to turn off notifications. People are on their phones way too much and get distracted by all the apps. It can cause a lot of stress and many people can become addicted. Tyson suggests doing this as it allows you to control the flood of information that gets to you. You can control the amount and when you absorb it.

One final tip is to schedule your workouts. Realistically, if you do not schedule it, it's not going to happen. Scheduling it allows you to proactively plan and stay accountable to yourself. If you decide one day you are not in the mood to workout, schedule that time frame for a walk around the neighborhood or around the office.

Take a listen to learn more tips on how to reduce stress!

2:04 The technique of box breathing for stress reduction

4:47 Have you turned off notifications to reduce stress?

5:35 The importance of scheduling workouts

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.

Are you a practicing attorney who struggles with closing a deal? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer podcast, Russ, a salesperson with a law degree, presents the five most important factors to closing a sale. He talks about the skills and qualities an attorney needs to close a sale with a client.

Building Trust 

People will buy a product or become a client because of trust. Trust is essential in gaining the support and rapport of a client. Trust comes from credibility as well, in that you are good at what you do and you have the evidence to show for it. Now the question becomes: “How do you begin to build that relationship with a client?”

5 Steps for Closing a Sale

Russ talks about the five steps for closing a sale and how it can pertain to attorneys.The first step is engagement. As lawyers, engaging with the client at the beginning is easy because the client calls you for help. As long as you are quick with getting their needs met, you have them. 

Once this step is done, you need to focus on discovering the client. Get to know them and their needs. Spend time understanding their real needs and the needs they don't even know about. Walk the client through the process of how their needs will be both met and encourage them to take your recommendations. 

This leads to the third and most important step, which is building value. Clients are going to buy what you're selling, only if you convince them you or a product has value. To build value, communicate with them when you will be in touch, when you are available and all the information the client will need.

As attorneys, gaining the trust of the client comes from passion. You need to be passionate about them and their story. Working in the legal field comes with countless stories about people who have gone through turmoil, trauma and heartache. Clients need to have attorneys that are just as passionate as they are to solve the issue. This passion is important in showing clients that you care and are with them until the end. It will stem from the discovery stage, where you ask questions to get a better understanding of what the client needs and why they came to your firm.

Most of the time, potential clients don't know what they want because they are stressed out from their legal situation. As an attorney, you need to get them to commit to something. After showing them your value, have them commit to a phone call from you, a follow up call from your assistant, or signing the agreement. You need to give them a choice to make a decision. This is where you close the deal and retain the client.

Take a listen to learn more!

1:19 The importance of trust, credibility, and rapport in closing a sale

3:28 Engaging the client

10:04 The importance of building value.

19:30 The strategy of providing the client with a choice

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.

Connect with Russ:

Are you a new lawyer and need help getting your name out there? In this podcast episode, Jim and Tyson introduce Vaidas Cikotas and Steve Williams from RizeUp Media, a digital marketing agency specializing in law firm marketing. They all discuss how attorneys can establish an online presence and set the foundations for their business.

First Thing to Setup

Working as a new defense lawyer involves a lot of marketing to get those first few clients. People need to be able to find you as a lawyer. One thing that is important to set up is Google My Business. This allows someone to add and edit business info and allows you to know how people find your business. This makes sure all information is up to date so you do not lose a single customer.

Make Connections

Networking is an important aspect of any business. In the legal field, networking with fellow attorneys is crucial to not only making connections but letting others know you are in business. If a fellow attorney cannot take on a case, they may refer a client to you. Being new in the business is all about making connections. Creating an online presence is another way to get your name and business out there. In relation to the legal field, commenting on various cases that are making headlines is a great way for people to understand your perspective. Social media like Twitter or Facebook is a great tool for this. The more online presence you have, the easier it will be for people to find you when they search on Google.

Consistent Online Presence

Vaidas and Steve talk about how a lot of great law firms exist but because they don't have a solid and consistent online presence, people are not aware of their work. They emphasize the need to keep an up to date website with the correct contact information, staff directory and biographies and the cases that attorneys have worked on. Think about this: If you need someone to landscape your backyard and the companies you are searching up do not have pictures of their landscaping work, you are not going to hire them. The same thing goes for law firms! Law firms and lawyers alike need to show their successes to get clients. 

Jim’s Hack: Don’t give your cell phone number to your clients when they are your clients, but give it to them after so they can refer you cases. 

Vaidas's Tip: Understand what you are spending for marketing and ask for help. 

Steve’s Tip: Give your clients your office phone number of your firm when they sign up.

Tyson’s Tip: Use Zoho voice!  

Episode Highlights:

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.

Connect with RizeUp Media:

Are you in the market for a new AI tool to help make your life easier? In this episode, Tyson Mutrux introduces in his new tech segment where he shares an AI tool called Harpa.ai. This tool is a side window to your browser and does a wide variety of things. 

The tool can answer questions that you ask it, provide a summary and even rewrite what you are looking at on the page. Harpa.ai can integrate with other websites or apps. For example, it can provide summaries of Youtube videos with timestamps and can read the PDF you are working on.

It is a great tool for writing as well. Whether you are writing a paper, website or a blog, the tool can mimic a specific writing style that you like. It also helps audit websites. If you have a website and you want it analyzed because you want to change some things, Harpa.ai will give you keyword reports, a strategy and meta descriptions. 

Take a listen to learn more about the various ways to use Harpa.ai!

1:16 Introducing Harpa.ai

2:21 The numerous features and capabilities of Harpa.ai

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here. 

Are you looking for a new hobby to add to your routine? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Tyson talks about cold plunging and the various benefits of it.

There is a lot of buzz around cold plunges. It is gaining a lot of traction and professional athletes are beginning to include it in their routines. Cold plunges do have a ton of benefits including improving your mood, strengthening your immune system, helping with inflammation and minimizing stress. Cold plunges can provide energy all day so you don't have to rely on coffee.

Tyson talks about the different ways you can create a cold plunge, which includes his very own creation of turning a chest freezer into a cold plunge tank. Adding a temperature controller onto a tank is important because it will freeze the water to a certain degree and then turn off. 

When starting to implement cold plunges into your daily routine, it is important to start with small increments of time. Do not just jump in and stay in the tank for 30 or 40 minutes. Start slow with 5 minutes and gradually increase the time as you continue to use it.

Listen in to learn more about cold plunges!

2:07 Explanation of how to convert a chest freezer into a cold plunge tank

6:20 The various benefits of cold plunging

9:05 Starting with shorter durations

9:51 Tyson advises listeners to consult with their doctors before trying cold plunges

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.

Do you need help improving your law firm's client journey? Are you finding it hard to get clients? In this episode, Matt Spiegel, the co-founder and CEO of Lawmatics, discusses the importance of providing excellent customer service in the legal industry and improving the client journey.

It is evident that lawyers are not CEOs. They don't run businesses. But, Matt emphasizes the need for law firm owners to run their practice like a business. Law firm owners need to go out and find clients to grow their firm just like a CEO would go out and make connections to grow their success. Part of growing your business and law firm ensures the client is always happy because a happy client equals a happy practice. Matt delves into the ways to prioritize the happiness of a client.

1 | Client Begins 

The client journey begins the moment a client reaches out to your firm via email or phone. This is part of the “client intake phase”. This phase is crucial to getting a client because they are reaching out to multiple firms at once. You need to ensure staff are engaging right away so they don't lose the client. Immediate engagement shows the client exactly how you will respond to them throughout the process. It shows that those in the firm care and are ready to provide the client with what they need, even if it's just basic legal information.

2 | Active Client

The “active matter phase” is the communication throughout the length of a client's case. Like phase one, communication is key to getting and retaining a client. It is important to provide the client information throughout the journey. Make it a habit to market to them. Send them information like newsletters that include things that are external to your firm. It is a good idea to set up a client portal, where individuals can go into a system and get updates on their case. If email communication is too much (and it can be in this industry), a client portal is a great way to input all necessary information and the client can retrieve it on the other end. 

3 | Former Client 

The “former client phase” is a neglected but important phase in the client journey. 75% of clients come from referrals. Even when a client’s case is complete, the relationship between the attorney and client needs to continue. There are many ways to maintain a good relationship with a former client. Send a birthday and holiday email every year or add them to a mailing list for networking events. What this does is let the client know the firm has their best interests in mind even after the working relationship ends.

Matt speaks about only doing things in your law firm that you can measure. You need to be able to back up your success with KPIs and numbers. Think about the conversion rates of initial screening calls that lead to actual clients. This will measure how successful the intake process is for your firm. Cost per lead and cost per client is another metric to consider to ensure the amount it takes to bring a client on board and how much you are making from that client makes sense.

Take a listen!

6:57 Immediate engagement and rapid response to create a positive first impression

8:45 Focusing on maintaining the relationship with a former client

8:58 Providing excellent customer service from the very first contact with a client

9:53 Delighting clients through effective communication during the active matter phase

17:29 The importance of automation

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.

Connect with Matt:

Are you curious about using AI in your law firm? In this podcast episode, Jim and Tyson interview Manny Griffiths, the CEO and co-founder of Hona (formerly known as Milestones), a legal tech company that uses AI to change the client management experience.

Hona was created as a way for client's going through the legal system to keep up to date on the progress of their cases. Manny shares about Hona as a “Domino's pizza tracker” type of system, where clients can know every aspect of their case and know where their cases are in the legal process. This stemmed from a personal story of being out of the loop in a case for months at a time, with no answers from his lawyer. 

Hona really works to improve the client experience and ensures those going through the legal process always know the status of their case. 

What makes Hona such a great product is that it includes every aspect of the client-lawyer interaction. The app includes basic communication, data collection (ie. basic personal information), billing and an AI chatbot that provides additional information on a case. 

Manny speaks to the fact that AI is drastically changing the way lawyers do their work. Though there are some that are hesitant to adopt it in their own firms, those that are wanting to elevate their firms are using it. Manny talks about how other people are becoming eager to learn about Hona and provides demos on how the app was created and how it is used. This shows the popularity of AI within the legal field. 

With the adoption of AI, the legal field is moving in a direction that many thought it would not go down. Simply put, the firms who are smart and take advantage of AI will prosper and the firms who are rejecting it will eventually go out of business. 

Listen in to learn more!

Jim’s Hack: Respond to your YouTube comments and see more engagement!

Manny’s Tip: Pay college football players or college athletes to do a small commercial or snippet and then send it to your alumni that are a fan of that team. Great, fun marketing! 

Tyson’s Tip: Use the Amazon smart plug to make life a little easier!

2:53 The motivation behind starting Milestones

10:06 The vision for Hona as a bridge between law firms and clients

11:18 Discussion of how clients can use the AI chatbot in Hona

19:03 Insights on the growing trend of niche AI startups in the legal tech space

21:28 Discussion on advancements in technology and legal knowledge

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.

Connect with Manny:

Are you trying to figure out what software to use in your business? In this episode, Tyson talks about the use of different software solutions within the legal industry and how to determine which software deserves to be used in your firm.

Software is meant to be a solution, not add another layer of complexity in your firm. That is why it is important to really think about what software is going to help your firm achieve success. Think about what your firm really needs and what softwares will help with that. It is also important to think about usability. Most softwares are not user friendly and people can find it difficult to work with them when doing their day to day work. If it is too hard to navigate, move on to the next.

1 | Integration

It is important that softwares integrates with each other. Think about Microsoft and the many applications that integrate. Outlook connects to Planner as well as Teams which includes the Tasks and Approvals function. These various applications all coincide with each other, making working with this software very popular. 

2 | Non-Negotiables

Tyson talks about a non-negotiable when it comes to software in the legal field. Software with very good security and compliance is not something to ignore. Those working in the legal field handle sensitive subjects and details all day long. The software used needs to meet security benchmarks for the industry to keep client information safe. This can really put your firm at risk if this is not considered.  

Make sure to always include the stakeholders in your decision to use software. At the end of the day, those in the firm will be using it on a daily basis. So, make it a point to include them in the decision: ask for opinions, run a test demo and get feedback.

Take a listen to learn about what to consider when looking at new software for your firm!

00:24 The importance of considering different things when evaluating software

2:28 Software needs to be able to easily integrate with existing tools

3:24 The non-negotiable requirement for software

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.

Do you want to know what to consider when looking for new employees? In this episode, Tyson discusses the qualities he looks for in team members, whom they affectionately refer to as "peeps” (more so “PEEEEps”) Tyson breaks down the meaning behind each letter of the word which is connected to different attributes.

1 | Passion 

“P” refers to passion (which is the first and last p). Tyson believes looking for people with passion and excitement for the work they do is important. Having people who genuinely love what they do makes a stronger firm. Those with passion put the client first and are eager to learn and grow.

2 | Energy 

The first “E” refers to energy. It is important to look for potential hires who thrive on action and can make conversation, which really helps with client management. 

3 | Energize

The second “E” refers to energize. These are people who hype others up and love working on a team. They are usually people who like to challenge themselves and achieve their goals.

4 | Edge

The third “E” is edge. Individuals with edge are able to look at problems from all angles. They also know when to stop assessing and make a decision. 

5 | Execute

The last “E” is execute, which are those who can get the work done and move it past the finish line. Realistically, you don't want employees who can’t finish a task, secure that client or win that case.

Take a listen to learn more about using “PEEEEps” to hire the best talent!

00:24 Tyson talks about building a strong team

2:17 Tyson discusses the importance of passion in team members

5:30 Tyson talks about the ability to energize others as a crucial quality

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.

Do you want to create a more successful law firm, where you are able to take home more money? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, speaker Brooke Lively shares her personal experience of firing her biggest client and the resulting financial struggles for her business. 

Starting from scratch and building a successful business is a hard thing to achieve. Brooke talks about using the rule of thirds strategy to make her company a profitable one. The strategy involves the following: allocating a third of your revenue to paying salaries, a third to overhead and a third to profit. 

1 | Salaries

When it comes to paying employees, it is best to design compensation packages that work for your firm. 

Accountability within a law firm is so important. It moves work through a firm and can be used to dictate pay. One way to hold people accountable is helping them to create goals. Discussing goals will help employees understand what they want to accomplish. As an owner of a law firm, it is important to dedicate time with each employee on a weekly basis to speak through goals so that everyone is on track. 

2 | Overhead 

A lot of firms spend way too much money on marketing. Brooke speaks to how cutting the marketing budget is a great way to save money. One way to do this is to analyze the return on investment on all marketing channels for a firm each month. Whichever is the lowest that month is cut, which can save tens of thousands of dollars. Another way to save money is to review the monthly credit card bill to see what expenses have been neglected and therefore removed.

3 | Profit 

As a firm owner, there are many things you can do for your profit. One thing is to monitor it every month, tracking the increase or decrease of profit. Another thing is to figure out your salary, distributions and personal finances monthly to make sure you are not only making what you deserve but are paying off your expenses.

Listen in to learn how to make your law firm more profitable!

2:58 The rule of thirds

6:27 The importance of accountability in law firms.

10:51 Your digital marketing budget

11:35 Exploration of the expenses and benefits of coaching

16:28 The importance of properly compensating law firm owners.

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.

Connect with Brooke:

Do you need some help in hiring for your law firm? Are you unsure what roles you need filled? In this podcast episode, Jim and Tyson welcome Brett Trembly, CEO and co-founder of Get Staffed Up. He discusses his new book "24 Months to Freedom: How Modern Law Firms Use Smarter Staffing Solutions to Fast Track Their Way to Success." The book lists seven crucial positions to hire that every law firm needs.

In order to have a successful law firm, you need the right people. You need to have an adequate amount of staff who are skilled in what they do. One of the most important roles to fill is that of an executive assistant. Without an executive assistant, many attorneys take on much more tasks in their day to day schedule. This ultimately takes away from what they need to do. An executive assistant wears many hats in a law firm. The role includes answering phones, preparing documents and bookkeeping. It is a multi-dimensional role that helps keep law firms running.

Many attorneys have a fear of hiring and will stall in getting it done. Sometimes this comes down to money. Brett speaks to not needing tens of thousands of dollars in the bank to hire. As long as there is enough to pay someone for the first 2 weeks, that is when it is time to hire. Hiring someone is not going to cost you money, but it will make you money. It will allow an attorney to focus on the important work, bring in more clients and therefore bring in more money.

Every successful law firm needs to have a full proof intake system, which includes a few different positions. 

➡️ One is a receptionist, who will answer phones and take messages. A receptionist is usually the first person a potential client will interact with, so this individual needs to be very well rounded. Answering the phones in a swift and quick manner is crucial to ensuring that potential clients are provided with what they need. If a firm does not have a receptionist, there is much opportunity to lose out on new clients. 

➡️Hiring an intake specialist is another position that is included in the intake process. This individual will know the process of the law firm in and out and will have some legal knowledge as well. They screen clients to ensure they are the right fit, refer clients to other firms when they are not and will set up  consultations for attorneys. These two positions not only add value to a firm but allow attorneys to focus on the core work.

Brett provides a few tips to help firms hire the right people. One great tip is to give potential candidates practical tests to see if they can not only handle the job but show off their skills and experience. For example, if you are hiring for an intake specialist role, do a quick role play scenario of a client screening call. This way, the candidate can show you in real time how they would handle that situation and what skills they would use to complete a successful call. 

Take a listen to learn more about who to hire and how to hire for a law firm!

6:30 Hiring an executive assistant

10:14 The fear that law firms have when hiring

11:27 The misconception of waiting to hire

13:23 The importance of hiring a full-time dedicated receptionist

20:23 Giving candidates a test

Jim's Hack: Have quarterly meetings with each team member to have conversations on a variety of things. This really shows the effort made to keep tabs on employees and discuss important aspects of one’s career, whether it be goals or growth. These conversations also help with understanding what is and isn't working for a firm from the eyes of an employee.

Brett’s Tip: Force yourself to take time off with your family. If you find you are more stressed when you return to work, that means you have more things to work on to address either your stress or your ways of working.

Tyson’s Tip: Have reference checks for hiring new people. They provide additional information that help get the right people in the right roles. It does add a little more time to the hiring process, but it is really worth it in the end.

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here. 

Connect with Brett:

Are you looking for a better way to maximize meeting notes? In this episode, Tyson introduces the new segment, Max Law Tech Tips. He shares a valuable tech tip on optimizing meeting notes using ChatGPT.

Many have used ChatGPT for writing content, whether it be essays or resumes. But, it can really help with elevating meeting notes, especially within the legal field. Tyson shares his experience in using the platform, more so on how it provides the opportunity to create a visual timeline of cases. 

Pasting content into ChatGPT can provide deeper explanations, potential follow up questions and suggestions on next steps. It takes on the role of a legal assistant who gives you quick advice on what to do next. 

Test it out for yourself!

Take a listen!

00:24 Tysons journey to using Chat GPT

1:12 The various capabilities of  Chat GPT

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here. 

Do you struggle with constantly checking your email or phone notifications? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Tyson discusses how constantly checking your emails can have a negative impact on productivity and mental well-being. 

Whether you work in an office or work for yourself, many people fall victim to constantly checking their emails. This might not be at the fault of an individual person. This can stem from a culture of needing to respond to messages and emails quickly. Tyson refers to a study that shows that a constant string of emails can keep employees in a state of high alert all the time and actually increase stress levels.

It can be difficult to maintain focus when checking emails. If you are focusing on a task and you keep stopping to check an email, it will take more time to complete that task. It helps more to schedule time to check emails in blocks so you can complete all of your tasks for the day.

Tyson provides a few tips on checking emails at specific times throughout the day. Choose times in the day that work for you or when you usually find there is some downtime. If you find yourself more focused in the morning, check emails after lunch. If you have a specific day where a majority of your meetings are in the afternoon, check your emails in the morning.

Another tip is to communicate this schedule with clients. Let them know in your email signature that you check emails a few times a day so they know they might not get a response quickly. This way, you are able to maintain a level of consistency and efficiency in your day.

Take a listen!

2:42 Discusses the challenges and costs of constantly checking emails

3:47 Discussion of how a study shows that constant emails increase stress levels

7:09 Provides pointers for transitioning to checking emails only at designated times

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.

Are you struggling in the intake process as a lawyer? Is your firm finding it hard to maintain clients? In this episode, attorney Gary Falkowitz shares his insights on how to win at intake. 

Gary works with law firms to patch up the holes that exist and make firms better. Intake involves the process of when a potential client connects with a law firm. There are many steps to ensure the intake process is top tier.

1 | Clients

One of the many important things to consider when going through intake is understanding the mindset of a client. Living in a fast paced digital world, people want quick responses. If a firm wants a new client, that firm needs to be swift and respond as fast as possible. If not, the firm risks losing them to another law firm. 

Clients seeking legal representation are usually dealing with heavy things. Whether it be an injury, criminal case or a divorce, no one wants a lawyer. With that said, make sure you are showing compassion and speaking to them in plain language. Many cannot understand legal jargon!

2 | Training 

What makes intake a significant part of working with a client is the training process. It is important that those that work in a law firm are equipped with ongoing training to stay up to date on the intake process. Training can include how to respond to clients when they first reach out or how to run a successful intake call or meeting. Lawyers need to know how to make a decision on the fly, especially if a prospective client calls and wants a quick response. If the lawyer is up to date on the criteria, they should be able to know at that moment if the client can be represented. 

3 | Follow Up

Following up during the intake process is where some clients actually make a decision on a law firm. Most times, potential clients are submitting inquiries to multiple firms just waiting on the first response. If a client emails an inquiry question, respond once and then follow up again. Most times, clients are juggling a lot of different priorities and that inquiry fell off their radar. The follow up might just be the thing that reminds them and pulls them in.

The best way to keep a client is having a strong transition. Once a client is signed, give them homework. Give them all the information they need to feel supported. Provide information materials about the firm, contact information for the team, what you as an attorney expect from them and vice versa. Managing expectations is key. You need to express what you need from them and they need to express what they as a client need from you.

Take a listen to learn more about how to have a successful intake process!

2:09 Understanding the mindset of potential clients

3:53 The significance of training and ongoing education

9:27 Staff should be trained to make decisions

11:58 Law firms should continue following up

17:04 The importance of maintaining communication with clients

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.

Connect with Gary:

Are you struggling with perfectionism in your career? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Jim and Tyson discuss the damaging effects of perfectionism on law firm owners.

Perfectionism in the legal field can really hold people back in their career. It is a difficult hurdle to overcome because there are feelings of not being good enough. The constant need to be perfect can stop people from starting something new. It could be starting a new business venture, a new project or even a new relationship. The need to have everything go a specific way with no mistakes is something a lot of people struggle with and it can really hold people back from success.

Many people get stuck in “prep mode” when having a goal to start something, due to perfectionism. For example, if someone wants to start a business in the social media field and spends months talking about the content they want to post or how they are going to market themselves, but have not taken any steps towards starting the business, no progress is ever made. Getting started is the most important thing when doing something new. So don’t fuss about the small stuff and get something on paper.

When working towards something, it is important to think about this question: What did I accomplish today? Think about the small wins and celebrate that. At the end of the day, those small wins get you closer and closer to your goal. Worrying about every small detail and wanting to make it perfect will damage any chance you have in reaching your goal. 

Jim and Tyson speak to creating pattern interrupts to help with perfectionism. Pattern interrupts involve incorporating new things in your routine as a way to move away from repetitiveness. If you do the same thing everyday, it can aid in your perfectionism. Try going for a walk in between meetings or taking a call on your front porch. It is something to break up that task and maybe trick your brain into implementing it again.

Perfectionism is a tough quality to overcome. But, with small changes and the right actions, you can break the habit in your daily life and become content with letting things be how they are!

Take a listen.

Jim's Hack: Show gratitude to people who have helped you, especially on LinkedIn. It is a good tool to keep in your backpocket.

Tyson's Tip: Try out a cold plunge as it has many benefits such as boosting energy.

2:53 Jim and Tyson discuss how perfectionism holds law firm owners back.

5:24 Jim and Tyson share their own struggles with perfectionism.

13:20 Importance of celebrating small wins.

14:32 The importance of taking action.

16:15 The value of incorporating pattern interrupts into routines.

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.