This week, we sit down with Josh Fitch, co-founder of Troxel Fitch, and discuss his blueprint for building a thriving law firm through partnership. Join us as we explore why Josh chose to embark on this journey with a partner rather than going solo. Discover the qualities he looked for in the perfect business partner and how a strong friendship laid the foundation for success. We don't shy away from the tough topics here. Josh shares the biggest challenge he's faced in his partnership and how he...
Oct 10, 2023•40 min
Join us as we venture into the world of law firm finance with a true industry expert, Brooke Lively, Founder and CEO of Cathcap. We explore the essential financial insights that every law firm owner needs, including: 1. The key numbers every law firm owner should know 2. The ideal composition of your financial team, including the one indispensable role that no law firm owner should ever go without. 3. The three forward-looking and two backward-looking financial indicators you should track to kee...
Sep 26, 2023•53 min
Have you thought about life after law? In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Victoria Collier, a seasoned seasoned entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the legal industry, who, in addition to building and selling her own 7-figure law firm, has been coaching lawyers since 2008 on how to add value to their law firms. We cover everything from preparing your law firm for a successful sale now - even if you’re nowhere near selling, navigating the treacherous cliffs of entrep...
Sep 12, 2023•47 min
Running your own firm can often feel isolating, leaving practitioners questioning whether they're on the right track or simply going through the motions. But fear not, because we dive into resources and strategies to lean into to navigate this journey. We explore the different avenues for creating community, talk about how we found inspiration in other industries, and share our own stories of struggling with the traditional narrative about what it means to be a lawyer. Join us in this episode as...
Aug 29, 2023•49 min
BIG NEWS! Jess has officially joined us as a co-host! Whoo hoo! We’re so excited to have her on board. In celebration of her arrival, we’re having some fun and laughing about the exasperating and head-scratching moments we’ve had as members of the legal profession. Basically, we’re talking about all the things that make us go “Ick!” In this hilarious yet relatable episode, we delve into the zany side of lawyering that often goes unnoticed by everyone other than us lawyers. Get ready to laugh out...
Aug 15, 2023•44 min
What you measure matters. In this episode, we dive into the three specific data points Lauren tracks to boost efficiency and profitability - plus one bonus idea! Join us for a hands-on conversation as we go through the details of how she knows exactly the number of consultations to book per week to hit her yearly revenue goal, how she tracks whether she’s being efficient, and the one number that was a gamechanger when it came to building a profitable practice. Whether you're a seasoned practitio...
Aug 01, 2023•46 min
In this illuminating episode, we dive into the fascinating world of data-driven growth strategies for law firms. Join us as we sit down with Kerri Coby White to explore how lawyers can leverage the power of data to supercharge their practices and achieve greater success. We delve into a range of topics, including the fundamental importance of data in running a law firm, identifying and analyzing key performance indicators, and implementing effective data collection systems. Our discussion highli...
Jun 30, 2023•36 min
Imagine having to appear at a remote hearing from a hospital conference room while your infant daughter is admitted in the other room. In a follow-up to the last episode, Lauren shares going through this experience and how it made her realize that something needed to change in the way she approached work. By being intentional about her time, focusing on what's important, and increasing productivity, Lauren details the three habits that transformed her work life, including: Fiercely protecting he...
Jun 14, 2023•37 min
In this captivating episode, join our host, Lauren Lester, as she opens up about a pivotal moment in her life as a lawyer that almost made her quit her legal career entirely. Despite her business soaring to new heights, Lauren considered walking away from it all. It’s a tale of personal struggle, self-discovery, and the ultimate triumph of resilience. Lauren gets vulnerable, recounting the exact moment when she felt the weight of doubt and frustration threaten to crush her passion for the law de...
May 31, 2023•41 min
In this second of our two-part conversation with Mathew Kerbis, we share tips and insights for solo lawyers looking to build and grow their practice. Lauren and Mathew discuss different website platforms that can work for your goals and what to consider when choosing one. Starting out as a solo lawyer can be tough, so we share some tips on how to supplement your income and build your reputation. We talk about how to find freelance work, take on pro bono cases, and build your network. Your brand ...
May 09, 2023•27 min
Have you been thinking about opening your own law firm? Are you a solo lawyer looking to level up your practice? Well, have we got a treat for you! In this first of a two-part episode, Lauren sits down with Mathew Kerbis, the Subscription Attorney, to discuss their experience as two solo lawyers running their own firms. We start off by exploring the advantages of virtual practice, including the flexibility it offers, the ability to reach a wider market, and the reduced overhead costs. We also sh...
Apr 28, 2023•31 min
In today’s episode, we’re chatting with Amanda Carey, the founder and managing partner of the Carey Center for Justice, a non-profit law firm in Illinois dedicated to providing access to justice for those with criminal and family law situations. The Carey Center provides predictable pricing and limited scope options for those who need it most and a different way to practice law. In building her firm, Amanda has stayed true to the core belief that lawyers are here to serve and solve a client’s pr...
Apr 12, 2023•34 min
In this episode, we dive into lawyers and their value proposition. Law firms are businesses that offer legal services to clients, but what sets one firm apart from another? How do clients measure the value they receive from a law firm? We go through the sections of The Pricing Toolkit about value and explore the different ways that law firms can create value for their clients, including expertise, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. We discuss the importance of understanding clients' needs and p...
Mar 28, 2023•22 min
Sales doesn’t have to be a four-letter word, but it often can feel that way in the legal profession. Today, we’re exploring how it can instead be seen as an act of service. We discuss what successful business development actually looks like and why the unfair standard we often measure ourselves against is putting us at a disadvantage. Our guest, Holly Barocio from GrowthPlay, helps lawyers leverage their business development strengths and find authentic approaches to improve their sales performa...
Mar 14, 2023•41 min
When I talk to lawyers about optimizing their law firm for growth and enjoyment, the first follow-up question I am usually asked is, “But how do I get clients?” This is essentially asking “How do I market and sell my services?” which is a wide and deep topic to explore. We’ll break down this massive topic into digestible parts, starting with today’s topic: TikTok. Now, you might be thinking, "TikTok? That's just for dancing teenagers!" But trust me, there's a lot more to this social media platfo...
Feb 28, 2023•37 min
We’re talking about something you don’t hear about enough in the legal profession: personal connection. Specifically positive personal connection. The bond that’s created when we reach out and honestly share our experience with another person who compassionately listens and empathizes. I know, you might already be feeling a bit uncomfortable, but that’s why this conversation is so important. We have a wellness deficit in our profession because we’ve been trained and conditioned to be uncomfortab...
Feb 14, 2023•33 min
A good Engagement Agreement is the bedrock of a positive client relationship. It sets expectations upfront and helps ensure you and your client are on the same page. And when you’ve done a great deal of work determining the value you provide in solving the client’s problem and how that value translates into your pricing, it’s important to properly memorialize those components in a comprehensive engagement agreement. In this episode, we’ll cover six common mistakes made in engagement agreements a...
Jan 31, 2023•23 min
Today we’re diving into something many of us as lawyers struggle with: perfectionism. Striving towards the highest standard has served a lot of us well. There are positives to perfectionism that make many of us good at our jobs and have gotten us to where we are. As the years have gone by, however, and I’ve seen how much perfectionism robs me of energy, truly celebrating wins, and keeping a healthy perspective, I’ve looked for ways to make a change. In this episode, I share the five tactical way...
Jan 17, 2023•21 min
Join my conversation today with one of the most approachable, kind people in our profession, Justice Melissa Hart of the Colorado Supreme Court. As you’ll hear her talk about, at her core, she is a problem solver. She approaches issues with thoughtfulness, empathy, and an undying commitment to making things better. We talk about bridging the justice gap, the role that every member of the profession plays in solving it, and why providing affordable, accessible legal services through for-profit fi...
Jan 03, 2023•35 min
The question I am asked most often about providing predictable, flat-fee pricing in my law firm is "How do you deal with the variables?" It’s a fair question because every case that walks through the door is going to have something unique about it. Humans are humans after all. But accounting for variables when it comes to predictable pricing isn’t as difficult as you might think, as long as you’re willing to put in the work to identify them. In this episode, we’ll cover three ways to handle vari...
Jan 03, 2023•26 min
Today I’m talking with one of my favorite people. Truly. When Jess and I first started putting together the episodes for this podcast, I immediately knew who I wanted the first guest to be. Ryann Peyton is the Director of the Colorado Attorney Mentoring Program (CAMP) and Legal Entrepreneurs for Justice (LEJ), which are both lawyer professional development programs of the Colorado Supreme Court. Ryann is an introvert and as they mention in our conversation, an “accidental lawyer”. Ryann has been...
Jan 03, 2023•30 min
Oftentimes, law school gives us our first real taste of the law. Not the law of tv dramas or best-selling novels, but the law of stare decisis and nuanced, technical arguments that were drawn out of page after page of court opinions. In my experience, there are several things law schools do well. They teach us to be students of the law and, of course, to think like a lawyer among others. As much as I enjoyed law school, leaving the confines of the classroom and stepping out into the real world l...
Jan 03, 2023•16 min
Don’t you love when life takes you on an unexpected journey? In 2015, I attended a committee meeting of the women’s bar association here in Colorado. Little did I know, it would be the first step on the path to this podcast. In this inaugural episode, I’m discussing the journey that got me where I am today. I cover how the traditional archetype of a lawyer doesn't serve most of us, the exact moment I chose to build a different type of law practice, and the lessons I had to learn (and unlearn) al...
Jan 03, 2023•12 min
How do I build a law practice that doesn’t lead to burnout? How do I break free of the traditional, one-size-fits-all idea of being a lawyer? How do I create a practice that’s creative, innovative, fulfilling, and profitable? If you’re ready to break free of the legal profession’s antiquated approach and optimize your law practice for growth and enjoyment, this podcast is for you. The A Different Practice Podcast is a live workshop-style business and wellbeing podcast for solo and small firm law...
Nov 15, 2022•1 min
