Law as a Business Playlist

In this episode, Josh Offenhartz takes us through his career journey, marked by numerous transitions between law firms, sometimes sooner than he anticipated. From navigating generational differences in firm cultures to managing the evolving dynamics of career progression, client relationships, and work-life balance, Josh shares how his ability to adapt and recognize key opportunities has been integral to his progression. He candidly discusses the challenges that come with firm economics shifting unexpectedly, highlighting what happens when your goals collide with your employer's evolving challenges and priorities. Josh reflects on how stayed attuned to the surrounding opportunities and knew when it was time to move on. Concluding with his most recent transition, he reveals how his security of position at his immediately-prior firm ultimately led him to find a better fit. Josh is a graduate of Arizona State University's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law.

Paige Sparks is an employee rights lawyer who specializes in discrimination claims. In this episode, Paige talks navigating the EEOC process for aggrieved current and former employees, generating clients through social media, and how she navigates her ADHD, a diagnosis she received a few years into practice. Through informational law videos and transparent looks into her life, Paige has garnered more than two million followers across TikTok and Instagram, which has both clear benefits and drawbacks. She also discusses her approach to caseload and cashflow management--each key for a contingency practice. Paige is a graduate of St. Louis University School of Law.

Starting a nonprofit often sounds like a great idea, but execution requires vision, commitment, and grit. Laurie Robinson Hayden shares how she transitioned from informal networking among peers to establishing an organization that supports professional development for women of color lawyers. Laurie discusses how she built a mission-driven board, decided she was ready to transition from full-time lawyer to full-time CEO, and let go when she could afford to pay staff. She talks about embracing innovation without losing focus, especially in the face of financial incentives. Laurie is a graduate of Indiana University Maurer School of Law.

After being abruptly fired from his first lawyer job, Mike Morse quickly pivoted to start his own solo practice focused exclusively on personal injury cases. He doesn’t practice much law these days because his firm has grown to more than 50 lawyers and 200 employees, so this episode concentrates on the business side of law. Mike discusses risk related to a contingency fee business model, overcoming fear of financial instability to pursue growth, and how important exceptional customer service is to success. We also hear the thinking behind one of his firm’s local Super Bowl spots. Mike Morse is a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.

Sometimes it's a tough transition to law school - so tough you fail out. But what comes next depends on a willingness to reflect and seek support. In this episode, Asha Paulose opens up about her academic setbacks, winding career, and personal and professional growth. Today, she's doing something she never expected: running her own law firm. Asha helps elderly clients navigate change in their own lives. She discusses how she finds clients, tailors legal and non-legal advice for their diverse circumstances, and can finally openly empathize. Asha is a graduate of Albany Law School.

Big firm. Big salary. Newly-minted partner. Karl Seelbach had made it before his attempt to leave with two of the firm's clients didn't go as planned. Karl recounts how that happened and how it turned out for the best. He discusses what he loves about litigation, building businesses, and gruesome injury cases. Karl is a graduate of South Texas College of Law Houston.

Philip Selio, a solo practitioner, helps small businesses and entrepreneurs with their corporate law needs. He discusses managing all aspects of a solo shop -- and how it helps him better serve his clients who face similar challenges. Philip discusses client relationships, research processes, and social media as a tool to further build his client roster. He also shares how he thinks about his firm's potential growth. Philip is a 2019 graduate of California Western School of Law.

Rob Alexander charted a challenging path from short-term contract work to his own law firm. Episode 49 chronicled his time on the doc review circuit, with his now-partner Kimber Russell. Now, they've started a criminal defense firm. Rob talks about how he built his confidence in legal practice, navigating DUI cases, and the strategic expansion of their firm's practice areas. Rob also delves into the intricacies of running a law firm, highlighting the strategy behind their transparent pricing and phased flat fees. Rob is a 2013 graduate of DePaul University College of Law.

Nathania Reyes litigates commercial disputes on behalf of financial services organizations like banks. Nathania recounts her journey from uncertain law student to finding her place in civil litigation. She describes her diverse experiences, including immigration and in-house internships, a judicial clerkship, and her transition to private practice. She emphasizes the importance of work-life balance at her current firm, how the Hispanic Bar Association has shaped her career to date, and how she's expanding her expertise in various commercial litigation areas. Nathania touches on networking and business development, highlighting the value of persistence in the face of rejection. Nathania is a 2017 graduate of Rutgers University School of Law.

Mia Getlin specializes in the state-legal cannabis industry in Oregon and Washington. She shares insights into the challenges and complexities of navigating the highly-regulated cannabis sector, emphasizing the importance of trust-building with clients coming from diverse backgrounds, including those transitioning from the illicit market. Mia highlights the role of advocacy in shaping industry regulations, issue spotting for compliance, and maintaining a supportive, problem-solving approach as a transactional attorney focused on finding solutions for her clients' needs. Throughout the conversation, she provides valuable perspectives on the legal intricacies and evolving dynamics of the cannabis business, from licensing to corporate structuring, offering a unique window into her role as a dedicated advocate for her clients in this rapidly changing field. Mia is a 2014 graduate of Pepperdine Caruso School of Law.

Whitney Lallas is a family law attorney in Maine. She shares her journey into family law, influenced by her interest in psychology and math. The emotional and financial aspects of her work figure prominently into what she likes about her work, as well as what's challenging. She provides insights into handling prenuptial agreements, child-related matters, and dealing with hidden assets. Whitney also explains her eat-what-you-kill compensation structure and emphasizes the significance of maintaining work-life balance. Whitney is a 2019 graduate of the University of Maine School of Law.

Ilya Lerma runs a small solo practice where she takes on insurance companies in complicated brain injury cases. She discusses the difficulty of running a contingency-fee practice, litigating as a woman of color, and how she manages the stress of being a lawyer. Ilya is a graduate of the University of Arizona.

Jeremy Evans managed to outlast hundreds who started law school hoping to do sports and entertainment law. He talks about the struggle to start his own firm and why he thinks he was among the last standing. Jeremy is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson School of Law.

Alan Fowler primarily represents tourists who got into trouble while on vacation. He talks about finding clients, their urgency in resolving their legal trouble, and how he learns about what they really want. Alan is a graduate of Mercer University School of Law.

Dan Minc discusses how he managed to rise to his firm's managing partner after starting there as a first-year lawyer. He also talks about how he builds his book of business and what he assesses when determining whether to take a client. After all, as a personal injury lawyer, he's only paid if his client wins. Dan is a graduate of Seton Hall School of Law.

Melina LaMorticella worked as a paralegal for 15 years before going to law school. After graduation, she moved from a local immigration boutique to a larger firm in Portland to practice business immigration law. In this episode, Melina talks about how the U.S. considers immigration applications from professional workers and the charged political atmosphere she operates in, as well as what her typical day looks like. Melina is a graduate of Lewis & Clark Law School.

Kathryn Cockrill started her career at a small firm and then went out on her own to reap the rewards of building a business in estate planning and probate. In this episode, Kathryn explains the ins and outs of probate, for both the living and the deceased. She also talks about how she avoids bill collection pitfalls, why she plans to hire help once her firm is on a more stable financial footing, and why her practice keeps her interested and invested. Kathryn is a graduate of Touro Law School.

Vail Gardner served the Middle District of North Carolina for six years as a law clerk. In this episode, she describes the various types of federal law clerks, including each position's pros and cons. Vail was a pro se clerk, which means she worked directly for the district court as opposed to an individual judge. We'll hear about her role in drafting the court's opinions, as well as her current challenge: reentering law practice after taking time off for her family. Vail is a graduate of the University of Florida Levin College of Law.

Cristina Perez Hesano helps individuals struggling with debt to file for bankruptcy. In this episode, she he takes us through a Chapter 7 bankruptcy from prep to discharge, and why she decided to leave her first bankruptcy firm job to go out on her own. Cristina is a graduate of Arizona State University.

Deacon Haymond discusses his small and growing law firm that specializes in trusts and estates. Deacon talks us through his fees, how he finds clients, and what happens when he's too nice to his clients. While advances in legal services technology pose challenges to his practice long term, he's emphatic that so far, they're helping him. Deacon is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law.

Jaye Lindsay decided after 3.5 years that he’d had enough. His first job out of law school wasn't glamorous, but the steady pay and hands-on litigation experience made up for a lack of health insurance and low hourly wages. But over time, he wanted a better standard of living and work-life balance. After going solo and finding it impossible to manage his average-size debt load, he decided to become a high school special education teacher and practice law on the side. This episode also offers a window into the economics of small law firms, the trade-offs that clients face when they cannot afford a lawyer, and how people juggle and evaluate life priorities. Jaye is a graduate of Southern Illinois University School of Law.

Ryan Morrison created a firm centered on helping video game developers. His work greatly varies depending on what his clients need, but often involves intellectual property and contracts. In this episode, Ryan shares his biggest challenges and how he built a rare practice from a pro bono matter.  Ryan is a 2013 graduate of New York Law School.

Jessica Burke details her role in the criminal justice system as a criminal defense lawyer. From her approach to plea bargaining to her philosophy on fee arrangements, her choices underscore the importance of letting clients make informed choices about their future. Jessica also shares how expanding the geography she covers, rather than the scope of practice, allowed her firm to grow in a saturated legal market. Jessica is a graduate of Washington & Lee College of Law.

Greg Aycock shares how he transitioned from representing defendants to representing plaintiffs. He left his insurance defense practice on a leap of faith and discusses the struggles of being your own boss and getting a firm off the ground. Until Greg gets his medical malpractice practice off the ground, he pays the rent with divorces and child custody work. For either practice, Greg spends considerable time explaining the legal process and law to clients, while keeping them under control so that he can present their best case possible. Greg is a graduate of Washington University School of Law.

Tricia Dennis has been a personal injury lawyer for almost 30 years. From dealing with sexist opponents to corralling tough clients, Tricia reveals several challenges she's faced in her career. She walks us through a plaintiff lawyer’s perspective on client intake, negotiations, and settlement. By the end of this episode, listeners understand that, more than anything, Tricia is a small business owner who helps her clients navigate an insurance maze. Tricia is a graduate of the University of Tennessee School of Law.

Gabriel Cheong is the owner of a small family law firm. In this episode, Gabriel explains how his use of technology and fixed fees maximizes time spent on his clients' legal dilemmas. He mixes traditional litigation with mediation, conciliation, and guardian ad litem. With this kind of work, Gabriel experiences emotional ups and downs. Yet he observes that they’re two sides of the same coin. After all, his job is to help clients whose lives are being torn apart. Gabriel is a graduate of Northeastern Law School.