BE THAT LAWYER

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Belle Walker discuss: What process mapping is and how it varies from standard operating procedures.  Including client touch points in your process map (not just in the standard operating procedure).  The value process mapping has for a law firm.  Getting started on process mapping for your legal business.    Key Takeaways: When starting a process map, have a star...

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Akeisha Johnson discuss: Releasing the people and things that need to be released in your life. Knowing when to charge for the amateur hobby that is getting in the way of your career. Why you should have a coach (and how to identify the right coach for you). Setting performance metrics and evaluating them regularly.   Key Takeaways: Cancel culture does not work,...

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Lewis Landerholm discuss: Adapting to the changing law industry.  Having the money conversations and asking for the business.  Questioning and qualifying potential clients.  Creating an org chart for a visual of where you are going (then fire yourself from as many positions as possible).    Key Takeaways: The fear of the unknown often hinders moving forward with...

In this episode, Steve Fretzin, Steve Seckler, Stuart Baum, Sharon Ve, and Chuki Obiyo discuss: The relationship between business development and marketing.  Content creation to bridge the gap between marketing and relationships.  Trusting your instincts and working with the clients you want to work with. Supporting and cooperating with your competition for wider spread success.   Key Takeaways: F...

In this episode, Steve Fretzin, Steve Seckler, Stuart Baum, Sharon Ve, and Chuki Obiyo discuss: Finding your why and narrowing your niche.  Building good relationships.  Doing what you like to do to develop business.  How much time you should spend on your business development.    Key Takeaways: Understanding why you don’t like to do something can help you to find new avenues of business developme...

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Diane Camacho discuss: Eliminating the doubt, taking chances, and making mistakes. Diane’s experience with starting her consulting firm.  Setting appropriate expectations.  What it takes to be a good leader.    Key Takeaways: You must understand the realization and understand the cost of AR, unbilled time, and the cost of everything happening in your firm. Just b...

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Molly McGrath discuss: Hiring right and hiring legal leaders.  Changing your interview process to focus less on the resume and more on the human interaction.  Giving time, attention, and feedback in real-time.  Investing in personal and professional growth to attract and retain team members.    Key Takeaways: You are hiring human beings, not human doings. Employe...

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Robert Plotkin discuss: How AI can assist a law firm and the benefits of automating those things that can be automated. Best practices for selecting automation and law firm technologies. Common misconceptions about law firm automation. Creating a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.   Key Takeaways: No matter how much we automate, there will always b...

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and John Kormanik discuss: Creating a career that allowed John to have greater impact and geographic independence.  Picking a firm and practice area that aligns with your values and lights you up.  Lies lawyers accept in their profession.  Setting expectations and boundaries in your career.    Key Takeaways: We are all placed on the planet to do incredible things.  I...

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Ross Albers discuss: Having the courage to run your own firm.  The hardest thing about starting and growing your own law firm.  Why Ross describes his firm as a personal and professional development company that happens to practice law.  The pros and cons of working at a firm versus being on your own.  What it takes to run a successful business.    Key Takeaways:...

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Ken Crutchfield discuss: Limitations of traditional market research in uncharted territory.  How VUCA is affecting the legal industry.  AI, ChatGPT, and how the future of the world is changing.  Technologies lawyers should have or should be considering.    Key Takeaways: You cannot do market research on a market that doesn’t exist.  You can use ChatGPT as a start...

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Steve Seckler discuss: Steve’s professional journey from law school to coaching.  Why Steve is well-suited to coaching lawyers, and how to know if a coach is right for you.  Challenges lawyers face in their own personal development.  Results that happen when coaches coach and the players play.  Investing in coaching and changing the way you think about money.   ...

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Steve Gordon discuss: Why you should write a book (and how it can help your law firm grow).  Changing your introduction and cementing your place as the expert.  What it takes to write a book today.  Using your book to get the right kind of clients.    Key Takeaways: You can build your network and get referrals by sharing information. Writing a book allows you to...

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Jesse Frye discuss: Why Jesse started ScaleLegal. Most common gaps in the client experience.  Utilizing your tech stack appropriately and effectively.  3 Tips for improving your client experience.    Key Takeaways: Communication is often one of the largest gaps in the client experience. Consistency in communication is key.  Most tech isn’t customized for lawyers....

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Charles Gillis discuss: The two things that make lawyers most successful.  The single biggest trap lawyers face on their path to being an equity partner.  Challenges on the path to promotion.  Advice to mid-level attorneys looking to build their business.    Key Takeaways: Lawyers need to focus on their higher purposes. If they are taking time to do the time-taki...

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Stuart TenHoor discuss: Engaging in the news and media.  The intersection of legal and business.  Marketing yourself in your specialty. Leaving space to receive.    Key Takeaways: Being known in a space is critical. You want to be the name that comes to mind in your industry when a specific situation comes up for someone else.  Sales is not manipulation, it’s per...

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Luis Scott Jr. discuss: Leveraging others to help you focus and grow the business. Making the sale in a natural way. Distinguishing yourself from the pack. Delegating without exploiting.   Key Takeaways: When you are engaged in too many things, it is hard to be excellent at any of those things. Niching down within a niche becomes a unique selling proposition. Whe...

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Dorna Moini discuss: Automating for affordable options.  Tapping into larger segments of the legal market.  Adopting technology in your practice.  Resources available for lawyers to start utilizing technology for little work and little money.    Key Takeaways: There is a cap to how much people will pay for a service, and you are also limited by time. Thinking of...

In this episode, Steve Fretzin, Jocelyn Brumbaugh, Jared Correia, and Gyi Tsakalakis discuss: Appreciation marketing, email marketing, and newsletters.  The incremental approach to social media and content marketing.  The business of law and treating your firm like a business.  Being involved in the marketing plan.    Key Takeaways: Send a handwritten note. People get stuff all the time, but a han...

In this episode, Steve Fretzin, Jocelyn Brumbaugh, Jared Correia, and Gyi Tsakalakis discuss: How law firms can show their personal side on social media.  Focus on who you are serving.  Marketing locally and internationally for the best return.  Opportunities and challenges around AI.    Key Takeaways: Lawyers do really cool things outside of the law - people want to see that side of you. Put some...

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Tina Solis discuss: Things to consider when moving firms. Looking at partnership agreements. Big picture things to know when making a lateral move. What law firm managers can be doing better to retain talent and keep relationships when someone has left.   Key Takeaways: You have an obligation to your clients, not just the other attorneys in your firm. Timing is e...

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and JD Gershbein discuss: The evolution of LinkedIn and why it is prevalent and important.  Being findable on LinkedIn.  How LinkedIn supports the practice of law.  Building an outcome-directed LinkedIn profile.    Key Takeaways: You need to have an identity in the business universe. LinkedIn allows you to stand out and have a clear identity for others.  Your profile...

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Scott Love discuss: Earning trust in professional relationships.  Innovation in the time of COVID (and continuing that innovation in the aftermath).  When to move and when not to move law firms.  The importance of building and maintaining relationships.    Key Takeaways: There’s more poker theory in legal recruiting than in a game of poker.  When looking at movin...

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Alison Ver Halen discuss: Tools for the readability of your content.  Benefits of writing as a lawyer.  How to use (and how NOT to use) ChatGPT.  Getting people to read your blog.   Key Takeaways: Legal writing and marketing writing utilize two different parts of your brain.  Utilizing ChatGPT (or another AI) to write for your website, articles, or blog can be pr...

In this episode, Steve Fretzin, Walt Hampton, David Ackert, and Liz Wendling discuss: Client, prospect, and networking follow-ups. Beyond the billable hour. Crossmarketing and solving the problems your clients are having. Specializing versus generalizing.   Key Takeaways: People want to do business with people. You don’t need to use specific marketing language when talking to prospects. Increasing...