Law Deals: Succession Planning, Partnerships, Purchases, and Sales

In this episode of The Law Deals Podcast, I sit down with Daniel Feiman, founder of Build It Backwards, to explore a proven five-phase framework for effective law firm succession planning. Drawing on decades of experience and work with more than 100 firms, Daniel breaks down why most succession plans fall short and how his structured yet adaptable system helps firm owners safeguard their legacy an...

Most lawyers know they should have professional liability insurance—but few truly understand what it actually covers, when it applies, or how it protects them as their firms evolve. In this episode of The Law Deals Podcast, I sit down with attorney Peggy Hewitt, Resources and Services Manager at Florida Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company, to demystify professional liability (errors and omissions) co...

Too many law firms spend heavily on ads, SEO, or the “latest marketing trend” without first laying the groundwork for success. The result? Burned budgets, scattered strategies, and frustration when the phone still doesn’t ring. In this episode of The Law Deals Podcast, I sit down with Carrie Flynn, founder of Virtual Simplicity and a marketing strategist for professional service firms, to cut thro...

In this episode of The Law Deals Podcast—the second in our two-part series with attorney Jonathan Hawkins, founder and managing partner of Law Firm GC—we shift the focus to indirect ownership of law firms and the growing role of management and legal service organizations. Jonathan and I explore how private equity structures deals to acquire everything but the practice of law itself, relying manage...

In this episode of The Law Deals Podcast, the first in a two-part series, I’m joined by attorney Jonathan Hawkins: founder and managing partner of Law Firm GC. Together, we explore one of the most significant shifts facing the legal industry: the rise of private equity in law firms. We break down the two primary models of investment: direct ownership and indirect ownership, and the ethical rules t...

From Chaos to Cash-Out: How One Attorney Turned a Century-Old Firm Into a Practice that Served Her and a Successful Exit. What happens when a tech-savvy attorney walks into a law firm that's been doing things "the old way" for decades? In this episode of Law Deals, attorney-entrepreneur Jennifer Bondy reveals the dramatic transformation that turned one of her county's oldest, most traditional law...

The Law Deals Podcast celebrates its 30th episode with an important conversation between host Ed Alexander and financial advisor Jennifer Lee. Together, they explore the realities of preparing for life after law firm ownership, from tax strategies and installment sales to the psychological shift that comes with stepping away from the practice you built. Jennifer shares practical advice for reducin...

In this episode, Ed Alexander talks with Ashley Robinson, founder of Green Cardigan Marketing, about what makes a law firm marketable, both to clients and to potential buyers. Ashley shares her journey from a one-person side hustle to leading a full-service agency working exclusively with law firms. Her background in niche marketing and her family’s entrepreneurial roots give her a unique perspect...

In Episode 28 of The Law Deals Podcast, Ed Alexander and his business partner Matt FitzGibbon unpack the hidden clause that can quietly destroy the value of a business or derail an exit. They’ve seen it in law firms, medical practices, and small businesses alike: a partnership agreement written years ago with no connection to today’s reality. This episode dives into how outdated or vague valuation...

On this episode of The Law Deals Podcast, Ed Alexander sits down with Steve Fretzin, one of the legal industry’s most sought-after business development coaches. With over 17 years of experience helping attorneys build sustainable practices, Steve shares how “sales-free selling” can transform the way lawyers engage with clients, by focusing on relationships, diagnosis before prescription, and non-p...

In this episode of The Law Deals Podcast, host Ed Alexander sits down with Ed Randall, Vice President and SBA Development Officer at United Community Bank, to unpack the crucial role of SBA lending in law firm sales, acquisitions, and succession planning. With over 20 years in SBA lending and personal experience as an entrepreneur, Randall offers an insider’s perspective on how SBA loans work, wha...

In this episode of The Law Deals Podcast, Ed Alexander welcomes Attorney and Atticus Principal Steve Riley for an insightful conversation about the emotional, operational, and strategic realities of selling a law firm. Drawing from his experience building and selling multiple practices, Steve shares five critical lessons every law firm owner should learn before planning their exit. From avoiding t...

In Episode 24 of The Law Deals Podcast, Ed Alexander welcomes leadership coach and practice advisor Glenn Gutek for a compelling conversation on what it really takes to build a sustainable, sellable law firm. Drawing from his unique background in psychology, theology, and organizational development, Glenn unpacks how culture is shaped from both the top down and the bottom up, and why many law firm...

Bill Umansky, better known as “The Law Man,” joins Ed Alexander for a wide-ranging conversation that cuts through the noise of law firm leadership. Bill shares how he went from high-conflict, high-control attorney to someone who embraces delegation, emotional intelligence, and long-term strategic growth. From losing his first trial to transforming his DISC profile, Bill reflects on the moments tha...

Valuing a law firm isn’t just about the numbers—it’s about understanding risk, goodwill, and transition planning. In Episode 22 of Law Deals, host Ed Alexander is joined by longtime partner and valuation expert Matt FitzGibbon to break down the complex world of law firm valuation. Together, they discuss the key differences between personal and enterprise goodwill, common misconceptions that lead l...

What happens to your business when you’re no longer able to run it? Whether you’re a law firm owner or an entrepreneur, estate and succession planning should be a top priority—but too often, it’s overlooked until it’s too late. In this episode of The Law Deals Podcast, I sit down with estate planning and elder law expert Peggy Hoyt to discuss the critical role of succession planning in securing bo...

What makes a law firm valuable to a buyer? Many firm owners believe their years of dedication, client relationships, and reputation will automatically translate to a high valuation. But when buyers approach a sale purely as an acquisition of case inventory, it can be a harsh reality check. In this solo episode of the Law Deals Podcast, Ed Alexander explores what truly drives law firm acquisitions....

Can your law firm generate income long after you step away? In this episode of the Law Deals Podcast, Ed Alexander speaks with Mark Powers, the founder and president of Atticus, about the Perpetual Law Firm model. Mark has spent decades coaching attorneys on practice management, marketing, and law firm growth. He shares his insights on how to build a firm that operates independently, allowing owne...

In the 18th episode of the Law Deals Podcast, host Ed Alexander welcomes Tim Semelroth, a board-certified personal injury attorney and partner at RSH Legal. Tim shares his journey of acquiring law firms to grow his practice, including the challenges, lessons, and opportunities he encountered along the way. Discover the crucial steps in the acquisition process, from performing due diligence to leve...

In this episode of The Law Deals Podcast, host Ed Alexander welcomes Joy Lutz, CPA and owner of Aligned CPA, a firm dedicated to helping law firms and small to medium-sized businesses thrive through strategic financial management. Together, they dive into the financial strategies every law firm owner needs to know, from identifying critical financial metrics to leveraging them for growth and long-...

In episode 16 of the Law Deals podcast, we’re diving deep into the lawyer life—how to grow a thriving law practice without sacrificing your sanity. Host Ed Alexander chats with Patrick Wilson, a 25-year veteran law firm coach and consultant with Atticus. Together, they explore the art of balancing success at the office with personal fulfillment. Patrick’s transformation from trial attorney to prac...

In this episode of The Law Deals Podcast, we chat with Tom Tona, the founder and CEO of Tona Law. Tom takes us through his journey from solo attorney to CEO, sharing the challenges, insights, and strategies he used to build a firm that’s built to last. He discusses the importance of process, relationships, and a “trial model” approach to personal injury law, and why he believes every attorney shou...

In episode 14 of The Law Deals Podcast, Ed Alexander sits down with Darren Wurz, the Managing Partner of Wurz Financial Services and host of The Lawyer Millionaire podcast. Together, they explore the intricacies of financial planning for law firm owners. Darren shares insights from his journey from teacher to financial advisor, explains the importance of niche marketing, and offers a look into his...

In this episode of the Law Deals Podcast, host Ed Alexander interviews Charley Mann, a law firm coach and founder of Law Firm Alchemy. Charley shares his unconventional journey from theater major to law firm entrepreneur, highlighting the essential strategies for building a successful and profitable law practice. The discussion covers key principles like consistency in marketing, maximizing the hi...

In this episode of the Law Deals podcast, Attorney Ed Alexander sits down with Brian Glass from Great Legal Marketing. They explore Brian's journey in the legal field, discussing the significant milestones and challenges he faced along the way. Ed also shares his expertise on succession planning for law firms, offering practical advice on how to secure the future of legal practices. This conversat...