Melissa Shanahan
The Law Firm Owner Podcast
The Law Firm Owner Podcast, powered by Velocity Work, is the go-to resource for law firm owners looking to take their business to the next level. Host and founder Melissa Shanahan shares insights and practical advice on how to organize your numbers, grow your team, increase your revenue, and achieve a better work-life balance. Through quarterly strategic planning, accountability, and coaching, Melissa shows listeners how to create sustainable success for both their firms and their personal lives. Tune in each week to join the community of law firm owners who are committed to taking their busin...
Author
Melissa Shanahan
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Jul 7, 2026
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Episodes
#294: Before You Expand: Mastering Your Core Services First 28.01.2025 32:45
Are you considering expanding your law firm by adding a new practice area? It's a common dilemma faced by many law firm owners looking to grow their business and boost revenue. But is it the right move for your firm at this time? Don't let the allure of a new revenue stream cloud your judgment. Tune in to discover how to approach expansion strategically and set your law firm up for sustainable...
#293: Reframe Your Goals: Embrace the Stretch, Not Just the Destination 21.01.2025 21:56
Do you ever feel like you're frantically chasing your goals, only to be left deflated when you don't hit them by the deadline? What if the key to sustainable growth lies not in the destination, but in the stretch? In this episode, Melissa dives deeper into the topic of goal-setting and shares some powerful insights that can transform the way you approach your targets. She explains why focusing o...
#292: Goal Setting Approach for Estate Planning Firms with Maintenance Programs 14.01.2025 32:20
Do you have a clear plan for your law firm's growth in 2025? Are you setting the right revenue goals and projections based on your firm's unique circumstances? In this episode, Melissa shares how to approach goal setting and revenue projections in a way that makes sense for your firm. Specifically, she dives into strategies for estate planning firms with maintenance programs to set accurate reve...
#291: How to Increase the Value of Your Law Firm: Your Biggest Asset with Darren Wurz 07.01.2025 43:31
How do you determine what the value of your business is, and how can you think differently to increase the value of your law firm? This topic will strike a chord with lawyers everywhere, but not enough lawyers understand the value of answering these questions, especially when it comes to retiring from or exiting your law firm. To help you start thinking abut your practice as an asset, Melissa is...
#290: Small Wins and Progress: Reflecting on The Past Year 31.12.2024 10:26
Sometimes, looking back over the past 12 months leads to self-criticism and a sense of disappointment, not allowing you to see the small wins that have made this year a success. If you look back over 2024 and can't shake that voice of self-criticism, this episode is for you. It's easy to lose sight of how far you've come, especially when there are still items you didn't cross off your list this...
#289: Your Mental Health, Curiosity, Self-Compassion, and Parts Work with Jenny Jacobsen 24.12.2024 40:25
Have you ever felt like you're riding the line between feeling good and feeling down, but not quite tipping over into full-blown depression? As a high-achieving law firm owner, it's easy to get caught up in the drive to succeed and push yourself to the limit, often at the cost of your own well-being. In this episode, Melissa sits down with her therapist, Jenny Jacobsen, to discuss the importance...
#288: Hard-Won Wisdom: 8 Lessons Learned from Members and Clients 17.12.2024 38:04
Do you ever feel like you intellectually understand a lesson, but haven't truly learned or implemented it? In this episode, Melissa shares eight hard-won lessons from law firm owners that have been game-changers for their businesses. These are not just quippy truths, but real experiences that have forever changed the way these owners operate. Join Melissa this week to hear the top eight lessons...
#287: The Keys to Work-Life Balance: Lessons from the Monday Map Process with Drew Hickey 10.12.2024 41:33
Do you ever feel like you're just going through the motions at work, never quite making progress despite working long hours? Do you struggle to find a sense of calm and control over your time and results? In this episode, Melissa sits down with Drew Hickey, a Mastery Group member and Monday Map Power Hour facilitator who has experienced a profound shift in her mindset and productivity through i...
#286: From 65 to 28-Hour Workweeks: Strategies for Scaling Back with Lauren Davis 03.12.2024 1:03:05
As a law firm owner, it's easy to fall into the trap of working long hours and neglecting other important areas of your life. And if, like so many other lawyers, you're looking for a way to achieve better work-life balance, you're in luck. This week, Melissa is joined by Lauren Davis, a medical malpractice and personal injury attorney based in Virginia. Lauren shares her journey from working 45-...
#285: The Importance of Self-Awareness and Intentionality in Combating Exhaustion 26.11.2024 35:12
Feeling exhausted as the holidays approach? You're not alone. While some level of exhaustion is normal, different types of exhaustion require different remedies. Tune in to discover the difference between harmful and beneficial exhaustion, learn practical tips for restoring the nervous system and cognitive function, and understand the importance of having a strong support team. Get full show...
#284: Set Your Law Firm Up for Success in 2025: Two Key Areas to Focus on Now 19.11.2024 25:57
Are you ready to make 2025 your best year yet as a law firm owner? In the midst of holiday celebrations and all the things that come with this exciting time of the year, the key to success lies in being proactive and setting yourself up for a strong start. And in this episode, Melissa shares two crucial areas to focus on now that will pay dividends in the new year and beyond. Listen in this we...
#283: Team Performance: Why Lowering Targets Isn't the Solution 12.11.2024 23:39
If you ever find yourself doubting your team's ability to hit your firm's revenue goals, you're not alone. Many law firm owners struggle with this, but the truth is, lowering your targets is not the answer. Listen in this week to discover how to identify the real reasons your team may not be following processes and what you can do as a leader to address those underlying issues. Learn why accoun...
#282: Future Vision: How Overthinking & Perfectionism Sabotage Progress (Part 2) 05.11.2024 38:39
Last week, Melissa introduced you to the concept of the future vision you are creating for your law firm. In order for it to come to fruition, you must deeply believe in that vision as an owner, which requires you to take a close look at your mindset and assess whether or not it's supporting you in achieving your goals. Join Melissa this week to learn the mindset shifts required to break free f...
#281: Future Vision: Align Your Decisions with Future Goals (Part 1) 29.10.2024 38:48
Do you ever feel like you're stuck in the day-to-day of your law firm, making decisions that don't align with the future you envision? Whether you want to be a $2 million firm, a $5 million firm, or something more, you must start thinking from your future and making choices that bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be. Discover the power of thinking from your future a...
#280: Client Growth vs. Retention: Taking a Sabbatical from Professional Relationships 22.10.2024 36:09
Have you ever experienced an organization grasping tightly onto you as a client at all costs, even if it wasn't in your best interest to stay? Maybe you've done this with your own clients in the name of retention. You probably already know this doesn't feel good to anyone, and it's also not the healthiest way to run your business. At Velocity Work, Melissa takes a different approach. Tune in thi...
#279: Master Your Time: Prioritizing What Matters in Your Law Firm and Life 15.10.2024 24:46
When law firm owners find Melissa, one of the most common problems they face is finding enough time in their calendars for the things that are most important to them personally and professionally. Not only is taking care of your closest relationships a priority, but so is your health and wellbeing, and of course, growing your firm. If balancing it all isn't something that comes easily to you, don'...
#278: Stop Defending Your Limitations: How to Overcome the Excuse Mentality 08.10.2024 23:15
Do you ever catch yourself making excuses for your business, whether it's the way things are run, your team members, or the numbers? Does a bad day, a lack of sleep, an unproductive meeting, or a difficult client sound like a valid reason for why you couldn't achieve what you said you would? While excuses are a trap many intelligent and high-achieving law firm owners fall into, the hard truth is...
#277: 2 Key Elements You Need to Optimize How You Work 01.10.2024 30:31
Is your firm lacking structure and organization when it comes to how work gets done? Are tasks falling through the cracks or are team members working in silos? How do you know that both your team and yourself are following through on the things you said you would do? Join Melissa in this episode as she shares the two key elements that can help bring more visibility, accountability, and progress...
#276: Stop Tolerating Mediocrity in Your Law Firm Team 24.09.2024 31:42
Do you ever feel like you're carrying the weight of your law firm's growth on your shoulders alone? As overachievers, it's easy to fall into the trap of trying to make things happen by sheer force of will. But the truth is, to achieve your ambitious goals, you need a team that can rise to the challenge. Tune in this week as Melissa shares why law firm owners end up with mismatched teams, and wh...
#275: Optimize Your Conversion Rate: Make the Most of Your Leads 17.09.2024 38:44
Do you feel like you should be generating more revenue from the leads your marketing efforts are currently bringing in? If you're pouring money into marketing but seeing minimal results, this episode is for you. As a law firm owner, conversion rates are a critical metric to track and understand if you want to get the most out of your marketing spend. In this episode, Melissa digs into what a co...
#274: Get Under the Hood of Your Business: Law Firm Financial Reporting 10.09.2024 33:02
While finance management can feel intimidating, the great news is that consistent financial reporting isn't rocket science. There's just a little organization to get squared away upfront, which will make you the most empowered, responsible business owner you can be. If you need a clear plan for creating a consistent financial reporting system, this episode is for you. Listen in as Melissa shares...
#273: Get Off the Bike and In the Car to Drive Law Firm Growth 03.09.2024 33:04
Are you pedaling furiously on the bike of your law firm, working harder and harder but not getting very far? Making the transition from "bike" to "car" means leveraging the tools, systems, and people around you to accelerate your progress and create momentum, rather than grinding away and doing everything yourself. While it can feel scary to let go of control, the payoffs in terms of growth, susta...
#272: Little M Mentoring: Accelerate Your Team's Growth 27.08.2024 16:12
As a law firm owner, you have the opportunity to be a mentor for the people on your team. But what does effective mentoring actually look like in practice? This week, Melissa outlines the best kind of mentoring you can offer your team, what it means to get them on the same page and take on what matters most to you, and how this can drastically shape the culture of your company. Join Melissa as s...
#271: The Benefits of Setting Personal Goals as a Team 20.08.2024 13:13
When you are mentally, physically, and emotionally strong, it lends itself to success in all areas of your life. Setting personal goals alongside your business goals is a powerful way to show up as your best self. But too often, Melissa sees law firm owners and their teams neglecting their personal development in the pursuit of professional achievement. In this episode, Melissa shares an inspiri...
#270: The Characteristics of Greatness: Insights from a Legendary Coach 13.08.2024 38:20
What does it take to cultivate the mindset of a champion who realizes their biggest dreams? As a law firm owner, it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and lose sight of the bigger vision. If you feel disconnected from your purpose, you're in luck because on this episode, Melissa shares key takeaways from an inspiring talk by Bob Bowman, the longtime coach of Michael Phelps, on the cha...
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