
Your First Hire Shouldn’t Be a Lawyer: The Delegation Move That Unlocks Growth (Ep. 143)
On this week’s episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, host Darren Wurz sits down with Ryan Mckeen, a veteran law firm owner and respected consultant who’s seen it all. If you’re ready to become a true law firm leader and not just another overworked attorney, this conversation is for you.
Ryan shares practical wisdom from years of building and advising successful law firms. He tackles the biggest myths about law firm expansion, challenges the “just hire another lawyer” mindset, and explains why most firms are a collection of people, not a business built to last. You’ll learn why systems, culture, and delegation are the real game-changers, and how a simple mindset shift can turn your law firm job into a scalable enterprise.
Ryan discusses:
- The #1 mindset shift law firm owners need to break the growth ceiling.
- Why delegation and proven systems are your secret weapons.
- How investing in client experience pays off for years to come.
- The difference between linear growth and scalable growth.
- How firms under S10m in revenue can utilize the EOS framework
Resources:
- The Lawyer Millionaire: The Complete Guide for Attorneys on Maximizing Wealth, Minimizing Taxes, and Retiring with Confidence by Darren Wurz
- The Way: A Simple Roadmap for Leading a Healthy Law Firm by Ryan McKeen
- Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman
- Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will Guidara
Connect with Darren Wurz:
- Schedule a Call with Darren
- “Join our Next Masterclass Live”
- The Lawyer Millionaire Website
- LinkedIn: Darren P. Wurz
- Join The Lawyer Millionaire Founders Network and Book Club for Free
- “Get the Strategies Top Law Firm Owners Use to Build Real Wealth (Join the Lawyer Millionaire Insider List)”
Connect with Ryan McKeen:
- Linkedin: Ryan Mckeen
- Website: Bestera Consulting
- Website: McKeen Law, LLC
About Ryan McKeen:
A client would be fortunate to have Ryan McKeen representing their case due to his deep understanding of personal injury law and commitment to fighting for justice. He has a proven track record of achieving high settlements and has been recognized by the Connecticut Personal Injury Hall of Fame for his work. As a trial lawyer, Ryan has worked to achieve a historic $100 million jury verdict in the courtroom.
Ryan is an adjunct professor at the University of Connecticut School of Law.
His successful cases and honors, such as being named a Super Lawyer and a New Leader in The Law, speak to his competence and dedication. Beyond his legal prowess, McKeen’s empathetic approach is noteworthy. He understands the plight of victims, having himself experienced the trials of a personal injury incident. Furthermore, his commitment to making law accessible, demonstrated through his blog and books, ensures that clients are well-informed and empowered throughout their legal journey. Coupled with his community service and dedication to ethical practice, McKeen offers not just legal representation, but also a partnership rooted in trust, transparency, and unwavering advocacy.
Ryan McKeen is a nationally recognized attorney based in Connecticut who has received numerous accolades for his work in personal injury law. He has been honored by the Connecticut Personal Injury Hall of Fame for securing one of the highest settlements in the state. The Connecticut Law Tribune named him to the Personal Injury Hall of Fame. Connecticut Trial Firm was a finalist in the Motorcyclist category, having achieved one of the highest settlements or verdicts in a wrongful death action in a motorcycle case.
In 2016, Ryan was included in the Hartford Business Journal’s “40 under 40” list, which recognizes promising young professionals in the Hartford area. He has been recognized by his peers as a Super Lawyer.
In addition to his legal work, McKeen contributes to the community. He has supported Achilles International, an organization that helps people with disabilities participate in mainstream running events, and his firm has sponsored local athletics events. He has also spoken nationally at various speaking engagements, sharing his expertise with audiences at law schools and conferences.
McKeen is not only a respected lawyer, but also an author. He has published multiple books, including “Tiger Tactics: Powerful Strategies for Winning Law Firms” and “Empower Yourself: A Practical Guide to Connecticut Personal Injury Law.” He has maintained the American Bar Association’s Top 100 blog, “A Connecticut Law Blog,” for over 13 years, writing over 1,000 posts and making legal knowledge more accessible.
Ryan is most proud of building a law firm that has been recognized for its charitable work and named the 3rd Best Place to Work in Connecticut by the Hartford Business Journal in 2023. He is committed to his clients, his team, and his community.
Education
Ryan received his Bachelor of Arts from Framingham State University and his Juris Doctor from Western New England University.
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