Category: Business

FEATURE
Scaling Your Law Firm Nationally with Eddie Dabdoub (Ep. 72)

Scaling Your Law Firm Nationally with Eddie Dabdoub (Ep. 72)

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For law firm owners aspiring to elevate their practice from local prominence to national dominance, our latest episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast offers a treasure trove of strategic insights. We sat down with Eddie Dabdoub, the visionary founder of Dabdoub Law Firm, to uncover the secrets behind scaling your practice on a national level.

Eddie’s journey from a small firm lawyer to a national player in disability insurance law is rich with insights, strategies, and actionable advice that will inspire and guide your path to expansion.

Eddie discusses:

  • How to establish a niche within the overcrowded legal market to stand out against large firms with extensive marketing resources.
  • The importance of bringing marketing and IT infrastructure in-house for better control and efficiency in a larger operation.
  • Creating a strategic growth plan with clear benchmarks for five-year, one-year, and quarterly goals to guide your expansion journey.
  • How to build a talented team, implement incentive programs, and transition from micro-management to trusting your processes and people.
  • Understanding the tangible assets of your firm, such as cash flow and processes, and how they contribute to the overall value and potential sale of your firm.

 


Resources:

 

Connect with Edward Dabdoub:

 

 

About our guest:

EDWARD DABDOUB

Founding Attorney

Dabdoub Law Firm is led by nationally-known disability lawyer Edward Dabdoub.

Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, he is one of five attorneys in his immediate family. Since becoming a lawyer, he has focused his law practice on representing people who are entitled to disability benefits from insurance companies.

Why Disability Law?

Eddie’s passion for helping people with disability insurance claims started when he was in law school.

As a law student, Eddie helped a man suffering from chronic pain get back his long term disability benefits after his insurance company wrongly terminated payments, even though he was still disabled. After handling that case, he decided to dedicate his legal career to holding disability insurance companies accountable, and he built the Dabdoub Law Firm for that purpose.

About His Practice

Eddie represents clients at all stages of disability insurance claims. He has extensive knowledge of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) since many of his clients’ long term disability cases are governed by the federal statute.

With such a focus on disability insurance, Dabdoub Law Firm has successfully taken on the toughest opponents and have won major disability lawsuits. Big disability lawsuit wins include:

– Ashmore v. NFL Disability Plan, in which the firm represented a former NFL player who was denied benefits.

– Bradshaw v. Reliance Standard Insurance, where Eddie successfully argued to a federal court of appeal that pregnancy is not a preexisting condition that caused a stroke.

– Kaviani v. Reliance Standard Life Ins. Co., in which Eddie successfully showed that Dr. Kaviani’s evidence of disability far outweighed Reliance Standard’s evidence for no disability.

– Kaviani Win in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, after Eddie won the lawsuit for a dentist with disabling cervicalgia, Reliance appealed the case. The firm won the appeal and Reliance was ordered to pay our client long-term disability benefits.

– Millis v. Ameritas, where Eddie fought against Ameritas and their specialty own-occupation disability insurance policies for his client who was a liver transplant surgeon in Illinois.

– Gimeno Win in the United States Court of Appeals, after our client lost in district court, Eddie took the case up on appeal to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. The appellate court upheld our client’s right to equitable relief under ERISA.

Eddie has experience litigating disability cases in federal and state courts against all major disability insurance companies, including:

  • Aetna
  • UNUM
  • Hartford
  • CIGNA / LINA
  • Mass Mutual
  • Liberty Life
  • Met Life
  • Lincoln Financial
  • Prudential

Hear Eddie argue convincingly to a panel of federal judges that his client’s disability due to a stroke is not a preexisting condition caused by her pregnancy.

Speaker, Lecturer & Author

Attorney Dabdoub has participated as a guest speaker at law conferences both on local and national stages, discussing disability insurance benefits and ERISA for legal organizations such as the American Association for Justice and the Florida Association for Justice.

He has also authored articles on disability insurance and advises other lawyers on disability insurance and ERISA matters.

Education & Background

Eddie graduated with cum laude honors from the University of Miami School of Law. While at law school, he was the recipient of the Ambassador Sue Cobb Scholarship.

Before attending law school, he graduated at the top of his class from Florida International University, earning a Masters in Business Administration, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Miami.

Awards

  • Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® in Insurance Law, 2022
  • Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, 2021
  • Selected to Super Lawyers list, 2019 – 2023
  • Clients’ Choice Award – Avvo, 2015 – 2021
  • Selected to Rising Stars list, 2014 – 2017
  • “Top Attorney” – Avvo

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FEATURE
Retirement for Law Firm Owners Pt 3: Prepare for Exit Now (Ep. 71)

Retirement for Law Firm Owners Pt 3: Prepare for Exit Now (Ep. 71)

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As a law firm owner, are you prepared for the inevitable exit from your practice? Whether retirement is on your immediate horizon or decades away, strategic exit planning is not a future consideration but a present imperative.

In this critical discussion, we delve into why planning your exit now is indispensable to maximize the value and profitability of your law firm.

On the latest episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, host Darren Wurz concludes a pivotal three-part series on retirement strategies for law firm owners.

Darren emphasizes that exit planning is an integral part of good business strategy, regardless of your age or retirement timeline. This episode underscores the necessity of contingency planning and the benefits of creating a transition-ready law firm.

Darren discusses:

  • The importance of succession planning, regardless of your age.
  • The three core areas of exit planning.
  • How making your law firm transition ready can increase its worth and profitability.
  • Practical steps you can apply to de-risk your firm, improve operational efficiency, and foster a culture of growth.
  • How to structure your retirement, safeguard your financial future, and find purposeful activities post-business life.

Resources:

 

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FEATURE
Retirement for Law Firm Owners Pt 2: Valuing Your Law Firm (Ep. 70)

Retirement for Law Firm Owners Pt 2: Valuing Your Law Firm (Ep. 70)

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How much is your law firm truly worth? What if you could amplify its value by two or three times without earning an extra cent in revenue? On the latest episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, host Darren Wurz delves deep into strategic retirement planning for law firm owners.

If you’re a law firm owner on the brink of retirement—or simply eager to grow your firm’s value—this episode is a treasure trove of insights you won’t want to miss.

Darren discusses:

  • How to evaluate your law firm’s value.
  • The importance of client relationships and intangible assets.
  • The key difference between business owners and non-business owners when it comes to their financial assets.
  • Key insights on closing your wealth gap.
  • How to uncover hidden value in your law firm.
  • Strategic insights into who might buy your practice and why it matters for your financial future.


Resources:

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FEATURE
Retirement for Law Firm Owners Pt 1: Closing the Wealth Gap (Ep. 69)

Retirement for Law Firm Owners Pt 1: Closing the Wealth Gap (Ep. 69)

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Have you ever wondered if you are financially prepared for retirement or if you’re just hoping for the best? As a law firm owner, the difference between financial freedom and endless work hours hinges on a crucial concept – your wealth gap.

In this solo episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, host Darren Wurz guides you through understanding and closing your wealth gap, specifically tailored for law firm owners.

Darren discusses:

  • The wealth gap and why it is critical for your financial strategy.
  • The importance of tracking your expenses to gauge your current standard of living.
  • How to differentiate between traditional retirement and financial freedom.
  • How to calculate your wealth gap.
  • The differences between your income gap and wealth gap and how to address each of them.
  • How to transform your law practice into a major financial asset.


Resources:

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FEATURE
Insider’s Tips on Growing Your Criminal Defense Practice with Jay Ruane (Ep. 68)

Insider’s Tips on Growing Your Criminal Defense Practice with Jay Ruane (Ep. 68)

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As a law firm owner, you are all too familiar with the complexities of balancing financial stability and business growth.

On this episode of the The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, Host Darren Wurz is joined by guest Jay Ruane as they engage in an important conversation on effective financial planning, building strategic systems, and business optimization tailored specifically for criminal defense law firms.

Jay discusses:

  • How to mitigate decision fatigue by creating structured systems to ease decision making on a daily basis.
  • Why he focused his niche on criminal defense law and its benefits.
  • How to successfully migrate from working on your own to building a team.
  • Key strategies law firm owners need to adopt to ease tax planning.
  • How to create an effective onboarding process and training programs for employees.
  • How he overcome cash flow challenges and built a robust law firm.

 


Resources:

 

Connect with Jay Ruane:

About our guest:

Attorney Jay Ruane was admitted into practice in October 1998 and has become recognized nationally as Connecticut’s premiere DUI Defense attorney.

Attorney Ruane started his career as a public defender in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he was assigned a complicated docket of 100’s of pending DUI cases. As he developed his skills as a public defender, he realized that the complexity of these cases suited his nature and disposition.

In early 2000, he joined his father, who was then a partner in the Bridgeport firm of Gaston & Ruane, to devote himself fulltime to the aggressive defense of drunk driving charges. The two opened Ruane Attorneys, a criminal defense law firm primarily working with DUI defense. Since then, Ruane Attorneys has grown to be the largest criminal defense firm in the state of Connecticut, thanks to Jay and his father’s leadership, as well as the efforts of the associates, paralegals, and marketing team at the firm.

Since beginning Ruane Attorneys, Attorney Jay has gone on to lecture law students, other attorneys, and judges on the intricacies of DUI defense. He devotes a minimum of 40 hours yearly to continuing DUI defense education, and in November 2001 completed the rigorous NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Testing course of study.

He has also been certified as an operator and maintenance technician on the Intoxilyzer 5000. He has been recognized as an expert in DUI Defense, field testing and breath testing in both administrative hearings before the Connecticut DMV and in Habeas proceedings. His latest efforts in helping clients and colleagues has come in the form of several books that he has worked on and published in the past few years.

He has argued or briefed many of the seminal DUI cases to Connecticut’s Appeal’s courts, including State v. Pjura, State v. Kelley, State v. Pilotti, and State v. Hood.

Jay is the Connecticut State Delegate to the National College of DUI Defense, and members of several lawyer organizations, including the DUI Defense Lawyer’s Association (DUIDLA) and the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association (CCDLA).

For more information regarding Jay, you can contact him through his website, RuaneAttorneys.com.

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FEATURE
Secrets for LinkedIn Success in 2024 for Lawyers (Ep. 67)

Secrets for LinkedIn Success in 2024 for Lawyers (Ep. 67)

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In the digital age, LinkedIn isn’t just a networking platform; it’s a gateway to new opportunities and connections. Success on LinkedIn doesn’t come from simply having a profile; it comes from making the most of every pixel and feature. For ambitious law firm owners, optimizing LinkedIn can translate to business growth and professional acclaim.

In our latest episode of “The Lawyer Millionaire,” we bring you Marc Halpert, LinkedIn specialist and business growth guru, who shares his top strategies to elevate your LinkedIn presence in 2024.

Marc discusses:

  • Strategies for consistently creating high-quality posts on LinkedIn.
  • The critical components of an impeccable LinkedIn profile, from eye-catching visuals to a compelling “About” section.
  • Practical tips on crafting posts that inspire action, without over-relying on superficial engagement tactics like emojis.
  • How to create a compelling “About” section.
  • The nuances of using client and colleague reviews ethically on LinkedIn, and why it’s crucial for compliance.
  • How to create a powerful first impression that significantly attracts potential clients.

 


Resources:

 

Connect with Marc Halpert:

About our guest:

Marc W. Halpert is a self-described “multi-preneur.” Since leaving the corporate finance world in 2001, Marc has started 3 companies, all of which he still operates.

Two of those companies offer specialized, paperless electronic payment services to optimize cash flow of by speeding of payments, to:

  • retailers, small- and medium-sized businesses (Your Best Interest LLC)
  • nonprofit organizations, professional and membership groups (e-giving).

In 2010 he started his third company, connect2collaborate, to spread his LinkedIn and networking evangelism to train and coach others. In all his LinkedIn training and coaching, he offers professionals the opportunity to better explain their brand and positioning on their LinkedIn profile pages: who they really are and why them vs. the competition.

As a LinkedIn trainer, Marc has been recognized as a high-energy speaker at national and regional conferences and instructor to sales/marketing and HR/training departments at large and small professional service firms and businesses.

He is one of a handful of “evangelists” recognized by LinkedIn nationwide to train nonprofits to cultivate their talent pool, volunteer, board member and donor development opportunities.

His specialty in customized personal coaching has helped individuals in all walks of life and industries to use LinkedIn to better achieve their professional goals.

Marc has authored numerous articles on innovations using the latest LinkedIn techniques for self-branding in national publications, both in paper and online. He serves as a subject matter expert for the business, technology and social media press. He is a frequent contributor to inc.com and has been heard frequently on WCBS Newsradio 880 AM giving LinkedIn advice on their business reports. He blogs every business day with a LinkedIn Nugget.

In April 2021 the second edition of his book published by the American Bar Association “LinkedIn Marketing Techniques for Law and Professional Practices was released.

A perfect gift: “I wanted to let you know that my son was very happy to get your book on LinkedIn for attorneys for Christmas!”

In June 2018, he self-published the only book on the market specifically aimed at teaching LinkedIn concepts to nonprofit professionals, “You, Us, Them: LinkedIn Marketing Concepts for Nonprofit Professional Who Really Want to Make a Difference,” available on Amazon and Kindle. This book has an online course as a companion, available at https://connect2collaborate.wordpress.com/nonprofitcourse/.

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FEATURE
How to Scale Your Law Firm From 6 to 7 Figures (Ep. 66)

How to Scale Your Law Firm From 6 to 7 Figures (Ep. 66)

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The legal profession demands not just expertise but strategic acumen to navigate the journey from a six-figure practice to a seven-figure powerhouse. In Episode 66 of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, we have the privilege of hosting Davina Frederick, a seasoned attorney, author, and founder of “Wealthy Woman Lawyer.”

Her impressive trajectory from a career in marketing to owning and scaling successful law practices offers a wealth of insights for law firm owners poised for growth.

In this episode, Davina Frederick delves into the intricacies of scaling a law firm, offering a candid look at her path to success—from initiating a law firm during the foreclosure crisis to running a virtual practice focused on sustainable growth.

Her experience underscores the necessity of building a proficient team, implementing effective systems, and mastering financial management to achieve seven-figure results. Guided by our host Darren Wurz, the discussion translates these experiences into actionable strategies for our audience.

Davina discusses:

  • The importance of focusing on one big idea for monumental success.
  • How to transition from a doer to a leader and team cultivator.
  • How high-flying women can balance work and life as law firm owners.
  • How hiring, training, and retaining lawyers can transform your business.
  • The role of robust systems in streamlining operations and driving growth.
  • How to overcome common pitfalls like money management fears and perfectionism.


Resources:

 

Connect with Davina Frederick:

 

 

About our guest:

Davina Frederick is a Florida-licensed attorney, law firm growth strategist, and business coach for women law firm owners. Prior to starting her own law firm in 2007 and growing it successfully during the 2008 recession and its aftermath, she enjoyed a career as a professional services marketer.

In 2013, she founded D. Frederick Media and Marketing, LLC, with the goal of helping professional service business owners implement their marketing strategies.

However, she quickly discovered that most did not even have a strategy! It was then she began to work with her clients to develop strategic growth plans for their businesses and to coach them through the implementation of these plans, including how to market and sell, cultivate A+ teams, and set-up systems-driven businesses.

Since most of Davina’s clients were women law firm owners who wanted the inside-scoop on how Davina had successfully created and scaled her own law firm, she began to focus on serving just women law firm owner clients. In 2020, Davina rebranded her company to reflect this shift, creating Wealthy Woman Lawyer.®

Wealthy Woman Lawyer® assists women law firm owners in scaling their law firms into $1M+ wealth-generating businesses, without overwork or overwhelm.

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FEATURE
Estate Planning as a Subscription Service: Rethinking Legal Fees (Ep. 65)

Estate Planning as a Subscription Service: Rethinking Legal Fees (Ep. 65)

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Are you a law firm owner aiming to build a fortune that lasts generations? If so, our latest episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast is a must-listen!

In Episode 65, Host Darren Wurz welcomes Bobby Sawyer, a seasoned estate planning attorney, to explore innovative strategies for securing generational wealth.

Together, they delve into innovative approaches to estate planning, including the novel concept of a subscription-based model designed to adapt to your evolving life circumstances.

Bobby discusses:

  • The essential documents involved in Estate planning.
  • The innovative Forever Estate Plan and its benefits.
  • Why you need to select a competent trustee.
  • How to safeguard your assets from increasing tax liabilities.
  • Key considerations for succession planning in law firms.
  • Essential estate planning tools for law firm owners.


Resources:

 

Connect with Robert (Bobby) Sawyer:

About our guest:

Attorney Robert Sawyer, known as Bobby, is a highly skilled attorney focusing on estate planning, business law, and helping families continue their legacies. With experience representing individuals, companies, and local governments, Bobby is dedicated to providing comprehensive legal solutions to his clients.

Before embarking on his legal career, Bobby served in the United States Army Corps of Engineers, where he held the position of combat engineer platoon leader and executive officer. During his service Bobby was awarded the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal.

Bobby graduated from Auburn University in 2001, obtaining a BS degree in Education. Following his military service, he pursued his passion for law and achieved remarkable success. Bobby graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Charlotte School of Law in 2011 and passed the North Carolina Bar Exam in August of the same year. Subsequently, he obtained admission to the South Carolina Bar in February 2012.

In 2015, Bobby established Sawyer Law, a law firm dedicated to providing exceptional legal counsel and services to clients. Recognizing the value of collaboration, he later co-founded Johannesmeyer & Sawyer, PLLC in June 2016, further expanding his legal expertise.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Bobby cherishes spending quality time with his family. He has his pilot’s license, loves to barbecue all sorts of meat and pork. He and his wife Katie, also an accomplished attorney serving as an Assistant District Attorney in Cleveland County, have been proud residents of Belmont, North Carolina since 2005. Together, they raise their three children.

With his diverse background, dedication, and commitment to his work, Bobby Sawyer is a trusted legal professional who continues to positively impact the lives of his clients and his community.

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FEATURE
How Lawyers Can Become Findable Online in 2024 (Ep. 64)

How Lawyers Can Become Findable Online in 2024 (Ep. 64)

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Are you prepared to ensure your firm stands out in a crowded market in 2024?

In this compelling installment of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, host Darren Wurz engages with Travis Hoechlin, an expert in digital marketing with extensive experience working with law firms.

Travis, who leads a team of 37 employees and works with 350 law firms across the U.S., provides an in-depth analysis of digital strategies that can help law firms gain a competitive edge. Drawing on his vast expertise, he explores how advancements in technology and clear communication can play a pivotal role in your law firm’s success.

This episode is a must-listen for any law firm owner serious about growing their business.

Travis discusses:

  • The importance of using clear and concise language that is tailored to a broad audience to effectively convert website visitors into clients.
  • Why you should make contact information easily accessible on your website.
  • The current and future impact of AI on digital marketing
  • The significance of utilizing texting services and ensuring rapid response times to meet your client’s expectations.
  • Why having a social media presence is very important?
  • The future of digital marketing.

 

Resources:


Connect with Travis Hoechlin:


About our guest:

Travis Hoechlin is the co-founder and CEO of RizeUp Media. With over a decade of experience, he and his team have been helping hundreds of law firms grow. They customize strategies to boost client generation, improve the quality of clients, and generate higher revenue. Travis’s clients trust him to take the guesswork out of marketing so they can focus on practicing law.

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FEATURE
Master Your Firm’s Cash Flow with Accounting Best Practices (Ep. 63)

Master Your Firm’s Cash Flow with Accounting Best Practices (Ep. 63)

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Are you a law firm owner grappling with your firm’s financial planning and cash flow management? If so, this episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast is tailor-made for you! In our latest episode, Darren Wurz sits down with Rachel Blackburn, an experienced CFO consultant, to discuss critical accounting practices that can transform your firm’s financial health.

Rachel discusses:

  • The significance of starting the year with strong financial processes and goal alignment
  • How consistent and accurate bookkeeping can prevent costly mistakes and ensure timely financial reporting.
  • How to streamline billing processes and reduce clerical errors with tools like Quickbooks.
  • The importance of proactive communication with CPAs for better tax planning and financial management.
  • The benefits of a fractional CFO for law firm owners.
  • Why you must do today’s work today when it comes to accounting?

 

Resources:

 

Connect with Rachel Blackburn:

About our guest:

Rachel Blackburn is a proven business leader with over 15 years of experience in developing and leading executive-level engagements, as well as building and managing high-functioning teams and practices.

Rachel possesses a deeply rooted passion for understanding the needs of business owners and identifying optimal strategies to support their goals in an ever-changing marketplace. Before joining TP4 Advisors, Rachel held senior management positions at Cincinnati-based companies, including TRAK Group and Titan Chair.

As the Business Development Executive, Rachel leads the organization in engaging with potential clients to understand how TP4 Advisors can best support their needs and develop financial foundations for sustainable business growth.

Outside of work, Rachel enjoys outdoor activities, reading, biking, traveling, bonfires, and spending time with her husband and daughter.

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