In the competitive arena of law firm ownership, every decision can make the difference between lasting success and missed opportunity.
In the 41st episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, host Darren Wurz takes an incisive look into the journey of James Grant, a civil engineer turned law firm co-founder who mastered the art of converting professional hurdles into strategic growth for Georgia Trial Attorneys.
Join us as we delve into the vital role of refining processes within your niche, leveraging technology and automation to streamline operations, and the continuous journey of embracing change that every entrepreneur faces.
James Grant’s story is a testament to strategic acumen and the power of resilience in the face of the trials he endured on his path to achieving triumph in both the courtroom and the financial market.
James discusses:
The immense value in hiring experts and not cutting corners when it comes to business and financial operations.
Why he is a massive fan of AI and the disruptive effect it is poised to have in the legal industry.
The importance of implementing strategic systems and procedures that will streamline operations and enhance efficiency.
How niching down in a specific area can differentiate your firm and lead to greater profitability.
How law firm owners can save time by automating payment processes.
Tax strategies that law firm owners can explore to benefit their business and their employees.
Why entrepreneurs need to embrace change and creative disruption.
James Grant isn’t just an attorney; he’s a game-changer. As the co-founding partner of Georgia Trial Attorneys, he’s revolutionized the field of personal injury law in Georgia. He has created a powerhouse law firm that serves as the outsourced litigation arm for other personal injury firms. Gone are the days of personal injury lawyers juggling pre-litigation and courtroom battles. James’ mantra says it all: “We litigate, so you don’t have to!”
Together with his co-founder, Mark Kirchen, James has designed a form that embodies the future of law: where partners thrive, justice is swift, and technology leads. His leadership has shaped Georgia Trial Attorneys into a beacon of:
Absolute Accountability: We own it, fix it, and finish it
Forward Momentum: We accelerate cases, not just activity
Relentless Refinement: We are always looking to elevate
Every Conversation Is A Chance To Excel
Not just a powerhouse litigator, James is a tactical businessman. His dual expertise proves that you can win in the courtroom while maintaining a well-balanced life. A seasoned veteran in the courtroom, his prior roles include stints as an Assistant Solicitor-General and Senior Associate Attorney, where he honed his skills in both criminal and civil litigation. His diverse experiences make him the ultimate weapon against insurance companies and their greed, leveling the playing field for every client he represents.
But James isn’t all business. Outside the courtroom, he’s an amateur strongman competitor and an avid golfer. He values the harmony of a fulfilling personal life,. He lives in Roswell, Georgia with his wife Meredith and their children, James and Leah.
Are you a law firm owner buried in administrative tasks, leaving little time for your true passion for practicing law? It’s time to change the narrative and steer your firm toward greater profits and personal freedom.
In today’s episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, Guest expert Dan Warburton, a seasoned leadership coach, joins host Darren Wurz to explore the critical importance of delegation as a strategic tool for the modern legal practitioner.
Dan’s transformative strategies, explores how proper delegation transcends merely offloading tasks but can serve as a pathway to elevating your firm’s profits and team morale.
Dan discusses:
Why no leader is ever a true leader without a loyal team.
Empowering staff to take responsibility.
The fastest way to break down team members loyalty.
The critical role of mentorship in reducing staff turnover and increasing profitability.
How to make clear requests without manipulating people or using scare tactics.
Dan Warburton helps Law Firm Partners & CEOs increase their profit and reduce their workload
Dan Warburton a well travelled British entrepreneur is someone who has always had a great ambition to create, live and share an extraordinary lifestyle yet he spent a major part of his life dealing with sadness, anxiety and frustration.
The cause of his deep dissatisfaction was a feeling of not fitting in at school and college, failing to succeed in numerous business ventures and not being able to make his father proud. From his mid-twenties and throughout his thirties Dan became ever more determined to discover why he found himself to continually fail in creating even one satisfying business and so turned to self-reflection and development for the answer.
Initially, Warburton read hundreds of books about leadership and success all in an attempt to find that missing key to breaking through and begin succeeding as a business owner. He implemented what he learned from books such as The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, Losing My Virginity by Sir Richard Branson, The Way Of The Peaceful Warrior By Dan Milman and A New Earth By Eckhart Tolle, The 4 Hour Work Week By Timothy Ferris and The Richest Man in Babylon By George Clason.
Along with reading such literature Dan also spent time learning to meditate with Buddhist monks, he practised Thai Chi for years and was awarded a Thai Chi Master certificate, he also practised Yoga under great teachers in India and in the Himalayas. All of this was again to enhance his abilities in creating and living the greatest lifestyle an entrepreneur possibly can.
While reading and carrying out such practices Dan also completed nearly two-hundred courses in self-development that covered ontology (the study of being), leadership skills and self-transformation which is now his primary expertise.
Warburton gained great insights as to how he’d been subconsciously dominated by ways of thinking that no longer served him. These where totally life-transforming insights for Dan. After further years of studying self-transformation, Dan is now able clearly to guide others to implement the self-transformational methods that he’s discovered to have greatly elevated his lifestyle as an entrepreneur.
Dan now has numerous testimonials online from entrepreneurs stating that the quality of their life has dramatically elevated from receiving Dan’s coaching and thus he is now seen as the pioneer of transformational coaching and is often invited to speak at large events around the world about what transformation makes possible for those who truly want to succeed.
What makes Dan happier than anything is coaching entrepreneurs, seeing them impact humanity in a great way and in the process create and live their dream lifestyle.
From his own lives journey and from now having coached over one thousand entrepreneurs, in his books, the author Dan Warburton reveals his greatest insights about what it takes to succeed in an extraordinary way as an entrepreneur both in business and in dream lifestyle creation.
As a law firm owner, you are intimately familiar with the tension between managing case expenses and maintaining positive cash flow. In Episode 39 of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, we dive into a solution that not only alleviates financial stress for your firm but also offers a lifeline to your clients who might feel overwhelmed by the cost of litigation.
Join us as we sit down with Laura Moore, a beacon of hope in the injury funding sphere, who brings a wealth of knowledge and an inspirational personal story to the table.
In this episode, host Darren Wurz talks to Laura Moore, the resourceful founder of Moore Injury Funding, who reveals how her innovative approach to funding is transforming the way law firms and injury plaintiffs weather the long and costly process of litigation. From the outset, Moore’s candid discussion about the realities and ethical considerations of case funding sets the stage for an enlightening conversation.
Laura discusses:
How to determine if an injured plaintiff is a suitable candidate for funding.
The advantages of non-recourse funding.
The average duration for settling personal injury cases.
Financing options for attorneys who want to expand their business operations.
The importance of medical funding for injured plaintiffs.
A real-life success story that illustrates the profound impact of timely funding.
Laura Moore, the founder and CEO of Moore Injury Funding, brings a diverse background and a deep commitment to helping those in need. Originally from Kaunas, Lithuania, in North Europe, Laura pursued her education at prestigious institutions, including Vilnius University in Kaunas and the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany, where she studied German Philology.
In 2001, she immigrated to the United States and embarked on a journey that would lead her to make a significant impact in the personal injury arena. Laura Moore has a Pre-Medical Science Degree from Georgia State University. She spent eleven years in the medical field in various medical settings, including the ER, surgical ICU, pharmacy, cardiology, operating rooms, preventative and sports medicine, family medicine, OBGYN, emergency care, podiatry, DME, and functional medicine.
Laura’s personal experience with a life-altering accident became the catalyst for starting Moore Injury Funding. Following a T-bone collision in December 2021, Laura underwent extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation, enduring numerous procedures and therapies to manage her injuries. Throughout her challenging recovery, she recognized the financial strain and emotional toll that individuals face during the litigation process. Determined to alleviate the burdens of injured individuals, Laura established Moore Injury Funding in June 2022.
With her educational background, extensive knowledge of personal injury cases, and profound compassion for those suffering from injuries, Laura provides nationwide Legal Funding services. Her goal is to offer financial relief to injured individuals, enabling them to meet their basic needs, receive necessary medical treatments, and sustain themselves during the litigation process until a fair settlement is reached. Laura’s personal journey fuels her dedication to helping others navigate the challenges of their own injury claims with compassion and support.
Attention law firm owners and aspiring legal entrepreneurs! Are you ready to unlock the secrets of ethical prosperity and community impact?
Today, we have something that could be a game-changer for your practice. On Episode 38 of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, host Darren Wurz sits down with Dan Fulkerson, the co-founder and managing partner at Batta Fulkerson Law Group.
Dan’s approach transcends the traditional models of law firm management as he intertwines ethical business practice with genuine philanthropy, supporting different nonprofits and embedding transparency at the core of his law group’s philosophy. No greedy pursuits, no mass marketing—just a bulldog mascot symbolizing their tenacity and unique grassroots marketing tactics that resonate with the community.
Dan shares his commitment to sustainable growth, demonstrated by his firm’s cautious financial strategy and dedication to ethical representation.
Dan discusses:
Why keeping at least 6 months worth of overhead is critical.
Why he dislikes the solicitous approach to legal advertising.
The power of transparency and building ethical practices in your law firm operations.
Why it is vital to put people over profit.
How to merge your career with causes you care about.
The importance of monitoring your business activities and how to build systems for scaling your business.
Dan Fulkerson is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Batta Fulkerson Law Group.
Dan completed his Juris Doctor degree at California Western School of Law in San Diego in conjunction with his Masters of Business Degree at San Diego State University. He is the only person to complete both degrees at the same time in only two and a half years. He has successfully handled over 15,000 car accident cases and personally helped recover tens of millions of dollars for victims.
Dan’s personal experiences with serious injury car accidents, combined with his experience handling thousands of accident cases, make Dan a dynamic accident injury attorney who helps get his clients the results they deserve. In addition to Attorney Dan Fulkerson’s impressive success rate, it is evident to clients that Dan goes out of his way to treat you like family. Outside of work, Dan sits on 6 charity boards including Active Valor for Gold Star families, Roadogs dog rescue, and Positive Movement Foundation. He also has his own Bulldog rescue that focuses on rescuing French and English bulldogs. Dan loves spending time with friends, family, and his five bulldogs; Winston, Dolly, Teddy, Juan Carlos and Gigi.
In this insightful episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, host Darren Wurz sits down with Jeff Grant, a remarkable figure in the legal field who has turned his tumultuous journey into a beacon of hope for others.
Beyond his personal struggles in the past- a past riddled with opioid addiction, financial turmoil, and professional misconduct, Jeff shares how he was able to launch a renewed law practice that’s not only thriving but helping individuals navigate the daunting waters of white-collar prosecution.
Jeff’s story is not just a testament to personal resilience; it’s an incredibly relevant narrative for law firm owners on structuring a business that aligns with their values and the modern world’s demands.
Jeff discusses:
His battle with addiction and its negative impact on his life.
His experience with the criminal justice system.
How to maintain financial integrity in the face of adversity.
Upcoming plans with AI technology, implementing live chat on his website and pushing the boundaries of client accessibility and support.
How he restarted his law firm with a renewed sense of purpose.
His dedication to helping people with white-collar legal issues without overcharging by providing valuable resources through his ministry.
Jeff Grant is on a mission. After a hiatus from practicing law, Jeff has founded the law firm of GrantLaw, PLLC, is once again in private practice in New York City and is committed to using his legal expertise and life experience to benefit others.
GrantLaw, PLLC, is a new type of law firm providing private general counsel services to clients facing, who have previously faced, or who could possibly be facing white collar prosecutions and/or regulatory proceedings, and their companies and families. In this role, Jeff and his team assist clients in making critical and timely business and family decisions, and in executing on them, so that they have the best chance to come out the other side with lives of purpose, meaning and success.
He also provides a broad range of legal services, all in a highly attentive, personalized manner. These include private general counsel, white collar crisis management, strategy and team building, services to family-owned and closely-held businesses, and support to special situation and pro bono clients. He practices in New York and on authorized Federal matters, and works with local co-counsel and criminal defense counsel to represent clients throughout country.
For more than 20 years, Jeff served as managing attorney of a 20+ employee law firm headquartered in New York City and then Westchester County, New York. The firm’s practice areas included representing family-owned and closely-held businesses and their owners, business and real estate transactions, trusts and estates, and litigation. Jeff also served as outside general counsel to large family-owned real estate equities and management and brokerage organizations.
Jeff is admitted to practice law in the State of New York, and in the Federal District Courts for the Southern District of New York and the Eastern District of New York. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, the New York City Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Guiding people forward in their lives
After an addiction to prescription opioids and serving almost 14 months in Federal prison (2006 – 07) for a white collar crime he committed in 2001, Jeff started his own reentry. He earned a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York, majoring in Social Ethics. After graduating, Jeff was called to serve at an inner city church in Bridgeport, CT as Associate Minister and Director of Prison Ministries. He then co-founded Progressive Prison Ministries, Inc. (Greenwich, CT), the world’s first ministry devoted to serving the white collar justice community. On August 10, 2023, Jeff celebrated 21 years of sobriety.
An ordained minister, Jeff has more than three decades of experience in crisis management, business, law, reentry, recovery (clean & sober 20+ years), plus executive and religious leadership. He works frequently with people prosecuted for white collar crimes (and their families) who want to emerge from isolation and join a supportive community. In this role he helps them navigate their journey through the criminal justice system to new, ethical, productive, joyful lives on the other side of their issues.
Sometimes referred to in the press as “The Minister to Hedge Funders,” Jeff regularly uses his experience and background to guide people forward in their lives, relationships, careers, and business opportunities – and help them avoid making the kinds of decisions that resulted in loss, suffering, and shame.
Service and more service
A verified Psychology Today professional, he also serves on the ministry team at St. Joseph Mission Church (Cliffside Park, NJ) and as Chaplain to the Woodbury Fire Department (Woodbury, CT).
From 2016 – 2019, Jeff served as Executive Director of Family ReEntry, Inc. (Bridgeport, CT), a 100+ person criminal justice organization with offices and programs in eight Connecticut cities. Jeff is the first person in the United States formerly incarcerated for a white collar crime to be appointed Executive Director of a major criminal justice nonprofit.
Jeff has served on numerous criminal justice-related Boards. They include the Legal Action Center (New York, NY), Co-Chair, American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section Reentry & Collateral Consequences Committee, (Washington, DC), American Bar Association Lawyers Assistance Programs Advisory Commission (Chicago, IL) , Co-Chair, Mayor’s Advisory Council on Reentry Affairs (Bridgeport, CT), Family ReEntry (Bridgeport, CT), Community Partners in Action (formerly the Connecticut Prison Association, Hartford, CT), and Healing Communities Network (New York, NY). He has also served on the Advisory Boards of Creative Projects Group (Los Angeles, CA) and Reentry Survivors (Bridgeport, CT).
Recognition and more recognition
Jeff was twice selected a Nantucket Project Scholar (2012, 2014) and was recognized by JustLeadershipUSA as one of 15 Inaugural National Leaders in Criminal Justice (2015). He was selected a Keepers of the Commons Fellow (2017) and a Keepers of the Commons Senior Fellow (2018). Jeff has been the recipient of the Elizabeth Bush Award for Volunteerism (2011), received the Bridgeport Reentry Collaborative Advocate of the Year Award (2013, 2014, 2015), and was selected the Bridgeport Reentry Collaborative Professional of the Year (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019). He has also been recognized by the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (2017) and by the Connecticut NAACP (2017), and was selected a 2019 Collegeville Institute Writing Fellow.
A Professional Member of the National Speakers Association, Jeff is an in-demand keynote speaker, panelist, moderator, and guest preacher. Speaking venues include Main Stage Presenter at The Nantucket Project (Nantucket, MA), American Bar Association Criminal Justice Conference (Washington, DC), Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Webinar (December 2022), the Greenwich Leadership Forum (Greenwich, CT), the Corrections Ministries and Chaplains Association (CMCA) Correctional Ministry Summit (Wheaton College, IL and Philadelphia, PA), Delaware Trust Conference (Wilmington, DE), Salons at Stowe – Harriet Beecher Stowe Center (Hartford, CT), Community Health Network of Connecticut Social Determinants of Health Summit (Wallingford, CT), The Neighborhood Project (Greenwich, CT), U.S. Small Business Administration Conference (Fairfield, CT), Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York (NY, NY), Yale Divinity School (New Haven, CT).
Jeff has also spoken at many universities, colleges, and religious institutions across the country. For information or to book Jeff to speak, guest preach, or for a panel or other presentation, please see his e-speakers profile here.
Magazines, radio, television, podcasts, books
Jeff has authored, been the subject of, or been prominently mentioned in many national and regional publications. They include The New Yorker (Aug. 2021), Entrepreneur (Sept. 2021 & Apr. 2020), Bloomberg Law (Oct. 2021), Wells Street with CNBC’s Jane Wells (Oct. 2021), Reuters (May 2021), American Bar Association Criminal Justice Magazine (Spring 2021), Business Insider (July 2021), Forbes (July 2020), Philadelphia Inquirer (Oct. 2020), Vanity Fair (Aug. 2019), Greenwich Magazine (Mar. 2018), Law360, Inc., Medium, The Huffington Post, Absolute Return/HedgeFund Intelligence, Institutional Investor, CFO Dive, New York Magazine, Real Men Real Faith Magazine (cover story), Fairfield County Business Journal, Nonprofit Quarterly, Reentry Central, The Vision (the newspaper of the United Methodist Church NY Conference), Weston Magazine Group, Weston Forum, Hartford Courant, New Haven Register, New Haven Independent, Inner City News, Connecticut Post, Greenwich Sentinel, Greenwich Time, Greenwich Free Press, The Hour and others. Jeff authored a chapter in the book, Suicide and Its Impact on the Criminal Justice System (2021), served on the Editorial Board of the book The Justice Imperative: How Hyper-Incarceration has Hijacked the American Dream (2014), and was prominently mentioned/quoted in the books Wildland: The Making of America’s Fury (2021), Trusted White Collar Offenders: Global Case Studies of Crime Convenience (2021) and the Teal Book of Wisdom (2022).
He has been featured or interviewed on many radio shows, televisions segments and podcasts. They include the Rich Roll Podcast (# 644 November 2021, #440 May 2019), The Confessional with Nadia Bolz-Weber (May 2021), The Sydcast (October 2021), Newsy (October 2021), Business Talk with Jim Campbell (June 2021), Tha Yard Hangout (June 2021), the Colin McEnroe Show on WNPR (October 2019), The Same 24 Hours podcast with Meredith Atwood (March 2020), the Fraud Stories podcast (September 2020), the Taxgirl Podcast (July 2020), Landmark Recovery Radio (November 2020), Clara CFO podcast with Hanna Smolinski (January 2021), and Founders Focus podcast with Scott Case (April 2021), among others.
Jeff is also editor of the important, widely-read website and blog prisonist.org, for which he authors, edits, and curates content around national and international criminal justice advocacy/ministry issues. He also co-hosts the Criminal Justice Insider podcast, hosts the White Collar Week podcast, and leads a weekly online confidential White Collar Support Group (the first in the country). The group, which has had more than 650 participants, held its 350th weekly online meeting in March 2023.
Are you a law firm owner languishing over unmet profit goals and overwhelmed with the business side of running your firm? Profits seem elusive, productivity is low, and happiness is just another dream.
Today, we have something that could be a game-changer for your practice. On Episode 36 of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, host Darren Wurz sits down with experienced attorney, consultant, and author Mike Chastaine to discuss the secrets of transforming your law firm into a profitable business.
Mike discusses the importance of having a financial plan, efficient bookkeeping systems and how to set rules for client and employee engagement.
Mike discusses:
How law firm owners can use the 80/20 rule to maximize their productivity.
Embracing the “profit first system” as a key to lasting success.
The importance of setting up effective intake systems and rules of engagement.
Creating a hiring strategy that ensures every legal employee amplifies your law firm’s profit.
The importance of financial readiness and why you need an emergency fund.
Mike Chastaine is an award-winning attorney, speaker and author. His career spans many decades and covers a wide range of experiences, both in and out of the court room. As a successful entrepreneur, nationally recognized trial lawyer and endurance athlete, he has a unique perspective for success that puts him in a unique position to help others.
Nationally Recognized criminal defense attorney for over 37 years
Founder of Chastaine Law – “Best Criminal Defense firm in Northern California in 2020 and 2021 by New World Reports
Legal Excellence Award for Literary distinction, LEA award and author of five books
Radio host of ‘Legal Ease’
Video blogger of 20 minutes with Mike
Entrepreneurial Attorney of the Year finalist in 2017 and 2018
Are you a law firm owner looking to build your brand and attract clients?
In this exciting episode of The Lawyer Millionaire podcast, Host Darren Wurz is joined by Guest Ali Awad, a renowned law firm owner whose expertise as a personal injury attorney and a savvy business owner & marketer has propelled his firm to great heights. With over 1.5 million followers on Instagram, he is known as the CEO Lawyer.
Ali sheds light on his early realization of the importance of hard work, the power of perseverance and how he transformed his law firm from a one-man operation into one of the fastest growing firms in the country.
Ali discusses:
How he started his law firm from the trunk of his car.
How to use social media to reach and engage with potential clients.
The two essential ingredients you need to build your business.
Why your expertise and qualifications are not enough to attract clients.
Why you need to choose a name you can grow into when branding your business.
Why the money you don’t take is way more important than the money you do take.
Why you don’t learn how to practice law in law school.
Mr. Awad’s personal injury practice primarily consists of auto collisions, but also involves premises liability and medical malpractice suits. Mr. Awad is fluent in three languages (Arabic, English, Spanish) and conversational in two others (Chinese, Portuguese). These linguistic skills allow Mr. Awad to effectively communicate with a wide array of clients, fostering strong long-term relationships.
During law school, Mr. Awad became a published author on Immigration Law while working as a Senior Editor for a law review journal. He also clerked with a business litigation firm and an immigration firm in Atlanta, GA to gain a deeper understanding of the nuances of client communication in a legal setting. Mr. Awad has studied internationally during his undergraduate and post-graduate career, spending extended periods of time in countries like China, Turkey, Mexico, and Brazil. This diverse international experience helps Mr. Awad connect with people from all walks of life.
Mr. Awad’s hobbies include flying planes (private pilot in training) and building show cars (from antiques to 1500-horsepower exotics). Mr. Awad also holds a black belt in Tae-Kwon-Do and has competed on a regional and national level over the past 15 years.
Are you a law firm owner looking to harness social media to achieve financial success and build a thriving practice? Then Episode 34 of The Lawyer Millionaire podcast is a must-listen.
Host Darren Wurz is joined by Guest Ryan Stygar, founder of Centurion Trial Attorneys and social media maverick as he delves into his career transformation from aspiring firefighter to trailblazing attorney.
Ryan sheds light on how he creates attention-grabbing content, how his firm quickly gained a strong following on social media and how to deal with haters.
Ryan discusses:
How being authentic builds trust and increases engagement with your content thus fostering client loyalty.
How to find out what kind of content catches traction
The importance of creating a high volume of content such as short 2-minutes videos
The benefits of positioning yourself as an industry expert
Ryan Stygar grew up in San Diego, California. He spent several years as a firefighter for San Diego County and Cal Fire.
While not fighting fires, Ryan was a desert-rescue specialist in the Ocotillo Wells State Park area. During his time as a firefighter, Ryan responded to everything from massive flames to complex rescues for trauma patients.
After four years of service, Ryan left the fire department to earn a law degree. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from California Western School of Law.
Since then, Ryan founded Centurion Trial Attorneys, a California-based employment litigation firm. Ryan has also devoted much of his time to writing.
His nonfiction focuses on helping lawyers and law students develop trial skills.
Today, Ryan is recognized as a leading voice in the field of Labor & Employment law. He has gained a massive following on TikTok as @AttorneyRyan aka “The Labor Lawyer.” Through his videos, Ryan empowers employees and small businesses by educating them about the law and worker’s rights.
Ryan is passionate about promoting education. That is why he started the Young Visionary Project, a nonprofit committed to empowering young people and building strong communities.
His young-readers’ series, the Snot Rocket Adventures, has inspired young scientists, leaders, and entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams. Snot Rocket uses hilarity, outlandish villains, and wild action to teach readers about math, science, and history.
Ryan currently lives in San Diego where he is an active member of the legal, literary, and political community.
Are you an employee aspiring to become a law firm owner? Look no further!
In this episode, Darren Wurz and guest Adam Berger, a partner and co-founder of Miller Berger located in the great city of Chicago navigate the complexities of managing a successful law firm.
Adam shares some insights on how to build your professional network, the importance of a lean business model and successfully transitioning from an employee to a law firm owner.
Adam discusses:
The business models and strategies he adopted to grow his law firm even in the midst of a global pandemic.
The importance of delivering great work to your clients to drive business growth.
How to balance lifestyle considerations with high performance.
The importance of bringing on team members who align with your firm culture.
How to get business referrals by helping people.
Why law firm owners need to be more flexible instead of simply being taskmasters.
Adam’s focuses his practice on Corporate, Complex Commercial Litigation, Insurance Defense, and Employment matters, as well as a wide variety of Commercial Transactions including “buy-sells” and Real Estate. Adam serves as outside general counsel to numerous privately held companies in the Greater Chicago Area, including many automobile dealerships and construction companies. He is regularly engaged to defend lawsuits alleging breach of contract, fraud, breach of warranty, and violations of Federal statutes such as the Truth in Lending Act. Adam is often retained to resolve shareholder disputes and employment charges filed with the EEOC and Illinois Department of Human Rights. Adam also has extensive experience defending construction companies against claims of negligence and wrongful death.
Adam has tried numerous cases to verdict and has an impressive appellate record. He regularly represents clients in arbitration hearings, mediations, and alternative dispute resolution proceedings.
Adam has been recognized as a Super Lawyer Rising Star in Construction Litigation and is the proud recipient of an Illinois Jury Verdict Reporter “Trial Lawyer Excellence Award” for obtaining a defense verdict on behalf of an electrical contractor in a wrongful electrocution death case. Adam serves on the Boards of various public and private organizations. Prior to establishing Miller Berger, LLC, Adam was a partner in a large, multi-state law firm and the owner of a boutique law firm in Chicago.
Bar Admissions
Illinois
U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois
U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court Western District of Wisconsin
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin
Federal Trial Bar
Education
Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Chicago, Illinois
J.D. – 1999
Dean’s List
CALI Highest Grade in Legal Research
Best Oral Advocate, Regional Finals, National Moot Court Competition
National Moot Court Team
Winning Team, Intra-School Moot Court Competition
Phillip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Team
Washington University
B.A. – 1993
Professional Associations
Chicago Bar Association
Northwest Suburban Bar Association
Illinois Defense Counsel
Illinois Independent Auto Dealer Association, Board Member
National Independent Auto Dealer Association
HACIA
Published Works
Co-Author, Chapter 1 and Chapter 4, A Young Lawyer’s Guide to Real Estate Practice, The Young Lawyers Section, Chicago Bar Association
Are you fascinated by legal representation in sports and the role of wealth management for athletes? Then Episode 32 of The Lawyer Millionaire podcast is a must-listen. Guest Brandon Leopoldus, a renowned sports and entertainment attorney, shares his wealth of knowledge and the unique challenges he navigates in the glamorous realm of sports law in this unmissable episode.
Host Darren Wurz delves into an insightful conversation with Brandon Leopoldus, a California-based attorney and founder of Leopoldus Law, APC – a specialized law firm dedicated to serving clients in the sports industry.
From managing complex licensing deals to providing financial planning guidance and providing a support system for athletes to build and safeguard their wealth. Brandon’s legal path offers a fascinating, behind-the-scenes look into the world of sports law.
Brandon discusses:
How his personal journey from umpiring Minor League Baseball games to becoming a sought-after sports lawyer has shaped his unique approach to sports law.
How Leopoldus helps lesser-known athletes understand and plan for their future beyond sports.
Why he focuses on the easiest way to get things done without compromising his client’s experience.
Why Leopoldus undergoes a thorough vetting process before deciding to work with any athlete.
Why Leopoldus offers flexible and upfront pricing options to ensure their clients are never caught off guard by unexpected fees.
How to use AI tools to speed up business operations, reduce costs and help more people.
Brandon Leopoldus is a California-based attorney and founder of Leopoldus Law, APC – a specialized law firm dedicated to serving clients in the sports industry. With a focus on providing tailored legal solutions and strategies, Mr. Leopoldus is committed to helping his clients navigate the complexities of their off-field and off-screen needs.
His extensive experience includes representing professional sports franchises, unions, Olympians, athletes, sports officials, musicians, and entertainers across various fields. From setting up and protecting loan-out corporations to offering complex solutions for high-profile individuals, Mr. Leopoldus ensures his clients have access to top-notch legal expertise.
Notable accomplishments in his career include developing the legal structure for a new hockey league, serving as Interim Counsel for an MLS team, advising the Association of Minor League Umpires during the pandemic, working with numerous U.S. Olympic Governing Bodies, assisting collegiate athletes as they transition to professional careers, and maximizing returns for collegiate athletes leveraging their name, image, and likeness rights.
As a recognized leader in sports law, Mr. Leopoldus frequently speaks at conferences, guest lectures at law schools, and participates in panels at the Sports Lawyers Association’s (SLA) Annual Conference. He is also known for his informative LinkedIn Video Series covering various sports law topics.
An award-winning member of the Sports Lawyers Association, Mr. Leopoldus is also a member of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association and the Sports and Entertainment Society. He shares his expertise by teaching Sports Law classes at Loyola Law School – Los Angeles.
Prior to his legal career, Mr. Leopoldus spent several years in Minor League Baseball as an umpire, with only one notable appearance on SportsCenter.
Outside of work, Leopoldus enjoys spending time with his friends and family, including his highly intelligent dog, Harvey, named after Hall of Fame umpire Doug Harvey.
