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Ep. 121 – Building Bold: Ariana Tadler on Leadership, Legacy, and Law Firm Success

Ep. 121 – Building Bold: Ariana Tadler on Leadership, Legacy, and Law Firm Success

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Are you a law firm owner striving to grow your business, lead with clarity, and create something bigger than yourself?

I had the honor of sitting down with Ariana J. Tadler, founding partner of Tadler Law LLP, and a national powerhouse in complex litigation and E-discovery. In this inspiring episode, Ariana shares her personal journey, from deciding to be a lawyer at age 13 to becoming a leader and innovator in the legal field.

Ariana shares:

  • How to define and live by your core values.
  • How her mindset gave her firm a competitive edge, especially during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Why everything she does is a strategic move.
  • The influence of her family dynamics and a debate-oriented upbringing while growing up.
  • How she navigates leadership challenges as a mother and woman.
  • Creating a legacy and empowering others for greater success.

Resources:

 

Connect with Darren Wurz:

 

Connect with Ariana Tadler:

 

About Ariana Tadler

ARIANA J. TADLER is the founding partner of Tadler Law LLP, a WBENC-certified, women-owned boutique law firm that offers an array of litigation and legal counseling services. With 32 years’ experience advocating for consumers, employees, and investors against corporate fraud and abuse while litigating and managing securities, consumer and data breach class actions, and complex litigation and arbitrations, Ariana is one of the leading women litigators in the country. Described by Chambers USA as one who “passionately defends her clients’ interests to the greatest extent possible,” Ariana litigates large, complex, high-profile cases as well as smaller, impactful matters. She is sought after for her unique legal and technological acumen and case management skills.

Ariana is renowned for being “gracious and tenacious.” A tough, solution-driven negotiator with a creative and robust aptitude for resolving disputes, Ariana is regularly retained by clients and appointed by courts to leadership positions in large, complex federal, multi-district, and state coordinated proceedings because of her extensive experience managing complex litigation. Ariana is also recognized as one of the nation’s leading authorities on electronic discovery and pioneered the establishment of an eDiscovery Practice group within a plaintiffs’ firm structure 20+ years ago.

Her exceptional skills and knowledge in the field of eDiscovery have distinguished her among her litigation peers. She remains the only plaintiffs’ lawyer to be ranked repeatedly as a Band 1 eDiscovery Practitioner by Chambers and Partners in the Global-USA and USA-Nationwide categories, an unprecedented achievement. In 2024, Ariana received a Star Ranking for eDiscovery from Chambers and Partners, making her one of only three people and the only woman to have ever received this distinction. In 2023, Ariana received the 2023 Honorable Shira Scheindlin Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2024, Ariana became the Co-Vice President of Women Owned Law.

Ariana was a Founding Principal and served as a consultant to Meta-e Discovery LLP, an independent data hosting management and consulting company. In March 2023, Repario Data was created and includes the integration of Meta-e Discovery with several other service providers, and Ms. Tadler has a limited equity interest in Repario Data.

In 2017, United States Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts appointed Ariana to serve on the Federal Civil Rules Advisory Committee. After serving two three-year terms, in July 2023, Chief Justice Roberts renewed Ariana’s appointment to serve for an additional year, which expired in October 2024. By the Committee Chair’s appointment, she served on subcommittees focused on specific aspects of the federal civil rules, including Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) and Discovery.

Ariana is an author and a paid professional and keynote speaker.  She writes and speaks on an array of topics stemming from her decades of experience as a lawyer, entrepreneur, founding partner, business owner, woman in tech, mentor, and mother. Ariana is an active member of the New York City Chapter of the National Speakers’ Association and is currently writing a book on work life integration based on a philosophy she developed to live an effective, productive, and abundant life geared to mentoring and developing the next generation of leaders.

Ariana is a proud graduate of Hamilton College and Fordham University’s School of Law. An avid learner, Ariana achieved a certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship from Cornell University in March 2022.

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Ep. 120 – How Jeff Hughes Scaled Sterling Lawyers with Fixed Fees, Offshoring, and Innovation

Ep. 120 – How Jeff Hughes Scaled Sterling Lawyers with Fixed Fees, Offshoring, and Innovation

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Ever wondered how to break free from the billable hour grind and truly scale your law firm? On today’s episode, host Darren Wurz sits down with Jeff Hughes, founder of Sterling Lawyers, who shared exactly how he built a 100% fixed fee family law firm, leveraged offshore talent, and embraced innovation to transform his business. We talked about aligning client and firm interests, the power of transparent pricing, and why documenting your processes is essential if you want to grow—or even exit—your practice. If you’re ready to build a scalable, profitable, and future-ready law firm, this episode is a must-listen!

Jeff shares:

  • How Sterling Lawyers transitioned to a fixed fee model?
  • The top challenges law firms face when switching to a fixed fee model.
  • Why Sterling Lawyers offshores many roles to the Philippines?
  • How to effectively train your team and build scalable processes
  • The mindset shift from technician to business owner.

 

Resources:

 

Connect with Darren Wurz:

 

Connect with Jeff Hughes:

 

About Jeff Hughes:

We operate Sterling Law daily with the conviction that we must empower clients enduring a family legal crisis, which are some of the most painful, bewildering moments of life.”

When someone utters the word “divorce,” specific images pop to mind. Expensive and never-ending bills, uncaring lawyers, and drawn out cases ending in heartache, to name just a few.

But why? Family law is supposed to be about serving people during some of the difficult moments of their life when they need a helping hand the most.

Jeff Hughes chose law as the platform to impact his community and the families in it. After working as a lawyer for many years, he saw that the status quo was broken, and radical changes had to be made.

As a co-founder of Sterling Law Offices, he turned his focus to obliterating the archaic family law “old school” system.

First, and this may strike you as crazy radical – Jeff does not want you as a client of the firm. He would much rather live in a world where families never broke apart. Sadly, that is not reality. The truth is that good, loving people find themselves in a family legal crisis.

Consequently, Jeff’s core belief is simple: “When people in my community find themselves in a family legal crisis, we desperately want to serve them. They need us. So, we are obsessed with creating a modern firm that focuses on them and their families. I have this unshakable conviction, that if we build a client-centered firm, we will be wildly successful. If we empower clients, we will dominate.”

Second, according to Jeff, “the primary way family law is practiced today should be blown up.” It starts with “ridiculous hourly billing. It just kills me that lawyers ask clients to give them their credit card or a blank check with no assurance as to what their final bill will be. We have destroyed and buried hourly billing – R.I.P. If we can’t tell the client what their fees will be up front, we don’t accept their money.”

Third, Jeff has an incurable obsession with focusing every available firm resource on being amazing at one thing – family law. “Look, if my leg is broken, the last thing I am going to do is see a cardiologist or some general practice doc. I’m going straight to an orthopedic who specializes on legs. I just think clients need to be able to come to a firm and have confidence that their lawyer is focused 100% on family law, not dabbling in real estate one minute and criminal law the next.”

Fourth, Jeff feels the prevailing attitude of family lawyers is backward. “I have this unpopular belief in my profession. We all say that we put clients first. That is cliché and, for the most part, is absolute baloney. I think most lawyers actually put themselves first. They care far more about what other lawyers think of them than what clients think of them. That is asinine. This is why Sterling surveys every client multiple times during our representation. I know most lawyers are scared to know the truth–that is why so few lawyers actually ask their client for feedback.”

Finally, (Jeff insisted that we put this quote on the website): “There is a reason why we are transforming family law in just a few years. It is because we are maniacal about the client’s needs, wants and desires. We are winning because we put clients first, and the market is voting us to the front of the pack. Every single person going through a family legal crisis deserves to know about Sterling Law.”

Outside of his career, Jeff and Winona get to love on their five boys and one girl. The Hughes family enjoys traveling to create as many special memories as possible. He is also a voracious reader, downhill skier, ping pong player, and loves, loves fishing on the Chippewa Flowage in Hayward, WI. Jeff grew up in Alton, IL.

Jeff got his B.A. degree in history from Bob Jones University in 1994. He went on to earn his law degree (J.D) from Southern Illinois University School of Law in 1997.

After law school, Jeff became a litigating attorney at a Wisconsin law firm, McLario, Helm & Bertling S.C. before founding Sterling Law Offices.

 

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Ep. 119 – Law Firm in the Metaverse Scott C. Pappas Is Redefining How Law Firms Operate

Ep. 119 – Law Firm in the Metaverse Scott C. Pappas Is Redefining How Law Firms Operate

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Have you ever wondered: Is there a better way to build a firm that’s both profitable and fulfilling for everyone involved?

On this episode, host Darren Wurz sits down with Scott C. Pappas, the managing partner of Omnus Law, to talk about a truly groundbreaking approach to running a law firm. Scott and his team have tossed out the old playbook, building a firm that puts attorneys first, prioritizes mental health, and leverages technology in unexpected ways—including a law firm campus in the METAVERSE. Yes, you read that right!

Scott shares how Omnus Law’s core values of grace and kindness shape everything from daily operations to client relations. If you’ve ever wished for a law firm life with more freedom, connection, and opportunity—and less stress—this episode is for you.

Scott shares:

  • The benefits of prioritizing attorney wellbeing as a core business strategy.
  • The role of the metaverse in building connection and collaboration for remote legal teams.
  • How Omnus Law removed strict billable hour requirements in favor of autonomy and trust.
  • His experience with advocating for mental health and autism services.
  • How Omnus Law fully virtual office in the metaverse mimics real life office interactions

 

Resources:

Connect with Darren Wurz:

 

Connect with Scott C. Pappas:

 

About Scott C. Pappas:

Scott C. Pappas is the Firmwide Managing Partner of Omnus Law, where he leads the firm’s mission to modernize legal practice through autonomy, culture, and operational innovation. With more than 20 years of experience spanning litigation, legal operations, and firm leadership, Scott brings a rare dual perspective, grounded in both practice and performance.

Before joining Omnus, he held senior roles at Goodwin, Lowenstein Sandler, and Redgrave LLP, where he built and scaled practice management functions that aligned attorney well-being with business results. A former litigator who has managed large caseloads for financial institutions, Scott also brings a strong foundation in commercial and contract law.

He is also the founder of Autism Behavioral Wellness, a social enterprise dedicated to supporting children and families affected by autism. Scott frequently speaks on the future of legal work, talent retention, and building firm cultures that prioritize both people and performance.

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What Nike’s Founder Can Teach You About Running a Law Firm (Ep. 118)

What Nike’s Founder Can Teach You About Running a Law Firm (Ep. 118)

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If you’re a law firm owner, chances are you’ve faced your share of uncertainty, sleepless nights, and moments where it feels like you’re flying by the seat of your pants. Maybe you’ve wondered if you’re making the right moves or if you’ve really got what it takes to build something lasting—not just profitable, but truly meaningful.

That’s exactly why you’ll want to tune in to this week’s episode of The Lawyer Millionaire. Host Darren Wurz takes listeners behind the scenes of Nike’s legendary rise as chronicled in Phil Knight’s “Shoe Dog.” It’s not just about sneakers or sports—it’s about how one scrappy entrepreneur started with a wild idea and a $50 loan, and built a business empire. And trust me: the takeaways for law firm owners are both practical and powerful.

 

Darren discusses:

  • The importance of starting before you are ready
  • How to overcome imposter syndrome
  • The three phases of law firm growth
  • Why profitability and cashflow are the two lifelines of business.
  • How to use systems to manage your cash flow
  • How hiring for passion over pedigree can create a loyal and winning team culture

 

Resources:

Book – Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight
Book – The Joy of Running by Thaddeus Kostrubala MD

 

Connect with Darren Wurz:

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Burn the Partner Track: How One Law Firm is Redefining Everything (Ep. 117)

Burn the Partner Track: How One Law Firm is Redefining Everything (Ep. 117)

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Are you running your firm the way it’s always been done—climbing the partner track, chasing origination bonuses, and operating within a strict hierarchy—only to find it creates more stress and less satisfaction? Or maybe you feel that, despite your best efforts, the structure of your firm is holding you and your team back from truly thriving. If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s a more collaborative, rewarding way to grow your practice and build wealth, we have an episode you don’t want to miss.

On this episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, host Darren Wurz sits down with Tara Jalali Malek: a former federal prosecutor and current co-owner of Smith + Malek, a trailblazing law firm redefining what it means to build a successful legal practice.

Tara’s firm has eliminated the traditional partner track, dropped origination bonuses, and built a supportive, people-first workplace. The result? Not just happier attorneys and better work-life balance, but big wins for the business and their clients.

Tara openly shares her journey, insights, and lessons learned—not just about shaking up the old model, but about empowering people, clarifying your firm’s mission, and understanding how culture drives the bottom line. If you’re a law firm owner who feels the tension between tradition and innovation, this conversation offers a practical, inspiring roadmap to making real change.

Tara discusses:

  • How to build a culture that attracts top talent and keeps them engaged.
  • Practical strategies for eliminating internal competition and stress.
  • Why Smith + Malek offers 16 weeks of paid parental leave for all staff.
  • How to make your workplace more productive without compromising productivity or service quality?
  • The benefits of offering flexibility in work location choices.

 

Resources:

 

Connect with Darren Wurz:

 

Connect with Tara Jalali Malek:

 

About our guest:

Tara is an Idaho licensed attorney and Smith + Malek, PLLC co-owner. With vast experience in civil and criminal law, Tara practices in state and federal court in business and commercial litigation.

Previously, Tara worked as a Kootenai County Deputy Prosecutor, a Special Assistant United States Attorney, and an Assistant United States Attorney at the United States Attorney’s Office in Boise. Tara’s most significant career accomplishments include a reversal of a jury verdict in federal court and reinstating a college president after an unlawful suspension.

Tara is a first-generation Iranian American who is fluent in both Farsi and English. She holds a B.A. in political science from the University of Arizona in Tucson. In 2008, Tara moved to Idaho to attend the University of Idaho College of Law where she graduated with her J.D. in 2011.

Tara’s personal ‘why’ is the pursuit of justice. She believes that lawyers can change the world for the better by pursuing justice on behalf of clients.

She’s a frequent legal pundit on national shows regarding criminal cases across the U.S. and teaches trial advocacy to law students at the University of Idaho College of Law, her alma mater.

When not in court, she serves on several boards, including Mountain West Bank, Building Hope Today, Idaho Contraceptive Education Network, Idaho for All, Your Health Idaho, and the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council. In her free time, Tara enjoys volunteering in her community, backpacking, hiking, skiing, and fly-fishing with her spoiled dog, Tequila.

BAR/COURT ADMISSIONS

  • Idaho

EDUCATION

  • J.D., University of Idaho College of Law
  • B.A., University of Arizona

ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Idaho Women Lawyers Notable Achievement, 2024
  • North Idaho Business Journal Top 40 Under 40, 2024
  • Idaho Business Review Idaho’s Women of the Year honoree, 2017, 2018, 2023
  • Soroptomists Women of Distinction, 2022
  • Kootenai County Young Professionals Top 30 Under 40, 2021
  • Leaders in Law, 2019

 

 

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How This Law Firm Used AI to 2X Productivity–and Launched a Legal Tech Startup (Ep. 116)

How This Law Firm Used AI to 2X Productivity–and Launched a Legal Tech Startup (Ep. 116)

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Everyone’s talking about artificial intelligence (AI), but most lawyers are unsure where it actually fits into their practice or if it’s worth the headache.

On this week’s episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, I sat down with Travis Easton, the youngest partner at his family-run California law firm and founder of AI Demand Pro. Travis shares how his team went from spending days drafting settlement demands to getting it done in less than half an hour, thanks to their innovative use of AI.

You’ll hear real stories of overcoming skepticism, what it was like to launch a legal tech startup with zero tech experience, and practical insights about where AI is headed in the everyday law practice.

If you’re skeptical about AI or wondering how it can genuinely help your business, this episode delivers the clarity you’ve been waiting for.

Travis discusses:

  • Why AI is the reigning buzzword at legal conferences?
  • The biggest myths preventing law firm owners from adopting AI.
  • How adopting AI tools can help small firms outpace bigger competitors.
  • How to cut your legal prep time from days to minutes.
  • The generational gap in AI adoption and lawyer apprehension.
  • Lessons learnt about building ownership and the iterative nature of tech products.

 

Resources:

 

 

Connect with Darren Wurz:

 

Connect with Travis Easton:

About our guest:

Travis Easton is a co-managing partner at Easton & Easton and has been selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Best Lawyers, and the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40.  As a practicing personal injury attorney, Travis has supervised Easton & Easton’s prelitigation department in recent years, helping to lead the firm to acquire more than $150,000,000 for its clients in the past four years alone.  Travis has also been instrumental in many of the in-house innovations the firm has made over the past decade to improve the efficiency and efficacy of its function to acquire the best results possible for the most clients possible.  As part of his efforts to improve the law firm’s operations, Travis shepherded the development of an AI demand writer for the law firm that would eventually become AI Demand Pro.  Now, as CEO, he continues to oversee AI Demand Pro’s development into a tool that will revolutionize law firms across the nation.

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AI-Powered Lawyering: How Jonathan Lomurro is Reinventing the Modern Law Firm (Ep. 115)

AI-Powered Lawyering: How Jonathan Lomurro is Reinventing the Modern Law Firm (Ep. 115)

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With AI dominating the headlines, it’s easy to feel unsure: Is this another fleeting trend, or the key to scaling your firm and building real, lasting wealth? If you’ve asked yourself, “How do I avoid being left behind while making smart, profitable choices for my practice?”—you’re not alone.

On this week’s episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, we welcome Jonathan Lomurro, a nationally recognized trial attorney and true legal tech trailblazer. Host Darren Wurz and Jonathan get real about what it takes to embrace AI (without compromising your integrity or your clients’ trust), sharing hard-won lessons from the courtroom and the boardroom alike.

Darren and Jonathan discuss:

  • The major cultural barriers that is slowing down the adoption of AI in law firms.
  • The role of AI as a strategic assistant not a replacement for critical human expertise.
  • How to ensure your client data and reputation is protected while using AI tools.
  • How judges are using AI to tackle case backlogs and drive faster decisions.
  • Legal processes and workflows that are ripe for AI-powered improvement?

 

Resources:

 

Connect with Darren Wurz:


Connect with Jonathan Lomurro:

Linkedin: Jonathan Lomurro
Lomurro Law

 

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From Rock Bottom to $5M+ Law Firm: Heather O’Connor’s Purpose-Driven Family Practice (Ep. 114)

From Rock Bottom to $5M+ Law Firm: Heather O’Connor’s Purpose-Driven Family Practice (Ep. 114)

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If you’re a law firm owner striving to build not just a profitable practice, but one with real impact and staying power, this episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast delivers both inspiration and actionable strategy.

Darren Wurz sits down with guest Heather O’Connor shared how her $5M+ family law firm grew by focusing on something most firms overlook: purpose-driven innovation. By hiring team members with personal connections to divorce and offering clients access to a complimentary life strategy coach, Heather transformed not just her firm’s results, but her clients’ lives as well.

Heather discusses:

  • The importance of aligning your business with your passion and purpose.
  • Building a law firm culture centered on transformation, not just transactions
  • Leveraging holistic client support, including providing a full-time life strategy coach.
  • How to manage your team effectively.
  • Investing in your growth and surrounding yourself with the right mentors.

 

Resources:

 

Connect with Darren Wurz:


Connect with Heather O’Connor:

Linkedin: Heather O’Connor
O’Connor Family Law

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Should You Really Hire a Financial Advisor? (Ep. 113)

Should You Really Hire a Financial Advisor? (Ep. 113)

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On this episode, host Darren Wurz gets candid about the real-world pros and cons of hiring a financial advisor—especially for independent, high-achieving attorneys and law firm owners. No sales pitch. No jargon. Just honest perspective from someone who’s seen it all (the good, the bad, and the “I really wish you’d called me sooner”).

Darren breaks down why so many lawyers choose the DIY route, the hidden costs of going it alone, and how professional advice might be the leap from “just getting by” to lasting wealth. He also shares exactly what to look for (and what to run from) when choosing an advisor, plus the red flags that could cost you big time.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Do I need a financial advisor?”—or felt a twinge of shame or hesitation around your money management—you’re not alone. This week on The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, we’re cutting through the noise to help you make the smartest call for your future.

Darren discusses:

  • DIY vs, Delegating: Understand when managing your own finances makes sense- and when it may actually be holding you back.
  • The top reasons lawyers hesitate to seek professional financial help and how to overcome them.
  • The essential qualities of a trustworthy financial advisor.
  • How having external accountability can change your approach to saving, investing, or setting financial goals?
  • What top attorneys and world class athletes have in common?
  • The red flags to watch out for when choosing a financial advisor.

 

Connect with Darren Wurz:

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The Wealth Secret No One Talks About–Make Saving a Bill (Ep. 112)

The Wealth Secret No One Talks About–Make Saving a Bill (Ep. 112)

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For most law firm owners, managing unpredictable income and the never-ending demands of the practice often means that saving becomes an afterthought. You might find yourself waiting for a “good month” or hoping there’s something left over at the end, only to realize those moments are rare.

On this episode, Darren lays out the psychological and practical barriers facing law firm owners when it comes to saving. Most of us prioritize immediate needs—firm expenses, payroll, and recurring bills—while treating savings as optional. However, your future self has real, unavoidable bills coming: healthcare, retirement, family obligations, and more.

By making savings as mandatory as rent or mortgage payments, you build a habit that removes emotion and inconsistency from your financial life. Darren doesn’t just talk theory—he provides direct examples from his own experience and those of his clients, and recommends straightforward tools to make saving automatic and sustainable.

 

Darren discusses:

  • The psychology behind making savings a priority.
  • How to overcome the hurdle of irregular income.
  • Why law firm owners struggle with savings?
  • Practical strategies for automating your savings.
  • The downside of treating savings as an afterthought
  • The importance of paying yourself first, in business and personal finances.
  • How smart banking tools can transform your financial future.

 

Connect with Darren Wurz:

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