For many law firm owners, achieving financial independence isn’t just about generating a high income; it’s about how you manage what you earn. Are you unconsciously sabotaging your wealth-building efforts by letting lifestyle inflation creep up on you? In this week’s episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, host Darren Wurz invites you to reconsider the foundation of your financial strategy with a focus on a crucial yet often ignored rule: Spend less than you make.
Darren discusses:
How to combat lifestyle creep.
The golden rule of financial success.
Differences between real wealth and perceived wealth.
Why you don’t need to build an 8 figure law firm to become a multi-millionaire.
How to automate your savings as a non-expendable expense.
Common societal pressures that encourage increased spending, and how can lawyers combat these pressures effectively?
As a law firm owner, achieving financial independence isn’t just a daydream—it’s a strategic goal that can empower you to choose how you work, live, and grow your practice.
But how do you pinpoint the magic number that signifies you’ve reached this sought-after milestone?
On the latest episode of “The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast,” host Darren Wurz dives into the heart of financial independence, targeting the age-old question: “How much do I really need to achieve financial freedom?”
Using relatable stories and pragmatic advice, Darren illustrates the pathway to determining your ideal financial target. He simplifies financial concepts, like the 4% rule, and lays out strategies to reach your goals, making this episode a crucial listen for those committed to maximizing wealth.
Darren discusses:
The benefits of joining “The Lawyer Millionaire” book club.
How to define your financial goal and take actionable steps today to realize it.
The secret to FU money revealed.
Exploring the magic of the 4% rule and learning how to set your financial goals with precision.
Define your ideal balance between work and personal life during your financial planning.
Hello, ambitious law firm owners! Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the daily grind of running a practice? You’re not alone. Scaling a law firm isn’t just about piling on more cases; it’s about creating a thriving team and building a sustainable, wealth-generating business. In our latest episode of “The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast,” we welcome Eric Toscano, the founder and CEO of Tenant Law Group. Eric has transformed his firm from a solo operation to one of the fastest-growing law firms in the U.S., and he’s here to share the secrets of his incredible journey.
Eric discusses:
KPMG’s entry into the legal industry and its possible implications.
The importance of having a clear vision for your firm.
How to attract and retain the right talent by aligning hiring practices with your firm’s core values.
Why scaling is all about strategy, not just more clients.
Overcoming perfectionism and the fear of delegation.
The benefits and potential drawbacks of specializing in a niche area for a law firm?
Eric brings more than twenty years of entrepreneurial and legal experience to his role as Chief Executive Officer of Tenant Law Group, a law firm recognized by the San Francisco Business Times’ as one of the Fastest Growing Private Companies in the Bay Area in 2024; by Law Firm 500 for the past five years as among the 100 fastest growing law firms in the United States; by Inc. 5000 in 2022 and 2024 as one of the fastest growing privately held companies in the United States; and by Great Place to Work® every year since 2021 as a Great Place to Work. In less than nine years, Eric has grown Tenant Law Group from a de facto solo practice to the largest law firm in California (and possibly in the United States) dedicated exclusively to the representation of tenants.
Named a Super Lawyers® Rising Star every year from 2015 to 2019, and a Northern California Super Lawyer® every year since 2021, Eric is passionate about entrepreneurship, trial advocacy, and social justice. Although he was a practicing attorney in the firm from 2016 to 2020, he now dedicates 100% of his time to running the firm.
As Chief Executive Officer, he focuses primarily on leading a team of nearly fifty legal professionals, recruiting and retaining top legal talent from around the world, attracting and onboarding new clients, building the firm’s technological infrastructure, overseeing all firm finances, and continuing to scale the firm to serve approximately 17 million California renters.
Born in the South Bay and raised in the Central Valley and Wine Country, Eric earned an undergraduate degree in economics from Stanford University, where he was active in Stanford Student Enterprises (a student entrepreneurship organization); studied overseas in Florence, Italy for a quarter; and played on the Stanford Rugby Team.
Before attending law school, Eric spent three years living in Italy. There, he founded an English school (The English Language Institute of Montebelluna) in Montebelluna, Italy, and launched an online company helping people with Italian ancestry become recognized as Italian Citizens (Italian Citizenship & Genealogy Services).
He earned his law degree from UC Davis School of Law, where he was Student Bar Association President, a member of the Moot Court Board, and one of ten students in his class selected for membership in The Order of Barristers, a national honor society dedicated to excellence in oral advocacy. During law school, Eric also worked as an intern in the Government Division of the Office of the City Attorney of San Francisco, and as a judicial extern to the Honorable Morrison C. England, Jr. of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California.
After law school, he spent two and a half years working on behalf of large technology companies as a patent litigator for an international law firm. Although he found the work interesting, he was frustrated by the lack of trained management and clear expectations (beyond billable hours) and by a culture he felt was driven by organizational hierarchy and office politics.
When he founded Tenant Law Group (originally, Toscano Law Group) in January 2016, his goal was to build a different type of law firm: one that encouraged critical thinking and innovation; that focused on the personal, professional, and financial growth of its team members; that operated by clearly documented policies, systems, and procedures; that offered a positive, supportive environment and took no team member for granted; and that was committed to growing rapidly to serve an expansive and underserved clientele (tenants).
While an attorney at Tenant Law Group, Eric dedicated 100% of his practice to tenant rights. He defended tenants in unlawful detainer (eviction) proceedings and pursued affirmative matters against landlords on behalf of tenants arising out of illegal evictions from rent-controlled apartments, harassment, defective conditions and repair issues, rodent and other pest infestations, floods, and fires.
Eric has given back to the legal community through his involvement with the Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF), San Francisco’s Eviction Defense Collaborative, and his alma mater, UC Davis School of Law (King Hall). He served on BASF’s Barristers Club’s Board of Directors for two years (and as Board Vice President for one of them); and was named a 2014 Barrister of the Year. From 2015 to 2019, he served on the Board of Directors of the Eviction Defense Collaborative, a San Francisco nonprofit that helps low-income tenants fight unlawful detainer (eviction) lawsuits. Since April 2020, he has served on King Hall’s Alumni Association Board of Directors, and is currently serving his second three-year term. He routinely returns to King Hall as an alumni panelist for the school’s Legal Research & Writing and Lawyering Process courses. He has also spoken to students at UC College of the Law (formerly UC Hastings) about entrepreneurship and tenant rights law.
Outside of work, Eric enjoys spending time with his wife and two young sons, visiting his family in the Wine Country, traveling, camping, training for half marathons, and volunteering as Cubmaster for his older son’s Cub Scout Pack. He speaks fluent Italian, conversational Spanish, and some French.
If you’re a law firm owner, you know how easy it is to get bogged down in the daily grind. Balancing business operations with your passion for practicing law can sometimes feel like a tightrope walk. But what if you could align your work with your deepest sense of purpose and see not just professional success, but also personal fulfillment? This is exactly what Eric Gang, a veterans’ disability attorney, achieved, and on our latest episode of The Lawyer Millionaire podcast, he shares his remarkable journey.
Host Darren Wurz sits down with Eric Gang, who almost walked away from law entirely. Instead he found his niche in veterans’ disability law, a field that not only reinvigorated his passion for law but also transformed his business into a thriving practice. Eric talks candidly about his struggles, triumphs, and the invaluable lessons learned along the way. He also delivers key insights into the operational and financial aspects of running a successful law firm, offering advice that any law firm owner can relate to and learn from.
Eric discusses:
How to connect your work with your purpose.
Why he focused on veteran disability niche?
The growth challenges he faced and how he overcame them.
The importance of financial planning.
Why you need to surround yourself with skilled individuals?
As founding partner at Gang & Associates, Eric Gang’s service-focused approach and strategic vision have produced the nation’s premier firm for veterans’ disability law, serving veterans and their families across the country. Having practiced law for over 25 years, Eric has litigated more than 1,000 appeals at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, winning some of the largest VA awards on record. He attributes his long-standing reputation as an aggressive and tenacious veterans’ advocate to his being raised in a large and competitive family, instilling a balance of diligence, dedication, compassion, and respect.
Eric is renowned for his calculated representation of veterans with complex VA claims and appeals involving PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and other psychiatric illnesses. His high-level advocacy results from a deep understanding of the interrelationship between psychological and physical illness in veterans. With a noted wealth of medical acumen, Eric’s ability to apply the interrelationship between body systems in the legal setting has allowed him to develop strategic pathways to victory in cases that VA has repeatedly denied for decades. Simply put, Eric’s team wins cases others deem impossible.
Outside of law, Eric is an avid adventurer and explorer. He is married and has four children.
Are you a law firm owner feeling the itch to expand beyond your current practice? Maybe you’re envisioning a successful venture that’s both financially rewarding and personally fulfilling. You’re not alone.
Many ambitious lawyers find themselves pondering what’s next after establishing a thriving law firm. On this episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, we uncover the extraordinary journey of Christopher Small—a law firm owner who didn’t just stop at one successful business but saw an opportunity in an industry-wide problem and seized it.
Christopher discusses:
The brutal truth about running two businesses at once.
How he identified a critical need within the legal industry and seized the opportunity to launch Big Bird Accounting.
How to shift your mindset from being a great lawyer to a business leader.
Following your gut and the role of intuition when making hiring decisions.
How to run Linkedin ads effectively.
How to align business growth and personal fulfillment.
Christopher Small is the founder of Big Bird Accounting LLC, a firm specializing in bookkeeping and tax strategy for law firm owners. As the founder of CMS Law Firm, a thriving 7-figure estate planning and probate practice, he understands firsthand what it takes to build a successful law firm. With deep expertise in law firm accounting and tax strategies, including trust account reconciliation, Christopher helps law firm owners take control of their numbers, save on taxes, and free up their time.
Hey there, ambitious law firm owners! Ever feel like you’re working harder than ever but still not seeing the financial freedom you dream of? You’re not alone. Many attorneys believe that the key to financial success is simply making more money. But what if it’s more about how you manage your money? Imagine turning your law firm into a lucrative wealth-building asset without sacrificing your sanity.
In our latest episode of The Lawyer Millionaire, we sit down with Marco Brown, a successful law firm owner who turned a debt-laden practice into a financial powerhouse. Marco candidly shares how a life-changing panic attack in his shower led him to overhaul his approach to business and finances, ultimately achieving true independence.
Marco discusses:
How Marco tackled $450K of debt and built a thriving law firm.
How Dave Ramsey’s program provided him with a framework to solve his financial woes?
The transition from a lawyer to a business owner mindset, emphasizing the need to treat your law firm as a thriving business.
The hidden power of simplicity.
Why teachers are among the most common millionaires?
Insider tips on client acquisition and closing deals.
I still remember the day a good friend called and asked me to help her get divorced. Hers was a very difficult situation, and while I had never done a divorce before, I knew I needed to take her case.
The night before I met with her, I stayed up until 3 a.m. reading everything I could about family law. Whatever I read that night worked because we got a great result.
Honestly, I had never thought about being a divorce attorney before my friend’s case. After her case, however, I was hooked.
At this point, I have to back up for a moment. I grew up in a little village in Alaska (and by little I mean 85 people little). Kids from places like that don’t become successful lawyers. Thankfully, however, my parents expected big things of their boys. They expected us to be like our grandmother, who had a doctorate and was a special education professor. We were to be educated and serve our communities. That was our duty.
I had searched since I was young to fulfill that duty, and I had done okay at it. I served a mission for my church in Italy. I worked full-time with intellectually impaired individuals for years. I clerked for judges in the third district in Iowa after law school.
All of that was great, and I loved it. But it wasn’t until I helped my friend that I found what I had been looking for in the law. Helping families successfully transition during such a difficult period was necessary, fulfilling, and important work.
Since finishing my friend’s case, I have dedicated myself to becoming the best divorce and family law attorney possible and developing the best family law firm in Utah.
Outside Work
When I’m not working, I hang with my family. My beautiful wife, Demaree, has a doctorate in vocal performance. In other words, she sings opera (yeah, she’s the one everyone likes, and I’m the lawyer). My son is a ham who loves bowling and often refers to himself in the third-person.
I also read. A lot. Like geek amounts a lot. It’s usually about history, law, or business. I don’t read much fiction, but when I do I prefer Steinbeck and Kafka. (I already used the word “geek,” right?)
I cook too — Italian mostly, because it’s awesome. My favorite food is pizza. (Not Domino’s or Papa John’s; the real stuff you find on spaccanapoli in Naples.) Pizza is how we know God loves us.
And to keep weight off while I read and cook, I hike or lift weights.
When possible, we vacation as a family in Europe. There’s nothing quite like walking the old streets, smelling the pastries, visiting the museums, and soaking in the amazing cultures.
Thank you so much for letting me introduce myself. I hope our website and our firm provide you the knowledge and service you need to be successful.
Areas of Practice
Divorce/Family Law
Litigation Percentage
100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Bar Admissions
Utah, 2010
New Mexico, 2008
U.S. District Court District of Utah, 2008
U.S. District Court District of New Mexico, 2008
U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit, 2008
Education
University of Nebraska College of Law, Lincoln, Nebraska
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission: The Decisions and Its, N.M. Bar Bulletin,, Mar. 1, at 9., 2010
Making Your Case: The Art of Persuading Judges, A Book Review by Marco, N.M. Bar Bulletin, Sept. 22, at 10., 2008
Honors and Awards
Utah’s Outstanding Family Law Lawyer of the Year, 2015
Professional Associations and Memberships
Utah Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Utah State Bar Association
American Bar Association
Federal Bar Association
New Mexico Bar Association
Pro Bono Activities
Chair of Davis County Domestic Violence Coalition, 2012 – 2013
As a law firm owner, you understand the immense responsibilities and challenges that accompany your profession. Building a successful practice takes time, dedication, and substantial investment. However, in an increasingly litigious world, legal threats loom large, capable of undermining your achievements at any moment.
Wouldn’t it be prudent to ensure that your hard work and financial success are protected from unforeseen legal challenges? Our latest episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast provides the answers you need.
In this episode, host Darren Wurz engages with esteemed asset protection attorney Blake Harris, who shares crucial insights into how offshore trusts can serve as a formidable defense mechanism for law firm owners. This podcast is essential listening for any legal professional serious about safeguarding their hard-earned wealth.
Blake discusses:
How offshore asset protection can apply to law firm owners?
How you can safeguard your hard-earned wealth?
The key steps involved in setting up an offshore trust.
The differences between protected and unprotected assets.
Historical background of offshore asset protection.
The benefits of using offshore jurisdictions like the Cook Islands.
His growth and success in the offshore asset protection industry.
Blake Harris is the founding principal at Blake Harris Law, where he assists clients throughout the world with Offshore Asset Protection. Having traveled to over 40 countries, Blake has built an extensive global network by meeting with trust companies, protectors, and bankers worldwide.
An accomplished author and international speaker, Blake has educated countless professionals through his continuing legal education lectures on asset protection and offshore planning. He has been quoted in numerous national publications, including Forbes, The Epoch Times, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, and MarketWatch. Beyond these accolades, Blake boasts a significant social media presence with hundreds of thousands of followers, further solidifying his influence in the field.
With a seasoned background in wealth management, Blake Harris previously worked with one of America’s premier wealth management firms, advising high and ultra-high-net-worth clients on strategies to safeguard their assets. His passion for helping families cultivate and preserve their legacy inspired him to establish Blake Harris Law, a firm deeply committed to providing tailored solutions and peace of mind for its clients.
Blake’s commitment to the field doesn’t stop at his firm. He has consistently been recognized as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers Magazine for the past 5 years and is an AV®️ Preeminent™️ Attorney.
A proud alumnus of the University of Florida, Blake obtained a degree in finance in 2007 and went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2010, a top-tier law school.
Blake is an active member of the American Bar Association, International Bar Association, the Florida Bar since 2010 (Florida Bar number: 86486), and the Colorado Bar since 2013 (Colorado Bar number: 45942). Blake resides in Miami Beach, in his limited free time, he enjoys traveling internationally, swimming in the ocean, and Muay Thai training.
For many law firm owners, the prospect of selling their practice—especially when they are the leading rainmaker—can be a daunting task. You’ve worked hard to build your firm and established a successful track record. But how do you ensure that it’s a thriving asset that can operate without your direct involvement? On this episode of The Lawyer Millionaire podcast, host Darren Wurz and guest expert Ed Alexander offer insights into navigating the complexities of transitioning your law practice into a sellable venture.
Ed discusses:
Transitioning client relationships from yourself to your team is crucial.
Implementing systematic marketing processes can enhance your firm’s value.
The value of an email list.
The importance of giving yourself enough runway to prepare your firm for sale.
Why even solo practitioners can make their firms sellable with strategic changes.
Ed Alexander is an attorney, author, and founder/CEO of Alexander Business Law, PLLC in Orlando, Florida. Alexander Business Law helps their clients create greater autonomy and freedom with well thought out and profitable business relationships. Through education, advice, and guidance, their clients are able to enjoy their businesses and their lives.
Ed is admitted to practice law in Florida (1993) and New York (1994) and has been a business attorney since becoming a lawyer. He is the author of:
The Guide to Selling Your Florida Law Practice.
The Guide to Buying a Business.
The Guide to Partnerships and Partnership Agreements.
10 Common and Costly Business Killing Legal Mistakes and How to Avoid Them. A Business Law Bible for Entrepreneurs.
The Florida Business Contracts Handbook.
Florida Business Entities Handbook.
Before becoming a lawyer, Ed held positions in the tech world with a pacemaker manufacturer, custom integrated circuit manufacturer, and laser barcode manufacturer, as a systems engineer and product marketing manager. He has been part of teams that designed software and hardware for the first generation of defibrillator pacemakers, and custom analog and digital integrated circuits used in automobiles and healthcare applications. In 1995, Ed was awarded U.S. Patent, No. 5,468,952, for a 1992 miniature laser scanner computer invention.
In 2015, Ed received the Partner Award from the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program for more than 15 years of service. In 2014, Ed received the Judge J.C. “Jake” Stone Distinguished Service Award for his pro bono work over the prior 18 years as a volunteer guardian ad-litem for abused and neglected children. In 2013, he was awarded the Small Business Development Center Regional Volunteer of the Year Award. Ed was the 2018 Chair of the Small Business Resource Network of the University of Central Florida Small Business Development Center and taught New Venture Finance as an adjunct professor at the University of Central Florida.
Ed loves outdoor activities and traveling with his wife of 38 years, Faith. Most weekends you’ll find him bicycling, kayaking, sailing, or hiking. Together, Ed and Faith live the mission they help create for others with frequent travel, vacations and time off from the law firm to spend with family.
Attention, law firm executives. If you find yourself caught in the relentless cycle of overwork without the anticipated growth and success, this episode of “The Lawyer Millionaire” is your call to action.
In a compelling dialogue, Darren Wurz leads a discussion with Dina Catalado on the importance of advancing beyond the old paradigms of extended work hours towards innovative mental frameworks that foster law firm success. Dina elaborates on the mindset changes that can significantly reduce stress and enhance work-life balance. Through personal experiences and tried methodologies, she emphasizes the effectiveness of meticulous time management and the art of setting clear boundaries with both clients and within personal routines.
Dina discusses:
Powerful mindset shifts that can transform your law firm and reclaim your life.
How using a simple calendar can be your secret weapon against stress and burnout.
Why setting boundaries with clients will earn you more respect.
How a mindful morning routine can supercharge your productivity.
Why just working harder isn’t the solution to changing your law firm.
Dina Cataldo is a leading legal industry expert, master certified coach, speaker, and host of the popular podcast “Be a Better Lawyer.”
She helps lawyers take control of their lives and law practices by helping them remove obstacles to growth and create time freedom and peace. These skills allow lawyers to build their practices with more ease than they ever imagined possible.
Dina’s insights and advice have been featured on various prominent platforms. Through her coaching and speaking, Dina has positively impacted the lives of thousands of lawyers, helping them manage their time, overcome overwhelm, boost self-confidence, and find fulfillment in their legal careers.
Her empathetic and strategic approach has made her a sought-after coach among partners, solo practitioners, and boutique firm owners.
Dina Cataldo is a trailblazer in the legal industry, and she continues to inspire and empower big hearted female lawyers, to achieve professional success and personal fulfillment.
Hey Law Firm Owners! 🏛️ Are you ready to transform your law firm’s success into lasting financial freedom? Building wealth isn’t just about striking it rich—it’s about patience, smart planning, and seizing the right opportunities.
On our milestone 100th episode, Darren Wurz dives deep into the three essential principles of wealth-building: patience, survival, and opportunity. Through lessons drawn from Warren Buffett’s legendary journey and insights from Morgan Housel’s “The Psychology of Money,” Darren shows that you don’t need millions to start—you just need the right mindset and strategies. This episode is packed with valuable advice on how to start investing early, protect your earnings from unforeseen setbacks, and stay ready for those rare but transformative opportunities.
Darren discusses:
How starting early and consistent investing can accumulate significant wealth over time.
Discover why Warren Buffett credits his billions to the power of compounding, not secret strategies.
The power of small, consistent investments like $100 a month and how law firm owners can implement this concept into their financial planning strategies.
The critical distinction between getting wealthy and staying wealthy, and the strategies to protect your hard-earned money.
Insights into rare, high-impact “tail events” that can significantly influence your financial future.
