If you’re a law firm owner, chances are you know the feeling: you’ve built a thriving practice, but those student loans are still lurking in the background. Maybe you’re worried you aren’t making the smartest moves with your repayments, especially since the rules seem to change every year. Well, you’re not alone—and you absolutely don’t have to go it alone, either.
On the latest episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, host Darren Wurz is back with part two of our student loan series. This time, he’s cutting through the noise and breaking down the new federal policies for student loans, and, more importantly, sharing practical strategies (and some creative hacks) to help you finally get ahead on those payments.
This episode covers:
The major changes in federal student loan policies introduced by the “one big beautiful bill”
The importance of separating personal and business finances
When you should consider refinancing or consolidating student loans?
How to gamify your student loan payments?
Updated borrowing caps for graduate, law, and medical school loans
Are student loans holding you back or could they be the key to your financial growth?
This episode of The lawyer Millionaire Podcast kicks off a special six-part “Student Loan Success” series designed for law firm owners just like you. Instead of treating student loans like a shackle, I’ll show you how the most successful professionals view debt as a strategic tool that serves as a launchpad not an anchor.
I challenge the old narratives that say you have to be debt-free before building wealth. Instead, you’ll hear why your loans shouldn’t keep you from investing, why “waiting until later” is one of the biggest financial mistakes you can make, and how thinking like a millionaire now could be your biggest asset (no matter what your loan statement says).
This episode covers:
Reframing student loans as an opportunity rather than a burden.
How to let go of guilt or shame about student loans.
What most financial gurus won’t tell you about debt?
The potential downside of waiting until loans are fully paid off before investing.
On today’s episode, host Darren Wurz sits down with Ben Glass, founder of Ben Glass Law and Great Legal Marketing, to tackle a common frustration for law firm owners: why aren’t your marketing efforts turning leads into actual clients? Ben, a nationally recognized attorney with over four decades of experience, pulls back the curtain on flashy digital trends and reveals why genuine, referral-based relationships still reign supreme even in this digital age.
Ben shares:
The biggest marketing myth that law firm owners need to ditch.
Why referrals trumps cold leads?
How to build and leverage a carefully curated “Dream 100” referral list.
How storytelling can help your firm rise above the online noise.
The power of building authentic relationships in your community.
Ben Glass is a prominent long-term disability attorney, business leader, and legal marketing expert with over 40 years of experience in representing disabled and injured clients against insurance companies. He is widely recognized for his innovative approach to law and business, making significant contributions to both fields.
Early Life and Education
Ben Glass was born and raised in Northern Virginia, attending Thomas Jefferson High School where he captained his high school soccer team for three years, won a regional championship his senior year and went on to play soccer at William & Mary on scholarship.
Ben played for the Annandale Cavaliers, who won a national youth soccer championship in 1976 at the U-19 division. He started his soccer referee career at age 16 and continues to referee at the youth and high school level today.
Ben graduated from George Mason University Law School, (now The Antonin Scalia School of Law) and began the private practice of law in 1983. He started BenGlassLaw in 1995.
Legal Career
Based in Fairfax, Virginia, Ben Glass has built a distinguished career as a personal injury and disability lawyer. He is the founder of BenGlassLaw, a law firm renowned for its dedication to client advocacy and exceptional legal representation. One notable highlight of his career was recovering $6 million for the family of an elementary school child who was tragically killed by a mechanical wall in the school’s gym. The firm has over $33 million of future disability benefits under management for his clients.
Thought Leadershipin the Legal Profession
Ben is a nationally recognized and sought after speaker in the legal industry and has taught and lectured on a variety of legal subjects including direct and cross examination, the use of expert witnesses, conducing effective voir dire and jury selection, maximizing recovery in personal injury cases and effective representation of disabled workers in ERISA long-term disability cases. Ben has been featured prominently in numerous publications and media outlets such as Lawyers Weekly Virginia, The Washington Post, Newsweek, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal. Ben has argued significant and interesting long-term disability and life insurance claims in courts around the country.
Ben Glass is not only a successful attorney but also a leading figure in legal marketing. He founded Great Legal Marketing (GLM), an organization aimed at helping solo and small firm lawyers enhance their marketing strategies and business practices. His expertise has been sought after nationwide, and he is a frequent speaker and author on legal marketing, speaking at in-person and virtual conferences to entrepreneurs around the world.
Ben Glass hosts the Renegade Lawyer Podcast and the ERISA Disability and Life Insurance Litigation Podcast, platforms through which he shares education and his unconventional yet highly effective approaches to law and business. His ‘renegade’ brand of lawyering has earned him a spot as a guest on over 100 podcasts, solidifying his status as a thought leader in the legal community.
Publications
Ben Glass is the visionary author behind a series of groundbreaking books that have transformed the legal and entrepreneurial landscapes, while also shaping the future of youth sports.
Play Left Fullback – How Challenging the Status Quo Will Help America’s Solo and Small Firm Lawyers Build Better Practices, Be Heroes to their Families, and Restore America’s Trust in Lawyers
Ben Glass Center for Growth and Innovation
Through the Ben Glass Center for Growth and Innovation, Glass provides coaching and training to lawyers from the United States and Canada. These quarterly meetings attract legal professionals eager to learn from Ben and his team on how to become better lawyers, and build thriving businesses that serve their communities.
Charity and Community Involvement
Ben Glass has a long-standing commitment to philanthropy. He served on the Board of Directors for Love Without Boundaries, an international charity focused on providing hope and healing to orphaned and vulnerable children. Glass’s contributions extend beyond legal work as he also mentors the charity’s leadership team.
In the local community, Glass is an advocate for positive behavior in youth soccer, emphasizing sportsmanship and the rewarding nature of refereeing. His work with the Commonwealth Soccer Officials Association and his mentorship of young referees have fostered a healthier environment for youth soccer in the United States.
Personal Life
Ben Glass is married to Sandi Glass and they have nine children, four of whom were adopted from China. Ben and Sandi have seven grandchildren.
Ben Glass is known for his dedication to his clients and his team. He values the culture and the collaborative environment at BenGlassLaw, which he considers instrumental in achieving successful outcomes for their clients.
Legacy
Ben Glass’s legacy in the legal and business worlds is marked by his commitment to excellence, innovative thinking, and community involvement. His influence extends beyond his immediate professional circle, impacting the broader legal community through his teachings, publications, and personal mentorship.
Notable Quotes
“Every case win is a highlight because we are changing lives.”
“Helping our clients and growing and mentoring a great team is the most rewarding part of my role.”
“America is the land of endless opportunity, there is no reason why anyone cannot be successful in the United States.”
Ben Glass continues to inspire and lead, proving that a successful legal career can go hand-in-hand with meaningful contributions to society and the betterment of professional practices in law.
You can follow Ben on Social Media, where he talks about life, law, building great companies and his recovery from triple bypass surgery in March 2024:
On today’s episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, host Darren Wurz welcomes Joel Ferdinand, co-founder and co-chairman of Pierson Ferdinand LLP a law firm that made headlines for launching with over 130 partners and scaling to more than 230 in under two years. But what truly sets this firm apart isn’t just its size; it’s the radical approach to building a culture-first law firm rooted in servant leadership, transparency, and a shared commitment to putting people first.
Joel pulls back the curtain on how he and his team intentionally set expectations from day one, maintain a transparent compensation system, and foster an environment where every partner knows the rules—and even the leaders are held accountable. From reimagining the dreaded partner handbook to leveraging technology that gives lawyers their lives back, you’ll hear how culture and innovation together drive not only rapid, sustainable growth, but real work-life balance and fulfillment.
Joel shares:
Why clearly defined values and consistent rules make scaling smoother not harder.
His perspective on salary openness and why you should treat your partners as equals with your policies.
How serving your team, not just managing them, fosters loyalty, innovation, and genuine well-being in (and outside) the firm
Mr. Ferdinand is a business trial lawyer, handling sophisticated business disputes. He regularly appears in federal and state courts throughout the country. Large companies, family owned businesses, and business executives seek out his experience, which brings an assertive and practical, results-oriented approach, to help resolve their personal and professional issues. Mr. Ferdinand aggressively pursues client interests in court and the boardroom.
Among others, Mr. Ferdinand’s experience includes, appellate litigation; bankruptcy adversary proceedings; bid protests, debarments, and appeals; breach of contract and Uniform Commercial Code claims; broker disputes; commercial landlord-tenant actions, including commercial evictions; condominium association litigation; consumer fraud and deceptive trade practices act claims; corporate governance; directors’ and officers’ claims; ethics and professional liability; health law; injunctions; insurance issues; lien claims, including commercial and residential construction liens; planning board actions; post-judgment collection; restrictive covenants; shareholder and partnership disputes; and shareholder derivative claims.
Before Pierson Ferdinand, Mr. Ferdinand was a Managing Partner at FisherBroyles, LLP. Before that, Mr. Ferdinand was a senior associate of Fox Rothschild LLP’s litigation department in the practice areas of Attorneys and Law Firms, Construction, Directors and Officers Liability and Corporate Governance Disputes, Environmental, Health Law, Insurance, Litigation, and Zoning and Land Use. Mr. Ferdinand was included in a list of SJ Magazine’s Top Attorneys, August 2011. During law school, Mr. Ferdinand was the Editor-in-Chief of The Rutgers Journal of Law & Religion. A merit scholar at Rutgers School of Law at Camden, Mr. Ferdinand was active in the Rutgers Civil Practice Clinic providing legal assistance to local residents and also represented Rutgers Law on the Trial Advocacy Competition Team. Mr. Ferdinand was also awarded the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association James J. Manderino Award for Trial Advocacy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
