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Next Level AI: Custom GPTs in Your Law Firm (Ep. 139)

Next Level AI: Custom GPTs in Your Law Firm (Ep. 139)

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In this episode, host Darren Wurz sits down with Shannon Villalba, a visionary solo attorney who’s revolutionized her practice by integrating custom GPTs – AI-powered “employees” that handle tasks ranging from project management to sales strategy and even culture keeping.

Shannon Villalba shares her journey of building a virtual team using custom GPTs in ChatGPT, and walks us through how law firms can leverage this technology to dramatically increase efficiency, enhance client service, and maximize profitability – all without expanding payroll. Whether you’re just dipping your toe into the world of AI or you’re ready to rethink your entire tech stack, this episode breaks down everything law firm owners need to know to stay ahead of the curve.

Darren and Shannon discuss:

  • Why embracing AI is important for law firm owners.
  • How custom GPTs are not just AI hype, but practical tools for automating saving time and multiplying output.
  • Real-world tips for creating and personalizing AI “team members,” even if you are not a tech wizard.
  • Ethical considerations for law firms using AI tools.
  • Comparison between tech forward and tech resistant law practices.

 

Resources:

 

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Connect with Shannon Villalba:

 

About Shannon Villalba:

Shannon Villalba, JD LLM, is a serial entrepreneur, attorney, and holistic practitioner, and is the founder of Heartsong Legal fka Villalba Law Firm, a law firm providing holistic business and legal strategies. Her holistic approach guides her clients through business and law, drawing upon her personal experiences, intuition, and signature Heartsong Chakra Framework, enabling her clients to change their legal and business strategy narratives.

 

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The “Inner Game” of Networking: How Lawyers Can Build Confidence and Connections (Ep. 138)

The “Inner Game” of Networking: How Lawyers Can Build Confidence and Connections (Ep. 138)

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Ever felt like you’re stuck playing catch-up in the quest for high-value clients? Maybe you’ve poured energy into sales tactics, attended dozens of networking events, and still wondered am I connecting the right way, or just blending into the crowd? If you’re a law firm owner who craves not only growth, but genuine relationships that move your business forward, you’re not alone.

On this episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, host Darren Wurz sits down with executive coach  and author Nancy Fox to reveal the real secret behind building lasting, lucrative connections in the legal industry. Forget outdated approaches or “sell harder” mantras. This episode is all about how to network smarter, cultivate confidence, and leverage AI tools to prepare for those make-or-break conversations.

Darren and Nancy discuss:

  • The major thing people get wrong about networking.
  • How to get over the fear of networking.
  • The evolution of sales in 2025 and beyond.
  • Why curiosity and generosity are powerful networking tools.
  • Proven strategies for following up and turning relationships into long-term opportunities
  • The interplay between luck and skill.

 

Resources:

 

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Connect with Nancy Fox:

 

About Nancy Fox:

Nancy Fox is a former corporate executive who launched her coaching and training business in 1999. She has trained and coached hundreds of  professionals and firms in targeted networking, rainmaking, and business development.​​

Focused on helping clients win the inner and outer game of practice growth and client attraction, her approach marries unique strategy with improving the mindset of professionals and understanding their client’s. 

She has trained, coached or spoken at:

Citrin Cooperman                            Holthouse Carlin (HCVT)

Grant Thornto                                   Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease

Southwestern Law School             CPAmerica

Sheppard Mullin                              NY State Society of CPAs

Green Hasson & Janks                    Michigan State Society of CPAs

Markham Norton                              Legal Marketing Association

​Moore Global                                    Association of Accounting Marketing

Roetzel & Andress                           AXA Financial Advisors

                                     

​Nancy has hosted many networking events, is a community builder, keynote speaker, and the author of “Network Like A Fox: A Targeted Approach To Building Successful Business Relationships In Person & Online” and “Direct Access: 5 Surefire Ways to Get Meetings With SMB Decision Makers”.

 

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What Law Firm Owners Can Learn From Tulip Mania (Ep. 137)

What Law Firm Owners Can Learn From Tulip Mania (Ep. 137)

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Are you running your law firm full-throttle, chasing every breakthrough and trend, sometimes wondering if the noise and hype are leading you toward the future or straight into chaos?

On this episode of the Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, we are going back into time to dissect what what Tulip Mania from 1637 can teach modern law firm owners about the psychology behind financial bubbles.

Darren Wurz breaks it down with timeless lessons in discipline, strategy and long-term success, thus providing the ultimate cautionary tale about speculation, FOMO and the danger of building dreams on hype.

Darren discusses:

  • The parallels you can draw between Tulip Mania and today’s trends in investing, such as AI or cryptocurrency.
  • How irrational excitement and herd mentality can disrupt your investment and business decisions.
  • Why discipline and leaning on the boring business fundamentals beat flashy trends.
  • Why financial manias are driven by human nature, not logic.
  • How law firm owners can ensure they are making business decisions based on conviction, not comparison.
  • Practical tips for resisting FOMO, staying grounded and building a business that lasts far beyond the hype train.

 

Resources:

 

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How Law Firm Owners Can Build Cash Flow Stability with Charles Harris, CPA (Ep. 136)

How Law Firm Owners Can Build Cash Flow Stability with Charles Harris, CPA (Ep. 136)

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On this episode, host Darren Wurz sits down with Charles Harris, an accountant who specializes in helping law firm owners get their books and their business on solid ground. If you’ve ever wondered how to sort out your firm’s finances, pay yourself with confidence, and build an emergency fund that lets you sleep at night, this episode is for you.

Charles and Darren don’t mince words about the real challenges law firm owners face: commingled accounts, unpredictable income, mounting expenses, and the anxiety of being only one mistake away from trouble. They offer practical, straightforward solutions that you can put into action immediately. And yes, it’s the same advice they give their own clients and follow themselves.

Darren and Charles discuss:

  • Why you need to separate your business and personal finances.
  • Insights from “The Unsexy Entrepreneurship podcast”.
  • How to effectively manage IOLTA accounts.
  • How law firm owners can weigh short-term tax savings against long-term profit maximization
  • The importance of law firm owners paying themselves a reasonable, regular salary.
  • How to build business and personal emergency funds.
  • Practical advice for law firm owners on hiring executive assistants vs paralegals

 

Resources:

 

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Connect with Charles Harris:

 

About Charles Harris:
Charles Harris is a CPA who loves to help people understand the numbers of their business. In both tax and accounting roles he has assisted in helping businesses make good decisions to save money and increase profitability.

His specialty is working with small law firms (1-10 attorneys) all across the US. He understands the unique challenges that come with legal practices from maintaining IOLTA accounts in compliance, trust account issues, optimizing partner draws, and ensuring cash flow despite month to month income variations.

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Cash Flow for Law Firm Owners Part 2: The #1 Fix for Lumpy Revenue (Ep. 135)

Cash Flow for Law Firm Owners Part 2: The #1 Fix for Lumpy Revenue (Ep. 135)

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Are you tired of riding the cash flow rollercoaster in your law firm? Maybe you hold your breath between case settlements, wonder where the money really goes, or feel that familiar stress when your income dips unexpectedly. If so, you aren’t alone and you definitely don’t have to figure this out on your own.

On this week’s episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, hosts Darren Wurz and special guest Charley Mann pull back the curtain on one of the biggest game-changers for law firm owners: paying yourself a consistent salary. If cash flow chaos has left you anxious at work and home, this episode offers a fresh, practical way forward.

 

Charley discusses:

  • Why predictable personal income leads to better decisions for your firm and family.
  • Actionable strategies for stabilizing your finances.
  • How financial uncertainty affects leadership and decision-making in law firms.
  • The danger of making 5-figure mistakes.
  • How to identify your money mindset and how it impacts your financial success.
  • The qualities to look for in a financial advisor.

 

Resources:

 

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Connect with Charley Mann:

 

About Charley Mann:

Charley Mann is the host of “They Don’t Teach This in Law School” and founder of Law Firm Alchemy, a company dedicated to providing resources and coaching for law firm growth. With over 15 years of experience in the legal industry, Charley guides law firm owners in optimizing their practices and achieving success. He emphasizes the importance of networking, providing value, and maintaining strong client relationships, focusing on both business operations and personal growth. Known for his approachable demeanor and deep industry knowledge, Charley values integrity, transparency, and genuine connections

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Cash Flow for Law Firm Owners Part 1: Why You Must Separate Business and Personal Finances (Ep. 134)

Cash Flow for Law Firm Owners Part 1: Why You Must Separate Business and Personal Finances (Ep. 134)

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Let’s be honest: as a law firm owner, juggling unpredictable cash flow, unexpected expenses, and the pressure of growing both your business and personal wealth can feel overwhelming. If you’ve found yourself swiping your firm’s debit card for groceries one week and dipping into your personal savings to make payroll the next, this episode of The Lawyer Millionaire was made for you.

On this episode, host Darren Wurz takes a deep dive into the heart of financial chaos for law firm owners mixing business and personal finances. He explains why this is the single biggest threat to your firm’s long-term success and your peace of mind. But here’s the good news: there’s a simple, practical solution you can put into action today.

Darren discusses:

  • The dangers of mixing personal and business finances.
  • How separating your accounts can reduce stress and boost profitability.
  • How to prevent cash flow confusion from eating your profits.
  • Common retirement hurdles law firm owners and how to overcome them.
  • The top financial tools to help you manage personal and business finances.

 

Resources:

 

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The #1 Financial Blunder Killing Law Firms And How to Fix it Fast (Ep. 133)

The #1 Financial Blunder Killing Law Firms And How to Fix it Fast (Ep. 133)

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Running a law firm isn’t just about winning cases or delivering great legal advice. If you’re like most ambitious law firm owners, you went to law school not business school and now find yourself juggling the roles of attorney, CEO, bookkeeper, and more. And let’s be real: that’s overwhelming.

On this week’s episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, Darren Wurz sits down with the Co-founder of cpnLEGAL, Peggy Gruenke. She has helped 400+ law firms clean up their books, streamline trust accounting, and scale with confidence

Peggy discusses:

  • The risk of managing law firm finances on paper rather than using dedicated financial software.
  • Her surprising journey from IT consultant to law firm operations powerhouse.
  • The most common blunders law firm owners make with their trust accounting, financial systems, and collections.
  • Real world steps for making the shift from practicing lawyer to confident business owner ready to scale.
  • How to identify the KPIs that actually matter.

 

Resources:

 

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Connect with Peggy Gruenke:

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5 Steps to Building a High Performance Team for Law Firm Owners (Ep. 132)

5 Steps to Building a High Performance Team for Law Firm Owners (Ep. 132)

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On this episode of the Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, Darren Wurz discusses the essential steps to building a high-performance team that can help law firm owners buy back their time and scale their businesses. He emphasizes the importance of creating standard operating procedures (SOPs), strategic hiring for A-players, and fostering a culture of feedback and transformational leadership. The episode provides actionable insights and a roadmap for law firm owners to evolve from solopreneurs to effective team builders.

Darren discusses:

  • The importance of creating SOPs and documenting your processes.
  • Why you need to prioritize attitude over skills when hiring.
  • How to use personality and behavioral assessments like DISC or CliftonStrengths in your team-building process.
  • The distinction between delegating tasks and delegating outcomes.
  • Why the “test first hiring method” could help you avoid costly hiring mistakes in your practice.
  • The importance of receiving feedback and how to improve your feedback culture.

 

Resources:

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Time Management Hacks for Law Firm Owners: Explode Your Productivity and Kill Stress (Ep. 131)

Time Management Hacks for Law Firm Owners: Explode Your Productivity and Kill Stress (Ep. 131)

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On this episode of The Lawyer Millionaire, host Darren Wurz explores practical productivity hacks for law firm owners, emphasizing the importance of time management, delegation, and effective email strategies.

Drawing insights from Dan Martell’s book, ‘Buy Back Your Time’, Wurz provides actionable tips on time blocking, batching tasks, achieving inbox zero, and empowering team members to make decisions.

The episode concludes with a focus on aligning energy management with time blocking and leveraging technology to enhance productivity.

Darren discusses:

  • The hidden dangers of context switching while working on your daily tasks.
  • How to use theme days and batching to regain control of your schedule.
  • The 1-3-1 rule for problem-solving and how it aids in delegating decisions.
  • Achieving Inbox zero and effective email management.
  • Why the unrealistic quest for perfectionism negatively impacts your productivity?
  • How powerful tools like reclaim.ai helps to prioritize your tasks and manage your calendar.

 

Resources:

 

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FEATURE
The 1st Hire Every Law Firm Owner Needs: How an Executive Assistant Can Free Your Time and Grow Your Firm (Ep. 130)

The 1st Hire Every Law Firm Owner Needs: How an Executive Assistant Can Free Your Time and Grow Your Firm (Ep. 130)

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On this episode of the Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, host Darren Wurz discusses the critical role of an executive assistant in law firms, emphasizing that without one, lawyers often find themselves overwhelmed with administrative tasks.

He introduces the concept of the ‘replacement ladder’ from Dan Martell’s book ‘Buy Back Your Time,’ outlining the stages of delegation that law firm owners should follow to enhance productivity and growth.

Wurtz shares personal experiences and insights on hiring, managing, and effectively utilizing an executive assistant to free up time for more valuable work, ultimately leading to increased revenue and business success.

 

Darren discusses:

  • Fresh strategies for breaking free from admin overwhelm so you can focus on billable work, business growth, and your personal life.
  • How to overcome the real fears lawyers face when hiring support staff.
  • Practical tips for finding and training the right executive assistant to fit your needs.
  • How to prepare a playbook for your executive assistant.
  • How hiring an executive assistant doubled his firm’s revenue.

 

Resources:

 

Connect with Darren Wurz:

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