Tag: Business Development

Retirement for Law Firm Owners Pt 1: Closing the Wealth Gap (Ep. 69)

Retirement for Law Firm Owners Pt 1: Closing the Wealth Gap (Ep. 69)

Have you ever wondered if you are financially prepared for retirement or if you’re just hoping for the best? As a law firm owner, the difference between financial freedom and endless work hours hinges on a crucial concept – your wealth gap.

In this solo episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, host Darren Wurz guides you through understanding and closing your wealth gap, specifically tailored for law firm owners.

Darren discusses:

  • The wealth gap and why it is critical for your financial strategy.
  • The importance of tracking your expenses to gauge your current standard of living.
  • How to differentiate between traditional retirement and financial freedom.
  • How to calculate your wealth gap.
  • The differences between your income gap and wealth gap and how to address each of them.
  • How to transform your law practice into a major financial asset.


Resources:

Secrets for LinkedIn Success in 2024 for Lawyers (Ep. 67)

Secrets for LinkedIn Success in 2024 for Lawyers (Ep. 67)

In the digital age, LinkedIn isn’t just a networking platform; it’s a gateway to new opportunities and connections. Success on LinkedIn doesn’t come from simply having a profile; it comes from making the most of every pixel and feature. For ambitious law firm owners, optimizing LinkedIn can translate to business growth and professional acclaim.

In our latest episode of “The Lawyer Millionaire,” we bring you Marc Halpert, LinkedIn specialist and business growth guru, who shares his top strategies to elevate your LinkedIn presence in 2024.

Marc discusses:

  • Strategies for consistently creating high-quality posts on LinkedIn.
  • The critical components of an impeccable LinkedIn profile, from eye-catching visuals to a compelling “About” section.
  • Practical tips on crafting posts that inspire action, without over-relying on superficial engagement tactics like emojis.
  • How to create a compelling “About” section.
  • The nuances of using client and colleague reviews ethically on LinkedIn, and why it’s crucial for compliance.
  • How to create a powerful first impression that significantly attracts potential clients.

 


Resources:

 

Connect with Marc Halpert:

About our guest:

Marc W. Halpert is a self-described “multi-preneur.” Since leaving the corporate finance world in 2001, Marc has started 3 companies, all of which he still operates.

Two of those companies offer specialized, paperless electronic payment services to optimize cash flow of by speeding of payments, to:

  • retailers, small- and medium-sized businesses (Your Best Interest LLC)
  • nonprofit organizations, professional and membership groups (e-giving).

In 2010 he started his third company, connect2collaborate, to spread his LinkedIn and networking evangelism to train and coach others. In all his LinkedIn training and coaching, he offers professionals the opportunity to better explain their brand and positioning on their LinkedIn profile pages: who they really are and why them vs. the competition.

As a LinkedIn trainer, Marc has been recognized as a high-energy speaker at national and regional conferences and instructor to sales/marketing and HR/training departments at large and small professional service firms and businesses.

He is one of a handful of “evangelists” recognized by LinkedIn nationwide to train nonprofits to cultivate their talent pool, volunteer, board member and donor development opportunities.

His specialty in customized personal coaching has helped individuals in all walks of life and industries to use LinkedIn to better achieve their professional goals.

Marc has authored numerous articles on innovations using the latest LinkedIn techniques for self-branding in national publications, both in paper and online. He serves as a subject matter expert for the business, technology and social media press. He is a frequent contributor to inc.com and has been heard frequently on WCBS Newsradio 880 AM giving LinkedIn advice on their business reports. He blogs every business day with a LinkedIn Nugget.

In April 2021 the second edition of his book published by the American Bar Association “LinkedIn Marketing Techniques for Law and Professional Practices was released.

A perfect gift: “I wanted to let you know that my son was very happy to get your book on LinkedIn for attorneys for Christmas!”

In June 2018, he self-published the only book on the market specifically aimed at teaching LinkedIn concepts to nonprofit professionals, “You, Us, Them: LinkedIn Marketing Concepts for Nonprofit Professional Who Really Want to Make a Difference,” available on Amazon and Kindle. This book has an online course as a companion, available at https://connect2collaborate.wordpress.com/nonprofitcourse/.

Master Your Firm’s Cash Flow with Accounting Best Practices (Ep. 63)

Master Your Firm’s Cash Flow with Accounting Best Practices (Ep. 63)

Are you a law firm owner grappling with your firm’s financial planning and cash flow management? If so, this episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast is tailor-made for you! In our latest episode, Darren Wurz sits down with Rachel Blackburn, an experienced CFO consultant, to discuss critical accounting practices that can transform your firm’s financial health.

Rachel discusses:

  • The significance of starting the year with strong financial processes and goal alignment
  • How consistent and accurate bookkeeping can prevent costly mistakes and ensure timely financial reporting.
  • How to streamline billing processes and reduce clerical errors with tools like Quickbooks.
  • The importance of proactive communication with CPAs for better tax planning and financial management.
  • The benefits of a fractional CFO for law firm owners.
  • Why you must do today’s work today when it comes to accounting?

 

Resources:

 

Connect with Rachel Blackburn:

About our guest:

Rachel Blackburn is a proven business leader with over 15 years of experience in developing and leading executive-level engagements, as well as building and managing high-functioning teams and practices.

Rachel possesses a deeply rooted passion for understanding the needs of business owners and identifying optimal strategies to support their goals in an ever-changing marketplace. Before joining TP4 Advisors, Rachel held senior management positions at Cincinnati-based companies, including TRAK Group and Titan Chair.

As the Business Development Executive, Rachel leads the organization in engaging with potential clients to understand how TP4 Advisors can best support their needs and develop financial foundations for sustainable business growth.

Outside of work, Rachel enjoys outdoor activities, reading, biking, traveling, bonfires, and spending time with her husband and daughter.

Grow Your Law Firm Through Add-On Services (Ep. 62)

Grow Your Law Firm Through Add-On Services (Ep. 62)

Are you ready to elevate your law firm to new heights by integrating innovative add-on services? In our latest episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, we sit down with Nellie Akalp, the entrepreneurial force behind Corpnet.com.

Nellie shares her entrepreneurial story, highlights the growth and evolution of Corpnet.com, and reveals how lawyers can leverage these services to attract clients early and ensure they receive the best possible advice. This episode is packed with actionable insights, real-life examples, and practical advice on making your law firm more dynamic and client-focused.

Nellie discusses:

  • How passion drives success in business and in life.
  • How offering business startup, compliance, and tax registration services can prevent common client mistakes and add significant value to your practice
  • Corpnet’s commitment to providing exceptional customer service, responsiveness, and real-time access to information.
  • Partnership opportunities with Corpnet that can expand your service offerings, whether through reselling products or acting as referral partners
  • The future of legal services and how Corpnet aims to continue supporting law firms with comprehensive business solutions.

 

Resources:

 

Connect with Nellie Akalp:

About our guest:

Nellie Akalp is a passionate entrepreneur, recognized business expert and mother of four. She is the CEO of CorpNet.com, the smartest way to start a business, register for payroll taxes, and maintain business compliance across the United States.

Loved by entrepreneurs, accountants and lawyers, CorpNet offers transparent pricing, a simple ordering process, and quickly scalable software and API solutions.

Becoming a No A/R Law Firm and Effective Case Workflow (Ep. 61)

Becoming a No A/R Law Firm and Effective Case Workflow (Ep. 61)

Are you a law firm owner struggling to manage billing cycles and case workflows efficiently? You’re not alone. In Episode 61 of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, Darren Wurz and guest Randa Prendergast dive deep into practical solutions for transforming your firm into a no Accounts Receivable (A/R) powerhouse.

Randa explores the future of AI in legal work and discuss strategies for effective task delegation.

This episode is packed with actionable advice that will help you streamline your processes, improve client communication, and ultimately, boost your firm’s profitability.

Randa discusses:

  • The pros and cons of Clio, Lawmatix, and other case management systems for better case workflow and billing capabilities.
  • How AI can revolutionize case workflow and billing tasks, making your firm more efficient.
  • The art of delegation with actionable tips, ensuring detailed instructions, regular progress monitoring, and initial support for team members.
  • How setting efficient task management systems can free up your time and increase profitability.
  • How to implement smaller, more frequent billing cycles and manage retainer-based billing to create a no A/R law firm.

 

 


Resources:

 

Connect with Randa Prandergast:

 

About our guest:

Randa Prendergast is an experienced Paralegal, Intake Specialist, and Task List Developer Extraordinaire. She has a legal background working with boutique law firms, solo practitioners, and virtual settings. She maintains excellent client and business relations skills with well-versed office and project management experience. She offers professional support, paralegal services, and guidance while you grow your firm and/or take your firm virtual!

Quick Wins for Growing Your Firm’s Online Presence (Ep. 60)

Quick Wins for Growing Your Firm’s Online Presence (Ep. 60)

In the digital age, a strong online presence is essential for any law firm looking to grow and succeed. In our latest episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, hosts Darren Wurz and guest Ashley Robinson delve into powerful strategies that can help law firm owners elevate their digital footprint.

Ashley emphasized the significance of SEO and email marketing in consistently producing leads and gaining the trust of Google. She also covers the importance of developing a well-designed, mobile-friendly website that ranks high on search engines.

If you’re aiming to attract more clients and stand out in a saturated market, you won’t want to miss a single minute of this insightful discussion.

Ashley discusses:

  • Why SEO is indispensable for ranking well on Google and attracting a steady stream of clients to your website.
  • The importance of utilizing short-form videos and AI-driven content creation to adapt to evolving digital trends.
  • The importance of website optimization.
  • Find out why regular email marketing keeps you top of mind through the long buyer’s journey, especially for niches like family law.
  • How to measure effective KPIs—like conversion rates, contact form activity, and call tracking—to gauge your marketing success accurately.

 


Resources:

 

Connect with Ashley Robinson:

About our guest:

Ashley Robinson is the founder and CEO of Green Cardigan Marketing, a digital marketing agency that focuses on helping law firm’s grow and achieve their financial goals through marketing strategies that work! Ashley’s journey to starting Green Cardigan Marketing first began with her love for golf; literally (keep reading and you will understand why)! Ashley played collegiate golf at Jacksonville State University where she earned her degree in Public Relations. After college Ashley began her career in marketing where she worked in account management in the automotive and cabinet industries.

In 2019 the opportunity presented itself for Ashley to begin her career in legal marketing. When she began working for lawyers as a side hustle, Ashley quickly realized the need for honest digital marketing services for law firms. As the side hustle grew, Ashley soon realized her passion and love for helping law firms grow through digital marketing. As the business grew, the brainstorming began for what to call the business. Drawing inspiration from her love for golf and the rich history and level of excellence behind the term “The Green Jacket”, the name “Green Cardigan” was born!

Since its inception, Green Cardigan Marketing has been hyper focused on helping law firm owners achieve their goals all while providing out of this world customer service. To date, Ashley and her team have worked with over 150 law firms across 37 states.

 

How to Maximize Referral Fee Revenue (Ep. 58)

How to Maximize Referral Fee Revenue (Ep. 58)

If you are a solo or small firm attorney aiming to strategically expand your practice and enhance your revenue streams, this episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast offers an in-depth look at optimizing your referral fee income.

In Episode 58, hosts Darren Wurz and guest Arya Firoozmand explore the sophisticated mechanisms behind maximizing referral fee revenue.

Arya, the CEO and co-founder of Overture Law, outlines how their meticulously designed platform facilitates seamless and profitable legal referrals.

Overture Law stands out by fostering trust and efficiency in the referral process. The platform bridges the gap in knowledge and trust through detailed peer reviews and client feedback, ensuring that referrals are handled with the utmost care and professionalism.

It also addresses significant industry challenges by managing the intricacies of billing and fee-sharing, thus allowing attorneys to focus on their core legal duties while benefiting financially from referrals.

Arya discusses:

  • How his company Overture law streamlines the referral process.
  • How to unlock new income via attorney referrals.
  • The importance of staying in touch with referral partners and positioning yourself as a general counsel for all your clients’ legal needs.
  • Overcoming common objections to giving referrals.
  • The future of attorney referrals and community building.


Resources:

 

Connect with Arya Firoozmand:

 

About our guest:

Arya Firoozmand is the CEO and co-founder of Overture Law, the first attorney-to-attorney platform designed for members to refer matters and ethically share in fees.

Achieving True Wealth with Rho Thomas (Ep. 57)

Achieving True Wealth with Rho Thomas (Ep. 57)

In today’s high-stakes legal world, finding the time and energy to manage your finances can feel overwhelming. But what if reclaiming control over your money could grant you the freedom and flexibility you’ve always dreamed of?

In this episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, host Darren Wurz sits down with financial counselor Rho Thomas to explore actionable insights designed to help law firm owners like you achieve true wealth.

Rho discusses:

  • The art of proactive budgeting.
  • How she overcame her student loan debts.
  • The inherent dangers of the good debt vs bad debt dichotomy.
  • How inflation influences the cost of living.
  • Why it is important to celebrate little victories.
  • How to balance financial health with quality of life


Resources:

 

Connect with Rho Thomas:

About our guest:

Rho Thomas is a former Biglaw associate who knows what it’s like to make a lot of money and still feel broke.

She also knows what it’s like to want to make a change in your life and feel constrained by your financial situation.

Her mission is to help you master your money so you can create freedom and choice in your life.

She helps lawyers master their personal finances to create freedom and choice in their lives.

She also hosts the Wealthyesque podcast where she shares strategies each week for lawyers to improve their money mindset and manage their money to achieve true wealth

Time is our most limited resource. Money is a tool you can use to literally buy back your time.

She can teach you how to manage your mindset and money to improve your finances and start building wealth. Let’s talk about how we can work together.

Mastering Networking for Lawyers with Deb Feder (Ep. 55)

Mastering Networking for Lawyers with Deb Feder (Ep. 55)

Have you ever walked into a room full of professionals and felt lost in the sea of suits and briefcases? You’re not alone. Networking can be daunting, but it’s a goldmine of opportunities when done right. This week on The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, we dive deep into the art of networking with expert Deb Feder. If your goal is to turn every handshake into a meaningful business relationship, this episode is your roadmap.

Deb shatters common networking myths and shares practical strategies that are immediately actionable and incredibly effective. From clumsy mishaps to strategic mastery, her insights demystify and simplify networking in a way that any law firm owner can appreciate and apply.

Deb discusses:

  • How to engage meaningfully in group conversations.
  • How to turn networking mistakes to opportunities.
  • The hidden value in small talk.
  • How busy lawyers can manage tasks efficiently.
  • Effective virtual networking techniques.
  • How to overcome the fear of putting yourself out there and communicating at networking events.


Resources:

 

Connect with Deb Feder:

 

About our guest:

Deb Feder is a business development coach, strategist, owner and CEO of Feder Development LLC, a consulting firm focused on helping lawyers bring in consistent clients through curious, confident conversations and changing the way we view productivity for professionals.

Deb believes in dropping excuses and simple productivity solutions. Using LinkedIn as a platform to validate and share ideas, Deb helps professionals engage in meaningful content and connections. For the last decade, Deb has committed herself to changing the way we think about work-life balance and tackle high stakes work, allowing for big careers and enjoying our free time. Deb leads the community in dropping excuses, getting productive, and bringing in business through the monthly membership program, Focus30.

Prior to founding Feder Development, Deb practiced corporate law for 15 years and holds a history degree from the University of Michigan and her JD/MBA from the University of Iowa. Deb completed her coach training and certification through New Ventures West and completed the training in The Daring Way™, which is based on the research of Dr. Brené Brown.

Building a Million-Dollar Firm: Alexis Austin’s Secrets (Ep. 53)

Building a Million-Dollar Firm: Alexis Austin’s Secrets (Ep. 53)

Are you tired of feeling like the legal mastermind but the business novice?
Do you find yourself mired in the daily grind at your law firm, unable to make the leap from lawyer to business mogul?

On this episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, host Darren Wurz sits down with legal entrepreneur Alexis Austin, a maverick who transformed her career from a frustrated attorney to an entrepreneurial powerhouse.

Alexis shares her journey and the hard-earned wisdom she gained while scaling her practice into a seven-figure criminal law firm. Through her narrative, Austin unearths the secrets of approaching business with a strategic mindset, the significance of delegation, and the savvy integration of technology in today’s competitive legal landscape.

Alexis discusses:

  • How she applies the Pareto principle in her daily operations to magnify results and streamline workflow.
  • How to turn mistakes into growth opportunities.
  • The importance of continuous personal and professional development.
  • How to navigate the delicate balance between trusting your team and maintaining control, a critical aspect for any leader looking to expand their firm.
  • Her journey of recognizing areas of personal weakness and how turning to the right support staff — including her husband — helped bolster the firm’s robust foundations

 


Resources:

Connect with Alexis Austin:


About our guest:

Alexis Austin is the CEO and Managing Partner of Right Law Group, a Colorado Springs criminal defense law firm she founded in June of 2018.

Before founding Right Law Group, Ms. Austin was a Deputy District Attorney in Pueblo and Colorado Springs. She left the D.A.’s office to become a partner in a well-respected criminal defense firm in Colorado Springs. During her time there, she learned what it takes to run a successful law practice. Armed with that knowledge and a desire to start a firm wired for the 21st century, she set out on her own and founded the Right Law Group. Right Law Group has since become one of the top criminal defense firms in Colorado Springs by specializing in enhancing the client’s experience through leveraging technology.

Ms. Austin has a passion for helping people get back on the right path and work towards bettering their lives. She also believes that clients should be treated as more than case files. They should be able to build a strong relationship and trust with their law firm as they go through the most difficult times in their lives. Ms. Austin has made that philosophy the cornerstone of Right Law Group. Based on her background in cognitive psychology and domestic violence research, Ms. Austin particularly enjoys working with people who are charged with domestic violence charges or who suffer from PTSD. Her knowledgeable and compassionate approach to helping clients see the light at the end of the tunnel is one of the things people love best about working with her.

Not only is Ms. Austin passionate about zealously representing her clients, she is also a dedicated businesswoman. Her leadership and vision have led the Right Law Group to consecutive years of increased growth and success, including during the Covid-19 pandemic. Since June of 2018, she has grown the business from a single employee (herself) to four full-time attorneys, and a staff of ten. She has also mentored local entrepreneurial attorneys who have used Ms. Austin’s example and advice to open and grow their own legal enterprises.

Alexis Austin’s expertise goes beyond her role as a lawyer; she’s also the founder of 360 Strategic Success, a consulting business focused on coaching and advising criminal defense law firm owners to effectively build and manage their practices. With personalized coaching and strategic guidance, Alexis empowers fellow attorneys worldwide to achieve their business objectives while maintaining the highest standards of legal representation for their clients.