Tag: Financial Independence

FEATURE
From Mom to Legal Mogul: Vanessa Vasquez’s Journey (Ep. 49)

From Mom to Legal Mogul: Vanessa Vasquez’s Journey (Ep. 49)

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From Mom to Legal Mogul: Vanessa Vasquez’s Journey (Ep. 49)

Are you a law firm owner grappling with the nuances of managing your business’s financial health? In Episode 49 of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, Host Darren Wurz sits down with Vanessa Vasquez, a legal entrepreneur who has built her family law firm from ground up as she articulates the transformative steps her firm took in revising their financial strategies.

Throughout the episode, Vanessa elucidates the intricacies of liquidity, cost management, and leveraging credit, painting a vivid picture of resilience and proactive planning.

As she dives into the significant issue of delineating personal from business finances, Vanessa not only recounts her own experiences but also provides vital counsel to budding law firm owners. Her mission to advocate for families through legal practice, while pursuing goals influenced by personal devotion and philanthropy, adds a layer of depth to the discussion on legal entrepreneurship.

Vanessa discusses:

  • Strategies for maintaining liquidity, managing labor costs, and leveraging credit to buffer against unexpected business scenarios.
  • Tips for hiring and outsourcing effectively as a means to increase productivity within your law firm.
  • The importance of cultivating a positive work culture and the unique benefits your firm can offer to support associates in achieving work-life balance.
  • The critical transition from reactive financial decisions based on bank balances to proactive cash flow and budget-driven management.
  • Methods for leveraging international talent to expand your firm’s expertise and services in the wake of a global, pandemic-induced talent pool shift.


Resources:

Connect with Darren Wurz:

Connect with Vanessa Vasquez:

About our guest:

Vanessa Vasquez de Lara, Esq. is one of the most sought after family law attorneys in Miami. As the founder and owner of the Vasquez de Lara Law Group, she has dedicated her life to helping families navigate the intricacies of the law by ensuring their rights are honored and upheld in family court.

During one of the most stressful times in a family’s life, Mrs. Vasquez de Lara is there to provide strength, understanding and unwavering support for her clients.

Mrs. Vasquez de Lara graduated cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law in 2002. Shortly after starting her own law practice, she was named to the Super Lawyers’ Rising Stars in 2015.

Through hard work and determination, Mrs. Vasquez de Lara has been recognized as one of the elite family law attorneys in Miami being named to the “Super Lawyers List” starting in 2016 every year through present. This not only shows her level of commitment and consistency to the legal profession but also shows the esteem she is held in by her fellow attorneys in Florida.

Mrs. Vasquez de Lara is accomplished in the legal community as well as the business community.

As the current President of the Coral Gables Bar Association, she is able to help facilitate networking within the association and connect like-minded attorneys to one another.  As a change agent and leader in the community, she has a knack for bringing people together to make a positive impact on the community.

As an elected member of the Board of the Miami Dade County Bar Association, she supports key initiatives to promote and highlight all the great work the association does in the community as well as assist attorneys with programming and continuing education.

Her extensive networking and prominence in the legal field allows connections to other attorneys and legal professionals which enhance the firm’s ability to operate more than effectively when helping clients move their cases forward.

As an entrepreneur and businesswoman, Mrs. Vasquez de Lara is committed to helping other businesses in her local community. As a former board member of the Pinecrest Business Association, she has helped sponsor charitable events through the organization, has volunteered her time and has participated in community events to bring recognition and goodwill to the businesses in the community.

Mrs. Vasquez de Lara is also involved in charity work in her community. She started a non-profit organization called the Supreme Scholars Foundation in honor of her younger brother Ricardo “Ricky Supreme”  de Lara,  who was tragically lost to gun violence in 2020. The foundation regularly offers scholarships to deserving and hard-working high school or college students who are moving on in their studies into college, graduate school or vocational school.

The foundation has also partnered with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters organizations of Miami to award high school seniors full 2-year scholarships to a Florida school with a Two-year Florida Prepaid College Plan.

Mrs. Vasquez de Lara has been featured multiple times on Univision’s Despierta America, the No. 1 national morning show on Spanish language television that’s been running for more than two decades.  Mrs. Vasquez de Lara has demonstrated her legal expertise on the show numerous times, and her passion for family law shines through in every appearance. Her ability to break down complex legal concepts in a way that is both simple to understand and accessible makes her the perfect “guest” family law expert on the show.

And despite the growth of the Vasquez de Lara Law Group and the many accolades that Mrs. Vasquez de Lara continues to receive, she has been able to maintain a family atmosphere in her law practice that one would be hard-pressed to find at any other law firm.

This is due to the fact that she personally reviews every case that her law firm handles, and credits her incredible staff, who are as friendly and down to earth as they are knowledgeable and professional.

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FEATURE
5 Money Scripts That Could Be Sabotaging Your Financial Success (Ep. 48)

5 Money Scripts That Could Be Sabotaging Your Financial Success (Ep. 48)

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Attention, law firm owners. Have you ever stopped to consider if your personal beliefs about money could be hindering your financial success?
In this solo episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, host Darren Wurz dives deep into the concept of money scripts and how they may be quietly dictating your financial destiny. Let’s uncover what money scripts are, how they affect you, and how changing them might transform your financial future.

Darren discusses:

  • The concept of money scripts and how deeply ingrained beliefs about money shape financial behaviors and attitudes, often without realization.
  • The potential personal and business effects of money scripts, including overspending, difficulty saving, and impacts on law firm financial management.
  • Common money scripts, such as “money is bad” and “more money will make things better,” and how they may be influencing financial decisions.
  • Practical strategies for reflecting on and analyzing personal money scripts, including techniques for identifying and discussing these beliefs with others.
  • The importance of seeking professional guidance from a financial planner or financial therapist to navigate the intricate journey of unearthing and reshaping money scripts effectively.


Resources:

Connect with Darren Wurz:

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FEATURE
Effective trial preparation strategies with Mike Alder (Ep. 44)

Effective trial preparation strategies with Mike Alder (Ep. 44)

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Are you ready to elevate your legal career and financial future? Take a note from a lawyer who’s truly mastered it all.

On Episode 44 of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, we explore the profound techniques and financial acumen of Mike Alder, an esteemed trial attorney who has mastered the art of wealth-building within the legal profession.

Host Darren Wurz engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Alder, who shares his systematic approach to trial preparation, the significance of a positive mindset, and the delicate balance between financial success and giving back to the community. His story is one of resilience, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in every facet of law practice.

Alder discusses:

  • How to refine your trial preparation strategies to enhance your courtroom efficacy and create an optimal experience for jurors.
  • How a lawyer’s upbringing shapes their approach to the industry.
  • The impact of positive language and intentionality on success.
  • How to stay grounded irrespective of the level of success you have attained.
  • Why failure is a critical path of success and part of the journey.
  • How to use wealth for systemic change and philantrophy.

 


Resources:

Connect with Darren Wurz:

Connect with Mike Alder:

About our guest:

Michael Alder is recognized as one of the top trial attorneys in California and has recovered over $2.1 billion in verdicts & settlements.

Michael Alder is the owner and Senior Trial Attorney at AlderLaw, a leading Los Angeles firm that represents plaintiffs in personal injury and employment litigation cases. He is known as one of the top trial attorneys in California, an advocate for underdog clients, and a generous supporter of fellow trial attorneys, charitable causes, and community giving.

Mr. Alder vigorously pursues all cases on behalf of his clients who have suffered injustices and takes pride in being personally involved in every case his firm takes on. Along with his team of lawyers and staff, he consistently breaks records and earns the praise of the press with significant settlements and impressive verdicts including the City of Modesto v Dow Chemical $60 million total verdict. To date, his firm has recovered over $2.1 billion in verdicts and settlements for his clients.

Over his 29+ years in litigation, he has received numerous accolades. This includes being the youngest recipient ever of CAALA’s Trial Lawyer of the Year in 2004 (the nation’s largest association of plaintiff’s attorneys), winning the prestigious California State Bar Clay Award “California Attorney of the Year” for personal injury in 2014, named one of the Daily Journal’s 2012 Top 100 Lawyers in California and named a “Top 100 Southern California Super Lawyer” 13 consecutive years. Mr. Alder has also been a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) since 2003 and currently serves on their Executive Committee.

A well-renowned speaker and published author on trial strategy, Mr. Alder has a long history of supporting other trial attorneys. He maintains a 9,000-deposition database and expert witness directory plus provides information, at no charge, to his colleagues. He is a devoted mentor to young lawyers and offers access to his archived depositions, as well as financial assistance with the establishment of the AlderLaw Warrior Fund program, networking opportunities, and free seminars.

Michael Alder is a strong believer in giving back. His involvement in the community includes being a founding member of the Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Charities (LATLC), a nonprofit public benefit corporation organized to improve the lives of those in need in Southern California. He served as LATLC’s President in 2017 and continues to serve on the Board. Mr. Alder is also a founder of the American Museum of Tort Law and a member of the Board of Trustees for the Inner City Law Center (ICLC), a pro bono skid row law firm dedicated to ending homelessness and advocating for veterans’ benefits. In 2020, Mr. Alder was awarded ICLC’s highest honor – the “Katherine Krause” award – for his pro bono trial work on behalf of victims of slumlords. In 2020, he joined the board of directors for the National Hispanic Media Coalition and the Metro Los Angeles YMCA.

Most recently, Mr. Alder and law partner/wife Gina Zapanta founded Z.A. gives, a non-profit formed in response to the COVID-19 crisis to aid food and education insecurities. The charity is funded by a percentage of profits earned through their law firms, AlderLaw and Z.A. Lawyers.

Since March 2020, Z.A. gives has donated more than $150,000 in food and support to local hospitals and restaurants. In all, over 25,000 people have been fed by Z.A. gives’ direct giving.

In his spare time, he enjoys traveling to the family’s Louisiana ranch, exercising, collecting knives, taking care of his chickens and goats, and entertaining family and friends. He has a teenage daughter and son, is a bonus Dad to Gina’s two daughters, and two baby boys.

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FEATURE
How to plan towards Retirement and enjoy it fully with Denise Henry (Ep. 43)

How to plan towards Retirement and enjoy it fully with Denise Henry (Ep. 43)

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As a legal professional, you’ve dedicated years to building a successful practice, but have you given the same meticulous attention to your retirement plans? It’s not just about financial security—it’s about creating a fulfilling life after the courtroom battles and client meetings cease.

In Episode 43 of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, esteemed retirement and transition coach Denise Henry sits down with host Darren Wurz to deliver an essential masterclass for law firm owners poised to make their transition from the legal landscape to retirement.

Denise discusses:

  • Practical tips to combat social isolation and maintain a vibrant community life.
  • The ideal time to start contemplating retirement.
  • How to navigate identity crisis and find new purpose.
  • How to embrace the “messy middle” of transitions, whether it’s retirement,
  • empty nesting, or stepping into a grandparent role, and emerge with renewed purpose.
  • The changing nature of retirement from relaxation to purpose seeking.
  • The importance of balancing finances, health, mental well-being, relationships and social life.


Resources:

Connect with Darren Wurz:

Connect with Denise Henry:

About our guest:

Denise Henry is the founder of Summit Coaching & Consulting, Inc., an organization dedicated to assisting individuals in crafting successful pre-retirement transitions and providing invaluable support for retirees navigating the multifaceted challenges of this life phase.

With a distinguished reputation for her empathetic yet candid coaching approach,

Denise has empowered and mentored countless executives and leaders since 2003. Whether engaging in personalized one-on-one sessions or leading group coaching, her unwavering commitment lies in helping individuals attain a clearer vision for their retirement journey. Her exceptional capacity to establish trust swiftly and her collaborative coaching style cultivate an environment where individuals feel encouraged to express their authentic selves, thereby embarking on a purposeful retirement with newfound confidence.

Denise boasts certification as a retirement coach and holds an MBA from the University of Dallas, underscoring her expertise in facilitating successful transitions. She is in high demand as a facilitator and speaker for corporate engagements and community events.

Denise firmly believes that everyone deserves the keys to unlocking the mysteries of retirement.

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FEATURE
Mastering the Art of Effective Leadership and Delegation in Law Firms with Walt Hampton (Ep. 42)

Mastering the Art of Effective Leadership and Delegation in Law Firms with Walt Hampton (Ep. 42)

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As a law firm owner, the struggle to balance the demands of your practice with the aspirations for growth and financial freedom can seem unending. In this pivotal Episode 42 of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, host Darren Wurz engages with Walt Hampton, founder and CEO of Summit Success International.

Walt talks about the critical transitions law firm owners must navigate to shift from active practitioners to strategic business owners. With Darren, they dissect the intricacies of leveraging a lawyer’s inherent skills into tangible wealth creation and the importance of strategic delegation and goal setting.

Walt discusses:

  • A huge mindset shift lawyers need to embrace to achieve their business goals.
  • The importance of effective delegation by using a pancake metaphor.
  • The necessity of self-care, structured daily habits, and the power of saying no, to safeguard well-being and spur productivity.
  • Why you should have an evening routine together with your morning routine to end your day.
  • How he was able to balance his career aspirations as a single parent.
  • The significance of solid referral marketing and lead generation strategies.


Resources:

Connect with Darren Wurz:

Connect with Walt Hampton:

About our guest:

Walt Hampton, J.D. is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Summit Success International, a global personal and professional development firm; and the Acquisitions Director at Summit Press Publishers, a premier publisher of expert positioning books.Walt is a business coach, management consultant, leadership trainer and motivational speaker.

He is the bestselling author of Journeys on the Edge: Living a Life That Matters, named a Top 10 Non-Fiction Book and a two-time recipient of the North American Book Awards; as well as the author of The Power Principles of Time Mastery: Do Less, Make More, Have Fun.

A 1984 graduate of The Cornell Law School, Walt was managing partner of a law firm for nearly 30 years with a practice focused on commercial litigation and criminal defense.

He was trained as a Results Coach by Robbins Research International and worked directly for Tony Robbins as one of Tony’s elite-level certified business coaches.

Walt’s passions are high-altitude mountaineering, ultra-distance running, blue-water sailing & adventure photography.

He and his wife, the publisher Ann Sheybani, reside in Intervale, New Hampshire.

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FEATURE
Using Automation to Scale your Law Firm with James Grant (Ep. 41)

Using Automation to Scale your Law Firm with James Grant (Ep. 41)

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In the competitive arena of law firm ownership, every decision can make the difference between lasting success and missed opportunity.

In the 41st episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, host Darren Wurz takes an incisive look into the journey of James Grant, a civil engineer turned law firm co-founder who mastered the art of converting professional hurdles into strategic growth for Georgia Trial Attorneys.

Join us as we delve into the vital role of refining processes within your niche, leveraging technology and automation to streamline operations, and the continuous journey of embracing change that every entrepreneur faces.

James Grant’s story is a testament to strategic acumen and the power of resilience in the face of the trials he endured on his path to achieving triumph in both the courtroom and the financial market.

James discusses:

  • The immense value in hiring experts and not cutting corners when it comes to business and financial operations.
  • Why he is a massive fan of AI and the disruptive effect it is poised to have in the legal industry.
  • The importance of implementing strategic systems and procedures that will streamline operations and enhance efficiency.
  • How niching down in a specific area can differentiate your firm and lead to greater profitability.
  • How law firm owners can save time by automating payment processes.
  • Tax strategies that law firm owners can explore to benefit their business and their employees.
  • Why entrepreneurs need to embrace change and creative disruption.

 


Resources:

Connect with Darren Wurz:

Connect with James Grant:

About our guest:

James Grant isn’t just an attorney; he’s a game-changer. As the co-founding partner of Georgia Trial Attorneys, he’s revolutionized the field of personal injury law in Georgia. He has created a powerhouse law firm that serves as the outsourced litigation arm for other personal injury firms. Gone are the days of personal injury lawyers juggling pre-litigation and courtroom battles. James’ mantra says it all: “We litigate, so you don’t have to!”

Together with his co-founder, Mark Kirchen, James has designed a form that embodies the future of law: where partners thrive, justice is swift, and technology leads. His leadership has shaped Georgia Trial Attorneys into a beacon of:

  • Absolute Accountability: We own it, fix it, and finish it
  • Forward Momentum: We accelerate cases, not just activity
  • Relentless Refinement: We are always looking to elevate
  • Every Conversation Is A Chance To Excel

Not just a powerhouse litigator, James is a tactical businessman. His dual expertise proves that you can win in the courtroom while maintaining a well-balanced life. A seasoned veteran in the courtroom, his prior roles include stints as an Assistant Solicitor-General and Senior Associate Attorney, where he honed his skills in both criminal and civil litigation. His diverse experiences make him the ultimate weapon against insurance companies and their greed, leveling the playing field for every client he represents.

But James isn’t all business. Outside the courtroom, he’s an amateur strongman competitor and an avid golfer. He values the harmony of a fulfilling personal life,. He lives in Roswell, Georgia with his wife Meredith and their children, James and Leah.

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FEATURE
Unlocking the Power of Delegation for Law Firm Success with Dan Warburton (Ep. 40)

Unlocking the Power of Delegation for Law Firm Success with Dan Warburton (Ep. 40)

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Are you a law firm owner buried in administrative tasks, leaving little time for your true passion for practicing law? It’s time to change the narrative and steer your firm toward greater profits and personal freedom.

In today’s episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, Guest expert Dan Warburton, a seasoned leadership coach, joins host Darren Wurz to explore the critical importance of delegation as a strategic tool for the modern legal practitioner.

Dan’s transformative strategies, explores how proper delegation transcends merely offloading tasks but can serve as a pathway to elevating your firm’s profits and team morale.

Dan discusses:

  • Why no leader is ever a true leader without a loyal team.
  • Empowering staff to take responsibility.
  • The fastest way to break down team members loyalty.
  • The critical role of mentorship in reducing staff turnover and increasing profitability.
  • How to make clear requests without manipulating people or using scare tactics.


Resources:

Connect with Darren Wurz:

Connect with Dan Warburton:

About our guest:

Dan Warburton helps Law Firm Partners & CEOs increase their profit and reduce their workload

Dan Warburton a well travelled British entrepreneur is someone who has always had a great ambition to create, live and share an extraordinary lifestyle yet he spent a major part of his life dealing with sadness, anxiety and frustration.

The cause of his deep dissatisfaction was a feeling of not fitting in at school and college, failing to succeed in numerous business ventures and not being able to make his father proud. From his mid-twenties and throughout his thirties Dan became ever more determined to discover why he found himself to continually fail in creating even one satisfying business and so turned to self-reflection and development for the answer.

Initially, Warburton read hundreds of books about leadership and success all in an attempt to find that missing key to breaking through and begin succeeding as a business owner. He implemented what he learned from books such as The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, Losing My Virginity by Sir Richard Branson, The Way Of The Peaceful Warrior By Dan Milman and A New Earth By Eckhart Tolle, The 4 Hour Work Week By Timothy Ferris and The Richest Man in Babylon By George Clason.

Along with reading such literature Dan also spent time learning to meditate with Buddhist monks, he practised Thai Chi for years and was awarded a Thai Chi Master certificate, he also practised Yoga under great teachers in India and in the Himalayas. All of this was again to enhance his abilities in creating and living the greatest lifestyle an entrepreneur possibly can.

While reading and carrying out such practices Dan also completed nearly two-hundred courses in self-development that covered ontology (the study of being), leadership skills and self-transformation which is now his primary expertise.

Warburton gained great insights as to how he’d been subconsciously dominated by ways of thinking that no longer served him. These where totally life-transforming insights for Dan. After further years of studying self-transformation, Dan is now able clearly to guide others to implement the self-transformational methods that he’s discovered to have greatly elevated his lifestyle as an entrepreneur.

Dan now has numerous testimonials online from entrepreneurs stating that the quality of their life has dramatically elevated from receiving Dan’s coaching and thus he is now seen as the pioneer of transformational coaching and is often invited to speak at large events around the world about what transformation makes possible for those who truly want to succeed.

What makes Dan happier than anything is coaching entrepreneurs, seeing them impact humanity in a great way and in the process create and live their dream lifestyle.

From his own lives journey and from now having coached over one thousand entrepreneurs, in his books, the author Dan Warburton reveals his greatest insights about what it takes to succeed in an extraordinary way as an entrepreneur both in business and in dream lifestyle creation.

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FEATURE
Personal Injury Funding Demystified with Laura Moore (Ep. 39)

Personal Injury Funding Demystified with Laura Moore (Ep. 39)

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As a law firm owner, you are intimately familiar with the tension between managing case expenses and maintaining positive cash flow. In Episode 39 of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, we dive into a solution that not only alleviates financial stress for your firm but also offers a lifeline to your clients who might feel overwhelmed by the cost of litigation.

Join us as we sit down with Laura Moore, a beacon of hope in the injury funding sphere, who brings a wealth of knowledge and an inspirational personal story to the table.

In this episode, host Darren Wurz talks to Laura Moore, the resourceful founder of Moore Injury Funding, who reveals how her innovative approach to funding is transforming the way law firms and injury plaintiffs weather the long and costly process of litigation. From the outset, Moore’s candid discussion about the realities and ethical considerations of case funding sets the stage for an enlightening conversation.

Laura discusses:

  • How to determine if an injured plaintiff is a suitable candidate for funding.
  • The advantages of non-recourse funding.
  • The average duration for settling personal injury cases.
  • Financing options for attorneys who want to expand their business operations.
  • The importance of medical funding for injured plaintiffs.
  • A real-life success story that illustrates the profound impact of timely funding.
  • The future of personal injury funding.


Resources:

Connect with Darren Wurz:

Connect with Laura Moore:

About our guest:

Laura Moore, the founder and CEO of Moore Injury Funding, brings a diverse background and a deep commitment to helping those in need. Originally from Kaunas, Lithuania, in North Europe, Laura pursued her education at prestigious institutions, including Vilnius University in Kaunas and the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany, where she studied German Philology.

In 2001, she immigrated to the United States and embarked on a journey that would lead her to make a significant impact in the personal injury arena. Laura Moore has a Pre-Medical Science Degree from Georgia State University. She spent eleven years in the medical field in various medical settings, including the ER, surgical ICU, pharmacy, cardiology, operating rooms, preventative and sports medicine, family medicine, OBGYN, emergency care, podiatry, DME, and functional medicine.

Laura’s personal experience with a life-altering accident became the catalyst for starting Moore Injury Funding. Following a T-bone collision in December 2021, Laura underwent extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation, enduring numerous procedures and therapies to manage her injuries. Throughout her challenging recovery, she recognized the financial strain and emotional toll that individuals face during the litigation process. Determined to alleviate the burdens of injured individuals, Laura established Moore Injury Funding in June 2022.

With her educational background, extensive knowledge of personal injury cases, and profound compassion for those suffering from injuries, Laura provides nationwide Legal Funding services. Her goal is to offer financial relief to injured individuals, enabling them to meet their basic needs, receive necessary medical treatments, and sustain themselves during the litigation process until a fair settlement is reached. Laura’s personal journey fuels her dedication to helping others navigate the challenges of their own injury claims with compassion and support.

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How to grow your law firm and impact your community with Dan Fulkerson (Ep. 38)

How to grow your law firm and impact your community with Dan Fulkerson (Ep. 38)

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Attention law firm owners and aspiring legal entrepreneurs! Are you ready to unlock the secrets of ethical prosperity and community impact?

Today, we have something that could be a game-changer for your practice. On Episode 38 of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, host Darren Wurz sits down with Dan Fulkerson, the co-founder and managing partner at Batta Fulkerson Law Group.

Dan’s approach transcends the traditional models of law firm management as he intertwines ethical business practice with genuine philanthropy, supporting different nonprofits and embedding transparency at the core of his law group’s philosophy. No greedy pursuits, no mass marketing—just a bulldog mascot symbolizing their tenacity and unique grassroots marketing tactics that resonate with the community.

Dan shares his commitment to sustainable growth, demonstrated by his firm’s cautious financial strategy and dedication to ethical representation.

Dan discusses:

  • Why keeping at least 6 months worth of overhead is critical.
  • Why he dislikes the solicitous approach to legal advertising.
  • The power of transparency and building ethical practices in your law firm operations.
  • Why it is vital to put people over profit.
  • How to merge your career with causes you care about.
  • The importance of monitoring your business activities and how to build systems for scaling your business.

 

Resources:


Connect with Darren Wurz:


Connect with Dan Fulkerson:

About our guest:

Dan Fulkerson is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Batta Fulkerson Law Group.

Dan completed his Juris Doctor degree at California Western School of Law in San Diego in conjunction with his Masters of Business Degree at San Diego State University. He is the only person to complete both degrees at the same time in only two and a half years.  He has successfully handled over 15,000 car accident cases and personally helped recover tens of millions of dollars for victims.

Dan’s personal experiences with serious injury car accidents, combined with his experience handling thousands of accident cases, make Dan a dynamic accident injury attorney who helps get his clients the results they deserve. In addition to Attorney Dan Fulkerson’s impressive success rate, it is evident to clients that Dan goes out of his way to treat you like family. Outside of work, Dan sits on 6 charity boards including Active Valor for Gold Star families, Roadogs dog rescue, and Positive Movement Foundation.  He also has his own Bulldog rescue that focuses on rescuing French and English bulldogs.  Dan loves spending time with friends, family, and his five bulldogs; Winston, Dolly, Teddy, Juan Carlos and Gigi.

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From crisis to triumph with Jeff Grant (Ep. 37)

From crisis to triumph with Jeff Grant (Ep. 37)

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In this insightful episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, host Darren Wurz sits down with Jeff Grant, a remarkable figure in the legal field who has turned his tumultuous journey into a beacon of hope for others.

Beyond his personal struggles in the past- a past riddled with opioid addiction, financial turmoil, and professional misconduct, Jeff shares how he was able to launch a renewed law practice that’s not only thriving but helping individuals navigate the daunting waters of white-collar prosecution.

Jeff’s story is not just a testament to personal resilience; it’s an incredibly relevant narrative for law firm owners on structuring a business that aligns with their values and the modern world’s demands.

Jeff discusses:

  • His battle with addiction and its negative impact on his life.
  • His experience with the criminal justice system.
  • How to maintain financial integrity in the face of adversity.
  • Upcoming plans with AI technology, implementing live chat on his website and pushing the boundaries of client accessibility and support.
  • How he restarted his law firm with a renewed sense of purpose.
  • His dedication to helping people with white-collar legal issues without overcharging by providing valuable resources through his ministry.


Resources:

Connect with Darren Wurz:

Connect with Jeff Grant:

 

 

About our guest:

Jeff Grant is on a mission. After a hiatus from practicing law, Jeff has founded the law firm of GrantLaw, PLLC, is once again in private practice in New York City and is committed to using his legal expertise and life experience to benefit others.

GrantLaw, PLLC, is a new type of law firm providing private general counsel services to clients facing, who have previously faced, or who could possibly be facing white collar prosecutions and/or regulatory proceedings, and their companies and families. In this role, Jeff and his team assist clients in making critical and timely business and family decisions, and in executing on them, so that they have the best chance to come out the other side with lives of purpose, meaning and success.

He also provides a broad range of legal services, all in a highly attentive, personalized manner. These include private general counsel, white collar crisis management, strategy and team building, services to family-owned and closely-held businesses, and support to special situation and pro bono clients. He practices in New York and on authorized Federal matters, and works with local co-counsel and criminal defense counsel to represent clients throughout country.

For more than 20 years, Jeff served as managing attorney of a 20+ employee law firm headquartered in New York City and then Westchester County, New York. The firm’s practice areas included representing family-owned and closely-held businesses and their owners, business and real estate transactions, trusts and estates, and litigation. Jeff also served as outside general counsel to large family-owned real estate equities and management and brokerage organizations.

Jeff is admitted to practice law in the State of New York, and in the Federal District Courts for the Southern District of New York and the Eastern District of New York. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, the New York City Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Guiding people forward in their lives

After an addiction to prescription opioids and serving almost 14 months in Federal prison (2006 – 07) for a white collar crime he committed in 2001, Jeff started his own reentry. He earned a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York, majoring in Social Ethics. After graduating, Jeff was called to serve at an inner city church in Bridgeport, CT as Associate Minister and Director of Prison Ministries. He then co-founded Progressive Prison Ministries, Inc. (Greenwich, CT), the world’s first ministry devoted to serving the white collar justice community. On August 10, 2023, Jeff celebrated 21 years of sobriety.

An ordained minister, Jeff has more than three decades of experience in crisis management, business, law, reentry, recovery (clean & sober 20+ years), plus executive and religious leadership. He works frequently with people prosecuted for white collar crimes (and their families) who want to emerge from isolation and join a supportive community. In this role he helps them navigate their journey through the criminal justice system to new, ethical, productive, joyful lives on the other side of their issues.

Sometimes referred to in the press as “The Minister to Hedge Funders,” Jeff regularly uses his experience and background to guide people forward in their lives, relationships, careers, and business opportunities – and help them avoid making the kinds of decisions that resulted in loss, suffering, and shame.

Service and more service

A verified Psychology Today professional, he also serves on the ministry team at St. Joseph Mission Church (Cliffside Park, NJ) and as Chaplain to the Woodbury Fire Department (Woodbury, CT).

From 2016 – 2019, Jeff served as Executive Director of Family ReEntry, Inc. (Bridgeport, CT), a 100+ person criminal justice organization with offices and programs in eight Connecticut cities. Jeff is the first person in the United States formerly incarcerated for a white collar crime to be appointed Executive Director of a major criminal justice nonprofit.

Jeff has served on numerous criminal justice-related Boards. They include the Legal Action Center (New York, NY), Co-Chair, American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section Reentry & Collateral Consequences Committee, (Washington, DC), American Bar Association Lawyers Assistance Programs Advisory Commission (Chicago, IL) , Co-Chair, Mayor’s Advisory Council on Reentry Affairs (Bridgeport, CT), Family ReEntry (Bridgeport, CT), Community Partners in Action (formerly the Connecticut Prison Association, Hartford, CT), and Healing Communities Network (New York, NY). He has also served on the Advisory Boards of Creative Projects Group (Los Angeles, CA) and Reentry Survivors (Bridgeport, CT).

Recognition and more recognition

Jeff was twice selected a Nantucket Project Scholar (2012, 2014) and was recognized by JustLeadershipUSA as one of 15 Inaugural National Leaders in Criminal Justice (2015). He was selected a Keepers of the Commons Fellow (2017) and a Keepers of the Commons Senior Fellow (2018). Jeff has been the recipient of the Elizabeth Bush Award for Volunteerism (2011), received the Bridgeport Reentry Collaborative Advocate of the Year Award (2013, 2014, 2015), and was selected the Bridgeport Reentry Collaborative Professional of the Year (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019). He has also been recognized by the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (2017) and by the Connecticut NAACP (2017), and was selected a 2019 Collegeville Institute Writing Fellow.

A Professional Member of the National Speakers Association, Jeff is an in-demand keynote speaker, panelist, moderator, and guest preacher. Speaking venues include Main Stage Presenter at The Nantucket Project (Nantucket, MA), American Bar Association Criminal Justice Conference (Washington, DC), Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Webinar (December 2022), the Greenwich Leadership Forum (Greenwich, CT), the Corrections Ministries and Chaplains Association (CMCA) Correctional Ministry Summit (Wheaton College, IL and Philadelphia, PA), Delaware Trust Conference (Wilmington, DE), Salons at Stowe – Harriet Beecher Stowe Center (Hartford, CT), Community Health Network of Connecticut Social Determinants of Health Summit (Wallingford, CT), The Neighborhood Project (Greenwich, CT), U.S. Small Business Administration Conference (Fairfield, CT), Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York (NY, NY), Yale Divinity School (New Haven, CT).

Jeff has also spoken at many universities, colleges, and religious institutions across the country. For information or to book Jeff to speak, guest preach, or for a panel or other presentation, please see his e-speakers profile here.

Magazines, radio, television, podcasts, books

Jeff has authored, been the subject of, or been prominently mentioned in many national and regional publications. They include The New Yorker (Aug. 2021), Entrepreneur (Sept. 2021 & Apr. 2020), Bloomberg Law (Oct. 2021), Wells Street with CNBC’s Jane Wells (Oct. 2021), Reuters (May 2021), American Bar Association Criminal Justice Magazine (Spring 2021), Business Insider (July 2021), Forbes (July 2020), Philadelphia Inquirer (Oct. 2020), Vanity Fair (Aug. 2019), Greenwich Magazine (Mar. 2018), Law360, Inc., Medium, The Huffington Post, Absolute Return/HedgeFund Intelligence, Institutional Investor, CFO Dive, New York Magazine, Real Men Real Faith Magazine (cover story), Fairfield County Business Journal, Nonprofit Quarterly, Reentry Central, The Vision (the newspaper of the United Methodist Church NY Conference), Weston Magazine Group, Weston Forum, Hartford Courant, New Haven Register, New Haven Independent, Inner City News, Connecticut Post, Greenwich Sentinel, Greenwich Time, Greenwich Free Press, The Hour and others. Jeff authored a chapter in the book, Suicide and Its Impact on the Criminal Justice System (2021), served on the Editorial Board of the book The Justice Imperative: How Hyper-Incarceration has Hijacked the American Dream (2014), and was prominently mentioned/quoted in the books Wildland: The Making of America’s Fury (2021), Trusted White Collar Offenders: Global Case Studies of Crime Convenience (2021) and the Teal Book of Wisdom (2022).

He has been featured or interviewed on many radio shows, televisions segments and podcasts. They include the Rich Roll Podcast (# 644 November 2021, #440 May 2019), The Confessional with Nadia Bolz-Weber (May 2021), The Sydcast (October 2021), Newsy (October 2021), Business Talk with Jim Campbell (June 2021), Tha Yard Hangout (June 2021), the Colin McEnroe Show on WNPR (October 2019), The Same 24 Hours podcast with Meredith Atwood (March 2020), the Fraud Stories podcast (September 2020), the Taxgirl Podcast (July 2020), Landmark Recovery Radio (November 2020), Clara CFO podcast with Hanna Smolinski (January 2021), and Founders Focus podcast with Scott Case (April 2021), among others.

Jeff is also editor of the important, widely-read website and blog prisonist.org, for which he authors, edits, and curates content around national and international criminal justice advocacy/ministry issues. He also co-hosts the Criminal Justice Insider podcast, hosts the White Collar Week podcast, and leads a weekly online confidential White Collar Support Group (the first in the country). The group, which has had more than 650 participants, held its 350th weekly online meeting in March 2023.

 

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