Tag: Financial Literacy

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

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

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.

 

How to build an efficient, effective and profitable law firm with Mike Chastaine (Ep. 36)

How to build an efficient, effective and profitable law firm with Mike Chastaine (Ep. 36)

Are you a law firm owner languishing over unmet profit goals and overwhelmed with the business side of running your firm? Profits seem elusive, productivity is low, and happiness is just another dream.

Today, we have something that could be a game-changer for your practice. On Episode 36 of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, host Darren Wurz sits down with experienced attorney, consultant, and author Mike Chastaine to discuss the secrets of transforming your law firm into a profitable business.

Mike discusses the importance of having a financial plan, efficient bookkeeping systems and how to set rules for client and employee engagement.

Mike discusses:

  • How law firm owners can use the 80/20 rule to maximize their productivity.
  • Embracing the “profit first system” as a key to lasting success.
  • The importance of setting up effective intake systems and rules of engagement.
  • Creating a hiring strategy that ensures every legal employee amplifies your law firm’s profit.
  • The importance of financial readiness and why you need an emergency fund.


Resources:

Connect with Darren Wurz:

Connect with Mike Chastaine:

About our guest:

Mike Chastaine is an award-winning attorney, speaker and author. His career spans many decades and covers a wide range of experiences, both in and out of the court room. As a successful entrepreneur, nationally recognized trial lawyer and endurance athlete, he has a unique perspective for success that puts him in a unique position to help others.

 

  • Nationally Recognized criminal defense attorney for over 37 years
  • Founder of Chastaine Law – “Best Criminal Defense firm in Northern California in 2020 and 2021 by New World Reports
  • Legal Excellence Award for Literary distinction, LEA award and author of five books
  • Radio host of ‘Legal Ease’
  • Video blogger of 20 minutes with Mike
  • Entrepreneurial Attorney of the Year finalist in 2017 and 2018
  • Extreme Adventure Racer
  • National Ski Patroller Alumni
  • Harmonica and bass player
  • Husband, father and grandfather
How Law Firms Owners Can Attract, Nurture and Retain Top Talent With Scott Love (Ep. 31)

How Law Firms Owners Can Attract, Nurture and Retain Top Talent With Scott Love (Ep. 31)

Are you a law firm owner looking to build and nurture authentic relationships with your clients that can stand the test of time? Look no further! In this eye-opening episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, host Darren Wurtz sits down with Scott Love, an esteemed authority in legal recruiting and business development within the legal world.

Scott Love, our guest and legal recruiting expert explores strategies to identify rainmakers within your team, how to establish yourself as a thought leader and why leadership is often missing in big firms.

Scott discusses:

  • How law firms can improve their business development processes.
  • The importance of authenticity and sincerity in growing a client base.
  • How writing and publishing content regularly can enhance your credibility.
  • How to leverage platforms like LinkedIn to boost your law firm’s reputation.
  • The importance of finding your ideal niche.
  • Why successful people want to work with people that are real with them without being pushy


Resources:

Connect with Darren Wurz:

Connect with Scott Love:

 

About our guest:

Scott Love helps law firm partners mitigate risk and maximize opportunity when transitioning from one firm to another. He does this by understanding the nuance involved in high stakes negotiations, the algorithm required for an effective partner transition, and the delicate risks associated with complex career moves.

His street-smart savvy and extensive business acumen, coupled with over two-decades of unparalleled executive search experience, give an added element of security for partners who are considering a move to another firm.

Love is a prolific thought leader on the topics of rainmaking, recruiting, and leadership and has written over 250 articles on these subjects. He has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Bloomberg, The American Lawyer, Above the Law, Law360, the Huffington Post, Business Insider, and dozens of business publications.  He is the author of three books:   Why They Follow:  How to Lead with Positive Influence, The Recruiter’s Adventure Book, and the coauthor of Rainmaker Confidential: How Top Professionals Make Smart Business Development Investments of Time, Treasure, and Talent.  Love is a popular speaker on business development topics at conferences and retreats and has keynoted at large legal recruiting conventions, sales meetings for legal recruiting firms, and nearly every trade association in the recruiting industry.

Love’s expertise is further evidenced by his work as an expert witness in the recruiting industry, including a successful jury trial related to legal recruiting, and expert witness opinions related to law firm partner compensation.

Love is a 1989 graduate of The United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. While serving on active duty as a naval officer, he held a Top Secret security clearance, was third in command of a U S Navy ship as a Surface Warfare Officer, and later served as a leadership trainer and organizational development consultant at the world’s largest naval base.

When he is not recruiting, Love enjoys working as a professional watercolor artist, speaking at business meetings on sales and recruiting, writing books, golfing, mentoring DC youth for college through Capital Partners For Education, playing in poker tournaments and cash games, and spending time with his family.  He is also the host and producer of The Rainmaking Podcast, a top 3-percent show that gives rainmaking attorneys ideas on how to develop new business and build more meaningful client relationships.

Love is a board of directors member of the National Association of Legal Search Consultants, a member of the National Speakers Association, and is past president of two recruiting industry trade associations.  He is an advisory board member of Protect Our Defenders, an advocacy group that supports active duty military service members who are victims of sexual abuse, assault, and harassment.

Love lives in Midlothian, Virginia, and is married with two children, a rescue dog named Ruby, and two rescue cats named Marbles and Prince.

 

Charity Involvement, Social and Business Clubs and Memberships:

– Protect Our Defenders, Advisory Board Member

– The Episcopal Parish of the Redeemer, Midlothian, VA; Member of Stewardship and Outreach Committees

– The Army Navy Club, Washington, DC

– Salisbury Country Club, Midlothian, VA

– The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, Asheville, NC

– The National Association of Legal Search Consultants; board member and host of “Recruiter Stories”, the official podcast of NALSC

– The National Association of Law Placement

– The National Speakers Association

4 Things Parents Can Do to Financially Empower Their Kids (Ep. 17)

4 Things Parents Can Do to Financially Empower Their Kids (Ep. 17)

There is a lack of basic financial education in our schools, and that means you, as the adult in a child’s life, need to step up and fill the gap.

In this episode, Darren Wurz discusses the importance of financial literacy and shares a number of things his dad did that helped him start out on solid financial footing–things you can do for your kids too! These steps could make a huge impact on your children’s financial future.

Darren discusses:

  • Why it is important to help your kids start saving and investing early on
  • How adding your kids to your credit card can boost their credit score and help them as they start their careers 
  • Why law firm owners and business owners should hire their kids and the tax benefits they can reap
  • And more! 

Resources:

Connect with Darren Wurz: