Tag: Retirement

FEATURE
From working at a law firm to launching his practice during the pandemic: Adam Berger’s Story (Ep. 33)

From working at a law firm to launching his practice during the pandemic: Adam Berger’s Story (Ep. 33)

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Are you an employee aspiring to become a law firm owner? Look no further!

In this episode, Darren Wurz and guest Adam Berger, a partner and co-founder of Miller Berger located in the great city of Chicago navigate the complexities of managing a successful law firm.

Adam shares some insights on how to build your professional network, the importance of a lean business model and successfully transitioning from an employee to a law firm owner.

Adam discusses:

  • The business models and strategies he adopted to grow his law firm even in the midst of a global pandemic.
  • The importance of delivering great work to your clients to drive business growth.
  • How to balance lifestyle considerations with high performance.
  • The importance of bringing on team members who align with your firm culture.
  • How to get business referrals by helping people.
  • Why law firm owners need to be more flexible instead of simply being taskmasters.

Resources:


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Connect with Adam Berger:


About our guest:

Adam’s focuses his practice on Corporate, Complex Commercial Litigation, Insurance Defense, and Employment matters, as well as a wide variety of Commercial Transactions including “buy-sells” and Real Estate.  Adam serves as outside general counsel to numerous privately held companies in the Greater Chicago Area, including many automobile dealerships and construction companies. He is regularly engaged to defend lawsuits alleging breach of contract, fraud, breach of warranty, and violations of Federal statutes such as the Truth in Lending Act. Adam is often retained to resolve shareholder disputes and employment charges filed with the EEOC and Illinois Department of Human Rights. Adam also has extensive experience defending construction companies against claims of negligence and wrongful death.

Adam has tried numerous cases to verdict and has an impressive appellate record.  He regularly represents clients in arbitration hearings, mediations, and alternative dispute resolution proceedings.

Adam has been recognized as a Super Lawyer Rising Star in Construction Litigation and is the proud recipient of an Illinois Jury Verdict Reporter “Trial Lawyer Excellence Award” for obtaining a defense verdict on behalf of an electrical contractor in a wrongful electrocution death case. Adam serves on the Boards of various public and private organizations. Prior to establishing Miller Berger, LLC, Adam was a partner in a large, multi-state law firm and the owner of a boutique law firm in Chicago.

Bar Admissions​

  • Illinois
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana
  • U.S. District Court Western District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • Federal Trial Bar

 

Education

  • Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Chicago, Illinois
    • J.D. – 1999
    • Dean’s List
    • CALI Highest Grade in Legal Research
    • Best Oral Advocate, Regional Finals, National Moot Court Competition
    • National Moot Court Team
    • Winning Team, Intra-School Moot Court Competition
    • Phillip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Team
  • Washington University
    • B.A. – 1993

Professional Associations

  • Chicago Bar Association
  • Northwest Suburban Bar Association
  • Illinois Defense Counsel
  • Illinois Independent Auto Dealer Association, Board Member
  • National Independent Auto Dealer Association
  • HACIA

 

Published Works

  • Co-Author, Chapter 1 and Chapter 4, A Young Lawyer’s Guide to Real Estate Practice, The Young Lawyers Section, Chicago Bar Association

 

Honors

  • Illinois Jury Verdict Reporter “Trial Lawyer Excellence Award”
  • Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Star, Construction Litigation
  • Super Lawyer 2022
  • Elite Lawyer 2020-2022

 

 

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FEATURE
A Conversation About Money and Emotions with Christine Luken (Ep. 18)

A Conversation About Money and Emotions with Christine Luken (Ep. 18)

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Why do our emotions have such a strong influence on our finances?

Many people struggle with managing their finances because they don’t fully understand their emotions about spending, or because they feel pressure to maintain a certain level of living.

In this episode, Darren Wurz sits down with Christine Luken, the founder of the Financial Dignity™ Movement and author of “Money is Emotional: Prevent Your Heart from Hijacking Your Wallet”, to talk about the connection between the way we control and spend our money and our emotions. Christine chats about certain factors that determine our financial decisions and also mentions what mentality we should have when it comes to our money.

Christine and Darren discuss:

  • How emotions can lead us to poor financial decisions and why making more money does not solve underlying issues  
  • How understanding and harnessing the power of emotions can help us achieve our financial goals
  • The power of creating a specific vision and goal with positive and negative emotions 
  • How professionals, such as attorneys and doctors, struggle with money management due to lack of time and disorganization, and pressure to maintain a certain lifestyle
  • The impact of money scripts and how they can unconsciously affect our financial behavior and decisions
  • Using money as a tool for good
  • Why budgeting isn’t the most healthy way of managing your finances
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Darren Wurz:

Connect with Christine Luken:

About our guest:

Ready to master your money and become a financial success? Then you need Christine Luken, the Financial Dignity® Coach, in your corner! 

As the Founder of the Financial Dignity® Movement & a Certified Financial Counselor, Christine has coached hundreds of high-earning professionals to pay off staggering amounts of debt and massively increase their net worth over the past fourteen years. 

Christine’s three books, Money is Emotional, Manage Money Like a Boss, & Financial Dignity® After Divorce, have landed her over 100 podcasts, TV, and radio interviews, establishing her as the authority on money and emotions. 

When she’s not coaching clients from her office in Cincinnati, you can find this Certified Divorce Specialist & member of the Financial Therapy Association curled up with a good book, a fluffy cat, and a strong cup of coffee.

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

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

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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:

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FEATURE
7 Common Money Mistakes For Attorneys and Law Firm Owners to Avoid (Ep. 15)

7 Common Money Mistakes For Attorneys and Law Firm Owners to Avoid (Ep. 15)

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One of the most important things you can do to ensure a secure financial future is to take proactive steps now to manage your finances. This involves making smart choices in the present that will set you up for long-term success and avoiding financial mistakes that can set you back. 

In this episode, Darren uncovers the most common mistakes attorneys can make that may negatively impact their retirement plans. He also discusses potential roadblocks and the steps you can take to avoid them.

Darren discusses:

  • Savings strategies when you own your own business 
  • What living too large looks like based on your personal circumstances
  • Making sure you don’t miss out on potential tax savings 
  • How to balance paying down debt and investing for your retirement 
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Darren Wurz:

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FEATURE
Outpacing Inflation Rates With Travis Wurz (Ep.5)

Outpacing Inflation Rates With Travis Wurz (Ep.5)

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Inflation is simply the phenomenon of prices going up everywhere. But the reality is we don’t need to just keep up with the pace of inflation, we need to outpace inflation.

In this episode of The Lawyer Millionaire, Darren Wurz talks with Travis Wurz, a financial goal planner and consultant at Wurz Financial. They discuss how you might be impacted by inflation in your daily life and why it’s important to have some sort of risk managed strategy in place.

Travis discusses:

  • What inflation is and what causes it
  • Some of the biggest concerns on people’s minds with inflation on the rise
  • The two tools the government can use to deal with inflation
  • And more

Resources:

Connect With Darren Wurz:

Connect With Travis Wurz:

About Our Guest:

Travis Wurz specializes in serving business owners, realtors, and self-employed individuals. He primarily works out of the Toledo office. He is a graduate of the University of Toledo with a Bachelor’s degree in Financial Services. He has both his Series 7 and Series 66 licenses.

In his work with real estate professionals, he has found that his clients are interested in building up passive income. He helps his clients create a diversified income stream, build long term wealth, and plan for retirement.

Travis is passionate about continuing the family legacy of providing sound and intelligent planning services to our new and existing clients. He is active in his local community as a member of the Maumee Chamber of Commerce, The Chamber Partnership, and the Women’s Council of Realtors.

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FEATURE
Retirement Planning for Lawyers (Ep.4)

Retirement Planning for Lawyers (Ep.4)

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Most attorneys will eventually retire and you shouldn’t wait until the last minute to start planning for your retirement.

In this episode of The Lawyer Millionaire, Darren Wurz discusses the challenges you may be facing in the legal profession when it comes to your retirement planning.

Darren discusses:

  • Why attorneys procrastinate when it comes to retirement planning
  • Some of the biggest fears that attorneys have about retirement
  • The difference in planning for retirement as an attorney then it is for anyone else
  • The importance of having a good investment strategy
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Darren Wurz:

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