In this insightful solo episode of the Lead Counsel Podcast, host Tom Tona, founder and managing attorney at Tonalaw, takes listeners behind the scenes of what truly drives law firm success: operations.

Fresh off a closed-door legal mastermind event in Florida, Tom breaks down the often-overlooked yet critical role of law firm operations, exploring what it is, why it matters, and how top-performing firms leverage it for explosive growth. Whether you’re a solo practitioner scaling your firm or part of a multi-practice operation, this episode sheds light on key operational roles like COOs, legal ops directors, and practice group managers—and why investing in these areas directly impacts profitability, efficiency, and client satisfaction.

Key Highlights:

• What “operations” really means in a law firm setting

• Defining the hierarchy: COO vs Director of Legal Ops vs Practice Group Managers

• Real-world examples of how ops reduce time on desk and increase collections

• Understanding ROI for high-level operators in legal settings

• Adapting to AI, automation, and data-driven decision-making

• Why client experience is the new legal differentiator

• When your firm is ready for strategic operational hires

• Lessons from Fortune 100 and Fortune 25 COOs and legal masterminds

Whether you're looking to streamline billing, improve team structure, or incorporate AI into your legal tech stack, this episode gives you the framework and foresight to build a scalable, efficient law firm.

Your Host:

Tom Tona is a seasoned attorney and founder of Tonalaw, a New York-based personal injury law firm that has been trusted by attorneys across the U.S. for high-quality case referrals since 2001. Website: https://www.tonalaw.com LinkedIn: Tom Tona X: @NYPITrialGuy

This podcast is sponsored by TonaLaw.

Attorneys, are you looking for a trusted partner for your New York personal injury referrals? Since 2001, TonaLaw has been the go-to New York personal injury law firm for attorneys and law firms across the United States.

At Tonalaw, we pay legal fee participation to referring attorneys in all jurisdictions where it's permitted. Refer us a case today and experience the TonaLaw difference.

Call us now to discuss how we can work together at 833-TONALAW or visit us at tonalaw.com. Mention Lead Counsel and you’ll speak directly with Tom.