15 Minutes Share Your Voice

Shane Smith is the Owner of Shane Smith Law, a firm specializing in personal injury cases, and committed to guiding clients through the complexities of the legal recovery process. Shane's early career experiences encompassed roles with local attorney Richard Hobbs and the Fulton and Rockdale County DA offices. He also had the opportunity to compete in a national competition with the Student Trial Lawyers Association. Upon his admittance to the Georgia Bar, Shane served in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG), practicing as a criminal defense attorney throughout the Southeast. He is admitted to practice law in all Georgia courts, the Military Court System, and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia.

Navigating the complex world of personal injury law can be daunting, especially when dealing with the aftermath of an accident. It's a time filled with uncertainty, stress, and countless questions about your rights and the legal process.

In the realm of personal injury law, Shane Smith is a name that stands out. With years of experience under his belt, Shane has dedicated his career to helping individuals and families who have been wrongfully injured. His firm, Shane Smith Law, focuses solely on personal injury cases, ensuring each client receives the attention, professionalism, and commitment they deserve.

In this episode of 15 Minutes, host Chad Franzen is joined by Shane Smith to explore the intricacies of personal injury law and the role of an attorney in these cases. Shane shares how he discovered his passion for the legal industry, the mindset he fosters when defending clients, how he built his firm and acquired its first clients, and the marketing strategies he used when promoting business. Tune in to gain valuable insights from a seasoned professional in the field.

In today's AmiSights Podcast, we talk to Craig Span, Founder and CEO of GlobeTopper, a prepaid B2B gift card concierge firm that helps clients navigate the ever-evolving digital payments landscape. Craig explains how being laid off from a major communications company after just nine months was the best thing that could have happened for his career, allowing him to focus on his own business.

"My years of experience in the telecommunications business kind of led me to the path of recognizing that there was something that in my previous company we weren't serving," he said. "I was passing leads off to other companies. It was essentially recharging prepaid mobile phones. And so that was kind of the impetus to get it started."

The main topics of today's episode will be building culture in a virtual company, how COVID was actually a positive for Craig's company as everything moved digitally, and how a company that typically isn't in the gift card business can utilize the gift card.

Recorded on 06/01/2023

Kenneth Hoffman is a Founding Partner and Personal Injury Attorney at Mitchell Hoffman & Wolf, a Chicago-based law firm providing legal representation for victims of negligence or misconduct. Ken is an award-winning plaintiff's personal injury attorney with over 25 years of experience specializing in cases involving automobile and trucking accidents, medical malpractice, and wrongful death litigation. His legal expertise, combined with a unique, individual approach, has led to numerous multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements for his clients. Ken's successes have earned him recognition from prestigious professional organizations and media attention, with features in ABC Eyewitness News, Chicago Tribune, and the Chicago Law Bulletin.

Do you ever wonder what it takes to succeed in the challenging field of personal injury law? What are the key milestones and transformative experiences that define a law firm's journey, and how does one navigate the hurdles and triumphs within this particular sector of law?

Kenneth Hoffman, a personal injury attorney with over 30 years of experience, offers invaluable insights into the intricate dynamics of personal injury law, the changing landscape of the legal profession, and the crucial role of preparation and continuous learning in achieving courtroom success. His recollection of his journey within the legal industry encourages present and future law professionals to continue providing exceptional service to their clients.

In this episode of 15 Minutes, Chad Franzen sits down with Kenneth Hoffman, a Founding Partner and Personal Injury Attorney at Mitchell Hoffman & Wolf, to discuss his experience launching his firm. Ken explains the difference between working for yourself versus someone else, how the firm acquired its first clients, and the key to winning cases. He also shares what he enjoys about being a plaintiff's personal injury attorney, the milestone he's most proud of, and imparts advice passed down from his mentors.

In today's podcast, we talk to Michelle Galligan, CEO and co-founder of Keep Financials, a firm providing outsourced accounting and CFO services for small businesses. Michelle's company provides CFO services, conducting a monthly review of the financials and picking out the five to 10 most important things that help entrepreneurs understand where they are, what's going on in the business, and if they have any risk.

"One of the most satisfying things to me is when our clients say things to us like, 'You helped me sleep better at night. I finally know what's going on in my business,'" she said. "Nobody gets into business so that they can keep their own books. We really exist to support entrepreneurs."

The main topics of today's episode will be how to use a line of credit, how Michelle's company grew from local to national, and when she made the leap from working in her business to working on her business.

Recorded on 05/31/2023

Steven Cernak is a Partner at Bona Law, PC, a firm specializing in antitrust litigation and competition law in the U.S. and abroad. Steve, a respected leader in the international antitrust and competition law community, currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Antitrust Section of the American Bar Association, with a slated Chair position in 2024. Prior to Bona Law, he served as in-house antitrust counsel at General Motors for 20 years, overseeing mergers, antitrust litigation, and global antitrust compliance.

Steve also teaches antitrust law at the University of Michigan Law School and the Thomas M. Cooley Law School Corporate & Finance LLM program. As a prolific writer, he has contributed to antitrust and competition law literature, authored a widely used textbook, Antitrust Simulations, and annually updates his book, Antitrust in Distribution and Franchising.

Understanding antitrust law can seem challenging, yet it's a crucial aspect of conducting business in today's competitive environment. Gaining insight into this complex field arms you with the knowledge to make informed decisions and devise effective business strategies.

Steven Cernak is an expert in antitrust law. Known for his breadth of experience and ability to break down complex legal concepts, Steve has advised an array of clients and has taught antitrust law at multiple law schools. His unique blend of practical experience and academic knowledge brings a fresh perspective to the topic.

In this episode of 15 Minutes, host Chad Franzen engages in a fascinating conversation with Steven Cernak, a Partner at Bona Law, PC, to discuss his career trajectory, the nuances of antitrust law, his experience teaching at the university level, and the major milestones in his career.

In today's podcast, we talk to Robin Stanaland, owner of RMS, a company that helps business owners value, market, and sell their businesses. Robin, who is based in Houston, also runs eight Vistage groups, spending more than 1,000 hours a year in one-on-one coaching conversations with CEOs and business owners. While the next six to 12 months are anybody's guess on the economy, Robin says preparation is key.

"As a CEO, you have a contingency plan already thought through, and you know what the levers are and what your actions are going to be should things start to decline," she said. "As long as you've got a good contingency plan, then you can operate with ease, going towards growth and building your company. And if things don't happen that you don't have to execute on that plan, that's great, but at least you've thought through it, and you have it for the worst case."

The main topics of today's episode will be the impact of higher interest rates on mergers and acquisitions and the value of being approachable and personable to clients. We will also talk about the themes that are resonating throughout all of Robin's Vistage groups and the changes in SBA guidelines, including partial buyouts and equity requirements.

Recorded on 05/26/2023

Susan Henner is the Founder and Owner of Henner Law Group, PC, a full-service immigration law firm committed to helping immigrants obtain documentation to legally work in the US. Before founding her law firm in 2001, Susan worked for several large New York City law firms where her clients ranged from Fortune 500 companies to Wall Street firms to schools and hospitals.

Susan is also a mentor attorney for the Safe Passage Program at New York Law School, assisting unaccompanied minors find pro bono immigration representation. Additionally, she was a founding board member and served as Vice President of the organization. Susan is also the former co-chair of the Westchester County Bar Association's Committee for Immigration and Nationality Law.

Did you know to work in the United States you must be a legal resident? In most cases, someone who immigrated to the US possesses a visa, work permit, green card, or US citizenship before being authorized to work. But who's responsible for providing the documentation? How long do these types of cases last?

Immigration law is complex. If you're an employer or individual inquiring about the process, you should seek the services of an immigration law firm. These firms focus on providing immigrants with legal documentation and understand the nuances of the law. Also, realize that obtaining documentation to work or become a US citizen is a timely process that requires patience.

In this episode of 15 Minutes, join Bela Musits as he welcomes Susan Henner, Founder and Owner of the Henner Law Group, PC, to discuss immigration law. Susan shares why she's passionate about immigration law, the challenges she overcame when launching her firm, and how she acquires and retains clients. She also explains the process of obtaining a US visa and shares her involvement with the Safe Passage Program.

Michael Eisenbaum is the Managing Partner of Gray•Duffy, LLP, a firm specializing in litigation and dispute resolution across various legal fields. With a diversified practice encompassing extensive litigation experience, Michael has successfully represented numerous individuals and businesses in premises liability, contract liability and enforcement, personal injury, and property damage litigation. He demonstrates expertise in handling a range of civil lawsuits from inception through trials and appeals.

In the world of law and litigation, a successful practice hinges on a thorough understanding of legal intricacies and the ability to build strong client relationships. Combining legal knowledge, effective communication, and client advocacy is a balancing act.

Michael Eisenbaum, a Managing Partner at Gray•Duffy, LLC, demonstrates mastery in this field. He offers more than just in-depth knowledge of insurance defense and business litigation. What sets Michael apart is his dedication to client communication and understanding his client's needs. Discovering his passion for the legal industry was not predetermined, but shaped by unique life experiences and a relentless drive to succeed.

In this episode of 15 Minutes, host Bela Musits delves into an insightful conversation with Michael Eisenbaum. Together, they explore Michael's role as a managing partner, his involvement in the firm's advertisement, and what differentiates the firm from its competitors. Michael also shares the value of contributing to article publications and insight into the future of the industry.

In today's podcast, MultiFunding President Lynn Ozer, aka SBA Queen, and I talk to Fletcher Wimbush, Founder, CEO, and Lead Executive Recruiter for The Hire Talent, a talent assessment company that solves difficult hiring problems primarily for companies with 0-250 employees. Fletcher tells us how he got into the industry and shares how to find the top talent.

"I spent literally my entire life since I was 16 thinking about this," he said. "My father was a management consultant, like a business coach. And he developed these really cool behavioral aptitude assessments. He was an introvert – like a researcher, scientist kind of guy. And I was like this crazy outgoing extrovert…My dad was chirping at me in the background saying, 'get the right people on the bus and good things are gonna happen inside of your organization,' and that just stuck with me for some reason."

The main topics of today's episode will be the importance of talking to the right references, the most effective questions in interviewing, and the differences between assessment tests.

Recorded on 05/24/2023

Daniel J. Siegel is the Owner of the Law Offices of Daniel J. Siegel, LLC, a workers' compensation and personal injury firm. Daniel is recognized for his expertise in ethics technology, data protection and cybersecurity, civil litigation, workers' compensation matters, and business workflow management. Known as the "Lawyer Other Lawyers Call for Advice," he is committed to delivering personalized representation tailored to his clients' unique needs and financial circumstances. Daniel is a prolific speaker and author, having presented 350-plus programs, written 250-plus articles, and published 14 books on a variety of legal topics.

Daniel is also the Owner of Integrated Technology Services, LLC, a technology and software consulting firm for law practices and small businesses.

Creating a law firm that caters to the diverse needs of its clients requires comprehensive legal knowledge, entrepreneurial acumen, and the capacity to adapt to client expectations. Attorneys dedicate their careers to helping their clients resolve legal matters. But what happens when lawyers find themselves on the receiving end of disciplinary counsel?

Professional guidelines are put in place to protect you and your client — but you may unknowingly infringe upon your duties. It's not uncommon for lawyers to breach the Model Rules of Professional Conduct. When an attorney violates the code of conduct they may be approached by a disciplinary counsel for correction. Daniel J. Siegel, an experienced attorney with a background in technology and social media, has built his practice to assist legal professionals in matters requiring disciplinary action. His insight can help rising attorneys build and maintain an integrous reputation.

In this episode of 15 Minutes, host Chad Franzen interviews Daniel J. Siegel, Owner of the Law Offices of Daniel J. Siegel, LLC, to discuss his experience representing legal professionals in matters requiring disciplinary counsel. Daniel shares what inspired his pursuit of the legal industry, why he launched his firm, and how he attracted clients. He also explains why it's important for aspiring attorneys to diversify their areas of legal expertise.