In this captivating episode, join our host, Lauren Lester, as she opens up about a pivotal moment in her life as a lawyer that almost made her quit her legal career entirely. Despite her business soaring to new heights, Lauren considered walking away from it all. It’s a tale of personal struggle, self-discovery, and the ultimate triumph of resilience.

Lauren gets vulnerable, recounting the exact moment when she felt the weight of doubt and frustration threaten to crush her passion for the law despite living out her dream of having her own firm. She reveals the one thing that caused her to seriously consider quitting and the moment she realized she might be doing it all wrong.

With refreshing honesty, Lauren reflects on the disheartening reality that her legal practice had become, leaving her feeling resentful of the very people she initially set out to help. Tune in as she reveals the meaningful steps she took to create a practice that better integrates purpose and well-being.

Join us for an inspiring episode that will resonate with anyone who has ever questioned their place in the legal profession and whether it was time to quit. 

Listen now.

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In this second of our two-part conversation with Mathew Kerbis, we share tips and insights for solo lawyers looking to build and grow their practice. 

Lauren and Mathew discuss different website platforms that can work for your goals and what to consider when choosing one. Starting out as a solo lawyer can be tough, so we share some tips on how to supplement your income and build your reputation. We talk about how to find freelance work, take on pro bono cases, and build your network.

Your brand is how people perceive you and your practice, and it's important to create a strong, consistent brand image. We discuss simple ways to start building your brand and stand out from the competition. 

Video is a powerful marketing tool that many lawyers are not taking advantage of. We talk about the benefits of using video to connect with potential clients, showcase your expertise, and build trust.

Your website is often the first impression potential clients have of your practice, so it's important to make sure it's optimized for lead generation. We share the simple change you can make to your website today to increase leads and grow your business.

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Have you been thinking about opening your own law firm? Are you a solo lawyer looking to level up your practice? Well, have we got a treat for you! In this first of a two-part episode, Lauren sits down with Mathew Kerbis, the Subscription Attorney, to discuss their experience as two solo lawyers running their own firms.

We start off by exploring the advantages of virtual practice, including the flexibility it offers, the ability to reach a wider market, and the reduced overhead costs. We also share the specific accounting strategies we use and the tech we’ve found helpful in managing the finances of our practices.

Next, we dive into entity considerations and how to plan for the possibility of scaling your business. We offer some practical advice on how to set your business up now so that it can one day work without you, while also sharing the one thing we wish we had done differently when we first started our own firms.

So, if you’ve been curious about what it’s like to run your own law firm, be sure to tune in to this episode. You won’t want to miss out on the wisdom shared!

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In today’s episode, we’re chatting with Amanda Carey, the founder and managing partner of the Carey Center for Justice, a non-profit law firm in Illinois dedicated to providing access to justice for those with criminal and family law situations. The Carey Center provides predictable pricing and limited scope options for those who need it most and a different way to practice law. 

In building her firm, Amanda has stayed true to the core belief that lawyers are here to serve and solve a client’s problem effectively and efficiently. During our conversation, we discuss the benefits and challenges of a non-profit law firm, staying true to the core belief of your firm especially when opposing counsel makes it difficult, how we practice more artistically than we might realize, and the key to success that’s rarely talked about in law school. 

Grab a cup and join us for this inspiring conversation. Then send us a voice memo sharing the essence of your firm at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adifferentpractice/message.

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In this episode, we dive into lawyers and their value proposition. Law firms are businesses that offer legal services to clients, but what sets one firm apart from another? How do clients measure the value they receive from a law firm?

We go through the sections of The Pricing Toolkit about value and explore the different ways that law firms can create value for their clients, including expertise, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. We discuss the importance of understanding clients' needs and priorities, and how law firms should think about tailoring their services to meet those needs.

Whether you're a lawyer looking to better understand value or a law firm wanting to differentiate yourself, this episode provides valuable insights into how to define value and how to communicate it to potential clients.

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Sales doesn’t have to be a four-letter word, but it often can feel that way in the legal profession. Today, we’re exploring how it can instead be seen as an act of service. We discuss what successful business development actually looks like and why the unfair standard we often measure ourselves against is putting us at a disadvantage.

Our guest, Holly Barocio from GrowthPlay, helps lawyers leverage their business development strengths and find authentic approaches to improve their sales performance. Holly shares practical tips for how to drive more predictable revenue from authentic relationship building, create an intentional client experience that fosters loyalty, and feel empowered to invest your time in business development how you want to - not how you think you should.

During our conversation, we cover:

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When I talk to lawyers about optimizing their law firm for growth and enjoyment, the first follow-up question I am usually asked is, “But how do I get clients?”

This is essentially asking “How do I market and sell my services?” which is a wide and deep topic to explore. We’ll break down this massive topic into digestible parts, starting with today’s topic: TikTok.

Now, you might be thinking, "TikTok? That's just for dancing teenagers!" But trust me, there's a lot more to this social media platform than meets the eye. I’ll share some stats that might surprise you, describe what the platform is all about, explain why it’s a powerful *free* marketing tool, and give you five tips on how to get started.

Because it provides a unique opportunity for lawyers to connect with a new audience and build their brand in an engaging and creative way, TikTok can be a powerful marketing tool for lawyers if used effectively.

Listen now.

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We’re talking about something you don’t hear about enough in the legal profession: personal connection. Specifically positive personal connection. The bond that’s created when we reach out and honestly share our experience with another person who compassionately listens and empathizes. I know, you might already be feeling a bit uncomfortable, but that’s why this conversation is so important.

We have a wellness deficit in our profession because we’ve been trained and conditioned to be uncomfortable when it comes to not only connection but many aspects of health and wellness - particularly mental health.

Our guest today is Martha Knudson, the Executive Director of the Utah State Bar’s Well-Being Committee. In addition to her J.D., Martha holds a master’s degree in Applied Positive Psychology. She’s a frequent speaker on well-being topics and publishes articles related to well-being and the legal profession. Basically, she knows her stuff.

Join us as we discuss why positive connection is so important, why it’s harder for solo and small-firm lawyers to find it, and what simple things we can do today to cultivate well-being in our practice.

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A good Engagement Agreement is the bedrock of a positive client relationship. It sets expectations upfront and helps ensure you and your client are on the same page. And when you’ve done a great deal of work determining the value you provide in solving the client’s problem and how that value translates into your pricing, it’s important to properly memorialize those components in a comprehensive engagement agreement.

In this episode, we’ll cover six common mistakes made in engagement agreements and how to fix them - including the *EXACT* language I use in my templates. That way, you can keep open a clear line of communication with your client, get paid for all of the work you’re doing, and most importantly, avoid falling into the resentment trap.

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Today we’re diving into something many of us as lawyers struggle with: perfectionism. 

Striving towards the highest standard has served a lot of us well. There are positives to perfectionism that make many of us good at our jobs and have gotten us to where we are. As the years have gone by, however, and I’ve seen how much perfectionism robs me of energy, truly celebrating wins, and keeping a healthy perspective, I’ve looked for ways to make a change. In this episode, I share the five tactical ways I’ve loosened the grip of perfectionism.

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