July 13, 2026

Alex Karasik: From Zero Clients to Rainmaker Through Relentless Preparation

37 minutes

How did a young partner go from “no plan, no book” to doubling his business year over year—without ever feeling like a salesperson? In this episode, you’ll hear how deliberate preparation, mentors, and genuine relationships can transform a legal career into a true rainmaking engine.

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Alex Karasik discuss:

Family values and early influences on career and character

The power of preparation and the Muhammad Ali mindset

Learning business development from elite mentors

Relationship-based rainmaking and “sales-free” selling

Starting early: advice for law students and young lawyers on BD

Key Takeaways:

Success in law—whether in the courtroom or in business development—is largely determined by the preparation you do when no one is watching.

Treating business development as relationship-building and problem-solving, rather than “selling,” removes the anxiety many lawyers feel around sales.

A strong network, built on kindness, favors, and “mitzvahs” with no expectation of return, often becomes the foundation of a durable book of business.

Carving out protected time for business development—evenings, early mornings, or weekends—is essential if you want to stop “running someone else’s race.”

The biggest regret for many successful lawyers is not starting earlier: law school and even college are not too soon to begin building a network and presence.

"If you don't make time for business development, it's not going to happen. It's not something that just happens by chance or by luck." — Alex Karasik

Check out my new show, Be That Lawyer Coaches Corner, and get the strategies I use with my clients to win more business and love your career again.

Join the Be That Lawyer Community and connect with ambitious lawyers who are serious about growing their book of business, strengthening their brand, and becoming confident, consistent rainmakers.

Ready to go from good to GOAT in your legal marketing game? Don’t miss PIMCON—where the brightest minds in professional services gather to share what really works. Lock in your spot now: https://www.pimcon.org/

Thank you to our Sponsor!

LEX Reception: https://www.lexreception.com/partners/bethatlawyer

Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/

Lawyer.com: https://www.lawyer.com/

Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/

About Alex Karasik: Alex W. Karasik is a core member of Duane Morris’ Class Action Defense Team and multiple artificial intelligence committees, specializing in high-stakes employment law and privacy matters. He represents a diverse clientele—ranging from Fortune 500 multinational organizations to local Chicagoland businesses—across major industries including hospitality, technology, healthcare, and manufacturing. Recognized as an industry thought leader, Mr. Karasik's legal analysis has been featured in Forbes and Law360, and he has been honored as a Super Lawyers “Rising Star” (2024–2026) and in Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch.” Prior to his seven years as an associate at an international law firm, he earned his J.D. from Notre Dame, where he served as President of the Sports, Communication & Entertainment Law Forum. He also holds a Master of Communication Management and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Southern California, where he spent over five years working with the USC Trojans football team under Coach Pete Carroll.

Connect with Alex Karasik:

Website: https://www.duanemorris.com/attorneys/alexkarasik.html

Connect with Steve Fretzin:

LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin

Twitter: @stevefretzin

Instagram: @fretzinsteve

Facebook: Fretzin, Inc.

Website: Fretzin.com

Email: [email protected]

Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!

YouTube: Steve Fretzin

Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

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