How do law firms really decide what partners get paid?

Partner compensation is one of the most important and controversial topics in the legal industry. The way firms structure pay doesn’t just impact income; it shapes firm culture, collaboration, and long-term profitability.

In this episode of Financially Legal, Emery Wager sits down with Hugh Simons (former BCG consultant, law firm CEO, and prolific writer on law firm economics) to unpack:

• The major compensation models (lockstep, points-based, and eat-what-you-kill)

• Why open vs. closed pay systems matter more than you think

• How incentives drive collaboration, culture, and firm growth

• Where partner compensation is headed in the next decade

Whether you’re a managing partner, CFO, or simply curious how partner pay really works, this episode pulls back the curtain on a system that defines the legal industry.

Checks are slow, risky, and outdated. So why are so many law firms still using them? In this episode, Emery Wager sits down with Jayne Reardon to explore how law firms can transition to digital disbursements while staying compliant with the Rules of Professional Conduct. We break down the ethical considerations, share a practical checklist for moving to electronic payments, and explain why modernizing your payment processes is not just smart, but the right thing to do for your clients.

To learn more about digital disbursements, visit confidolegal.com or check out our article in the link below.

• https://confidolegal.com/financiallylegal/can-law-firms-disburse-money-from-a-trust-or-iolta-account-electronically

What really happens when a client calls their bank and says they didn’t get the legal services they paid for?

In our upcoming episode, Emery Wager sits down with Amos Chapman, and the duo dives deep into one of the most misunderstood and often frustrating financial challenges law firms face: chargebacks.

Check out some of Confido Legal’s resources below: 

- Chargeback Checklist
- What Happens if a Law Firm Refunds a Credit Card Payment with a Check?

How should law firms handle tax debt?

There are ways to avoid common tax pitfalls, make taxes less stressful, and even pay pennies on the dollar to resolve tax debt.

In this episode of Financially Legal, host Emery Wager sits down with Stephen Weisberg of the W Tax Group to discuss tax debt resolution.

How much time do you spend tracking your hours?

What if you could increase your profitability, reduce stress, and provide better client service—all without billing another minute?

The hourly billing model isn’t the only way to run a successful law firm.

In this episode of Financially Legal, host Emery Wager sits down with Brita Long to explore the mindset shift required to transition to flat fee legal services.

How much time are you wasting on repetitive tasks? What if you could significantly cut those hours, increasing your firm’s profitability? AI isn’t just a buzzword now—it’s a tool transforming the economics of running a law firm.

In this Financially Legal episode, host Emery Wager sits down with Tim Sawyer and Patrick Maddigan of Faster Outcomes to discuss AI's role in modern law firms and how firms can leverage technology to impact profitability.

What’s This Going to Cost?

It’s the question every client asks before signing an engagement agreement. Imagine being able to answer it clearly and confidently—even in the most complex cases. Achieving this level of financial predictability isn’t just possible; it’s within reach.

In this episode of Financially Legal, host Emery Wager sits down with Michael Sander, founder of LexPipe, to explore how law firms can harness data to bring clarity and confidence to litigation costs. Michael shares his journey from patent litigator to legal tech entrepreneur, revealing the innovative tools and strategies LexPipe uses to help firms deliver greater cost transparency and predictability to their clients.

In this Financially Legal episode, host Emery Wager sits down with Lem Garcia, founder of Lem Garcia Law, to explore how he grew his firm from humble beginnings to serving over 1,000 clients with a 20-person team. Lem shares his journey starting with Craigslist furniture and a modest office space to becoming a blueprint for aspiring law firm owners.

In this Financially Legal episode, host Emery Wager talks with Matt Darner, founder of Collbox, to uncover practical strategies for law firms to master cash flow and collections. With years of experience helping businesses recover millions in outstanding invoices, Matt offers a unique perspective on the intersection of accounts receivable management and legal practice operations.

This episode explores the common challenges law firms face with payment delays, the importance of setting clear expectations with clients, and actionable steps to reduce lockup time. From refining billing practices to leveraging technology, Matt shares insights to help firms improve their financial health and focus on what matters most: delivering exceptional legal services.

In this Financially Legal episode, host Emery Wager interviews Evan Meyerson, Managing Director of Burford Capital, to explore the rapidly evolving world of legal finance. Evan brings a unique blend of legal and venture capital experience, which gives him insight into how litigation funding can transform legal claims into strategic assets for law firms and clients alike.

This episode dives into different funding models, from single-case to portfolio financing, each designed to support firms with varying needs.