As 2025 comes to a close, Steve revisits five standout moments from five of our most impactful Great Practice conversations this year. This episode is built as a highlight reel, with short clips pulled from full-length interviews that focused on the business side of running a law firm. The goal is simple: give you the best ideas from 2025 in one place, so you can spot the next upgrade your firm needs and put it into action.

As you listen, treat this like a working session. Steve tees up five areas to pay attention to, and each clip gives you a practical lens you can apply right away. When a segment makes you think, "That is exactly what we need," pick one idea to implement this week, then use the show notes to jump into the full episode for the complete conversation.

You'll hear:

• John Morgan on building a systems-first, 21st-century firm through automation and transparency, and what it looks like to scale without relying on individual heroics
• Chris Murphy on upgrading your case mix by choosing your lanes, setting intake criteria, and confidently saying no to the wrong work while referring it out the right way
• Lori Pulvermacher on turning hiring into real capacity with a 90-day onboarding plan that defines what "winning" looks like at 30, 60, and 90 days
• Barb Betts on asking for introductions instead of transactional referrals, and how to do it with language that feels natural and creates real permission
• Robert Rose on building repeat referrals with a scalable partner program, using simple relationship "rings" and value touches that keep you top of mind

If a specific moment hits home, check the show notes to jump into the full episode with that guest and take the next step from insight to implementation. Next week, we'll share Part 2: Best of 2025, Great Life.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Five standout Great Practice moments from 2025
• Scaling with systems, not heroics
• Automation and transparency for consistency and leverage
• Niche discipline, intake criteria, and confidently saying no
• Hiring into capacity with a 30/60/90-day onboarding plan
• Asking for introductions and building referral momentum through relationships
• Building repeat referrals with a structured partner content program

Follow and Review:

Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐

Supporting Resources:

• Grow or Die: John Morgan's Relentless Strategy for Law Firm Expansion – Part 1: atticusadvantage.com/podcast/grow-or-die-john-morgan
• John Morgan: www.forthepeople.com/attorneys/john-morgan
• Morgan & Morgan: www.forthepeople.com
• Litify: www.litify.com
• Injury.com: www.injury.com
• The Client Upgrade System That Changes Everything with Chris Murphy: atticusadvantage.com/podcast/client-upgrade-system
• Chris Murphy: atticusadvantage.com/team/chris-murphy
• Scalli Murphy Law, P.C.: www.scallimurphy.com
• Onboarding as a Competitive Advantage: 7 Essential Tips for Law Firms with Lori Pulvermacher: atticusadvantage.com/podcast/strategic-onboarding-for-law-firms
• Lori Pulvermacher: atticusadvantage.com/team/lori-pulvermacher
• Download: New Hire Onboarding Guide for Law Firms: atticusadvantage.com/worksheets/new-hire-onboarding-guide
• Beyond Word of Mouth: Systemizing Referral Marketing with Barb Betts: atticusadvantage.com/podcast/beyond-word-of-mouth-systemizing-referral-marketing
• Barb Betts: www.barbbetts.com
• The Biggest Marketing Mistakes Lawyers Make and How to Fix Them with Robert Rose: atticusadvantage.com/podcast/marketing-mistakes-lawyers-make-with-robert-rose
• Seventh Bear: https://www.seventhbear.com/
• Reach Out To a Practice Advisor: atticusadvantage.com/contact-us

If there's a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at [email protected].

Curious about growing your own practice? Contact Atticus to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. You can also sign up for our newsletter to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.

In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, Steve Riley welcomes back forensic psychologist Dr. Deborah Day for a direct, real-world look at the difficult people lawyers face every single day. High-conflict clients, drama-driven opposing counsel, partners who escalate everything, and even judges who seem to thrive on chaos are not outliers. As Dr. Day explains, roughly one in three people you interact with will behave as if they have a personality disorder, which is exactly why conflict feels endless in law practice.

Dr. Day breaks down how to spot these patterns quickly and respond without getting pulled into the emotional spiral. She shares specific moves that lower intensity in the moment, such as a steady voice, grounded body language, eye contact that anchors the room, and the simple phrases that stop hostility before it becomes a threat. She walks through practical ways to structure your office, your meetings, and your documentation so you're never caught off guard and your team stays protected.

The conversation also takes an honest look at lawyer mental health. Dr. Day explains how chronic exposure to conflict chips away at resilience, how to recognize when stress is sliding toward burnout, and how to check in with a colleague who seems overwhelmed without crossing professional lines. She offers a grounded, compassionate roadmap for staying centered in a profession where conflict is the default setting.

If you've ever left a meeting wondering how a routine conversation turned into a battle, or why certain clients consistently drain your energy, this episode gives you the clarity and tools to take your practice, your boundaries, and your well-being back under control.

In this episode, you will hear:

• The real 1-in-3 statistic inside the litigation world
• "Bad day" vs. enduring dysfunctional pattern — how to tell in one or two interactions
• Instant de-escalation tactics: tone, seating, Zoom setup, and "curious questions"
• Documentation strategies that protect your reputation
• The "do-not-work-with" list top professionals quietly keep
• Cluster B red flags every litigator recognizes instantly
• When and how to bring in a mental-health consultant without offending anyone
• Simple weekly habits that prevent burnout and keep you and your team resilient

Follow and Review:

Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐

Supporting Resources:

• Dr. Deborah Day: www.psychologicalaffiliates.com/deborahdaypsyd

• Psychological Affiliates: www.psychologicalaffiliates.com

• Episode 155: Handling Stress in Your Law Firm with Dr. Deborah Day: atticusadvantage.com/podcast/law-firm-stress

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/debdayma

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/debdayma

• X: x.com/deborahdayma

• Personality Disorders Study: www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/personality-disorders

• Family Law Group Program: atticusadvantage.com/coaching/family-law

• My Great Life Focus: mygreatlifefocus.com

If there's a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at [email protected].

Curious about growing your own practice? Contact Atticus to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. You can also sign up for our newsletter to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.

On this week's episode of Great Practice, Great Life, you're in for a ride. Steve Riley sits down with attorney Brad Wiewel, whose career took a wild turn in 1979 when a client's husband fired a bullet into Brad's car because Brad was fighting too hard in a divorce case involving a stripper. That single ka-pow moment launched Brad's 45-year obsession with what he calls Defensive Law; a proactive, slightly paranoid, and incredibly effective system for protecting yourself, your team, and your license when clients lie, forget, or turn on you.

This is hands down the most practical malpractice-prevention episode we've recorded, and it applies to every practice area: PI, family, estate planning, elder law, business—all of it.

Brad walks through the exact tools that have kept him grievance-free and malpractice-suit-free for more than four decades. You'll hear about the bulletproof fee agreements packed with bold disclaimers, including the now famous "we can fire you for personality conflicts" clause he makes clients read aloud. You'll learn why every third party, kids, financial advisors, new spouses, sign a non-representation letter the second they enter the room. He shares his library of 100+ one-page "Against My Advice" disclosures clients sign when they insist on risky decisions, the settlement confirmation letter every PI lawyer should require before accepting a dime, and how he turns high-risk fact patterns into written client admissions that stop surprises in court or in front of the bar.

And yes, he reveals his dead-simple signing ceremony protocol: hand clients the stack, leave the room for 15 minutes, come back to flawless signatures. No drama. No complaints. No gaps.

Brad doesn't deal in theory; he built one of the largest estate planning practices in Texas on these systems. He credits them for never having a single successful grievance or malpractice claim in 45 years. If you've ever lost sleep wondering, "Did I document that conversation well enough?" or heard a former client shout, "You never told me that!", this episode gives you the exact playbook to make those nightmares disappear.

Fair warning: After this conversation, you'll never look at a client the same way again. (You'll see every single one as a potential plaintiff, and you'll sleep like a baby because your files will finally be bulletproof.)

In this episode, you will hear:

• The wild "stripper and the bullet" story that birthed Defensive Law
• Why every client is a potential plaintiff (and how to sleep anyway)
• The 5 documents that have kept Brad 45 years grievance-free
• Fee-agreement clauses that kill most problems on day one
• The 60-second fix when kids or advisors sit in your meeting
• 100+ one-page "I'm doing this against your advice" disclosures
• The settlement letter every PI lawyer must get signed
• How to make clients admit the real facts — in writing
• The signing-room trick that makes clients happily sign everything
• An instant checklist to make your entire practice bulletproof

Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐

Supporting Resources:

• Brad Wiewel: www.texastrustlaw.com/learn-about-us/attorney-brad-wiewel
• Texas Trust Law, PLLC: www.texastrustlaw.com
• Atticus Workshops: atticusadvantage.com/workshops
• Atticus Newsletter
• The Path to A Great Practice Great Life Workshop: atticusadvantage.com/workshops/the-path-to-a-great-practice-great-life

If there's a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at [email protected].

Curious about growing your own practice? Contact Atticus to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. You can also sign up for our newsletter to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.

Time management for lawyers isn't just a productivity hack, it's the key to freedom. What if you could take around 200 days off a year without your firm collapsing, and actually increase law firm profitability in the process?

That's exactly what Arizona probate, trust, and estate litigator Attorney Kent Berk has pulled off. In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life., Kent joins Steve to share how he went from overwhelmed and burned out, ready to walk away from his law practice, to leading a focused, profitable firm built on smart law firm business strategy and intentional law firm leadership. You'll hear how coaching, accountability, and a handful of mindset shifts helped him protect his time, reduce stress, and drive serious law firm growth.

Steve and Kent break down the operational side of that transformation: revamping human resources, tightening law firm hiring practices, building an in-house training engine with AI-driven modules and real assessments, and aligning compensation with clear KPIs. With support from Practice Advisor Daniel Struna and the Atticus team, Kent redesigned his law firm operations so his team can train, make decisions, and move cases forward even when he's not in the office.

From rethinking compensation structures and productivity metrics to embracing healthy conflict as a leadership tool, Kent's story is a practical blueprint for attorneys who want to step into a more intentional role, whether that's CEO, marketing director, or true firm leader. He shows how grit, clarity, boundaries, and a strong law firm culture can lead to exceptional client experiences and a life you actually enjoy.

Whether you're overwhelmed or simply ready for your practice to support a better life, this episode delivers concrete strategies for attorney success, healthier law firm management, and meaningful, sustainable change.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Kent Berk's transition from burnout to a balanced, profitable legal practice
• Strategies for reducing stress through delegation, in-house training, and AI-enhanced operations
• The importance of a growth-oriented mindset and redefining roles within a law firm
• Enhancing firm efficiency by refining human resources, aligning compensation with performance, and leveraging technology
• How to connect traditional pricing models with clear productivity metrics to improve financial performance
• Embracing conflict and mistakes as opportunities for team growth and improvement
• The benefits of taking significant time off to enhance creativity, focus, and firm profitability

Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐

Supporting Resources:

• Kent Berk: berklawgroup.com/team/kent-berk
• Berk Law Group: berklawgroup.com
• Daniel Struna, Esq., Practice Advisor & Attorney: atticusadvantage.com/team/daniel-struna
• Law Firm Coaching: atticusadvantage.com/coaching
• Team Leader Certification Program: atticusadvantage.com/law-firm-team-leader-certification
• The Berk Brief (YouTube Series): www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4HbIYjUOpFG9W1JbnMlqBZ3M8YkwMxb_
• The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz: www.amazon.com/Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal-Freedom/dp/1878424319
• Blog "Why Law Firms Lose Top Talent (And How to Fix It)": atticusadvantage.com/blog/why-law-firms-lose-top-talent
• Onboarding Guide: atticusadvantage.com/worksheets/new-hire-onboarding-guide

If there's a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at [email protected].

Curious about growing your own practice? Contact Atticus to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. You can also sign up for our newsletter to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.

In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life®, Steve Riley breaks down one of the toughest challenges in law firm leadership: the feeling that you're failing when life and work start to pile up. Using the story of Kay, a team leader pushed to her limits, Steve explains why overwhelm is rarely a personal flaw and more often a sign that your systems, habits, or support structures need to evolve.

Steve reframes failure as feedback, the kind that helps attorneys recognize when they've outgrown the strategies that once worked. For anyone juggling client demands, running a practice, or navigating the pressures of law firm management, this perspective shift is a breath of fresh air.

To help legal professionals regain clarity, Steve shares the CPR approach: Cut, Protect, and Refocus. By cutting unnecessary commitments, protecting essentials like sleep and focus, and reviving the priorities that matter most, attorneys can reduce stress and strengthen time management for lawyers without sacrificing performance.

Drawing on insights often found in law firm business coaching, Steve illustrates how even a thriving attorney can outgrow their current "container," much like a Bonsai pushing past the limits of its pot. When that happens, the discomfort is a sign of growth, not failure.

This episode offers simple, actionable steps that help lawyers reclaim control, reset expectations, and build momentum toward a healthier practice and a more grounded life.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Transforming failure into a tool for growth and success

• Reframing failure as feedback, not personal inadequacy

• The CPR technique: Cut, Protect, and Refocus

• Kay's story, a team leader overwhelmed by life's demands

• Importance of pruning unnecessary commitments for personal growth

• Emphasizing sleep and focus to manage life's challenges

• Encouragement to make intentional choices for a balanced life

Follow and Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

If there's a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at [email protected].

Supporting Resources:

• Steve Riley
• Worksheet: The CPR Weekly Refocus™
• Bonsai Tree Photos
• Sleep Research: Recommended Amount of Sleep for a Healthy Adult: A Joint Consensus Statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society
• Sleep Research: Effects of sleep deprivation on cognition
• 11 Minutes a Day Study
• [email protected] - If you'd like to personally connect with Steve.
• My Great Life Focus

Curious about growing your own practice? Contact Atticus to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. You can also sign up for our newsletter to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of suicide and mental health. If you or someone you know needs support in the U.S., call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life®, appellate attorney and Florida Bar leader Robin Bresky joins host Steve Riley for a candid and deeply human conversation about building a thriving law practice and a meaningful life after unimaginable loss.

Robin's story shines a light on lawyer mental health, resilience, and the power of purpose. She shares how she grew from running a solo home office to leading a seven-lawyer appellate firm and eventually merging with a New York powerhouse. Her success wasn't built on cold calls or advertising; it was fueled by community involvement, bar leadership, and genuine relationships grounded in trust and service.

After the tragic loss of her son to suicide, Robin found herself drawing on the very tools she had developed through years of Atticus coaching. Time management, planning, and focus became lifelines as she rebuilt one day at a time. Her experience highlights how intentional structure and clear boundaries can help lawyers navigate grief and return to their practice with clarity and strength.

Robin also shares why lawyer mental health needs open, stigma-free conversations. In 2018, she founded the Attorney Wellness Exchange, which has helped countless professionals make wellness a priority. She discusses how physical fitness, mindfulness, and self-care can sustain emotional well-being in high-pressure careers and why checking in with struggling colleagues can truly save lives.

This episode is about more than overcoming tragedy. It is a masterclass in transforming pain into purpose. Robin reminds us that community builds referrals, wellness builds strength, and courage builds a life worth living.

If you or someone you know is struggling, call 988 (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline).

In this episode, you will hear:

• Importance of wellness and self-care in the legal profession

• Creation and impact of the Attorney Wellness Exchange

• Building a referral engine through genuine relationships and community involvement

• Destigmatizing mental health and the challenges of grief

• Role of mentorship, community support, and professional development in overcoming adversity

• Embracing resilience and intentional living for personal and professional fulfillment

Subscribe & ReviewNever miss an episode. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐

Supporting Resources:

• Robin Bresky: ssrga.com/attorney/robin-i-bresky

• Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP: ssrga.com

• Attorney Wellness Exchange: www.awe.law

• My Great Life Focus: mygreatlifefocus.com

• Join the Trail Lawyer Group: atticusadvantage.com/contact-us/

• Learn How to Support Those Struggling with Their Mental Health: www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/

If you're interested in becoming a mental health advocate in your community, visit www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org for more information.

Curious about growing your own practice? Contact Atticus to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. Experiences of grief and sudden loss can profoundly reshape lawyer life, reminding us that behind every role and responsibility is a human being navigating real pain and healing. Our coaching is grounded in building law firms and communities that recognize the importance of connection, compassion, and support—especially during life's most difficult moments. You can also sign up for our newsletter to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm, from leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.

Financial stress can linger even in the most seemingly prosperous lives.

In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life®, Steve Riley sits down with Jacquette Timmons, a nationally recognized financial behaviorist, to explore the power of a financial mindset for lawyers. Together, they examine why even successful attorneys can feel financial stress, and how beliefs, habits, and emotional patterns shape the way you manage money—personally and professionally.

Financial success isn't just about numbers on a spreadsheet. It's about clarity, confidence, and control. Jacquette and Steve unpack the hidden factors, like childhood messages, cultural expectations, and firm dynamics, that influence your money decisions. By understanding these patterns, you can start to make financial choices that align with your values and goals.

Through reflective exercises and real-world stories, Jacquette shows lawyers how to identify the emotions driving their financial behaviors. She introduces tools to help reframe limiting beliefs, reduce money anxiety, and create habits that foster long-term stability and satisfaction.

By cultivating a stronger financial mindset, you can build not just a great practice, but also a more peaceful, intentional, and fulfilling life.

In this episode, you will hear:

• The emotional and behavioral aspects of financial success with financial behaviorist Jacquette Timmons
• Debunking the myth that wealth automatically eliminates stress and challenges
• Understanding the influence of family, culture, and workplace on financial decisions
• Cognitive biases and inherited beliefs that impact financial habits
• Shifting responsibilities in retirement planning from employers to employees
• Encouraging a proactive mindset shift for meaningful financial success and personal growth
• Practical tools like the "financial flywheel" for aligning financial actions with personal goals.

Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐

Supporting Resources:

• Jacquette Timmons: www.jacquettetimmons.com
• Podcast: More Than Money with Jacquette Timmons: www.jacquettetimmons.com/podcast
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jacquettetimmons
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jacquettemtimmons
• Atticus Newsletter: atticusadvantage.com/newsletter
• My Great Life Focus: atticusadvantage.com/books/my-great-life-focus

Curious about growing your own practice? Contact Atticus to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. You can also sign up for our newsletter to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.

What if you could transform a legacy law firm while staying true to your personal goals?

In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life®, attorney Lauren Presser reveals the law firm growth strategies that transformed her practice, creating clarity, balance, and sustainable growth. After buying out her uncle's 50-year-old family firm in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Lauren partnered with Atticus to modernize every part of her practice. The result was a 35% increase in revenue within one year, without sacrificing her family time or her sanity. This is a compelling narrative of courage, mentorship, and strategic innovation in a traditionally static industry.

Lauren's transformation began with a clear why: she wanted to be fully present for her children while leading a thriving practice. Every change she made flowed from that intention. With coaching and focus, she trained her legal assistants to lead initial consultations, replaced discounts with fixed-fee packages, and introduced structured scheduling: no walk-ins, time templates, and set client touchpoints. Lauren's story is a masterclass in law firm growth strategies that actually work.

Her firm's culture evolved too. Lauren implemented a simple bonus structure built around three measurable KPIs, aligning her team and inspiring accountability. The result was a calm, collaborative environment where everyone knew what success looked like.

Lauren's story proves that growth doesn't require burnout. By setting boundaries, empowering her team, and leading with purpose, she built a profitable firm that supports her life instead of consuming it. Her journey is a powerful example of what's possible when you pair intentional leadership with practical systems and a reminder that success at work means little if you miss the moments that matter most at home.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Lauren Presser's transformation from associate to principal owner of a 50-year-old law firm
• Strategies for achieving a 35% revenue increase while maintaining work-life balance
• Implementation of fixed pricing models and bonus structures based on key performance indicators
• Overcoming challenges in a family-run firm and navigating systemic changes with the help of mentorship
• Strategic moves, such as relocating to a larger office space to accommodate a growing team
• Importance of setting boundaries to ensure personal well-being and professional success
• Empowering non-lawyers to conduct initial consultations and the benefits of adopting innovative business practices

Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐

Supporting Resources:

• Lauren Presser: apelderlaw.com/about/our-attorneys
• Ayres Presser Elder Law: apelderlaw.com
• Mark Metzger: atticusadvantage.com/team/mark-metzger
• Julianna Maria: atticusadvantage.com/team/julianna-maria
• Practice Growth Diagnostic: atticusadvantage.com/practice-growth-diagnostic
  • Code: STEVESENTME to get it for free!
• DISC assessment: atticusadvantage.com/disc-assessment
• Workshop: The Path to a Great Practice & Great Life: atticusadvantage.com/workshops/the-path-to-a-great-practice-great-life
• Is It Possible for Non-Lawyers to Do Initial Meetings? with Patti Paz: atticusadvantage.com/podcast/train-your-team-members-for-client-intake
• Lawyer Coaching: atticusadvantage.com/coaching
• My Great Life Focus: mygreatlifefocus.com
• The Summit: atticussummit.com
• Atticus Newsletter

If there's a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at [email protected].

Curious about growing your own practice? Contact Atticus to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. You can also sign up for our newsletter to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.

In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life®, psychologist Dr. Deborah Day joins Steve Riley to explore the realities of law firm stress, and the practical ways attorneys and legal teams can manage it. Drawing from decades of experience working with high-performing professionals, Dr. Day explains the difference between acute and chronic stress and how each affects your mind, body, and work performance.

She shares actionable tools to help lawyers navigate their demanding schedules, including better sleep hygiene, structured prep time, and clear boundaries that keep work from overtaking personal life. Whether you're a litigator in the courtroom or part of a law firm's support staff, these strategies offer tangible ways to reduce stress, protect your health, and sustain long-term success.

Steve and Dr. Day also unpack the psychology behind law firm stress; from the intensity of client conflict to the emotional weight of constant decision-making. They discuss how mindfulness, intentional routines, and healthy interactions can transform the way legal professionals experience pressure. Dr. Day emphasizes how simple daily habits like exercise, nutrition, and time for recovery play a powerful role in maintaining focus and avoiding burnout.

They also spotlight an often-overlooked part of stress management: training and supporting legal support staff. Dr. Day shares how setting boundaries and preparing team members for emotionally charged cases can protect morale and improve the firm's overall performance. Her perspective on resilience, trauma recovery, and emotional regulation gives listeners a roadmap for staying steady in the face of adversity.

This episode offers lawyers and legal professionals alike a grounded, evidence-based approach to mental health, resilience, and high performance. Dr. Day's compassionate, practical advice is a reminder that managing law firm stress isn't just about surviving the job, it's about building a sustainable, fulfilling career.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Managing stress in the legal profession, including distinguishing between acute and chronic stress

• Techniques for better sleep hygiene, focus restoration, and structuring work to prevent burnout

• Setting boundaries to keep work stress from impacting personal life

• Differences between forensic and clinical psychology in legal contexts, especially in high-stakes cases

• Strategies for self-care and maintaining mental health, emphasizing sleep, nutrition, and exercise

• Empowering legal support staff to handle stressful client interactions with assertiveness and clear boundaries

• Importance of resilience and self-compassion in overcoming challenges and trauma

Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐

Supporting Resources:

• Dr. Deborah Day: www.psychologicalaffiliates.com/deborahdaypsyd

• Psychological Affiliates: www.psychologicalaffiliates.com

• Subscribe to the Atticus Newsletter: atticusadvantage.com/newsletter

• Aces Aware Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire for Adults: www.acesaware.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ACE-Questionnaire-for-Adults-Identified-English-rev.7.26.22.pdf

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/debdayma

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/debdayma

• X: x.com/deborahdayma

• The Path to a Great Practice & Great Life Workshop: atticusadvantage.com/workshops/the-path-to-a-great-practice-great-life

If there's a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at [email protected].

Curious about growing your own practice? Contact Atticus to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. You can also sign up for our newsletter to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.

On this episode of Great Practice, Great Life®, Steve Riley welcomes personal injury attorney Shannon Sagan, better known as The Dash Cam Lawyer. Shannon shares his incredible story of how niching for lawyers, done with purpose and creativity, transformed his career from a defense firm associate into a standout personal injury attorney with a national reputation.

Shannon's journey proves that when you lean into what makes you different, you can dominate even the most competitive markets. His passion for dash cams became more than a tool for evidence, it became the foundation of a powerful personal brand. By combining his legal expertise with smart, memorable marketing, Shannon created The Dash Cam Lawyer, a name clients remember and trust.

Through niching for lawyers, Shannon built a thriving practice rooted in authenticity. Instead of chasing every case, he focused on organic referrals and strategic branding. That focus helped him rise above large firms, earn recognition, and even launch his own custom dash cam on Amazon. He discusses the process of trademarking his brand, using social media to amplify his message, and balancing creativity with credibility.

Beyond branding, Shannon opens up about the habits and mindset that fuel his success. He credits his morning routine, ongoing coaching, and consistent self-discipline as keys to maintaining growth in a fast-paced, competitive field. Together, Steve and Shannon explore how focus, perseverance, and a clear niche can elevate both your practice and your life.

This episode is a masterclass in standing out through specialization. Whether you're just starting your firm or ready to redefine your brand, Shannon's story will inspire you to find your own lane and own it.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Shannon Sagan's transition from defense lawyer to The Dash Cam Lawyer and niche marketing success
• Importance of niche marketing in the legal field and how it differentiates Shannon in a competitive market
• Benefits and usage of dash cams in legal disputes and personal injury cases
• Shannon's journey in entrepreneurship, including launching a custom dash cam on Amazon
• The role of social media and innovative branding in expanding Shannon's legal practice
• Personal growth practices, such as morning routines, and their impact on professional success
• Advice for young lawyers on networking, marketing, and establishing a unique legal niche

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Supporting Resources:

• The Summit: atticussummit.com
• Shannon J. Sagan: thedashcamlawyer.com/shannon-j-sagan
• The Dash Cam Lawyer: thedashcamlawyer.com
• The Driven Agenda Podcast by The Dash Cam Lawyer: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-driven-agenda-with-shannon-sagan/id1783176264
• The Dash Cam Lawyer Social:
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/thedashcamlawyer
  • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/shannonsagan
  • YouTube: www.youtube.com/@thedashcamlawyer
  • TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@thedashcamlawyer
  • X: x.com/dashcamlawyer
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/thedashcamlawyer
• Dash Shield Pro by The Dash Cam Lawyer: a.co/d/fBzpx4Y
• Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine (Entrepreneurship Simplified) by Mike Michalowicz: a.co/d/0bNIwfe
• Ep 106: Building an All In Team with Mike Michalowicz: atticusadvantage.com/podcast/building-an-all-in-team-with-mike-michalowicz
• The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8AM) by Hal Elrod: a.co/d/bktO7f2
• The Summit: atticussummit.com
• My Great Life Focus: mygreatlifefocus.com

If there's a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at [email protected].

Curious about growing your own practice? Contact Atticus to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. You can also sign up for our newsletter to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm: from law firm leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.