In episode 604 of Lawyerist Podcast, Stephanie Everett sits down with Andy Hays to explore the shift from solo practitioner to true business owner. After nearly two decades of firm ownership, Andy shares why he recently rebranded to remove his personal name from the firm, a strategic move designed to reduce dependency on him and strengthen the firm’s future. 

They discuss delegation, hiring before you feel fully ready, automating repetitive processes, and setting clear expectations for team performance. The conversation also dives into accountability, leadership growth, and how small operational improvements compound over time. 

If you are ready to move beyond founder dependence and build a firm designed for scalability, resilience, and long-term value, this episode offers practical frameworks and real-world insight to help you get there. 

Listen to our previous episodes on Scaling & Building a Sellable Firm. 

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X! 

If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you. 

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com. 

Chapters / Timestamps:  

00:00 – Introduction 

03:50 – Standards, KPIs & Hard Conversations 

07:30 – Meet Andy 

08:45 – Lessons from 18 Years in Practice 

10:15 – Removing Your Name from the Firm 

12:45 – Building a Firm You Can Sell 

15:30 – Automation & Low Hanging Fruit 

17:00 – Accountability & Team Meetings 

19:25 – The “I’ll Just Do It Myself” Trap 

21:15 – Hiring Strategically 

23:30 – Expanding the Physical Office 

25:40 – Closing Thoughts 

In episode 604 of Lawyerist Podcast, discover how addressing alcohol and mental health can unlock greater clarity, confidence, and long-term success in your legal career. Stephanie Everett sits down with IP attorney and recovery coach Melissa Silverstein to talk about alcohol, achievement, and the hidden pressures inside the legal profession. 

Melissa shares her personal journey from high-achieving “functioning” lawyer to long-term sobriety, and explains why so many attorneys struggle silently while still appearing successful on the outside. Together, they explore law firm drinking culture, client expectations, stigma around asking for help, and why recovery does not have to mean labels or all-or-nothing thinking. 

If you’ve ever felt burned out, anxious, or not quite like your best self, this episode offers practical insight, reassurance, and a path toward building a healthier, more sustainable legal career without shame. 

Listen to our previous episodes on Lawyer Well Being & Recovery. 

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X! 

If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you. 

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com. 

Chapters / Timestamps:  

00:00 – Intro & Conference Recap 

08:30 – Melissa’s Story 

10:00 – Achievement as a Mask 

12:10 – Rethinking Abstinence 

14:30 – Harm Reduction & Personal Choice 

15:50 – Warning Signs in Law Practice 

16:30 – The Role of the Bar 

17:50 – Leadership & Language 

20:00 – Rethinking Firm Events 

23:10 – Career Growth After Recovery 

26:00 – De-Stigmatizing Help 

29:00 – Closing Thoughts 

In episode 603 of Lawyerist Podcast, Zack Glaser sits down with Karin Conroy to examine how AI is changing the rules of law firm marketing and what that means for lawyers who want to stand out for the right reasons.  

Karin explains why expertise, not automation, is what rises to the top in an AI filtered world. As large language models reshape how potential clients search for answers, shortcuts like keyword stuffing and mass produced content are quickly losing their impact. What stands out instead is real authority built through credibility, third party validation, media appearances, and consistent messaging across platforms. 

The conversation also challenges the idea that your website is your first impression. In today’s landscape, visibility often starts elsewhere. Zack and Karin unpack how referral systems support a larger authority strategy and what it truly means to move from building, to stabilizing, to growing your marketing in a deliberate and sustainable way. 

Listen to our previous episodes with Karin:  

Links from the episode: 

https://conroycreativecounsel.com/ 

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!  

If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.  

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com. 

Chapters / Timestamps:  

00:00 – Meet Karin Conroy
02:30 – AI, Agents & The Content Explosion
04:15 – The M Dash as a Trust Tell
07:00 – Why Google Isn’t the Front Door Anymore
09:00 – Knowledge Panels & Online Authority
12:30 – You Can’t Fake Expertise
15:00 – Stop Chasing SEO Tricks
17:30 – Authority Through Media & PR
21:00 – Who Needs a Media Kit
23:00 – Referrals Are a Marketing Strategy
25:00 – Build Before You Scale
28:00 – AI Rewards Real Experts
32:30 – Closing Thoughts 

Lawyers have always relied on tools—but AI is different. It doesn’t just assist with tasks; it makes decisions, applies judgment, and shapes outcomes. In episode #602 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Stephanie Everett talks with Damien Riehl about what ethical responsibility looks like when AI starts doing legal work on its own. 

Their conversation examines how AI systems embed values, why verification matters more than transparency, and how lawyers can responsibly use tools they don’t fully understand. They also explore what legal expertise looks like in an AI-powered future—and why intuition, trust, and integrity may matter more than ever as machines take over the “widgets” of legal work. 

Listen to our other episodes on Ethics and Responsibility in AI. 

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X! 

If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you. 

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com. 

Chapters / Timestamps:  

00:00 – Introduction 

05:55 – Meet Damien Riehl 

08:10 – Why AI Is a Different Kind of Legal Tool 

11:05 – When AI Starts Doing Legal Work 

14:30 – Ethics, Values, and AI Judgment 

18:45 – Foundation Models vs. Legal-Specific AI 

21:15 – The “Duck Test” and Trusting AI Output 

24:45 – Trust but Verify: Reviewing AI Work 

28:40 – What Lawyers Are Underestimating About AI 

31:10 – What Still Requires Human Judgment 

34:30 – Intuition, Trust, and Integrity in Law 

37:40 – What This Means for Billing and the Future 

40:40 – Closing Thoughts 

Lawyers are understandably cautious about AI—but the real risk may be using it the wrong way. In episode 601 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Zack Glaser sits down with Matt Spiegel of Lawmatics to explore how agentic AI is changing the way law firms handle intake and evaluate potential clients. 

Matt breaks down why surface-level AI tools fall short, how agentic AI can make informed recommendations instead of opaque scores, and what it takes to build trust in automated decision-making. They also discuss how better intake systems can reduce wasted time, improve lead quality, and support more intentional firm growth. 

Listen to our other episodes on Artificial Intelligence in Legal Practice. 

Links from the episode: 

https://www.lawmatics.com/ 

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X! 

If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you. 

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com. 

Chapters / Timestamps:  

00:00 – Introduction 

01:28 – Meet Matt Spiegel 

03:55 – From the Cloud to AI in Legal Tech 

05:38 – Why Lawyers Are Cautious About AI 

06:50 – Moving Beyond Surface-Level AI 

08:51 – Why Lead Scoring Misses the Point 

11:14 – What Makes Agentic AI Different 

14:10 – Generative AI vs. Agentic AI 

15:57 – Teaching Software to Make Decisions 

17:17 – Automating Outcomes, Not Steps 

20:10 – Why Lawmatics Was Already Agentic 

21:47 – Trust, Guardrails, and Client Data 

24:20 – What Qualify AI Does Differently 

25:33 – Closing Thoughts 

Starting a law firm doesn’t automatically make you a business owner—designing one does. In episode #600 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Stephanie Everett and Zack Glaser kick off a four-part series on how to design a law firm intentionally, rather than defaulting into a business you didn’t mean to build. 

They unpack the biggest myths lawyers believe when starting a firm, why being a good lawyer isn’t enough to create a sustainable business, and how relying on personal heroics instead of structure quietly traps firm owners over time. Stephanie breaks down the three constraints that cause most firms to struggle, the three distinct paths law firms can take, and the key questions lawyers should ask early to align their business model with the life and career they actually want. 

Listen to our other episodes on Law Firm Strategy & Business Design. 

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X! 

If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you. 

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com. 

Chapters / Timestamps:  

00:00 – Introduction 

01:15 – Why This Isn’t About “Starting” a Law Firm 

03:45 – The Biggest Myth Lawyers Believe About Firm Ownership 

06:50 – Heroics vs. Structure 

10:30 – The Three Constraints That Trap Law Firm Owners 

12:45 – Every Firm Is Choosing a Business Model (Whether You Realize It or Not) 

14:30 – The Three Paths Law Firms Take 

18:55 – When Your Goals and Design Don’t Match 

20:55 – How Clients Actually Buy Legal Services 

23:30 – What Breaks If Demand Doubles 

25:00 – Clarity Beats Certainty 

29:15 – What to Do in the First 30 Days 

33:40 – Where to Go Next 

Law school prepares students to think like lawyers, but it often leaves them without a clear picture of what comes next. Zack Glaser sits down with Jocelyn Hardrick to explore how mentorship, pipeline programs, and practical guidance can help first-generation and nontraditional students bridge the gap between legal education and real-world practice. 

They unpack the challenges students face when they lack exposure to legal careers, the importance of writing and bar preparation support, and how community and accountability shape confidence during the transition into the profession. The episode highlights how intentional mentorship and community support can reduce uncertainty, build confidence, and create clearer pathways into the legal profession. 

Listen to our other episodes on mentorship, mindset, and professional development.  

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X! 

If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you. 

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.

Links from the episode:

https://www.journeytoesquire.com/
 

Chapters: 

00:00 – Introduction 

01:45 – Why the Path Into Law Isn’t Clear 

06:10 – Meet Jocelyn Hardrick 

08:25 – What Journey to Esquire Does 

12:40 – First-Generation and Nontraditional Barriers 

17:30 – Mentorship vs. Sponsorship 

21:55 – Writing, Bar Prep, and Practical Skills 

26:40 – Building Confidence Through Community 

31:20 – Advice for New and Aspiring Lawyers 

34:10 – Closing Thoughts 

In episode #598 of the Lawyerist Podcast, learn how Microsoft Copilot can help lawyers work more efficiently inside Microsoft 365—without compromising accuracy, security, or client trust. Zack Glaser talks with Ben Schorr, innovation strategist at Affinity Consulting Group and former Microsoft insider, about how attorneys can move past AI hype and start using Copilot for real, everyday legal work. 

Zack and Ben break down how Copilot helps lawyers draft and edit documents, summarize complex files, extract key deadlines, prep for meetings, and manage inbox overload—all while keeping client data protected within Microsoft’s security framework. They clarify where Copilot delivers the most value, where caution is required, and why understanding its limitations is essential to using it effectively. For lawyers curious about AI but unsure where to begin, this episode offers a clear, realistic roadmap for adopting Copilot without compromising accuracy, ethics, or trust. 

Listen to our other episodes on  AI, Legal Technology & Practical Innovation in Law Firms:  

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X! 

 If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you. 

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com. 

Chapters / Timestamps:  

00:00 – Introduction 

08:43 – Meet Ben Schorr 

11:08 – What Copilot Is (and Why Lawyers Care) 

13:27 – Security, Privacy, and Client Data 

16:47 – Drafting Legal Documents With Copilot 

18:36 – Schorr’s Law: Always Review AI Output 

20:30 – Editing, Fact-Checking, and Improving Existing Work 

23:57 – Summarizing Documents and Extracting Key Info 

28:49 – Brainstorming, Personas, and Strategy Testing 

34:34 – Agentic AI: What’s Possible (and What Isn’t)  

Lawyers spend a surprising amount of time teaching clients, team members, and other lawyers, but most are never taught how adults actually learn. In episode 597 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Stephanie Everett talks with Danielle Hall about adult learning principles and why they matter in legal practice. 

Danielle explains how adult learners differ from students in traditional classrooms and what this means for client communication, team training, and CLE presentations. They explore why information overload backfires, how focusing on the “why” improves understanding, and simple ways to design learning experiences that actually stick without making things more complicated.  

Listen to our other episodes on client communication and understanding:  

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X! 

If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you. 

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com. 

Chapters / Timestamps:  

00:00 – Introduction 

03:12 – Why Lawyers Are Always Teaching 

08:37 – Meet Danielle Hall 

10:49 – How Adults Learn Differently 

14:57 – Information Overload and Client Confusion 

17:01 – Teaching Clients and Teams More Effectively 

21:52 – Why Most CLEs Don’t Work 

25:28 – Applying Adult Learning in Your Firm 

31:46 – Closing Thoughts 

High performance in law requires more than technical skill—it requires the right mindset. In episode #596 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Zack Glaser talks with Jess Sargus about applying an athlete’s mindset to leadership, performance, and growth in legal practice. 

Jess breaks down the core pillars of athletic thinking. From growth mindset and action orientation to process focus and purpose, and explains how lawyers can apply these principles to become better leaders and perform at their best under pressure. 

If you want to hear more from Jess, check her out at: https://www.thelegalathlete.com/ 

Listen to our other episodes on Mindset & Performance: 

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X! 

If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you. 

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com. 

Chapters / Timestamps:  

00:00 – Introduction 

03:12 – Meet Jess Sargus 

04:02 – From Law to Combat Sports 

08:06 – Competition, Business, and Leadership 

11:15 – Why Mindset Matters 

15:12 – The Athlete’s Mindset Defined 

17:01 – Action Orientation and Elite Performance 

19:30 – Getting Comfortable with Failure 

22:05 – Growth Mindset and Competitiveness 

26:03 – The Five Pillars of Fierce Agency 

29:21 – Process Over Outcome 

34:46 – Purpose and Mission Alignment 

39:48 – Where to Find Jess 

40:53 – Closing Thoughts