In episode #575 of  Lawyerist Podcast, learn how to move beyond daily overwhelm and lead your firm with clarity, confidence, and vision as Stephanie Everett talks with Lawyerist Lab business strategist Chad Fox. Chad explains why so many lawyers get stuck in the weeds of $20/hour tasks instead of focusing on high-value CEO work, and how a mindset shift can create immediate clarity and hope. Together they explore the journey from business operator to business owner, the importance of dreaming bigger than what feels “realistic,” and how to delegate effectively without guilt. Real-life success stories highlight attorneys who have built thriving teams, scaled their practices, and reclaimed freedom, offering both inspiration and actionable strategies for sustainable law firm growth. 

Listen to our other episodes on Law Firm Leadership: 

#569 Your Head Is a Crappy Office, and Other GTD Principles for Attorneys, with David Allen Apple | Spotify | LTN 

#564 The Gift in the Struggle: Leveraging Emotional Intelligence for Growth, with Sara Muender Apple | Spotify | LTN 

#560: Stop Doing Everything Yourself! Unlock Your Law Firm’s True Potential, with Leticia DeSuze  Apple | Spotify | LTN 

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: Creating Space to Think Differently 

06:16 – Meet Chad Fox 

07:12 – The Overwhelm Stage 

08:33 – Finding Hope Through Clarity 

11:24 – Dreaming Big Beyond ‘What’s Realistic’ 

15:00 – From Operator to Owner 

17:09 – Building Teams & Managing Perceptions 

20:16 – The $20 Task Trap 

23:44 – What Being a CEO Lawyer Looks Like 

25:50 – Success Story: From Chaos to Growth 

26:50 – Final Takeaway: It Doesn’t Have to Be So Hard 

Most people facing legal problems don’t see them as legal at all—they see them as life problems with landlords, employers, or benefits agencies. That disconnect leaves millions without meaningful help, even when lawyers or courts are available. 

In this episode, Zack Glaser talks with Professor Rebecca Sandefur (Arizona State University, American Bar Foundation) and Matthew Burnett (Georgetown Law, ABF) about their research on community justice workers and why people-centered solutions may be the key to closing the justice gap. 

They explore how community justice workers operate in Alaska and beyond, why legal help doesn’t always have to come from lawyers, and how rules around unauthorized practice of law are evolving. You’ll hear evidence that trained non-lawyers can be just as effective—sometimes more so—than attorneys in resolving critical issues like housing or benefits. 

Rebecca and Matthew also discuss what “success” really means: scalable, sustainable programs that meet people where they are, in their own communities, in their own language. And they argue that broadening access to justice isn’t just about legal services—it’s about strengthening democracy itself. 

This episode is for lawyers, policymakers, and innovators who want to reimagine how legal help is delivered—and build a justice system that actually works for the people it’s meant to serve. 

Additionally, Zack and Stephanie talk about the upcoming ClioCon 2025 in Boston, MA. Check out the conference and get your tickets at cliocon.com. Use the code “LawyeristxClioCon” for a $300 discount on your ticket. 

Listen to our other episodes on Access To Justice: 

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 – Fall & ClioCon in Boston
05:24 – Meet Rebecca Sandefur & Matthew Burnett
06:50 – A People-Centered Justice Approach
11:08 – Community Justice Workers Explained
15:55 – Legal Help Without Lawyers
20:31 – What Success Really Looks Like
25:23 – State Models & Next Steps
34:30 – Scaling Justice & Strengthening Democracy
38:49 – Final Takeaways 

Learn how to overcome busyness, start meaningful conversations, and build lasting adult friendships that enrich both your personal and professional life. In this episode, Stephanie Everett talks with Kat Vellos, author of We Should Get Together: The Secret to Cultivating Better Friendships, about practical ways to form new connections, deepen existing relationships, and create a sense of community. You’ll discover strategies for moving beyond small talk, making the most of your time, and using Kat’s four “seeds of connection” framework to help relationships thrive. 

Kat shares research-backed insights on why friendships matter for well-being, how to integrate connection into your daily life without adding more to your to-do list, and ways to authentically connect with neighbors, colleagues, and acquaintances. Whether you’re looking to expand your circle, reconnect with old friends, or foster deeper ties in your professional network, this conversation offers actionable ideas you can start using today. 

Listen to our other episodes on Careers & Professional Development. 

Episode #572 – Practical Courage Skills Every Lawyer Needs, with Jim Detert (leadership and professional growth) Apple | Spotify | LTN 

Episode #567 – From Quiet to Confident: Redefining Success as an Introverted Lawyer, with Heidi Brown (confidence-building for career success) Apple | Spotify | LTN 

Episode #564 – The Gift in the Struggle: Leveraging Emotional Intelligence for Growth Apple | Spotify | LTN 

Episode #520 – The Truth About Lawyer Self‑Care: Prioritize or Suffer (personal well-being integral to professional longevity) Apple | Spotify | LTN 

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:  

 Learn More about LabCon 

We Should Get Together: The Secret to Cultivating Better Friendships 

Chapters: 

00:56 – Lab Con: Hands-On Business Building for Lawyers 

04:43 – Meet Kat Vellos: Author & Friendship Expert 

08:47 – Why Adults Have Fewer Close Friends Today 

13:44 – Finding Time for Friends & the “Seeds of Connection” 

16:20 – How to Meet Neighbors and Build Local Ties 

18:53 – Moving Beyond Small Talk with Meaningful Questions 

22:49 – Using Conversation Prompts to Connect at Work 

26:30 – Committing to Local Friendships & Staying Connected 

Learn how to navigate difficult conversations, manage risk, and lead with integrity in legal settings by building courage as a practical skill. In this conversation, Stephanie Everett is joined by Jim Detert, professor at UVA’s Darden School of Business and author of Choosing Courage: The Everyday Guide to Being Brave at Work. 

Together, they explore why speaking up at work is so hard, how fear and stress shape behavior, and what lawyers can do to build confidence over time. Jim introduces tools like the “courage ladder” to help professionals take small, strategic steps toward more effective and values-aligned leadership. 

Legal professionals will gain: 

Ideal for lawyers, firm leaders, and legal professionals who want to take more intentional action in their work and leadership. 

Listen to our other episodes on personal leadership: 

 Episode 491: Crafting Your Purpose-Driven Leadership Vision, with Leticia DeSuze Apple | Spotify | LTN 

Episode 494: How to Stop Procrastination and Conquer Your To-Do List, with Paul Unger Apple | Spotify | LTN 

Episode 499: Conquering Self‑Doubt, with Tim Atler Apple | Spotify | LTN 

Episode 508: From Retreat to Rebrand, with Patricia Mancabelli Apple | Spotify | LTN 

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: 

0:00 – Contranyms & Clarity in Legal Language 

2:39 – Meet Jim Detert: Leadership Professor & Author of Choosing Courage 

3:18 – Why Speaking Up at Work Feels So Hard 

4:56 – Courage Is Not a Personality Trait: Debunking the Myths 

6:28 – Practicing Bravery Like a Skill: The Importance of Reps 

7:30 – Fear, Physiology, and Mindset: What’s Really Holding You Back 

10:40 – From Performance to Growth: Reframing Stress and Risk 

13:18 – How to Start Tough Conversations Without Fluff 

16:39 – When Courage Gets Risky: Speaking Up in Politicized Professions 

20:20 – Values vs. Aspirations: What Do You Really Stand For? 

26:51 – The Long-Term Costs of Staying Silent 

28:49 – Building a Courage Ladder: Start Small, Scale Up 

32:34 – First Steps to Practicing Everyday Courage 

33:34 – Final Reflections: Leading with Bravery at Work 

Many law firm owners want to foster inclusive workplaces—but aren’t sure how to do it without missteps or performative gestures. Professor Tanya Hernandez of Fordham Law School joins Stephanie Everett to unpack what DEI really means, where it comes from legally, and how small firms can approach it with clarity and intention. 

The conversation explores how unconscious bias shows up in hiring and evaluation, why culture fit can be a red flag, and how to implement practical guardrails that promote fairness without needing a big HR department. Tanya also clears up legal misconceptions about DEI post–Supreme Court ruling and offers smart, research-backed tips for making firms more equitable—without making a scene. 

This episode is a thoughtful guide for law firm leaders who want to build stronger, fairer teams—one intentional decision at a time.  

Listen to our other episodes on DEI & Belonging: 

#450: The Power of Building Belonging, with Dr. Terrell Strayhorn Apple | Spotify | Lawyerist  

#105: How Small Firms Can Promote Diversity, with Dr. Heather Hackman Apple | Lawyerist 

#242: Brave, Not Perfect, with Reshma Saujani Apple | Lawyerist 

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: 

2:09 – Meet Professor Tanya Hernandez: DEI Legal Scholar 

2:44 – What DEI Really Means: The Civil Rights Foundation 

6:41 – Why Small Firms Should Care: The High Stakes of Small Teams 

9:46 – Culture Fit or Bias? Rethinking How We Hire 

17:04 – Guardrails: Tools to Catch Your Own Bias 

22:07 – Is Your Culture Inclusive? Rethinking Team Bonding 

24:04 – Where to Start: Learning from the Next Generation 

26:14 – Asking the Right Questions: Curiosity Without Burden 

28:27 – DEI Is Not Illegal: Clarifying Misconceptions 

30:54 – Skip the Slogans: Doing the Real Work Without Performative DEI 

Your law firm isn’t just a business—it’s an evolving system. And what works in one stage of growth can sink you in another. 

In this episode, Zack Glaser and Stephanie Everett introduce the new Lawyerist Small Firm Scorecard™, a tool that helps lawyers identify which stage their firm is in—and what to focus on next. 

Stephanie breaks down the four key stages of firm development, shares the reasoning behind the Scorecard’s redesign, and explains how understanding your stage changes everything: from hiring to marketing to long-term planning. 

Lawyerist Lab is evolving alongside the new scorecard, offering coaching clients a more personalized, stage-specific growth path. If you’re building a law firm with long-term goals, this episode will help you step back, recalibrate, and take the right action for where you are now. 

Listen to our other episodes on Law Firm Growth :  

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: 

 0:00 – Episode Introduction and the Power of Unplugged Vacations 

4:49 – Tabs3 Spotlight: Practice Management That Adapts to You 

14:48 – Why the Small Firm Scorecard™ Got a Makeover

16:50 – Inside the New Scorecard: Defined Benchmarks, Real Clarity

19:10 – The Healthy Firm Model: The Six Pillars of Sustainable Growth

21:00 – Mapping Your Firm’s Stage: Launch, Build, Grow, or Exit

27:26 – Coaching Evolved: How the Scorecard Shapes Lawyerist Lab

30:58 – From Overwhelm to Focus: Coaching Like a Personal Trainer

34:38 – What to Do Next: Take the Scorecard, Get a Plan 

Many lawyers feel overwhelmed by never-ending to-do lists, constant context-switching, and the mental clutter of trying to keep it all straight. In this episode, Zack Glaser talks with productivity pioneer David Allen, author of Getting Things Done (GTD), about how lawyers can break free from chaos and reclaim control—both personally and as a team. 

David shares the five key steps of the GTD framework and explains why a “clear mind” isn’t a luxury —it’s a leadership necessity. You’ll learn how to stop relying on your brain as a filing cabinet, how to set up simple systems that actually stick, and how to build a law firm culture where everyone knows what to do next. 

We also explore concepts from his new book, Team: Getting Things Done with Others, including how to reduce bottlenecks, clarify roles, and avoid burnout by working smarter not just harder. 

Whether you’re a solo lawyer juggling everything or a leader scaling a team, this episode will help you create space to think, lead, and grow. 

Listen to our other episodes on systems & productivity: 

#419: Free Yourself from Productivity, with Oliver Burkeman Apple | Spotify | Lawyerist

#514: The Hidden Value of Doing Less, with Leidy Klotz Apple | Spotify | Lawyerist

#485: Unleash Your Law Firm’s Potential with an Internal Coach, with Robin Carberry Apple | Spotify | Lawyerist

#516: Flexing Your Discipline Muscle to Stay Motivated, with Sara Muender Apple | Spotify | Lawyerist
 

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: What Is GTD and Why Lawyers Need It 

00:46 – Staying Ahead of the Wave: Zack’s GTD Takeaway 

02:18 – Brain Dumping for Clarity: A Lawyer Coaching Example 

05:34 – Introducing the Small Firm Scorecard 

09:54 – Meet David Allen: Creator of Getting Things Done (GTD) 

13:47 – Mind Like Water: The Mental State of True Productivity 

15:59 – Your Brain Is a Terrible Office: The 5 Steps of GTD 

24:52 – From Inbox to Action: Making Systems Stick 

27:06 – Avoiding Burnout with Weekly Reviews 

31:25 – From High Performer to Dysfunctional Team 

34:46 – The Soccer Analogy: Great Players Still Need Teamwork 

39:28 – The Power of Saying No: GTD’s Boldest Lesson 

42:32 – First Steps: Start by Capturing What’s on Your Mind 

Most law firm owners build a business that depends entirely on them—then wonder why no one wants to buy it. 

In this episode, we talk with Victoria Collier, founder of Quid Pro Quo, about how to build a firm that’s not only profitable, but truly sellable. Victoria shares what she learned selling her own estate planning and elder law firm after 18 years—and how she now helps other lawyers do the same. 

You’ll learn what buyers actually look for (hint: it’s not just revenue), why your firm needs to run without you, and how a shift in mindset can create more freedom and future value. Victoria also shares surprising truths about law firm sales—like the possibility of getting cash upfront—and how AI is quickly becoming a key part of due diligence for buyers and sellers alike. 

Listen to our other episodes on the selling your practice: 

#369: Selling Your Practice, with Tom Lenfestey Apple | Spotify |  Lawyerist 

#326: A Succession Plan for Your Law Practice, with Tom Lenfestey Apple | Spotify | Lawyerist 

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: The Mindset of a Sellable Law Firm 

02:45 - The Dangers of Being the Bottleneck: Why Delegation Matters 

06:58 - Lessons from a Successful Firm Sale: What Works and What Doesn't 

09:22 - What Buyers Look For: Red Flags and Green Lights in Your Firm 

21:52 - Surprising Realities of Selling a Law Firm: Financing and Debt 

31:21 - AI's Role in Increasing Your Firm's Value 

34:02 - Life After Law: Preparing for Your Next Chapter 

36:46 - The Fundamental Mindset Shift: Owning a Business, Not Just a Job 

37:50 - Taking the First Steps Toward a Sellable Firm 

This episode of the Lawyerist Podcast offers a thorough exploration of understanding introversion, shyness, and social anxiety, and how these traits can be leveraged as strengths, particularly in the legal profession. You'll hear Zack Glaser's conversation with law professor and author Heidi Brown, who shares insights from her book, The Introverted Lawyer. 

Heidi provides clarity on the distinctions between being an introvert—someone who processes information internally and recharges with solitude—versus shyness or social anxiety, which stem from a fear of judgment or criticism. Heidi Brown, a public speaker and author who identifies as an introvert, demonstrates that it's possible to be confident and professionally effective while embracing introversion. 

You'll discover how introversion can be a "superpower," bringing valuable assets such as active listening, thoughtful problem-solving, empathy, sensitivity to nuance, and strong writing skills to any professional dynamic. The conversation also covers practical steps for introverts to show up authentically and confidently, including mental and physical reflection techniques, reframing negative self-talk, and developing pre-game and game-day routines for high-pressure situations. 

Heidi offers perspectives on supporting introverted team members to foster a shared vocabulary around individual strengths. Learn how to recognize and harness your unique qualities, or those of your team, to excel in the legal profession. 

Listen to our other episodes: 

#564: The Gift in the Struggle: Leveraging Emotional Intelligence for Growth, with Sara Muender Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist 

#535: Lawyer Burnout: 5 Hidden Signs You’re About to Crash, with Natasha Evans Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist    

#506: Managing Stress & Avoiding Burnout, with Emily Nagoski  Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist    

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 Introversion, Shyness, and Social Anxiety Defined  

05:14 Internal vs. External Processing: Understanding Different Communication Styles 15:56 Introversion as a Superpower in the Legal Profession  

18:32 Authenticity and Confidence: Mental and Physical Strategies  

25:52 Embracing the Blush: Reframing Physical Responses  

30:52 Building Confidence: The Power of Pregame and Game Day Routines  

34:29 Supporting Introverts in the Workplace  

41:36 Your Place in Law: A Message of Empowerment 

What happens when a lawyer stops accepting inefficiency as “just the way things are”? In this episode, Zack Glaser talks with attorney and legal tech founder Katya Fisher about her journey from launching a solo practice during the Great Recession to building scalable tools for transactional lawyers. 

Katya shares how her legal experience—spanning BigLaw, in-house, and solo practice—revealed pain points in the dealmaking process that technology still hadn’t solved. She explains how she went from identifying those issues to building software that brings clarity, organization, and efficiency to high-stakes legal work. 

Along the way, Katya unpacks: 

Whether you're a lawyer thinking beyond the billable or simply curious how innovation happens in the legal world, this episode delivers practical insights with an entrepreneurial twist. 

Listen to our other episodes on entrepreneurship:  

#411: Staying Entrepreneurial at a Bigger Firm, with Nick Pleasants  Apple Podcast |  Lawyerist 

#268: Riding the Entrepreneurial Rollercoaster, with Cameron Herold Apple Podcast | Lawyerist  

#205: Entrepreneurial Poverty & Why Average Law Firms Lose, with Mike Michalowicz Apple Podcast | Lawyerist  

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: The Entrepreneurial Lawyer 

01:02 Quarterly Planning: Intentional Business Growth 

07:15 Solo Practice Origins: Scrappy Beginnings 

13:36 The Competitive Advantage of Broad Experience 

17:51 ADHD as a Superpower: Hyperfocus and Foresight 

23:36 Accurately Identify a Business Problem 

30:40 From Idea to Product: Building a Product or Workflow 

36:10 Articulating Vision and Gaining Buy-In 

41:14 Lessons Learned: Advice for Aspiring Innovators