In this insightful second episode of The New Succession Planning Series on the Lead Counsel Podcast, host Tom Tona dives into the high-stakes world of law firm succession planning with renowned legal industry experts Ed Alexander, Daniel Feiman, and Jonathan Hawkins. Titled “Sushi on an Airplane” after a hilariously cautionary tale, the episode explores how seemingly small missteps—like serving sushi on a plane—mirror the blind spots that can derail a law firm’s future.

Together, Tom and his guests dissect the critical signs of a fractured firm, including the absence of a “missing middle” in leadership, failed recruiting efforts, and broken internal promises. They emphasize the importance of building a bench, developing leadership pipelines, and having candid succession conversations early and often.

Key Highlights:

• What law firms get wrong about succession and how to fix it

• Why a “missing middle” in firm leadership is a silent killer

• The importance of scalable leadership and middle management

• How poor communication derails succession efforts

• Why succession planning must be prioritized over short-term fires

• When to recruit your successor and whether they need to be a lawyer

• How strategic hiring, such as bringing on a COO or fractional CEO, can transform firm scalability

• Real-life horror stories of half-baked succession plans and how to avoid becoming one

This episode is essential listening for law firm owners and partners thinking about long-term growth, operational scalability, and protecting their legacy. If you’ve ever said “we’ll get to that later,” this is your wake-up call.

Jonathan Hawkins Website: Law Firm GC LinkedIn: Jonathan Hawkins

Daniel Feiman Website: Build It Backwards LinkedIn: Daniel Feiman Books on Amazon: Daniel Feiman

Ed Alexander Website: Alexander Business Law LinkedIn: Ed Alexander Books on Amazon: Ed Alexander

Tom Tona Founder & Managing Attorney, Tonalaw Website: https://www.tonalaw.com LinkedIn: Tom Tona X: @NYPITrialGuy

This podcast is sponsored by TonaLaw.

Attorneys, are you looking for a trusted partner for your New York personal injury referrals? Since 2001, TonaLaw has been the go-to New York personal injury law firm for attorneys and law firms across the United States.

At Tonalaw, we pay legal fee participation to referring attorneys in all jurisdictions where it's permitted. Refer us a case today and experience the TonaLaw difference.

Call us now to discuss how we can work together at 833-TONALAW or visit us at tonalaw.com. Mention Lead Counsel and you’ll speak directly with Tom.

Why Most Lawyers Fail at Succession Planning and How to Avoid It

Episode Description: In this high-impact debut episode of The New Succession Planning Series on the Lead Counsel Podcast, host Tom Tona, founder and managing attorney of Tonalaw, leads a powerhouse roundtable with three nationally respected succession planning experts: Jonathan Hawkins, Daniel Feiman, and Ed Alexander. Together, they break down why law firm succession planning often fails—and how you can protect your life's work and legacy starting today.

This episode is packed with practical advice and strategic insight for solo practitioners and firm owners alike. If you're a lawyer wondering how to exit your firm profitably, protect your family, or transition out of practice smoothly, this episode is for you.

Key Highlights:

• Why the legal industry is notoriously behind on succession planning

• The 3 critical types of succession every law firm must consider

• The psychological and financial traps that prevent lawyers from planning ahead

• Real-world horror stories of lawyers who waited too long

• Tactical advice for lawyers in their 30s, 50s, and beyond

• Step-by-step planning strategies from experts who’ve helped hundreds of firms

• The truth about equity, firm valuation, and what young lawyers really want

Quick Wins You Can Start This Week:

• Designate an inventory attorney

• Buy the right life insurance while you're young and healthy

• Start with your “Out Number” (your target income-generating asset goal)

• Block an hour and visualize your exit goals

• Engage with a proven succession planning roadmap

  Featured Guests:

  Jonathan Hawkins Website: Law Firm GC LinkedIn: Jonathan Hawkins

  Daniel Feiman Website: Build It Backwards LinkedIn: Daniel Feiman Books on Amazon: Daniel Feiman

  Ed Alexander Website: Alexander Business Law LinkedIn: Ed Alexander Books on Amazon: Ed Alexander

  Your Host:

  Tom Tona Founder & Managing Attorney, Tonalaw Website: https://www.tonalaw.com LinkedIn: Tom Tona X: @NYPITrialGuy

  This podcast is sponsored by TonaLaw.

  Attorneys, are you looking for a trusted partner for your New York personal injury referrals? Since 2001, TonaLaw has been the go-to New York personal injury law firm for attorneys and law firms across the United States.

  At Tonalaw, we pay legal fee participation to referring attorneys in all jurisdictions where it's permitted. Refer us a case today and experience the TonaLaw difference.

  Call us now to discuss how we can work together at 833-TONALAW or visit us at tonalaw.com. Mention Lead Counsel and you’ll speak directly with Tom.

In this powerful episode of Lead Counsel, host Tom Tona sits down with Boston personal injury attorney and author Chris Earley for a raw, unfiltered conversation about the internal journey that transformed his personal life, leadership, and law practice.

Chris opens up about his new book, Scaling the Wall, a deeply honest account of overcoming childhood trauma, confronting addiction within the family, facing professional and emotional breakdowns, and emerging with a greater sense of purpose, clarity, and self-awareness.

Together, Tom and Chris explore what it really means to evolve as a leader by doing the difficult internal work most entrepreneurs avoid. They talk therapy, unresolved trauma, the silent costs of hustle culture, and how breaking generational dysfunction can unlock professional success.

This is not your typical conversation about building a law firm. It is about building the person who runs it.

Key Highlights:

• Why unresolved trauma silently sabotages lawyers and entrepreneurs

• The connection between childhood adversity and hustle culture

• How self-awareness became the unlock for scaling Chris's firm

• Why telling your story is a superpower for brand and business growth

• How choosing the right spouse is one of the most important business decisions

• Why therapy and reflection are foundational tools for high-performing leaders

• What John Morgan, fireproof firms, and clarity of vision can teach every business owner

• The razor-thin line between success and collapse—and how to stay on the right side of it

If you're a lawyer or law firm owner wrestling with growth, burnout, or the sense that something deeper is holding you back, this episode is a must-listen.

Chris EarleyWebsite: Boston Personal Injury Attorneys - Earley Law Group Injury AttorneysLinkedIn: Christopher Earley Book: Scaling the Wall: One Man's Journey of Healing Childhood Trauma to Find Fullfillment and Success

Tom Tona Founder & Managing Attorney, Tonalaw Website: https://www.tonalaw.com LinkedIn: Tom Tona X: @NYPITrialGuy

This podcast is sponsored by TonaLaw.

Attorneys, are you looking for a trusted partner for your New York personal injury referrals? Since 2001, TonaLaw has been the go-to New York personal injury law firm for attorneys and law firms across the United States.

At Tonalaw, we pay legal fee participation to referring attorneys in all jurisdictions where it's permitted. Refer us a case today and experience the TonaLaw difference.

Call us now to discuss how we can work together at 833-TONALAW or visit us at tonalaw.com. Mention Lead Counsel and you’ll speak directly with Tom.

In this powerhouse episode of the Lead Counsel Podcast, host Tom Tona sits down with Ryan McKeen, co-founder of the Connecticut Trial Firm and founder of Best Era, to discuss how a lawyer with no major verdicts scaled his practice into a litigation powerhouse that achieved a $100 million jury verdict.

This conversation is a masterclass in law firm growth strategy, business acumen, and commitment to justice. Ryan shares how he transitioned from general practice to high-stakes plaintiff's work, the importance of execution over ego, and why investing in trial education and firm infrastructure was essential to success.

Key Highlights:

• How EOS and vision planning laid the groundwork for massive firm growth

• The case of Mikey Cruz: From intake to a life-changing $100M verdict

• Why trial readiness is the most powerful leverage in litigation

• How Ryan and his partner split roles to build a thriving business and trial team

• The difference between “trying cases” and “running a firm”

• Ryan's transition from practicing law to full-time legal consultant

• Founding Best Era to help lawyers define their destination and scale with purpose

Whether you’re an aspiring trial lawyer or managing partner seeking growth, this episode is packed with actionable insights on leadership, operations, and mindset.

Ryan McKeenWebsite: https://bestera.io/LinkedIn: Ryan McKeen

Tom Tona Founder & Managing Attorney, Tonalaw Website: https://www.tonalaw.com LinkedIn: Tom Tona X: @NYPITrialGuy

This podcast is sponsored by TonaLaw.

Attorneys, are you looking for a trusted partner for your New York personal injury referrals? Since 2001, TonaLaw has been the go-to New York personal injury law firm for attorneys and law firms across the United States.

At Tonalaw, we pay legal fee participation to referring attorneys in all jurisdictions where it's permitted. Refer us a case today and experience the TonaLaw difference.

Call us now to discuss how we can work together at 833-TONALAW or visit us at tonalaw.com. Mention Lead Counsel and you’ll speak directly with Tom.

In this powerful episode of the Lead Counsel Podcast, host Tom Tona sits down with legendary trial attorney John Uustal of Kelley | Uustal, known nationwide for his relentless pursuit of justice and groundbreaking verdicts that have changed lives and corporate behavior. With more than two decades of courtroom experience, John shares how fearlessness, beginner’s mind, and moral clarity drive his decision-making in taking cases that others reject.

John opens up about why he champions single-event litigation, how early case rejections can hide massive potential, and how to lead and inspire a firm committed to changing the world one verdict at a time. From his groundbreaking gas tank explosion cases to the high-profile $83 million verdict for Flo Rida, this episode delivers real insight into building a law firm around integrity, passion, and impact.

SEO Highlights:

• Learn from top trial lawyer John Uustal of Kelley | Uustal

• How to evaluate rejected personal injury cases for success

• Transforming a law firm with purpose-driven litigation strategy

• John Uustal on the future of trial law and legal education through Trial School

• Insights into massive single-event verdicts, including Flo Rida and product liability cases

• The intersection of legal leadership, business, and life with Tom Tona of Tonalaw

• Tom Tona (Host, Lead Counsel Podcast)

  • Website: https://www.tonalaw.com

  • LinkedIn: Tom Tona

  • X: @NYPITrialGuy

• John Uustal (Founding Partner, Kelley | Uustal Trial Attorneys )

  • Website: https://johnuustal.com/

  • LinkedIn: John Uustal

This podcast is sponsored by TonaLaw.

Attorneys, are you looking for a trusted partner for your New York personal injury referrals? Since 2001, TonaLaw has been the go-to New York personal injury law firm for attorneys and law firms across the United States.

At Tonalaw, we pay legal fee participation to referring attorneys in all jurisdictions where it's permitted. Refer us a case today and experience the TonaLaw difference.

Call us now to discuss how we can work together at 833-TONALAW or visit us at tonalaw.com. Mention Lead Counsel and you’ll speak directly with Tom.

In this transformative episode of Lead Counsel, host Tom Tona, founder and managing attorney of Tonalaw, sits down with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion and instructor Emerson Souza. Together, they explore the unexpected parallels between martial arts and the business of law. This conversation uncovers how Jiu-Jitsu's principles of humility, honesty, resilience, and focus have fundamentally shaped Tom's leadership style and the growth of his firm, Tonalaw.

Whether you're a business owner, legal professional, or someone seeking personal growth, this episode delivers actionable insights on:

• Cultivating a growth mindset and humility through daily discipline

• Why fear is a powerful motivator for personal transformation

• How emotional intelligence and people-reading sharpen leadership

• Building businesses and lives by design, not default

• The power of relentless focus and process-driven thinking

• Why ego is your enemy in law, life, and the gym

• How Jiu-Jitsu teaches leadership, empathy, and confidence

  Featured Guest:

  Emerson Souza Website: https://www.emersonsouzabjj.com/

  Your Host:

  Tom Tona Founder & Managing Attorney, Tonalaw Website: https://www.tonalaw.com LinkedIn: Tom Tona X: @NYPITrialGuy

  This podcast is sponsored by TonaLaw.

  Attorneys, are you looking for a trusted partner for your New York personal injury referrals? Since 2001, TonaLaw has been the go-to New York personal injury law firm for attorneys and law firms across the United States.

  At Tonalaw, we pay legal fee participation to referring attorneys in all jurisdictions where it's permitted. Refer us a case today and experience the TonaLaw difference.

  Call us now to discuss how we can work together at 833-TONALAW or visit us at tonalaw.com. Mention Lead Counsel and you’ll speak directly with Tom.

In this powerful takeover episode of the Lead Counsel Podcast, host Tom Tona hands the mic to returning guest and Florida criminal defense attorney Adam Rossen. Together, they unpack transformational lessons learned during their summer travels through Europe, most notably at John Fisher's Mastermind in Portugal. This episode is a candid exploration of work-life harmony, law firm leadership, and personal growth that will resonate with attorneys and business owners alike.

Key Highlights:

• Unplugging to Reconnect: Tom shares how completely disconnecting from work for 17 days helped him reset mentally, physically, and spiritually—and how this break surprisingly strengthened his law firm.

• Operational Mastery: Both Tom and Adam reveal why most law firms struggle with operations, the dangers of mislabeling team roles, and how to transition from middle management to true executive leadership.

• Let Go to Gain Control: Learn how Tom relinquished control of day-to-day operations and used the distance to spot inefficiencies, strengthen accountability, and build a stronger management team.

• Perspective Through Travel: From scenic beaches in the Algarve to intimate mastermind dinners, discover how travel brings fresh insight and clarity to your business and personal life.

• Family, Presence, and Saying Yes: Hear how Tom deepened his relationship with his teenage daughter and embraced unforgettable family experiences through the power of saying "yes."

• Mindfulness, Equanimity, and Dessert: With humor and wisdom, Tom reflects on parenting, self-discipline, and the joy of indulging in European sweets—all while maintaining a mindful, present approach to life.

Whether you're a law firm owner, entrepreneur, or someone striving for better balance, this episode is packed with actionable insights and relatable stories to inspire your next move.

Adam Rossen & Rossen Law Firm Website: www.criminallawinternships.com LinkedIn: Adam Rossen Firm Website: www.RossenLawFirm.com

Tom Tona Founder & Managing Attorney, Tonalaw Website: https://www.tonalaw.com LinkedIn: Tom Tona X: @NYPITrialGuy

This podcast is sponsored by TonaLaw.

Attorneys, are you looking for a trusted partner for your New York personal injury referrals? Since 2001, TonaLaw has been the go-to New York personal injury law firm for attorneys and law firms across the United States.

At Tonalaw, we pay legal fee participation to referring attorneys in all jurisdictions where it's permitted. Refer us a case today and experience the TonaLaw difference.

Call us now to discuss how we can work together at 833-TONALAW or visit us at tonalaw.com. Mention Lead Counsel and you’ll speak directly with Tom.

The discussion in this episode brings together highlights from our three past episodes featuring powerhouse personal injury attorney, business coach, and author Jenn Gore on the Lead Counsel podcast hosted by Tom Tona, founder and managing attorney of TonaLaw.

In this riveting episode, Jenn and Tom dive deep into what it takes to move beyond the grind of solo practice and build a scalable, sustainable, and sellable law firm in today’s hypercompetitive legal market.

Jenn opens up about launching her own law firm while raising a newborn, the pain points of growing under the $10M mark, and the intentional decision-making that led her to join forces with Sweet James—a national PI powerhouse. You’ll hear exactly how she transformed her legal business from a solo shop into a growth engine primed for acquisition, what she learned about culture fit during mergers, and how embracing AI and automation reshaped her firm's operations from the inside out.

Tom and Jenn also share their playbooks on:

• How to avoid building yourself another job (and build a business instead)

• Creating a firm that can run without you (even while on maternity leave!)

• Key steps to prepare for merger or acquisition

• Leveraging coaching, masterminds, and mentors for exponential growth

• Why AI-native firms will dominate the next decade in personal injury

• The overlooked power of going outside your market for strategic advice

Whether you’re a solo practitioner, managing partner, or simply a lawyer who wants more freedom, scale, or clarity—this is a must-listen.

Jennifer Gore  Attorney & Partner at Sweet James Georgia/East Operations, Founder of @Atlanta Personal Injury Law Group.

Website: https://sweetjames.com/ LinkedIn: Jennifer Gore

Tom Tona Founder & Managing Attorney, Tonalaw Website: https://www.tonalaw.com LinkedIn: Tom Tona X: @NYPITrialGuy

This podcast is sponsored by TonaLaw.

Attorneys, are you looking for a trusted partner for your New York personal injury referrals? Since 2001, TonaLaw has been the go-to New York personal injury law firm for attorneys and law firms across the United States.

At Tonalaw, we pay legal fee participation to referring attorneys in all jurisdictions where it's permitted. Refer us a case today and experience the TonaLaw difference.

Call us now to discuss how we can work together at 833-TONALAW or visit us at tonalaw.com. Mention Lead Counsel and you’ll speak directly with Tom.

In this insightful solo episode of the Lead Counsel Podcast, host Tom Tona, founder and managing attorney at Tonalaw, takes listeners behind the scenes of what truly drives law firm success: operations.

Fresh off a closed-door legal mastermind event in Florida, Tom breaks down the often-overlooked yet critical role of law firm operations, exploring what it is, why it matters, and how top-performing firms leverage it for explosive growth. Whether you’re a solo practitioner scaling your firm or part of a multi-practice operation, this episode sheds light on key operational roles like COOs, legal ops directors, and practice group managers—and why investing in these areas directly impacts profitability, efficiency, and client satisfaction.

• What “operations” really means in a law firm setting

• Defining the hierarchy: COO vs Director of Legal Ops vs Practice Group Managers

• Real-world examples of how ops reduce time on desk and increase collections

• Understanding ROI for high-level operators in legal settings

• Adapting to AI, automation, and data-driven decision-making

• Why client experience is the new legal differentiator

• When your firm is ready for strategic operational hires

• Lessons from Fortune 100 and Fortune 25 COOs and legal masterminds

Whether you're looking to streamline billing, improve team structure, or incorporate AI into your legal tech stack, this episode gives you the framework and foresight to build a scalable, efficient law firm.

Tom Tona is a seasoned attorney and founder of Tonalaw, a New York-based personal injury law firm that has been trusted by attorneys across the U.S. for high-quality case referrals since 2001. Website: https://www.tonalaw.com LinkedIn: Tom Tona X: @NYPITrialGuy

This podcast is sponsored by TonaLaw.

Attorneys, are you looking for a trusted partner for your New York personal injury referrals? Since 2001, TonaLaw has been the go-to New York personal injury law firm for attorneys and law firms across the United States.

At Tonalaw, we pay legal fee participation to referring attorneys in all jurisdictions where it's permitted. Refer us a case today and experience the TonaLaw difference.

Call us now to discuss how we can work together at 833-TONALAW or visit us at tonalaw.com. Mention Lead Counsel and you’ll speak directly with Tom.

In this solo episode of the Lead Counsel Podcast, host Tom Tona shares a behind-the-scenes look into his intensive preparation and participation in a legal mastermind retreat he headed off to in West Palm Beach. This closed-door mastermind, facilitated by seasoned business coach and EOS implementer Sarah Frasca, brings together top-tier law firm owners for deep strategic discussions that result in powerful revelations and tangible growth for TonaLaw.

Tom unpacks the mindset shifts, operational changes, and financial breakthroughs that emerge from his mastermind preparation—including how his firm is currently at a triple digit percentage increase in profit margin year over year. He explores the critical concepts of "positive turnover," right person right seat analysis, going AI native, scaling without proportional expense, and what it means to be a CEO in the trenches of law firm leadership.

Highlights Include:

• A 3X increase in profit margin and what drove it

• How full financial transparency can transform leadership and growth

• The importance of marketing diversification across firm verticals

• Real-world impact of EOS systems and mastermind accountability

• Lessons in scaling through systemization and strategic talent placement

• Deep dive into why client experience is now the ultimate differentiator

• The role of feedback, vulnerability, and peer accountability in leadership

Whether you are a law firm owner, entrepreneur, or leader looking to take your business to the next level, this episode delivers real insights, strategies and tactics. If you’ve ever wondered how high-level legal masterminds function and what tangible benefits they offer, this candid episode offers an unfiltered view into the process and results.

Tom Tona Founder & Managing Attorney, TonaLaw Website: https://www.tonalaw.com LinkedIn: Tom Tona X: @NYPITrialGuy

This podcast is sponsored by TonaLaw.

Attorneys, are you looking for a trusted partner for your New York personal injury referrals? Since 2001, TonaLaw has been the go-to New York personal injury law firm for attorneys and law firms across the United States.

At Tonalaw, we pay legal fee participation to referring attorneys in all jurisdictions where it's permitted. Refer us a case today and experience the TonaLaw difference.

Call us now to discuss how we can work together at 833-TONALAW or visit us at tonalaw.com. Mention Lead Counsel and you’ll speak directly with Tom.