What does it take to shape the next generation of criminal defense lawyers? In this special episode of Lead Counsel, host Tom Tona sits down with Adam Rossen, founder of Rossen Law Firm, to discuss his groundbreaking Criminal Justice Summer Internship Program. Now in its fifth iteration, this internship has evolved into a nationally recognized initiative, providing real-world trial experience, mentorship, and exposure to the criminal justice system.

Adam shares how his program goes beyond traditional internships, immersing students in jury trials, legal strategy, and social justice reform. Discover how this innovative approach is shaping young legal minds, attracting top-tier talent, and serving as a model for law firms across the country.

Whether you're a law student, aspiring criminal defense attorney, or legal professional looking to revolutionize your own hiring and training process, this episode is packed with insightful takeaways. Tune in to learn how mentorship, hands-on experience, and AI-driven legal strategies are shaping the future of criminal defense.

• How to Build a Top-Tier Legal Internship Program
• Why Law Schools Fail at Preparing Young Attorneys for the Real World
• How Criminal Defense Interns Are Getting Hands-On Trial Experience
• The Role of Mentorship in Career Growth for Lawyers
• AI in Law: The Future of Legal Training & Trial Strategy
• Scaling a Law Firm: Leveraging Virtual Assistants and Remote Hiring
• Work-Life Balance in the Legal Industry: A Myth or Reality?
• How Rossen Law Firm Built a Nationally Recognized Internship Model
• Personal Branding and Career Acceleration for Aspiring Lawyers

The Lead Counsel Podcast is proudly sponsored by TonaLaw.

Attorneys, are you looking for a trusted partner for your New York personal injury case referrals? Since 2001, TonaLaw has been the go-to personal injury law firm for attorneys and law firms across the U.S. We provide legal fee participation in all permitted jurisdictions, ensuring that your clients receive top-tier representation while you earn fee participation.

Refer us a case today and experience the TonaLaw difference. 📞 Call us now at 833-TONALAW 💻 Visit us at TonaLaw.com Mention Lead Counsel when you reach out!

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

🔹 Host: Tom Tona Firm Website: www.TonaLaw.com LinkedIn: Tom Tona

How can AI transform your law firm’s efficiency, client success, and overall profitability?

In this episode of Lead Counsel, host Tom Tona, founder of TonaLaw, sits down with Michael McCready, founder and managing partner of McCready Law, to explore how law firm owners can harness AI, build elite teams, and scale intentionally.

Key Topics Covered in This Episode: ✅ AI in Law Firms – How Michael uses ChatGPT and custom AI tools to streamline legal processes, from drafting demand letters to preparing for trial. ✅ Scaling a Multi-State Law Firm – Michael shares the intentional steps behind growing his firm to 77 employees across five offices in three states. ✅ Hiring and Training for Growth – The #1 investment law firm owners can make to develop a top-tier legal team. ✅ Technology vs. Culture – How to balance tech-driven efficiency with strong firm culture to retain top talent and improve client outcomes. ✅ The Future of Legal Tech & AI – Why law firms that don’t embrace AI will struggle to compete in the next five years.

🎧 Listen Now & Learn How AI is Revolutionizing the Legal Industry!

📌 TonaLaw: Your Trusted New York Personal Injury Referral Partner

"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 firm for attorneys nationwide. We offer legal fee participation in all permitted jurisdictions and deliver exceptional service for your referred clients. Partner with us today!"

📞 Call Us at: 844-TONALAW 🌐 Visit Us at: TonaLaw.com

🌍 Website: www.McCreadyLaw.com 📧 Email: [email protected] 🔗 LinkedIn: Michael McCready

Overnight Google removed legitimate reviews from law firm GMB pages across the country.  Dozens upon dozens at a clip from some. Was this an AI glitch? Was it by by design?  Seth Price from BlueShark Digital answers these questions and more in this special edition.

Wanna know what's going on with Google right now? Tune in.

Seth Price: LinkedIn

BlueShark Digital

Tonalaw

Tom Tona: LinkedIn

In this episode of Lead Counsel, host Tom Tona sits down with Christopher Nicolaysen, owner and CEO of Springs Law Group, to discuss law firm leadership, business growth, and personal transformation. From building a thriving personal injury firm to making the life-changing decision to go sober by choice, Chris shares insights on business systems, scaling a law firm, and overcoming limiting beliefs.

💡 Key Highlights: ✔️ Scaling a Personal Injury Firm: How Christopher built Springs Law Group from the ground up, growing to a four-attorney powerhouse. ✔️ Client-Centric Legal Services: Why personalized customer service in personal injury law is a game-changer. ✔️ Entrepreneurial Operating Systems (EOS): How using business frameworks like EOS and Scaling Up transformed his firm. ✔️ Sober by Choice: The personal and professional impact of eliminating alcohol, and why it's an underrated success strategy. ✔️ Empowering Your Team: Why fostering autonomy and eliminating micromanagement helps attract and retain A-players in your firm.

🚀 If you’re a law firm owner looking to scale, optimize, and build a lasting legal practice—this is the episode for you!

Are you looking for a trusted partner for New York personal injury referrals? Since 2001, Tonalaw has been the go-to personal injury law firm for attorneys and law firms across the U.S. We pay legal fee participation to referring attorneys in all jurisdictions where it's permitted.

📞 Refer a case today and experience the Tonalaw Difference! ✅ Call 844-TONALAW ✅ Visit tonalaw.com

👤 Christopher Nicolaysen – CEO, Springs Law Group 📞 Call/Text: 719-291-6346 📧 Email: [email protected] 🔗 Follow Chris on LinkedIn: Christopher Nicolaysen

Join us for the last episode of Season 1 of the Lead Counsel podcast! In this episode, we dive deep into the transformative power of masterminds. Whether you're an entrepreneur, leader, or innovator, masterminds can be the key to unlocking solutions, forging connections, and fueling personal and professional growth. We'll discuss how masterminds bring together like-minded individuals who push each other to think bigger, act boldly, and achieve goals faster. From finding the right group to understanding how these collaborative communities can help you solve real issues, this episode is your guide to making the most of the mastermind experience. With 2025 just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start planning how you can incorporate masterminds into your strategy for success in the year ahead.

In this episode, you will hear about: 

• Masterminds are more than just meetings—they're a launchpad for growth and collaboration.
• Finding the right group can amplify your impact and help you see solutions from fresh perspectives.
• Start planning for 2025: how to identify, join, or even create a mastermind that aligns with your goals.

Resources from this episode:

• TonaLaw: https://tonalaw.com/
• LinkedIn: Tom Tona
• LuvvvSocials: [email protected]

Follow and Review:

Follow us if you haven’t yet by clicking the “+” in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love a 5-star rating and a quick review! Just select “Ratings and Reviews” and share your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a moment and helps spread the word about the podcast!

Welcome back to another episode of Lead Counsel! We’re thrilled to sit down with Sara Frasca, CEO of Point NorthEast and Trasca & Co Eatery, and a powerhouse in business innovation and growth strategy. With the curiosity of Galileo and the tenacity of a street fighter, Sara has honed her expertise in senior leadership roles across Corporate America and the startup world. Now, she’s helping businesses reach new heights by fostering accountability, nurturing human imagination, and solving complex challenges for sustainable success. Join us as Sara delves into key topics like harnessing employee energy, creating KPIs that inspire ownership, and empowering teams to play an active role in decision-making. Sara shares her insights on how organizations can stay competitive by adopting innovative systems for hiring, retention, and succession planning. Discover how her unique blend of Midwest warmth and sunny optimism fuels her mission to support leaders in navigating today’s fast-paced business landscape.

In this episode, you will hear about:

• Addressing the modern “energy crisis” in workplaces and strategies to help employees feel motivated and engaged.
• The importance of leadership structure and advisory boards for business growth.
• Techniques to approach and resolve complex challenges in an innovative and structured way.
• Sara’s perspective on building a legacy through kindness, trust, and leading with heart to foster lasting client loyalty.

Resources from this episode:

• TonaLaw: https://tonalaw.com/
• LinkedIn: Tom Tona
• LuvvvSocials: [email protected]
• https://www.sarafrasca.com/
• https://pointnortheast.com/books/
• Sara - [email protected]
• Reach out to Tom on LinkedIn for a FREE copy of Sara's book, Up and To the Right! *Only available for the first 10 people to reach out*

Follow and Review:

Follow us if you haven’t yet by clicking the “+” in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love a 5-star rating and a quick review! Just select “Ratings and Reviews” and share your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a moment and helps spread the word about the podcast!

Welcome back to another episode of the Lead Counsel podcast where we dive into lessons from The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, discussing its impact on maintaining emotional regulation, the importance of building presence, and the pitfalls of emotional reactivity in high-stakes environments. With tips on using meditation apps and "phone bricking" tools like Focus Lock, we provide practical strategies to help leaders carve out mental space in an ever-connected world. This episode is a valuable listen for anyone navigating the challenges of a busy career and striving for personal growth. 

In this episode, you will hear about:

• Discover how daily meditation and mindful practices can drastically improve emotional regulation, focus, and interpersonal relationships.
• Tools like Focus Lock enable leaders to disconnect, enhancing presence with family and clarity in professional decision-making.
• Insights from The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari highlight the importance of solitude, physical health, and self-reflection in living a balanced, fulfilling life.
• The rituals of radiant living from the book. 

Resources from this episode:

• TonaLaw: https://tonalaw.com/
• LinkedIn: Tom Tona
• LuvvvSocials: [email protected]
• The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari
• https://apps.apple.com/us/app/focus-lock-block-apps-focus/id1494966346

Follow and Review:

Follow us if you haven’t yet by clicking the “+” in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love a 5-star rating and a quick review! Just select “Ratings and Reviews” and share your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a moment and helps spread the word about the podcast!

Welcome to the third part of our Stoic book series, where we dive into Ego Is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday. In this episode of the Lead Counsel podcast, we explore how unchecked ego often becomes the greatest barrier to personal and professional success. Listen as we dive into why overcoming ego is essential, sharing impactful stories from personal journeys and insights into how ego influences every stage of a career—from early struggles to career highs and even setbacks.

In this episode, you will hear about:

• How ego can distort our perception, leading us to overlook growth opportunities.
• The importance of humility in building and maintaining strong leadership.
• How adopting an ego-free approach empowers resilience in the face of challenges.
• Lessons from iconic figures like Howard Hughes, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Bill Belichick, who achieved greatness by mastering their own egos.

Resources from this episode:

• TonaLaw: https://tonalaw.com/
• LinkedIn: Tom Tona
• LuvvvSocials: [email protected]

• https://www.amazon.com/Holiday-Obstacle-Timeless-Turning-Triumph/dp/B07VPJ1DLX/ref=sr_1_7?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.eOrzmc2D7n0Tg0eTgimykRSgemvto4X859gRfwqK3HM3LrCozKf2mXXxfdldlGAo4HbDCfdU4VxARya3Yeqs9bTygKfSLUOoGjGj80Uljm6alN8Shc6uwNj02cr9fZGEla3L0Pr80LudmQAndoJhj7xbyZv-xsFsejgj8sCzSygKu3A3scGlqQSopYMLA5zPpyq02qsAAaCF-JUK6--PDdYGUT1a8NDLSnnwLSOd8pc.TJGrSrG_qyqgeeV7O8QGocK7UxkDe85QHlRGKslaY5o&dib_tag=se&hvadid=694498255344&hvdev=c&hvexpln=67&hvlocphy=9004510&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=8460608276773386388--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=8460608276773386388&hvtargid=kwd-299163406706&hydadcr=21903_13324203&keywords=the+obstacle+is+the+way&qid=1727903667&sr=8-7

   

• https://www.amazon.com/Stillness-Key-Ryan-Holiday/dp/0525538585

• https://www.amazon.com/Ego-Enemy-Ryan-Holiday/dp/1591847818

Follow and Review:

Follow us if you haven’t yet by clicking the “+” in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love a 5-star rating and a quick review! Just select “Ratings and Reviews” and share your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a moment and helps spread the word about the podcast!

Welcome to the second part of our Stoic book series, where we dive into Stillness is the Key by Ryan Holiday. In this episode of the Lead Counsel podcast, we discuss the transformative power of meditation and stillness. Tom shares personal stories of how meditation has shifted his leadership mindset and helped him navigate high-pressure situations while scaling his law firm. Drawing on examples from history, philosophy, and his own experience, Tom explains why stillness is essential for both personal growth and professional success.

In this episode, you will hear about: 

• How taking time to pause and reflect leads to more effective decisions rather than avoiding problems.
• Learn how emotional regulation and mental clarity can improve leadership in both business and life.
• The importance of operating systems in business, and how mental discipline contributes to scaling successfully.
• Practical lessons from leaders like JFK during the Cuban Missile Crisis and Steve Jobs, who found clarity in stillness.

Resources from this episode: 

TonaLaw: https://tonalaw.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonalaw/

LuvvvSocials: [email protected] 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliet-accomando/

https://www.amazon.com/Holiday-Obstacle-Timeless-Turning-Triumph/dp/B07VPJ1DLX/ref=sr_1_7?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.eOrzmc2D7n0Tg0eTgimykRSgemvto4X859gRfwqK3HM3LrCozKf2mXXxfdldlGAo4HbDCfdU4VxARya3Yeqs9bTygKfSLUOoGjGj80Uljm6alN8Shc6uwNj02cr9fZGEla3L0Pr80LudmQAndoJhj7xbyZv-xsFsejgj8sCzSygKu3A3scGlqQSopYMLA5zPpyq02qsAAaCF-JUK6--PDdYGUT1a8NDLSnnwLSOd8pc.TJGrSrG_qyqgeeV7O8QGocK7UxkDe85QHlRGKslaY5o&dib_tag=se&hvadid=694498255344&hvdev=c&hvexpln=67&hvlocphy=9004510&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=8460608276773386388--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=8460608276773386388&hvtargid=kwd-299163406706&hydadcr=21903_13324203&keywords=the+obstacle+is+the+way&qid=1727903667&sr=8-7

https://www.amazon.com/Stillness-Key-Ryan-Holiday/dp/0525538585

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.

Welcome back to another episode of Lead Counsel, join us as we sit down with settlement planning expert Michele Fuller, founder of Michigan Law Center and Advocacy. Michele shares her insights on how law firms can protect both themselves and their clients through strategic settlement planning, especially in cases involving disability or large settlements. From avoiding the "lottery effect" to ensuring clients maintain their government benefits, Michele breaks down her approach to minimizing risks for plaintiffs' firms and making settlements last for clients in need. Tune in for a detailed conversation on why every plaintiff’s attorney should have a settlement planner in their corner.

In this episode, you will hear about: 

• Key areas of concern including protecting government benefits and preventing clients from mismanaging large settlements.
• Michele's approach and how to maximize benefits for both the firm and the client, ensuring settlements improve lives in the long term.
• How to mitigate risks for personal injury firms during settlement distribution.
• Ways to safely hold settlement money while resolving liens and structuring distributions.
• Michele’s work on high-profile cases like the Flint Water Crisis and the Hawthorne class action, where her expertise ensured a smooth settlement process for all involved.

Resources from this episode: 

TonaLaw: https://tonalaw.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonalaw/

LuvvvSocials: [email protected] 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliet-accomando/

https://www.michiganlawcenter.com/michele-fuller

https://sntsymposium.com/snt-speakers-2021/michele-fuller/

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.