In this episode, Ruby Powers sits down with Matt Darner, co-founder and CEO of CollBox — the ABA Tech Show Startup Alley winner helping law firms recover what they've already earned but haven't collected yet.

Matt has seen the inside of hundreds of law firm billing situations. And what he finds is almost always the same: a growing number on the aging report, closed matters with unpaid invoices, and attorneys who know the problem exists but keep putting off fixing it. In this conversation, he breaks down why that happens — and exactly what to do about it.

What we explore:

✅ The $800K Blind Spot: Why small and mid-size firms consistently have $300K–$800K sitting in invoices over 90 days past due — and why most attorneys don't act until it's almost too late.

✅ The Leverage Window: Why the moment a matter closes is the moment your ability to collect starts shrinking — and what to do before you lose all your leverage.

✅ The Ick Factor: Why 99% of attorneys hate chasing clients for money, why the wrong person is usually doing it, and how to fix the system so it doesn't have to be you.

✅ Upstream Fixes: The retainer policies, intake conversations, and billing habits that prevent collections problems before they start.

✅ When to Cut Your Losses: At 90 days, you've already lost 47% of collectability. At two years, you're down to a 15% success rate. Matt breaks down exactly when to act — and when to write it off.

If you've got invoices sitting unpaid and you're not sure what to do about it — this episode is for you.

📌 Connect with Matt Darner:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/matthewdarner

Website: collbox.co

📣 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

🚀 Law Firm Retreat: Design Your Future – August 2026: Stop the daily grind and start architecting your next era. Join Ruby in Denver for an intimate, 15-firm-only strategic laboratory.

👉 Secure your spot: https://powersstrategygroup.com/law-firm-retreat-august-2026/

📊 We Love Your Feedback! Help us design the next year of the podcast. Take this 2-minute audience survey: https://forms.gle/EgMgxd3tbXCsmqgp9

📌 Join the conversation in our Power Up Your Practice community!

Hosted by Ruby Powers, your guide into the heart of law practice management. Each week, learn insights from leading legal minds, trailblazing attorneys, and expert guests who provide you with actionable advice, out-of-the-box solutions, and a fresh perspective on running your firm more effectively and efficiently. Prepare to open your mind, be inspired, and power up your practice to the next level.

Watch more episodes of Power Up Your Practice on:

🌐 Website: powersstrategygroup.com

📺 YouTube: @powersstrategygroup

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Connect and learn more from your host, Ruby Powers:

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🔹 Website: rubypowers.com

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In this episode, Ruby Powers sits down with Jason Epstein — partner at Premier Law Group in Bellevue, Washington, Washington Super Lawyer, ABA trial skills faculty, and adjunct professor at Seattle University School of Law — for a conversation about what it actually takes to build a law firm on your own terms.

Jason's path wasn't linear. He got fired after asking to see the firm's financials. He discovered he was unemployable. And then he built something worth having. In this episode, he breaks down the scarcity mindset that quietly traps most personal injury firms, shares the real story behind bringing on a third partner after 15 years — valuation, buy-in structure, promissory notes and all — and explains why most small firm owners never build a partnership track even when they should.

What we explore:

✅ The Scarcity Trap: Why most PI firms operate from scarcity — and how protecting "inventory" leads to bad decisions, locked-out attorneys, and a culture that stunts growth.

✅ From Fired to Founded: What getting fired for asking to see the firm's financials taught Jason about firm ownership — and why being "unemployable" turned out to be his greatest asset.

✅ Building a Partnership Track: The real process behind identifying the right candidate, valuing a firm, structuring a buy-in, and what to look for in a partner beyond just hard work.

✅ Teaching What Law School Skips: Why Jason pitched a Law Firm Entrepreneurship class at Seattle University School of Law — and what he wishes someone had taught him six or seven years into practice.

If you're a firm owner thinking about your next hire, your succession plan, or just wondering why your firm feels stuck — this episode is for you.

📌 Connect with Jason Epstein: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jasongepstein Website: www.premierlawgroup.com

📣 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

🚀 Law Firm Retreat: Design Your Future – August 2026: Stop the daily grind and start architecting your next era. Join Ruby in Denver for an intimate, 15-firm-only strategic laboratory.

👉 Secure your spot: https://powersstrategygroup.com/law-firm-retreat-august-2026/

📊 We Love Your Feedback! Help us design the next year of the podcast. Take this 2-minute audience survey: https://forms.gle/EgMgxd3tbXCsmqgp9

📌 Join the conversation in our Power Up Your Practice community!

Hosted by Ruby Powers, your guide into the heart of law practice management. Each week, learn insights from leading legal minds, trailblazing attorneys, and expert guests who provide you with actionable advice, out-of-the-box solutions, and a fresh perspective on running your firm more effectively and efficiently. Prepare to open your mind, be inspired, and power up your practice to the next level.

Watch more episodes of Power Up Your Practice on:

🌐 Website: powersstrategygroup.com

📺 YouTube: @powersstrategygroup

💬 Join our Skool Community - Power Hub: https://www.skool.com/powerupyourpractice

Connect and learn more from your host, Ruby Powers:

🔹 LinkedIn: /rubypowers

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🔹 Website: rubypowers.com

🔹 Ruby's Book: Power Up Your Practice on Amazon

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In this episode, Ruby Powers sits down with Wayne Basist (ESQ Mental Fitness) for Chapter #2 of the Resilience Series. Wayne built a seven-figure solo practice from nothing — no clients, no cases, just conviction. Then, in a single moment on Pacific Coast Highway, everything changed. Nine spinal surgeries, major depression, PTSD, and addiction later, Wayne didn't just survive. He rebuilt everything — and turned it all into a mission to protect the mental health of lawyers everywhere.This isn't just a story of survival. It's a masterclass in turning your darkest chapter into your greatest calling.What we explore: ✅ The Breaking Point: How sustained high performance in Big Law can quietly destroy you — and what happens when it all collapses at once. ✅ The Resilience Decision: Why resilience isn't a trait you're born with — it's a conscious choice you make, moment to moment. ✅ Mental Fitness as a Tool: How Wayne discovered the science-backed framework that rebuilt him from the inside out — and now helps other attorneys do the same. ✅ Adversity Into Purpose: How everything Wayne lost became the foundation for ESQ Mental Fitness and a new mission to protect the mental health of lawyers.If you've ever felt like the demands of this profession are costing you more than you bargained for, this episode is for you.

📌 Connect with Wayne Basist: LinkedIn: Wayne Basist | Website: esqmentalfitness.com📌 Join the conversation in our Power Up Your Practice community! Hosted by Ruby Powers, your guide into the heart of law practice management. Each week, learn insights from leading legal minds, trailblazing attorneys, and expert guests who provide you with actionable advice, out-of-the-box solutions, and a fresh perspective on running your firm more effectively and efficiently.

Prepare to open your mind, be inspired, and power up your practice to the next level.Watch more episodes of Power Up Your Practice on: 🌐 Website: powersstrategygroup.com 📺 YouTube: @powersstrategygroup 💬 Join our Skool Community - Power Hub: https://www.skool.com/powerupyourprac...

Connect and learn more from your host, Ruby Powers: 🔹 LinkedIn: /rubypowers 🔹 Facebook: /poweruppractice 🔹 Website: rubypowers.com 🔹 Ruby's Book: Power Up Your Practice on AmazonTrusted Resources from Our Toolkit: • Stafi • Filevine• CandleAI • Vonage

In this episode, Ruby Powers sits down with Paul Grabowski — Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Bracewell LLP, co-author of The ABCs of Legal Marketing, and adjunct professor at the University of Houston Law Center — to talk about what it really takes to become a rainmaker in today's legal market. Paul brings a one-of-a-kind perspective: from the Chicago Bears and Houston Oilers to building BD programs that doubled a law firm's revenue in five years. If you've been wondering how to grow your practice beyond just doing great legal work, this is your playbook.

Together, they explore: ✅ The Two Axioms of BD: Why your contacts are your lifeblood and why people only do business with those they know, like and trust.

✅ The 15-Contact System: A simple, structured framework to start building your book of business without feeling overwhelmed.

✅ Supply vs. Demand in Law: Why the legal market has shifted and why waiting for the phone to ring is no longer a strategy.

✅ The Rainmaker Mindset: How to stop thinking like a lawyer and start thinking like a business builder — without losing who you are.

✅ AI & Technology in BD: How CRM tools and artificial intelligence are reshaping how lawyers manage relationships and win clients.

📌 Connect with Paul Grabowski: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-grabowski-htx/

Www. bracewell.com

Watch more episodes of Power Up Your Practice on:

🌐 Website: powersstrategygroup.com

📺 YouTube: @powersstrategygroup

💬 Join our Skool Community - Power Hub

📣 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

🚀 Law Firm Retreat: Design Your Future – August 2026: Stop the daily grind and start architecting your next era. Join Ruby in Denver for an intimate, 15-firm-only strategic laboratory. 👉 Secure your spot

📊 We Love Your Feedback! Help us design the next year of the podcast. Take this 2-minute audience survey

Trusted Resources from Our Toolkit: • Stafi | CandleAI | Vonage | Lawbrokr

In this episode, Ruby Powers catches up with her colleague from the conference circuit, Jordan Furlong, to talk about the structural rebirth of the legal profession and how to lead in a post-AI world. Jordan (global legal forecaster, Principal at Law21 and the Keynote Speaker for ABA TECHSHOW 2026,) explains that the "Knowledge Monopoly" is officially over. We move beyond the tech talk to discuss why the billable hour is a crumbling foundation and how the "PeopleLaw Revival" is the next big frontier for growth. If you've been wondering how to stay irreplaceable when legal intelligence becomes a commodity, this conversation is for you. Together, they explore:

✅ Beyond the Knowledge Monopoly: Why your value is no longer tied to what you know, but how you apply judgment.

✅ Advocate, Advise, Accompany (AAA): Mastering the three human roles that AI will never be able to replicate.

✅ The PeopleLaw Revival: How AI is "unlocking" a market of millions of individuals who were previously ignored by the system.

✅ The End of the "Widget": Why law schools produce "human robots" and how to architect a new identity as a strategic leader.

✅ The Billable Hour Shift: Preparing for a world where 20 hours of work happens in 20 minutes and shifting your value proposition.

📌 Connect with Jordan Furlong:

LinkedIn: Jordan Furlong Substack: jordanfurlong.substack.com

Watch more episodes of Power Up Your Practice on:

🌐 Website: powersstrategygroup.com

📺 YouTube: @powersstrategygroup

💬 Join our Skool Community - Power Hub

📣 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:🚀 Law Firm Retreat: Design Your Future – August 2026: Stop the daily grind and start architecting your next era. Join Ruby in Denver for an intimate, 15-firm-only strategic laboratory. 👉 Secure your spot

📊 We Love Your Feedback! Help us design the next year of the podcast. Take this 2-minute audience survey

Trusted Resources from Our Toolkit: • Stafi | CandleAI | Vonage | Lawbrokr |

In this episode, Ruby Powers catches up with her friend and colleague from the conference circuit, Michael D.J. Eisenberg, to talk about why podcasting has become the ultimate strategic move for firm owners.Michael (author of The Lawyer's Guide to Podcasting) explains that if your voice isn't in the "internet ether," you are basically invisible to the AI models that now decide who the experts are. They move beyond the tech talk to discuss the "Virtual Coffee"—why a podcast is actually the most efficient networking tool to connect with judges and industry leaders on a human level. If you've been wondering why we do this and how it actually scales your authority, this conversation is for you.Together, they explore: ✅ The New Networking Standard: Why a podcast invite is the best "excuse" to build elite relationships with judges and experts.✅ SEO & The AI Ether: How audio content ensures your name stays relevant in the age of AI and LLM search models.✅ Reach over Volume: Why you don't need a million downloads to see a massive ROI in your professional network.✅ The Content Multiplier: Practical tips on repurposing one conversation into blogs, social clips, and static videos.✅ The Ethics of the Mic: Navigating the legal minefield to grow your brand safely and professionally.📌 Connect with Michael D.J. Eisenberg: LinkedIn: Michael D.J. EisenbergWebsite: thetechsavvylawyer.pageWatch more episodes of Power Up Your Practice on: 🌐 Website: powersstrategygroup.com📺 YouTube: @powersstrategygroup💬 Join our Skool Community: Power Hub📣 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:🚀 Law Firm Retreat: Design Your Future – August 2026: Stop the daily grind and start architecting your next era. Join Ruby in Denver for an intimate, 15-firm-only strategic laboratory. 👉 Secure your spot📊 We Love Your Feedback! Help us design the next year of the podcast. Take this 2-minute audience survey: https://forms.gle/jGqqLeomFWEVvGLf7Trusted Resources from Our Toolkit: • Stafi | Filevine | CandleAI | Vonage | Lawbrokr |

In this episode, Ruby Powers sits down with Sateesh Nori, author of The Augmented Lawyer, to discuss how to move beyond the "human robot" era.

Sateesh explains why the current legal system's reliance on "widgets"—interchangeable, mechanical practitioners—is coming to an end. They dive into the "Billable Hour Crisis" and why true leadership in the age of AI requires a shift from manual tasks to strategic advocacy. If you want to stop being a part of the machine and start architecting the future of justice, this conversation is your roadmap.

Together, they explore:

✅ The Augmented Lawyer: How to reclaim your professional identity by leveraging technology as a cognitive partner.

✅ Strategy over "Thunking": Automating administrative grind like emails and research to focus on high-value advocacy.

✅ The Death of the Widget: Why interchangeable practitioners are being replaced by code and how to stay irreplaceable.

✅ Access to Justice (A2J): Using efficiency to serve the 80 million people priced out of traditional law firms.

✅ Purpose-Driven Scaling: Why the future of law belongs to those who prioritize strategic impact over manual volume.

📌 Connect with Sateesh Nori:

LinkedIn: Sateesh Nori

Watch more episodes of Power Up Your Practice on:

🌐 Website: powersstrategygroup.com

📺 YouTube: @powersstrategygroup

💬 Join our Skool Community: Power Hub

📣 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

🚀 Law Firm Retreat: Design Your Future – August 2026: Stop the daily grind and start architecting your next era. Join Ruby in Denver for an intimate, 15-firm-only strategic laboratory. 👉 Secure your spot: https://powersstrategygroup.com/law-firm-retreat-august-2026/

📊 We Love Your Feedback! Help us design the next year of the podcast. Take this 2-minute audience survey: https://forms.gle/jGqqLeomFWEVvGLf7

Trusted Resources from Our Toolkit:

• Stafi | Filevine | CandleAI | Vonage | Lawbrokr |

In this episode, Ruby Powers sits down with Matt Lautz, CEO of Neostella, to discuss how to move from being a software "tenant" to a strategic owner.Matt explains why "maximizing your data" is the only way to successfully scale in the era of AI and hyper-automation. They dive into the "Operational Bug" that holds firms back and why true leadership requires a "Connected Hub" approach where you own the flow of information. If you want to stop the manual chaos and start building a predictable, high-value firm, this conversation is your roadmap.Together, they explore:✅ Data Ownership: Why treating your information as a primary financial asset is the secret to long-term scaling.✅ The "Connected Hub" Strategy: How to ensure your tech stack works together so you maintain full control of your firm's intelligence.✅ The "1K Treatment": Using hyper-automation to eliminate mundane tasks while providing a high-end, human-first experience for your clients.✅ Beyond "Hope and Pray": Why static SOPs fail and how to integrate your processes directly into your firm's operating system.✅ The CEO Mindset: Shifting your focus from managing individual files to architecting the future value of your business through data insights.📌 Connect with Matt Lautz: LinkedIn: Matthew LautzWebsite: neostella.comWatch more episodes of Power Up Your Practice on:🌐 Website: powersstrategygroup.com📺 YouTube: @powersstrategygroup💬 Join our Skool Community | Power Hub📣 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:🚀 Law Firm Retreat: Design Your Future – August 2026: Stop the daily grind and start architecting your next era. Join Ruby in Denver for an intimate, 15-firm-only strategic laboratory.👉 Secure your spot📊 We Love Your Feedback! Help us design the next year of the podcast. Take this 2-minute audience surveyTrusted Resources from Our Toolkit:• Stafi | Filevine | CandleAI | Vonage | Lawbrokr |

In this episode, Ruby Powers sits down with Charity Anastasio (Practice and Ethics Counsel at AILA) to break down why so many lawyers feel neurologically overwhelmed by the current "tsunami" of change. Charity explains why our biology isn't designed for this speed and how the "Expert Trap" prevents firms from truly evolving. She shares her blueprint for moving from an AI skeptic to a collaborative leader and why embracing the role of a beginner—whether in tech or new practice areas—is the ultimate competitive edge.

What we explore:

✅ The Biology of Change: Why your brain hits a "neurological limit" and how to manage the stress of constant innovation.

✅ The Beginner Mindset: Why starting over—in AI, new practice areas like Habeas, or career eras—is the key to long-term resilience.

✅ Shadow AI & Transparency: The ethical risk of staff using tech in secret and how to lead your team with clear policies and trust.

✅ Vulnerability in Law: How being honest about your journey and your background creates deeper, more authentic connections with clients and teams.

If you are ready to stop fighting the current and start building a practice that thrives on change, this episode is for you.

📣 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

🚀 Law Firm Retreat: Design Your Future – August 2026: Are you ready to stop the grind and architect your next era? Join Ruby in Denver for an intimate, 15-firm-only strategic retreat. 👉 Secure your spot

📊 We Love Your Feedback! As we look toward the future of the podcast, we want to hear from you. Help us design our next year of content by taking this 2-minute survey.

📌 Connect with Charity Anastasio: LinkedIn: Charity Anastasio | Website: aila.org

📌 Join the conversation in our Power Up Your Practice community! Hosted by Ruby Powers, your guide into the heart of law practice management. Each week, learn insights from leading legal minds, trailblazing attorneys, and expert guests who provide you with actionable advice, out-of-the-box solutions, and a fresh perspective on running your firm more effectively and efficiently.

Prepare to open your mind, be inspired, and power up your practice to the next level. Watch more episodes of Power Up Your Practice on:

🌐 Website: powersstrategygroup.com

📺 YouTube: @powersstrategygroup

💬 Join our Skool Community - Power Hub

Connect and learn more from your host, Ruby Powers:

🔹 LinkedIn: /rubypowers

🔹 Facebook: /poweruppractice

🔹 Website: rubypowers.com

🔹 Ruby's Book: Power Up Your Practice on Amazon

Trusted Resources from Our Toolkit:

• Stafi

• Filevine

• CandleAI

• Vonage

• Lawbrokr

We've reached a major milestone! For our 100th episode, we are diving deep into a philosophy that challenges everything you've been told about growing a law firm.Ruby Powers sits down with Ryan McKeen, founder of Best Era LLC, to discuss why the ultimate success isn't found in having the biggest firm, but in having the most intentional one. Ryan shares his journey from building a 40-person "machine" to finding his "Jerry Maguire moment" and intentionally scaling back to create a practice—and a life—he actually loves.This is a masterclass in professional identity, humanizing the law, and understanding that size is a choice.Together, we explore:✅ The "Eras" Concept: Why your career shouldn't be a straight line, and how to identify which era you are currently in (and which one is next).✅ Intentional Constraints: How saying "No" to more volume and more staff can actually lead to higher profitability and personal freedom.✅ Humanizing Legal Education: Why Ryan is bringing the "Yellow Napkin" exercise to law schools to teach future lawyers about hospitality and business reality.✅ The Founder's Pivot: Recognizing when you are no longer the right person to lead the machine you built, and how to design your "Best Era."📣 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:🚀 Law Firm Retreat: Design Your Future – August 2026: Are you ready to stop the grind and architect your next era? Join Ruby in Denver for an intimate, 15-firm-only strategic retreat.👉 Secure your spot: powersstrategygroup.com/law-firm-retreat-august-2026/📊 We Love Your Feedback! As we look toward the future of the podcast, we want to hear from you. Help us design our next year of content by taking this 2-minute survey: forms.gle/JvE8Bo1Xg2moD7Kr5📌 Connect with Ryan McKean:🔹 LinkedIn: Ryan McKean🔹 Website: bestera.law📌 Join the conversation in our Power Up Your Practice community!Hosted by Ruby Powers. Learn insights from leading legal minds and expert guests on running your firm more effectively.Watch more episodes of Power Up Your Practice on:🌐 Website: powersstrategygroup.com📺 YouTube: @powersstrategygroup💬 Join our Skool Community: skool.com/powerupyourpracticeTrusted Resources from Our Toolkit:• Stafi• Lawmatics• CandleAI• Vonage• Lawbrokr