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Alright, so imagine this: your marriage ends, emotions are running high, and suddenly you’re trying to navigate lawyers, courts, assets, and a process that feels anything but simple. Family law isn’t just about legal rules—it’s about people, relationships, and some very real financial decisions. Today, Katy Mickelson joins us to talk about what really happens inside family law—from mediation versus litigation to why prenups aren’t just for the ultra-wealthy. Katy, let’s start here—what do people most misunderstand about how family law actually works?
That’s all for today! Big thanks to Katy Mickelson for sharing her perspective on the realities of family law—from the courtroom to mediation and everything in between. Her insights remind us that family law isn’t just about winning cases—it’s about helping people navigate some of the most difficult moments of their lives with clarity and good counsel.
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might find these insights helpful. Thanks for listening, and we’ll catch you next time!
About Katy Mickelson: Katy Mickelson is a family law attorney known for her thoughtful, practical approach to resolving complex and often emotional cases. She focuses on understanding each client’s goals and using her extensive courtroom and mediation experience to develop strategic, efficient solutions that minimize conflict while protecting her clients’ interests.
Before becoming a lawyer, Katy spent seven years working in public relations, where she developed strong communication and messaging skills that continue to shape her advocacy in negotiations and litigation. She also pursued international legal studies in Siena, Italy, and worked in intellectual property law in Beijing.
Katy is active in the family law community, mentoring young lawyers and contributing to professional organizations and legal education while continuing to advocate for clients with clarity, strategy, and compassion.
Connect with Katy Mickelson:
Website: https://beermannlaw.com/team/kathryn-homburger-mickelson/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-mickelson/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katymickelson
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicagodivorceattorney/
Connect with Ron Bockstahler:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronbockstahler/
Company website: https://amatacorp.com/
“Don't Lose Your Balance” book: https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Lose-Your-Balance-Business/dp/1964046467
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
Alright, so you’re running a successful law firm, the billable hours are flowing, and revenue looks good—but then you notice healthcare costs quietly climbing like a slow leak. Most firms just renew the same plan each year because it’s easier than asking hard questions. Today, Richie Marrero is here to challenge that mindset and help us rethink how benefits can support both people and the bottom line. Richie, let’s start here—why should law firm leaders stop treating healthcare as just another cost of doing business?
That’s all for today! Big thanks to Richie Marrero for sharing his perspective on why law firms need to rethink their approach to employee benefits—not just as a cost center, but as a strategic advantage for attracting talent and strengthening the business. From plan design and funding strategies to the role of AI in benefits and legal work, Richie reminds us that questioning the status quo can unlock new opportunities for growth.
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a colleague who might benefit from a fresh perspective. Thanks for listening, and we’ll catch you next time!
About Richie Marrero: Richie Marrero is a partner at 360 Benefits, helping law firms rethink employee benefits and healthcare strategy. His career began in social work, serving students in Chicago Public Schools after growing up in a single-parent household in inner-city Chicago.
A personal experience shaped his shift into financial services: his father struggled with addiction and passed away from AIDS without life insurance, leaving the family financially exposed. That moment fueled Richie’s passion for helping families and businesses understand the importance of financial protection.
After transitioning to MassMutual, Richie built a practice focused on life, disability, and long-term care insurance before moving into employee benefits consulting. Today, he helps law firms move beyond automatic plan renewals and build intentional strategies that support both employees and the firm’s long-term financial health.
Outside of work, Richie is active in community initiatives supporting education, housing, and addiction recovery, and he is the founder of Bendición, a culturally inspired golf apparel brand that helps introduce kids to the game through youth golf programs.
Connect with Richie Marrero:
Website: https://www.360benefits.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richiemarrero/
Connect with Ron Bockstahler:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronbockstahler/
Company website: https://amatacorp.com/
“Don't Lose Your Balance” book: https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Lose-Your-Balance-Business/dp/1964046467
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
Hiring your first employee feels like growth — until it turns into a lawsuit, an insurance nightmare, or a compliance mess you didn’t see coming. Today, Gary Savine joins us to talk about building a law firm that’s not just profitable, but protected, scalable, and actually sellable. Gary, let’s start here — what’s the biggest risk firms take before they even realize they’ve taken it?
That’s all for today! Big thanks to Gary Savine for breaking down the legal, insurance, and strategic foundations every firm needs to grow safely and sustainably. If you want to build a business that’s more than just “a lawyer with a desk,” this is an episode worth revisiting.
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a colleague who’s building their firm for the long haul. Thanks for listening, and we’ll see you next time.
About Gary Savine: Gary Noah Savine founded Savine Employment Law, Ltd. to help job creators manage and litigate employment-related legal issues so that they can stay focused on their businesses and protect what they have built. Gary brings more than two decades of legal expertise and hands-on experience, working around the globe, shoulder-to-shoulder with senior executives and human resource professionals, solving the thorniest of workplace issues. Gary received his law degree cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School and his Bachelor of Arts with high honors in Political Economy from James Madison College at Michigan State University.
Connect with Gary Savine:
Website: https://savinelaw.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SavineEmploymentLaw/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/savine-employment-law-ltd./
X: https://twitter.com/savinelaw
Connect with Ron Bockstahler:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronbockstahler/
Company website: https://amatacorp.com/
“Don't Lose Your Balance” book: https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Lose-Your-Balance-Business/dp/1964046467
Show notes by Team Podcastologist
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
Alright, so you’re a lawyer trying to practice law in 2026—and every week there’s a new AI tool promising to draft your briefs, review your contracts, and maybe even run your firm while you sip coffee. Tempting? Sure. Terrifying? Also yes.
Today, Ron Bockstahler sits down with Clinton Ind to talk about what AI actually means for the legal industry, how to use it aggressively for speed and efficiency, without risking your license, your reputation, or your sanity. Clinton, let’s start here: What can lawyers absolutely not afford to ignore about AI right now?
That’s all for today! Big thanks to Clinton Ind for breaking down how law firms can embrace AI without abandoning diligence. The message is clear: use AI boldly for speed, first drafts, marketing, and operations—but verify everything and own whatever leaves your desk.
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a colleague who’s trying to navigate AI without risking their license. Thanks for listening, and we’ll catch you next time!
About Clint Ind: Clinton has recently transitioned his practice from a commercial litigator with his own law firm to in-house counsel with a growing distribution business at Quantum Polymers. His new role is oriented around managing risk as the company expands while assisting with the business strategy and growth.
Clint is a trial lawyer who has spent much of his career building law firms from the ground up. He has started his own firm twice, practiced solo for more than ten years, and worked in-house with multiple companies. He has taken numerous cases to trial and obtained multi-million-dollar judgments in both medical malpractice and commercial business cases.
Clint has a deep respect for the entrepreneurial drive of solo and small-firm attorneys and understands firsthand the challenges of creating a successful, sustainable practice.
When not working, Clint can usually be found boxing, mountain biking, or running his kids from one sports commitment to the next.
Quantum Polymers: www.quantumpolymers.com
Connect with Clint Ind:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clinton-jud-ind/
Connect with Ron Bockstahler:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronbockstahler/
Company website: https://amatacorp.com/
“Don't Lose Your Balance” book: https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Lose-Your-Balance-Business/dp/1964046467
Show notes by Team Podcastologist
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
Running a law firm is hard enough. Running one that serves underserved communities—without burning out or drowning in billable hours—takes a whole different kind of thinking. Today, Ricardo joins us to talk about building a family law practice designed around access to justice, cultural competency, and sustainability. From flat fees and bilingual outreach to tech-enabled workflows and teaching the next generation, Ricardo is reimagining what a modern solo practice can look like. Ricardo, let’s start here—how did you decide to build your firm this way?
That’s all for today! A big thank you to Ricardo for sharing how lawyers can build practices that serve real community needs without sacrificing family, health, or sanity. We’re looking forward to having him back in 9–12 months to hear how the firm has grown, how the tech stack has evolved, and what life looks like after welcoming a new baby.
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone thinking about going solo. Thanks for listening—we’ll catch you next time.
About Ricardo Santiago:
Ricardo Santiago is a family law attorney, professor, and legal speaker in Chicago. He speaks on topics that affect traditionally underserved communities in Illinois. Ricardo teaches in the ABA-approved paralegal program at Wilbur Wright College.
Connect with Ricardo Santiago:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardosantiagoj/
Calendly: https://calendly.com/rsantiago-santiagolaw/professionals-meeting-request
Connect with Ron Bockstahler:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronbockstahler/
Company website: https://amatacorp.com/
“Don't Lose Your Balance” book: https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Lose-Your-Balance-Business/dp/1964046467
Show notes by Team Podcastologist
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
You spent decades in courtrooms, chasing justice, and suddenly you realize… the human stories behind contracts, criminal cases, and corporate disputes are what truly matter. Today, retired trial lawyer Pat Cotter joins us to reflect on a 43-year career spent standing for fairness, truth, and compassion—and why even “small” cases can leave a huge impact.
Atty. Pat walks us through what it means to treat law as a pursuit of justice, how technology and AI are changing litigation, and why remembering the human side of every case keeps even the most seasoned attorneys grounded.
That’s all for today! Big thanks to Atty. Pat Cotter for sharing his insights on fairness, justice, and the human side of law. If you’re inspired by decades of courtroom experience and want to learn how law can be meaningful beyond the verdict, this episode is a must-listen.
About Atty. Pat Cotter:
Atty. Pat Cotter is a career trial lawyer with 43 years of experience spanning criminal prosecution, public defense, and private practice. He worked as a criminal prosecutor in the Eastern District of New York, including on the John Gotti case, later became a prominent defense attorney, and most recently defended a co-defendant of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan in a four-month federal trial, securing a split jury verdict and eventual dismissal. Early in his career, Pat served as a public defender in Brooklyn, representing indigent clients. He recently retired, leaving the law with a legacy of wins, no more deadlines, and a career guided by fairness, truth, understanding, and compassion.
Connect with Ron Bockstahler:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronbockstahler/
Company website: https://amatacorp.com/
“Don't Lose Your Balance” book: https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Lose-Your-Balance-Business/dp/1964046467
Show notes by Team Podcastologist
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
Let’s talk about what it actually takes to build a legal career that doesn’t hollow you out along the way. Not the glossy version. Not the “grind harder” myth. The real thing—loans, losses, courtroom pressure, and the slow work of becoming yourself in a profession that often asks you to disappear. Today, Ron and Clinton sit down with trial attorney Jared to trace a non-traditional legal path shaped by grit, independence, and a defining trial that changed how he measures fear, failure, and success. From public defense to a solo med-mal practice, Jared’s story challenges what a “successful” lawyer is supposed to look like.
That’s all for today! Huge thanks to Jared for sharing a story that’s honest about pressure, loss, and resilience—and for showing what it looks like to build a modern legal practice without surrendering your identity or your life. Ron and Clinton close by connecting Jared’s journey to the “1958 Lawyer” thesis: a needed shift away from burnout-driven models and toward firms that are both profitable and livable.
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a lawyer who’s quietly wondering if there’s another way to do this work. Thanks for listening—we’ll see you next time.
About Jared Reynolds:
Jared M. Reynolds is a Chicago-based trial lawyer and solo practitioner focused on nursing home abuse, medical malpractice, personal injury, and wrongful death, recovering over $15.7 million for clients to date. A Chicago-Kent College of Law graduate, he clerked throughout law school for the Cook County Public Defender’s Office as a Supreme Court Rule 711 licensed law clerk, handling more than 70 oral advocacy proceedings and trying both jury and bench trials, and he won the National Veterans’ Law Moot Court Championship in Washington, D.C. Jared has served on the board of LAGBAC, Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association, since 2016, where he leads a mentorship program that has doubled in size and significantly expanded in diversity. Originally from upstate New York, he is an accomplished distance runner, marathoner, and live-music fan who also enjoys backcountry hiking, camping, skiing, and playing drums.
Connect with Jared Reynolds:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredmreynolds/
To connect with Jared, you can use this Link to share information. https://forms.gle/VAYwy8WEjKpQPwG2A
Connect with Ron Bockstahler:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronbockstahler/
Company website: https://amatacorp.com/
“Don't Lose Your Balance” book: https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Lose-Your-Balance-Business/dp/1964046467
Show notes by Team Podcastologist
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
Alright, so you’ve hung out your shingle, or you’re thinking about it, and suddenly the practice of law feels a lot lonelier than law school ever warned you it would be. The hours are long, the decisions feel heavier, and everyone else seems too busy (or too proud) to admit they’re struggling too. Welcome to The 1958 Lawyer.
In this relaunch episode, Ron Bockstahler and Clinton Ind explain why this podcast exists, who it’s for, and why the traditional way of practicing law is overdue for a serious rethink. This isn’t about case law or legal theory; it’s about the business of law, the people behind it, and how to build a practice that doesn’t burn you out.
So let’s start at the beginning: why 1958, and why now?
In this episode, we cover:
That’s just the beginning. Ron and Clinton lay out what listeners can expect from The 1958 Lawyer: honest conversations, practical insights, case-study stories, expert interviews, and the occasional dad joke (they’ve got ten kids between them, it’s inevitable).
If you’re building or rebuilding a law practice and want it to be profitable, livable, and sustainable, this show is for you. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a lawyer who could use a reminder that they don’t have to do this alone.
About Ron Bockstahler
Ron Bockstahler is a father to six children, husband to a loving wife, an athlete, and an entrepreneur. With a unique perspective on life, Ron started his business, Amata Holdings, LLC, more than 22 years ago with the twin goals of raising a family and attending as many home Chicago Cubs games as possible.
Throughout his career, Ron has had a relentless focus on setting and achieving life goals. After initially dropping out of high school to make money to support a young family, Ron was able to go back and finish his high school career and graduate with his class. To pay for college and gain the discipline to thrive in college, Ron joined the Marine Corps, where he served four years as an enlisted Marine.
After his tour in the Marines, Ron attended Northern Illinois University, where he completed his degree in less than three years. After graduating from college, he took a position as a copier salesperson, where he cut his teeth and learned what it took to succeed in business. Within a corporate career spanning fourteen years with two companies, Ron worked his way up from copier salesman to the C-Suite, always setting and working tirelessly to achieve his written goals.
A self-proclaimed workaholic through most of his career, it took running his own business for Ron to learn to appreciate the values of a balanced life. For more than 22 years, Ron has worked to maintain a balance between running a successful company, raising six children, maintaining a healthy marriage, and actively working to be a competitive athlete (during this time, Ron has competed in seven full Ironman races and numerous triathlons and marathons).
About Clinton Ind
Clint is a trial lawyer who has spent much of his career building law firms from the ground up. He has started his own firm twice, practiced solo for more than ten years, and worked in-house with multiple companies. He has taken numerous cases to trial and obtained multi-million-dollar judgments in both medical malpractice and commercial business cases.
Clint has a deep respect for the entrepreneurial drive of solo and small-firm attorneys and understands firsthand the challenges of creating a successful, sustainable practice.
When not working, Clint can usually be found boxing, mountain biking, or running his kids from one sports commitment to the next.
Connect with Ron Bockstahler:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronbockstahler/
Company website: https://amatacorp.com/
“Don't Lose Your Balance” book: https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Lose-Your-Balance-Business/dp/1964046467
Show notes by Team Podcastologist
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
They say all good things must come to an end—including your time as a business owner. The trick is making sure your exit isn’t a dramatic collapse but more of a graceful bow-out, preferably with a cocktail in hand. Ron Bockstahler is back one last time to talk about exit strategies, or as I like to call it, ‘How to Leave Without the Whole Thing Going Up in Flames.’ Ron, be honest—how many business owners wait way too long to think about this part?
Huge thanks to Ron Bockstahler for sharing his insights on how to balance life and business, without losing your sanity. If you want to dive deeper, grab a copy of his book Don't Lose Your Balance: Live Life or Build a Business? Do Both. It’s packed with real-world advice, practical steps, and a few hard-earned lessons you won’t want to miss.
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs some work-life balance. Thanks for listening, and we’ll catch you next time!
About Ron Bockstahler:
Ron Bockstahler is a father to six children, husband to a loving wife, athlete, and entrepreneur. With a unique perspective on life, Ron started his business, Amata Holdings, LLC, more than 22 years ago with the twin goals of raising a family and attending as many home Chicago Cubs games as possible.
Throughout his career, Ron has had a relentless focus on setting and achieving life goals. After initially dropping out of high school to make money to support a young family, Ron was able to go back and finish his high school career and graduate with his class. To pay for college and gain the discipline to thrive in college, Ron joined the Marine Corps, where he served four years as an enlisted Marine.
After his tour in the Marines, Ron attended Northern Illinois University, where he completed his degree in less than three years. After graduating from college, he took a position as a copier salesperson, where he cut his teeth and learned what it took to succeed in business. Within a corporate career spanning fourteen years with two companies, Ron worked his way up from copier salesman to the C-Suite, always setting and working tirelessly to achieve his written goals.
A self-proclaimed workaholic through most of his career, it took running his own business for Ron to learn to appreciate the values of a balanced life. For more than 22 years, Ron has worked to maintain a balance between running a successful company, raising six children, maintaining a healthy marriage, and actively working to be a competitive athlete (during this time, Ron has competed in seven full Ironman races and numerous triathlons and marathons).
Connect with Ron Bockstahler:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronbockstahler/
Company website: https://amatacorp.com/
“Don't Lose Your Balance” book: https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Lose-Your-Balance-Business/dp/1964046467
Show notes by Team Podcastologist
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
Alright, so you’ve started your business, you’ve made some money, and now... your work-life balance is about as stable as a wobbly table at a bad diner. Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Today, Ron Bockstahler is here to walk us through the mid-journey checklist—the part where we figure out how to run a business without working 24/7 or answering emails from the beach like a maniac. Ron, tell us—what’s the first thing we need to stop doing immediately?
That’s all for today! Big thanks to Ron Bockstahler for sharing his insights on how to balance life and business, without losing your sanity. If you want to dive deeper, grab a copy of his book Don't Lose Your Balance: Live Life or Build a Business? Do Both. It’s packed with real-world advice, practical steps, and a few hard-earned lessons you won’t want to miss.
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs some work-life balance. Thanks for listening, and we’ll catch you next time!
About Ron Bockstahler:
Ron Bockstahler is a father to six children, husband to a loving wife, athlete, and entrepreneur. With a unique perspective on life, Ron started his business, Amata Holdings, LLC, more than 22 years ago with the twin goals of raising a family and attending as many home Chicago Cubs games as possible.
Throughout his career, Ron has had a relentless focus on setting and achieving life goals. After initially dropping out of high school to make money to support a young family, Ron was able to go back and finish his high school career and graduate with his class. To pay for college and gain the discipline to thrive in college, Ron joined the Marine Corps, where he served four years as an enlisted Marine.
After his tour in the Marines, Ron attended Northern Illinois University, where he completed his degree in less than three years. After graduating from college, he took a position as a copier salesperson, where he cut his teeth and learned what it took to succeed in business. Within a corporate career spanning fourteen years with two companies, Ron worked his way up from copier salesman to the C-Suite, always setting and working tirelessly to achieve his written goals.
A self-proclaimed workaholic through most of his career, it took running his own business for Ron to learn to appreciate the values of a balanced life. For more than 22 years, Ron has worked to maintain a balance between running a successful company, raising six children, maintaining a healthy marriage, and actively working to be a competitive athlete (during this time, Ron has competed in seven full Ironman races and numerous triathlons and marathons).
Connect with Ron Bockstahler:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronbockstahler/
Company website: https://amatacorp.com/
“Don't Lose Your Balance” book: https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Lose-Your-Balance-Business/dp/1964046467
Show notes by Team Podcastologist
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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