For too long, lawyers have believed the myth that confidence comes from grinding harder and working longer.

This episode of The Free Lawyer reveals why exhaustion doesn’t create excellence. It quietly erodes it. Instead of faking confidence on the outside while questioning yourself on the inside, you’ll learn how to build unshakable confidence through balance. Gary shares the three pillars every lawyer needs: physical resilience, mental boundaries, and strong relationships. From daily reset rituals to setting client boundaries, you’ll discover practical strategies that make you clearer, calmer, and more effective in your practice. Confidence isn’t about pushing through burnout—it’s about creating a life and career that energize you instead of deplete you. By the end, you’ll see that being a confident lawyer doesn’t mean sacrificing yourself. Rather, it means showing up as your best, both in and out of the courtroom.

Get the Values Alignment Guide ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://upbeat-trailblazer-9238.kit.com/1604bbf4cb⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.garymiles.net/break-free⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Schedule a complimentary discovery call: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqcfaTWo17uxmYS9hfAdiaQ

In this episode of "The Free Lawyer," host Gary interviews Steve Steckler, a veteran marketing and leadership coach for lawyers and author of Think Like a Lawyer, Act Like an Entrepreneur. They discuss practical strategies for lawyers to overcome marketing challenges, emphasizing behavior change, authenticity, and relationship-building over traditional sales tactics. Steve shares insights on balancing legal work with business development, the impact of the billable hour, and leveraging AI tools. The episode offers actionable advice for lawyers to grow their practices, reduce burnout, and achieve greater personal and professional freedom.
Steve is a seasoned marketing, career, and leadership coach with 20+ years of experience working with 100’s of partners, associates, and in-house counsel. He advises attorneys on advancing their careers and coaches them on taking actions that will help them reach their goals.  He helps lawyers to change their mindset when they are not advising clients.

As an attorney who has dedicated his entire professional life to helping lawyers find more career satisfaction and achieve marketing success, Steve is “Counsel to Counsel.” What gets him excited is identifying ways to get intelligent professionals to embrace the change they want and then move past obstacles that are getting in the way.

Unique Approach: Behavior vs. Mindset (00:03:08) 

Evolution of Legal Marketing and Coaching (00:05:21) 

Lawyer Personality Traits and Challenges (00:06:52) 

Key Behavior Changes for Lawyers (00:08:34) 

Client Success Story (00:10:01) 

Why Lawyers Struggle with Marketing (00:12:11) 

Authenticity in Marketing Activities (00:12:37) 

The “Yes, But” Disease (00:13:58) 

Leveraging Lawyer Traits Positively (00:15:55) 

The Platinum Rule (00:16:28) 

Building Authentic Relationships (00:17:23) 

Common Marketing Mistakes (00:19:24) 

Prioritizing Marketing Despite Busyness (00:20:38) 

Finding Authentic Marketing Strategies (00:21:54) 

Being of Service vs. Selling (00:23:30) 

Impact of AI on Legal Marketing (00:24:14) 

Key Takeaways from the Book (00:27:03) 

Monetizing Social Connections (00:28:57) 

Advice for Hesitant Marketers (00:31:05) 

Personal Freedom and Legal Practice (00:31:23)

Would you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy? https://www.garymiles.net/break-free

 Would you like to schedule a complimentary discovery call? You can do so here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call

How do you transition from a terrified young lawyer to a confident legal professional?

Gary Miles shares some of the top struggles of the legal profession, including high rates of psychological distress, loneliness, and the pressure of perfectionism. His transformation was not due to toughness or brilliance but to the guidance of mentors who believed in him. Gary explores various forms of mentorship, from formal coaching to natural peer relationships.

A mentor's gift is the ability to help you see failure as an experience, give you permission to be human, and provide a safe space to share your fears. This episode offers a powerful message about the importance of community and support in building a successful legal career.

Get the Values Alignment Guide ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://upbeat-trailblazer-9238.kit.com/1604bbf4cb⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.garymiles.net/break-free⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Schedule a complimentary discovery call: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqcfaTWo17uxmYS9hfAdiaQ

In this episode of "The Free Lawyer," host Gary interviews Michelle Niemeyer, a former attorney turned coach, about her journey through legal burnout and her transition to helping lawyers reclaim fulfillment. Michelle shares how chronic stress and overcommitment led to health challenges, prompting her to prioritize self-care and develop her "Art of Bending Time" framework. She discusses the pitfalls of traditional work-life balance, the importance of clarity and energy management, and practical steps for overcoming burnout. Listeners are encouraged to embrace holistic well-being, set boundaries, and find joy both in and beyond their legal careers.

Michelle Niemeyer is a speaker, coach and former attorney who teaches professionals how to bend time so they can stay sharp, productive and profitable – without burning out. After finding her way to burnout and back in her own high-performing legal career, Michelle created The Art of Bending Time, a framework that helps people connect the dots across work, life, and purpose to magnetize success and reclaim their joy. She helps businesses retain top talent, boost development, and keep their people energized and engaged – all while making the magic happen.

Onset of Burnout & Volunteer Overload (00:05:18) 

Symptoms of Burnout & Misdiagnosis as Time Management Issue (00:06:29) 

Political Campaign & Financial Struggles (00:09:54) 

Financial Crisis & Law Firm Employment (00:13:04) 

Autoimmune Diagnosis as Turning Point (00:15:52) 

Rethinking Self-Care & Lawyer Wellness (00:17:57)

Transition to Coaching & Health Focus (00:21:25) 

Final Legal Case & Full Shift to Coaching (00:23:42)

Critique of Work-Life Balance (00:25:30) 

The Art of Bending Time Framework (00:29:15) 

Handling Internal & External Time Sucks (00:31:30) 

Gaining Ten Hours of Productive Time (00:33:32) 

Early Warning Signs of Burnout (00:35:06) 

Difference Between Time Management & Burnout (00:36:49) 

Applying the 80/20 Rule & Delegation (00:37:52) 

Connecting Work, Life, and Purpose (00:39:39) 

Advice to Her Past Self & Burned Out Lawyers (00:44:34) 

Hope for the Future of Lawyer Wellness (00:46:50) 

Would you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy? https://www.garymiles.net/break-free

 Would you like to schedule a complimentary discovery call? You can do so here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call

Gary Miles shares how he mistakenly believed stress was the enemy of being a good lawyer. through 4 decades of practice, he learned how to make stress a tool for success. This episode explains the "vicious cycle" where stress impairs thinking, leads to poor performance, and kills confidence. True unshakable confidence isn't found in winning cases, but in mastering the daily stress of the legal profession.

Listen for practical tools and a five-step system for building daily resilience, stress management hacks, and upgrading your practice.

Get the Values Alignment Guide ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://upbeat-trailblazer-9238.kit.com/1604bbf4cb⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.garymiles.net/break-free⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Schedule a complimentary discovery call: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqcfaTWo17uxmYS9hfAdiaQ

In this episode of The Free Lawyer, host Gary Miles interviews Shari Belitz, a litigation consultant and forensic psychologist. Shari shares how she helps civil defense lawyers and insurance professionals use psychological principles to improve trial outcomes. They discuss effective case framing, jury selection, and witness preparation, highlighting common mistakes and practical strategies. Shari explains how storytelling, mock trials, and understanding juror biases can shape verdicts, and offers tips for countering plaintiff tactics like the “reptile theory.” The episode provides actionable insights for lawyers seeking to enhance their trial advocacy through psychology.

Shari Belitz, Esq., is a Nationally Recognized Litigation Consultant, Keynote Speaker, Best Selling Author, Chief Executive Officer of Shari Belitz Communications LLC, Certified by the National Women’s Business Enterprise National Counsel (WBENC). She is also the founder of the educational subscription course, EnPSYCHLAWpedia®.

Shari Belitz Communications, LLC is a litigation consulting company which helps civil defense lawyers and insurance professionals achieve favorable litigation outcomes using psychology. Shari conducts mock trials, prepares witnesses for depositions and trials, writes theme development reports for mediation and trial, and performs jury selection and other customized trial services.

Shari is an attorney with over twenty years of experience in the legal profession. Prior to her litigation consulting career, she was an accomplished insurance coverage attorney at a law firm and litigation manager in-house at an insurance company where she handled complex mass tort lawsuits for Fortune 500 insured clients. During her legal career, Shari studied forensic psychology, including advanced jury science and research at the graduate level.

Intersection of Law and Psychology (00:02:20) 

Transition to Litigation Consulting (00:03:35) 

Jury Instructions and Psychology (00:04:25) 

Corporate Litigation Experience (00:05:55) 

Creating Compelling Jury Narratives (00:07:44) 

Common Mistakes in Openings and Voir Dire (00:11:36) 

Voir Dire Strategies and Juror Types (00:14:22) 

Deposition and Witness Preparation (00:17:51) 

Managing Jury Bias Against Defendants (00:22:58) 

Using Present Tense in Openings (00:26:19) 

Insights from Mock Trials (00:27:16) 

Overcoming Confirmation Bias (00:28:46) 

Psychological Techniques for Witnesses (00:30:16) S

Reptile Theory in Litigation (00:33:22)

Responding to Reptile Tactics (00:36:19) 

Would you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy? https://www.garymiles.net/break-free

 Would you like to schedule a complimentary discovery call? You can do so here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call

In this episode, lawyer Gary Miles reveals the most important lesson from his four-decade career: resilience is the secret weapon for lasting confidence and career satisfaction.

He explains that success alone builds a fragile confidence that is easily broken by professional setbacks. Making resilience the true key to thriving in the legal profession. Resilience leads to professional growth and helps combat burnout, a major struggle in the industry. You will hear strategies for building this vital skill, including how to maintain perspective after a loss and create a process for mental recovery.

Get the Values Alignment Guide ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://upbeat-trailblazer-9238.kit.com/1604bbf4cb⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.garymiles.net/break-free⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Schedule a complimentary discovery call: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqcfaTWo17uxmYS9hfAdiaQ

In this episode of "The Free Lawyer," host and veteran lawyer Gary Miles interviews Melissa Murphy Pavone, a Certified Financial Planner and Divorce Financial Analyst. They discuss the challenges lawyers face balancing finances, career transitions, and personal life—especially during divorce. Melissa shares strategies for financial delegation, mindful money habits, and the importance of open communication. She explains how collaborative divorce and financial planning can reduce stress and foster healthier relationships. The episode emphasizes building financial confidence, aligning money with personal values, and prioritizing experiences over material possessions for a more fulfilling professional and personal life.

Melissa is a financial advisor who helps her clients balance their wealth with what matters most. With 18 years of experience, she guides clients through life's most challenging transitions with empathy and expertise.

The Shift from Reactive to Proactive Financial Guidance (00:03:29) 

Collaborative Divorce and the Financial Neutral Role (00:06:26) 

Customization in Collaborative Divorce (00:10:27) .

Financial Mindfulness: Meaning and Application (00:13:29) 

Balancing Work, Money, and Enjoyment for Lawyers (00:17:47) 

Delegation, Automation, and Paying Yourself First (00:22:15) 

Financial Planning for Career Transitions (00:23:54) 

Unique Divorce Challenges for Lawyers (00:27:06) 

Knowing Your Numbers: First Steps for Professionals (00:29:50)

Time, Money, and Life Satisfaction (00:32:09) 

Financial Wellness, Mindfulness, and Professional Satisfaction (00:34:16) 

Redefining Success and Financial Freedom (00:36:37) 

Would you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy? https://www.garymiles.net/break-free

 Would you like to schedule a complimentary discovery call? You can do so here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call

You’ve won cases, closed deals, and earned respect, but deep down, you still feel like an imposter. In this episode, Gary Miles reveals why external success doesn’t automatically lead to internal confidence and what to do about it. Drawing from four decades of legal experience and coaching, he deails the hidden mindset patterns that keep high-performing lawyers stuck in self-doubt. Listen for how to use strategic celebration to literally rewire your brain for confidence, resilience, and clarity. Plus, three simple rituals that can help you recognize your wins and feel like the accomplished attorney you truly are.

Get the Values Alignment Guide ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://upbeat-trailblazer-9238.kit.com/1604bbf4cb⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.garymiles.net/break-free⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Schedule a complimentary discovery call: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqcfaTWo17uxmYS9hfAdiaQ

In this episode of "The Free Lawyer," host Gary interviews Ben Glass, co-founder of Ben Glass Law and Great Legal Marketing. Ben shares his journey from traditional legal practice to building a fulfilling, innovative law firm. He discusses the importance of curiosity, collaboration, and values-driven leadership, encouraging lawyers to delegate, focus on client experience, and foster positive firm cultures. Ben also addresses lawyer wellness, advocating for proactive business strategies and personal growth. The episode offers practical advice for lawyers seeking greater satisfaction and success in their careers.

Ben Glass is a prominent long-term disability attorney, business leader, and legal marketing expert with over 40 years of experience in representing disabled and injured clients against insurance companies. He is widely recognized for his innovative approach to law and business, making significant contributions to both fields.

Ben is a nationally recognized and sought after speaker in the legal industry and has taught and lectured on a variety of legal subjects including direct and cross examination, the use of expert witnesses, conducing effective voir dire and jury selection, maximizing recovery in personal injury cases and effective representation of disabled workers in ERISA long-term disability cases. Ben has been featured prominently in numerous publications and media outlets such as Lawyers Weekly Virginia, The Washington Post, Newsweek, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal. 

Ben Glass is not only a successful attorney but also a leading figure in legal marketing. He founded Great Legal Marketing (GLM), an organization dedicated to helping solo and small-firm lawyers refine their marketing strategies and business practices. His expertise has been sought after nationwide, and he is a frequent speaker and author on legal marketing, delivering talks at in-person and virtual conferences for entrepreneurs worldwide.

Collaboration vs. Competition in Law (00:06:27

Starting Ben Glass Law: Early Challenges (00:07:43)s.

Magnetic Marketing and Information-Based Approach (00:09:37) 

Client Experience and Referral Cultivation (00:12:05) 

Renegade Lawyer Philosophy (00:14:07) 

Entrepreneurial Mindset vs. Legal Mindset (00:15:19)

Lawyer Wellness and Business Foundations (00:16:16) 

The Hard Work of Entrepreneurship (00:18:32) .

Biggest Misconceptions About Law Practice Success (00:20:17) .

Analyzing and Improving Law Firm Systems (00:22:17) 

Breaking Free from the Prison of Success (00:24:17) 

Mindset Differences: Stuck vs. Thriving Lawyers (00:26:18) 

Building a Values-Driven Practice (00:28:34) 

Lessons from Mistakes: Hiring and Coaching (00:31:12) 

The Importance of Ongoing Coaching (00:32:39) 

Controlling Your Environment and Inputs (00:34:23)

Advice to Young Ben: Vulnerability and Coaching (00:36:13) .

Encouragement for Stuck and Overwhelmed Lawyers (00:38:07) 

Would you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy? https://www.garymiles.net/break-free

 Would you like to schedule a complimentary discovery call? You can do so here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call