The Lawyer's Edge

Verne Harnish is the Founder and CEO of Scaling Up, a global executive education and coaching company with over 180 partners on six continents. Verne chairs the annual ScaleUp Summits and serves on several boards, including Chair of The Riordan Clinic, Co-founder and Chair of Geoversity, and Board Member of the Million Dollar Women community.

Verne is the Founder of the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), a peer-to-peer network for entrepreneurs with over 14,000 members worldwide. He is also a keynote speaker and the Author of multiple best-sellers, including Mastering the Rockefeller Habits and Scaling Up — which has been translated into 23 languages and won eight major international book awards.

With his most recent book, Scaling Up Compensation, Verne details the importance of mastering the art of compensation to attract, retain, and motivate talent. Although compensation is one of your largest expenses, designing an effective system can be a strategic advantage.

What are the benefits of designing a non-traditional compensation plan? How do you go about crafting a plan that's right for your business?

Many businesses within the legal industry abide by the "you eat what you kill" motto. In addition to this, many traditional leaders are not risk-takers, which makes a compensation plan shift seem impossible. However, Verne Harnish is here to share how anyone — including lawyers — can create a fair compensation plan that will attract the right talent, retain top employees, and drive success.

In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman is joined by Verne Harnish, Founder and CEO of Scaling Up, and Co-hosts John Corcoran, Dr. Jeremy Weisz, Joshua Chin, and Adi Klevit to talk about designing a compensation plan that's right for your business. Verne emphasizes the importance of aligning incentives with the customers' needs, shares examples of real-life companies' non-traditional compensation methods, and discusses the steps you can take to differentiate your compensation plan.

Daniel Wiig is a sought-after attorney with demonstrated expertise in the legal, nonprofit, and academic sectors. He is also Host of the Amicus Curiae Podcast, a recently-launched series from the New York County Lawyers Association (NYCLA).

By day, Daniel is the Associate General Counsel for the City University of New York (CUNY), where he handles various legal affairs affecting the largest urban university system in the US. By night, he is Chair of the Commercial and Federal Litigation Section for the New York State Bar Association.

As someone heavily involved in various associations, committees, and in-house legal practices, Daniel has a grasp on the benefits and drawbacks when it comes to deciding if in-house or private practice lawyering is the right choice for you. Whichever path you choose, he offers this advice for young and experienced lawyers alike: be involved and efficient in your professional career, but don't overextend yourself.

With so many career-building options, it can be difficult for lawyers to decide which track to take. Should they go the in-house or private practice route? Are industry associations the right way to build a career? What associations should they join?

Daniel Wiig is here to share how lawyers can figure out their path to improvement. According to Daniel, neither in-house nor private practice are better than the other — it all depends on a lawyer's preferences. However, joining associations can help all lawyers build their network, gain referrals, and develop a positive reputation.

In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman sits down with Daniel Wiig, Associate General Counsel for the City University of New York and Chair of the Commercial and Federal Litigation Section for the New York State Bar Association. Together, they discuss how Daniel's involvement in the industry has shaped his career, the differences between in-house and private practice, and how bar associations can cater to the new generation of lawyers.

Leslee Cohen is the Founding Partner of AllRise Lawyers, a boutique law firm in Chicago founded 11 years ago that helps startups, entrepreneurs, and small businesses with their early-stage fundraises, day-to-day contract needs, and mergers and acquisitions.

Leslee has over 20 years of experience as a corporate and securities lawyer. Before co-founding her firm, Leslee spent seven years on Wall Street and 13 years at a large law firm in Chicago, where she formed and led the Women's Initiative.

In addition to providing sophisticated legal advice at fair rates, the team at AllRise cares tremendously about each other and their clients. The firm's six lawyers are all women seizing the opportunity to do high-level legal work while continuing to be hands-on moms, daughters, sisters, wives, and friends.

What does it take to become a Rainmaker? How can you deliver value and build your book of business, even if you're just starting out?

When Leslee Cohen began developing her firm, she realized that she was not alone in her journey; many other leaders fear the challenges of building a business. Now, as a successful founder, Leslee is here to share the steps she took to overcome self-doubt and grow her firm. For Leslee, the most important ways to gain confidence and develop your business are through networking, focusing on your unique selling proposition, and getting involved in industry organizations.

In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge, Elise Holtzman is joined by Leslee Cohen, Founding Partner of AllRise Lawyers, to talk about developing leadership skills and building a book of business. Leslee shares how her firm is empowering others, advice for other lawyers looking to grow, and the best practices for delivering value to your clients. Stay tuned!

Marc Luber is the Founder of JD Careers Out There and the JD Refugee coaching program. He's also a volunteer board member for the Concern Foundation, a cancer research nonprofit. Before starting JD Careers Out There, Marc used his law background in the music industry and spent the better part of the 2000s as an attorney recruiter in Los Angeles.

JD Careers Out There is a membership site for lawyers, law students, and potential law students who want to have a career they love. As a career coach at JD Careers Out There, Marc helps unfulfilled lawyers across the US get unstuck and figure out their next career move — whether that's leaving law or staying in the profession.

There was a time when Marc felt unsatisfied in his legal career and wanted to shift to a more creative, fulfilling approach. Now, he's helping others do the same by exploring the possibilities that can transform a career path. Using a three-step formula for career fulfillment, Marc helps navigate the challenges and frustrations that many people are facing in the legal field today. He helps them explore whether it's a time to move on, pivot, or stay the course in their careers.

Sometimes, the law industry can be ruthless. Many lawyers are burned out with the lack of feedback, the rush of the billable hour, and the thankless work that never seems to end. Instead, lawyers want more collaborative work that they can be confident in, and they want their company to invest in them. But how do you know which company will fulfill these wishes? Can you still find happiness in the law industry?

This is where Marc Luber comes in. He has crossed paths with many unhappy lawyers and helped them explore their options, market themselves, and land a career they love. This can be a frightening process for lawyers, but it will ultimately help you attain a fulfilling career and move towards the future you envision.

In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman sits down with Marc Luber, the Founder of JD Careers Out There and the JD Refugee coaching program. Together, they discuss why many lawyers feel unsatisfied in their work, the value of exploring a career change, and Marc's process for helping clients find the right role. Plus, Marc provides a special self-assessment questionnaire to help you figure out the right path!

Pat Gillette is one of the country's leading experts and most sought-after speakers on gender diversity and equality. She regularly speaks at law firm retreats, conferences, ABA meetings, State Bar meetings, and industry events. Over the 40 years that Pat practiced law, she ranked as a top employment litigator and trial lawyer and was a leader and rainmaker in her firms.

Pat's book, Rainmakers: Born or Bred, details practical tactics and strategies that can be easily implemented to enhance your business development skills. The book also includes helpful tips from rainmakers and clients across the country.

Pat recognizes the uneven playing field for women and minorities in the legal space. That's why she co-founded the Opt-In Project — a nationwide initiative focused on changing the structure of law firms to increase the retention and advancement of women. As someone who worked her way up to become a rainmaker, Pat knows the challenges minorities face in reaching leadership positions. That's why she's dedicated to mentoring women and minorities, as well as guiding law firms in their journey to become a more diverse, inclusive, and equal workplace.

It's no secret that law industry trends are changing. People are calling on firms to take action toward gender and racial diversity and create equal opportunities for all. However, Pat Gillette says you have to go beyond training programs.

When you challenge the systemic issues, there's more opportunity for change within your organization. According to Pat, law firm leaders need to analyze how assignments are handed out, who has the lead role in trials, who gets to speak with clients, and more. So how exactly should you choose the people to be in the leadership pipeline? Traditionally, it's just a tap on the shoulder, but Pat advises that you need to cultivate a diverse pool of candidates to create visible opportunity.

In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman talks with author, speaker, and rainmaker Pat Gillette about enacting change to elevate women and minorities in the law industry. Pat discusses the systemic challenges in the industry, how leaders can work toward a more diverse environment, and shares advice for women and minorities looking to grow as business developers. Stay tuned!

Dina Mastellone is the Partner and Chair of the Human Resources Counseling & Compliance Group at Genova Burns LLC. She is also a member of the Employment Law & Litigation and Criminal Defense, Investigations & Compliance practice groups.

At Genova Burns LLC, Dina works with regional and national clients, counseling them on employment matters and auditing human resources policies, handbooks, and procedures. She has extensive experience training businesses on issues involving anti-harassment, diversity policy compliance, best human resources practices, hiring, and much more.

Dina has held various positions with the New Jersey State Bar Association and the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association, where she further became an advocate for mentoring and advancing women lawyers and increasing the involvement of women in professional and charitable organizations. As a leader within these associations, Dina is here to show how they can benefit lawyers at any level in their careers.

Is the bar association still relevant today? According to Dina Mastellone, there are many benefits for lawyers who get involved in bar associations. So what are these benefits, and how can they help you build your business?

For Dina, joining industry associations helped her find friends and colleagues in her field and led to some fantastic opportunities. However, you should join an organization you are passionate about; this will allow you to be fully present in your career while gaining visibility to those outside of your firm. Dina's most impactful piece of advice for lawyers? Get involved and show up, even if it scares you.

In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman has a conversation with Dina Mastellone, Partner and Chair of Human Resources Counseling & Compliance Group at Genova Burns LLC. Dina explains why everyone should join an association, what she learned through her journey in a male-dominated field, and how lawyers can develop their reputation and build their business. Stay tuned!

Michael DeLon is a #1 Amazon International best-selling author, business growth strategist, and marketing expert. He is the Experts Speak podcast host and the President of Paperback Expert, which helps business owners publish books that position them as experts in their field.

In addition to his work at Paperback Expert, Michael provides marketing strategies and business growth coaching as the President of Reformational Marketing. He has been a speaker at the PILMMA Super Summit since 2015, and he is a contributor to the Law Practice Advisor website. Previously, Michael worked as the Audio Group Director for FamilyLife, where he helped the company spread its message out to thousands of people.

Michael is dedicated to connecting clients with their desired audience. Through Paperback Expert, he's helping business owners gain instant credibility, establish rock-solid client relationships, and generate more leads and referrals — without spending more money on advertising. Plus, Michael and the team at Paperback Expert can help you build a profitable podcast and promote you to become an Amazon best-selling author. Find out how Michael transforms ordinary professionals into recognized experts by helping them establish, market, and monetize their credibility.

Your brand's success depends not on your education or how many billboards and bench ads your firm has. When it comes to the law industry, clients care more about establishing relationships built on trust. So, how can you build trust with potential clients, even before they meet you?

According to Michael DeLon, your brand's message is key. When you share a story that's unique to you, your firm will stand out in the marketplace and attract clients, no matter the size of your company. But what if you don't have a compelling story to share? Michael says that's not true; every brand has an exceptional story — you just might need some help extracting it. That's where Michael's company, Paperback Expert, comes into play.

In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman sits down with Michael DeLon, the President of Paperback Expert, to discuss crafting a great brand strategy. Michael talks about the benefits of sharing your story, including generating referrals, gaining more clients, and building trust with your clients. Michael also discusses the platforms that will give you credibility and shares how his company is helping lawyers and other business owners connect with desired clients. Stay tuned.

Tracey Diamond is a Partner at Troutman Pepper, where she helps clients structure their workforces in the most efficient and effective way possible. Tracey is skilled in many areas, including workplace issues, harassment training, internal investigations, drafting policies and procedures, and negotiating employment and severance agreements.

Before joining the firm, Tracey was Director of Human Resources and Operations for a large nonprofit organization, where she was responsible for all HR issues for over 1,000 employees. She was also General Counsel for a national retail optical company and has previous legal experience in the Southern District of New York. Tracey speaks and writes frequently about a multitude of employment law issues. She is the Editor of the Hiring to Firing Law Blog, and she is a member of Troutman Pepper's COVID-19 Response Team.

The pandemic has affected Tracey's clients, who primarily consist of in-house counsel and HR executives across numerous industries. She's helped guide them in navigating regulations, client loyalty, remote employees, and all other challenges that the pandemic has brought about. If anyone can lead you through managing your law firm in these uncertain times, it's Tracey Diamond.

COVID-19 has heavily impacted businesses across all industries. Many are waiting for the return to normal. However, Tracey Diamond says you shouldn't assume it will be "business as usual" ever again. So, what can you do to navigate these unprecedented challenges? How can you support your employees and clients through all of the changes?

Especially with the new variants, misinformation floating around, and differences of opinion amongst colleagues, it can be hard for businesses to manage their regulations while keeping everyone happy. According to Tracey, there are a few key components you should focus on: maintaining your culture, creating a safe and sustainable workplace, concentrating on your people, and cultivating flexibility. With these elements in mind, you'll be able to set a clear path for your business and continue growing — even through the pandemic.

In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman has a conversation with Tracey Diamond, a labor and employment partner at Troutman Pepper, about managing your business during the COVID-19 era. Tracey shares her advice for retaining clients, avoiding "The Great Resignation" within law firms, and tending to the needs of your employees. Plus, Tracey tackles the difficult questions and legal issues around in-office, hybrid, and fully remote environments. Stay tuned.

Allison Williams is the CEO and Founder of Law Firm Mentor, a company that provides business coaching to help law firm owners become more efficient, increase revenue, and build successful firms. Allison is also the Founder of Williams Law Group, which grew to become a multimillion-dollar company in just three and a half years.

Allison has received many accolades, including the LawFirm500 award, ranking 14th among the fastest-growing law firms in the nation, and she was voted NJBIZ's Top 50 Women in Business. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, is certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Matrimonial Law Attorney, and is certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in Family Law.

The motto of Law Firm Mentor is #NeverStopGrowing, and Allison intends to help attorneys do just that. While working with solo and small law firm attorneys, Allison helps them get their life back and spend less time with clients by growing their business, putting systems in place to crush chaos, and improving profitability.

Are you looking to become the CEO of your law firm? Do you want to spend less time in your business and more time on your business?

When your name is on the door, it can be challenging to let go of control. In order to grow, Allison Williams says that you have to shift your mindset. It's not about taking what you have and handing it over — it's about training your associates and partners to execute the quality work your clients desire. Once you let go of your ego, prepare your employees and clients for the transition, and banish perfectionism. You'll be able to focus less on the exhaustive tasks and more on the impact of your business as a whole.

In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge, Elise Holtzman sits down with Allison Williams, Founder and CEO of Law Firm Mentor, to talk about finding freedom in your business. Allison discusses how systematization, team-centered processes, and effective communication can help you gain more profit while working fewer hours. She also shares stories of how sought-after lawyers escaped the demands of the practice — and how you can, too! Stay tuned.

Cole Silver is the Chief Client Officer at Blank Rome, an Am Law 100 firm that provides a full range of legal and advocacy services to clients worldwide.

Before going in-house, Cole ran his own multi-state law firm called The Silver Law Group. For over 25 years, he served as General Counsel to several high-growth companies, providing an insider's view of clients' real-world concerns and a unique market perspective that drives business and client growth.

Cole has also authored books and trained hundreds of professionals in the areas of client development and service, helping them transform their business and impact.

To succeed in this climate, Cole advises that the older generation must pay attention to the trends and adapt like their innovative younger counterparts. As the Chief Client Officer at Blank Rome, Cole provides strategic guidance to lawyers, ensuring that the client experience is memorable and exceeds their expectations in value, delivery, and results.

There are many trends directly impacting the law industry, including technological advancements, generational conflicts, as well as social, political, and cultural changes. So, what actions can your firm take to stay on top of these trends? And how can you continue driving change within your field?

According to Cole Silver, younger, forward-thinking lawyers are succeeding because they're able to adapt. The older generations who are more resistant to change risk losing employees, clients, and the future of their business. But what can these younger and older generations learn from each other? For Cole, it's all about engaging with employees, receiving feedback, and training new leaders to build an enduring firm.

In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge, Elise Holtzman talks with Cole Silver, Chief Client Officer of Blank Rome, about the importance of innovation. Cole discusses the ways your firm can adapt to changes, where to invest in your business, and why your clients are more valuable now than ever before. Plus, Cole shares his tips on bridging generational leadership differences while being open to industry developments. Stay tuned.