On today’s episode, Jake reflects on the productivity he experienced during several quiet days at the office. Most criminal defense lawyers in district court are used to jumping from one courtroom to the next, calling a client back, making a jail visit, watching hours of body camera, and then figuring out how to get the phone to ring more (which is odd because you already don’t have time to answer). Because you have so many to-dos on your list, you trick yourself into believing you are accomplished multi-taskers. If you want to learn 10 easy ways to become more productive, this episode is for you!

On today’s episode, Jake looks at an issue he experienced during the early days of practice: how to find a measuring stick for success. As Jake was building his law firm in the early days the main gage of success was to look at how other lawyers in criminal defense in Western North Carolina doing it. How do they dress? How many cases do they have on the docket? How does their website look? In today’s episode, Jake discusses why these external markers of success are not the true measuring stick for comparing your firm with the competition.

Highlights:

·       Discover how to find the secret sauce of another law firm (spoiler: the secret sauce is made up of hundreds of ingredients aged over many years).

·       Learn why you can’t get a good measuring stick of success based on the external success indicators of your competition.

·       Find out why getting a behind the scenes look at another firm is so important for your growth.  

On today’s episode, Jake is joined by his friend Steven Thomas as we continue the Warriors on the Battlefield series highlighting young leaders in criminal defense. Steven is an associate at Driving Defense Law, a division of McCormick Law & Consulting. Entertaining and insightful, make sure to have pen and paper close by as Steven shares some of the keys to his firm’s growth in the practice area of criminal defense.

Highlights:

·       Steven describes why a hunger for knowledge is key to an associate’s success.

·       Discover why Steven believes that improving your client experience is essential to profitability as firms drastically focus on this area of their businesses over the next decade.

·       Discover three easy ways to advance your value to your firm.

On today’s episode, Banks Huntley joins Jake as we continue the Warriors on the Battlefield series highlighting young leaders in criminal defense. Banks is a former prosecutor and managing partner at the Law Offices of Banks Huntley, PLLC in Charlotte. Banks describes why he decided to open his own shop after working as an assistant district attorney and provides great practical wisdom on how to take the leap into private practice.

Highlights:

·       Banks describes how selling timeshares served his business.

·       Hear some unique insights on the mindset of a prosecutor as Banks shares his experience at the DA’s Office.

·       Discover why you should hire an assistant (or additional help) ASAP.  

On today’s episode, Jake reflects on his last 9 episodes with young leaders of the criminal defense in North Carolina. After drilling down on the repeated indicators of success based on his conversation with the lawyers in this Warriors series, Jake has discovered the unanimous greatest weapon that a legal warrior can possess and develop: relationships. As Robin Sharma remarked, “The business of business is relationships; the business of life is human connection.”

Highlights:

·       Listen to Jake talk about how fascinating it was to hear the emphasis on relationships be repeatedly discussed by the guests in this legal leaders series.

·       Follow Jake through a guided thought experiment on the opportunity to access business leaders in the criminal defense world.

·       Discover how to find a group of curious criminal defense practitioners voraciously committed to self-improvement.  

On today’s episode, Robert DiDomenico joins Jake as we continue the Warriors on the Battlefield series highlighting young leaders in criminal defense. Rob is an associate attorney at Hiltzheimer Law Office in Durham, North Carolina. Rob describes how he was able to land a job working with the incredible Ben Hiltzheimer straight out of law school and his perspective on how to add value both in the courtroom and in relation to your firm’s bottom line as an associate attorney.

Highlights:

·       Rob describes his background in theater and how those skills have shaped his lawyering and why his career as an actor led him to law school.

·       Listen to Rob’s advice for young lawyers trying to advance the business development of their firms.

·       Uncover the culture of Hiltzheimer Law.

On today’s episode, Leah Shellberg joins Jake as we continue the Courtroom Warriors series highlighting young leaders in criminal defense. Leah is a Managing Partner at the Law Office of Tony Huynh, PLLC. Leah believes in practical and dynamic legal representation and sees herself as the ferry her clients can ride through the court system as she provides them with the legal knowledge they need to make empowered choices along the journey. Leah’s love of her clients and work is contagious and you are going to relish Leah’s take on the practice of criminal defense!

Highlights:

·       Leah develops the theme we have heard on a number of the Warriors episodes about the importance of relationships in growing your practice.

·       Listen to some of the amazing advice that Leah offers on how to take care of your mental health during your commute.

·       Discover the practical steps that Leah’s firm has utilized to create a culture of work-life balance for its employees.

On today’s episode, Daniel Donahue joins Jake as we continue the Courtroom Warriors series highlighting young leaders in criminal defense. Donahue Defense is located in Nags Head and Daniel handles DWI and other criminal cases in Dare and Currituck Counties. This episode is chalk full of practical advice for young lawyers starting their own law firm or who have recently hung their shingle. Bring your notepad to today’s episode!

Highlights:

·       This is truly one of the best episodes of the podcast in showcasing how to build your law firm from the ground up.

·       Listen as Jake and Daniel discuss why lawyers from small towns should consider setting up shop in their hometowns after law school.

·       Uncover some of Daniels best customer service lessons learned while he worked in his family’s small business growing up.

On today’s episode, Jennifer Chandler joins Jake as we continue the Courtroom Warriors series highlighting young leaders in criminal defense. Jennifer is the epitome of a criminal defense lawyer, passionate about her work: fighting in the courtroom and building an emotional connection with her clients. Chandler Law is located in Mooresville and Jennifer handles a variety of traffic and criminal cases in Charlotte, Huntersville, and Mooresville.  

Highlights:

·       Discover what led to Jennifer’s journey into criminal defense.

·       Hear the passion of a true warrior as Jennifer describes why she loves practicing criminal defense.

·       Uncover some the hurdles that Jennifer identifies for criminal defense lawyers in the current criminal justice system.

On today’s episode, Jake continues the Courtroom Warriors series highlighting young leaders in criminal defense by diving into conversation with his good friend, Josh Nielsen. Josh’s firm, Nielsen Legal handles a variety of practice areas including all levels of criminal representation throughout Western North Carolina. This episode is packed with practical advice on building a successful criminal law practice one relationship at a time.

Highlights:

·       Discover some of the keys Josh has used in designing a practice that provides personal fulfillment.

·       Learn how Josh has built his practice through relationships and why this is particularly critical due to the wide geographic territory he covers.

·       Listen to Josh’s advice on building a better local bar and why the local bar and judiciary make such a difference in the quality of life of local practitioners.

·       Uncover how Josh taught Jake one of the most valuable lessons in their brief time working together on the importance of providing your team with the correct tools and systems.