Michael Roche joins Scott Love to unpack a deceptively hard leadership challenge in professional services: getting partners to consistently do business development, and designing incentives that actually drive the right behavior. Roche’s central message is that there’s no universal compensation fix—the right approach depends on firm size, strategic priorities (rapid growth vs. deepening key relationships vs. refreshing a stale client base), and even national partnership culture (e.g., UK lockstep traditions vs. more individualistic U.S. models). He stresses that compensation is only a “lever,” not a self-executing solution: it works best when paired with strong leadership, clear expectations, and accountability conversations that tie each partner’s strengths and goals to the firm’s strategy.

Roche describes practical incentive strategies that go beyond simple origination credit. He argues firms should recognize that partners contribute differently—some excel at landing new clients, others at expanding existing accounts, and others at protecting “crown jewel” relationships—so incentives should be aligned to those roles and tracked accordingly. Non-monetary incentives can matter too, such as giving junior partners meaningful internal initiatives to build an “equity-owner mindset,” and publicly recognizing teams (not just lone rainmakers).

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

YouTube: https://youtu.be/Hl7GPJjpdfI

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Michael Roch guides partnership boards, managing partners and senior leaders globally on architecting strong partnerships and on leading their organizations to competitive growth.

Michael has advised dozens of organizations become market leaders in relation to their

Michael’s most recent book is The Partner Compensation Handbook, the comprehensive guide on profit sharing in professional services partnerships (together with Performance Leader's CEO Ray D’Cruz, Globe Publishing 2022).

Michael's clients range from multinational partnerships and alliances to mid-sized firms to start-ups across the globe; most operate in the professional services, technology and related sectors. All of them value how Michael’s partnerships advice is infused by his hands-on experience as an entrepreneur and leader of partnerships - and how he brings together a unique combination of in-depth experience around partnership economics, governance, organizational design, motivation, and reward to help clients drive growth.

 Links:

https://www.mhpradvisors.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelroch/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/mhpradvisors

e: [email protected]

Receive MHPR Insights: https://www.mhpradvisors.com/insights-signup

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Episode 294 focuses on the gap between “we have great culture” and the day-to-day behaviors people actually experience inside a firm. Scott interviews Alejandra Ramirez, founder of Ready Cultures and a longtime internal communications leader in big law, on what it really means to “walk the culture talk.” Her definition is simple but demanding: culture is credibility—aligning stated values with observable actions. She argues firms should start by auditing whether claimed values (like collaboration or transparency) show up in real behaviors (cross-selling between practices, sharing information with BD teams, etc.). Culture isn’t a slogan; it’s a set of conditions leadership actively creates, and when words and actions don’t match, trust erodes and performance suffers.

Alejandra then lays out how leaders close the gap: clear, consistent, actionable communication; active listening and feedback loops; and tying culture initiatives to measurable outcomes like engagement, retention, risk reduction, and cost savings. She emphasizes that firms recruit laterals on numbers but often lose them on fit—so culture must be evaluated explicitly during hiring through behavioral questions and by ensuring the “recruiting experience” matches the lived experience after arrival. Her three action steps: lead with curiosity (listen and ask questions), audit your internal communication system (tools, messages, measurement), and treat culture as a verb, not a noun—something you repeatedly do through choices, behaviors, and reinforcement. She also offers a practical “3H” framework (Head, Heart, Hands) to help leaders communicate change: facts, why it matters, and what to do next.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

YouTube: https://youtu.be/iwev7mcnzcw

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This show is sponsored by Leopard Solutions Legal Intelligence Suite of products, Firmscape, and Leopard BI. Push ahead of the pack with the power of Leopard. For a free demo, visit this link: https://www.leopardsolutions.com/index.php/request-a-demo/

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Alejandra Ramirez is an internal communications strategist and the founder of Ready Cultures. With nearly 20 years of experience in communications—including 15 years in Big Law and professional services—she helps leadership teams close the gap between what they say and what their people actually hear, especially in high-stakes environments where clarity directly impacts client experience and results.

Her work focuses on executive messaging, crisis communication, and organizational alignment during moments of growth, change, and pressure. By strengthening internal clarity and trust, Alejandra helps firms improve execution, reduce friction, and deliver more consistent, high-quality client service—the foundation of sustainable rainmaking.

Links:

Website: https://www.readycultures.com/

3H Framework: https://www.readycultures.com/3h-framework 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malejandraramirez/

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In Episode 293 of The Rainmaking Podcast (Legal Series), Scott Love interviews Jay McAllister, founder of Paragon Tech, on how law firms can improve case management from matter opening through conclusion. Jay’s core insight: most firms use only 10–20% of their case management platform’s functionality (across tools like Clio, Smokeball, and Centerbase), leaving major efficiency gains “on the table.” He explains that many firms switch platforms reactively—because a system gets sunset (he cites Thomson Reuters exiting its Firm Central case-management product) or because they’re attracted to a shiny feature—without first diagnosing the firm’s true operational bottleneck.

Jay argues that the right approach is constraint-first: assemble a cross-functional steering committee, identify the firm’s biggest constraints, and then select/implement tech to solve those specific problems—rather than forcing the firm to conform to software. He highlights the upside of a “matter-centric” system: tighter time capture (citing research suggesting non-contemporaneous billing can cost roughly an hour per week), reduced friction through a single source of truth for documents and communications, improved client experience through a more choreographed process, and higher staff satisfaction. They also discuss change management—getting buy-in early by involving stakeholders—and the importance of surfacing KPIs automatically, including consultation show rates, retention/close rates, utilization, realization, and collections. Jay closes with three actions: (1) define the limiting constraint and success criteria before making any major change (including AI), (2) use a structured selection framework (he mentions a 53-criteria guide), and (3) get educated and leverage peer communities to avoid reinventing the wheel.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

YouTube: https://youtu.be/yx1wN4G3cSk

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As someone who has always had an unconventional interest in studying technology and business, approaching both with the healthy skepticism

Links: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/legaltechexpert/

https://www.youtube.com/@paragontechit

Jay's Mental Health Short Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSsMZvxtAQk&t=480s

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Episode 292 features Scott Love interviewing culture-transformation author and speaker Greg Hawks about his book Act Like an Owner: Five Unlocks for Creating Culture People Love and Results Leaders Need. Hawks frames workplace behavior through a simple but sticky metaphor drawn from his years as a landlord: in every organization you have owners (people who take responsibility and treat the “house” like it’s theirs), renters (people who do their jobs but don’t emotionally invest), and vandals (people who actively damage culture through blame, excuses, and disregard). A key point is that “acting like an owner” isn’t reserved for people with equity—anyone can adopt an owner mindset, and leaders of even small teams can influence culture by clarifying what commitment looks like, building trust, and refusing to tolerate “vandal” behavior that demoralizes everyone else.

Hawks also emphasizes that culture improvement is often less about elaborate programs and more about consistent, practical behaviors that create momentum. He highlights the value of clear standards and accountability (commitment measured by responsibility rather than hours), and “activating lasting value” through simple, specific encouragement that accelerates trust (“people like people who like them”). He argues the real leverage move isn’t obsessing over disengaged “renters” but addressing actively disengaged “vandals,” because removing toxic behavior makes it safe for others to re-invest. The conversation closes with actionable guidance: think beyond your own “room” and care about the whole “house,” notice and affirm positive behaviors in others regularly, and ask yourself in every situation whether you’re owning outcomes or defaulting to blame.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

YouTube: https://youtu.be/iTqcAs6HCyc

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This show is sponsored by Leopard Solutions Legal Intelligence Suite of products, Firmscape, and Leopard BI. Push ahead of the pack with the power of Leopard. For a free demo, visit this link: https://www.leopardsolutions.com/index.php/request-a-demo/

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Greg empowers leaders and teams to “Unlock Everyday Greatness” by transforming disengaged workplaces into thriving ecosystems of trust, ownership, and intentional action. His three-decade career has been packed with love and service. As a nonprofit executive, real estate investor, and small business owner, he has impacted thousands of lives.

Being a natural collaborator Greg approaches his keynote speaking, consulting and thought leadership through a partnership lens.

Clients like Coca-Cola, Paycom, COX and SHRM trust Greg to equip their people. As a result of his work, organizations evolve into places of shared language, energized momentum and sincere ownership. His passion for shaping environments where everyone gets to contribute their best daily is contagious.

Links:

https://www.greghawks.com/act-like-an-owner

https://www.greghawks.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ghawks/

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Episode 291 features Scott Love in conversation with legal business development strategist Karen Kaplowitz on how lawyers can use charitable sponsorships to deepen client relationships and generate business in a way that feels authentic. Kaplowitz defines “charitable sponsorships” as the common scenario where a client invites a lawyer or law firm to support a charity through events such as dinners, honoree celebrations (often for a general counsel or senior executive), golf tournaments, or fundraising activities. While this can resemble other networking, she argues the charity context creates a stronger “expectation of interaction” and a closer bond because the client is personally invested. Done well, it is not simply writing a check; it is learning what the client and their company care about and showing up in meaningful ways that build trust and access in an increasingly competitive market where competitors are often being invited to the same opportunities.

Kaplowitz emphasizes that the biggest mistake firms make is treating charity involvement as a one-and-done transaction, which leads to wasted spend and missed relationship leverage. The value comes from being intentional: doing advance research on who will be there, coordinating internally to ensure the right lawyers attend, arriving early, engaging purposefully, and following up to convert introductions into ongoing relationships. She highlights high-impact approaches such as volunteering alongside clients (e.g., joining a client’s Thanksgiving service activity), helping a charity by mobilizing firm resources when a key client is being honored, and serving on boards where clients can see lawyers “in action” as problem-solvers. Her three recommended action steps are: (1) identify what charities your most important clients support, (2) plan specific ways to support the client and the charity (sponsorship, board service, volunteering, fundraising), and (3) execute with consistent follow-through as part of an organized relationship plan with clear activities and a budget.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

YouTube: https://youtu.be/on0Bm4AfffE

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This show is sponsored by Leopard Solutions Legal Intelligence Suite of products, Firmscape, and Leopard BI. Push ahead of the pack with the power of Leopard. For a free demo, visit this link: https://www.leopardsolutions.com/index.php/request-a-demo/

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In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, Scott sits down with Karen Kaplowitz,  a Lawdragon Global 100 Leader in Legal Strategy and Consulting,  who is a master at helping law firms build client relationships through charity, and has personally raised over $20M in charity for a leading women’s civil rights organization.

 Links:

https://www.legalmomentum.org/events/aiming-high-2026

https://www.newellis.com/PDFs/2010/May3-RightTimeRightGroup.pdf

https://www.newellis.com/PDFs/2011/April112011-CharityBegins.pdf

https://www.newellis.com/PDFs/2022/NewEllis-102422.pdf

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Episode 290 features Scott Love in conversation with Ryan Kimler (Net Profit CFO) on financial management and strategy for independent law firms. Ryan argues that most small-firm owners struggle because they don’t have the right financial team around them, and he outlines a simple four-seat model: bookkeeper (tracks transactions and produces monthly financials), tax accountant/CPA (compliance and tax filings), fractional CFO (forecasting, efficiency, and decision support), and a retirement/investment advisor (helping partners retire on their own terms). Ryan then breaks down what non-financial founders should actually look for in their numbers: on the P&L, keep expenses grouped into three clear buckets—payroll, marketing, overhead—and track them as percentages of revenue; on the balance sheet, monitor cash, accounts receivable, debts, and owner distributions (especially to avoid mis-categorized items that can increase taxable income).

Ryan shares what he commonly sees when firms bring him in: a “great year” followed by declining profitability where the owner feels unclear about where the money is going, worries about payroll, and loses sleep due to a lack of forecasting and visibility. His firm’s approach is to create an annual plan, build a simplified financial dashboard/scoreboard (green/yellow/red), and then develop action plans that target the “red” metrics—often involving attorney productivity, hiring efficiency, pricing, collections, and marketing ROI—so the firm can improve cash flow, profitability, and owner take-home pay. The episode closes with three action steps: build the right financial team, review your financials regularly using a few key metrics and trends, and create an action plan to fix the number(s) that are off track.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

YouTube: https://youtu.be/U0WFJSIZUuc

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This show is sponsored by Leopard Solutions Legal Intelligence Suite of products, Firmscape, and Leopard BI. Push ahead of the pack with the power of Leopard. For a free demo, visit this link: https://www.leopardsolutions.com/index.php/request-a-demo/

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Ryan Kimler is the Founder of Net Profit CFO, host of the Net Profit Podcast, and an international best-selling author. Through his firm,

1. A financially healthy firm with consistent cash flow to support growth

Ryan’s mission is simple — to give law firm owners the financial clarity they need to run a more profitable business and enjoy the freedom that comes with it.

Links:

LinkedIn- www.linkedin.com/in/ryankfinancialclarityllc/

Website- www.netprofitcfo.com

Legal CFO Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@LegalCFO

Profit Call - https://go.oncehub.com/profit

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In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, Scott Love sits down with Deborah Farone, one of the legal industry’s foremost experts on law firm marketing, to discuss her new book Breaking Ground and the unique dynamics women lawyers face in developing a thriving practice. Drawing on interviews with 60 successful women rainmakers from around the world, Deborah explains how a lack of visible role models, unconscious bias, and confidence gaps can affect business development—but also how women can turn these challenges into strategic advantages. The conversation explores the importance of having a written business development plan, setting aspirational goals, building confidence, and using practical tools such as grounding exercises to overcome imposter syndrome and perform effectively in client-facing situations.

Scott and Deborah also examine the concrete habits and systems that consistently drive long-term rainmaking success. From intentional networking and authentic relationship-building to leveraging empathy, listening skills, and personal interests as connection points, Deborah emphasizes that there is no single “right” way to develop business. Instead, successful women lawyers build practices that align with who they are, supported by simple systems, regular touchpoints, and disciplined follow-through. The episode concludes with clear action steps for professionals at any stage of their career: carve out time to define a vision, actively nurture a professional network, and take immediate action to move one relationship—or opportunity—forward.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

YouTube: https://youtu.be/sv0qPYQkb6c

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This show is sponsored by Leopard Solutions Legal Intelligence Suite of products, Firmscape, and Leopard BI. Push ahead of the pack with the power of Leopard. For a free demo, visit this link: https://www.leopardsolutions.com/index.php/request-a-demo/

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Over the past two decades, Deborah has carved out a niche by distinguishing herself as the chief marketing officer of two of the country’s

Links:

https://deborahfarone.com/breaking-ground/

https://deborahfarone.com/about/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahfarone/

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In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, Scott Love sits down with Chad Dean, Managing Partner of Integrated Management Resources, to discuss how professionals can avoid common career pitfalls—and recover strategically when missteps occur. Drawing on nearly three decades of experience recruiting senior finance and accounting leaders, Chad emphasizes the importance of slowing down decision-making, understanding true motivations for change, and avoiding reactionary moves driven solely by compensation. He explains why culture, leadership trust, and long-term growth potential are far more reliable indicators of a successful career move than short-term financial gain, and why many professionals benefit from having a neutral sounding board before making major decisions.

The conversation also explores how to navigate career setbacks, including short tenures, leadership mismatches, or ethical red flags, without derailing long-term credibility. Chad offers practical guidance on when it makes sense to exit a role quickly, how to frame career narratives with clarity and confidence, and why mentorship, networking, and disciplined self-care are essential for long-term career resilience. This episode provides thoughtful, grounded advice for professionals who want to manage their careers deliberately, minimize regret, and position themselves for sustained success—even in the face of uncertainty or change.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

YouTube: https://youtu.be/R-EAamsckBQ

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This show is sponsored by Leopard Solutions Legal Intelligence Suite of products, Firmscape, and Leopard BI. Push ahead of the pack with the power of Leopard. For a free demo, visit this link: https://www.leopardsolutions.com/index.php/request-a-demo/

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaddean/

https://integratedmgmt.com/about/

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In this solo episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, Scott Love shares hard-earned insights from nearly three decades in legal recruiting and thousands of in-depth conversations with law firm partners across the country. Drawing from patterns he’s observed among the most successful rainmakers, Scott breaks down what truly drives long-term growth for law firm partners—beyond pure legal skill.

Scott outlines three core pillars that consistently show up in high-performing partners: strong legal acumen, deliberate business development, and effective leadership. He explains why partners who thrive treat the growth of their practice as an intellectual journey—one that requires continuous learning, humility, and intentional skill-building, rather than relying solely on past success or technical expertise.

The episode also emphasizes the importance of consistency in relationship-building. Scott shares practical examples of how small, repeatable actions—such as one meaningful outreach per week—compound into powerful business development momentum over time. He also discusses the role of vision, platform, and firm strategy in determining whether partners can realistically reach their long-term goals where they are—or whether a different platform might better support their practice and clients.

This episode is especially relevant for partners who want to grow their book of business thoughtfully, evaluate their current firm alignment, and make strategic decisions without unnecessary risk or pressure. It’s a candid, practical roadmap for partners who want to take ownership of their growth and career trajectory.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

YouTube: https://youtu.be/4CLSYJBI9lY

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This show is sponsored by Leopard Solutions Legal Intelligence Suite of products, Firmscape, and Leopard BI. Push ahead of the pack with the power of Leopard. For a free demo, visit this link: https://www.leopardsolutions.com/index.php/request-a-demo/

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Scott Love is a legal recruiter who is solely focused on recruiting corporate and finance partners for global law firms in major markets. He is also a coauthor of Rainmaker Confidential, and speaks at conferences professionally to business groups on sales, client development, and recruiting.

www.rainmakerconfidential.com

https://partnersonthemove.com/

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In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, Scott Love speaks with executive coach and author Luci Gabel about optimal performance for high achievers—and Luci’s definition is simple and practical: optimal performance equals energy. She explains that rainmakers and senior professionals aren’t just managing tasks; they are managing the internal capacity to think clearly, communicate well, make high-stakes decisions, and stay steady under pressure. Luci introduces a framework of six “pillars” of energy that combine the physical and mental sides of performance: nutrition, movement, rest/sleep, mindset, communication, and vision. Her point is that you cannot separate physiology from leadership—small shifts in hydration, rest, movement, or self-talk can immediately improve focus, mood, decision quality, and resilience.

Luci also emphasizes that most professionals don’t pay attention to energy until they’re already depleted; the first step is simply noticing what drains you and what elevates you throughout the day. Rather than overwhelming people with a complete lifestyle overhaul, she advocates high-leverage, minimal viable changes—one small adjustment practiced consistently for a week or two (like increasing water intake, taking a 10-minute walk, or turning screens off an hour earlier). She recommends turning the six pillars into a simple monthly self-audit: draw a “wheel,” rate yourself from 1–10 on each pillar, identify the lowest score, and focus on one small improvement there. Over time, this creates compounding gains in energy and clarity. Luci closes by pointing listeners to her coaching and group programs built on these pillars, along with her podcast, Leadership Life, Health and Happiness, for continued strategies on sustainable performance.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

YouTube: https://youtu.be/t10UiZsieEU

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This show is sponsored by Leopard Solutions Legal Intelligence Suite of products, Firmscape, and Leopard BI. Push ahead of the pack with the power of Leopard. For a free demo, visit this link:https://www.leopardsolutions.com/index.php/request-a-demo/

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With two decades of experience at the intersection of leadership, physiology, and business, I help organizations and individuals perform at their highest level—by aligning strategy, communication, and human performance.

https://www.lucigabel.com/book

https://www.lucigabel.com/

https://www.lucigabel.com/leadership

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucigabel/

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