In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with Chuck Curtis, former Senior Director of Attorney Recruiting at Pillsbury and now a management consultant, about how to recruit and retain top-tier rainmakers. Chuck shares insights from his decades-long experience in law firm recruiting, explaining that rainmakers are not just top billers—they are business advisors who deeply understand their clients' needs and build high-performing teams. He emphasizes that attracting and keeping these elite professionals requires strategic alignment, leadership involvement, and a firm culture that supports their growth.

Key topics include why successful rainmakers move firms, the factors that motivate them—such as better platform support, increased growth opportunities, and stronger team incentives—and how firms can position themselves as the ideal destination for these high-impact partners. Chuck discusses how law firm leaders can play a direct role in recruiting rainmakers, why compensation alone is not enough, and how to structure offers that appeal to both the individual and their team. He also shares best practices for integrating lateral partners successfully, ensuring they feel supported and aligned with firm leadership from day one. This episode provides valuable strategies for firms looking to attract and retain top-tier legal rainmakers while avoiding the common pitfalls that cause them to look elsewhere.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

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Chuck Curtis offers consulting and coaching services to law firms:

* Developing and executing effective partner hiring strategies and initiatives

* Aligning firm leadership, practice section leaders, and partner recruiting leaders and teams in most effectively identifying winning partner hiring strategies, including firm branding, and implementing them in the marketplace

* Assessing and improving partner hiring teams

* Creating a positive firm culture around hiring and retaining lateral partners

* Developing a written framework for new partner integration, beginning during the interview process

* Providing one-on-one integration coaching to new partners to optimize their successful integration, including onboarding their existing clients and maximizing their exposure to current firm clients and attorneys

* Providing one-on-one coaching to law firm Chiefs, Directors and Managers regarding how to excel in their roles and provide maximum value to their firms while maintaining personal balance

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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/

Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-curtis-7461a39/

[email protected]

https://clcurtis31consulting.com/

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In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with David Greer, entrepreneur, coach, and author of Wind in Your Sails, about how professionals can 10X their business development efforts by identifying and leveraging industry secrets. David explains that standing out in a competitive market requires more than just being slightly better than the competition—it requires a transformational approach that makes switching to your services a no-brainer for clients. He emphasizes that professionals must examine their entire business development process, from first client interaction to service delivery, to uncover hidden opportunities for differentiation and value creation.

Key topics include how to identify and expose industry secrets—the inefficiencies or weaknesses competitors don’t want clients to see—and how to build a strategy that makes your offering significantly better than alternatives. David shares real-world examples of companies that achieved a 10X competitive advantage, from improving responsiveness and service delivery to leveraging technology for instant results. He also discusses how professionals can break free from industry norms, develop unique client experiences, and implement small strategic changes that lead to exponential business growth. This episode provides practical strategies for professionals looking to rethink their approach, create standout client experiences, and maximize their impact in the market.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

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While still in university getting his degree in computer science, David joined Robelle Solutions Technology as the first employee after the founders. After joining Robelle, he got permission from his 4th year professors to take a week off so he could fly to an international conference to give his first ever technical presentation.

During David’s tenure as co-owner and President of Robelle, he traveled the world giving a new presentation every year, building Robelle into the world’s leading provider of HP 3000 solutions. He is a co-author of The IMAGE/3000 Handbook, the reference work for the HP 3000 IMAGE database management system.

After leaving Robelle, David has been an angel investor, director, and senior executive to numerous companies always working 1-on-1 with entrepreneurs to grow their business. In 2015, he became an entrepreneurial coach and launched his book Wind In Your Sails: Vital Strategies to Accelerate Your Entrepreneurial Growth. Spend one hour reading Wind In Your Sails, attend a one hour talk with him, or get one hour of 1-to-1 coaching and you will have 3 concrete action items that will shift and accelerate your business within 90 days.

In his spare time, David enjoys the beauty, water, and mountains of the Vancouver area, while taking occasional adventure breaks with his wife, Karalee. David and Karalee are committed to their three children, spending time supporting them in the many and varied activities they are involved with, including skiing together as a family in Whistler.

When not writing books, coaching, or speaking, you might find David hiking, skiing, or sailing across oceans.

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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/

Links:

https://coachdjgreer.com/

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

Buy David’s book here:

Wind In Your Sails: Vital Strategies That Accelerate Your Entrepreneurial Growth

https://www.amazon.com/WIND-YOUR-SAILS-Strategies-Entrepreneurial-ebook/dp/B00TRPZW3O/

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In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with Larry Levine, author of Selling in a Post-Trust World, about how professionals can build authentic relationships and establish trust in an increasingly skeptical marketplace. Larry explains that trust is the currency of sales and business development, yet many professionals struggle to earn it due to broken promises, inconsistent follow-through, and transactional approaches. He introduces a structured formula for building trust, emphasizing that successful rainmakers prioritize authenticity, meaningful value, and disciplined habits to create long-term client relationships.

Key topics include the four pillars of the trust formula: Authentic Relationships (AR), Meaningful Value (MV), Inspirational Experiences (IE), and Disciplined Habits (DH). Larry discusses how professionals can build deeper relationships by understanding client goals, adding unique business insights, and showing consistency over time. He also shares how creating inspirational client experiences—not just delivering services—helps differentiate professionals in competitive industries. Additionally, Larry provides powerful questions professionals can ask clients to uncover deeper needs and build long-term loyalty. This episode delivers practical, high-impact strategies for professionals looking to improve trust, deepen client engagement, and elevate their rainmaking approach.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

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Larry Levine is an author, podcast host, and speaker for organizations who wish to grow their sales revenue. You can listen to his podcast https://www.sellingfromtheheartpodcast.com/ and connect with him on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

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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/

Links:

https://sellinginaposttrustworld.com/

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In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with Jacob Parks, business strategist and author of Never Say Sell, about the anatomy of a rainmaking organization and how firms can build a culture of business development excellence. Jacob explains that while many professional service firms rely on a few standout rainmakers, the most successful organizations embed business development into their structure, incentives, and culture. He emphasizes that firms should shift from focusing on individual sales stars to creating a scalable system where every partner and leader contributes to growth.

Key topics include the biggest institutional barriers to rainmaking success, such as misaligned incentives, lack of cross-selling between partners, and underutilized technology tools like CRM systems. Jacob shares strategies for breaking down silos within firms, improving collaboration between practice areas, and leveraging AI and automation to streamline business development. He also discusses the importance of training new partners in sales and networking skills, how to use rainmaker panels to transfer knowledge, and why measuring and incentivizing business development contributions can drive firm-wide success. This episode provides practical insights for firm leaders looking to improve collaboration, increase revenue, and create a sustainable rainmaking culture.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

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President of Strategy for PIE, Jacob Parks is the author of Never Say Sell, a guide to how professional firms expand their business with key clients. His expertise includes partner remuneration and incentive plans, account planning, trigger of engagement, and how to expand a brand to include new service offerings, new industries, or new geographies. He has led client teams for McKinsey, Accenture, and KPMG among others. He leads The PIE Professional Services CMO and CGO network and is a graduate of Gonzaga’s MBA program, having previously taught undergraduate business students.

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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/

Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-parks/

https://www.profitableideas.com/about/meet-our-team/jacob-parks/

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In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with Mo Bunnell, author of Give to Grow, about how investing in relationships is the key to long-term business success. Mo explains that successful rainmakers don’t just focus on closing deals—they prioritize helping others, building trust, and creating genuine connections. He shares insights from his research on high-performing business developers, emphasizing that the top rainmakers are not just a little better—they are often 10 times more successful than the average professional because they consistently take action and focus on adding value to others.

Key topics include the five biggest mental barriers that hold professionals back—such as fear of rejection, perfectionism, and feeling too busy—and how to overcome them by shifting mindset and taking consistent action. Mo introduces the “It’s always your move” principle, which encourages professionals to proactively add value and maintain client relationships rather than waiting for opportunities to come to them. He also shares the four gifts of relationship-building: attention, understanding, wisdom, and clarity, explaining how professionals can apply these principles in business development to strengthen trust and increase referrals. This episode provides a practical roadmap for professionals looking to enhance their networking, business development, and client engagement strategies.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

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Mo Bunnell helps complex organizations grow by scaling business development skills across their organizations and creating a growth-oriented culture. He is the author of Give to Grow, The Snowball System, the host of the podcast Real Relationships Real Revenue, and the founder of Bunnell Idea Group (BIG), who has trained tens of thousands of professionals. BIG’s clients have used Mo and his team’s GrowBIG® training to give their experts a system for growth that creates deep relationships, gives a comprehensive business development framework, and dare we say, is fun to use. Mo started his career as an expert himself, passing all the actuarial exams to earn their highest designation: Fellow of the Society of Actuaries. Today, Mo enjoys working with hundreds of clients including some of the largest, most prestigious service-based organizations. Mo and his wife of over 30 years, Becky, enjoy spending time with their friends and two adult daughters. Outside of work he enjoys working out, backpacking, and playing ultimate frisbee at the national and world levels. Becky and Mo live in Atlanta Georgia with their four horses, two cats, dog, bird and miniature donkey, Louie Hamilton.

Mo Bunnell offered seats to his seminar to the first five who request them. You can email Scott Love about this and he will forward your request to Mo Bunnell's team.  [email protected]

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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/

Links:

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

https://bunnellideagroup.com

https://bunnellideagroup.com/givetogrow/

www.givetogrow.info

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In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with Kathy Richardson, legal recruiter and well-being advocate, about the importance of mental, emotional, and physical well-being for rainmakers. Kathy shares insights from her experience working with lawyers and professionals who face intense pressure to perform, explaining that success in business development is directly tied to personal well-being. She emphasizes that professionals often neglect their health—mentally, emotionally, physically, financially, and even spiritually—while chasing career success, leading to burnout, dissatisfaction, and decreased effectiveness.

Key topics include how well-being affects business performance, the dangers of "grind culture" and overwork, and the signs professionals should watch for that indicate their well-being is suffering—such as dreading Monday mornings or feeling constantly drained. Kathy shares practical self-care strategies, including daily meditation, mindful work environments, and maintaining strong social connections to create balance. She also discusses how professionals can align their career choices with their personal happiness and how firms can support inclusion, belonging, and well-being initiatives. Additionally, Kathy introduces her lawyer wellness retreats, which combine yoga, meditation, and career coaching to help professionals reset and refocus. This episode provides actionable steps for professionals looking to protect their well-being while excelling in business development.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

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Kathryn Holt Richardson is an award-winning legal recruiter and Founder of HR Legal Search, a national search firm based in Austin recognized by Texas Lawyer as a Texas Best Legal Recruiting Firm since 2011. Kathy specializes in placing law firm partners and groups. She also supports office openings and mergers. She has successfully placed hundreds of lawyers across the country including NYC, DC, LA, Chicago and the Bay area. She is also successfully retained by companies to find in-house talent at every level including General Counsel.

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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/

Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-holt-richardson-6111a62/

https://www.hrlegalsearch.com/about/kathryn-richardson/

https://www.hrlegalsearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Fall2021-Featured-Article-Kathy-Richardson.pdf

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In this solo episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love shares essential strategies for time management and vision-setting to help professionals maximize productivity and stay aligned with their long-term goals. Scott emphasizes that time cannot be managed—only our habits, focus, and decisions can be controlled. He explains that the key to high performance is clarity of purpose, building strong habits, and eliminating distractions that pull professionals away from their most important work. Through personal experiences and proven techniques, Scott provides a framework for taking ownership of one’s time and career trajectory.

Key topics include the importance of defining core values and professional vision, how to establish daily rituals that drive consistent performance, and the power of tracking time to identify and eliminate inefficiencies. Scott shares practical exercises, such as writing down a clear career vision, using daily habit tracking to optimize productivity, and asking the crucial question: “Is this bringing me closer to or further away from my goals?” He also discusses overcoming hesitation in business development, the psychological benefits of setting closing rituals to disconnect from work, and how small habit changes can create exponential improvements in personal and professional growth. This episode provides actionable steps for professionals looking to improve focus, enhance efficiency, and create a long-term success strategy.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

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Scott Love is a legal recruiter who recruits private equity attorneys for global law firms and facilitates law firm mergers. He also is an author and speaker on client development.

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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, host Scott Love speaks with Jim Packard, client development expert and co-author of The Consistency Chain, about the lifetime value of a client and how professionals can nurture relationships for long-term success. Jim shares insights from decades of experience in business development, emphasizing that most professionals focus too much on acquiring new clients rather than strengthening existing relationships. He explains that consistent, meaningful contact with clients is key to retention and referrals, as failing to nurture relationships leads to lost business.

Key topics include why businesses should reverse the typical 80/20 rule—spending more time nurturing existing clients rather than chasing new ones, how every month without client contact results in a 10% loss of influence, and the importance of staying top-of-mind through thoughtful, consistent engagement. Jim shares practical strategies for client retention, such as sending personalized greeting cards, making check-in calls, and leveraging small, thoughtful gifts to maintain strong relationships. He also discusses common pitfalls professionals face, such as taking client loyalty for granted and failing to express appreciation. This episode provides actionable steps for professionals looking to maximize client lifetime value, strengthen their network, and increase referrals through consistent engagement.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

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Jim Packard is the poster child for a life of consistent action. Whether it was being the top-producing paper boy or turning a $500 investment into a $17 million-a-year business, he excelled every day, all day for years. Married for more than four decades, father of two highly successful sons, Jim's consistency extended to his personal life as well. Recognized for his work in the community, he was Jaycees' Man of the Year for both his city and his state.

After selling his business to a Fortune 500 company and taking "early retirement", Jim just increased his entrepreneurial interests. He shepherded inventions through development and appeared on QVC over 25 times. Through that venue alone, he sold over a million dollars of a single product. In the area of network marketing, he was a distributor of the year in two different companies, led thousands of distributors and customers, and was always a top 10 money earner.

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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/

Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-packard-b6435535/

ConsistencyChain.com 

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In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with Chris Batz, legal recruiter and host of The Future is Bright podcast, about principle-centered rainmaking and the mindset shifts required to achieve lasting business development success. Chris shares insights from his career in legal recruiting, emphasizing that long-term success in rainmaking isn’t about quick wins—it’s about patience, self-awareness, and strategic relationship-building. He explains that rainmakers must focus on compounding their efforts over time, rather than expecting immediate results, and that true success comes from a mindset of continuous learning, resilience, and generosity.

Key topics include the power of patience in business development, how to measure success beyond financial goals, and the role of self-awareness in professional growth. Chris shares his philosophy on lifetime client value, emphasizing that professionals should focus on long-term relationships rather than short-term gains. He also discusses overcoming fear in business, explaining that stepping outside one’s comfort zone and embracing challenges leads to exponential growth. Additionally, he highlights the importance of personal development habits, such as exercise, sleep, and reflection, in sustaining high performance. This episode provides a powerful roadmap for professionals looking to cultivate the right mindset, stay the course, and build meaningful, long-lasting client relationships.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

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Chris Batz is a business development professional & entrepreneur in the executive search industry with a background in public accounting and a mind for big picture strategic thinking & marketing. He is a connector and catalyst for client’s goals.

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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/

Links:

https://chrisbatz.com/podcast/

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

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In this solo episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love shares the five biggest pitfalls that hold business developers back and how professionals can avoid them to achieve greater success. Drawing from his experience recruiting rainmakers and interviewing over 200 business development experts, Scott explains that the key to winning more business isn’t just about effort—it’s about having the right strategy, mindset, and consistency. He provides a roadmap for professionals looking to refine their approach, stand out in a competitive marketplace, and build stronger client relationships.

Key topics include the five most common pitfalls in business development: 1) Not effectively communicating their value proposition, where professionals fail to articulate what makes them distinct and valuable; 2) Not paying attention to industry trends, leading to missed opportunities for innovation; 3) Not taking consistent action on new business opportunities, which causes stagnation in client acquisition; 4) Not developing thought leadership, resulting in weaker credibility and fewer inbound leads; and 5) Not asking for referrals, leaving business growth to chance rather than strategy. Scott also discusses how professionals can build momentum in their client development efforts, create a more defined niche, and implement simple systems to attract high-value opportunities. This episode delivers practical, actionable strategies for professionals looking to refine their rainmaking approach and consistently bring in new business.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

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Scott Love is a legal recruiter who recruits private equity attorneys for global law firms and facilitates law firm mergers. He also is an author and speaker on client development.

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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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