Wildly Successful Law Firm

A quick heads-up:

On November 21, we’re taking all past episodes of the Wildly Successful Law Firm Podcast off the public platforms (Apple, Google, etc.).

If you want to keep every episode, re-listen anytime, and have lifetime access to the full archive, you can purchase it here:

👉 Podcast Archive Lifetime Access — $100

https://buy.stripe.com/fZu14n00Z6Tg9NUcGi0oM0X

Once you purchase, you’ll get permanent access to all episodes, including the final one. After Nov 21, they won’t be available for free anywhere.

Key Takeaways:

1. Raise your prices every year.

If Big Law can raise their rates by 7 to 10 percent, so can you. You have more experience now than you did last year. Charge for it. Stop worrying about who you’ll lose. The right clients will stay.

2. Write down your marketing plan.

If it lives in your head, it’s not real. I write my plans down and move them into my calendar. You should too. Know where your clients came from and where you want new ones to come from.

3. Track your numbers every month.

You don’t need fancy reports. Your bank statement and calendar will tell you almost everything. Know what came in, what went out, and how many consults turned into clients.

4. Group your clients into buckets.

Every firm has work that drains time and work that drives profit. Look at what brings money and joy, and cut what doesn’t. Don’t build your firm around the work you hate.

5. Be brutally honest with yourself.

Ask if you really want the kind of work you’re chasing. Ask if you actually want to manage a team or be in court all week. Your firm should fit your life, not the other way around.

6. Charge more so you can hire better.

You get what you pay for. If you want smart, reliable people who take work off your plate, you have to charge enough to afford them.

7. Data gives you power.

When you track your data, decisions become simple. Without it, you stay stuck and overwhelmed. Start with what’s in front of you—your bank account and your schedule.

8. Your marketing should match your truth.

Don’t copy what every other lawyer does. You don’t need TikTok if it doesn’t fit you. Be honest about what you’ll actually do and commit to it.

9. Consistency beats perfection.

One post, one newsletter, or one lunch won’t change your firm. Doing it every month will. Show up often enough to stay top of mind.

10. You already know what to do.

Everything I’ve taught for four years comes down to this: charge what you’re worth, track your data, plan ahead, focus on what works, and be honest about what you want.

Thank you for being part of the Wildly Successful Law Firm podcast.

These past four years have meant the world to me. I’ve shared everything I know about growing, managing, and marketing a firm that feels good to run.

Even though the podcast is ending, I’m not going anywhere. I’m still here helping lawyers raise their rates, hire better teams, and build firms that last.

If you ever need help with your marketing, pricing, or systems, or just want to say hi, reach out to me. I’d love to hear from you.

Email: [email protected]

Thank you again for listening, for growing, and for being part of this journey with me.

Key Takeaways

1. Don’t lower your rates.

You didn’t lose your experience when you left Big Law. If you billed $1,200/hour before, you can still bill that now. Clients already expect that rate.

2. Your clients want you, not a team of juniors.

They are paying for your direct access, your speed, and your experience, not layers of associates and partners.

3. Use fixed fees as a marketing edge.

Flat or fixed fees help corporate clients plan budgets and make you look predictable, professional, and easy for a CFO to approve.

4. Big Law marketing rules don’t apply.

Skip SEO, Google Ads, and billboards. Your next clients will not find you that way. Focus on relationships, thought leadership, and visibility.

5. Build relationships the right way.

Use the “1-2-3-4 punch”:

• Meet in person (coffee, events, conferences)
• Send newsletters
• Stay active on LinkedIn
• Keep showing up consistently

6. Show thought leadership with real opinions.

Don’t post case summaries. Share what you think about them. Take a stand. Clients trust strong opinions, not robotic summaries.

7. Use your marketing to show confidence, not discount it.

Your message should be: “When you email us, you get us, not a junior.”

8. Video can be simple and effective.

Be direct, speak about real deals or trends, and have an opinion. Use clear brand visuals that fit your niche.

9. Marketing for Big Law attorneys is relationship marketing.

It is not about being everywhere. It is about being seen by the right people enough times to build trust.

10. Stay consistent.

Clients trickle in over months, not overnight. Keep posting, emailing, and meeting. Results come with repetition.

A quick heads-up:

On November 21, we’re taking all past episodes of the Wildly Successful Law Firm Podcast off the public platforms (Apple, Google, etc.).

If you want to keep every episode, re-listen anytime, and have lifetime access to the full archive, you can purchase it here:

👉 Podcast Archive Lifetime Access — $100

https://buy.stripe.com/fZu14n00Z6Tg9NUcGi0oM0X

Once you purchase, you’ll get permanent access to all episodes, including the final one. After Nov 21, they won’t be available for free anywhere.

Thank you so much for being part of this journey and for listening.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Most solo lawyers are happy.

The ALPS survey found that 3 out of 4 solo attorneys feel satisfied in their work. That’s much higher than lawyers in big or mid-size firms.

Control matters more than money.

Many lawyers leave larger firms because they want control over their schedule, clients, and workload—not just a big paycheck.

Debt shapes career choices.

Law school debt pushes a lot of people into jobs they didn’t plan for. Over time, that can lead to burnout or regret.

Less stress when you focus.

Solos who pick one or two practice areas do better and even pay lower malpractice insurance. The more you “dabble,” the more risk you take on.

Solo life doesn’t mean lonely life.

Many solos stay connected through Facebook groups, Slack channels, and local bar groups. Support is there—you just need to reach out.

Health and vacation matter.

Most solos in the survey rated their health as good or great, and many take real time off each year. When you take care of yourself, you do better work.

Technology made going solo easier.

You don’t need a big office anymore. Tools like Clio and virtual offices make it possible to start a practice with low costs.

More lawyers will keep going solo.

About 76% of solos plan to stay that way. They like the freedom, the clients they serve, and the work they’re building for themselves.

The big message:

You don’t need to stay in a job that drains you. You can build a practice that fits your life—and still be a great lawyer.

ALPS INSURANCE REPORT FINDS SOLO LAW FIRMS BUCKING THE LAWYER WELL-BEING CRISIS TREND

While solo practitioners make up 49% of private practice lawyers in the U.S., relatively little research or attention has focused specifically on America's solo community. At the end of 2024, ALPS endeavored to establish benchmark data about solo attorneys and their respective professional satisfaction to determine how this subset of the nation’s legal workforce was faring. The findings, released in the 2025 Solo Attorney Well-Being Trends Report, were surprising.

To download the report, visit: https://www.alpsinsurance.com/2025-solo-well-being-report

Podcast Guest: Chris Newbold, Chief Operating Officer, ALPS Insurance

Email Address: [email protected]

Website: https://www.alpsinsurance.com/

Blog: https://www.alpsinsurance.com/blog

CLE Catalog: https://www.alpsinsurance.com/cle

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alpscorporation/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alpsinsurance/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/3966272/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ALPSCorporation

In this episode of the Wildly Successful Law Firm Podcast, I sit down with Attorney Jonathan Rosenfeld, the founder of Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC, to talk about what it really takes to build a successful personal-injury firm in Chicago — from a one-man show with a Yellow Pages ad to a multi-practice operation handling mass-tort cases.

Jonathan shares how he got into personal-injury law almost by accident and what kept him in it for more than 20 years.

He talks about starting his practice without a mentor, learning through observation, and realizing early that he wasn’t meant to be an employee — he was meant to build his own business.

We also get real about the marketing side of law. Jonathan openly admits to doing all the “cringe” things most lawyers wouldn’t — handing out business cards to taxi drivers, visiting construction sites, even running a Yellow Pages ad with his face inside a dollar bill.

And yet, that’s what worked. Because when you’re growing a law firm, you can’t act like you’re above the work. You have to get out there, be visible, and meet people where they are.

Jonathan and I also dive into hiring — how the best team members aren’t always the ones with the highest GPA, but the ones who are hungry, disciplined, and competitive. He looks for people who’ve played sports or served in the military because they understand persistence, teamwork, and pressure.

Now, twenty years later, he’s shifted his focus toward scaling through niching down. We talk about how the days of the “general law firm” are over and why creating micro-brands for specific case types has been key to staying relevant and competitive.

If you’re a law-firm owner who’s still trying to do everything for everyone, this episode is your reminder: narrow your focus, do the work no one else wants to do, and never underestimate the power of treating people like human beings.

Guest: Attorney Jonathan Rosenfeld, Founder & Managing Attorney of Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC (Chicago, IL)

Website: https://www.rosenfeldinjurylaw.com/

📌📌📌 Pinned Resources 📌📌📌

⚡2025 Lawyers Annual Planner. Check it out here

Want hidden gems 💎? Join the newsletter: https://ws-lawyers.com/newsletter/

🛟Lifesavers for your law firm: https://ws-lawyers.com/all-products

🤯Tired of those admin tasks? https://ws-lawyers.com/automate-your-law-firm/

💰Not seeing enough money in your law firm? https://ws-lawyers.com/show-me-the-money-in-my-law-firm/

🍼Feeling like a babysitter and not a law firm owner? https://ws-lawyers.com/law-firm-team-sos/

💸Want bookkeeping and CFO services that doesn't suck? www.thelawfirmbookkeeper.com

📧 For more information, feel free to email me at [email protected].

Curious if running ads is right for your law firm? In this episode of the Wildly Successful Law Firm podcast, Nermin Jasani demystifies legal advertising—from Facebook and Instagram to Google PPC, YouTube, TikTok, TV, and radio. She breaks down what works (and what doesn’t) for different types of law, why ad success is about more than just spending money, and how to set yourself up for real results. Whether you’re new to ads or rethinking your current approach, Nermin shares actionable advice on tracking results, following up with leads, and choosing the strategy that actually makes sense for your practice.

Key Takeaways:

• There are many advertising platforms, but not all are suitable for every legal practice area.
• High-volume practices like personal injury can benefit from TV and radio ads, but they require significant investment and robust intake systems.
• Social media ads (Facebook, Instagram) can work for family, estate, or bankruptcy law but need ongoing nurturing—expect a longer conversion timeline for “cold” leads.
• TikTok and YouTube are best for lawyers with established online presences; TikTok is good for brand awareness, not big-ticket services.
• Google Pay-Per-Click (PPC) can get expensive quickly and doesn’t guarantee client conversion.
• The success of any ad campaign depends on having solid systems to track leads and follow up effectively.
• Always track where your leads come from and calculate your return on ad spend to guide future decisions.
• Be cautious with marketing agencies—ensure they deliver on their tracking and reporting promises.
• Set a clear ad budget and specific goals before launching any campaign, and be ready to pivot if you’re not seeing results.
• If you’re not ready for ads, focus on lead magnets, nurturing emails, and tightening your internal processes to improve conversions.

📌📌📌 Pinned Resources 📌📌📌

⚡2025 Lawyers Annual Planner. Check it out here

Want hidden gems 💎? Join the newsletter: https://ws-lawyers.com/newsletter/

🛟Lifesavers for your law firm: https://ws-lawyers.com/all-products

🤯Tired of those admin tasks? https://ws-lawyers.com/automate-your-law-firm/

💰Not seeing enough money in your law firm? https://ws-lawyers.com/show-me-the-money-in-my-law-firm/

🍼Feeling like a babysitter and not a law firm owner? https://ws-lawyers.com/law-firm-team-sos/

💸Want bookkeeping and CFO services that doesn't suck? www.thelawfirmbookkeeper.com

📧 For more information, feel free to email me at [email protected].

Key Takeaways from the Podcast Episode:

• Virality isn’t a Guaranteed Business Booster: Going viral may bring a flood of views, likes, and followers, but those numbers rarely turn into actual paying clients or revenue for a law firm.
• Focus on Meaningful Metrics: Vanity metrics like views and comments are less important than consults booked, new clients signed, and revenue generated.
• Consistent Content Wins: Success comes from consistently creating valuable, educational content that showcases expertise and builds trust over time—not from chasing the next viral hit.
• Virality is Unpredictable: There is no reliable way to reverse-engineer or force content to go viral; it often happens randomly as a result of the algorithm.
• Comprehensive Strategy is Essential: Virality should be seen as a bonus, not the strategy itself. A holistic marketing approach—including social media, email newsletters, events, and strong follow-up systems—is what actually brings in clients.
• Long-term Audience Building: The goal is to nurture relationships so that when someone is ready to hire an attorney, your firm is top of mind due to your consistent presence and demonstrated expertise.

In summary: Don’t make “going viral” the centerpiece of your marketing plan. Instead, invest in steady, well-rounded marketing that attracts, engages, and converts your ideal clients.

📌📌📌 Pinned Resources 📌📌📌

⚡2025 Lawyers Annual Planner. Check it out here

Want hidden gems 💎? Join the newsletter: https://ws-lawyers.com/newsletter/

🛟Lifesavers for your law firm: https://ws-lawyers.com/all-products

🤯Tired of those admin tasks? https://ws-lawyers.com/automate-your-law-firm/

💰Not seeing enough money in your law firm? https://ws-lawyers.com/show-me-the-money-in-my-law-firm/

🍼Feeling like a babysitter and not a law firm owner? https://ws-lawyers.com/law-firm-team-sos/

💸Want bookkeeping and CFO services that doesn't suck? www.thelawfirmbookkeeper.com

📧 For more information, feel free to email me at [email protected].

• Saying you're a "business lawyer" or "family lawyer" isn't a niche—it's a practice area.
• A niche is about the specific type of client you serve, the problem you solve, and your unique angle or expertise.

1. Family Law + Neuroscience

• Help clients understand the brain science behind why they stay in toxic relationships.
• Use neurobiology to explain emotional resistance and charge premium fees due to your specialized approach.

2. Influencer Business Lawyer

• Don’t just call yourself a business lawyer.
• Target successful influencers (over 500k followers) who have brand deals and need contract, IP, and legal strategy help.

3. White Collar Defense + In-House PR

• Represent execs involved in financial or reputational scandals.
• Offer legal services + crisis PR to control the narrative and protect future employment.

• Specificity = Higher Rates: Niche attorneys can charge $500–$2,500/hr or set six-figure retainers.
• Better Referrals: Clear niches make it easy for others to refer clients to you.

1. Start with Practice Area (e.g., family, business, criminal)

2. Add Your Unique Lens (e.g., neuroscience, PR, trauma specialist)

3. Define the Client Profile/Problem (e.g., influencers with brand deals, CEOs accused of misconduct)

• “I help good people who made a mistake.” → Too vague.
• “I do family law for women.” → That’s a target audience, not a niche.
• “I only take clients I like.” → That’s a preference, not a business model.

📌📌📌 Pinned Resources 📌📌📌

⚡2025 Lawyers Annual Planner. Check it out here

Want hidden gems 💎? Join the newsletter: https://ws-lawyers.com/newsletter/

🛟Lifesavers for your law firm: https://ws-lawyers.com/all-products

🤯Tired of those admin tasks? https://ws-lawyers.com/automate-your-law-firm/

💰Not seeing enough money in your law firm? https://ws-lawyers.com/show-me-the-money-in-my-law-firm/

🍼Feeling like a babysitter and not a law firm owner? https://ws-lawyers.com/law-firm-team-sos/

💸Want bookkeeping and CFO services that doesn't suck? www.thelawfirmbookkeeper.com

📧 For more information, feel free to email me at [email protected].

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

- You need both digital and traditional marketing. Don’t go 100% one or the other.

- Every practice area is different. Your strategy should match your urgency level, location, and audience.

- Each platform and tactic needs its own strategy — you can’t copy-paste the same thing everywhere.

- You’re either spending time or money. There is no magical free version.

DIGITAL MARKETING OPTIONS (Pick 3–4 max):

- Influencer or affiliate shoutouts (great for PI with public clients)

- SEO + Blogs (get found on Google with keyword-packed posts)

- Ebooks/Checklists (guides like “10 things to know before your consult”)

- Social Media (every platform needs its own strategy — don’t post the same stuff everywhere)

- LinkedIn = professional network

- Instagram = visual storytelling

- TikTok = casual, real-life law

- YouTube = longform explainer content

- Pinterest = great if you sell templates, contracts, or courses

- Webinars (great for estate planning or info-heavy topics)

- Google Ads (aka pay-per-click; expensive but fast leads)

- Podcast (only if you’re really interesting)

- Guest on Podcasts (better option — share stories, not statutes)

- Google/Yelp Reviews (ask for them + use keywords!)

- Press Releases (only if you have big news to share)

- Write for online legal sites (Above the Law, Law360, etc.)

TRADITIONAL MARKETING OPTIONS (Layer these in):

- Cold calling referral sources (real estate agents, chiropractors, etc.)

- Flyers + brochures (leave them in local spots)

- Speaking engagements (CLE panels, bar events — build authority)

- Direct mailers (expensive, but people *do* keep them)

- Print ads in local magazines (great for estate or biz lawyers)

- 1:1 Lunches (Nermin’s fave — ditch the networking groups)

- Bar/professional associations (one intro could lead to big biz)

- TV + radio ads (super expensive; only works with a real strategy)

- Referral + networking groups (BNI, Lawyers 500, etc.)

- Past client check-ins (call your old clients. Seriously.)

- Promo products (pens, mugs — layered in, not random)

- Billboards (yes, they still work — include your phone number!)

- Firm-branded magazine (expensive, but unforgettable)

FINAL REMINDERS:

- You can’t just "do marketing." You need to pick a few things and do them well.

- Each channel needs its own plan — don’t treat them all the same.

- Feeling overwhelmed? That’s normal. Marketing is a full-time job.

- If you’re not spending money, you’ll need to spend time.

- If you're doing neither — you’re not marketing.

📌📌📌 Pinned Resources 📌📌📌

⚡2025 Lawyers Annual Planner. Check it out here

Want hidden gems 💎? Join the newsletter: https://ws-lawyers.com/newsletter/

🛟Lifesavers for your law firm: https://ws-lawyers.com/all-products

🤯Tired of those admin tasks? https://ws-lawyers.com/automate-your-law-firm/

💰Not seeing enough money in your law firm? https://ws-lawyers.com/show-me-the-money-in-my-law-firm/

🍼Feeling like a babysitter and not a law firm owner? https://ws-lawyers.com/law-firm-team-sos/

💸Want bookkeeping and CFO services that doesn't suck? www.thelawfirmbookkeeper.com

📧 For more information, feel free to email me at [email protected].

Hey law firm owners—if you've ever wondered why your marketing isn’t working the way you expected, this episode breaks it all down in a way that finally makes sense.

Here’s what you need to know:

Think:

- Personal Injury

-Criminal Defense

-Crypto Theft

-Workers’ Comp

Clients in these areas are price insensitive and ready to hire immediately. They’re not comparing quotes. They’re Googling “lawyer near me” in a panic.

Your strategy:

-Focus on ads (PPC, SEO, Google Maps)

-Build a strong intake system

-Be ready when the phone rings—this is a volume game

Think:

-Trademarks

-Business Law

-Estate Planning

-Immigration (general)

-Family Law (general)

These clients are price sensitive, take months (or years!) to hire, and need multiple reminders before they make a move.

Your strategy:

-Newsletters, blogs, Instagram, client gifts, soft selling

-Stay top of mind

-Be consistent and omnipresent

Think:

-Asylum

-Emergency Custody/Abuse in Family Law

-Deportation/Detainment Cases

These clients swing between urgent and non-urgent depending on the situation. Your marketing has to account for both possibilities.

Don't play the urgent marketing game if your practice area is not urgent. That’s where frustration, burnout, and wasted money happen.

📌 Know your category. Play the right game. Win big.

📌📌📌 Pinned Resources 📌📌📌

⚡2025 Lawyers Annual Planner. Check it out here

Want hidden gems 💎? Join the newsletter: https://ws-lawyers.com/newsletter/

🛟Lifesavers for your law firm: https://ws-lawyers.com/all-products

🤯Tired of those admin tasks? https://ws-lawyers.com/automate-your-law-firm/

💰Not seeing enough money in your law firm? https://ws-lawyers.com/show-me-the-money-in-my-law-firm/

🍼Feeling like a babysitter and not a law firm owner? https://ws-lawyers.com/law-firm-team-sos/

💸Want bookkeeping and CFO services that doesn't suck? www.thelawfirmbookkeeper.com

📧 For more information, feel free to email me at [email protected].

"Associate – Rainmaker or Not?"

Law firm owners, when you bring on an associate, you’ve got two options:

➡️ Rainmaker Associate – Someone who brings in business

➡️ Non-Rainmaker Associate – Someone who just does the work you give them

Here’s the breakdown:

🔹 Rainmaker Model

✅ Builds their own network

✅ Eventually brings in 6-7 figures on their own

❌ Requires training, time, and budget

❌ Might leave once they’ve built independence

🔹 Non-Rainmaker Model

✅ Easier to manage and control

✅ You keep ownership of all marketing

❌ You become the bottleneck

❌ If your leads dry up, so does their workload

Ask yourself:

• Do I have consistent leads coming in for 6–12 months?
• Am I willing to invest in their marketing growth?
• Is this associate short-term help or a long-term partner?

If they’re a Rainmaker, give them visibility:

🎤 Speaking engagements

✍️ Personal newsletters

☕ Monthly 1:1s with potential clients

📲 Social media content with their voice

📈 Clear KPIs + marketing budget

If they’re Not, you better keep marketing to feed the both of you.

Because if they’re twiddling their thumbs—it’s on you, not them.

📌📌📌 Pinned Resources 📌📌📌

⚡2025 Lawyers Annual Planner. Check it out here

Want hidden gems 💎? Join the newsletter: https://ws-lawyers.com/newsletter/

🛟Lifesavers for your law firm: https://ws-lawyers.com/all-products

🤯Tired of those admin tasks? https://ws-lawyers.com/automate-your-law-firm/

💰Not seeing enough money in your law firm? https://ws-lawyers.com/show-me-the-money-in-my-law-firm/

🍼Feeling like a babysitter and not a law firm owner? https://ws-lawyers.com/law-firm-team-sos/

💸Want bookkeeping and CFO services that doesn't suck? www.thelawfirmbookkeeper.com

📧 For more information, feel free to email me at [email protected].