TRP 289: Breaking Ground: How Successful Women Lawyers Develop Thriving Practices with Deborah Farone

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 most successful law firms and the founder of both firms’ business development and communications departments. But before entering into the legal marketing profession, she sharpened her communications and business development skills by working at a global management consulting firm.

Links:

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

https://deborahfarone.com/about/

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

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