Grow Your Law Firm

Welcome to episode 196 of the Grow Your Law Firm podcast, hosted by Ken Hardison. In this episode, Ken sits down with the Vista Consulting Team; Tim McKey, Sarah Waggoner, and Rebekah Summerville, to discuss the best practices and strategies for streamlining legal operations to improve efficiency in your Law Firm. Tim co-founded Vista Consulting in 2009, along with his partner Chad Dudley. Vista’s aim was to help plaintiff law firms reach their full potential. In December 2017, Tim acquired Chad’s interest in Vista. Tim and Chad remain very close friends to this day! Tim has decades of CPA experience with local, regional, and national CPA firms. However, it is through Tim’s prior consulting practice that he found his passion. He has worked with many business owners, assisting them with defining and attaining success in their business and personal lives. Developing a management philosophy with business owners along with the associated systems and processes that assist in delivering outstanding management to Vista’s client teams is Tim’s forté. Tim’s experience and interest allow him to assist Vista clients with developing a realistic vision of their firm into the future, creating a strategic plan to achieve that vision while working with firm owners in designing their desired lifestyle. From a technical standpoint, Tim assists Vista clients in reviewing firm tax entity structure, accounting systems analysis, and financial reporting. Additionally, Tim is the managing partner of The McKey Business Group (MBG) CPAs. MBG is a small consulting CPA firm located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The firm only works for select businesses, providing consulting services (building the roadmap for the future), as well as traditional CPA products and services. When working with Tim, there usually are “light bulb” moments…he calls them BFOs (a Blinding Flash of the Obvious). Sometimes, he says, business is just not that complicated. Tim’s ability to mentor successful businesspersons, gently push them to new levels of thinking, while providing creative perspectives, contributes to Vista clients’ success, as well as Vista’s success. Tim’s strategic vision for Vista has made a great contribution toward developing a team of consultants who take a comprehensive approach to working with their clients. Identifying and solving operational issues is not the only goal…enhanced profitability and having fun doing it is real success. Personally, Tim has 2 daughters, Sarah and Caroline, 3 granddaughters, Mary Grayson (MG), Ryleigh, and Kate, 1 grandson, Timothy, and 1 wife, Jodi. A self-proclaimed business nerd, Tim enjoys reading, pondering and discussing future business trends, models, and disruptive change, tennis, exercise, and the pursuit of the “abundant life.  Sarah Waggoner joined the Vista team as the Director of Talent Acquisition in 2021. She began her career in Birmingham, Alabama as a Med/Surg nurse in 2008, then moved to Kingwood, Texas where she worked in Med/Surg and labor and delivery. She’s also served as the director of a Teddy Tennis franchise, a pro at Kingwood Country Club, and the Children’s Director at Kingwood First Baptist Church. Using her diverse background, Sarah brings incredible organizational skills and a unique perspective to our team. In her role as Director of Talent Acquisition, Sarah is responsible for all talent acquisition efforts, helping clients navigate the process of finding, identifying, and onboarding top talent. She works closely with the Vista Operations Consultants to understand their client’s talent needs. Sarah graduated from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama in 2007 with a degree in nursing. She also lettered four years in tennis at Samford. Sarah lives in Kingwood, Texas, with her family. Rebekah Summerville joined the Vista Consulting Team at its inception as an Accounting Consultant. She’s worked with Vista founder Tim McKey at McKey Business Group since 1996 and still serves as their Chief Financial Officer and CPA. She manages to balance the dollars and cents for both the McKey Business Group and the Vista Team. She has a knack for explaining complex accounting concepts in a no-nonsense, easy-to-digest way. Rebekah graduated from Belhaven University in Jackson, MS, with a degree in accounting. She’s a huge fan of both of her athletic kids and enjoys spending lots of time cheering them on at all of their sporting events and practices. When she’s not on the bleachers, you can find her spending quality time with friends and family. She also enjoys running and Pilates as a stress relief.     What you’ll learn about in this episode: Learn how to properly plan for succession Understand what a Fractional CFO is Why you should embrace the legal industry evolution The importance of evaluating your firm’s financial health How to acquire top talent for your firm   Resources:  https://vistact.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Vistact https://www.linkedin.com/in/timmckey/ https://www.instagram.com/vistaconsultingteam/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/vista-consulting-team/   Additional Resources:  https://www.pilmma.org/the-mastermind-effect https://www.pilmma.org/resources https://www.pilmma.org/mastermind

Welcome to episode 195 of the Grow Your Law Firm podcast, hosted by Ken Hardison. In this episode, Ken sits down with Founder and CEO of Bridge Legal, Ed Scanlan, to discuss pioneering legal tech solutions.   Ed is the Founder and CEO of Bridge Legal. Launched in 2018, Bridge Legal stands as the leading platform for high-volume litigation firms and funders offering comprehensive solutions for capital deployment, client acquisition, and case maturation. Bridge's software platform, Bridgify, provides predictive analytics to manage risk and improve ROI for funders and firms.  Prior to Bridge, Ed founded and was CEO of Total Attorneys. Since its inception in 2002, Total Attorneys was a pioneer in legal technology and digital marketing, inventing the legal lead generation industry and growing to serve thousands of law firms across the United States until its sale to Internet Brands in 2014. In 2021, Ed launched the specialty finance company Ute Capital, which provides capital to firms building mass tort portfolios. In 2022, Ute raised a $50MM institutional facility to fund its strategies. Ed was inducted into the Chicagoland Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame, was listed in Crain's Chicago Business 40 under 40, named Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization's Young CEO of the Year, and was a Midwest Finalist for the Ernest and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He has been featured in multiple publications, including the New York Times, Business Week, Inc., Smart Money, Crain's Chicago Business, and the Chicago Tribune.     What you’ll learn about in this episode: Learn about Ed Scanlan’s background What Bridge Legal can do for your law firm Learn about Bridge Legal reporting and analytics Find out how they handle “burstable” staffing needs How Bridge Legal is using AI to predict lead quality   Resources:  https://www.facebook.com/bridgelegaltech www.bridgelegal.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmundscanlan/ https://bridgelegal.com/services   Additional Resources:  https://www.pilmma.org/the-mastermind-effect https://www.pilmma.org/resources https://www.pilmma.org/mastermind

Welcome to episode 194 of the Grow Your Law Firm podcast, hosted by Ken Hardison. In this episode, Ken sits down for a solo cast to talk about transforming your Law Firm using his niches to riches method.  Ken Hardison is known as the “Millionaire Maker” for a reason. He has helped lawyers across the country double, triple, or quadruple their law practices and income. Ken teaches law firm owners the insights, knowledge, and critical strategies of Legal Marketing and Management that can only be learned in the trenches of real law firm success. With over 30 years of legal experience, Ken has personally grown and sold two seven-figure law firms. Ken has shared his knowledge and experience with attorneys, helping them experience exponential growth, increased profits, and ethical market preeminence.     What you’ll learn about in this episode: The importance of choosing your niche How cars are increasing their safety features Learn how to become an expert in your niche Tips for establishing yourself as expert Why you should set yourself apart from other Attorneys   Resources:  https://www.pilmma.org/the-mastermind-effect https://www.pilmma.org/resources https://www.pilmma.org/mastermind

Welcome to episode 193 of the Grow Your Law Firm podcast, hosted by Ken Hardison. In this episode, Ken sits down with Eric Sanchez, law firm operations guru, entrepreneur, and technologist; to discuss law firm efficiency and technology.   Eric Sanchez has just about done it all within law firm operations and legal technology.  A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Eric developed strong leadership skills and a solid work ethic that has fueled his success in the years to come.  For over two decades, he led one of the largest and most successful plaintiffs’ practices in the Southeast. He was the chief architect for many of the firm’s core systems. His greatest work was in In re Black Farmers Discrimination Litigation, which resulted in a settlement of $1.25 Billion dollars and maximum fee award of nearly $100 Million dollars. Eric’s unique approach to problem-solving, combined with his passion for technology, led him to design the intake and case management platform now marketed by legal technology company, GrowPath. Eric holds a M.A. in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University, a B.S. in Criminal Justice, and is a prolific inventor holding 25 technical patents raging from cybersecurity, database management, and email.  After exiting GrowPath, Eric is again focused on his passion: law firm operations.  As the founder of Maestro Strategic Partners, he serves as its managing partner.   In that capacity he offers consulting services ranging from strategic advisory, marketing, operations, and technology.     What you’ll learn about in this episode: The importance of addressing inefficiencies in your Law Firm How to use AI to improve your Law Firm’s efficiency Why you shouldn’t surround yourself with “yes” people Learn how to conduct an annual audit of your core systems   Resources:  https://mstratpartners.com/     Additional Resources: https://www.pilmma.org/the-mastermind-effect https://www.pilmma.org/resources https://www.pilmma.org/mastermind

Welcome to episode 192 of the Grow Your Law Firm podcast, hosted by Ken Hardison. In this episode, Ken sits down to discuss the benefits of creating an offshore team to unleash your law firms growth potential.  Ken Hardison is known as the “Millionaire Maker” for a reason. He has helped lawyers across the country double, triple, or quadruple their law practices and income. Ken teaches law firm owners the insights, knowledge, and critical strategies of Legal Marketing and Management that can only be learned in the trenches of real law firm success. With over 30 years of legal experience, Ken has personally grown and sold two seven-figure law firms. Ken has shared his knowledge and experience with attorneys, helping them experience exponential growth, increased profits, and ethical market preeminence.     What you’ll learn about in this episode: Why you should outsource your workforce overseas Learn the challenges that come with Remote Employees Ken’s top 3 Agencies for hiring offshore employees The importance of having an effective onboarding and training process Get advice for fostering connections with your remote team   Resources:  https://www.pilmma.org/the-mastermind-effect https://www.pilmma.org/resources https://www.pilmma.org/mastermind

Welcome to episode 191 of the Grow Your Law Firm podcast, hosted by Ken Hardison. In this episode, Ken sits down with Michael Mills, the Managing Director of Business Design Corp to discuss how to go from chaos to clarity and building a process-driven law firm.  Michael Mills is an entrepreneur and visionary who has revolutionized the way businesses approach process implementation. With an impressive track record in the business world, Michael has made a significant impact through his entrepreneurial endeavors and expertise in process implementation. Michael has owned several successful businesses, including multiple software companies and a consulting firm. His extensive experience in these ventures has provided him with valuable insights into the intricacies of building and scaling companies. Recognized as one of the pioneering Certified E-Myth Coaches in the United States, Michael worked alongside a team of talented CECs to assist numerous business owners, both large and small, in transforming their companies into process-dependent organizations. Drawing upon his extensive knowledge gained from years of E-Myth experience, Michael spearheaded the development of The TouchStone Business System in 1994a groundbreaking web-based application specifically designed for process organization and implementation. This innovative system has been installed in thousands of businesses worldwide, empowering them to streamline their operations and achieve greater efficiency. As the Managing Director of Business Design Corporation and TouchStone Business Systems, Michael continues to make a profound impact in the field of process implementation. With over 25 years of industry experience, his expertise is unparalleled in this niche. Michael and Business Design Corporation stand out as the foremost authority in leveraging processes to optimize business outcomes.     What you’ll learn about in this episode: Importance of having well-defined processes Why you should get started with building out processes Learn how to write easy-to-follow processes How to transition from People to Process dependency   Resources:  eBook: https://bit.ly/BDCFiveStepPlan www.linkedin.com/in/michael-mills-BDC https://www.businessdesigncorp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/BusinessDesignCorp https://www.youtube.com/@BusinessDesignCorporation https://twitter.com/TouchStoneBDC   Additional Resources:  https://www.pilmma.org/aiworkshop https://www.pilmma.org/the-mastermind-effect https://www.pilmma.org/resources https://www.pilmma.org/mastermind

Welcome to episode 190 of the Grow Your Law Firm podcast, hosted by Ken Hardison. In this episode, Ken is interviewed by Tanner Jones, Host of the LAWsome Podcast by Consultwebs. Ken and Tanner discuss PILMMA’s recent study on How Consumers Choose a PI Lawyer.  Ken Hardison is known as the “Millionaire Maker” for a reason. He has helped lawyers across the country double, triple, or quadruple their law practices and income. Ken teaches law firm owners the insights, knowledge, and critical strategies of Legal Marketing and Management that can only be learned in the trenches of real law firm success. With over 30 years of legal experience, Ken has personally grown and sold two seven-figure law firms. Ken has shared his knowledge and experience with attorneys, helping them experience exponential growth, increased profits, and ethical market preeminence.     What you’ll learn about in this episode: Insights on law firm consumer behavior studies Conducting a study on personal injury consumer behavior Characteristics clients seek in law firms Trends in Personal Injury Marketing Top Tips to resonate with PI Clients   Resources:  https://www.consultwebs.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzh8MepnLdk&list=PLE4Q2ufz2OSEuIJQvysVbUwdEWk9tGoza&index=5   Consumer Report:  https://online.flippingbook.com/view/778438206/   Additional Resources:  https://www.pilmma.org/aiworkshop https://www.pilmma.org/the-mastermind-effect https://www.pilmma.org/resources https://www.pilmma.org/mastermind

Welcome to episode 189 of the Grow Your Law Firm podcast, hosted by Ken Hardison. In this episode, Ken sits down for another solo cast to discuss one of his favorite topics – Mastermind Groups and how they can help your Law Firm succeed.  Ken Hardison is known as the “Millionaire Maker” for a reason. He has helped lawyers across the country double, triple, or quadruple their law practices and income. Ken teaches law firm owners the insights, knowledge, and critical strategies of Legal Marketing and Management that can only be learned in the trenches of real law firm success. With over 30 years of legal experience, Ken has personally grown and sold two seven-figure law firms. Ken has shared his knowledge and experience with attorneys, helping them experience exponential growth, increased profits, and ethical market preeminence.     What you’ll learn about in this episode: Learn how a Mastermind Group is valuable to your firm Know the benefits to being in a Mastermind Group The importance of tracking numbers and setting benchmarks What it means to be an authentic Mastermind Group Understanding the “Mastermind Effect”   Resources:  https://www.pilmma.org/aiworkshop https://www.pilmma.org/the-mastermind-effect https://www.pilmma.org/resources https://www.pilmma.org/mastermind

Welcome to episode 188 of the Grow Your Law Firm podcast, hosted by Ken Hardison. In this episode, Ken sits down with Roux Advertising’s President, Eric Morgan to discuss the importance of building a winning marketing strategy.  As the President/CEO of Roux Advertising, Eric takes a strategy first approach to building marketing campaigns that grow call and case volume for his law firm clients around the U.S. In this method, his 29 years of strategy mapping, account management, media buying and creative production, across legal marketing and other categories, brings clarity, accountability, and a healthy return to marketing campaigns. He applies his award-winning data-driven campaign building to client initiatives across offline, online, non-traditional, and community outreach advertising efforts. His insights and approach have helped deliver successful marketing strategies and media campaigns for brands across the U.S., including Morris Bart, LLC, Frank D. Azar & Associates, The Law Office of Craig Goldenfarb, Wayne Wright Injury Lawyers, Shelly Leeke, Harrahs Casino, Louisiana Office of Tourism, Hotel Monteleone, and Visit Baton Rouge.  Eric earned an M.B.A. at Tulane University and a B.A. from Loyola University in Advertising Communications with a minor in Marketing. With over 28 years of strategy, advertising and media buying experience, Eric regularly speaks on the topics at conferences. In 2009, he was named Top Executive of the Year by the Advertising Club of New Orleans. He has taught Advertising Media Planning in Loyola Universitys Communications Department and is a fellow of Loyolas Institute for Environmental Communications and the Institute of Politics. Eric sits on the Board of Directors of the Go.Be., supporting entrepreneurial minority small business owners, and is a past board member of Louisiana Chapter of the Entrepreneurs Organization and the Tulane Association of Business Alumni.     What you’ll learn about in this episode:   Learn how to make your law firm stand out Understanding your brand and your unique value proposition What it means to create a Brand Strategy Learn what “Strategy” is not Why building long-term relationships is crucial for your law firm   Resources:  https://rouxadvertising.com/ https://www.facebook.com/RouxAdvertising/ https://twitter.com/RouxAdvertising https://www.linkedin.com/company/rouxadvertising/   Additional Resources:  https://www.pilmma.org/aiworkshop https://www.pilmma.org/the-mastermind-effect https://www.pilmma.org/resources https://www.pilmma.org/mastermind

Welcome to episode 187 of the Grow Your Law Firm podcast, hosted by Ken Hardison. In this episode, Ken sits down to do a solo cast to discuss the importance of mastering Referral Systems in your Law Firm.  Ken Hardison is known as the "Millionaire Maker" for a reason. He has helped lawyers across the country double, triple, or quadruple their law practices and income. Ken teaches law firm owners the insights, knowledge, and critical strategies of Legal Marketing and Management that can only be learned in the trenches of real law firm success. With over 30 years of legal experience, Ken has personally grown and sold two seven-figure law firms. Ken has shared his knowledge and experience with attorneys, helping them experience exponential growth, increased profits, and ethical market preeminence.     What you’ll learn about in this episode: Learn why you should implement referral systems What types of referrals you could be utilizing in your firm How great client service can create lasting relationships The importance of creating a Client Advisory Board How to keep top-of-mind awareness with your past clients   Resources:   https://www.pilmma.org/aiworkshop https://www.pilmma.org/the-mastermind-effect https://www.pilmma.org/resources https://www.pilmma.org/mastermind