Maximum Lawyer

Are you trying to figure out what software to use in your business? In this episode, Tyson talks about the use of different software solutions within the legal industry and how to determine which software deserves to be used in your firm.Software is meant to be a solution, not add another layer of complexity in your firm. That is why it is important to really think about what software is going to help your firm achieve success. Think about what your firm really needs and what softwares will help with that. It is also important to think about usability. Most softwares are not user friendly and people can find it difficult to work with them when doing their day to day work. If it is too hard to navigate, move on to the next.1 | IntegrationIt is important that softwares integrates with each other. Think about Microsoft and the many applications that integrate. Outlook connects to Planner as well as Teams which includes the Tasks and Approvals function. These various applications all coincide with each other, making working with this software very popular. 2 | Non-NegotiablesTyson talks about a non-negotiable when it comes to software in the legal field. Software with very good security and compliance is not something to ignore. Those working in the legal field handle sensitive subjects and details all day long. The software used needs to meet security benchmarks for the industry to keep client information safe. This can really put your firm at risk if this is not considered.  Make sure to always include the stakeholders in your decision to use software. At the end of the day, those in the firm will be using it on a daily basis. So, make it a point to include them in the decision: ask for opinions, run a test demo and get feedback.Take a listen to learn about what to consider when looking at new software for your firm!00:24 The importance of considering different things when evaluating software2:28 Software needs to be able to easily integrate with existing tools3:24 The non-negotiable requirement for software🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here. Resources:Join the Guild MembershipSubscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube ChannelFollow us on InstagramJoin the Facebook GroupFollow the Facebook PageFollow us on LinkedIn

The podcast discusses the qualities to look for in team members, including passion, energy, and the ability to execute tasks. It emphasizes the importance of having a positive and caring team, as well as the ability to make tough decisions and get things done.

Do you want to create a more successful law firm, where you are able to take home more money? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, speaker Brooke Lively shares her personal experience of firing her biggest client and the resulting financial struggles for her business. Starting from scratch and building a successful business is a hard thing to achieve. Brooke talks about using the rule of thirds strategy to make her company a profitable one. The strategy involves the following: allocating a third of your revenue to paying salaries, a third to overhead and a third to profit. 1 | SalariesWhen it comes to paying employees, it is best to design compensation packages that work for your firm. Accountability within a law firm is so important. It moves work through a firm and can be used to dictate pay. One way to hold people accountable is helping them to create goals. Discussing goals will help employees understand what they want to accomplish. As an owner of a law firm, it is important to dedicate time with each employee on a weekly basis to speak through goals so that everyone is on track. 2 | Overhead A lot of firms spend way too much money on marketing. Brooke speaks to how cutting the marketing budget is a great way to save money. One way to do this is to analyze the return on investment on all marketing channels for a firm each month. Whichever is the lowest that month is cut, which can save tens of thousands of dollars. Another way to save money is to review the monthly credit card bill to see what expenses have been neglected and therefore removed.3 | Profit As a firm owner, there are many things you can do for your profit. One thing is to monitor it every month, tracking the increase or decrease of profit. Another thing is to figure out your salary, distributions and personal finances monthly to make sure you are not only making what you deserve but are paying off your expenses.Listen in to learn how to make your law firm more profitable!2:58 The rule of thirds6:27 The importance of accountability in law firms.10:51 Your digital marketing budget11:35 Exploration of the expenses and benefits of coaching16:28 The importance of properly compensating law firm owners.🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.Connect with Brooke:Website Instagram FacebookLinkedin  Resources:Join the Guild MembershipSubscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube ChannelFollow us on InstagramJoin the Facebook GroupFollow the Facebook PageFollow us on LinkedIn

Do you need some help in hiring for your law firm? Are you unsure what roles you need filled? In this podcast episode, Jim and Tyson welcome Brett Trembly, CEO and co-founder of Get Staffed Up. He discusses his new book "24 Months to Freedom: How Modern Law Firms Use Smarter Staffing Solutions to Fast Track Their Way to Success." The book lists seven crucial positions to hire that every law firm needs.In order to have a successful law firm, you need the right people. You need to have an adequate amount of staff who are skilled in what they do. One of the most important roles to fill is that of an executive assistant. Without an executive assistant, many attorneys take on much more tasks in their day to day schedule. This ultimately takes away from what they need to do. An executive assistant wears many hats in a law firm. The role includes answering phones, preparing documents and bookkeeping. It is a multi-dimensional role that helps keep law firms running.Many attorneys have a fear of hiring and will stall in getting it done. Sometimes this comes down to money. Brett speaks to not needing tens of thousands of dollars in the bank to hire. As long as there is enough to pay someone for the first 2 weeks, that is when it is time to hire. Hiring someone is not going to cost you money, but it will make you money. It will allow an attorney to focus on the important work, bring in more clients and therefore bring in more money.Every successful law firm needs to have a full proof intake system, which includes a few different positions. ➡️ One is a receptionist, who will answer phones and take messages. A receptionist is usually the first person a potential client will interact with, so this individual needs to be very well rounded. Answering the phones in a swift and quick manner is crucial to ensuring that potential clients are provided with what they need. If a firm does not have a receptionist, there is much opportunity to lose out on new clients. ➡️Hiring an intake specialist is another position that is included in the intake process. This individual will know the process of the law firm in and out and will have some legal knowledge as well. They screen clients to ensure they are the right fit, refer clients to other firms when they are not and will set up  consultations for attorneys. These two positions not only add value to a firm but allow attorneys to focus on the core work.Brett provides a few tips to help firms hire the right people. One great tip is to give potential candidates practical tests to see if they can not only handle the job but show off their skills and experience. For example, if you are hiring for an intake specialist role, do a quick role play scenario of a client screening call. This way, the candidate can show you in real time how they would handle that situation and what skills they would use to complete a successful call. Take a listen to learn more about who to hire and how to hire for a law firm!6:30 Hiring an executive assistant10:14 The fear that law firms have when hiring11:27 The misconception of waiting to hire13:23 The importance of hiring a full-time dedicated receptionist20:23 Giving candidates a testJim's Hack: Have quarterly meetings with each team member to have conversations on a variety of things. This really shows the effort made to keep tabs on employees and discuss important aspects of one’s career, whether it be goals or growth. These conversations also help with understanding what is and isn't working for a firm from the eyes of an employee.Brett’s Tip: Force yourself to take time off with your family. If you find you are more stressed when you return to work, that means you have more things to work on to address either your stress or your ways of working.Tyson’s Tip: Have reference checks for hiring new people. They provide additional information that help get the right people in the right roles. It does add a little more time to the hiring process, but it is really worth it in the end.🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here. Connect with Brett:Website Facebook  Company LinkedIn Linkedin  

Are you looking for a better way to maximize meeting notes? In this episode, Tyson introduces the new segment, Max Law Tech Tips. He shares a valuable tech tip on optimizing meeting notes using ChatGPT.Many have used ChatGPT for writing content, whether it be essays or resumes. But, it can really help with elevating meeting notes, especially within the legal field. Tyson shares his experience in using the platform, more so on how it provides the opportunity to create a visual timeline of cases. Pasting content into ChatGPT can provide deeper explanations, potential follow up questions and suggestions on next steps. It takes on the role of a legal assistant who gives you quick advice on what to do next. Test it out for yourself!Take a listen!00:24 Tysons journey to using Chat GPT1:12 The various capabilities of  Chat GPT🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.  Resources:Join the Guild MembershipSubscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube ChannelFollow us on InstagramJoin the Facebook GroupFollow the Facebook PageFollow us on LinkedIn

Do you struggle with constantly checking your email or phone notifications? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Tyson discusses how constantly checking your emails can have a negative impact on productivity and mental well-being. Whether you work in an office or work for yourself, many people fall victim to constantly checking their emails. This might not be at the fault of an individual person. This can stem from a culture of needing to respond to messages and emails quickly. Tyson refers to a study that shows that a constant string of emails can keep employees in a state of high alert all the time and actually increase stress levels.It can be difficult to maintain focus when checking emails. If you are focusing on a task and you keep stopping to check an email, it will take more time to complete that task. It helps more to schedule time to check emails in blocks so you can complete all of your tasks for the day.Tyson provides a few tips on checking emails at specific times throughout the day. Choose times in the day that work for you or when you usually find there is some downtime. If you find yourself more focused in the morning, check emails after lunch. If you have a specific day where a majority of your meetings are in the afternoon, check your emails in the morning.Another tip is to communicate this schedule with clients. Let them know in your email signature that you check emails a few times a day so they know they might not get a response quickly. This way, you are able to maintain a level of consistency and efficiency in your day.Take a listen!2:42 Discusses the challenges and costs of constantly checking emails3:47 Discussion of how a study shows that constant emails increase stress levels7:09 Provides pointers for transitioning to checking emails only at designated times🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here. Resources:Join the Guild MembershipSubscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube ChannelFollow us on InstagramJoin the Facebook GroupFollow the Facebook PageFollow us on LinkedIn

Are you struggling in the intake process as a lawyer? Is your firm finding it hard to maintain clients? In this episode, attorney Gary Falkowitz shares his insights on how to win at intake. Gary works with law firms to patch up the holes that exist and make firms better. Intake involves the process of when a potential client connects with a law firm. There are many steps to ensure the intake process is top tier.1 | ClientsOne of the many important things to consider when going through intake is understanding the mindset of a client. Living in a fast paced digital world, people want quick responses. If a firm wants a new client, that firm needs to be swift and respond as fast as possible. If not, the firm risks losing them to another law firm. Clients seeking legal representation are usually dealing with heavy things. Whether it be an injury, criminal case or a divorce, no one wants a lawyer. With that said, make sure you are showing compassion and speaking to them in plain language. Many cannot understand legal jargon!2 | Training What makes intake a significant part of working with a client is the training process. It is important that those that work in a law firm are equipped with ongoing training to stay up to date on the intake process. Training can include how to respond to clients when they first reach out or how to run a successful intake call or meeting. Lawyers need to know how to make a decision on the fly, especially if a prospective client calls and wants a quick response. If the lawyer is up to date on the criteria, they should be able to know at that moment if the client can be represented. 3 | Follow UpFollowing up during the intake process is where some clients actually make a decision on a law firm. Most times, potential clients are submitting inquiries to multiple firms just waiting on the first response. If a client emails an inquiry question, respond once and then follow up again. Most times, clients are juggling a lot of different priorities and that inquiry fell off their radar. The follow up might just be the thing that reminds them and pulls them in.The best way to keep a client is having a strong transition. Once a client is signed, give them homework. Give them all the information they need to feel supported. Provide information materials about the firm, contact information for the team, what you as an attorney expect from them and vice versa. Managing expectations is key. You need to express what you need from them and they need to express what they as a client need from you.Take a listen to learn more about how to have a successful intake process!2:09 Understanding the mindset of potential clients3:53 The significance of training and ongoing education9:27 Staff should be trained to make decisions11:58 Law firms should continue following up17:04 The importance of maintaining communication with clients🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here. Connect with Gary:Website Resources:Join the Guild MembershipSubscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube ChannelFollow us on InstagramJoin the Facebook GroupFollow the Facebook PageFollow us on LinkedIn

Are you struggling with perfectionism in your career? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Jim and Tyson discuss the damaging effects of perfectionism on law firm owners.Perfectionism in the legal field can really hold people back in their career. It is a difficult hurdle to overcome because there are feelings of not being good enough. The constant need to be perfect can stop people from starting something new. It could be starting a new business venture, a new project or even a new relationship. The need to have everything go a specific way with no mistakes is something a lot of people struggle with and it can really hold people back from success.Many people get stuck in “prep mode” when having a goal to start something, due to perfectionism. For example, if someone wants to start a business in the social media field and spends months talking about the content they want to post or how they are going to market themselves, but have not taken any steps towards starting the business, no progress is ever made. Getting started is the most important thing when doing something new. So don’t fuss about the small stuff and get something on paper.When working towards something, it is important to think about this question: What did I accomplish today? Think about the small wins and celebrate that. At the end of the day, those small wins get you closer and closer to your goal. Worrying about every small detail and wanting to make it perfect will damage any chance you have in reaching your goal. Jim and Tyson speak to creating pattern interrupts to help with perfectionism. Pattern interrupts involve incorporating new things in your routine as a way to move away from repetitiveness. If you do the same thing everyday, it can aid in your perfectionism. Try going for a walk in between meetings or taking a call on your front porch. It is something to break up that task and maybe trick your brain into implementing it again.Perfectionism is a tough quality to overcome. But, with small changes and the right actions, you can break the habit in your daily life and become content with letting things be how they are!Take a listen.Jim's Hack: Show gratitude to people who have helped you, especially on LinkedIn. It is a good tool to keep in your backpocket.Tyson's Tip: Try out a cold plunge as it has many benefits such as boosting energy.2:53 Jim and Tyson discuss how perfectionism holds law firm owners back.5:24 Jim and Tyson share their own struggles with perfectionism.13:20 Importance of celebrating small wins.14:32 The importance of taking action.16:15 The value of incorporating pattern interrupts into routines.🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here. 

Are you unsure if it is time to hire someone new for your business? In this podcast, Tyson discusses the timelines of adding a new face to the team as well as the financial aspects of hiring. He touches on the difference between capacity versus capabilities when hiring and how to make good hiring decisions.The difference between capacity and capability is crucial to knowing when it is time to bring somebody onboard. Capacity is about the numbers. How many people do you have currently and how many tasks are getting completed? Capability is about leveraging the right skills and innovation to grow your business. Focus on hiring someone who will be an asset and will give you the leverage needed to be a better company.For many the question is this: When do I know it is time to hire someone new? You need to look at overcapacity and if your team is overworked and staff are stretched too thin. Another important thing is if someone is “wearing too many hats'' and multitasking regularly. The last thing is opportunity cost, which for some might be losing out on clients because you don't have enough team members to take them on.It is one thing to know more people are needed on a team, but it is another thing to be able to afford it. It is important to know if a company is in the right spot financially to hire someone new. Considering if a person being hired will bring the company revenue is significant as well.Aside from the cost of hiring, culture fit is another consideration. Warren Buffett says to consider 3 things when hiring someone: integrity, intelligence and energy. Focus on these aspects of someone’s overall character and mindset to ensure they are going to succeed in a company.Use these tips to ensure you get the right people for the job!Take a listen.3:41 Discusses the signs of overcapacity 6:05 Discusses the cost of hiring 9:56 Discusses the importance of a streamlined onboarding process🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here. Resources:Join the Guild MembershipSubscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube ChannelFollow us on InstagramJoin the Facebook GroupFollow the Facebook PageFollow us on LinkedIn

Do you want to know how to grow a company to include the best people possible? In this episode, Adela Zepcan, the Director of People and Culture at a law firm, shares her insights on running a law firm effectively.Living in a post-COVID world, many companies are struggling with employee retention and high turnover. This has been due to people quitting their jobs to pursue their passions or people leaving for opportunities for more remote work.Working in HR means you are selling your culture and company to prospective employees. You are bringing everything to the table including the company’s values, missions and what they can offer someone. It is important to use your resources to find candidates whether it be using your connections or investing in trusted job sites.It is important to create a cheat sheet when going through the process. Keep interview questions clear and to the point to get the best possible answers and make sure the questions match the job descriptions. When you are in the process of hiring, you need to ensure it is quick as many candidates don’t wait and will grab the first option they are given.During the onboarding process, get your team members involved to assist in giving new employees the best experience. Make sure details like assets and accounts are set up in time and training or manuals are ready to go. If these aspects of onboarding are not prioritized, new employees can feel that companies don't value them or their time. An employee stays with a company for an average of 2.8 years. When someone is leaving, it is crucial employees leave on a good note. Make sure to thank them for their time with the company, celebrate their accomplishments and wish them well on their new venture.Ultimately, HR is all about people. It is all about how to attract, retain and grow your company.Take a listen!2:18 The importance of tailoring job descriptions and investing in the right job posting platforms4:22 Tips on pre-screening resumes and conducting phone screenings to identify top candidates8:23 Don't miss out on good candidates 9:10 When reviewing resumes, consider candidates who may not have direct experience but have relevant skills or experiences. Ask behavioral questions that relate to the job16:02 Tips on how to end an employee's service on a positive note, including thanking them, distributing work, and removing their presence from systems🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here. Resources:Join the Guild MembershipSubscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube ChannelFollow us on InstagramJoin the Facebook GroupFollow the Facebook PageFollow us on LinkedIn