Have you ever wondered what it takes to start your own law firm? In this episode, guest Audra Doyle shares her journey from being an elementary music specialist to becoming an immigration lawyer and opening her own firm. Audra talks about the stress and high caseload at her previous job, but also the invaluable knowledge she gained from it. She also shares how she had to pivot during the pandemic to get more clients, including using social media platforms like TikTok — growing a massive following. Then losing her TikTok account … Audra shares her journey of losing her entire staff and starting over to build her team up again. But the most valuable lesson she shares is about mindset and staying focused on what is most important for the firm. No matter what happens.Audra shares how she manages to stay positive through exercise, living in the moment, and setting boundaries. Tune in to learn more about the importance of mindset and how it can help you achieve your goals, even when you need to hit the restart button, again. 02:13 Audra talks about her journey from 2007 to 2019 when she opened up her firm06:48 The stress and high caseload at the immigration firm, but also the invaluable knowledge Audra gained from it12:95 Audra talks about her experience with posting on TikTok, losing her staff, and hiring new case managers instead of paralegals18:46 Managing anxiety, including exercise and living in the moment, and the importance of setting boundaries19:03 Audra shares her vision for her firm, including the goal of having a team that allows her to be the CEO and possibly hiring another attorney20:27 Audra talks about the importance of mindset in running a law firm and how it affects the numbersJim’s Hack: Make a button on the homepage of your cell phone to open Pipedrive and check your numbers. Check numbers once a day - the more you check the more you make. Audra’s Tip: Answer common client questions in pre-made FAQ videos so all you have to do when a client emails a question is send then an email template with a video that answers the question for you - saving you time! Tyson’s Tip: Read the book “Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World” by Cal Newport  https://amzn.to/3CHuKyy🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here. Connect with Audra:Website www.doylelawatl.comTikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@doyleimmigrationlawFacebook https://www.facebook.com/DoyleLawLLC/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/audra-doyle-705a44a/Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@AudraDoyleImmigrationLawyerResources:Join the Guild MembershipSubscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube ChannelFollow us on InstagramJoin the Facebook GroupFollow the Facebook PageFollow us on LinkedIn 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 to attract clients to your law firm? Are you finding it hard to stand out in a sea of competitors? Nicole Christie, a lawyer and one of the speakers at the MaxLawCon 22. Nicole has some advice for you: niche down!Nicole shares her personal experience with starting her own law firm and struggling to be found on Google due to offering too many services. She emphasized the importance of niching down and becoming an expert in a specific area of law. Here are five benefits of niching down your law firm:Build a Strong Reputation: By focusing on a specific area of law, you can become known as an expert in that field. This can help build your reputation and make it easier for clients to find you.Gain Referrals: Word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool. When you become known for your expertise in a particular area of law, you are more likely to receive referrals from satisfied clients.Target Specific Groups: By narrowing down your area of practice, you can target specific groups of people who are more likely to need your services. For example, if you focus on immigration law, you can target immigrants and their families.Increase Sales: When you become known as an expert in your field, you can charge higher rates for your services. This can lead to increased sales and revenue for your law firm.Build Confidence: When you are an expert in your field, you are more confident in your abilities. This can translate to better client relationships and a more successful law practice.Niching down your law firm can have a positive impact on your success. Don't be afraid to focus on what you are good at and become known as an expert in your field. Master one area of marketing at a time and consider speaking engagements and free conferences as a way to get your name out there. Happy niching!00:38 Nicole, discusses the benefits of niching down in a law firm and shares her personal experience with finding her niche. She also provides examples of different niches within the legal field09:04 Nicole discusses the benefits of finding a niche in the legal field and shares her personal experience13:48 Tips on marketing a niche law firm, including leveraging social media, advertising to churches, and mastering one marketing strategy at a time🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here. Connect with Nicole:Website Instagram Facebook LinkedinYoutube TwitterResources:Join the Guild MembershipSubscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube ChannelFollow us on InstagramJoin the Facebook GroupFollow the Facebook PageFollow us on LinkedIn Resources:Join the Guild MembershipSubscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube ChannelFollow us on InstagramJoin the Facebook GroupFollow the Facebook PageFollow us on LinkedIn

Evelyn Ackah, a successful immigration attorney from Canada, joins Tyson and Jim to share her experience and advice for attorneys looking to start their own niche practice. From starting her own firm to practicing law in two different countries, Evelyn has faced a variety of challenges and has come out on top. Here are some key takeaways:Be Agile: When starting her firm, Evelyn had to make quick adjustments due to adopting twins on her own. She started her firm in just three weeks and had to juggle her personal and professional life. She emphasizes the need to be agile and make adjustments and tweaks to improve the business rather than throwing everything away and starting over.Mindset Matters: Evelyn believes that mindset is critical in achieving success. She had to shift her mindset to overcome challenges in her business and become more optimistic. She encourages attorneys to adopt a mindset of an owner rather than an employee mindset.Diversify Your Services: While Evelyn has a successful niche practice in immigration law, she also recognizes the need to offer complementary services such as wills and employment law to her clients. She suggests adding additional service offerings rather than branching out into unrelated areas.Treat Your Practice Like Your Own Business: Evelyn encourages attorneys to build personal relationships with clients and own their files to develop a mindset of an owner rather than an employee. She also recommends taking advantage of the marketing and business development training provided by big firms to develop necessary skills for running a successful practice.Overall, Evelyn's experience and advice provide valuable insights for attorneys looking to start their own niche practice. Whether you are just starting out or looking to expand your services, Evelyn tips can help you achieve success. So take her advice and get started on your own journey today! Listen in!01:03 Starting her own law firm and practicing immigration law in Canada and the US04:26 How COVID-19 has affected her cross-border immigration law practice and how she had to diversify her practice to recover from the decline08:28 Practicing law in two different countries and how she hires a US attorney for green card and permanent residency applications10:18 The day-to-day work, including team meetings, consultations, and business development17:04 The impact of COVID-19 on her business and discusses the importance of diversification in practice areas18:25 The importance of offering complimentary services to clients, such as wills and employment law, to insulate her business from ups and downs20:20 Advising big law associates to treat their practice like their own business, building personal relationships and owning their files, to prepare for going out on their ownJim’s Hack: Jim recommends the book "The First 90 Days" for a systematic approach to onboarding new employees beyond the first few days. Evelyn's Tip: Use restream to reach all the social media platforms. Tyson’s Tip: Recommends Steve.ai, a website that generates animated videos by plugging in a script with a free version. 🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here. Connect with Evelyn:WebsiteLinkedInInstagram Facebook Twitter YoutubeResources:Join the Guild MembershipSubscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube ChannelFollow us on InstagramJoin the Facebook GroupFollow the Facebook PageFollow us on LinkedIn 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 to keep your star players in your law firm? In today’s episode Michael Urbina emphasizes the importance of keeping your firm's star players by intentionally working through a few things with them. Such as:Building genuine relationships with employees to creating a positive work environmentWorking with your employees to see what makes them the most productive Finding out what motivates your star employees. What are their goals? What about involving employees in key decisions and providing them with a sense of control over their work-life balance? Firms could be open to alternative work arrangements, such as a four-day workweek or flexible hours, to accommodate their employees' needs. By doing so, employees feel like they are a part of the firm and are more likely to buy into its vision.If you're having trouble retaining your top talent, take a cue from Michael and start investing in your employees today! Listen to episode 524 of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast for more of a deep dive into this topic. 03:50  The importance of understanding what motivates your star players and how to compensate them beyond just salary05:57 The importance of offering benefits to employees and how it can affect the perception of the firm10:00 The importance of flexibility in the workplace, including working from home, alternative schedules, and instituting a four-day workweek12:02 The importance of being honest and transparent with employees about the firm's goals and financial position14:03 Valuing employees' opinions and creating a comfortable environment for them to feel like they can talk to their employer17:39 Opening the books to everyone in the firm, from leadership to the newest employee, during an end-of-year retreat🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here. Connect with Michael:Website Instagram FacebookLinkedinYoutubeTikTokResources:Join the Guild MembershipSubscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube ChannelFollow us on InstagramJoin the Facebook GroupFollow the Facebook PageFollow us on LinkedIn Resources:Join the Guild MembershipSubscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube ChannelFollow us on InstagramJoin the Facebook GroupFollow the Facebook PageFollow us on LinkedIn

As a law firm, managing emails can be a daunting task. With multiple team members receiving and responding to emails, it's easy for information to get lost in someone's inbox. In this episode, Jim and Tyson discuss the challenges of email management and offer tips and tools to streamline the process.One of the ideas proposed was routing all emails through one person in the firm, similar to a receptionist. While this may help with team communication, it could also create a full-time job and raise scalability concerns. 06:49 What if you route all emails through one person in a law firm? 08:12 The problem of having one person responsible for emails and the benefits of using team inboxes13:29 Tips on how to streamline emails, including setting up filters and reporting spam16:03 The problems with routing emails through Filevine and the benefits of using Zoho Team Inbox for email managementJim’s Hack: Mindset shift: Don’t be too quick to jump out of a team. Exit teams slowly. Tyson’s Tip: The hosts also recommend the book "A World Without Email" by Cal Newport for more tips on improving email management. By finding ways to streamline email management, your law firm can avoid information silos and work more efficiently.🎥 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 Resources:Join the Guild MembershipSubscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube ChannelFollow us on InstagramJoin the Facebook GroupFollow the Facebook PageFollow us on LinkedIn

If you're a business owner, you know how important it is to rank high on Google's search results. But with the recent proximity update, things have changed in the local search world. In this episode, Seth Price shares his insights on how to navigate Google's proximity update and improve your local search rankings.According to Seth, the proximity update has rebalanced factors and made proximity to the searcher a significant factor in local search rankings. But don't worry, there are ways to counteract this update. One strategy is to diversify your risks by having multiple office locations. By doing this, you'll increase your chances of getting found in different areas and improve your local search rankings.Another strategy is to take advantage of new features in Google My Business profiles, such as posts and neighborhoods. By doing this, you can improve your rankings and get more visibility. However, Seth cautions that just because Google is doing something doesn't necessarily mean it will work.Seth emphasizes the importance of having an authoritative site and an office location to accelerate local search rankings. He also suggests focusing on signage and ensuring that the building you choose is not already saturated with competitors in your field.So, if you want to improve your local search rankings, make sure you listen to this episode and implement these strategies. 00:40 Google's proximity update and its impact on local search rankings04:03 The local ranking factors that Google considers07:12 The importance of having multiple office locations to counteract the effects of Google's proximity update 10:15 The importance of service areas in local search rankings and how they can help counteract the reduced radius from the home office 16:02 The impact of Google's proximity update on local search rankings and the importance of having satellite offices🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.Connect with Seth:WebsiteTwitter FacebookLinkedinYoutube Resources:Join the Guild MembershipSubscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube ChannelFollow us on InstagramJoin the Facebook GroupFollow the Facebook PageFollow us on LinkedIn Resources:Join the Guild MembershipSubscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube ChannelFollow us on InstagramJoin the Facebook GroupFollow the Facebook PageFollow us on LinkedIn

Have you ever considered building a niche law practice? Ashley did just that and has found great success in her niche dental law practice. Ashley's unique background as a former legal assistant turned attorney and touring musician has given her the confidence and skills to build relationships with clients and create great content for social media.Ashley's decision to pivot from litigation to a niche dental practice was driven by the pandemic and a desire to explore other areas of law. She took advantage of a regulatory sandbox in Utah and used social media and referrals to bring in clients. Ashley's workshops with dental lenders, brokers, and CPAs have also been successful in bringing in clients.Now, Ashley is looking to expand her dental practice around the country by hiring attorneys in other states to work as of counsel. Her niche dental law practice has been lucrative and has led to many referrals from lenders, brokers, and other professionals in the dental industry. If you're considering building a niche law practice, take a page out of Ashley's book and use social media and referrals to bring in clients. And don't forget to create great content that showcases your expertise and builds relationships with clients.02:17 Working as a paralegal for 10 years before attending law school 05:28 Pivoting from litigation to a niche dental practice, including the challenges of working during the pandemic08:15 Bringing in clients through social media and referrals09:21 Niching into dental law practice11:24 Utah's regulatory sandbox, which allows non-lawyer ownership in law firms and sharing of referral fees18:29 Expanding her practice around the country by working with attorneys in other states19:15 Struggling with creating content Jim’s Hack: Using Pip Deck cards to come up with story structure. Pipdeck.comAshley’ s Tip: Email hack: Check your email 3 times a day for 30 mins each time. Tyson’s Tip: Bill.com for employee budgets - a credit card on steroids. getdivvy.com🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.Connect with Ashley:WebsiteInstagram Facebook Linkedin Resources:Join the Guild MembershipSubscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube ChannelFollow us on InstagramJoin the Facebook GroupFollow the Facebook PageFollow us on LinkedIn 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 looking to create a more cohesive and successful law firm? Ron Payne's presentation at MaxLawCon 2022 sheds light on the importance of core values in guiding the direction of a law firm and creating a positive work environment.Ron emphasizes that core values should be more than just words on a wall, but should be integrated into the hiring process and daily operations of the firm. He shares his own core values, which include honesty, respect, family first, teamwork, and lifelong learning. These values guide his hiring decisions and help him create a positive work environment.Ron also discusses how he uses core values in his job ads to attract candidates who align with his values. This has resulted in more qualified candidates and better hires for his firm. He also advises being selective with clients, only working with those who align with the firm's values and prioritize their family and children.Ron reminds listeners that core values are an ongoing process of learning, innovating, and striving to be better. By incorporating core values into a law firm's culture and operations, it can attract the right people to the team and create a more cohesive and successful firm.So, what are your core values? Consider identifying your "why" and defining the qualities and values you admire in your team, colleagues, and clients. Run these values by your leadership team and incorporate feedback, but do not compromise on who you are as a firm. Start the journey towards a more successful law firm today!00:38 The importance of core values in law firms and how they can help improve the firm's direction04:10 The process of choosing core values that match personality and where you want to be in three years06:09 The importance of honesty and respect in the workplace and how it can affect the firm's success10:35 How using firm's core values in job ads to attract qualified candidates who aligned with the firm's values12:32 The importance of core values in law firms and how it affects the type of clients they take on14:17 The importance of knowing your "why" and how it drives you to go to work every day16:49 How to define core values by identifying the qualities and values you admire and what you don't want to work with18:40 The importance of incorporating core values in law firms and how to share them with the team19:18 How he conducts team evaluations based on the core values of his law firm19:59 Suggests ways to market the core values of a law firm to stand out from competitors🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.Connect with Ron:WebsiteInstagramFacebookLinkedinYoutubeResources:Join the Guild MembershipSubscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube ChannelFollow us on InstagramJoin the Facebook GroupFollow the Facebook PageFollow us on LinkedIn Resources:Join the Guild MembershipSubscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube ChannelFollow us on InstagramJoin the Facebook GroupFollow the Facebook PageFollow us on LinkedIn

Starting a law firm right after law school can seem like a daunting task, but Kevin Cheney, a personal injury attorney from Denver, Colorado, shows us that it is possible to build a successful practice with the right mindset and skill sets. On the latest episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Kevin shares his journey of starting his own law firm and the challenges that came with it. Here are some takeaways from the episode:➡️ Seek out mentors and have a high risk tolerance. Starting a law firm right after law school requires a lot of courage and risk-taking. Kevin emphasizes the importance of seeking out mentors who can guide you through the process and having a high risk tolerance to overcome challenges.➡️ Be comfortable with asking for business. Getting clients is the hardest and most important thing any law firm does. Kevin advises being comfortable with asking for business and networking to build a client base.➡️ Create a mission statement, vision statement, and core values for the firm. Kevin stresses the importance of involving all staff members in the process and constantly reevaluating the firm's mission, vision, and core values to ensure they reflect the firm's goals and values. ➡️ Plan for growth. Kevin recommends creating a 10-year plan, a 5-year plan, and a 1-year plan, with a focus on the 10-year plan as success and growth compound over time. He suggests considering factors such as the number of staff and employees, practice areas, and offices, as well as the role of the firm's leaders and their workload.➡️ Invest in the personal growth of employees. Kevin recommends investing in the personal growth of employees through initiatives such as a book club to achieve growth and success.Listen in to this episode that provides valuable insights and tips for lawyers considering starting their own law firm right out of law school.01:55 Starting a law firm 04:40 The challenges of building a personal injury law practice and the necessary funds to handle cases effectively07:04 Should you open a law firm right after law school?09:55 The process of shifting roles in a law firm, the importance of focusing on the business for growth15:10 The importance of creating a mission statement, vision statement, and core values for a law firm21:56 The thing that’s holding you back from growth Jim’s Hack: Light Comes Through: Buddhist Teachings on Awakening to Our Natural Intelligence by Dzigar Kongtrul Kevin’s Tip: Invest in the personal growth of your team through a monthly bookclub. Tyson’s Tip: Case Text: Meet your new AI legal assistant. Cocounsel does document review, legal research memos, deposition preparation, and contract analysis in minutes - with results you can trust.🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.Connect with Kevin:Website TikTok InstagramFacebookResources:Join the Guild MembershipSubscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube ChannelFollow us on InstagramJoin the Facebook GroupFollow the Facebook PageFollow us on LinkedIn 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 a lawyer looking to build a million-dollar law firm? Devon Slovsky's presentation on "Zero to 1 Million" provides valuable insights and practical tips on how to grow your firm. In her talk, Devon emphasizes the importance of having the right mindset and overcoming fear to take risks. She encourages listeners to implement good standard practices and warns that the bootstrapping early success is not sustainable in the long term, so there is a shift needed to uplevel.Devon also stresses the importance of systematizing processes and improving management skills to serve a wider client base. She advises on two basic tools to build out early in your law firm: a chart of accounts and a firm budget. Having these tools in place, even for small firms, will be essential for future growth and making accurate projections.Moreover, Devon shares some surprising things that financially improved her business, including hiring a professional accountant and having organized books and financial records. She also encourages paying yourself a market wage and providing benefits like health insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance for your staff.So, if you're ready to take your law firm to the next level, take a cue from Devon and start implementing these valuable tips today.03:54 The importance of being prepared to pay market prices when starting a law firm06:09 The importance of paying yourself a market salary 07:43 Building a detailed budget and chart of accounts early on 10:53 Finding your firm's natural billing rhythm14:12 Hiring an expensive professional accountant 15:07 Market wage and the mindset shift that came with it15:50 Adding health insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance benefits for your staff18:06 Starting with new clients to change their expectations🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.Connect with Devon:Website Facebook Resources:Join the Guild MembershipSubscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube ChannelFollow us on InstagramJoin the Facebook GroupFollow the Facebook PageFollow us on LinkedIn Resources:Join the Guild MembershipSubscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube ChannelFollow us on InstagramJoin the Facebook GroupFollow the Facebook PageFollow us on LinkedIn