

Maximum Lawyer
Tyson Mutrux
Maximum Lawyer is the podcast for law firm owners who want to scale with intention and build a business that works for their life.
Hosted by Tyson Mutrux, each weekly episode features candid conversations with law firm owners, business experts, and industry leaders sharing real strategies and lessons learned in the trenches.
If you're ready to grow your firm with less stress and more support, this is your next must listen. Subscribe today.
Hosted by Tyson Mutrux, each weekly episode features candid conversations with law firm owners, business experts, and industry leaders sharing real strategies and lessons learned in the trenches.
If you're ready to grow your firm with less stress and more support, this is your next must listen. Subscribe today.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 13, 2023 • 21min
What Kind of Mickey Mouse Operation is This?
Walt Disney, the visionary behind Disney World, had to keep his plans a secret to acquire the necessary land. This story serves as a reminder of the importance of dreaming beyond our current realities, believing in our values, daring to make a difference, and taking action. Disney's meticulous operational practices are a testament to their commitment to excellence. From nightly touch-up painting to replacing trees and shrubs, and even strategically placing trash cans every 30 feet, Disney leaves no stone unturned in maintaining its magical aura.What about taking some of the best practices from Disney World and using it for our law firms? What would that look like? Creating a welcoming physical space for clients, considering factors like parking, accessibility, and physical comfort. What about understanding clients as individuals and showing genuine care and interest in their lives? This and more is what Tyson talks about in this MaxLawCon22 presentation episode. 01:23 Walt Disney's four keys to success: dream beyond today's realities, believe in sound values, dare to make a difference, and go out and do the work03:57 Disney's meticulous operational practices, including nightly touch-up paint, replacing trees and shrubs, and maintaining cleanliness with trash cans every 30ft06:04 Creating a sense of belonging and comfort for clients, similar to the feeling of being at home at Disney World10:54 The importance of involving clients and allowing them to play an active role in their cases17:20 The importance of recognizing and rewarding clients for their wins and staying in communication with them19:18 Creating a unique and special experience for clients, emphasizing a sense of belonging and identity🎥 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

Jul 11, 2023 • 28min
Finding the Best Fit for Your Firm
Have you ever been frustrated with the traditional hiring process? Where gut feelings and limited information resulted in a measly 50% accuracy hire rate? What if we walked you step-by-step through a better way - that is not our own - But it’s based on the book called "Topgrading" by Bradford D. Smart, which dives even deeper into this topic.In this podcast episode, Jim Hacking and Tyson Mutrux invite Kristen Weiss (from Tyson’s team) to discuss hiring practices and the top grading principles. Kristen shares her experience as a recruiter and the frustrations she faced before implementing the top grading process. A few key takeaways are:➡️ the importance of involving multiple people in the hiring process➡️the importance of not rushing the process as hiring in haste can lead to wasted time, money, and resources ➡️automated emails that outline the steps and expectations➡️ recruiting mentally tough individuals who were fully committed to the firm➡️the hiring process. And the best part? It works!So, if you're tired of making hiring mistakes and want to find the perfect fit for your team, we highly recommend giving this episode a listen and “see” the Topgrading hiring principles in action. Don’t forget to grab the book here!1:06 Kristen’s past experience as a recruiter and the frustrations she faced with hiring practices before implementing the top grading process05:18 The importance of getting multiple perspectives in the hiring process and not relying solely on one person's judgment10:19 How to address potential employees' questions about the slower hiring process18:47 The hiring process, step-by-step, including the use of applications and telephone interviews to filter candidates19:23 The detailed assessment that candidates receive after a 15-minute conversation, which tests their competency, attention to detail, and ability to follow instructions20:27 After the video interview, candidates who move on to the next round undergo a mental toughness screening, which assesses their reactions in different situations21:22 The unique approach of setting up appointments with past employers for reference checks to ensure they only speak about A-player candidates🎥 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

Jul 6, 2023 • 19min
Design Principles that Convert with Brendan Ruane
Are you overwhelmed by the amount of information bombarding you every day? In this episode, Brendan Ruane shares valuable design principles that can help you cut through the noise and convert potential clients. From keeping language simple to following familiar website design conventions, Brendan's insights will revolutionize your approach to marketing. Discover how to optimize your website navigation, highlight important elements, and leverage the power of social proof. Tune in now and take your legal career to new heights!02:13 The importance of simplifying websites and marketing materials to avoid overwhelming users and cluttering up information04:00 Design principles that convert: Jacob's Law and familiarity in website design09:05 Whittle down information to give users what they need to make decisions and take actions14:02 Focus on the first two sections of your website as they receive the most attention from users15:59 Use credible testimonials and videos from past clients to build trust and credibility with potential customers🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here. Connect with Brendan:Website Contact Facebook LinkedInInstagramResources: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

Jul 4, 2023 • 26min
From Briefcase to Boom with Scott Rose
Are you ready to take your law firm to the next level? In this episode, Jim Hacking and Tyson Mutrux sit down with Scott Rose, owner of Rose Legal Services, to discuss his journey of starting his own firm and the valuable lessons he learned along the way. Scott shares how he overcame challenges during the Great Recession and found success in criminal defense. The most valuable lesson from this podcast? Scott realized that working more hours himself wasn't the key to growth. Instead, he focused on leveraging other people and implementing systems. He also emphasizes the importance of core values, unique selling points, and long-term goals for your firm. Tune in to learn more about Scott's strategies for growth and how you can apply them to your own practice. Don't miss out on this valuable insight from a successful entrepreneur in the legal field.01:40 Meet Scott and hear his story starting with the challenges he faced during the Great Recession03:16 Scott's transitioned to focusing exclusively on criminal defense08:31 The impact of the Guilds mastermind group on Scott's growth and success10:54 The importance of relying on other people and systems16:49 Navigating the challenges of practicing criminal law in a changing landscape and strategies for growthJim’s Hack: Read the book “Automate Your Busywork: Do Less, Achieve More, and Save Your Brain for the Big Stuff " by Aytekin Tank Scott’s Tip: Read the book "The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right" by Atul Gawande Tyson’s Tip: Go through your tasks work flows and make them more efficient.🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here. https://youtu.be/O1V6ruPxqOMConnect with Scott:Website Linkedin FacebookAvvo Youtube 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

Jun 29, 2023 • 19min
The Last Billable Hour with Steven McClelland
As an attorney, you work hard to build your practice and serve your clients. But have you considered what would happen if something were to happen to you? This is where succession planning comes in. In today's episode, estate planning attorney Steven McClelland shared his insights on the importance of having a succession plan in place. Here are five reasons why every lawyer needs a succession plan:Protect Your Clients: If you were to become incapacitated or pass away, what would happen to your clients? A succession plan ensures that your clients' needs are taken care of and that their cases are transferred to another attorney who can provide them with the same level of service you did.Protect Your Employees: Your employees are an important part of your practice. A succession plan ensures that they are taken care of and that their jobs are secure in the event of your incapacity or death.Protect Your Family: A succession plan ensures that your family is taken care of and that your practice is passed down to them if that is your wish.Protect Your Reputation: Dumping all your files in a dumpster instead of properly disposing of them is not only unprofessional but can also damage your reputation. A succession plan ensures that your files are properly organized and that your reputation remains intact.Peace of Mind: Having a succession plan in place gives you peace of mind knowing that your practice will continue to thrive even if something were to happen to you.A succession plan is crucial for every lawyer. It ensures that your clients, employees, family, and reputation are protected and gives you peace of mind. So, take action today and create a succession plan that works for you and your practice. And be sure to check out the Maximum Lawyer podcast for more valuable insights and strategies to help you overcome challenges in your practice.07:29 The importance of ending things properly.09:22 72% of entrepreneurs do not have a succession plan15:13 A checklist and key documents for succession planning, including a business power of attorney, agreement to close practice, and confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement. He offers to share these documents with listeners.🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube here.Connect with Steven:Website 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

Jun 27, 2023 • 28min
Starting From Zero Again and Again with Audra Doyle
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

Jun 22, 2023 • 17min
Niche Your Way to Notoriety with Nicole Christie
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

Jun 20, 2023 • 28min
Diversify, Adapt, and Thrive: Strategies for Building a Resilient Law Practice with Evelyn Ackah
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

Jun 15, 2023 • 21min
Keep Your Star Players with Michael Urbina
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

Jun 13, 2023 • 23min
Email Management in Your Law Firm?
Managing emails in a law firm can be overwhelming. The hosts explore the benefits of centralized communication and discuss routing emails through one person, assessing its pros and cons. Tips for streamlining include using filters, shared inboxes, and effective practices to prevent information silos. They recommend the book "A World Without Email" for further insights. Additionally, they dive into the significance of accountability in email communication and the challenges that arise when mismanagement occurs. Tune in for a wealth of practical strategies!