The Law Entrepreneur

You're not doing referrals wrong—you've just been taught a system that never really worked for you. In this empowering fourth episode of our Build to Lead series, hosted by Bridgit Norris, you'll discover how to build a client-generating engine that feels aligned with who you are and how you want to show up in business.Guest Stacey Brown Randall—founder of Building a Referable Business, podcast host, and author of Generating Business Referrals Without Asking—breaks down the science of referrals and how legal professionals, especially women, are moving beyond outdated “good old boys” tactics. She shares how to generate referrals through relationship nurturing, brain science, and trust-based strategies—without asking, selling, or relying on traditional networking.If you're tired of feeling like you have to "sell" yourself to earn new clients, this conversation will reframe everything you thought you knew about referrals. Stick around—this could be the mindset shift your firm has been waiting for.Key Takeaways from Bridgit and Stacey:1. Referrals Are a Distinct Business PillarReferrals aren’t part of prospecting or marketing—they’re a third, separate leg of the business development stool.Recognizing and treating them as their system reshapes how you build sustainable client growth.2. Asking Isn’t Required—There’s a Better WayReferrals can be generated consistently without asking, manipulating, or promoting yourself awkwardly.By focusing on trust and intentional relationship-building, they emerge naturally from genuine connections.3. Relationship Respect Drives ResultsThe magic isn’t in the ask—it’s in how well you nurture and prioritize your referral sources.Putting their needs ahead of your own strengthens trust and leads to more frequent, high-quality referrals.4. Women Are Leading a Quiet RevolutionRather than fighting for space in outdated systems, many women are designing approaches that reflect how they truly want to lead.These new models prioritize alignment, authenticity, and long-term impact over transactional tactics.5. You Deserve Referrals—But You’re Not Owed ThemDoing excellent work earns you the right to be referred, but referrals aren’t automatic.To receive them consistently, you must commit to doing the relationship work with clarity and intention. "If referrals don't fit in prospecting or marketing, well, then they should fit in their own leg of the stool. We've got prospecting, we've got marketing, and referrals—and they're all three good in their own ways, but you need all three of them." —  Stacey Brown RandallGet in touch with Stacey Brown Randall:Website: https://staceybrownrandall.com/Book: Generating Business Referrals Without Asking: https://www.amazon.com/Generating-Business-Referrals-Without-Asking-ebook/dp/B07D99KJ6H/Show: Roadmap to Referrals: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roadmap-to-referrals/id1405302350LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceybrandall/Are you a high-achieving woman in law ready to become a powerhouse CEO?Then HER Law was built for you.🔥 Join the waitlist and step into the role your firm actually needs: https://link.mylegalacademy.com/HER-Law-Waitlist🚀 Want to SCALE your law firm? Go here:  https://bit.ly/3z7R5qM⭐️ Want to join our FREE lawyer community? Go here: https://bit.ly/4bUMLZzFollow us on social:My Legal Academy YouTube: https://bit.ly/3KGieDsMy Legal Academy LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3X3D5qdMy Legal Academy Facebook: https://bit.ly/3VJloN7My Legal Academy Instagram: https://bit.ly/3T9RO1GIf you’ve enjoyed the podcast, please head to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and a review for the show! It only takes a moment, and really helps us to reach new listeners.

What if burnout isn’t just a personal failure, but a leadership blind spot?In this third episode of our Built to Lead series, host Bridgit Norris sits down with Lexlee Overton—veteran trial lawyer, executive coach, and founder of Mind Over Law—for a conversation that goes far deeper than self-care clichés.You’ll learn why exhaustion is baked into the legal culture, how to rewire your nervous system for clarity and performance, and what it really takes to lead without sacrificing your well-being.If you're done glorifying grind and ready to reclaim your energy, this episode offers the exact tools to start now. Don’t wait for your body to force the change—this is your wake-up call.Key Takeaways from Bridgit and Lexlee:1. Prioritize Energy Before ProductivityBefore diving into your tasks, take a moment to check in with your energy levels instead of your calendar.By starting the day with a short practice, such as breathwork or intentional movement, you lay the foundation for sustainable focus and clearer decision-making.2. Replace Hustle with CoherencyInstead of powering through stress with more hustle, learn to create internal alignment. Practicing simple techniques like heart-centered breathing before a meeting or tough conversation helps regulate your nervous system and keeps your response intentional, not reactive.3. Time Audit to Reclaim HoursFeeling overwhelmed? Start with a week-long time audit, tracking your tasks in 15-minute increments.This will reveal where your time and energy are going—and more importantly, what you can delegate or eliminate to free up space for what matters most.4. Set a Team Baseline for Emotional Check-insTo prevent burnout from spreading through your team, embed emotional awareness into your weekly stand-ups.Begin each meeting with three prompts: share one win, one current challenge, and one way the team can support you—this builds a culture of trust and shared accountability.5. Reframe the “No Time” NarrativeIf your go-to thought is, “I don’t have time,” pause and challenge it.Just three minutes of gratitude-focused breathing can reset your state, calm your mind, and boost your capacity, proving that restoration doesn’t have to be time-consuming to be effective. "If you’re showing up overwhelmed, you’re impacting your team. Like that one: you’re not performing, you’re not delegating, you’re not doing the things that you should be doing, and you also are impacting them in response to that." —  Lexlee OvertonGet in touch with Lexlee Overton:Website: https://mindoverlaw.com/Show: Mind Over Law: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mind-over-law-with-lexlee-overton/id1755386630LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexleeoverton/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexleeoverton/Are you a high-achieving woman in law ready to become a powerhouse CEO?Then HER Law was built for you.🔥 Join the waitlist and step into the role your firm actually needs: https://link.mylegalacademy.com/HER-Law-Waitlist🚀 Want to SCALE your law firm? Go here:  https://bit.ly/3z7R5qM⭐️ Want to join our FREE lawyer community? Go here: https://bit.ly/4bUMLZzFollow us on social:My Legal Academy YouTube: https://bit.ly/3KGieDsMy Legal Academy LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3X3D5qdMy Legal Academy Facebook: https://bit.ly/3VJloN7My Legal Academy Instagram: https://bit.ly/3T9RO1GIf you’ve enjoyed the podcast, please head to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and a review for the show! It only takes a moment, and really helps us to reach new listeners.

What if the very thing that’s draining you could become the key to your power?In this second episode of our Built to Lead Series, host Bridgit Norris is joined by Emily Logan Stedman, partner at Husch Blackwell and a commercial litigator who’s reshaped what it means to thrive in big law. Emily takes us deep into the billable hour, not to condemn it, but to completely reframe it—as a tool for control, clarity, and even creativity. You’ll learn how she’s reclaimed her time, set boundaries without guilt, and used systems and mindset to scale her career without scaling her burnout. Whether you’re running a solo practice or rising through the ranks, this conversation will challenge everything you thought you knew about productivity, client demands, and what it means to lead well in law.Because if you don’t take ownership of your time, something else will.Tired of Facebook Ads that get clicks but no clients?Join Sam Mollaei, Esq. for a free live training built specifically for law firm owners who want real ROI, not vanity metrics.Facebook Ads 2025 breaks down the exact system Sam used to generate over 25,000 legal leads a month—without agencies, guesswork, or wasted ad spend.📅 May 21 | 🕐 1 PM ET🔗 Register free: https://link.mylegalacademy.com/facebook-ads-2025Key Takeaways from Sam and Neil:1. Rethink the Billable Hour as a Business ToolInstead of viewing the billable hour as a burden, use it to audit how time is spent, identify inefficiencies, and ensure your value is visible to your firm, your clients, and yourself.2. Autonomy Over BalanceTo take control, reverse-engineer your billable hour goals by first mapping out vacation days, holidays, and planned time off.Then, break those goals down into manageable monthly, weekly, and daily targets.3. Build Systems Early to Reduce BurnoutIncorporating daily time tracking helps eliminate guesswork and emotional resistance, making it a seamless part of your routine, like brushing your teeth.4. Client Expectations Thrive on CommunicationSimilarly, managing client expectations is about clarity, not being overly available.By setting clear communication on when clients can expect responses, you reduce pressure while maintaining trust.5. AI Is a Tool, Not a ReplacementFinally, use AI to handle repetitive tasks and assist with ideation, but always review the output.Think of it as a helpful junior associate—fast and useful, but in need of your guidance. "If you shift to thinking about [the billable hour] as a tool for your business, your small piece of business within a larger firm, or your entire firm for yourself, it can help you start changing your mindset." —  Emily Logan StedmanGet in touch with Emily Logan Stedman:Show: The Grace Period: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-grace-period-shining-a-light-on-lawyer-wellbeing/id1739417829LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilystedman/Are you a high-achieving woman in law ready to become a powerhouse CEO?Then HER Law was built for you.🔥 Join the waitlist and step into the role your firm actually needs: https://link.mylegalacademy.com/HER-Law-Waitlist🚀 Want to SCALE your law firm? Go here:  https://bit.ly/3z7R5qM⭐️ Want to join our FREE lawyer community? Go here: https://bit.ly/4bUMLZzFollow us on social:My Legal Academy YouTube: https://bit.ly/3KGieDsMy Legal Academy LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3X3D5qdMy Legal Academy Facebook: https://bit.ly/3VJloN7My Legal Academy Instagram: https://bit.ly/3T9RO1GIf you’ve enjoyed the podcast, please head to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and a review for the show! It only takes a moment, and really helps us to reach new listeners.

You're not here to survive—you’re built to lead. This powerful kickoff to the Built to Lead Series, hosted by Bridgit Norris, My Legal Academy’s Director of Client Services, opens with an unfiltered conversation featuring Bridgette Williams, Esq., an award-winning personal injury attorney and owner of BLW Legal Group. With a background that spans from criminal law to managing her own practice, Bridgette turned burnout into a blueprint for sustainable success. She shares how she evolved from juggling every role in her firm to becoming a confident CEO with clear systems, a strong team, and a business that supports her life, not one that controls it.If you’ve ever questioned whether you can grow your practice and reclaim your time, this episode gives you the strategy and the permission to lead differently. Through real-life wins, hard lessons, and candid truths, you'll see exactly what’s possible when women stop apologizing for how they want to lead—and start building a practice that reflects their vision.Want to turn Facebook Ads into signed clients, not just clicks?FREE TRAINING – FB Ads 2025: How Law Firms Can Turn Ads into Signed ClientsJoin Sam Mollaei, Esq. for a live breakdown of the proven Facebook Ads system built for law firm growth. Learn how to attract, qualify, and convert leads—without relying on agencies or guesswork.Date: Wednesday, May 21Time: 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PTJoin live: https://link.mylegalacademy.com/facebook-ads-2025Key Takeaways from Bridgit and Bridgette:1. Find the work balance that protects your energyReaching a burnout point is often the wake-up call to stop doing everything yourself.Focus on building a practice that supports both your well-being and your goals by prioritizing flexibility and clarity in your daily work.2. Let go of control so your firm can growHolding onto every task might feel safe, but it prevents real growth.Identify what you love doing and delegate the rest to free up bandwidth and elevate your leadership.3. Build your practice around how you want to leadYou don’t have to follow outdated models of success. Make decisions based on your values, your lifestyle, and what makes you a more effective leader and human.4. Design your CEO role with intention and visionYou can still love the law and lead the business, just not at the expense of your sanity.Step into the CEO seat by hiring for strength, not just cost, and create space for strategic growth.5. Create systems that evolve as you scaleGood systems are essential, but don’t be afraid to pivot when something isn’t working.Your ability to adapt and refine is what makes your firm resilient and future-ready."You're not able to scale... if you're still trying to be the case manager, the lawyer, the intake specialist, the billing person—all at an A-plus level." —  Bridgette WilliamsGet in touch with Bridgette Williams:Website: https://texascrashlawyers.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/attorneybridgettewilliams/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyerbridgette/Are you a high-achieving woman in law ready to become a powerhouse CEO?Then HER Law was built for you.🔥 Join the waitlist and step into the role your firm actually needs: https://link.mylegalacademy.com/HER-Law-Waitlist🚀 Want to SCALE your law firm? Go here:  https://bit.ly/3z7R5qM⭐️ Want to join our FREE lawyer community? Go here: https://bit.ly/4bUMLZzFollow us on social:My Legal Academy YouTube: https://bit.ly/3KGieDsMy Legal Academy LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3X3D5qdMy Legal Academy Facebook: https://bit.ly/3VJloN7My Legal Academy Instagram: https://bit.ly/3T9RO1GFollow Bridgit Norris on LinkedIn: https://link.mylegalacademy.com/3EWraFuIf you’ve enjoyed the podcast, please head to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and a review for the show! It only takes a moment, and really helps us to reach new listeners.

"Are You Still Doing That Manually?" — Real-World Automation for Law Firms with Mike Smith & Matthew AdamsThat one question could be costing your law firm countless hours and missed opportunities. Today, we’re welcoming two powerful voices in legal automation to the show:🔹 Mike Smith, a seasoned estate planning attorney and My Legal Academy Ambassador who has embraced automation to reclaim his time and scale smarter.🔹 Matthew Adams, CEO of MapMatix, an agency helping law firms unlock serious efficiency through automation, integration, and AI strategy.If you’ve ever felt buried under repetitive tasks or frustrated by tech that doesn’t talk to each other, this is your wake-up call. You’ll hear how real firms are slashing inefficiencies, how automation and AI actually work in practice (not theory), and how even small firms can compete at a higher level. If you're ready to rethink what’s possible in your law practice, this episode is your roadmap.Key Takeaways from Mike and Matthew:1. Automation Is an Equalizer, Not a ReplacementAutomation isn't here to steal jobs—it’s here to make your team more creative and efficient.Instead of fearing tech, firms should view it as a way to level the playing field with larger competitors.2. Consistency Is Key to Effective AutomationAutomation works best when processes are repeatable and well-defined.If your workflow changes every week, focus on standardizing before automating.3. AI Has Promise, But Use It StrategicallyAI can enhance client communication and marketing, but it still "hallucinates" and lacks consistency, making it risky for critical legal tasks.Use it as a copilot, not a pilot.4. Most Firms Are Underutilizing the Software They Already HaveMany law firms are unaware that tools like Clio or NetDocuments already support automation—no custom code needed.Optimizing your current stack can sometimes yield quicker wins than buying new software.5. Don't Over-Automate Untested ProcessesNewer firms often make the mistake of trying to automate workflows they haven’t validated yet.Manual testing first ensures your automation won’t amplify bad processes. "[AI is] a prediction engine. That's really all it is at this point." —  Mike Smith"Automation is unlikely to replace lawyers... we're helping lawyers and paralegals and other staff to be more efficient, to be able to work on more creative, thoughtful tasks." —  Matthew AdamsGet in touch with Mike Smith and Matthew Adams:Mike’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhsmithsav/MapMatix Website: https://www.mapmatix.com/Matthew’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-adams-mapmatix/Matthew’s Email: matt@mapmatix.com🚀 Want to SCALE your law firm? Go here:  https://bit.ly/3z7R5qM⭐️ Want to join our FREE lawyer community? Go here: https://bit.ly/4bUMLZzFollow us on social:My Legal Academy YouTube: https://bit.ly/3KGieDsMy Legal Academy LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3X3D5qdMy Legal Academy Facebook: https://bit.ly/3VJloN7My Legal Academy Instagram: https://bit.ly/3T9RO1GIf you’ve enjoyed the podcast, please head to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and a review for the show! It only takes a moment, and really helps us to reach new listeners.

Ready to finally stop spinning your wheels and actually get things done?In this second part of the productivity hack series, Sam Mollaei builds on the foundation laid in Part 1 and delivers the full, game-changing framework that’s helping lawyers escape constant overwhelm. This isn’t another generic tip—it’s a radical shift in how you approach productivity in your firm. Sam’s proven system turns scattered to-do lists into focused, executable strategies fueled by clarity, urgency, and smart delegation. By applying this framework, you’ll finally start working with intention instead of reaction. If you're ready to stop spinning your wheels and start scaling with precision, this episode is your blueprint.Ready to scale—without adding more to your plate?After hosting AI Advantage for Law with over 300 lawyers last week, one thing became crystal clear:The fastest-growing firms aren’t chasing more leads. They’re fixing what happens after the lead comes in.If you missed the masterclass or are ready to implement what was taught, we’re now offering a private AI Intake Audit — personalized to your firm.We’ll audit your current intakePinpoint where time and leads are slippingGive you a plug-and-play roadmap to automate it allBook a 1-on-1 AI Intake Audit here → https://schedule.mylegalacademy.com/aiKey Takeaways from Sam and Neil:1. The Power of Written ClarityExecution starts with intention—and that means writing it down.A clear, actionable plan on paper creates the focus and direction you need to follow through.2. Deadlines Create MovementEvery step needs a specific deadline—without it, things drift.When you anchor tasks to a date and time, you trigger momentum and start closing loops.3. Think in 1 to 3 Day BlocksPlans that span weeks or months often become wishful thinking.Narrowing your focus to what can be done in one to three days forces action and results.4. Delegate RuthlesslyYou shouldn’t be the bottleneck—hand off as much as possible.Delegation is only powerful if paired with accountability, so make follow-through part of the process.5. Execution Over IdeasIdeas don’t build law firms—consistent implementation does.When you track your time, measure your output, and embrace “done over perfect,” you create real growth. "Vision sets the direction, knowledge fuels the confidence. But ultimately, it’s the implementation that helps cross the finish line." —  Sam Mollaei🚀 Want to SCALE your law firm? Go here:  https://bit.ly/3z7R5qM⭐️ Want to join our FREE lawyer community? Go here: https://bit.ly/4bUMLZzFollow us on social:My Legal Academy YouTube: https://bit.ly/3KGieDsMy Legal Academy LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3X3D5qdMy Legal Academy Facebook: https://bit.ly/3VJloN7My Legal Academy Instagram: https://bit.ly/3T9RO1GIf you’ve enjoyed the podcast, please head to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and a review for the show! It only takes a moment, and really helps us to reach new listeners.

If your calendar controls you more than you control your firm—this episode will hit home.Most lawyers don’t have a productivity problem.They have a clarity problem. A systems problem. A control problem.In this powerful two-part series, Sam Mollaei reveals the 3 transformational productivity strategies that helped him scale multiple law firms without burning out. These aren’t hacks pulled from a blog—these are battle-tested principles built for the pressures of modern legal practice.This isn’t about squeezing more into your day. It’s about designing a law firm—and a life—you don’t need to escape from.If this resonates, don’t stop here.Want to go deeper into automation, AI, and scaling your firm the smart way?Book a call with one of our Advisors to go deeper into automation, AI, and scaling your firm the smart way. We’ll map out a strategy built specifically for your firm’s growth.Schedule here: https://go.mylegalacademy.com/grow-with-usIf you're done surviving and ready to lead, this episode is where the shift begins.Part 2 builds on this momentum—but Part 1 is where everything starts.Key Takeaways from Sam:1. Tech Optimization AdvantageInvesting in high-performance technology directly enhances your productivity.A fast computer, a large monitor, and quality peripherals aren’t just conveniences—they can become strategic assets in your legal practice.2. Delegation Mastery with LoomScreen recording tools like Loom make delegation systematic and scalable.By visually documenting processes, you create clear standard operating procedures that empower your team and free you to focus on higher-value work.3. Workspace as a Performance CatalystYour physical environment isn’t just background—it’s a key driver of performance.Design a workspace that blends ergonomic comfort, technological efficiency, and personal inspiration to fuel sustained focus and output.4. Productivity is a MindsetTrue productivity goes beyond tools—it's rooted in strategy.Prioritize focused execution and structured task management. Adopt frameworks that help you stay consistent while cutting out distractions and low-value tasks.5. Continuous Optimization StrategyYour professional setup should evolve with you.Make it a habit to audit and refine your tools, workflows, and workspace so they continue to support—and not limit—your growing capabilities. "The mindset is: the more you can delegate, the more you can achieve." —  Sam Mollaei🚀 Want to SCALE your law firm? Go here:  https://bit.ly/3z7R5qM⭐️ Want to join our FREE lawyer community? Go here: https://bit.ly/4bUMLZzFollow us on social:My Legal Academy YouTube: https://bit.ly/3KGieDsMy Legal Academy LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3X3D5qdMy Legal Academy Facebook: https://bit.ly/3VJloN7My Legal Academy Instagram: https://bit.ly/3T9RO1GIf you’ve enjoyed the podcast, please head to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and a review for the show! It only takes a moment, and really helps us to reach new listeners.

Explore how AI is revolutionizing the legal field with tools like NotebookLM and ChatGPT. Discover the power of automated client intake systems that can engage and convert leads around the clock. Learn how to train AI agents for specific legal tasks, boosting efficiency without sacrificing accuracy. This live training reveals real-world applications that help lawyers scale their practices effortlessly, making AI an indispensable ally in modern law.

Sam Mollaei, Esq., a legal innovator running multiple law firms, shares groundbreaking insights into the integration of AI in law practices. He discusses the potential of virtual law firms thriving without traditional offices, leveraging automation for low overhead. Key topics include client acquisition on autopilot through innovative lead generation systems and the efficiency gained from custom AI agents. Mollaei also highlights common obstacles lawyers face in adopting these tools, like tool overload and privacy concerns, offering practical solutions for smoother integration.

Eamon Graziano, a Marine veteran and CEO of multiple law firms, shares secrets to signing up 1,000 clients monthly. He reveals that many firms mistakenly focus on marketing instead of fixing their broken intake systems. Eamon discusses the importance of speed in lead response and the role of AI in automating client engagement. He emphasizes tracking key performance metrics and optimizing team performance with effective tools and processes, ultimately showing how a solid intake strategy can drastically boost revenues.