New Solo

Starting your solo firm means building good habits from day one and that begins with your intake process. In this episode of New Solo: First Flight, host Adriana Linares revisits her conversation with Chad Burton, co-founder of Modern Law Practice and CEO of CuroLegal, about how thoughtful workflows create better client relationships and fewer headaches. From conflict checks and engagement letters to managing matters in Clio and working with virtual assistants, Chad shares how documenting your processes can help your firm grow smoothly and ethically. Plus, Adriana Linares and Rio Laine from ALPS Insurance break down why consistent intake procedures and clear engagement letters are key to avoiding malpractice claims and protecting your peace of mind. Hear the original episode with Chad Burton Learn more about ALPS Insurance.  Receive email notifications every time we release a new episode.

How are you doing? No, really, how are you doing? Guest Chris Newbold is not only the COO of ALPS Insurance – a leader in malpractice insurance for solo and small legal practices – he’s also a recognized driver in the nationwide movement to ensure well-being in the legal profession.  Over the past decade, there’s been a focus on mental health, stress, and substance abuse in the profession. Meeting deadlines, satisfying clients, and the sometimes-confrontational nature of the job can take a toll, especially on lawyers in small practices or rural area where support can be lacking.  Newbold shares insights from ALPS’ recent report, “The State of the Solo: Positive Trends in Solo Attorney Well-Being,” which he helped deliver. The study made a special effort to include small and rural practices. A healthy lawyer is a good lawyer, Newbold says. Taking care of yourself helps you better serve your clients.  Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at NewSolo@legaltalknetwork.com   Topics: Attorneys in solo or small firms are uniquely susceptible to the effects of stress. It’s a hard job. But the right tech, paired with a mindful approach and managed workload, can reduce that stress. Taking care of yourself ultimately benefits your clients. Practicing in a solo or small firm or in rural areas can have its benefits, and surveys show those attorneys are finding job satisfaction and taking time off when needed. But there are also unique stresses and the potential to feel alone or overburdened. Workload and cash flow are among the biggest stressors facing attorneys. Stress can lead to mistakes (and malpractice), so be mindful of where you are and how much you can handle. If you own your own practice, don’t let your practice own you.   Resources: “The State of the Solo: Positive Trends in Solo Attorney Well-Being,” ALPS Insurance “The Path to Lawyer Well-Being: Practical Recommendations for Positive Change”  Previous appearance on the Legal Talk Network, The Digital Age podcast, “The Insurance Industry Studies the Future of Law Practice”  Mental Health Resources, American Bar Association Law Student Mental Health Day, Oct. 10, ABA ABA Techshow 2026 Clio Cloud Conference 2025

Guest Andrew Schierberg is a former police officer and a police chief who opened his own solo law firm two years ago and has been growing it ever since. What does he miss from his first career, and what has he learned as a lawyer?  As the firm has evolved, there has been some rebranding and the addition of new attorneys, employees, and tech tools. Today, Schierberg specializes in elder law at his firm Stages Elder Care Law.  Hear how Schierberg has learned to hire associates so he can focus on “buying back his time” to grow the business. Understand your strengths, find areas where your time is wasted, and delegate or apply tech solutions to make your firm run more efficiently.  Schierberg picked a niche – elder care law – and has made it his home. It’s what he cares about, helping seniors and families create estate and care plans and address all of those “what ifs” as they arise. Hear how he adapts everything from his corporate colors to his daily wardrobe to make clients comfortable and create a strong, memorable, and trusted brand. Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at NewSolo@legaltalknetwork.com     Topics: We’re checking in on Andrew Schierberg who finished his first career as a police chief and then opened his own law firm two years ago. Time wasting pinch points can siphon off your energy and productivity. Identify those areas and address them. Finding a niche service area can set your firm apart and create a sense of satisfaction that keeps you focused and helps you work on important, big picture goals. Resources: The Gap and the Gain: The High Achievers’ Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and SuccessLawmaticsABA Techshow 2026Gyi Tsakalakis legal marketingLunch Hour Legal Marketing with Gyi Tsakalakis and Conrad SaamMycase“How to Buy a Domain Name,” CloudflareLife Care Planning Law Firms AssociationActionstep legal softwareClio Cloud Conference 2025Clio Legal Trends ReportMicrosoft Lift

What does it look like when two solos run completely independent practices—but still share staff, expenses, and even office celebrations? In this episode of New Solo’s First Flight series, Adriana Linares revisits her interview with Orlando attorneys Conti Moore and Barbara Leach to unpack how they crafted a “work wife” arrangement that saves money, boosts efficiency, and provides daily collaboration without merging firms. From splitting receptionist hours and copier leases to balancing friendship with professionalism, Conti and Barbara explain how their shared setup helped them avoid loneliness, strengthen their brands, and keep their autonomy while enjoying the benefits of teamwork. Later, ALPS Insurance’s Rio Laine joins Adriana to highlight the risks and rewards of these unconventional arrangements and why clear boundaries, role definitions, and coverage conversations are key to making them work. Hear the original episode with Conti Moore and Barbara Leach  Learn more about ALPS Insurance.  Receive email notifications every time we release a new episode.

Checking in with returning guests Dean Blachford and Ella Sui, who started the Blachford Tax Law firm in Ottawa, Canada in 2021. Blachford is the tax lawyer and Sui is the clerk, paralegal, and more, forming a small tag team specializing in Canadian tax law.  This is a fun episode because before they hung out a shingle, Blachford and Sui listened to the entire New Solo podcast library, building an understanding of a solo practice as host Adriana Linares and her guests discussed the challenges, and solutions, new practitioners encounter. Soon after they opened, the duo joined Linares for a podcast to share what they found to be the most impactful episodes.  So, how did that work out for Blachford and Sui? Four years later, hear what they learned from New Solo and how they put it all to work their firm. Bookkeeping, accounting, systems and processes, collections, clear goals, and careful documentation are all part of the firm’s success. The firm considered hiring a junior attorney but instead leaned into tech by hiring a remote assistant (in the Philippines) and a human resources consultant. And (of course) this wouldn’t be a New Solo podcast with a whole bunch of cutting edge legal tech solutions. Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at NewSolo@legaltalknetwork.com     Topics: Guests Dean Blachford and Ella Sui started their New Solo practice by listening to the catalog of New Solo episodes. Four years later, hear how that worked out and how they learned to incorporate processes, procedures, remote help, and the latest tech. In a small firm, it’s important colleagues’ workloads. People may not always tell you when they are overloaded. Know when it’s time to bring on help, whether in person, with a remote assistant, or through better technical tools and programs. Don’t wait to document and establish clear processes, and stress those to new assistants. The things you put off early never get done. Document and follow your processes in the moment, don’t procrastinate. Mentioned in This Episode: New Solo podcast, prior episode, “Marco Brown’s Eight Commandments for Getting Paid” New Solo podcast, prior episode “Ernie The Attorney: A Tech Whisperer Shares His Legal Tech Secrets” Loom Zoom Clips Clio Introducing ChatGPT Adobe HubSpot SharePoint LastPass RingCentral Tactiq Calendly ABA Techshow 2026 Clio Cloud Conference 2025

When is the right time to rebrand your legal practice and how do you actually pull it off? In this episode of New Solo’s First Flight series, Adriana Linares talks with Kristen Rizzo, a former employment litigator who built a thriving solo practice before making a bold, calculated shift to mediation and impartial workplace investigations. Kristen shares how she planned her transition from Rizzo Law to Rizzo Resolution, the value of becoming a subject-matter expert, and how she used branding, visibility, and pro bono work to launch a neutral practice with intention. Adriana is later joined by ALPS Insurance’s Rio Laine to explore how preparation, professional boundaries, and proper coverage help lawyers lower risk during big career pivots.   Hear the original episode with Kristin Rizzo  Learn more about ALPS Insurance.  Receive email notifications every time we release a new episode.

Let’s get back in touch with a favorite guests from past episodes, friend of the podcast Cassandra Koenig, formerly Cassandra Michel, founder of the amicable family law and divorce firm Aloha Divorce. It’s been a few years since we talked, and the firm is thriving (so is Koenig). How did she fare in the past four years, building her own family and a law practice? Hear how she’s built a practice and supplemented her client work with contracted, side jobs to fill in slow spots. It’s all part of running a true solo practice. Hear how Koenig new from the start she wanted to run a solo practice and stayed true to her aims, all without burning out. She’s built a firm on her own terms, focusing on helping families move on in their own direction on good terms. Her practice makes her feel happy and fulfilled, she only works with clients she feels good about, and she keeps humming along. Thinking of going solo? Koenig’s story will inspire you. Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at NewSolo@legaltalknetwork.com   Topics: It can be done. Guest Cassandra Koening knew she wanted to run a solo practice, and checking in four years later we hear how she is making it work.  Technology and outsourcing are key components in a true solo practice. Learn how to source and maximize tech (and as we’ve said before, don’t try to be your own bookkeeper).  Not every day is packed with client meetings. Sometimes it takes a little contracted side work to keep the wheels spinning, and that’s OK. Resources: Previous appearance on New Solo, “How This New Lawyer Branded Her Firm With Aloha and Built a Happy Practice | First Flight #4”  Previous appearance on New Solo, “A First Year Recap From a New Family Law Practitioner”  Lawclerk.legal ARAG Google Analytics Canva marketing materials Clio Grow Calendly Otter AI Chat GPT Previous episode: “What’s New in Legal Financial Management? An Expert’s Perspective” Clio Legal Tech ABA Techshow 2026 Clio Cloud Conference 2025 Clio Legal Trends Report

What does it take to pivot from a career in law enforcement to launching a solo elder law practice? In this episode of New Solo’s First Flight series, Adriana Linares sits down with Andrew Schierberg, a former police chief who retired after 20 years of service and started a second career in law. Andrew shares how he found his passion for elder law, why he chose a holistic service model, and the systems he put in place to build a client-centered firm in Northern Kentucky. From his decision to practice law on his own terms to hiring a care coordinator as his first team member, Andrew's story is one of intentional design, service-driven values, and entrepreneurial smarts. Later in the episode, Adriana is joined by ALPS Insurance’s Rio Laine to talk about hiring smart, supervising staff, and how the right technology and documented workflows help safeguard your growing solo firm.   Hear the original episode with Andrew Schierberg Learn more about ALPS Insurance.  Receive email notifications every time we release a new episode.

Guest Jared Correia of Red Cave Law Firm Consulting helps law firms run better and helps lawyers live their best lives. In addition, he’s both an attorney and an avid podcaster and writer. In this episode Correia and good friend, host Adriana Linares, dive into how law firms can leverage video content to build their business and how to outsource tasks and maximize technical efficiencies.  Correia explains step by step how lawyers can get in the video content game. Buy a tripod, fire up your cell phone, and get started. Modern platforms are your friend, from YouTube to LinkedIn, Loom to VideoAsk, even Zoom.  Make mastering the art of video your goal this summer. Hear where you can find subject ideas, edit and publish, and use AI to turn recordings into articles.  Plus, managing remote contract workers to streamline your business, creating “role-based access” to your files, automating tasks and workflows, and getting the most out of the software that’s already on your desk.  Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at NewSolo@legaltalknetwork.com   Topics: If you’re not leveraging video content to build your business, you’re probably losing out to someone who does. Make mastering video production and distribution your summer goal (hear how to get started).  Make use of the newest tech tools – and learn how to use the tools you’re already paying for – to automate, streamline, manage, and outsource your daily tasks. Plus, a special guest, Legal Talk Network producer Adam Lockwood drops by to share some pro podcasting and video tips for beginners.  Resources:  YouTube Loom video VideoAsk Riverside.fm video editing Clio Legal Tech Smokeball TaskGate.io Notion Microsoft Teams Adobe Acrobat ChatGPT Microsoft Office tools Acuity scheduling Kevin Stratvert on YouTube ABA Techshow 2026 Clio Cloud Conference 2025 Clio Legal Trends Report Legal Late Night podcast Above The Law podcast Legal Toolkit podcast, Legal Talk Network “How Law Firms Can Leverage Video Content To Drive Business” “How Remote Staff Can Help Small Firms Punch Above Their Weight” “Helping Hands: The Value Proposition Of Remote Work For Law Firms” Previous appearance on New Solo, “Solo, But Not? Shared Office Space (Plus, Chatbots and A.I.)” Previous appearance on Legal Talk Network, Un-Billable Hour, “Separating The Wheat From The Chaff In Legal Tech (And AI)”

Can a young lawyer balance motherhood, burnout, and building a solo practice? In this episode of New Solo’s First Flight series, Adriana Linares talks with immigration attorney Kim Felton, whose legal career was born from necessity and built with purpose. After facing rejection while pregnant and being let go from a hostile firm, Kim turned to contract work and eventually launched her own immigration practice and consulting company, Innovation Litigation. Kim shares how she carved her own path using legal tech, project management tools, and an unshakable drive to create a family-friendly law firm not just for herself, but to help other attorneys do the same. Later in the episode, Adriana and ALPS Insurance’s Rio Laine discuss how documenting procedures, adopting the right case management system, and creating a positive work culture can protect your practice and your peace of mind. Hear the original episode with Kimberley Felton Learn more about ALPS Insurance.  Receive email notifications every time we release a new episode