New Solo

Can your law firm be both professional and personal? In this episode, host Adriana Linares revisits her conversation with Cassandra Koeing, a solo family lawyer who launched Aloha Divorce straight out of school and found success by leaning into her personality and values. From creating a business plan with heart to growing a referral network through community events and Instagram, Cassandra shares how authenticity helped her attract the right clients. Plus, Adriana Linares and Rio Laine from ALPS Insurance break down how choosing the right tech, building good habits, and learning when to say no can keep your practice and your peace of mind on track from day one. Here the original episode with Cassandra Koeing Learn more about ALPS Insurance  Receive email notifications every time we release a new episode

Join John K. Phoebus, a personal injury and criminal defense attorney from Maryland, as he discusses revolutionizing small law firms through technology. He shares how his boutique firm leverages innovative tools to manage hefty case loads and sift through mountains of evidence, including decades of medical records. Phoebus emphasizes the importance of legal marketing and tailored case management systems, illustrating how AI can turn small firms into formidable competitors against larger counterparts, all while enhancing client service.

Starting a law firm straight out of school? Meet Philip Mauriello, an attorney who wasted no time launching his solo practice just three months after passing the bar. In this episode, host Adriana Linares revisits her conversation with Philip, who shares the smart, scrappy strategies that helped him build a successful business from the ground up. From freelancing to build startup capital to picking the right tech stack before day one, Philip shares real-world strategies for getting up and running fast. Plus, Adriana Linares and Rio Laine from ALPS Insurance break down why thinking ahead, specializing early, and planning your growth can reduce risk and lead to long-term success. Hear the original episode with Philip Mauriello.Learn more about ALPS Insurance. Receive email notifications every time we release a new episode.

Get inspired and stay inspired as a solo legal practitioner. Guest Paige Greenlee started her firm, Greenlee Law PLLC, in 2014 and is still going strong on her own. Hear how she does it. Keeping the lights on, and keeping track of cases, business, even contract help is a full load, but you can do it. Having worked for large firms, Greenlee realized she wanted to control her own business, use the technology that worked for her, and manage her own calendar and cases. But as so many have noted, you learn the law in law school – not business management. Hear how Greenlee leaned on family experiences, mentors, and her own trial and error to keep the lights on, keep the cases coming in the door, and stay organized and efficient. Here’s a hint, a lot of running a solo practice comes down to making a business decision and then outsourcing the implementation. Greenlee learned to delegate tasks, including accounting and technology management. And as she started to build her practice, she learned to find and hire the right assistants to manage day-to-day duties. She relies heavily on tech tools – the right tools, not cheap imitations – to eliminate the forest of paper documents that comes her way daily. Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at NewSolo@legaltalknetwork.com  Topics: Hear how a successful solo law firm founder learned to practice law, enjoy her life, and take care of the day-to-day chores it takes to run a business It’s easy to fall into the habit of trying to do everything yourself. Learn when to “outsource,” turning over business issues such as bookkeeping and administration to contract employees and firms. When it comes to your tech, don’t skimp. If you need it, get it. “Good enough” is rarely good enough.  Mentioned in This Episode:Clio Legal TechMicrosoft 365 for BusinessNetDocumentsScanSnapGliss Marketing and ConsultingTrialPadFlorida Bar AssociationABA TECHSHOW 2025Clio Cloud Conference 2025Clio Legal Trends Report 

Introverted and shy attorneys, this episode is for you! Discover the key differences between introversion and shyness, gain practical tips to overcome performance anxiety, and learn how to harness your natural strengths to thrive in the legal profession with episode highlights from Heidi Brown, professor at Brooklyn Law and author of The Introverted Lawyer. Plus, don’t miss the heartfelt conversation with Rio Lane from ALPS Insurance on why “fake it till you make it” isn’t always the best approach and how lawyer wellbeing is essential for success. Hear the original episode with Heidi K. Brown.

In this “Super Episode,” host Adriana Linares is joined by Stephanie Everett, a host for the Lawyerist podcast on the Legal Talk Network and the chief growth officer, lab coach, and speaker with Lawyerist, a firm dedicated to helping solo and small legal practices flourish in every area including marketing, finance, staffing, and legal tech. Twice the hosting! Together, they tackle the transition to flat-fee billing and explain how it can sometimes be a better solution for lawyers and their clients. Clients are used to the traditional billable hour, but in reality, they aren’t paying for your time, they are paying for results. They are paying you for what you achieve. So why not bill that way? This doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Some jobs can be better handled with a straight up, flat fee or a subscription model. Others may still require hourly billing. Or maybe one part of the case is a set amount, with hourly add-ons if the case drags on. The goal is never to see your practice earn less revenue, but flat-fee billing can benefit both client and lawyer. Think of how many times clients were afraid to call you or chat a bit to build a relationship because they worried the clock was ticking. Hear how you can try it out, “play with” a rate shift. Maybe even present clients with an option. If you’ve been curious about how flat-fee billing can work, this is the episode for you. Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at NewSolo@legaltalknetwork.com  Topics: Flat-fee billing? It can be done, and it can offer advantages to both clients and law firms. Clients are paying for results, not “hours. How you price your services doesn’t have to be one way or the other. It can be both. Some tasks can be set for a straight up, transparent flat fee. Others may work best at an hourly rat Explaining fees to clients is a new concept. But clients often warm up to new ways of doing things if they’re given the chance and understand their options. It starts with honest, clear conversations. (Don’t forget to help your own staff understand, too.)  Mentioned in This Episode:Previously on Lawyerist podcast, “#547: Legal Tech You Need for Flat Fees, with Adriana Linares”ABA TECHSHOW 2025Clio Cloud Conference 2025Clio Legal Trends Report

To soar as a solo attorney, you need financial stability, a clear flight plan to attract the right clients, and a reliable system that delivers the best ROI, while setting you apart from the competition. In this first episode of the First Flight series, Adriana Linares and Rio Laine dive into the essential habits that can make or break a solo practice. Inspired by Marco Brown’s "Eight Commandments" for solo attorneys, they discuss the importance of structuring your practice from day one, managing trust accounts responsibly, and developing good financial habits before unsustainable ones take hold.They also explore why specialization can help streamline your firm and even lower malpractice insurance premiums. Plus, they tackle imposter syndrome, the importance of mentorship, and how technology can lift the burden of running a law firm. Hear the original episode with Marco Brown.Learn more about ALPS Insurance. Receive email notifications every time we release a new episode.

Welcome aboard New Solo: First Flight! In this special series, hosts Adriana Linares and Rio Laine of ALPS Insurance are your captains, guiding you through the ups and downs of launching your own law firm. Before takeoff, leave your emotional baggage from law school and big law behind—this journey is all about charting your own course as a solo practitioner.Buckle up as we cover essential topics like choosing the right tech, working with a practice management advisor, and finding networking opportunities. Our first episode lands on February 13th. Subscribe now so you don’t miss a moment of the ride! ✈️Subscribe on SpotifySubscribe on Apple PodcastsSign Up for Email NotificationsLearn More About ALPS Insurance

Most of us aren’t born with a powerful courtroom presence and a reputation for extracting crucial information in tense depositions. But we can learn. Guest Tara-Jane Flynn has been called a “Princess Warrior” and “The Deposition Queen” for her tough, compelling courtroom manner. But the veteran California personal injury litigator says she started out as a shy girl too overwhelmed to give a classroom speech in school.She taught herself to be strong and to be the strength her clients need. She got involved in theater and public speaking. She guest hosted podcasts. And she developed a strong social media presence. You can, too. In this episode, you’ll hear valuable tips for winning depositions, learning how to leverage social media, and being the lawyer your client needs to believe in from a Los Angeles attorney at home battling for 8-figure verdicts. Get ready to be inspired. Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at NewSolo@legaltalknetwork.com  Topics: Overcoming shyness to become a force of nature in the courtroom doesn’t always come naturally. Learn what you can do intentionally to build your presence and your confidence. Social media? It’s not as hard as you think. Find an attorney with a social media presence you admire and do what they do. How’s that for easy? Really. Extracting valuable evidence in a deposition can feel intimidating, but there are things you can do. Hear how to let the deponent talk, ask follow-up questions as simple as why or why not, and prepare, prepare, prepare. Mentioned in This Episode:ToastmastersPrevious episode, “T.V. Advertising: What to Expect” with guess Conti MooreThe Wayback MachineABA TECHSHOW 2025Clio Cloud Conference 2025Clio Legal Trends Report

Barron K. Henley, a self-proclaimed "nerdy lawyer" and co-founder of Affinity Consulting, shares insights on document automation and maximizing Microsoft tools. He emphasizes that better document creation solutions are often overlooked right within existing software. Henley highlights the benefits of voice-to-text technology, which can markedly enhance efficiency. The discussion includes mastering Microsoft 365 features and document templates to minimize errors and save time—essential skills for modern legal practitioners aiming for productivity.