Spill The Ink

Adrian Dayton is the Founder and CEO of ClearView Social, a company that helps simplify social media for professionals. He is known for his keen understanding of social media and business development for lawyers, having practiced law himself in the past. Adrian has trained over 22,000 professionals and often shares his knowledge as a keynote speaker and retreat facilitator. Adrian is also a writer whose work has been published in Forbes, Above the Law and the National Law Journal. He is the author of two books: LinkedIn and Blogs for Lawyers and Social Media for Lawyers: Twitter Edition.  Outside of his career, Adrian is an avid hiker and has reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and Mount Rainier in Washington. In this episode: Is your social media holding back your law firm? Lawyers typically have a wide skill set, but outreach is rarely at the top of the list. In the modern age, social media is becoming more important to attract clients and establish your brand. The difference in visibility between a robust LinkedIn presence and a floundering one is night and day. So, what is the secret to a successful social media brand? For Adrian Dayton, his passion is sharing his social media expertise with lawyers and professionals internationally. He does this through his SaaS company, ClearView Social, his keynote events and his books to name a few. Now, he adds a podcast to that growing list. Michelle Calcote King interviews Adrian Dayton, the Founder and CEO of ClearView Social, to break down his advice for improving your professional social media. They discuss how to work LinkedIn to your benefit, which platforms you should use and how to strike the balance between being personal and being professional. They also get into how COVID has changed the social media landscape — and how to adjust. Tune in to hear it all on this episode of Spill the Ink.

David Ackert is a pioneer in business development innovation and is the Founder and President of Ackert Inc. He has over two decades of experience in developing revenue acceleration programs, including Trainer, Viewer and Pipeline. He serves as Founder for the Executive Roundtables for Law Firm Leaders and The Business Development Institute, both of which seek to give lawyers the tools they need to succeed. David has mentored thousands of professionals over his extensive career. He continues to serve as a keynote speaker at partner retreats and guest lecturer at universities such as UCLA and USC. He also hosts the Market Leaders Podcast, where he interviews thought leaders in the legal marketing industry. In this episode: Amidst the constant grind of law firms, technology can oftentimes be ignored. Priority is placed either on tradition or more immediate concerns, leaving little room for advancement. Business development then gets pushed to the side when it could be the main source of growth. David Ackert has noticed this gap left by underutilized CRMs and has sought to fill it with his company, Ackert Inc.   David Ackert is a business development mentor, having two decades of experience in revenue acceleration programs. His company has tailored its services to fit each law firm and created software like PipelinePlus and Trainer to help their clients with business development. His expertise has helped thousands of professionals utilize practical technology and grow their practice. On this episode of the Spill the Ink Podcast, Michelle Calcote King sits down with David Ackert, Founder of Ackert Inc., to find out his approach to business development. They talk about what separates PipelinePlus from other CRMs, the psychology behind lawyers and legal marketers and where technology is heading from here. Stay tuned to learn all this and more!

Wendy Merrill is a successful businesswoman of many titles, including author, executive, speaker and consultant. She is currently the Executive Vice President of Growth Strategy and Branding at DRI, which seeks to sharpen the skills of defense attorneys. Simultaneously, Wendy still serves as the Founder of StrategyHorse Consulting Group. Their passion is to inspire leadership and growth in young professionals through unique workshops and retreats. Wendy’s first book, Path to Impact: The Rising Leader's Guide to Growing Smart, was published in 2019 and is also designed to cultivate leaders of the next generation. Outside of her work, she enjoys mentoring, traveling and riding her horse. In this episode: Mentorship has always been a key component when working with the law. Lawyers not only spend many years at university, but are then guided in the early days of their career. The infrastructure has changed over the years but the core idea remains the same—the best lawyers learn from mentorship. It’s up to established leaders to help newer attorneys get started. For Wendy Merrill, her passion is helping lawyers and professionals grow into leaders. Almost every aspect of her career is designed to give back to the attorneys of the future. From serving as Founder of StrategyHorse Consulting Group to her book Path to Impact: The Rising Leader's Guide to Growing Smart, she has led many professionals to success. Now, she shares her insights with you. Michelle Calcote King takes the time to interview Wendy Merrill, the Executive Vice President of Growth Strategy & Branding at DRI, and get her perspective on the changing world of law. They discuss what DRI offers to defense attorneys, how to use LinkedIn to build your brand and how millennials are changing the landscape. Find out the details on this episode of the Spill the Ink Podcast.

Aaron Y. Strauss is the Founder and Managing Partner of A.Y. Strauss, a firm that provides legal counsel for commercial transactions and litigation in the areas of commercial real estate, construction contracting, labor and employment, bankruptcy and franchising law. At A.Y. Strauss, Aaron is responsible for establishing the firm’s long-term strategy and vision. He oversees a team of nationally recognized attorneys who deliver top-level professional work and personalized, highly responsive service.  Before founding A.Y. Strauss, Aaron practiced at Kelley, Drye & Warren LLP and Riker, Danzig, Scherer, Hyland & Perretti LLP. Aaron was recognized as a “rising star” in commercial real estate law for four years in a row by Super Lawyers Magazine. In this episode: To succeed as a small law firm, you don’t have to compete with the big companies; you just have to build your brand and reputation to do work on par with the large firms. So, how exactly can you do this? And how do you stay on track for exponential growth?  As someone who has started his own firm, Aaron Y. Strauss knows how to build a fantastic team and culture. According to Aaron, business development is about trust, patience and providing a large platform for opportunity. When you focus on these areas, you’ll be able to grow with your clients, expand your network and build a reputation for your firm.  In this episode of Spill the Ink, Michelle Calcote King is joined by Aaron Y. Strauss, Founder and Managing Partner of A.Y. Strauss, to talk about building your law firm’s brand and culture. Aaron discusses how to succeed and adapt to changes as a young lawyer, what to look for when hiring your team, his social media tips for smaller brands and how to develop a culture that aligns with your firm’s values. Stay tuned!

Ken Levinson is a Founding Partner of Levinson and Stefani, a Chicago-based firm focusing on personal injury law. Ken has spent over 20 years helping represent disenfranchised clients against corporate giants, and he serves as an advocate for accident survivors and child safety. Ken is also the Vice-Chair of the American Association for Justice Trucking Group and the co-author of the latest edition of Litigating Major Automobile Injury and Death Cases. Ken has been recognized as one of the top attorneys in Illinois by Leading Lawyers and Super Lawyers magazines. He was also named one of the “40 Lawyers Under 40 to Watch in Illinois” by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company. Ken is one of only 100 trial lawyers from Illinois selected for The American Trial Lawyers Association, a competitive, invitation-based membership program. In this episode: Is your firm thinking about narrowing its area of expertise? Do you want to know how to better market your firm to its target audience? If so, tune in to this episode of Spill the Ink to get all of the details! As an attorney who has found his niche, Ken Levinson can confirm the benefits that come from specializing within your area of practice. According to Ken, you’ll be able to market yourself directly to your target audience, allowing you to gain better-suited clients and a reputation for being the best in your area of practice. If you’re still on the fence about your niche or uneasy about marketing yourself, Ken has some advice that you won’t want to miss. In this episode of Spill the Ink, Michelle Calcote King sits down with Ken Levinson, Founding Partner of Levinson and Stefani, to talk about the value of finding your niche and the best way to market your business. Ken discusses why having an area of expertise can help your practice thrive, the way that he uses social media and how to market your company — even if you’re not a marketing specialist. Plus, Ken shares his expert tips for adapting to the changing industry of law. Stay tuned! 

Jamie Rubin is a Partner at InfoLawGroup LLP, a national boutique law firm focusing on the intersection of privacy and data security, technology, advertising and marketing. Jamie specializes in advertising, marketing and promotions law, new media law, technology law, privacy law and entertainment law.  At InfoLawGroup LLP, Jamie works on national and digital advertising campaigns, celebrity spokesperson agreements, sweepstakes, user-generated content promotions and much more. He is recognized as a “Leader in the Field for Media & Entertainment” by Chambers and Partners and was named one of the “40 Illinois Attorneys Under 40 to Watch” by Law Bulletin Publishing Company. In this episode: As a small law firm, how do you develop and uphold marketing strategies, diversity in the workplace and specialty practices? Are you keeping up with changing industry trends? What can you do to prepare for future changes?  With nearly 20 years of experience at a small law firm, Jamie Rubin has learned to adapt to many industry changes. One of Jamie’s main strategies for consistent success is to be organized, communicative and focused on each client’s specific needs. In this episode of Spill the Ink, Michelle Calcote King is joined by Jamie Rubin, Partner at InfoLawGroup LLP, to talk about how a small law firm can find success. Jamie discusses how he found his niche, the importance of communication with clients and different ways to market your business. Stay tuned for more!

Steve Fretzin is a three-time author, business development coach for attorneys and President of FRETZIN, INC. He is also a ProVisors Group Leader and host of the podcast, BE THAT LAWYER. Steve has 16 years of experience helping attorneys double or triple their books through engaging programs and free resources.  At FRETZIN, INC., Steve uses his 20 years of coaching experience to work with attorneys in all practice areas. He provides business development coaching and training, peer advisory, strategy consulting, business planning and much more. In this episode: In a competitive industry, how do you make your business stand out? What steps can you take to leverage your network and become an expert in your field? It turns out that law school doesn’t teach you everything you need to know about the industry—and that’s where Steve Fretzin comes in.  According to Steve, if you want to be a successful attorney, you have to create a niche for yourself. To do so, you must build your personal brand and network. This allows you to specialize in your area of knowledge, become memorable in the community and be the go-to attorney for your field of expertise. Want to learn more? Tune in to this episode of Spill the Ink, where Michelle Calcote King interviews Steve Fretzin, President of FRETZIN, INC. Steve shares advice on personal branding through business development, tips for time management (and other things that law school didn’t teach you) and how to leverage your digital networks. Plus, Steve reveals his process for helping lawyers find their niche. Stay tuned.

Andrew Schpak is the Co-Managing Partner of Barran Liebman LLP. At Barran Liebman LLP, Andrew has worked with government entities, businesses of all sizes and nonprofit organizations to represent management in employment litigation and provide advice on employment matters.  In addition to his work at Barran Liebman LLP, Andrew serves as a Member of the Board of Governors for the American Bar Association (ABA), is a Board Member for the Portland Business Alliance and is a Member of the ABA Standing Committee on Bar Activities and Services. He is a Life Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and Chair of the Oregon Fellows. Andrew received his Juris Doctorate from Cornell Law School and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Reed College. In this episode: In any law firm, you have to continually evaluate your approach to marketing, inclusion, education and communication. As the law and public opinion shift, it’s necessary to adapt on both a personal and professional level in order to set yourself—and your business—apart. For Andrew Schpak and his firm, education and expertise within the industry are what drives business growth. However, professional development is a journey with an immeasurable number of roads and destinations. So, how do you find the path that’s right for you? And how can you keep up with the changes happening in the business of law to make sure you’re heading in the right direction?  In this episode of Spill the Ink, Michelle Calcote King talks with Andrew Schpak, Co-managing Partner of Barran Liebman LLP, about hiring strategies and marketing for your law firm. Andrew discusses his firm’s approach to diversity and inclusion, explains how to develop your expertise and offers pointers for getting everyone involved in the marketing plan. Plus, Andrew shares his tips for managing social media and building a personal brand. Stay tuned.

Eido Walny is a Managing Partner, Founder and Estate Planning Attorney at Walny Legal Group LLC. Eido is a third-generation entrepreneur, and he started Walny Legal Group LLC to change the way clients think about their relationship with their lawyer. Eido is experienced in handling all levels of estate planning, asset protection, and business succession. In addition to his work at the Walny Legal Group LLC, Eido has given talks around the country and written articles for both local and national publications. His list of honors includes “Advisors with Heart” by Trusts & Estate Magazine, “Leader in the Law” by Wisconsin Law Journal and “Forty Under 40” honoree by the Milwaukee Business Journal. In this episode: The business of law is constantly changing, and firms must adapt to new technology, competitors and marketing strategies. So, how can you make sure that your firm continues to develop with these changes? What marketing strategies can you use to make your firm stand out? As the Managing Partner and Founder of a continually growing law firm, attorney Eido Walny is experienced in what it takes to succeed in today’s marketplace. His big marketing tip? Get involved in the community. Whether speaking, writing or sharing your firm’s expertise on social media, it’s about putting your name out there—not about selling. When people know your name, they know where to turn when they need you.  In this episode of Spill the Ink, Michelle Calcote King sits down with Eido Walny, Managing Partner, Founder and Estate Planning Attorney at Walny Legal Group LLC, to talk about strategies for developing your firm. Eido shares advice on leadership, social media trends and marketing tactics to help your firm build a better culture and attract ideal clients. Stay tuned.

Robert Algeri is the Co-founder of Great Jakes, a website and brand design agency that builds the world’s most advanced—and effective—websites for law firms. At Great Jakes, Robert and his team believe that no two attorneys are the same. That’s why they help create small, highly customizable websites for each attorney that can fit within the firm’s larger website.  In addition to his legal marketing work at Great Jakes, Robert is an author, speaker and active member of the legal marketing community. Over the years, he’s held multiple board and committee positions in the Legal Marketing Association. His writing has appeared in LMA’s Strategies Magazine, ALM’s Marketing the Law Firm and The National Law Journal. Robert co-authored the whitepaper “Market Positioning for Law Firms” to help firms differentiate themselves from competitors. In this episode: Strong market positioning is essential for developing your law firm and distinguishing it in the eyes of potential clients. The key to doing so? Narrow down your firm’s focus area to highlight your expertise. According to Robert Algeri, marketing demands are rapidly evolving with new technological advancements. By demonstrating your specialized expertise, you can eliminate competition and attract the attention of your ideal clients. So how exactly can you narrow your firm’s focus? In this episode of Spill the Ink, Michelle Calcote King talks with Robert Algeri, Co-founder of the marketing agency Great Jakes, about strategies you can use to gain strong market positioning for your law firm. Robert discusses the three different types of positioning, his approach to digital marketing and how you can generate more revenue by focusing on your expertise. Stay tuned.