Spill The Ink

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. 

Timothy Corcoran is the Principal of the Corcoran Consulting Group, LLC. He is a former CEO who now guides law firms and law department leaders through the profitable disruption of outdated business models. Tim is a frequent speaker at partner retreats and legal conferences and a writer whose articles are regularly published in leading publications. Tim is also a Trustee and Fellow of the College of Law Practice Management, a Research Fellow at The American Lawyer, a Teaching Fellow at The College of Law Australia and the former President of the Legal Marketing Association. In this episode: Change is inevitable—and the legal industry is no exception. The business models that worked in the past are quickly becoming obsolete. If firms want to succeed in today’s market, they need to start rethinking how they operate.  According to Timothy Corcoran, it’s important to keep in mind that every system initially started as a series of choices. If circumstances change—as they have in the past year—it may be time to make new choices and implement new models. As Tim warns, buyers in the legal marketplace are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and competing for their business will require more than the same old tactics. In this week's episode of Spill the Ink, host Michelle Calcote King sits down with Timothy Corcoran, the Principal of Corcoran Consulting Group, LLC. Together, they discuss the transformation of outdated business models in law firms, how the pandemic has accelerated change in the legal industry and what marketers need to know to navigate the shifting landscape. Tim also offers some practical advice for updating the way your firm makes money and allocates resources. Stay tuned.

Stephanie Liu is a Live Streaming Strategist and the host of Lights, Camera, Live on Facebook, where she teaches professionals to transform their social media marketing strategy. She is the Founder of Stephanie Liu Marketing, an agency dedicated to helping you captivate your audience and master the art of social marketing. Additionally, Stephanie is the Co-founder and Co-organizer of Leap Into Live Streaming Bootcamp, a virtual event designed as a crash course in live video.  Stephanie has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from San Diego State University and is a certified Neuro Linguistic Programming Trainer. Stephanie’s work has been recognized and awarded by Forbes, Online Marketing Media and Advertising (OMMA), PR Daily, Forrester, Gartner and 1to1 Media. She has spoken at many events, including Social Media Marketing World, VidCon, and Podcast Movement. Stephanie is also the co-author of the book, The Ultimate Guide to Social Media. In this episode… There’s a strong chance that you’ve stumbled across live streaming events and possibly even attended a few. They’re a great way to reach a larger audience and maintain current relationships. So why not consider hosting your own? According to Stephanie Liu of Lights, Camera, Live, leveraging live video can help you go from unknown to unforgettable and is one of the fastest ways for brands to become top of mind and tip of tongue. She wants to make live streaming a new way for lawyers and other professionals to build their brand.  In this week's episode of Spill the Ink, host Michelle Calcote King sits down with live streaming strategist and host of Lights, Camera, Live, Stephanie Liu, to discuss using live video to expand your business and keep in touch with current and prospective clients. Stephanie shares tips on how to structure live video, what the best streaming platforms are and how to repurpose video content. Plus, Stephanie explains the benefits of live video and how to show up with authenticity. Stay Tuned.

Kevin Foster is the CEO of Business Ethics Advisors, LLC, a consulting firm that specializes in helping individuals and organizations make ethical decisions. Kevin founded the company based on his own experience of ignoring ethical traps, which led to him spending 37 months in a federal prison. He now uses his business ethics expertise to train leaders to identify, assess and mitigate ethical risks while promoting ethical decision-making and risk management. Kevin has a Bachelor of Science-Commerce in Accounting and History from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. He is an eSpeakers Certified Virtual Presenter and a former member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Michigan and Texas State Societies of Certified Public Accountants. In this episode… What do you deem as ethical in your workplace? Maybe your boss told you to do something that seemed questionable. Who do you go to with your concerns? Believe it or not, companies continuously struggle with crossing ethical lines, and when they do, the consequences can be life-altering.  Kevin Foster spent 37 months in prison for a crime he didn't commit but could have stopped. His company broke several ethical laws, and now he wants to help other organizations avoid “the ethics trap.” Kevin's consulting and training services have saved countless organizations from making significant lapses of judgment.  In this week's episode of Spill The Ink, Kevin Foster, CEO of Business Ethics Advisors, LLC, shares his advice on business best practices for avoiding ethical issues with host Michelle Calcote King. Together, they discuss how a person's ego can be the root cause of an ethical lapse, what it means to develop a zero-tolerance culture and how to reflect on your moral choices. Kevin also shares what prison taught him about family, ethics and relationships. Stay Tuned.

Luis Scott is the Managing Partner of Bader Scott Injury Lawyers and the Co-founder of 8 Figure Firm, a consulting business that helps attorneys market their firms. In just two years, Luis grew his firm from 25 to 150 employees and almost $100 million in settlements. Formerly, he was the managing partner of a multi-million dollar firm where he oversaw the assistance of thousands of families who were injured in serious accidents. Luis is a native of Puerto Rico and moved to Georgia after being recruited to play baseball for the University of West Georgia. He graduated with a B.B.A. in Accounting and went on to receive a Juris Doctorate from Atlanta's John Marshall Law School. Luis is also a member of the State Bar of Georgia, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, National Trial Lawyers Association and the American Institute of Legal Counsel. He has been heralded as a Super Lawyer's "Rising Star." In this episode… A marketable business is a profitable business—especially when it comes to law firms. Luis Scott, the Managing Partner of Bader Scott Injury Lawyers, believes you can turn your law firm into a successful business with targeted marketing and shared core values.  Luis has helped hundreds of firms to level up their clientele and reach. He understands how to guide lawyers to take charge of their practice and build long-term relationships rather than simple business contracts. And, it all starts with alignment.  In this week's episode of Spill The Ink, host Michelle Calcote King sits down with a fellow attorney and podcaster Luis Scott, the Managing Partner of Bader Scott Injury Lawyers and the host of The Guts and Glory Show. They discuss the generational ambition gap that exists between marketing styles, how lawyers can create more time for personal branding and what it means to align with your firm's core values. Luis also shares his belief in reading regularly and building lasting relationships. Stay Tuned.

Richard Jacobs is the Founder and President of Speakeasy Marketing, Inc. He specializes in helping attorneys break free from 70 hour work weeks and marginal law practices. Richard has helped over 1,000 attorneys regain balance in their lives and turn their law practices into successful businesses. He is also the founder of The Good Night’s Sleep Project, a company dedicated to helping busy professionals get their best sleep with custom-tailored pillows. In this episode… How do you know if your firm's website is creating traffic? You can just pump out new content regularly and hope for the best, but a better approach is tracking what actually gets noticed. Do you know exactly who interacts with your site and what information they need? Far too many attorneys misunderstand the marketing opportunities for their site, so they post irrelevant articles and pictures of themselves looking strong. Richard Jacobs, the Founder and President of Speakeasy Marketing, Inc., believes law firms need better marketing strategies if they want to land new clients.  In this week's episode of Spill The Ink, host Michelle Calcote King interviews the Founder and President of Speakeasy Marketing, Inc., Richard Jacobs. They discuss the PRIME Marketing Method, why reviews are important, and the benefits of podcasting. Richard shares how to track content engagement and why the Goldilocks length for thought leadership books works. He also shares how to monetize solo podcast episodes to land new clients. Stay tuned.

Amy Rowland is the Founder of Varia Search, a boutique legal search firm that uses a bespoke approach to fill in-house department roles, from general counsel to paralegal. Amy’s expert matchmaking method results in candidates who love their new jobs and satisfied clients who value their new hires. Prior to starting Varia Search, Amy held in-house roles at two large international companies and was a staff attorney at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison.  In addition to her work at Varia Search, Amy is an Executive Member of Dreamers & Doers and a Beta User for The Fourth Floor. She also hosts the podcast, Fashionably Late: Finding Career Fulfillment at Any Age. In this episode… What is your dream job as a lawyer? Have you ever fantasized about getting away from billable hours and building stronger relationships with your clients? If so, it may be time to make the leap to an in-house legal counsel position.  Amy Rowland, the Founder of Varia Search, is an expert at filling in-house legal department roles, from general counsel to paralegal. Compared to working at a law firm, an in-house position has its own unique responsibilities and challenges—and, as Amy says, it also has a myriad of benefits for lawyers looking for a change. So, what is Amy’s advice to attorneys who are eager to land an in-house position in 2021?  Join us for this week's episode of Spill the Ink as host Michelle Calcote King sits down with the Founder of Varia Search and Host of the Fashionably Late podcast, Amy Rowland. Together, they discuss Amy's transition from tennis player to legal recruiter, the major challenges and responsibilities of in-house counsel, and why building your personal brand is essential for landing your dream job as a lawyer. Stay tuned for more.