The Free Lawyer

In this episode of "The Free Lawyer" podcast, host Gary interviews LinkedIn ghostwriter Victoria Michaels. Victoria shares her journey from running a marketing agency to helping lawyers and professionals build authentic LinkedIn brands. She discusses the importance of consistent, genuine content, the power of engagement, and how to overcome fears of posting online. Victoria offers practical tips for optimizing profiles, creating compelling posts, and building meaningful connections. The episode highlights how lawyers can use LinkedIn strategically to boost visibility, attract opportunities, and showcase their expertise while maintaining authenticity in an AI-driven digital world.Victoria Michaels is a LinkedIn ghostwriter who works with CEOs, lawyers, and legal professionals to build a consistent and credible presence online. She captures each client’s natural voice and translates their experiences into content that attracts top talent, clients, and new opportunities. She began her career building and scaling a marketing agency, eventually selling the business and turning to LinkedIn to explore new opportunities. After being coached on personal branding, her content quickly gained traction; leading her to help high-level executives develop their own thought leadership and online presence.She has written for clients across a wide range of industries and enjoys helping professionals understand how to use LinkedIn strategically.She also serves as a writing expert for one of LinkedIn’s top creators, where she continually sharpens her copywriting skills, studies user psychology, and stays up-to-date with algorithm shifts and emerging content trends.Early LinkedIn Experiences (00:02:52) First Viral Post & Lessons Learned (00:03:52) Transition to Personal Branding Coach (00:05:16) Overcoming Resistance to Posting (00:06:56) Impact of Consistent LinkedIn Posting (00:08:19) Importance of Consistency & Long-Term Strategy (00:10:19) Authenticity in Branding (00:12:01) Active vs. Passive Networks (00:14:37) Unique Branding Challenges for Lawyers (00:16:03) Voice Capture & Authenticity in Ghostwriting (00:17:48) Why Content Fails on LinkedIn (00:19:45) Hooks and Their Importance (00:22:03) Recent LinkedIn Trends & Algorithm Shifts (00:24:00) Evolving Authenticity with AI & Ghostwriting (00:25:43) Victoria’s Process Working with Attorneys (00:27:06) Defining Success Beyond Metrics (00:29:25) Outbound vs. Inbound Engagement (00:30:50) Getting Started on LinkedIn for Busy Lawyers (00:31:40) Helping Lawyers Get Seen on LinkedIn (00:33:53) Results and Impact for Clients (00:35:11) Would you like to learn what it looks like to become a truly Free Lawyer? You can schedule a complimentary call here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-callYou can find The Free Lawyer Assessment here- https://www.garymiles.net/the-free-lawyer-assessmentWould you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy? https://www.garymiles.net/break-free

A roadmap for legal professionals to move from being "owned" by their practice to owning their lives. Gary Miles shares four transformative lessons that supported The Free Lawyer community most in 2025. Covering the power of mental presence, building resilience after devastating losses, using AI as a tool for liberation rather than a threat, and jury psychology. Learn practical techniques like focus methods and the "three R's" for maintaining client trust during setbacks. Together, we challenge the outdated notion that professional excellence requires sacrificing personal freedom. By mastering these four lessons, attorneys can achieve high-level success while still making it home for dinner with their families.Get the Values Alignment Guide ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://upbeat-trailblazer-9238.kit.com/1604bbf4cb⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take the Free Lawyer Assessment garymiles.net/the-free-lawyer-assessment Learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.garymiles.net/break-free⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule a complimentary discovery call: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqcfaTWo17uxmYS9hfAdiaQ

In this episode of "The Free Lawyer," host Gary interviews Bo Royal, a former Fortune 500 marketing executive who successfully transitioned to legal marketing. Bo shares how he quadrupled online case volume at a major Philadelphia injury law firm by implementing data-driven strategies and shifting focus from traditional to digital channels. He discusses the importance of tracking, intake systems, and operational readiness for law firms, and explains how his company, Pareto Legal, helps firms build robust case pipelines. The episode offers practical insights for maximizing marketing efficiency and leveraging digital tools to drive sustainable law firm growth.Bo Royal is a former Fortune 500 agency exec who spent over a decade scaling online revenues for iconic brands like Calvin Klein, GNC, Sallie Mae, and Kate Spade New York. After leaving the corporate grind, he took the helm at a top Philadelphia injury law firm, supercharging its online case volume by fourfold through data-driven decisions and relentless focus. His journey from high-stakes agency work to legal marketing quickly established him as an industry expert with a knack for results.Now, as an advisory board member at that very firm—thriving with eight-figure revenues and 12 office locations across Pennsylvania—Bo drives innovation at Pareto Legal. His team empowers small and medium-sized law firms to secure seven- to eight-figure case pipelines by leveraging real-world experience and smart digital strategies. When he’s not optimizing campaigns, Bo shares his marketing insights on podcasts and uses his success to give back to the community.Bo’s Transition from Corporate to Legal Marketing (00:02:05) Initial Surprises in Legal Marketing (00:03:59) Diagnosing and Transforming the Law Firm’s Marketing (00:05:49) Shifting from Traditional to Digital Marketing (00:08:35)Earned vs. Unearned Case Pipeline (00:10:41) OTT and Modern Advertising Explained (00:12:13) Importance of Data-Driven Decision Making (00:13:19)Implementing a Culture of Data and Change (00:15:45) Pareto Legal’s Differentiated Approach (00:18:22) Assessing Firm Readiness for Digital Marketing (00:22:06) Vanity Metrics vs. Real Results (00:25:39) Holistic Marketing Efficiency and Attribution (00:27:52) The Hawthorne Effect and Tracking Benefits (00:32:06) Current Trends and AI in Legal Marketing (00:33:49)You can find The Free Lawyer Assessment here- https://www.garymiles.net/the-free-lawyer-assessmentWould you like to learn what it looks like to become a truly Free Lawyer? You can schedule a complimentary call here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-callWould you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy? https://www.garymiles.net/break-free

Status, income, respect, yet something still feels off. In this episode, Gary explains why so many successful lawyers feel anxious, dissatisfied, or burned out despite “winning,” and why the problem isn’t our mindset, rather it’s our outdated mental operating system. There are four law school programs still running in our brain and they cost us our health, relationships, and performance. Listen for how perfectionism, external validation, scarcity thinking, and binary decision-making quietly sabotage sustainable success for lawyers. Get the Values Alignment Guide ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://upbeat-trailblazer-9238.kit.com/1604bbf4cb⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take the Free Lawyer Assessment garymiles.net/the-free-lawyer-assessment Learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.garymiles.net/break-free⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule a complimentary discovery call: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of The Free Lawyer podcast, the host interviews Anthonia Berry, a seasoned legal marketing and business development strategist. Anthonia shares her journey into legal marketing, clarifies the difference between marketing and business development, and offers practical tips for attorneys to build sustainable client relationships. She discusses the impact of technology on legal business growth, the enduring importance of human connection, and the value of personalized coaching. Anthonia emphasizes aligning one’s legal practice with personal passion and invites listeners to connect for further guidance on intentional business development.At the helm of Strategy Academy is Anthonia Berry, a seasoned legal marketing and business development strategist with over 19 years of experience working with international and national law firms across the world. With deep industry expertise, she understands the unique challenges attorneys and law firms face in developing and sustaining client relationships in an increasingly competitive market.Anthonia is known for her tailored, action-oriented approach, crafting custom business development strategies that align with each firm’s unique objectives and market position. Her proven track record includes successfully guiding law firms of all sizes in implementing growth-driven initiatives that yield measurable results.Under her leadership, Strategy Academy provides a holistic business development framework, from one-on-one advisement for attorneys to firm-wide strategy development, ensuring both short-term success and long-term sustainability. Committed to helping law firms not just compete—but lead, Anthonia continues to empower legal professionals with the insights, tools, and strategies needed to thrive in today’s legal marketplace.Anthonia’s Journey into Legal Marketing (00:01:33)Innate Talent vs. Learned Skills (00:03:24)Business Development vs. Marketing (00:05:07)Why Established Lawyers Need Business Development (00:06:17).Anthonia’s Unique Approach at Strategy Academy (00:09:13)Tailoring Strategies for Different Law Firms (00:11:24)Three Immediate Business Development Actions (00:12:54)Building Organic, Not Salesy, Relationships (00:16:39)Recent Shifts in Legal Marketing (00:20:02)The Future: AI and Digital Trends (00:22:48)The Value of Outside Coaching (00:24:20)Choosing the Right Support Model (00:27:03)Advice for Building an Aligned Practice (00:29:12)You can find The Free Lawyer Assessment here- https://www.garymiles.net/the-free-lawyer-assessmentWould you like to learn what it looks like to become a truly Free Lawyer? You can schedule a complimentary call here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-callWould you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy? https://www.garymiles.net/break-free

You did everything right. Top of your class. Trusted by clients. Respected by colleagues. Financially secure. Why does Sunday night feel like a prison sentence?In this episode, Gary Miles names a reality most highly successful lawyers quietly live with, but rarely talk about: the moment when professional success stops feeling liberating and starts feeling suffocating. Gary explains how excellence itself can become a cage, and why this isn’t a time management problem, a discipline issue, or a lack of gratitude. Listen for the three pillars of success-induced imprisonment and how shifting from external to internal authority changes everything.Get the Values Alignment Guide ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://upbeat-trailblazer-9238.kit.com/1604bbf4cb⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take the Free Lawyer Assessment garymiles.net/the-free-lawyer-assessment Learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.garymiles.net/break-free⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule a complimentary discovery call: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of "The Free Lawyer" podcast, host Gary interviews Valentina Flores, CEO of Red Sentry. Valentina shares her journey from law enforcement to leading a proactive cybersecurity company, emphasizing the importance of ethical hacking and prevention for law firms. She offers practical tips—like enabling multi-factor authentication, limiting data access, and preparing response plans—to help lawyers protect sensitive information. Valentina also discusses the collaborative nature of cybersecurity, the human element in defense, and aligning security practices with core values, making cybersecurity accessible and actionable for legal professionals.Valentina Flores is the CEO and Co-Founder of Red Sentry, a proactive cybersecurity company that breaks into your network, so hackers never get the chance. Before protecting companies, she served as a detective on joint federal task forces, tracking cybercriminals through digital back-alleys. Now a public speaker on hacker psychology, a two-time award-winning cybersecurity leader, and a fierce advocate for women in tech, Valentina is redefining what leadership looks like in the industry, championing smarter and more accessible security for all.Transition from Detective to Cybersecurity (00:01:33) What is Penetration Testing? (00:02:56) Success Rate and Client Vulnerabilities (00:03:35)Understanding Hacker Psychology (00:05:30) Why Law Firms Are Targets (00:06:38) Triggers for Law Firms to Seek Help (00:07:46) Compliance vs. Proactive Security (00:09:09) Human Element in Cybersecurity (00:10:16) Making Clients Comfortable with Ethical Hacking (00:11:55) Emerging Threats and the Future of Cybersecurity (00:13:25) Cybersecurity for Small and Medium Businesses (00:14:43) Diversity in Tech and Cognitive Diversity (00:16:37) Awards and People-First Leadership (00:17:27) Leadership in Cybersecurity vs. Traditional Business (00:18:20) Role of Coaching and Mentorship (00:19:28) Annual Testing and Follow-Up (00:20:21) Prioritizing Cybersecurity in Law Firms (00:21:13) Collaboration vs. Competition in Cybersecurity (00:22:17) Top Three Cybersecurity Actions for Lawyers (00:23:29) First Steps for the Unprepared (00:25:39) What is Penetration Testing? (Clarification) (00:26:39) Freedom and Work-Life Balance (00:27:06) Aligning Practice with Values (00:27:51) You can find The Free Lawyer Assessment here- https://www.garymiles.net/the-free-lawyer-assessmentWould you like to learn what it looks like to become a truly Free Lawyer? You can schedule a complimentary call here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-callWould you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy? https://www.garymiles.net/break-free

For any successful attorney who knows they’re doing “well” on paper, but feels something is missing inside. What happens when you achieve everything you were told would make you happy and it still feels empty? In this episode, Gary Miles challenges the deeply ingrained belief that success, recognition, and income automatically create fulfillment for lawyers. Most lawyers have fallen into the myth that legacy is built through achievements alone. Listen to this episode to learn why external validation keeps lawyers anxious and exhausted, and how shifting to internal authority changes everything — from courtroom pressure to client relationships. Gary introduces simple, practical daily practices that help lawyers reconnect with purpose, presence, and meaning without changing careers. Get the Values Alignment Guide ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://upbeat-trailblazer-9238.kit.com/1604bbf4cb⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take the Free Lawyer Assessment garymiles.net/the-free-lawyer-assessment Learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.garymiles.net/break-free⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule a complimentary discovery call: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqcfaTWo17uxmYS9hfAdiaQ

In this episode of "The Free Lawyer" podcast, host Gary interviews Anusia Gillespie, a lawyer-turned-novelist and yoga instructor. Anusia shares her journey from high-pressure legal roles to writing her debut novel "Soul Toll," which explores the personal costs of professional success. The conversation delves into legal innovation, leadership, and the importance of integrating joy, purpose, and authenticity into legal careers. Anusia offers practical advice on self-awareness, values alignment, and using coaching or mindfulness to create a more fulfilling path, encouraging lawyers to redefine success on their own terms.Anusia Gillespie is a lawyer-turned-novelist and RYT-200 certified yoga instructor whose debut contemporary fantasy, Soul Toll, blends corporate ambition with personal awakening. Her writing is shaped by a career at global law firms, legal tech companies, and Harvard Law School Executive Education—offering a sharp, insider perspective on high-performance culture and the personal cost of chasing success.Well known in the legal industry for her insight on leadership and transformation, Anusia now channels those themes into fiction that invites readers to question the lives they’ve been told to want. In Soul Toll, a high-achieving attorney’s search for clarity pulls her into a hidden world, and a battle for something far more meaningful than success.Anusia holds a JD and MBA from Boston College and a BS in Management from Tulane University. She lives north of Boston with her husband, young son, and old dog.Defining Moment for Writing "Soul Toll" (00:01:20) Meaning of "Soul Toll" (00:02:35) Anusia’s Personal Soul Toll Experience (00:04:25) Transitioning Careers and Lessons Learned (00:06:18) High Achievers and the Cost of Success (00:08:16) Common Tolls Lawyers Pay (00:08:32) Skepticism Toward Meaning and Fulfillment (00:10:04) Anusia’s Approach to Legal Transformation (00:11:36) Integrating Joy and Seriousness in Law (00:12:46) Importance of Coaching for Lawyers (00:15:02) How Coaching Shifts Lawyers’ Focus (00:16:55) Recent and Future Changes in Legal Profession (00:18:26) Technology, Boundaries, and Lawyer Well-being (00:20:35) Patterns of Lawyers Who Build Soul (00:23:38) Message and Purpose of "Soul Toll" (00:25:08) Finding Personal Fulfillment in Law (00:27:23) Advice for Miserable but Successful Lawyers (00:29:08) Advice to Her Younger Self (00:31:30) Would you like to learn what it looks like to become a truly Free Lawyer? You can schedule a complimentary call here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-callYou can find The Free Lawyer Assessment here- https://www.garymiles.net/the-free-lawyer-assessmentWould you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy? https://www.garymiles.net/break-free

Lawyers are excellent at thinking ahead, but when that instinct turns into constant worst-case rehearsing, it becomes a trap rather than a strength. In this episode of The Free Lawyer, Gary Miles shares why the same mental habits that make lawyers really good at their jobs also make them miserable after hours. The true cost of overthinking ranges from sleep disruption to strained relationships. Listen to this episode for the ten actionable tools designed specifically for lawyers to interrupt worry loops, return to the present, and regain control of their minds. Learn to distinguish solving from suffering, use grounding to shut off “awfulizing,” create a worry window, run a probability check, and take the next right action when anxiety tries to steal your focus.Get the Values Alignment Guide ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://upbeat-trailblazer-9238.kit.com/1604bbf4cb⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take the Free Lawyer Assessment garymiles.net/the-free-lawyer-assessment Learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.garymiles.net/break-free⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule a complimentary discovery call: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqcfaTWo17uxmYS9hfAdiaQ