The Free Lawyer

In this podcast episode of "The Free Lawyer," host Gary interviews Keeley Blanchard, a trial attorney who has shifted her focus to teaching and jury consulting. They explore the critical role of storytelling in trial work, particularly in opening and closing statements. Keeley shares her insights on the science of storytelling, emphasizing the need to frame stories to resonate with jurors' cognitive frameworks. She introduces a unique approach that identifies a villain to elicit moral outrage and empower the jury. She uses storytelling techniques to frame the client's story. The discussion also covers the challenges of presenting complex cases succinctly and the impact of verdicts on society. Keeley Blanchard spent two decades as a trial lawyer, trying over 70 cases to verdict during her career, all while obsessing over learning how to tell the most persuasive story. She now teaches and presents on trial skills for dozens of organizations nationwide and, in addition to LawStory, runs a grant-funded training program for public defenders. Keeley has spent years studying the brain science associated with storytelling, and has developed a signature story structure for trial stories, opening statements, and closing arguments. She uses that structure to help lawyers win more cases by telling creative and compelling trial stories. Her services include jury consulting, focus groups, client testimony preparation, and trial skills training.  Sign up for the LawStory newsletter here: https://lawstory.ck.page/25bc82cb6f Would you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy? https://www.garymiles.net/break-free  Would you like to schedule a complimentary discovery call? You can do so here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call

In this podcast episode, host Gary Miles, a lawyer with 45 years of experience, underscores the significance of mentorship for lawyers. He shares his journey, and the profound influence mentors had on his career. Addressing the everyday struggles lawyers face, such as isolation and self-doubt, Gary advocates for the pursuit of mentorship to foster confidence, clarity, and productivity. He confronts the hesitations lawyers might have about seeking guidance, reassuring them that it's a strength. Gary details the multifaceted role of mentors in providing support and fostering growth. He highlights the myriad benefits of mentorship, including enhanced well-being and professional satisfaction, and offers to assist lawyers in finding mentorship opportunities. Challenges Faced by Lawyers (00:04:32) Gary outlines common challenges faced by lawyers, including isolation, self-doubt, lack of clarity, accountability, and productivity. Hesitation in Seeking Mentorship (00:11:39) Gary discusses the reasons lawyers may hesitate to seek mentorship, such as fear, ego, and perceived lack of time. How a Mentor Can Help (00:14:03) Gary explains the various ways a mentor can support lawyers, including providing confidential listening, guidance, vision creation, clarity, confidence, accountability, and productivity. Transformation Through Mentorship (00:20:00) Gary emphasizes the transformative impact of mentorship, highlighting how it can lead to greater happiness, success, fulfillment, and work-life balance for lawyers. Would you like an opportunity to discuss how mentorship can support your growth? You can schedule a complimentary call here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call

In this episode of "The Free Lawyer," host Gary interviews Sejal Thakkar, an expert in civility and workplace culture. They delve into the significance of civility in the legal profession and strategies for combating unconscious bias to create inclusive environments. Sejal recounts her transition from employment law to founding her consulting firm, TrainXtra, which aims to improve workplace cultures proactively. They discuss how biases, especially unconscious ones, affect workplace dynamics and the importance of self-awareness, open-mindedness, and ongoing education to address them. Sejal also highlights the role of leadership in promoting diversity and civility and the positive outcomes of her training programs on organizational culture. Sejal Thakkar is on a mission to educate and empower people to create a world where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. She is an employment law attorney, a 2X TEDx speaker, and the founder and Chief Civility Officer at TrainXtra, where she helps leaders create positive, safe, and respectful workplaces through customized training and coaching. Sejal is also the Chief Culture Officer of Nobody Studios, a venture studio that aims to create 100 compelling companies. She is responsible for cultivating a people-first culture at Nobody Studios.  Would you like to schedule a complimentary discovery call? You can do so here. Would you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy? https://www.garymiles.net/break-free

In this episode, Gary offers lawyers a lifeline in the billable hour battle. Recognizing the stress and inefficiency that can come with tracking billable hours, he shares strategies for reclaiming control over time and improving productivity and work-life balance. He delves into the detrimental effects of the billable hour system on lawyers' lives and presents a dozen tools to enhance time management and job satisfaction. These include prioritizing tasks, avoiding multitasking, and taking breaks. The host also underscores the liberating benefits of working more innovatively for a more fulfilling professional life. Developing a New Attitude Towards Time (00:04:44) Gary discusses the importance of changing one's mindset about time and taking ownership of daily activities. Analyzing Time Usage (00:05:54) Gary advises tracking daily activities for a week to understand time spent and identify areas for improvement. Prioritizing and Delegating (00:07:02) Tips on preparing a list of tasks, prioritizing them, and delegating non-essential work to others. Scheduling Daily Activities (00:08:16) The importance of planning and scheduling daily activities to improve focus and productivity. Grouping Similar Tasks (00:10:42) The speaker suggests grouping similar tasks to avoid distractions and enhance efficiency. Taking Breaks (00:12:47): Mini breaks are essential to recharge and enhance productivity during the workday. Saying No and Blocking Distractions (00:14:58) Gary discusses the empowering significance of saying no to non-essential tasks and blocking distractions to sharpen focus and reclaim control over time. Setting Time Limits to Projects (00:12:47) Advice on setting specific project time limits to enhance productivity and efficiency. Obtaining Support from a Mentor (00:16:08) Gary underscores the crucial importance of seeking guidance and support from a mentor to manage time and priorities effectively. Mentors foster a sense of community and help in the journey towards better time management. Would you like help in winning the billable hour battle? You can schedule a courtesy call here. Would you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy? https://www.garymiles.net/break-free You can watch this episode on YouTube here.

In this episode of "The Free Lawyer," host Gary interviews Jeff Sterling Hughes, founder of Sterling Lawyers, a family law firm. Jeff discusses his journey from poverty to law, the firm's rapid growth, and the shift to focusing solely on family law. He shares the challenges and failures encountered, particularly with fixed-fee pricing, intake processes, and converting consults to clients. Jeff explains the firm's innovative approach to billing, moving from court-event-based fees to time-based fees, which improved efficiency and client satisfaction. He also touches on the importance of managing compassion fatigue and maintaining personal freedom. The episode offers insights into adapting to change, embracing technology, and the future of law practices.  Jeff Hughes is the CEO/Co-Founder of Sterling Lawyers, where he has taken his family law firm from ground zero to a powerhouse with 25 attorneys and $15 million in success. It's been a rollercoaster—9 business failures, 3 triumphs, and many lessons. He is the CEO at Sterling Lawyers, leading a dynamic team. He is not just practicing law but reshaping how family law clients are served. Rapid growth through online marketing (00:01:48) Jeff's success in quickly growing his firm to eight lawyers through effective online marketing strategies. Mistakes and pivoting (00:03:23) Initial mistakes in trying to serve various practice areas, leading to a pivot to focus exclusively on family law. Transformation and growth (00:04:47) The impact of focusing on family law, rebuilding operations, and transitioning to fixed fee pricing on the firm's growth. Fixed fee pricing strategy (00:07:24) Jeff explains the approach to fixed-fee pricing, including providing clients with three different fee quotes and managing payment plans. Client service and empathy (00:13:03) The firm emphasizes communication, empathy, and data-driven decision-making to enhance client service. Would you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy? https://www.garymiles.net/break-free  Would you like to schedule a complimentary discovery call? You can do so here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call

In today's episode, Gary discusses the drawbacks of the billable hour system in law practice, highlighting how it affects lawyers' productivity and stress levels. The episode covers the challenges of time management, client expectations, and work-life balance under the billable hour system, as well as obstacles like distractions and mental fatigue. The speaker emphasizes the need for efficiency to improve job satisfaction and client relationships, promising solutions in the following episode. Challenges of the Billable Hour System (00:02:20) Discussion on the challenges posed by the billable hour system for lawyers. Obstacles to Productivity (00:06:13) Exploration of the obstacles hindering productivity, such as time management and client expectations. Problems Caused by Lack of Productivity (00:12:48) The speaker discusses the problems encountered when lawyers are not productive, including missed deadlines and reduced job satisfaction. Benefits of Being More Productive (00:15:22) The positive outcomes of improved productivity, such as increased efficiency and improved work-life balance. Would you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy? https://www.garymiles.net/break-free  Would you like to schedule a complimentary discovery call? You can do so here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call

In this podcast episode, Gary, host of "The Free Lawyer," welcomes Jeff Kichaven, a seasoned business mediator, to discuss the transition from litigation to mediation and the challenges lawyers face in the adversarial legal system. Jeff shares his journey and the factors that influenced his shift to mediation, including the desire for a more balanced life and the emotional toll of litigation. They explore the changing dynamics of the legal profession, the misconceptions about mediation, and the importance of emotional intelligence in dispute resolution. Jeff also advises lawyers on preparing for mediation, emphasizing the need for understanding biases and the mediator's role. The conversation touches on the broader implications of mediation for the legal system and the importance of personal well-being and relationships for professional success. Jeff Kichaven is one of America’s premier mediators.  He has been “Ranked in Chambers” on the US list of top mediators for the past five years, and “Who’s Who Legal” lists him as a ”Global Elite Thought Leader” in mediation, one of only six in the US and 28 in the world.  He is a Phi Beta Kappa Graduate of the University of California, Berkeley (Economics, 1977) and an Honors Graduate of Harvard Law School (J.D. Cum Laude, 1980).  He has been a full-time mediator in private practice since 1996.  He is an Elected Member of the American Law Institute, and has been named California Lawyer Attorney of the Year in ADR.  “Best Lawyers” has listed him as one of the Best Mediation Lawyers in Los Angeles for over 15 straight years, and honored him as the single Best Mediation Lawyer in Los Angeles in 2015.  In 2010, the Asian Pacific American Dispute Resolution Center honored him with its Special Award for Excellence in Mediation.  His views on mediation have been cited in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Would you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy? https://www.garymiles.net/break-free  Would you like to schedule a complimentary discovery call? You can do so here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call

In this podcast episode, host Gary Miles discusses the critical role of accountability in the legal profession for achieving professional and personal goals. He explores how accountability acts as a catalyst for progress, sharing his experiences with his coaching clients. He emphasizes lawyers' challenges, such as billable hours and work-life balance, and how accountability can provide structure and motivation. Gary suggests having an accountability partner for support and concludes by offering guidance to listeners seeking to reach their goals. The importance of accountability (00:01:13) Accountability as a crucial factor in achieving professional and personal goals in the legal profession. The power of accountability (00:02:44) Defining accountability and its role in providing structure, focus, and motivation in goal achievement. Challenges in goal achievement (00:05:34) Identifying the challenges lawyers face in pursuing their goals and the impact of goal abandonment on personal and professional development. The role of an accountability partner (00:10:42) The importance of having an accountability partner in staying on track, overcoming challenges, and maintaining motivation. How accountability fosters success (00:12:50) Exploring how accountability cultivates responsibility, discipline, and commitment, leading to greater success in legal careers. The transformative power of accountability (00:15:31) Highlighting the transformative impact of accountability in turning goal setting into actionable steps and achieving remarkable results. Would you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy? https://www.garymiles.net/break-free  Would you like to schedule a complimentary discovery call? You can do so here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call

Gary welcomes Jeff Cunningham, Connecticut litigator and fractional general counsel in this podcast episode. They discuss Jeff's work in legal malpractice, attorney discipline, and his emphasis on risk management and proactive client communication. Jeff also touches on the critical role of attorney wellness in reducing malpractice claims and the benefits of having an outside general counsel for maintaining confidentiality and addressing personal challenges. They highlight the necessity of having a crisis response plan for law firms, including readily available legal and professional contacts. The conversation also covers the importance of addressing wellness within the legal profession, the value of building client relationships, and Jeff's satisfaction with his work. The episode wraps up with a call to action for listeners to seek advice and support, especially regarding wellness in the legal field. The proactive approach to risk management (00:01:26) Jeff explains his role as a fractional general counsel and the importance of managing risk proactively. Components of a proactive approach (00:02:16) Jeff discusses the essential attributes of his proactive approach, emphasizing the simplicity and practicality of the systems. Client communication and satisfaction (00:10:26) The importance of client communication and satisfaction in preventing malpractice claims and the impact of communication on client dissatisfaction. Benefits of outside general counsel (00:16:33) Jeff explains the benefits of using an outside general counsel, particularly in preserving attorney-client privilege and serving as an ombudsman for the firm. Response Planning (00:20:39) Discussing the importance of response planning for law firms in the event of a cyber breach or other issues, including the need for a plan and contacts. Importance of Wellness and Risk Management (00:23:59) Highlighting wellness as a significant challenge for lawyers, connecting it to various problems, including client communication, knowledge of the law, conflicts, and financial issues. Impact of Flat Fee Model (00:29:16) Exploring the benefits of a flat fee model in building stronger connections with clients and understanding their personal lives, leading to a more fulfilling professional experience. Jeff Cunningham’s practice focus runs the gamut of professional liability exposures but with a particular emphasis on lawyers. He defends lawyers and acts as outside General Counsel to solo to mid-sized law firms across the United States. For over a decade, Jeff has defended industry professionals in a wide range of professional liability, ethics and professional disciplinary matters. His extensive background in civil litigation includes commercial disputes, varied malpractice claims, D&O liability, employment and labor law, catastrophic personal injury, premises liability and products liability. With an emphasis on simple systems of risk management, Jeff brings a holistic approach of protecting his clients before problems occur. Would you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy? https://www.garymiles.net/break-free  Would you like to schedule a complimentary discovery call? You can do so here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call

In this podcast episode, Gary Miles, a seasoned lawyer with 45 years of experience, discusses the importance of clarity in legal careers. Addressing lawyers' difficulty finding career clarity due to heavy workloads and high-pressure environments, Gary highlights the adverse effects of confusion, such as stress and burnout. He offers practical advice for gaining clarity, including self-reflection, networking, and mentorship, and stresses the transformative role of mentors in guiding legal professionals toward fulfilling careers. The importance of clarity (00:01:08) Gary emphasizes the significance of clarity in one's career and encourages listeners to seek clarity in their professional paths. Struggles in finding clarity (00:02:14) Gary discusses the challenges lawyers face in finding clarity and purpose in their work, emphasizing the need for vision and direction. Impact of lack of clarity (00:03:27) Gary highlights how a lack of clarity about one's future can lead to stress, lack of motivation, difficulty in setting goals, missed opportunities, and burnout. Tools for developing clarity (00:06:04) Gary talks about practical tools such as self-reflection, networking, visualization, and mentorship as ways to achieve clarity about one's future. Benefits of mentorship (00:13:44) Gary explains how a mentor can provide guidance, support, objective perspective, accountability, and personal growth to help lawyers achieve clarity in their career paths. Embracing the journey of self-discovery (00:20:14) Gary underscores the importance of embracing the journey of self-discovery, growth, and evolution with the guidance of a mentor to shape a fulfilling and meaningful career. Would you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy? https://www.garymiles.net/break-free  Would you like to schedule a complimentary discovery call? You can do so here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call