The Free Lawyer

In this episode, Gary addresses the critical issue of mental health in the legal profession, sharing his battle with addiction and offering insights for recovery and wellness. He discussed the high incidence of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse among lawyers, attributing it to the profession's inherent stress and competitive nature. The host recounts his struggle with alcohol and the journey to recovery and presents five fundamental principles to aid others facing similar challenges, underscoring the message of hope and the importance of seeking help. Challenges of Mental Health in the Legal Profession (00:02:03) The speaker discusses the prevalence of mental health issues, addiction, and struggles faced by lawyers and introduces the five tips for recovery. Causes of Mental Health Challenges (00:03:20) The speaker highlights the causes of mental health challenges in the legal profession, including stress, competition, lack of support, and stigma. Effects of Mental Health Challenges (00:04:36) The impact of mental health issues and substance abuse on individual lawyers, law firms, and the legal profession is discussed, including impaired performance and ethical concerns. Personal Story of Addiction and Recovery (00:14:08) The speaker shares a personal story of addiction, struggles with alcohol, and the journey to recovery, emphasizing the transformative power of recovery programs. Keys to Recovery and Wellness (00:19:41) Five essential keys for finding hope and freedom from addiction, substance abuse, depression, or stress are presented, emphasizing the importance of seeking help and support. 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 engages in a conversation with Larry Williams, a patent attorney from Cincinnati, delving into the challenges that legal professionals face. They underscore the significance of work-life balance and mental wellness, discussing the pressures of law school and the legal field, the repercussions of burnout, and the necessity of setting boundaries. Larry introduces his 'Guide to a Simple Life' workbook, a practical tool designed to assist lawyers in aligning their careers with personal values. They also explore the role of mentorship, with Larry advocating for mentors outside one's practice area to avoid conflicts of interest. The conversation extends to the evolving legal landscape post-COVID, the importance of therapy for lawyers, and the trend of attorneys leaving firms to work independently for better work-life balance. They urge lawyers to define their success and prioritize their well-being. Larry is a chemical patent attorney who has seen the inner workings of many law firms. Through various career moves, he noticed a general sense of unease with the culture of modern legal practice. He also saw many great attorneys choose to leave the profession because they share that unease.  Larry knows attorneys serve an important role in society, so he is on a mission to fight for change within the profession. He posts on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/larryforchemip/) regularly about attorney work-life integration and law firm culture. You can also download his Guide to a Simple Life Workbook at fourvirtuescoaching.com. 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 discusses the negative effects of busyness on our professional and personal lives. He explores the reasons why we feel compelled to be busy and the problems it can cause, such as physical and mental health issues, decreased productivity, and damaged relationships. To escape the prison of busyness, Gary provides eight practical tips, including evaluating how we spend our time, setting goals, and practicing self-care. He emphasizes the importance of being intentional with our time and aligning our actions with our goals and values. Gary encourages listeners to prioritize their well-being and create a life of freedom and happiness by breaking free from the trap of busyness. Do you want to learn more about how to break out of the busyness trap? You can set up a courtesy call here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call

In this podcast episode, host Gary interviews Shaun Jardine, a UK lawyer and value-based pricing expert. Shaun discusses his dissatisfaction with the billable hour system and advocates for value-based pricing, which aligns legal fees with the value provided to clients. He shares his experiences and insights on implementing this model, including offering clients pricing options and ensuring price certainty. Shaun also addresses challenges such as resistance within law firms and the need for cultural change. Additionally, the impact of AI on legal services and traditional billing is explored. Shaun promotes his book on value-based pricing as a guide for lawyers interested in this approach. Shaun is unashamedly and unapologetically a disruptor. As a lawyer and former law firm CEO of a top 250 UK law firm which employed over 240 people , he has a unique insight into what makes law firms tick. Shaun founded Big Yellow Penguin (BYP) in 2021 with the aim of encouraging and helping lawyers and law firms to move on from the 20th century and adopt practices, including value pricing, which will make their futures more secure, both financially and operationally, and enjoy practising their craft again. Shaun has recently finished writing his first book  ‘Ditch The Billable Hour’ !  which was published in January 2024. And yes….he has addressed legal conferences dressed as a penguin……… Would you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your own 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 underscores the vital role of leadership within the legal profession. He critiques the common neglect of leadership skills in law and describe the negative traits sometimes seen in legal leaders. He outlines the challenges facing the legal sector, such as diversity, mental health, and adapting to change. He details the key attributes of a good leader, including integrity and empathy, and provides actionable steps for lawyers to become effective leaders. The episode concludes with a call to action for lawyers to commit to developing strong leadership skills to positively influence their practice and the wider legal community. Leadership in the Legal Profession (00:00:02) Importance of leadership, qualities of a leader, and challenges faced in the legal profession. Critical Role of Effective Leadership (00:02:43) Reasons why good leadership is critical in the legal profession and the essential qualities of a good leader. Problems with Leadership in the Legal Profession (00:05:55) Challenges and problems faced by lawyers, firms, and the legal profession in terms of leadership. Essential Attributes of a Good Leader (00:10:25) Qualities and skills required to be a good leader in a law firm or department. Steps to Becoming an Effective Leader (00:13:17) Critical steps and strategies to develop effective leadership abilities in the legal profession. Would you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your own 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 interviews Laura Lange, an attorney who transitioned from traditional law firm and corporate roles to forge her own career path. Laura shares her experience with burnout and how it led her to reevaluate her career, eventually combining her legal expertise with her passion for yoga. She discusses the challenges and rewards of starting an online business, providing legal services to entrepreneurs, and the importance of legal protection for small businesses. Laura's story is about self-discovery, embracing change, and balancing professional success and personal well-being. Laura Lange is a contract lawyer and yoga teacher from Denmark who is currently living in Greece. She serves yoga and legal clients through her online business, Manipura by Laura. As a yoga teacher, she helps women take back their time and health through yoga and meditation so they can protect themselves from burnout and create more freedom and flexibility in their careers. As a lawyer, she helps female online business owners who serve clients worldwide scale their online business easily through affordable, personalized, and easy-to-understand contracts. Would you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your own 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, an author and coach, offers guidance to lawyers on managing stress and workloads. He shares 12 productivity tips, including prioritizing tasks, avoiding multitasking, and setting time limits. Gary stresses the importance of taking control of one's time, organizing workspaces, and minimizing distractions. He also discusses the benefits of increased productivity, such as better client relationships and work-life balance.  The challenges of workload and stress (00:01:06) Gary discusses the stress and overwhelming workloads in the legal profession and introduces the topic of managing productivity. Identifying obstacles to productivity (00:03:33) Gary discusses distractions, procrastination, over-commitment, perfectionism, lack of focus, multiple priorities, mental fatigue, and burnout as obstacles to productivity. Consequences of unproductivity (00:07:33) Gary outlines the problems encountered when not productive, such as missed deadlines, increased workload, poor quality work, and reduced job satisfaction. Benefits of productivity (00:09:52) Gary explains the benefits of being more productive, including efficiency, better client relationships, increased billable hours, reduced stress, better reputation, and improved work-life balance. Tools for productivity (00:12:16) Gary introduces 12 tools to help lawyers have a more satisfying and productive professional experience. Ownership of time (00:13:25) Gary emphasizes the importance of taking ownership of time and understanding how time is currently being used. Scheduling and grouping tasks (00:17:58) Gary advises scheduling daily activities, grouping similar tasks together, and avoiding multitasking. Time limits and breaks (00:20:09) Gary recommends assigning time limits to projects and taking breaks to recharge. Saying no and organization (00:21:13) Gary emphasizes the importance of saying no to non-essential tasks and maintaining an organized workspace to reduce distractions. Blocking distractions (00:22:28) Gary discusses the need to block distractions such as emails, phone calls, web browsing, and social media messages to improve focus. Track and Analyze Time (00:23:31) Gary discusses the importance of tracking and analyzing how time is currently being used. Prioritize Tasks (00:23:31) Gary emphasizes the need to make a list of tasks and prioritize them to manage workload efficiently. Delegate and Obtain Support (00:23:31) Advice on delegating tasks and obtaining support from associates, paralegals, and legal assistants. Schedule Daily Activities (00:23:31) Gary suggests creating a daily schedule and grouping similar tasks together to improve productivity. Take Ownership of Time (00:24:48) Gary highlights the importance of taking ownership of time to simplify work and achieve more. Would you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your own 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 interviews Travis Hoechlin, a specialist in law firm business growth, focusing on online marketing strategies. They discuss the evolution of online attorney marketing, the significance of content creation, and the introduction of Google's local service ads. Travis advises on targeting the right clients through strategic content and geographical targeting. He also highlights common mistakes law firms make, such as failing to answer phone calls, which can lead to missed opportunities. The conversation covers the importance of website design, SEO, and the role of social media in maintaining a firm's presence and reputation. Travis emphasizes the long-term benefits of building a website's authority for sustainable growth, reducing reliance on paid advertising. The episode concludes with actionable tips for law firms to enhance their online visibility and client acquisition. Born and raised in Southern California by an entrepreneurial family, Travis' dream had always been to own a successful company that made a difference in people’s lives. With over 15 years of experience in the legal marketing industry, today he helps hundreds of law firms grow their firms and attract new clients. Would you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your own copy? Click here  Would you like to schedule a complimentary discovery call? You can do so here

In this podcast episode, host Gary Miles, a seasoned lawyer with 45 years of experience, discusses the severe issue of burnout among legal professionals. Having left full-time practice, he now advocates for better mental health and wellness within the legal field. He describes the high stress, long hours, and competitive nature of law that contribute to poor mental health and reduced productivity. He suggests a comprehensive approach to combat these issues, including workplace culture change, mental health support, self-care practices, and industry-wide reforms. He calls for a collective effort to prioritize well-being and redefine success in the legal profession. Recognizing the lack of wellness in the legal profession (00:02:24) The speaker introduces the topic of burnout and lack of wellness in the legal profession, highlighting its impact. Impact of poor mental health on law firms (00:04:44) The speaker discusses the financial and productivity costs of poor mental health in law firms, emphasizing the need for change. Causes of burnout and mental health challenges (00:07:43) The speaker outlines various causes of burnout and mental health challenges experienced by lawyers. Addressing the problem: multifaceted approach (00:11:37) The speaker provides a comprehensive approach to addressing mental health and wellness issues in the legal profession. Would you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your own copy? Click here Would you like to schedule a complimentary discovery call? You can do so here

In this podcast episode, Gary interviews Oakland McCullough, a former military officer and leadership expert, about the principles of effective leadership. They discuss servant leadership, accountability, the pitfalls of micromanagement, and the value of mentorship. Oak emphasizes the importance of trust, empathy, and communication in leadership roles. He shares personal anecdotes to illustrate how prioritizing team well-being and fostering a supportive environment are crucial. The episode also explores the concept of a leadership legacy, focusing on developing future leaders, adaptability, and resilience. Oak's insights aim to guide professionals, including those in the legal field, in enhancing their leadership skills. In his 23-year career in the Army Oak McCulloch held numerous leadership positions in the Infantry and Armor branches. In February 2021 LTC Oak McCulloch published his first book – “Your Leadership Legacy: Becoming the Leader You Were Meant to Be”. He is now an internationally recognized keynote speaker on Leadership and Success. Servant leadership (00:04:26) Oak McCullough defines servant leadership and contrasts it with authoritarian leadership, emphasizing the importance of taking care of people and building effective teams. Accountability in leadership (00:06:00) The discussion highlights the significance of accountability for leaders and the negative impact of blame culture in organizations. Responsible delegation (00:07:41) The importance of responsible delegation and the detrimental effects of micromanagement are discussed, emphasizing the need to empower and trust team members. Mentorship in leadership (00:14:43) The role of mentorship in developing leaders and the importance of being a mentor and having a mentor are emphasized. Legacy as a leader (00:18:15) Oak McCullough explains the concept of legacy as a leader, focusing on the impact on the next generation of leaders and the importance of adaptability and resilience in leadership. Characteristics of a good leader (00:23:10) The discussion centers on identifying the most important characteristics of a good leader, emphasizing the hallmarks of effective leadership. Leadership and Trust (00:23:17) Importance of trust, character, and empathy in leadership. 360 Degree Trust (00:24:29) The significance of trust in both directions between leaders and their team, and the importance of trust outside the organization. Empathy in Leadership (00:26:13) The role of empathy in leadership, understanding personal challenges, and supporting individuals. Would you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your own 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