The Free Lawyer

In this podcast episode, host Gary welcomes Steve Fretzin, a renowned business development expert for lawyers. They discuss the importance of lawyers developing their own book of business and personal brand. Steve explains that being a great attorney is no longer enough to attract clients and that having control and freedom over one's career is crucial for success. He shares strategies for lawyers to grow their practice, including building relationships with clients and marketing themselves through social media and public speaking. Steve emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and having a business development coach. He also addresses common objections and encourages lawyers to prioritize their own success. Driven, focused and passionate about helping attorneys to reach their full potential, Steve Fretzin is regarded as the premier coach, skills trainer and keynote speaker on business development for attorneys.Over the past 18 years, Steve Fretzin has devoted his career to helping lawyers master the art of business development to achieve their business goals and the peace of mind that comes with developing a successful law practice.In addition to writing four books on legal marketing and business development, Steve has a highly-rated podcast BE THAT LAWYER and has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain’s and Entrepreneur.com. He has appeared on NBC News, WGN Radio and has written articles for Legal Business World, Attorney at Law Magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association. You can also find his monthly column in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.

This episode is dedicated to empowering lawyers to overcome perfectionism and achieve professional success with confidence and balance. We dive deep into the tools and strategies that can help you break free from the grip of perfectionism and embrace a more fulfilling legal career. Last week in episode 127, we shed light on the perfectionism trap that many lawyers find themselves entangled in. We discussed how striving for flawlessness can lead to anxiety, burnout, and hinder personal growth. We can reframe failure as an opportunity for growth and learning. Today we explore practical tools to overcome perfectionism. We hope the tools and insights shared today will empower you to embrace imperfection and flourish as a lawyer. Remember, perfection is not the goal; growth, progress, and fulfillment are. Do you ever struggle with perfectionism? If so, I can help. Reach out to me here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call

In this episode of the Free Lawyer podcast, host Gary welcomes guest Tony Albrecht, who shares his journey from practicing lawyer to helping lawyers brand and market themselves. Tony discusses his experience in insurance defense litigation, his decision to take a sabbatical and travel, and his eventual move to Canada. They delve into Tony's reasons for not wanting to become a partner in his law firm, his struggle with alcoholism, and the importance of mental and spiritual health. Tony also talks about his transition to business development and his work in personal branding, emphasizing the power of authenticity and genuine messaging. They both highlight the importance of personal branding in the competitive legal industry and invite listeners to connect with Tony for more information. Tony began practicing law in 2009 after graduating from Saint Louis University School of Law. Since then, his path has been anything but linear. Interspersed with approximately 10 years in insurance defense litigation, he spent several years traveling the world, a journey that involved meeting a Canadian woman in India who would become his wife. They settled down in St. Louis in 2017, where Tony resumed his full-time litigation career. In 2021, they took their two small children and relocated to Ontario, Canada, a move that coincided with Tony leaving the practice of law to pursue more entrepreneurial endeavors. He now spends most of his time running CONTENDER Creative, an agency focused on helping lawyers spread their messages on LinkedIn. When not nerding out on LinkedIn, Tony is likely running, writing, or drinking espresso.

Do you ever find that you fret over your past mistakes? Or are you very worried about making new mistakes? Are you ever extremely concerned about your family or colleagues' high expectations? If so, you may be struggling with perfectionism. Perfectionism can create problems, from procrastination to severe anxiety and stress. As lawyers, pursuing excellence and attention to detail is a fundamental part of our profession. However, when these tendencies become excessive and unrealistic, they can lead to perfectionism, which often harms our well-being and success. Perfectionistic lawyers may feel constant pressure to meet unrealistic expectations, leading to high stress levels, anxiety, and burnout. They may struggle to delegate tasks, spend too much time on minor details, and fear failure.  In this episode, I discuss what perfectionism is, how it has affected me, and the signs and causes of perfectionism. I will describe the consequences of perfectionism for lawyers. Next week, I will give you provide practical tools for overcoming it, promoting a healthier work-life balance and overall well-being. Do you struggle with perfectionism? If so I can help. You can schedule a courtesy call here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call

Do you feel like you're stuck in a law firm with no room for growth or advancement? Do you struggle with communication and trust among your colleagues? Wendy Merrill, a coach and consultant who specializes in helping law firms improve their profitability and impact, has some valuable advice for you. In this podcast, Wendy shares her professional journey and explains how she helps small to mid-sized law firms achieve sustainable growth. She also discusses the challenges that law firms face today, including the traditional law firm model and the lack of trust among partners. The most valuable lesson from this podcast is the importance of good leadership, intentional communication, and building a culture of ownership and agency. Wendy's expertise in alignment and engagement helps law firms overcome these challenges and achieve success. So, if you want to learn how to advocate for yourself, build trust, and create a sticky culture in your law firm, listen to this podcast and take notes. For over a decade, Wendy Merrill has worked with thousands of professionals and firms around the world providing practical guidance and proven techniques designed to facilitate smart and sustainable growth. Wendy is the founder and CEO of  Strategy Horse , a consulting firm committed to helping lawyers and law firms enhance their profitability and impact through innovative alignment and engagement strategies. She is also a published author, internationally known speaker and facilitator, growth strategist and coach. Outside of her work in the legal space, Wendy moonlights as a mentor, is a mom of three, and is obsessed with horses. Would you like to learn how to create greater personal freedom? If so, I can help. You can schedule a courtesy call here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call

Do you spend a lot of time thinking about the future and wondering how something will work out? Will you win that case? Will you make partner? Will that new client you just met with engage your services? Will your son or daughter get into that college they dream of? As lawyers, we spend valuable time planning for the future, analyzing our options, and strategizing the best course of action. But we can go too far. We can get stuck in the future. We can overthink it. It happens to many of us. I know it occurs to me. Living in the future is a common experience for many people. While planning for the future can be helpful, worrying about what might happen can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety. Overthinking can also lead to indecisiveness and a lack of productivity, making it difficult to take action toward achieving your goals. Fortunately, some tools and strategies can help you manage overthinking and return your focus to the present moment. In today's I explore the problems with overthinking the future and provide practical tips to help you stop overthinking and live more mindfully. As lawyers, we take our responsible planning to worry about the future obsessively. Living in the future can negatively affect our mental health and prevent us from living in the present and acting toward our goals. However, by practicing mindfulness, journaling, breathing exercises, gratitude, visualization, and obtaining support, we can learn to manage our thoughts and emotions and bring our focus back to the present moment. Remember that it's okay to plan for the future, but it's important not to let our worries and fears consume us. By using these tools and strategies, we can break free from the cycle of overthinking and start living a more fulfilling and mindful life. So take a deep breath, let go of your worries, and focus on the present. The future will take care of itself. Would you like to learn more about how I can help you manage your future thoughts? You can schedule a courtesy call here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call

Have you ever faced a difficult situation that broke you down? In this podcast, litigator and author Mike Bassett shares his experience of being trapped by a client, with devastating consequences, and how he rebuilt his career and reputation. The most valuable lesson from this episode is the importance of having a support system and taking care of oneself as a lawyer. Mike emphasizes the need for gratitude, grace, tenacity, and community, and advises lawyers to seek out trusted mentors for guidance and support. He also encourages people to analyze their critical values and explore the endless opportunities in the legal arena. Through his story, Mike shows us that resilience and perseverance can lead to personal growth and success. He reminds us that we are never alone and that there are always people willing to help. Whether you are a lawyer or not, this episode offers valuable insights on how to overcome challenges and thrive in your career and personal life. So, grab your headphones and join the conversation with Mike Bassett and Gary Miles. Who knows, you might learn something that will change your life for the better. Unapologetically passionate and transparent, Mike has never stopped believing in the power of his team, truth, and doing the next good thing. He is a civil litigation attorney who has practiced law for nearly four decades. In 2002 he founded The Bassett Firm, a Dallas-based boutique law firm specializing in defending catastrophic injury cases. Mike has tried nearly 200 cases to verdict and is a highly sought-after national speaker, consultant, and mediator. He is also the host and co-creator of the Podcast, Legal Grounds: Conversations on Life, Leadership, and Law, whose guests have included everyone from archbishops to military leaders and New York Times bestselling authors. In his time as an attorney, Mike has embraced the hard path of grace and believes in second chances as much as he believes in honesty to his clients.  He is the author of The Man In The Ditch: A Redemption Story For Today. Would you like to learn how to create greater personal freedom? If so, I can help. You can schedule a courtesy call here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call

Today's podcast is dedicated to helping you break free from the shackles of people pleasing and embrace your authentic self. Last week, in episode 121, we discussed the signs of people pleasing and how it affects. Today, you hear the solution. In today's episode, we'll explore the incredible gifts of letting go of people-pleasing and share practical tools to help you on your journey. We'll discuss the transformative power of stopping people-pleasing and how it opens the door to a more authentic and fulfilling life. We will also highlight the gifts that await those who choose to break free from the need for external validation. We'll explore the concept of authenticity and its significance in stopping people pleasing. Listeners will learn the importance of self-awareness, self-acceptance, and cultivating a strong sense of identity. We will also delve into the essential tools and strategies for setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care. We will share practical tips for assertive communication, confidently saying " no, " and establishing healthy boundaries in personal and professional relationships. We'll discuss the crucial role of self-worth and self-validation in stopping people pleasing. You will learn strategies for building a strong foundation of self-esteem and self-acceptance Remember, you possess the power to reclaim your life and live authentically. By letting go of people pleasing, you create space for self-discovery, personal growth, and meaningful connections. Would you like to learn how to create greater personal freedom in your career? If so, I can help. You can schedule a courtesy call here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call

In this podcast episode, host Gary interviews Dena Lefkowitz, an attorney and author of "Winning in Your Own Court: 10 Laws for a Successful Career Without Burning Out or Selling Out." Dena shares her journey into law, the demanding nature of law school, and the bad habits it can create. She emphasizes the importance of learning the "laws you don't learn in law school" and taking care of oneself to avoid burnout. Dina also discusses the adversarial nature of the legal profession and the need for mindfulness and self-care to navigate it successfully. The episode ends with a reminder to prioritize self-care and avoid burnout. Want to avoid burning out? Have a listen to Dena! Dena Lefkowitz, Esq., PCC, is the author of Winning in Your Own Court: 10 Laws for a Successful Career Without Burning Out or Selling Out (American Bar Association). She is the founder and CEO of Achievement by Design, LLC, a leading executive coaching firm focused on helping lawyers find career direction and partnering with law firms to help their underperformers develop into rainmakers. She’s helped hundreds of lawyers in the past decade, coaching them to achieve career clarity, financial growth, and personal fulfillment. Lefkowitz has been featured in Forbes, Huffington Post, Philadelphia Business Journal, Thrive Global, and The Jewish Exponent, and regularly contributed to Law.com for seven years. The former lawyer of 25 years reinvented herself from being a civil litigator to general counsel for state government. Dena then transitioned from being a lawyer to helping lawyers. Would you like to learn how to create greater personal freedom in your career? If so, I can help. You can schedule a courtesy call here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call

Have you ever been asked to do something for someone, said yes, and then resented that you had to do it? Has someone ever complained about something, and you said, "I'm sorry," when you did not think you did anything wrong? If so, you may suffer from what is commonly called "people pleasing." It is not bad, but it can lead to frustration, resentment, and losing connection with who we are. Many of us have suffered from people-pleasing. I know I have.   Today we dive deep into the world of people-pleasing and its far-reaching effects. We'll explore this pervasive issue's root causes, consequences, and signs. We'll start by defining people pleasing and examining its origins. We'll discuss how societal norms, upbringing, and personal insecurities contribute to this behavior pattern. We'll also delve into how people pleasing affects individuals and their relationships. We'll discuss the far-reaching consequences, from the impact on self-esteem and personal fulfillment to the strain on interpersonal connections. We'll explore the underlying beliefs and thought patterns that fuel people-pleasing behaviors. Today we lay out the problem and causes; next week in part 2 we give 14 tools for overcoming people pleasing. Have a listen! Would you like to learn how to create greater personal freedom by avoiding people pleasing? If so, I can help. You can schedule a courtesy call here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call