The Free Lawyer

In this podcast episode, Gary interviews Jonathan Hawkins, a lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia, who specializes in representing lawyers and law firms in business matters. Jonathan discusses his professional journey and current practice, providing insights into common issues law firms face, the importance of partnership agreements, and tips for lawyers thinking of starting their own firms. He also touches on the challenges of firm dissolutions and partner disputes. Jonathan emphasizes the importance of prevention, well-crafted agreements to minimize conflicts, and the significance of intentional living and financial responsibility for lawyers. He finds fulfillment in representing lawyers and helping resolve their issues. Jonathan Hawkins is a business lawyer for lawyers. He helps attorneys and law firm owners identify, understand, and navigate the legal, business, and ethics-related issues stemming from a law practice. More specifically, he assists lawyers and law firms in starting law firms, law firm structuring, partnership agreements, lateral moves, separation agreements, law firm dissolutions, health crisis planning, and succession planning. He can be reached at jhawkins@jonathanhawkinslaw.com or through LinkedIn.

Have you felt you are working hard, so busy, with too many things on your desk, keeping all the balls in the air? Do you think you got nothing accomplished? I know I have. Busyness is harmful to our business and ourselves. We all know it is no fun to be stuck in the busyness quagmire, nor does it foster our professional success. So how do we escape the busyness trap? In this episode, I will explain why we get stuck in busyness, discuss some of its problems, and give you eight tangible tools to escape the prison of busyness. Do you need help with being overwhelmed with busyness? If so, I can help! Reach out for a complimentary chat here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call

In this podcast episode, Gary introduces Eric Fong, a trial attorney known for his impressive results and compassionate approach. Eric shares his professional journey, including stumbling into the field of law as a public defender. He discusses a challenging case involving a convenience store robbery and how he uncovered a complex corporate structure behind it. Eric and his partner prepared the case meticulously, ultimately winning a verdict of $91 million. They also discuss the qualities of a good trial attorney and the importance of compassion and empathy in the legal profession. A dynamic episode! With decades of experience, over 100 cases tried to a jury with monumental failures and success, Eric uniquely tries civil and criminal cases with equal passion and sophistication. Landmark cases include creating the constitutional right to Intimate Association (Eric protected the rights of low-income housing residents against oppressive “crime control” measures) and his historic $91,000,000 verdict is the largest compensatory damages verdict for one person in Washington State. As George Clinton's lawyer, the iconic funk musician/artist, Eric's unique view into the entertainment industry crafted a result that allowed him to maintain his collection of music as the lead attorney on the definitive copyright case in American jurisprudence. Eric’s passion is to create and move juries in the courtroom, seek out the truth, and deliver justice. He is recognized as an innovator in trial work and the only Washington lawyer to be recognized by the plaintiffs trial bar (WSAJ) and the defense trial bar (WDTLA) for their prestigious Trial Lawyer of the Year awards. A teacher of over 17 years at the Trial Lawyers College and a student there for 22, Eric is committed to the grace of continued learning. Eric’s deep friendships and mentors, Gerry Spence, Paul Luvera, Rick Friedman, Nick Rowley, and Bill Barton, gift interchange of thought and offer tapestries of insights that inspire and guide him every day.

“Comparison is the thief of joy.” -Theodore Roosevelt Do you ever do this? You see someone proficient, better than you, at something you want to achieve, and you compare yourself to them. We want to be better in our profession, so comparing ourselves to the best makes sense. How does that work out for you? How does it make you feel? In today's world, where social media and other platforms allow us to compare ourselves with others constantly, it's all too easy to fall into the trap of comparison. While comparing ourselves with others may seem harmless initially, it can quickly become a source of stress, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Furthermore, constantly measuring ourselves against others can lead to unhealthy competition, jealousy, and a distorted sense of self-worth. Fortunately, there are tools and strategies we can use to overcome the problem of comparison and cultivate a healthier, more positive mindset. In this episode, we'll explore the issues with comparison and offer nine tangible tools to help you break free from the comparison trap and focus on your unique journey. I am working with attorneys to help them be as successful and fulfilled in their profession as they want. I would love to learn more about you, your challenges and your goals. If you would like to chat, please set up a complimentary discovery call with me here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call

In this podcast episode, host Gary introduces Daniel Callahan, a highly successful trial attorney, and discusses his career and achievements. Daniel shares insights on being a successful trial attorney, emphasizing the importance of putting clients first, being prepared, and having confidence. They also discuss the challenges trial attorneys face, the role of creativity in trial work, and the significance of personal freedom and fulfillment in the legal profession. Daniel provides advice about starting a law firm and building strong relationships with clients and opposing counsel. The episode concludes with Gary and Daniel emphasizing the importance of enjoying life and nurturing relationships. Throughout his career, Daniel J. Callahan has always been known as one of the top trial attorneys in California.  His notable jury verdicts included a $934,000,000 jury verdict obtained after a three-month jury trial in a complex business dispute entitled Beckman Coulter vs. Flextronics. This unanimous verdict was the largest in California in 2003 and remains the largest in Orange County history. Mr. Callahan also went on to obtain a $50,000,000 settlement in a road design case against the City of Dana Point. Exclusive of large class actions, this continues to be the largest personal injury settlement in United States history. Mr. Callahan also obtained, after a two-month jury trial, a $38 Million settlement on behalf of a class of newspaper delivery drivers against The Orange County Register. This is still the highest employment settlement in Orange County’s history. Mr. Callahan grew up in Chicago, Illinois where he went on to receive his BA, magna cum laude, from Western Illinois University in 1976, and graduated with honors from the UC Davis School of Law in 1979, while serving as Editor of the Law Review. He began his career in Hawaii before relocating to Southern California and starting his own firm by opening the doors on St. Patrick’s Day, 1984. Mr. Callahan also provides corporate consulting to law firms and lawyers regarding litigation and strategy through Callahan Consulting Group, LLC.

Do you ever feel stressed at work? Do you often feel overwhelmed by pressure from all sides? And do you need to figure out how to manage it best so you can enjoy fulfillment in your professional life? We face many high-pressure situations and demanding workloads that can lead to stress and burnout. We work long hours in a competitive environment, handling emotionally challenging cases. This constant stress can have significant adverse effects on our mental and physical health, as well as our job performance and quality of life. However, lawyers can manage that stress and be happy and healthy.  This episode explores the primary causes of our stress and how that affects us. I will also detail some effective tools and techniques that we can use to manage stress and maintain our overall health and happiness. Is work stress an issue for you? If so, perhaps I can help. Let’s have a confidential chat. You can schedule it here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call

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