The Free Lawyer

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

Today's podcast episode features Megan Senese, a legal marketing and business development expert, discussing the challenges lawyers face in building a book of business. We learn how to be lawyers, and then learn we have to build a book of business. We are often confused and unclear about how to do that. This episode will help. Megan shares her professional journey and talks about her new business venture, Stage, which helps lawyers develop their business in a way that feels authentic and comfortable to them. The episode emphasizes the importance of authenticity, personalized support, and understanding clients' needs in business development. Megan's firm provides a solution to this problem by helping lawyers achieve clarity and develop a plan to build their book of business. Megan's expert insights in how to build our business are invaluable. Megan is a former “Big Law” legal marketing and business development professional turned co-founder and principal at stage, LLC. stage is a women-owned marketing and business development company focused on relationships, revenue, and growth for lawyers and legal marketing teams at all levels.  They are one of the first in-house legal marketing teams to launch a women-owned business development venture. Megan is also certified smart collaborator through Gardner & Co. and leverages “smart collaboration” across complex, hierarchical organizations to guide and assist teams to work together efficiently and effectively. Would you like to learn how to create greater personal freedom by building your book of business? If so, I can help. You can schedule a courtesy call here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call

So many of us struggle with this problem. Our partner keeps giving us more work to do. The court schedules unexpected hearings. Our clients call, asking us to help resolve a crisis. We are constantly interrupted by staff calls and emails. We have so much work to do and seemingly so little time that we feel overwhelmed and stressed. What to do? How do we manage this daunting workload? Have you ever been there? If so, this podcast episode will help. I will discuss the most significant obstacles to managing our work and how we are affected when we are unproductive. I will explain what we enjoy when we achieve greater productivity. Most importantly, I will give you these 12 tips to help efficiently manage your work in so much less time, creating more freedom for you to enjoy your life and to be fulfilled: 1. Adopt a new attitude towards time. 2. Analyze how you spend your time. 3. Prioritize. 4. Delegate and obtain support. 5. Schedule your daily activities. 6. Group similar tasks together 7. Stop Multitasking 8. Assign time limits to your projects. 9. Take a break. 10. Learn to say no. 11. Organize yourself. 12. Block distractions Remember, productivity is not just about working harder but also about working smarter. By incorporating these strategies into your daily routine, you can unlock your full potential as a lawyer and take your legal practice to the next level. Would you like to learn how to create greater personal freedom by being more efficient? If so, I can help. You can schedule a courtesy call here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call

Want to learn how to connect with your jury? And how to present better at your next conference? Then here is the answer! In this episode of "The Free Lawyer" podcast, Gary interviews public speaking coach Meridith Grundei about her journey as a performer and how she became a public speaking coach. They discuss the importance of building confidence as a speaker, the role of mindset in managing nerves, and the value of practicing and trusting oneself. They also touch on the importance of storytelling in engaging audiences and the pitfalls of reading from a script. Meridith shares tips on effective body language and eye contact during presentations, and reflects on her own journey and advises her younger self to "get over yourself" and keep showing up, even after a bad experience. Meridith Grundei is the owner of Grundei Coaching, LLC, specializing in public speaking and presentation skills. As an award-winning theatre director, producer, and former Second City improv teacher, she recognized the similarities between performing for audiences on stage every night and presenting to clients/colleagues every day. However, the latter didn't have the right tools to bring their stories to life. So, she decided to do something about it. Grundei Coaching, LLC specializes in presentation and public speaking consultation, individual training and development, and creative team solutions using improvisational theatre techniques to build trust, empathy, and out-of-the-box thinking. Would you like to learn how to create greater personal freedom and success? If so, I can help. You can schedule a courtesy call here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call

Do you ever feel unfulfilled by your practice? Do you struggle with the belief that you are inauthentic in your practice? Do you ever suffer from burnout? So many of us have. Often the problem is that our practice needs to be aligned with our values. We can create tremendous success and genuine personal freedom by aligning our practice with our values. How do we do that? In this podcast episode, I will explain the problems we encounter when misaligned. I will detail exactly how to determine our professional values and the gifts we enjoy from aligning our practice with our values. Finally, I will outline a  process for creating a practice aligned with your values.  Aligning your law practice with your values is not just an ethical choice; it is also a strategic one. It can help you build stronger client relationships, enhance your reputation, and increase your job satisfaction. You become a powerful force for positive change when you stand up for your beliefs and act by your values. So, if you haven't already, take some time to reflect on your values and how they can inform your legal practice. Your clients, colleagues, and conscience will thank you for it. Have a listen, and learn exactly how to do that. Would you like to learn how to create greater personal freedom by aligning your practice? If so, I can help. You can schedule a courtesy call here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call