The Free Lawyer

HR Huntsman joins The Free Law today. HR is an organizational strategist, executive coach, published author, and accomplished speaker. HR is passionate about helping leaders get the time freedom and financial freedom they desire. He coaches lawyers and law firm managers to get unstuck and grow their practice. We discuss the following: -Law firms face a talent problem, recruiting lawyers who are the right fit, and then retaining them. -Law firms struggle from the silo effect, with lawyers working separately from each other and inadequate inter-department communication and collaboration -Law firms should strive for more teamwork and collaboration and less competition -Hiring decisions should not be based so much on class rank and more on whether the individual is compatible with the firm's culture -Leadership development is critical for lawyers. The essence of leadership is humility and vulnerability, authenticity, asking good questions, and effective listening. HR's Insights are so valuable. HR’s genius is his ability to see an organization's cultural and strategic sides. HR has helped transform dozens of companies by assisting them to scale their size and strengthen their teams. HR is also a published author and an accomplished speaker, having given roughly 3000 talks worldwide to approximately 400k people. You can reach him here: Email hr@yourleadersedge.com Website yourleadersedge.com LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/hr-huntsman Vimeo link https://vimeo.com/yourleadersedge Getting Started link https://getstarted.yourleadersedge.com His “Why” Video https://youtu.be/yN3TZQeAO8c Would you like to learn more about my mentoring program? You can find out more about my program here: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.garymiles.net/coaching⁠⁠⁠​ Would you like to have a courtesy call to chat about where you are, what is holding you back, and how to break through? You can schedule it here: ⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call⁠⁠

Do you ever think about spending time networking? Are you uncomfortable talking with strangers? Do you feel you do not have enough time to network? Is your practice strong enough that you do not need to invest time and energy in networking? In my career, I have struggled with all those questions. I often wondered if I could network well or if it was worth it. But I have learned that one of the most critical aspects of our growth, both individually and professionally, is having an organized, dedicated networking program. Networking develops career possibilities, grows our practices, and develops important professional connections. In this Episode, I will explain why networking is so important, review the most common objections, and discuss how we can still network well even if we are introverted or lack time. I will also discuss the most common characteristics of a good network and lay out tangible steps to help you be a better networker. Do you want to network better? Have a listen! Please feel free to reach out to me at ⁠https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call⁠. Let’s chat!!. 

Heather Moulder joins the Free Lawyer today. Heather is a former Big Law partner turned lawyer leadership and business coach, and host of the Life & Law Podcast. After more than 18 years in private practice and a battle with breast cancer, she traded in her $2.5MM practice to help lawyers confidently build the practice they actually want while ditching stress, overthinking and perfectionism. Heather uses her one-of-a-kind, 4-part framework (Rewire-Reconnect-Redefine-Realign) to help her clients increase focus, energy and impact so they can accomplish their big goals in both law and life. This practical framework has been known to help her clients more than double (even triple) revenues while reenergizing professionally. When not helping her clients achieve more doing less, you’ll either find Heather cooking a never-guess-it’s-gluten-free meal from scratch or cheering on her 2 baseball-obsessed (only slightly mischievous) boys in the searing hot Texas sun. Would you like to learn more about my mentoring program? You can find out more about my program here: ⁠⁠https://www.garymiles.net/coaching⁠⁠​ Would you like to have a courtesy call to chat about where you are, what is holding you back, and how to break through? You can schedule it here: ⁠⁠https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call⁠

Do you ever think about how you want your friends and family to remember you when you are no longer with them? How would you feel? How would you behave differently? Too often, we just churn through life, nose to the grindstone, trying to be productive and successful, perhaps accumulating financial rewards. But sometimes, we are not yet living our life how we want to be remembered.  In today's episode, I will briefly discuss the inspirational bestseller Everyday Legacy; and review the problems that arise when we do not live our life the way we want to be remembered. I will also explain some of the ways we might want to be remembered and analyze the benefits to us if we start creating our legacy today. Finally, I will give you tangible tips on how to create the life of your dreams and leave a powerful impact on those around you.  If you have not read it yet, I encourage you to read Everyday Legacy by Codi Shewan. You can listen to Codi explain his work in this episode of The Free Lawyer: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/OutWiqe1Uyb I now have a passion for helping and serving others as I have. If I can ever be of any support to you in any way, please let me know. I would love to connect with you and discuss any challenges you are facing privately and confidentially. Please feel free to reach out to me at ⁠https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call⁠. Let’s chat!!. 

This is a blockbuster important episode. Mike Kasdan joins The Free Lawyer today to share his insights about maintaining our wellness and mental health while being a successful lawyer. Mike has journeyed through a bout with severe depression and now shares his story publicly to inform the legal community about how to practice law in a healthy and fulfilling way. These are some of the important topics we discussed: -How depression manifests itself and how to overcome it -Why and how law firms can help create a healthier legal profession -The benefit of community to obtain the support we all need and deserve -How to best handle the stress of our profession -How we can benefit by sharing our struggles with others -The importance of knowing we are never alone and there is always an answer -How to achieve true personal freedom by being genuine and true to ourselves Mike is a graduate of the Univ. of Pennsylvania, and received his J.D. from NYU School of Law, where he now teaches as an Adjunct Professor. He has worked in law firms of all sizes, for over 20 years. Mike is presently a partner in the IP Group at Wiggin and Dana LLP in their New York City office and has served on their diversity and pro bono committees.   For the last ten years, Mike has also been in leadership at The Good Men Project, where he has served numerous roles on both the editorial and business side, including editing and running its mental health section, and now serves as Director of Special Projects (and Sr. Sports Editor).  He has written articles, appeared on television, radio, and podcasts, developed videos and social media campaigns (#NotWeakJustHuman, #WeRageForLove), and created and led training and workshop groups focused on mental health for over a decade.    Most recently, Mike has married his interests in mental health advocacy and the legal industry under the umbrella of Lawyering While Human, which he founded in 2022. In this regard, he also serves on the Communications Committee of The Institute for Well-Being In Law. His own personal experience with depression, while working as a practicing lawyer, has given him some unique insights, and he is happy to have this opportunity to share his perspective and what he has learned with others in the field. Would you like to learn more about my mentoring program? You can find out more about my program here: ⁠⁠https://www.garymiles.net/coaching⁠⁠​ Would you like to have a courtesy call to chat about where you are, what is holding you back, and how to break through? You can schedule it here: ⁠⁠https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call⁠

Have you ever felt confused or lost? Are you not sure where you want to get to? Or are you trying to figure out how to get there? Have you felt frustrated and wondering why? Have you felt stressed? Would it be good to ask for support but are unsure who to ask or how to ask? Those feelings are not at all unusual. Most of us have felt that way at times. We know we need help and guidance but are afraid to ask for it. In this week’s newsletter, I will share my varied experiences with mentorship. I explain how we sometimes let fear, self-consciousness and ego get in our way of asking for the support we need and deserve. We will delve into the gifts we receive from obtaining the guidance we deserve: 1. Deeper relationships. 2. Greater success. 3. More resilience. 4. Development of a growth mindset. 5. Improved emotional stability. 6. Inspiration to others. We should never let our fear stop us from seeking the support we need. Good coaching can set us in a new direction and help us handle the obstacles we face.  I now have a passion for helping and serving others as I have. If I can ever be of any support to you in any way, please let me know. I would love to connect with you and discuss any challenges you are facing privately and confidentially. Please feel free to reach out to me at https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call. Let’s chat!!. 

What a powerful episode! Winter Wheeler, a dynamic mediator and formerly a very talented litigator, joins the Free Lawyer today to discuss her journey as a civil defense trial attorney and her transformation into being a very highly regarded mediator.  She shares her exprience and insights about: -The biggest problems lawyers face today- a lack of time and the pressures it creates -The need to slow down in our practices -The importance of empathy in our practices -The underutilized gift of active listening and how it can benefit us -The Four Cornerstones of Mediation -How to most effectively mediate your case Winter is a former top civil litigator who has made her niche as an expert mediator. She is sought out for her unique, compassionate, and successful style of handling complex matters that involve a diverse range of cultures, including Spanish-speaking clients.  Winter is the creator of The Four Cornerstones of Mediation™, which she introduced to the world in her first TEDx talk in March 2021. She has turned that methodology into a 14-hour mediation and certification course. Winter’s second TEDx talk titled, “Confessions of a Mom Who Has It All,” was given in June 2021. She is the co-author of the bestselling book #Networked and  the creator and host of The Mediate Now® podcast. Are any of you suffering from burnout and difficulty in setting boundaries? If so, obtain my free tips on how to set boundaries and avoid burnout here: https://www.garymiles.net/burnout

Do you ever worry that you might fail at something in your law practice? Do you ever feel that your fear of failing at something hampers your success? Or causes you stress? Despite our confidence, many of us struggle with internal fears. But, overwhelmingly, the most challenging and frequent fear is that of failure. That fear can be a self-fulfilling prophecy, making our failure more likely. It also creates stress for us. In this episode, I will discuss how our fear of failure harms us and give four tangible tools to overcome them: 1. Change your thoughts and your attitude. 2. Forget the outcome and focus on the process. 3. Get into action. 4. Keep your target. Have a listen for a detailed discussion of each of these. Would you like to learn more about my mentoring program? You can find out more about my program here: ⁠⁠https://www.garymiles.net/coaching⁠⁠​ Would you like to have a courtesy call to chat about where you are, what is holding you back, and how to break through? You can schedule it here: ⁠⁠https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call

How do we stand out for our expertise in such a crowded field of attorneys? How do we authentically show our clients how we best serve them? Nancy Evans, author, podcaster, and personal branding expert, joins The Free Lawyer today to answer these questions. She explains: - How we already have a personal brand, whether we like it or not -What is a personal brand, and why is it important -How do we best create a personal brand that reflects who we are and what we do -What are our most important steps in developing our brand -How lawyers can benefit from having a personal brand -How can our brand build our practice and develop personal freedom by giving us a choice Nancy Evans is the Founder of BYOB Agency (Build Your Online Brand), a Personal Branding Agency committed to helping entrepreneurs, coaches, and consultants build their online presence so they can expand their reach and grow their businesses. Nancy and her husband, Scott are full-time entrepreneurs and run multiple businesses, all aimed at supporting entrepreneurs and professionals in growing their businesses, building their brands and showing up authentically. Nancy and her team are experts at helping entrepreneurs create compelling content that connects with their ideal clients, builds authority and visibility, and grows their business. Nancy is the author of "How to Build Your Personal Brand on Social Media", and lives in New Jersey with her husband Scott and fur kids Ben, Mortimer, and Ruby. You can connect with Nancy on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyevans1/ Check out her new book on Amazon, "How to Build Your Personal Brand on Social Media": https://www.amazon.com/Build-Personal-Brand-Social-Media/dp/B0BSJ9XM5M/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1672071503&sr=8-3 Are any of you suffering from burnout and difficulty in setting boundaries? If so, obtain my free tips on how to set boundaries and avoid burnout here: https://www.garymiles.net/burnout

We all have encountered stress and unexpected setbacks in our legal practice. We try a case, but we receive a negative result. Our client, to whom we have provided outstanding service, has decided to leave. An attorney in our firm suddenly decides to depart, causing workload issues. Due to some big cases, our firm's cash flow has become tight. Haven’t we all experienced issues such as that? How do we respond? Do we feel depressed and ready to give up? Or, we evaluate what happened, learn what we can, and develop a plan for success? The difference in how we respond is based on the critical trait of resilience. In this Episode, I will explain what resilience is; what problems we experience when do not persevere; the gifts we enjoy when we develop our perseverance; and ten key tools for becoming a more resilient lawyer: 1. Develop a Positive Mindset 2. Practice Stress Management Techniques 3. Learn How to let go 4. Practice mindfulness 5. Build a a support network 6. Learn from your mistakes 7. Take care of yourself 8. Focus on your vision 9. Practice gratitude. 10. Seek support when needed We, lawyers, face incredible challenges. One of the most critical traits we need to develop to be successful professionally and happy and fulfilled is our talent for resilience. This is always a skill we can improve. We are never perfect, but focusing on these tools to become more resilient will help us become more successful attorneys. Would you like to learn more about my mentoring program? You can find out more about my program here: ⁠https://www.garymiles.net/coaching⁠​ Would you like to have a courtesy call to chat about where you are, what is holding you back, and how to break through? You can schedule it here: ⁠https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call