The Agile Attorney Podcast

There has never been a better time in the history of lawyers to start your own law practice. The tools, know-how, and access to support are better than ever before, and they keep improving every day. Whether you're facing job uncertainty, working at a firm with values that don't align with yours, or simply tired of working for someone else, going solo might be the best career move you can make.This week, I'm joined by Carolyn Elefant, the brains behind myshingle.com and the author of "Solo by Choice," the go-to guidebook for creating a startup law practice that aligns with your values and serves your life. Carolyn shares insights on how to overcome common obstacles, build a client base through relationship marketing, and structure your day for maximum productivity.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.agileattorney.com/66

Most law firms start by building support structures around the expert (you), but eventually hit a ceiling where growth becomes limited by your personal capacity. No matter how efficient your team becomes at supporting you, the system can only move as fast as you can.In this episode, I explore how to transform your practice from an expert-dependent model to a resilient mesh system where quality standards are embedded in your processes and your team is empowered to make decisions without constant oversight. The result? A practice that can scale far beyond your personal limitations while maintaining the quality your clients expect.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.agileattorney.com/65

Ever feel like you're constantly juggling multiple client matters at once, switching between tasks, and never fully focusing on any single piece of work? This scattered way of working is more detrimental to your practice than you realize. One incredibly effective solution to this problem is understanding what call The Dental Chair Theory of Lawyering, and I'm explaining it in today's episode. This approach not only improves the quality of your work but also enhances the client experience and ultimately leads to a more efficient, less stressful practice.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.agileattorney.com/64

Too much automation can hurt your law practice. Learn to recognize when efficiency undermines personal connections. Discover how strategic planning enhances both client experience and firm mission. Emphasizing human feedback is key to effective automation design. Explore the importance of intentional process design to boost client engagement and understanding, creating better outcomes. By focusing on both client and team needs, you can develop systems that truly enhance the legal experience.

Have you ever delegated legal work to a colleague, only to get back something that completely misses the mark? Maybe they dove way too deep into the weeds, or perhaps they barely scratched the surface of what you needed. As a lawyer, calibrating expectations when delegating tasks can be a constant challenge.In this episode, I tackle a listener question about managing the extremes when delegating legal work. What do you do when you've got a true "lawyer's lawyer" on your team who loves to explore every rabbit hole? And how do you handle a junior team member who doesn't yet have the context to know which path to take? Listen in to find out.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.agileattorney.com/62

Does your firm have legal matters that are endlessly dragging on, frustrating both you and your clients? It may seem like investing in the latest AI tools is the obvious next step to speed up your firm's delivery, but the real solution lies in managing the flow of work across your entire system.This week, I share three powerful strategies for reducing waiting time in your law practice. By implementing these techniques, you'll be able to deliver quality outcomes to your clients faster, improve their overall experience, and boost your firm's profitability and sustainability. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.agileattorney.com/61

Have you been wondering how AI can help your law practice today?In this episode, I talk with Damien Riehl, a lawyer and legal technologist who has been at the forefront of AI in law for years. We skip past the usual AI ethics debates to focus on the most important question: how can small and mid-sized firms use AI right now to improve client service and profitability?Damien breaks down the core functions of lawyering - assessing risk, navigating complexity, and providing wise counsel - and explains how today's AI tools can enhance each one. Whether you're an AI skeptic or an enthusiastic early adopter, you won't want to miss Damien's practical, actionable insights on the tools that are already transforming law practice.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.agileattorney.com/60

Jonathan Stark, a former software developer and author of *Hourly Billing Is Nuts*, challenges traditional billing methods in the legal industry. He advocates for value-based pricing over hourly rates, emphasizing its benefits for client relationships and income potential. Stark discusses the importance of understanding client values to tailor pricing strategies effectively. He explores innovative models like subscriptions and fractional executives, highlighting their potential to enhance collaboration and trust in service delivery. A must-listen for any professional seeking a pricing transformation!

Are you drowning in an overwhelming caseload, struggling to keep up with the demands of clients and the court? This week, I speak with family law attorney and author Brita Long about how flat fee pricing can be a catalyst for creating a healthier, more balanced law practice. Whether you're curious about flat fees, feeling skeptical, or just looking for ways to achieve better balance in your practice, this conversation will give you a new perspective on an age-old problem in the legal profession. Get ready to challenge your assumptions and discover a path to becoming a happier attorney.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.agileattorney.com/58

As attorneys, we often forget that our engagement letters occupy a unique space - they're not just contracts, but also the final step in our marketing cycle. So why do so many of these crucial documents end up feeling dense, overwhelming, and even off-putting to clients?Tune in this week to learn how to create engagement letters that not only protect your firm but also set the stage for a positive, productive attorney-client relationship. I share some simple, actionable ways to make your engagement letter a seamless, welcoming transition into the legal services you provide.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.agileattorney.com/57