Best Lean Law Firm Podcasts (2024)

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031. Tech Improvement Should Be Step 3. Don’t Skip Steps 1 & 2. 26:46

9h ago26:46

26:46

Are you a struggling solo attorney trying to get more clients in the door? Before you turn to an expensive technology solution, it's important to take a step back and fully understand the nature of the problem you're trying to solve in your law practice. I'm all for utilizing tech, but it's dangerous to imbue technology with too many magical proper…

1
Best of Pioneers and Pathfinders: Ilona Logvinova 31:49

2h ago31:49

31:49

Today we’re replaying our episode with Ilona Logvinova. When we spoke with Ilona, she was managing counsel for McKinsey Digital and Head of Innovation for McKinsey Legal. Since then, she has become director of Practice Innovation at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP. In our discussion, Ilona talked about her unique role at McKinsey, reimagining …

1
Simple File Organization System with Shawn Lemon 35:22

1d ago35:22

35:22

In this latest episode, we're diving into the realm of digital decluttering and efficiency. Learn the importance of a simple file organization system that can be applied to Mac, PC, and Cloud platforms. Our expert guest, Shawn Lemon, founder of The Digital Organizer, shares invaluable insights on streamlining digital workspaces, making it easier fo…

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030. From Solo to CEO: Lessons in Building a People-First Law Firm with Justie Nicol 45:26

4h ago45:26

45:26

Do you feel like you're stuck on the hamster wheel of your law practice, constantly working on being more productive as an individual, but never getting ahead? It's time to explore how shifting your mindset from individual excellence to team excellence can help you break free and build a thriving, sustainable firm. Tune in this week to discover cri…

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Board Leadership in the Era of Artificial Intelligence 54:10

3h ago54:10

54:10

Last week, our virtual roundtable series returned with a fourth installment focusing on the company boardroom and how boards of directors can successfully navigate the high-stakes leadership decisions that are emerging with the rise of generative AI. Our panelists—Marissa Geist, Chief Executive Officer at Cielo Talent; Camille Olson, Partner at Sey…

1
029. Getting Team Buy-in for Change 28:40

5d ago28:40

28:40

Engaging your team around process improvement is a vital part of successfully implementing changes in the way you work in your law practice. When everyone is on the same page, working toward the same goals while you empower each member of your team to demonstrate leadership in their field of expertise, process improvement becomes an easier proposit…

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028. 3 Signs Your Law Practice Is Over Capacity 20:01

12d ago20:01

20:01

Are you struggling to keep up with your law practice workload, like there's never enough time to get everything done? You may be operating at or over your practice's ideal effective capacity, meaning just one or two small tasks added to your team's workload could potentially grind everything to a halt. In this episode, you'll discover the three key…

1
Jacqueline Schafer Returns 28:34

13d ago28:34

28:34

Today we welcome back to the podcast Jacqueline Schafer, founder and CEO of Clearbrief. Jacqueline is an entrepreneur who previously worked as a Paul Weiss litigator, in-house counsel, and assistant attorney general. Clearbrief is a legal tech company with the goal of transforming the legal writing process. Last year, the company launched its own s…

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027. The Advantages of a First-In, First-Out Policy 22:55

26d ago22:55

22:55

A common piece of conventional wisdom around how law firms prioritize their work is that they should organize everything around deadlines and due dates. While deadline-driven prioritization does have a place, it's my experience that there's a better technique that law firms should be adopting as their default prioritization method: first-in first-o…

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Kimberly Fine and Neil Handwerker 30:49

1M ago30:49

30:49

This week, we welcome Kimberly Fine and Neil Handwerker, co-founders of ex judicata, an organization which helps lawyers seeking new careers in other fields. Neil started as a law firm associate, but soon left practice to pursue business. Prior to developing ex judicata, he worked in legal recruiting for 15 years, placing partners and associates in…

1
How to Scale a Home Building Company with Ryan Stannard 26:28

21d ago26:28

26:28

In this latest episode, get inspired by how implementing systems and processes not only propelled a solo carpenter's growth to managing a $15 million custom home business but also allowed for personal freedom and scalability. Dive into the full conversation to discover the practical steps, mindset changes, and strategic implementation of systems th…

1
Getting Things Done with David Allen 44:02

26d ago44:02

44:02

Are you ready to transform your team's productivity from the ground up? David Allen, author of the groundbreaking book "Getting Things Done," explores the application of GTD principles in a team setting. This could be a turning point for your team. Whether you want to reinvigorate an established team or lay the foundations for a new one, you will l…

1
026. Start with What You Do Now 17:15

26d ago17:15

17:15

Why is the concept of "start with what you do now" crucial for creating meaningful and durable change in your law practice? This principle helps you understand your current processes and the people involved in them, recognizing why you are where you are, so you can make more informed decisions about how to move forward. Tune in this week for a dive…

1
Sanjay Kamlani 27:21

1M ago27:21

27:21

Today we're joined by a true pioneer in the legal profession: Sanjay Kamlani, founder and CEO of Maker5, a law firm innovation advisory and software development services business that also builds new legal industry startups through its venture studio. Sanjay started his career as an international tax lawyer at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), focusing…

1
025. Following Your Law Firm Strategic Plan with Melissa Shanahan 40:20

1M ago40:20

40:20

Melissa Shanahan, founder of Velocity Work and host of The Law Firm Owner Podcast, teaches her clients a planning and accountability method she calls Monday Map/Friday Wrap. This method highlights some vital parts of the Agile practices of weekly planning and weekly review meetings. Monday Map/Friday Wrap is about creating micro-feedback loops with…

1
Keith Maziarek 33:53

1M ago33:53

33:53

Keith Maziarek joins us on the podcast today. Keith is Director of Pricing and Legal Project Management at Katten Muchin Rosenman. Keith entered the legal world as a Marketing and Communications Manager at the ABA, where he learned about working with lawyers, as well as the business side of the industry. He later went on to serve as a business deve…

1
024. Sticking with Change When Change Gets Hard 16:46

1M ago16:46

16:46

Visualizing your work on a Kanban Board can be a life-changing improvement to your and your team's overall productivity. But adopting the board as a tool and the Kanban method more broadly can be a little uncomfortable at first, especially when you see all of your to-dos laid out in one place. So, how do you stick with change, like using a Kanban B…

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Best of Pioneers and Pathfinders: Cindy Cohn 37:15

2M ago37:15

37:15

In honor of Independence Day, we're revisiting our discussion with Cindy Cohn, executive director at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). For many years, Cindy has been a champion for civil liberties in the digital space. In our conversation, she spoke about the EFF's history and mission, as well as the human rights issues she focuses on today…

1
023. Roots of the Lawyer Shortage 22:30

2M ago22:30

22:30

The lawyer shortage is a complex issue with multiple factors at play, but the impacts are becoming apparent everywhere, from the public defender crisis to the civil access to justice gap, to the fierce competition for hiring and retaining mid-career associates. But what are the roots of this lawyer shortage? Tune in this week to discover what I bel…

1
Steve Harmon, Pt. II 28:08

2M ago28:08

28:08

Today’s episode is part two of our conversation with Steve Harmon, chief operating officer and general counsel at Elevate. Last week, Steve spoke with us about why he decided to become a lawyer, his insights on the business of law, working in Cisco’s legal department, and how he co-founded CLOC.In the second half of our discussion, we talk to Steve…

1
How To Scale Your Supplement Business - Case Study with Haley Santos 20:38

2M ago20:38

20:38

Scaling a supplements business with systems. Listen to Haley Santos, Systems Champion at BiOptimizers - a thriving health and supplements company. In this episode, Haley shares her journey and experiences in the role, offering insights on transitioning into a Systems Champion position, the specific traits of an exceptional Systems Champion, and how…

1
022. How to Write Effective Law Firm Policies 27:03

2M ago27:03

27:03

I've spoken before about the importance of making policies explicit. But what does it mean to draft an effective policy in your law firm? Tune in this week to discover what I believe are the elements that comprise a good policy, and learn how to get your team on board in implementing your policies. I share a template for writing effective policies …

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The People Part Process With Annie Hyman Pratt 40:46

2M ago40:46

40:46

Join our deep dive with Annie Hyman Pratt who shares her expertise on ·The People Part' of business, aka the heartbeat of every great company! With her track record of scaling Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf to 70 stores, she knows how to build strong teams and leaders. Support the show: https://www.systemhub.com/podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for pr…

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021. You Can't Scale Your Way Out of a Sustainability Problem 24:14

2M ago24:14

24:14

One of the features of modern business is that there's tons of pressure to grow, scale, and do more with less. Lawyers and their teams aren't exempt from this expectation. It makes sense to leverage our resources and our impact. However, growth for the sake of growth isn't necessarily the healthiest approach for your business, or for the people in …

1
Steve Harmon, Pt. I 32:29

2M ago32:29

32:29

In this week’s episode, we speak with Steve Harmon, chief operating officer and general counsel at Elevate, a company that provides software and services for the intersection of business and law. Like many of our guests, Steve has had an unconventional—but truly fascinating—career path. While attending undergrad at BYU, he and some of his classmate…

1
020. The “Really Check:” Fostering Accountability with Jess Birken & Meghan Heitkamp 28:06

3M ago28:06

28:06

In past episodes, I’ve talked in detail about individual practices and how the Kanban method has upleveled them, and today’s show provides living proof. That’s because I’m talking with two clients of mine, Jess Birkin and Megan Heitkamp, of the Birkin Law Office, about the start of their practice and how they’ve transformed their business with syst…

1
Carolyn Elefant 32:24

2M ago32:24

32:24

Today we're joined by Carolyn Elefant, a change-maker in energy and environmental justice law specifically, as well as the legal profession generally. Carolyn is an attorney and an author, blogger, and legal innovation influencer at MyShingle.com. She started as a lawyer at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). After working in a law fir…

1
019. Fit for Purpose: Designing Legal Services To Meet Client Needs 26:12

3M ago26:12

26:12

Have you ever put a ton of time and attention into a piece of legal work only to realize that it's not quite hitting the mark for your client? Or maybe you've delivered a technically flawless document, but your client’s just sort of “meh” about the whole thing, like they just don't seem to be satisfied? Tune in this week to discover how the Fit for…

1
Stephen Allen 29:59

3M ago29:59

29:59

Our guest today is Stephen Allen, a leading market expert and innovator in the legal world. Among his many roles, Stephen is EMEA Lead at Lotis Blue Consulting, which utilizes data and behavioral science to help companies with their growth and transformation. Stephen is also Chief Scout at Trampelpfad, which delivers innovative, established paths t…

1
018. Understanding "Jobs To Be Done" to Unlock Hidden Client Needs 32:33

3M ago32:33

32:33

Most lawyers think of their intake form as something that they need to send to the client so they can get the information they need to actually do the legal work their client requires. But what if we shifted the perspective and instead asked the question, "What is the job that my client is hiring my intake form to do?" Tune in this week to gain a d…

1
Connie Brenton 27:25

3M ago27:25

27:25

Today we welcome a true pioneer and one of the first legal operations professionals in the industry, Connie Brenton. Connie is CEO and founder of LegalOps.com—a community bringing together the legal ecosystem to drive competitive advantage. She has over 20 years of expertise and innovation experience in the industry, building community, and driving…

1
How to Scale A Law Firm with Callie Saulsburry 20:15

3M ago20:15

20:15

Looking to transform your law firm into a scalable business? Systems are key. This case study profiles Crow Estate Planning and Probate's journey leveraging SYSTEMology to streamline operations and power strategic growth. Hear directly from the firm's Systems Champion, Callie Saulsburry, as she shares valuable insights and experiences from this tra…

1
017. How Minimum Viable Products Can Improve Efficiency AND Quality 21:13

3M ago21:13

21:13

As you work to meet the high standards you set for yourself, it can become impossible to get tasks all the way through to done. However, in today's episode, I'm bringing you a framework that will help counterbalance your natural tendency to overbuild in the early stages of developing a process or product, so you can ultimately land on a higher-qual…

1
What is Lean Marketing with Allan Dib 33:55

3M ago33:55

33:55

Join us as we unlock the secrets of Lean Marketing with marketing expert Allan Dib. Discover how to harness the compounding effects of this strategic approach in your own business. This episode is a deep dive into the tactics that promise high impact with minimal waste. Support the show: https://www.systemhub.com/podcast See omnystudio.com/listener…

1
David Cowen 30:47

3M ago30:47

30:47

Our guest today is a prolific connector and skilled executive coach in the legal industry. David Cowen is the founder and president of The Cowen Group and founder of the Summit on Legal Innovation and Disruption (SOLID). David started in staffing and recruiting, where he learned more about the art of making connections. Years later, as the demand f…

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016. Aligning Your Firm's People and Systems with Tim Lennon 41:14

4M ago41:14

41:14

You've heard me talk about the individual practices and concepts from the Kanban method, but today's episode is an exciting opportunity for you to learn from one of my teachers in this world of Agile, Kanban, and Lean: Tim Lennon. Tim shares his experiences using and teaching the core practices of the Kanban method (like making work visible, limiti…

1
Kris Niedringhaus 30:31

3M ago30:31

30:31

Today we're joined by Kris Niedringhaus of Georgia State University College of Law. Kris has a few roles at the law school: associate dean for Library, Information Services, Legal Tech & Innovation; faculty director of the Legal Analytics & Innovation Initiative; and clinical professor of law. For over two decades, she has been a law librarian and …

1
015. Mastering Effective Handoffs in Your Legal Practice 30:01

4M ago30:01

30:01

Handing off work, especially multiple back-and-forth handoffs, can be a huge source of delay and rework in your law practice. Tune in this week to discover how to be more effective when handing off work in your legal practice, minimizing the negative effects of ineffective handoffs. Rework is a harmful form of waste in your practice, so you’ll lear…

1
Leah Molatseli 28:43

4M ago28:43

28:43

This week, we welcome Leah Molatseli, founder of Contract Alchemists, a company with the goal of modernizing legal teams through legal operations, agile methodologies, and technology. Leah has over 10 years of experience in the legal field, and has a certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from the University of Notre Dame. After practicing …

1
Junior Business Process Manager - Case Study with Kaleb Grant 23:34

4M ago23:34

23:34

Considering hiring a Systems Champion for your organization? Learn from Lime Therapy's Process Champion, Kaleb Grant! In this interview, Kaleb discusses collaborating with owners Renee and Matt Kelly to implement systems. He explains the benefits of systems, especially for onboarding new staff. Systems allow employees to feel confident and provide …

1
014. How to Prioritize Work Within Your Law Practice 24:18

4M ago24:18

24:18

Ever started your Monday already swamped with emails and tasks, all competing for your attention? Determining the best sequence to tackle these tasks is crucial for maximizing your effectiveness throughout the week and beyond. In today’s episode, I introduce a structured framework that enhances your ability to prioritize demands effectively, helpin…

1
Sophia Matveeva 33:14

4M ago33:14

33:14

Today’s guest is helping people understand technology concepts and jargon so that they can succeed in the digital age. Sophia Matveeva is the founder and CEO of Tech for Non-Techies, an education and executive coaching company that was inspired by her previous experience starting a tech company and struggling to communicate with developers. Through…

1
How To Improve Your Onboarding Process with Brad Giles 42:30

4M ago42:30

42:30

Here's how to bring new hires to the point of being effective - faster! In this interview with Brad Giles, author of "Made to Thrive" and "Onboarded," we uncover the secrets to turning your onboarding process from an afterthought to a key driver of employee success and retention. Support the show: https://www.systemhub.com/podcast See omnystudio.co…

1
013. Taming Email Overwhelm 24:27

4M ago24:27

24:27

If you’re like a lot of attorneys, one of the more significant sources of overwhelm in your law practice comes from the sheer volume of emails and other communications you have to process in the course of your day. In today’s episode, I share my recommendations for designing a better communications policy for creating more effective, efficient comm…

1
Sue Bunnell 28:58

4M ago28:58

28:58

Today we welcome Sue Bunnell, Assistant General Counsel & Executive Director at Wells Fargo, and a career catalyst. Sue has been with Wells Fargo for over two decades, serving many different functions. In her current role, she partners with senior business, risk, and compliance leaders. She also oversees the Catalyst Program, which helps high-poten…

1
012. Principles for Legal Design with Alexandra Devendra 33:45

4M ago33:45

33:45

One of the hardest things to recognize in a law practice is how the default way in which lawyers approach and deliver their work creates barriers to access for everyday people trying to reach that lawyer’s services. So, how do you identify it and what can you do about it? This week, Alexandra Devendra, founder of design-focused B Corp law firm Alig…

1
Lisa Colpoys and Mark Chandler 34:40

4M ago34:40

34:40

Today’s guests, Lisa Colpoys and Mark Chandler, help lead the Filing Fairness Project at the Deborah L. Rhode Center on the Legal Profession at Stanford Law School. This project is an ambitious, multijurisdictional effort to modernize court filing systems, widen access to courts, and improve the administration of justice by leveraging readily avail…

1
011. The Definition of Done 23:29

5M ago23:29

23:29

How do you know that you’ve done enough to meet the standards you’ve set for your law practice? Today, I have two specific tools that work beautifully together and amount to a specific type of quality standard policy that you can implement within your law practice. Tune in this week as I share two important parts of the Agile Framework - Definition…

1
Stephen Embry 33:50

5M ago33:50

33:50

Our guest today is Stephen Embry, a legal tech guru and longtime lawyer. Among Stephen’s many endeavors is TechLaw Crossroads, a blog devoted to the practical impact of technology and innovation on law practice. He writes frequently on the clash of cultures between tech and innovation on the one hand, and the traditional, precedent-grounded legal p…

1
010. Make Policies Explicit 21:59

5M ago21:59

21:59

If you don’t have explicit policies, it becomes incredibly difficult to develop any consistency around how and when you deliver your work. Tune in this week to discover the importance of establishing simple but clear policies in your law practice. Those policies are going to be the key to improving the quality and consistency of your work product a…

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