Podcasts about chicago daily law bulletin

In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with returning guest Steve Fretzin—legal business development coach, author, and host of Be That Lawyer—about the core lessons shared in his new book, Be That Lawyer. Steve explains why the book begins with mindfulness and time mastery, stressing that business development success starts with managing stress, mindset, and structure. Drawing from years of coaching lawyers, Steve outlines how burnout, disorganization, and lack of clarity are major barriers to rainmaking—and offers practical systems for time tracking, delegation, and habit-building to counter them. The conversation also explores how introverts can succeed in business development through preparation and repeatable routines, and how podcasting serves as a powerful tool for networking, content creation, and credibility. Steve shares insights on how lawyers can amplify their brand by repurposing podcast appearances and building long-term visibility. This episode is filled with real-world tactics for becoming a focused, productive, and well-positioned rainmaker. Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/p-d0GTEEy-s ---------------------------------------- This show is sponsored by Leopard Solutions Legal Intelligence Suite of products, Firmscape, and Leopard BI. Push ahead of the pack with the power of Leopard. For a free demo, visit this link: https://www.leopardsolutions.com/index.php/request-a-demo/ ---------------------------------------- Steve Fretzin coaches and trains lawyers the most modern-day business development skills, providing precise tips, fresh ideas and actionable tasks. The host of the BE THAT LAWYER podcast, Steve has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain's and Entrepreneur.com and has appeared on NBC News and WGN Radio. He has written three books on legal business development, is a regular contributor to the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and has published articles in Attorney at Law magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefretzin/ https://fretzin.com/ https://fretzin.com/podcast/ https://fretzin.com/101-top-rainmakers-secrets-to-growing-a-successful-law-practice/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The death of the Chicago Bears' longtime matriarch Virginia McCaskey leaves behind questions about the future of the franchise. Crain's contributor Dan McGrath discusses with host Amy Guth.Plus: Trump DOJ accuses Pritzker, Johnson and other local Dems of defying immigration crackdown; Illinois revs up more EV incentives amid uncertain fate of federal rebates; judge declines to extend "swipe fee" injunction to credit card companies; and the publisher of the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin puts its longtime River North home up for sale.

President Donald Trump's executive orders have sparked a flurry of legal challenges that tee-up constitutional questions about the breadth of executive power the US Supreme Court may be forced to settle. Daniel Cotter, a partner at Dickinson Wright who writes a column on the Supreme Court for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, joins Cases and Controversies to talk about which disputes could get Supreme Court review. Hosts Greg Stohr and Lydia Wheeler also chat about new cases the justices tacked on to the term, including one over a taxpayer-funded religious charter school in Oklahoma, and discuss why those challenges may not actually increase the court's workload. Hosts: Greg Stohr and Lydia Wheeler Guest: Daniel Cotter, of Dickinson Wright PLLC Produce: Mo Barrow Do you have feedback on this episode of Cases and Controversies? Give us a call and leave a voicemail at 703-341-3690

Acting as a kind of “business development therapist,” Steve Fretzin coaches and trains lawyers the most modern-day business development skills, providing precise tips, fresh ideas and actionable tasks that drive tangible results. The host of the BE THAT LAWYER podcast, Steve has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain's and Entrepreneur.com and has appeared on NBC News and WGN Radio. He has written three books on legal business development, is a regular contributor to the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and has published articles in Attorney at Law magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association. ---------------------------------------- This show is sponsored by Leopard Solutions Legal Intelligence Suite of products, Firmscape, and Leopard BI. Push ahead of the pack with the power of Leopard. For a free demo, visit this link: https://www.leopardsolutions.com/index.php/request-a-demo/ www.theplacementclub.com Links: https://www.fretzin.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefretzin/ https://www.fretzin.com/lawyer-coaching-and-training/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 62 of the "Everything Except The Law" podcast has arrived! This time we're speaking with Steve Fretzin, the President of FRETZIN, INC. This conversation was recorded live at Answering Legal's 2024 Law Firm Summer Reboot Camp.In this episode, Steve and host Nick Werker discuss the importance of being able to develop your own clients, how to create new business opportunities from past client relationships, tips for making the most of your networking time and much more!About our guest: Acting as a kind of “business development therapist,” Steve Fretzin coaches and trains lawyers the most modern-day business development skills, providing precise tips, fresh ideas and actionable tasks that drive tangible results.The host of the BE THAT LAWYER podcast, Steve has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain's and Entrepreneur.com and has appeared on NBC News and WGN Radio. He has written three books on legal business development, is a regular contributor to the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and has published articles in Attorney at Law magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association.Learn more about FRETZIN, Inc. here: https://www.fretzin.com/Check out Steve's book "Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science" here: https://ow.ly/fLjB50PpkQ9Subscribe to the Answering Legal Channel so you never miss an episode of Everything Except the Law! Check out audio versions of the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Anchor. Learn more about the show here: http://ow.ly/Eni250LekLgInterested in learning more about Answering Legal? Book an appointment to speak with us here: http://ow.ly/LSUq30sjviNYou can also give us a call at 631-400-8000 or go to www.answeringlegal.comThis podcast is produced and edited by Joe Galotti. You can reach Joe via email at joe@answeringlegal.com.

Karen Conti shares her impressive legal career spanning over 35 years, including her appearances on major media outlets and her upcoming book about representing serial killer John Wayne Gacy in his death row appeals. Highlighting the importance of preparation, curiosity, and seizing opportunities, Jennifer and Karen discuss insights into the challenges and rewards of Conti's career, her approach to legal analysis in media, and the impact of her high-profile case on her professional trajectory. The discussion also delves into Conti's advocacy against the death penalty, her efforts to humanize her clients while acknowledging victims' sufferings, and her effective communication strategies.   Episode Highlights: 06:57 The Unique Experience of Representing a Serial Killer 12:59 The Impact of High-Profile Cases on a Lawyer's Career 21:43 The Power of Being Relatable and Down to Earth 22:21 The Importance of Simplicity in Communication 23:30 Balancing a Successful Career and Community Involvement 24:36 The Art of Time Management and Productivity 36:55 Advice for Early Career Professionals   Karen Conti is a media personality and prominent litigation attorney who has 35+ years of experience, trying hundreds of cases and handling numerous high-profile and noteworthy cases across the country including a U.S. Supreme Court appeal in a ballot access case, as well as securing a large settlement in a wrongful arrest and injury suits and injury suit against the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers. Additionally, she represented serial-killer John Wayne Gacy during his death row appeals. As a ubiquitous media personality, Conti hosted a radio show for nearly 30 years on major Chicago stations and has been the designated legal analyst for WFLD TV in Chicago for over 25 years. She's also appeared as a legal analyst on MSNBC, Fox News, News Nation and CNN and been featured on Tru TV, Under Scrutiny, TODAY, American Justice, Good Morning America and more. She's also been a contributor to The Chicago Sun-Times and a columnist for The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. Conti is also the author of the book, Killing Time with John Wayne Gacy.   Connect with Karen: Karen's website: Home | Karen Conti | Killing Time with John Wayne Gacy WGN Radio: Karen Conti | WGN Radio 720 - Chicago's Very Own LinkedIn: LinkedIn Facebook: Facebook Instagram: Instagram Get Karen's book Killing Time with John Wayne Gacy: Defending America's Most Evil Serial Killer on Death Row: https://amzn.to/3T4EdI3     Don't just listen to the podcast, it's time to take action and dominate your game!  

In this episode, Wayne Pollock, the founder of the Law Firm Editorial Service, interviews Steve Fretzin, the premier coach, skills trainer, and keynote speaker on business development for attorneys.Over the past 18 years, Steve  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.In their discussion about how Steve is able to be such a prolific content creator, Steve and Wayne talk about, among other things:- The relationship between marketing and business development;- The process Steve followed for writing his four books, including his first book, a parable;- The decision whether to self-publish a book versus enlist a publisher;- What your content should do instead of giving the 20,000-foot view of a topic;- Why podcasting is especially effective for lawyers and other professional services providers;- What being a prolific content creator has meant to Steve's business;- The process for determining which marketing and business development tactics a lawyer should pursue; and - Trends Steve's seeing in marketing and business development for lawyers.Watch the episode on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e9upn4Tx9UAbout Steve FretzinSteve's online bio: https://www.fretzin.com/aboutSteve's Be That Lawyer podcast: https://www.fretzin.com/podcastSteve's books: https://www.fretzin.com/resources/booksSteve's Chicago Daily Law Bulletin columns: https://www.chicagolawbulletin.com/search?searchtext=fretzinSteve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefretzinAbout Wayne Pollock/the Law Firm Editorial ServiceLearn more about Wayne Pollock, the host of Legally Contented: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waynepollockLearn more about the Law Firm Editorial Service: http://www.lawfirmeditorialservice.comDo you have any idea how much money your firm is losing when its lawyers write thought leadership marketing and business development content themselves? Learn how much with the Law Firm Editorial Service's Thought Leadership Cost Calculator:  https://www.lawfirmeditorialservice.com/thought-leadership-cost-calculatorCheck out blog posts and videos designed to help you and your colleagues improve their content marketing and thought-leadership marketing efforts: https://www.lawfirmeditorialservice.com/bloghttps://www.lawfirmeditorialservice.com/videosDo you know a lawyer, law firm, or company serving the legal industry doing big things with their content marketing and/or thought leadership marketing that we should feature? Please email us at hello@legallycontented.com

Tracy Elliott (President & CEO, The Anti-Cruelty Society; @AntiCruelty) Craig Botagowski (Mark Drugs Pharmacy) Drew Godinich (Deputy executive director, Democratic Association of Secretaries of State; @DrewGodinich) Rebecca Ford (Movie critic, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin; @CDLB)

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.

Episode 50 of the "Everything Except The Law" podcast has arrived! This time we're speaking with Annette Choti, the Owner of Law Quill, and Steve Fretzin, the President of FRETZIN, Inc. This episode was recorded in front of a live virtual audience at Answering Legal's Law Firm Summer Reboot Camp.  In this episode, Annette, Steve and podcast host Nick Werker discuss what lawyers tend to get wrong when it comes to business development, the best place for attorneys to begin with their digital marketing efforts and much more!About our guests:Annette Choti is an attorney of 20 years, and the President & Owner of Law Quill, a legal digital marketing agency focused on law firms. Law Quill is a full-service digital marketing for attorneys, and provides websites, SEO-optimized content, SEO audits, social media marketing, branding, and pay per click advertising. Annette hosts the podcast Legal Marketing Lounge. Annette used to do theatre and professional comedy, which is not so different from the legal field if we are all being honest. Annette can be found on LinkedIn or at annette@lawquill.comLearn more about Law Quill here: https://lawquill.com/Learn more about Annette's book "Click Magnet" here: https://ow.ly/XEpJ50PpkWKSteve Fretzin coaches and trains lawyers the most modern-day business development skills, providing precise tips, fresh ideas and actionable tasks that drive tangible results.The host of the BE THAT LAWYER podcast, Steve has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain's and Entrepreneur.com and has appeared on NBC News and WGN Radio. He has written three books on legal business development, is a regular contributor to the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and has published articles in Attorney at Law magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association.Learn more about FRETZIN, Inc. here: https://www.fretzin.com/Learn more about Steve's book "Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science" here: https://ow.ly/fLjB50PpkQ9Interested in learning more about Answering Legal? Book an appointment to speak with us here: http://ow.ly/LSUq30sjviN

The divorce experience isn't a cookie-cutter one for everyone. Sure, the process might look the same, but economics, culture, and race can impact how different people experience divorce. Kimberly Cook's Grown Girl Divorce platform seeks to educate and empower Black women through divorce, as their divorce experience can be very specific and different from that of white women. I am pleased to welcome Kimberly as a guest on the podcast this week! During our conversation, Kimberly helps highlight Black women's experiences and challenges during divorce. Kimberly A. Cook, Esq. is a divorce attorney, mediator, and founder of Grown Girl Divorce, LLC, a divorce resource company. She is known for successfully negotiating complex financial and custody matters while helping her clients navigate their next steps forward. Featured topics include: Why and when Kimberly created Grown Girl Divorce (4:47) Kimberly helps unpack divorce rate (41%) and marriage rate (17%) stats for Black women (13:20) How come staying in a marriage “for your children” isn't good for them (22:03) There is strength in community, and being a part of a community reminds you that you are not alone in both challenging and great times (41:49) The ploy of creating a “unified front” in co-parenting and divorce (46:11) Learn more about Kimberly A. Cook, Esq.: Kimberly A. Cook, Esq. is a divorce attorney, Mediator, and founder of Grown Girl Divorce, LLC, a divorce resource company. She is known for successfully negotiating complex financial and custody matters while helping her clients navigate their next steps forward.  Kimberly's expertise and her unique ability to disseminate complex information in a relatable way has made her a sought-after divorce coach, speaker, and podcaster. She truly believes that everyone deserves to be in healthy and happy relationships and is on a mission to educate and empower others to make that happen.   Kimberly earned her B.A. from Spelman College and her law degree from The Catholic University of America. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, the country's premier organization for family law practitioners, and an active member of American Bar Association, Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and the Economic Club of Chicago. Kimberly also serves on several boards including, The Lilac Tree, the DePaul Schiller DuCanto & Fleck Family Law Center, and Old St. Mary's Catholic School.   She has been featured in various publications including, The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Chicago Lawyer Magazine, Crain's Chicago, Black Enterprise, Thrive Global, and Business Insider. In recognition of her hard work and dedication to the practice, Kimberly is the recipient of several notable awards including Crain's Chicago Notable Minorities in Law,    Super Lawyers, and Best Lawyers In America. Resources & Links: Information and links may also be found at: https://kateanthony.com/podcast/episode-225-grown-girl-divorce-empowering-black-women-through-divorce-with-kimberly-a-cook-esq Download The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast Curated Podcast Playlist Kimberly's websiteKimberly on InstagramGrown Girl Divorce Podcast TODAY'S EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: SOBERLINK Proof. Protection. Peace of Mind. The Soberlink remote alcohol monitoring system comprises a portable breathalyzer with wireless technology for real-time results. With proven use as the leading choice in child custody cases since 2011, we are the only system that combines: Court admissibility in all 50 states Facial recognition Tamper detection Easy-to-read Advanced Reporting™ Trust the Experts in Remote Alcohol Monitoring Technology™ to support the best interests of the child in your Family Law cases. DISCLAIMER:  THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVICE.  YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY, COACH, OR THERAPIST IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM.

Thinking about getting married? You may be wondering if you should get a prenuptial agreement. In this episode, Kimberly Cook, a divorce professional, explains why prenups are for everyone—not just the rich and famous! Prenups can provide transparency and protection to both parties in case of divorce and even those with fewer assets may benefit from one. Learn more about how prenuptial agreements work, when it's ideal to discuss one, why post-nuptial agreements exist and what to do if your state doesn't uphold them. Tune in now for all the information you need to know about why you should get a prenup! About Our Guest Kimberly A. Cook, Esq. is a divorce attorney, Mediator, and founder of Grown Girl Divorce, LLC, a divorce resource company. She is known for successfully negotiating complex financial and custody matters while helping her clients navigate their next steps forward. Kimberly's expertise and her unique ability to disseminate complex information in a relatable way has made her a sought-after divorce coach, speaker, and podcaster. She truly believes that everyone deserves to be in healthy and happy relationships and is on a mission to educate and empower others to make that happen. Kimberly earned her B.A. from Spelman College and her law degree from The Catholic University of America. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, the country's premier organization for family law practitioners, and an active member of American Bar Association, Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and the Economic Club of Chicago. She has been featured in various publications, including, The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Chicago Lawyer Magazine, Crain's Chicago, Black Enterprise, Thrive Global, and Business Insider. In recognition of her hard work and dedication to the practice, Kimberly is the recipient of several notable awards, including Crain's Chicago Notable Minorities in Law, Super Lawyers, and Best Lawyers In America. Connect with Kimberly Instagram: growngirldivorce Facebook: Grown Girl Divorce Twitter: ggdivorce LinkedIn: Grown Girl Divorce Additional Resources The Divorce Money Guide with Tracy Coenen Money After Divorce With Krista Goodrich and Grace Everitt  

In today's episode I am excited to speak with Dan Cotter. Dan is currently an attorney at Howard & Howard in Chicago where he represents businesses at many different stages in corporate and transactional matters. He has a particular emphasis on privacy and cybersecurity law. But over the course of his 25-plus years as a lawyer, Dan has had a varied and in his words "eclectic" practice having practiced in different areas and different settings including but not limited to litigation, in-house counsel, outside general counsel, and working on behalf of both for profit and non-profit entities. More than that, Dan has been active in the legal community including doing pro bono work and serving as a past president of the Chicago Bar (and a current Mediator for that group). He also hosts a podcast called Podium and Panel and he is a prolific writer, writing a regular column called Cotter's Corner for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and a book titled the Chief Justices: The Seventeen Men of the Center Seat, Their Courts, and Their Times. Dan is a graduate of the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law (Go Dragons) where he was a night student but still was an editor on the law review graduated number 1 in his class and Monmouth College where he played football and was a radio DJ among other accolades (Go Fighting Scots). He's a longtime supporter of How I Lawyer and I am excited to get the chance to share his story.

Driven, focused, and passionate about helping ambitious Attorneys to reach their full potential, Steve Fretzin is regarded as the premier coach, skills trainer, and thought leader in business development. Over the past 17 years, Steve Fretzin has devoted his career to helping lawyers learn what they never learned in law school; business development and marketing. The goal is for Steve's clients is to live the best possible life with balance, control, and happiness. 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 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 show is sponsored by Leopard Solutions Legal Intelligence Suite of products, Firmscape, and Leopard BI. Push ahead of the pack with the power of Leopard. For a free demo, visit this link: https://www.leopardsolutions.com/index.php/request-a-demo/ Links: https://www.fretzin.com/podcast https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefretzin/ https://www.instagram.com/fretzinsteve/ https://www.facebook.com/salesresults https://www.youtube.com/@SalesResultsInc/

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 17 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 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. You can connect with Steve on LinkedIn or Facebook. In addition to listening to the episode, you can watch a video of their discussion on our YouTube Channel.  And be sure to subscribe to support the podcast! For general information about the podcast, send an email to info@beinhakerlaw.com To follow Mitch and the podcast, go to linktr.ee/beinhakerlaw. You can subscribe and listen to episodes on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify and most other directories. Please review us whenever possible and thanks for your continued support! Sponsorships and paid guest appearances are available. Connect with us by email or on social media. The Accidental Entrepreneur is brought to you by Beinhaker Law, a boutique business & estates legal practice in Clark, NJ. To learn about shared outside general counsel services and how to better protect your business, visit https://beinhakerlaw.com/fractional-gen-counsel/ Opening music written and performed by Howie Moscovitch and Made to Order Music. For more information about Howie and his music services, visit https://howiemoscovitch.com/made-to-order-music/ Please support our affiliate sponsors (https://beinhakerlaw.com/podcast-affiliates/). Also, support the show and get your own podcast merch! (https://beinhakerlaw.com/podcast-store/) One of One Productions - a New Jersey-based studio, just over the George Washington bridge, that caters to the booming business of podcasting. Be sure to check out the guesting kit that they've created exclusively for our listeners! https://one-of-one-productions.myshopify.com/products/mitchell-beinhakers-guesting-kit North Authentic - NorthAuthentic.com is a conscious hair care marketplace offering the cleanest brands from around the world. Their pro stylists curate only the most fabulous non-toxic hair products. Use our affiliate link for all your purchases! https://shrsl.com/38heu The Healthy Place - Findyourhealthyplace.com has thousands of supplements to help you live a better quality of life; as well as natural solutions for chronic pain, stress, anxiety, depression, sleep and much, much more. Need guidance? Use their Live Chat feature and talk to a Wellness Consultant right on their website. The Accidental Entrepreneur is a trademark of Mitchell C. Beinhaker. Copyright 2018-2022. All rights reserved.

Is balance realistic for lawyers? How can lawyers create space in their lives for work, family, vacations, and living fully, with clients and scaling their practice? Joining me for this conversation is Steve Fretzin. 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 17 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. Steve gives listeners actionable tips on: [1:55] Business development vs. marketing [4:40] Why sales can feel so icky  [7:40] How to find balance between all of the moving pieces of being a lawyer and running a firm [12:40] How to re-plan and re-evaluate as business changes [16:40] Putting systems and programs in place to create more balance [22:55] The power of delegating  Resources mentioned in this episode:Getting Things Done by David AllenConnect with Steve here: Twitter LinkedIn Facebook www.fretzin.com  Connect with me Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter Karin on Twitter Karin on LinkedIn Conroy Creative Counsel on Facebook https://conroycreativecounsel.com 

Is balance realistic for lawyers?   How can lawyers create space in their lives for work, family, vacations, and living fully, with clients and scaling their practice?   Joining me for this conversation is Steve Fretzin.   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 17 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.   Steve gives listeners actionable tips on: [1:55] Business development vs. marketing [4:40] Why sales can feel so icky  [7:40] How to find balance between all of the moving pieces of being a lawyer and running a firm [12:40] How to re-plan and re-evaluate as business changes [16:40] Putting systems and programs in place to create more balance [22:55] The power of delegating  Resources mentioned in this episode: Getting Things Done by David Allen Connect with Steve here: Twitter LinkedIn Facebook www.fretzin.com   Connect with me Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter Karin on Twitter Karin on LinkedIn Conroy Creative Counsel on Facebook https://conroycreativecounsel.com 

Is balance realistic for lawyers?   How can lawyers create space in their lives for work, family, vacations, and living fully, with clients and scaling their practice?   Joining me for this conversation is Steve Fretzin.   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 17 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.   Steve gives listeners actionable tips on: [1:55] Business development vs. marketing [4:40] Why sales can feel so icky  [7:40] How to find balance between all of the moving pieces of being a lawyer and running a firm [12:40] How to re-plan and re-evaluate as business changes [16:40] Putting systems and programs in place to create more balance [22:55] The power of delegating  Resources mentioned in this episode: Getting Things Done by David Allen Connect with Steve here: Twitter LinkedIn Facebook www.fretzin.com  Connect with me Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter Karin on Twitter Karin on LinkedIn Conroy Creative Counsel on Facebook https://conroycreativecounsel.com 

Kevin Daisey talks to James Coogan, the Managing Partner at Dwyer & Coogan, PC in Illinois. Jim was recognized by his peers as an Emerging Lawyer for 2020 and again in 2021. He was also honored by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, included in the 2020 group of 40 Lawyers under Forty to Watch. He is a regular contributor as Legal Analyst The Ben Joravsky Show, presented by The Chicago Reader. He also has previously lent his legal expertise to radio listeners of Chicago's WCPT 820 AM. Learn from his expertise and what trends are helping grow his firm on this episode of The Managing Partners Podcast! —- Array Digital provides bold marketing that helps managing partners grow their law firms. arraylaw.com Follow us on Instagram: @array.digital Follow us on Twitter: @thisisarray Call us for a FREE digital marketing review: 757-333-3021 SUBSCRIBE to The Managing Partners Podcast for conversations with the nation's top attorneys.

Steve Fretzin, four time author, podcaster, and legal development coach, joins The Free Lawyer to talk about: -How to be a confident, authentic and skilled rainmaker -Building your own book of portable clients -The importance of effective consulting relationships with your clients - How to do what you love to do for others -Creating your own personal and financial freedom This is a can't miss episode! Driven, focused and passionate about helping attorneys to reach their full potential, Steve is regarded as the premier coach, skills trainer and keynote speaker on business development for attorneys. Over the past 17 years, Steve 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 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. Are any of you suffering from burnout and a difficulty in setting boundaries? If so, obtain my free tips on how to set boundaries and avoid burnout here: https://www.garymiles.net/burnout

lovethylawyer.comA transcript of this podcast is available at lovethylawyer.com.Go to https://www.lovethylawyer.com/blog for transcripts.Steve Fretzinhttps://fretzin.com/about/Acting as a kind of “business development therapist,” Steve Fretzin coaches and trains lawyers the most modern-day business development skills, providing precise tips, fresh ideas and actionable tasks that drive tangible results.The host of the BE THAT LAWYER podcast, Steve has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain's and Entrepreneur.com and has appeared on NBC News and WGN Radio. He has written three books on legal business development, is a regular contributor to the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and has published articles in Attorney at Law magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association.Steve's Books:https://www.amazon.com/Legal-Business-Development-Rocket-Science-ebook/dp/B09PZHBY6T/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1K79N3XYGSEAC&keywords=steve+fretzin&qid=1650481389&s=books&sprefix=steve+fret%2Cstripbooks%2C128&sr=1-3  Louis Goodman www.louisgoodman.com louisgoodman2010@gmail.com 510.582.9090 Musical theme by Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui Technical support: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, OaklandAudiograms & Transcripts: Paul Roberts    We'd love to hear from you.  Send me an email at louis@lovethylawyer.com. Please subscribe and listen. Then tell us who you want to hear and what areas of interest you'd like us to cover.  Please rate us and review us on Apple Podcasts.    

 The major problem with delegation is that you have to develop a rhythm for how you delegate, the same way that you develop a rhythm for how you pay your bills or a rhythm for how you hire your staff or how you market your law firm. If you just kind of pinch-hit and do it here and there, you get pinch-hit results.   In this episode we discuss:   Develop a rhythm for how you delegate. Practice intentionality around delegating so you can trust your team members. Explain to your team the why behind your system in your law firm. Empower others to be a force for your delegation benefit. SEE THE FULL TRANSCRIPT BELOW Allison Williams: [00:00:05] Hi, everybody. It's Allison Williams here, your host of The Crushing Chaos with Law Firm Mentor podcast. Law Firm Mentor is a business coaching service for solo and small law firm attorneys. We help you to grow your revenues, crush chaos in business and make more money.   Allison Williams: [00:00:26] Welcome, my dear Steve Fretzin to the Crushing Chaos with Law Firm Mentor podcast.   Steven Fretzin: [00:00:31] Hey, Alison, how are you doing?   Allison Williams: [00:00:32] Hey, I'm doing well. You know, I'm excited to have you on. We've had you on before. Every once in a while, you get a really great guest. We have a great conversation and a lot of value to the audience. So you're definitely one of those people I wanted to have come back, but even after I made the decision I was going to invite you back, I saw that once again. You're at it in this, in this author biz that you're in. And I wanted to talk to you specifically about your book, because I know that it is starting to get a lot of buzz in the legal industry.   Steven Fretzin: [00:01:03] Yeah, it was a, it was a blast to do. And I got a really big kick-off even without doing like a book launch party, which I would normally do. Non-covid I got a really big international bestseller status in four countries and I was just so excited about it. And it's six years of work into this book, so really thrilled about it and I appreciate you having me back.   Allison Williams: [00:01:24] Yeah. So congratulations on the international bestseller status. For those that are watching us on YouTube, you can actually see the title of the book over Steve's right, right Shoulder. But for those of you that are listening on the podcast platforms, the name of the book is Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science 250 plus easy and actionable ways to grow your book of business in less time and with greater results. So I know that was a, that was a mouthful, but it tells you everything you need to know about why this is going to be such a great resource for those of you that really want to expand your legal career and generate more business. So let's talk about the book and let's start first by giving some people that have not been introduced to you before or have not heard you on this podcast before. Learn a little bit about you. Right? The fact that you are not a lawyer, but you play one on TV, I think is remarkable because you blend right in with us. But tell us about you, Steve.   Steven Fretzin: [00:02:20] Yeah, so I'm someone who got pulled into the legal industry in 2008, never realizing or even considering that lawyers needed help with business development. My father is a retired attorney now, but he always, as a solo, had plenty of business, plenty of work, he made plenty of money. There was all, he was the total package, not having to network, not having to do. It just was natural that relationships would happen for him. So he didn't really have to think about it. He never wrote a plan. He never considered time management or any delegation skills or anything that we're teaching lawyers on a daily basis just wasn't a part of his makeup in the seventies, eighties, and nineties. And so I got pulled into this in 2008, working with an individual attorney in the real estate space. And what he loved about working with me is that I actually Teach Sales Free Selling, which is one, which is the name of my first book. I love to work with lawyers to teach them, you don't have to pitch, you don't have to convince, you don't have to sell. It's all about relationships. It's all about being consultative and understanding and walking people through a buying decision to see essentially if it's a fit.   Steven Fretzin: [00:03:26] So one lawyer turned into two, two and a three, then a firm, then another, and it just took off. And within about a year and a half to two years, Allison, I looked at my numbers. I was like, Wait a second. I think 80% of my total business this year are attorneys. And I didn't even oh my God. So I had been teaching lawyers about specialization and all that. I said, you know, maybe I need to practice what I preach a little. So I pushed my chips in, changed my name from a very salesy name. Sales Results Inc Which lawyers go you to Frets and Inc, which they were like, okay, that's just his name. We're used to that, right? So that's how I got going in. Even recently, I've adapted even more where I've, I've stopped working with law firms a couple of years ago. I only work with highly motivated and ambitious individual attorneys at all levels and all practice areas. And I also run peer advisory groups to help them win their successful to maintain and continue to develop even after they've become a great, be that lawyer type of lawyer.   Allison Williams: [00:04:25] Yeah. Well, since you mentioned be that lawyer, for those of you that don't know, Steve has an amazing podcast affectionately known as Be That Lawyer. And so a lot of your work actually does stem from some of the major concepts that I always learn about as a, as an avid follower of your podcast. So talk to us a little bit about the podcast and then we're going to shift back into the book. So I really want to get some of those, those meaty topics covered in your book talked about today.   Steven Fretzin: [00:04:52] Yeah. So the show, you know, jeez, you know, it's one of those situations I think you can you can understand where I'm coming from or I wish I had started at five years ago, not two years ago, but we're coming up on 200 episodes at the end of this month. And I'm doing two a week right now. And the reason is, is I keep meeting so many amazing people like you, Allison, and others that have so much to share and so much to give to the legal community that it allows me to get to three or four takeaways from every single show because I'm drilling down similar to you to get to the, the nuts and bolts tactical stuff. How does, how does this actually work? So it could be anything from time management to health and wellness to marketing, branding, and of course, business development, networking, and developing that book, that almighty book of business, which we all know is so important. So that's the podcast and I just love doing it similar to like you and I just we enjoy it. We enjoy meeting people, we enjoy interviewing people, and having these fun conversations. And sure enough, if we can get sort of like to the middle of that onion from peeling away some layers, it ends up being a really interesting show with lots, again, takeaways for the audience.   Allison Williams: [00:06:01] Yeah, yeah. So and you are such a great interviewer, Steve. I had the pleasure of not just being on your podcast, but also you did a celebration for Women's History Month and you brought together an amazing panel. And we talked about a lot of different topics relative to business development in the law. And I just I wanted to make a special nod to you for that program because I don't think a lot of people really refine the art of being a good interviewer, and I think that you really excel at that exceptionally.   Steven Fretzin: [00:06:29] I appreciate that. And it's funny because if I'm going to do a 200 episode special and if you go back and listen and I've done this a couple of times to like the first ten or 20 episodes, they're very different than the last 20 or even the last 100 because as you know, it's, it's one of these skills that you have to keep refining. You have to keep considering how am I getting more out of the guest? How am I getting so I might ask someone to explain something to me and then I'll say, Hey, do you have a specific example of how you did that? And then they talk about how they worked with the client to get a result. Well, that's going to resonate with people more than just an explanation of something. So that's the kind of stuff that Howard Stern and Oprah and some of the best interviewers on the planet do. And I, and I'm just trying to emulate what I'm, what I what I'm hearing from others, and what I'm what I know will resonate with my audience.   Allison Williams: [00:07:21] Yeah, well, we definitely want people to check that out because we have I have had the pleasure recently of some of my clients saying, oh, yeah, you know, you have gotten better at this. And I say, God, well, how bad was I? And said, Well, it wasn't that it was bad, but it has gotten better. And so I love getting that feedback and I know that it's something that it's kind of the universal experience of people that do what they love and love what they do and really lean into it. So let's now shift back to the book because, you know, when when you think about the idea of a legal business development book, I am sure lawyers have thoughts about what that means, what that could be. But why don't you kind of in a nutshell encapsulate for us, what does the book offer to someone who wants to learn about legal business development and why is it a resource that you recommend that people check out.   Steven Fretzin: [00:08:09] I would say in the most important part of the book is that you can read it cover to cover, but it's not a book you have to read cover to cover if you're in a solo practice and it's really important for you to get out in network, well then there's some chapters on networking and you can just read those chapters as a starting point to kind of start get your skills together, your mind together, your plan together as it relates to networking, best practices. And what I do when I write, and I write articles for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, I write for impact lawyers out of, out of the UK and stuff like that is I try to write in a very simple tactical, here's what you do, here's what you say. And it's not that I have all the answers, but it's evolved over time where I'm, I'm getting feedback from clients, what's working, what's not, what I do, what that's working, and what's not. So that when I put together an article or a book or a chapter, it's going to, it's going to be something that people don't just, Oh, that was a great idea but I don't know how to execute on that. No, no. Here's what you do and here's what you say. And just do what I'm saying and tweak it for your own personality, tweak it for your own practice area, whatever you want to do. But I try to write in that, in that type of here's three bullet points that you can follow, and here's the actual quote of what you would ask or say so that it's going to hit home for the people that read it.   Allison Williams: [00:09:30] And so when you say 250 plus examples, I mean that, that is a lot. So you're calling this information where, where are these examples or these strategies coming from?   Steven Fretzin: [00:09:42] So what I try to do, and this is in every chapter, but most chapters I try to pull from an experience in my life. So this one isn't in the book, but I'll give it is because it's such an easy one for me to pick on. I'm dealing with a teenager at home. All right? And I was a teenager and I was difficult. And guess what? I'm getting it back. It's coming back to me now. So my teenagers up here, moody and Dad, come on, I want to talk about it. And then he's down here where he's like, Hey, you want to hang out and want to do this? And then the other. I don't necessarily always know what teenager I'm going to get from day to day, from hour to hour. So I'm like, Where's the support group for this? So I decided, you know what? I had like an experience with him recently where I was like, You know what? I'm just at the end of my wits. Here I am. Teaching lawyers, building $1000 plus an hour how to build a successful law practice.   Steven Fretzin: [00:10:30] They're listening to every word I have to say. They're at the edge of their seats, but my teenager thinks I'm a moron. My teenager thinks that everything I say is just the dumbest thing, one after the other. So it's like, All right, there's an article here and there are some takeaways here from this so that I think the article is like, are lawyers really just moody teenagers? And then, of course they're not, but I make a goof about it, and then I give like, here are some things that we need to consider as it relates to how to how to do legal business development and keep a straight mind about it. So then I'll break it down and give some bullet points on that, on that topic. So it could be fishing, it could be a sport I'm playing, being competitive. It could be swinging a golf club. It could you know, there's all different ways to create content. And I just try to use my own life experience as a way to make it a little more interesting for the reader.   Allison Williams: [00:11:19] Well, and I think that that's just really the key point there, right? Because as soon as you say teenager, you know, you heard me sigh childfree by choice and revolves around the idea that teenagers are not something I ever experience intentionally. But as, as somebody who is a father, and a business person, and somebody who works with lawyers, you know, you have a lot of, of your unique personality that comes through in what you read and what you write and what you say. And I think that bringing that to the legal marketplace, it's just going to make for an entertaining read. And if not just the immense value that, of course, I know you bring from your years of experience doing this.   Steven Fretzin: [00:11:58] Yeah, I mean, think about business development for lawyers. So they're not taught in law school. They're generally not taught at the law firm level. And you know this because you're in that you're in the space that it's a learned skill. But then the question is how many attorneys are interested in learning the skill or putting time into this skill? 5% of the population, maybe. So this is a book that if you're going to learn business development and you're interested in business development, you need a place to start or you need a place to kind of like, I'm doing it, but I want to just kind of check how I'm doing and see if there are maybe some additional ways to do things better or more efficiently, etc. Well, that's what I'm doing. I'm not giving ideas that aren't going to move the needle. I mean, I'm working with attorneys, you know, 8 to 10 hours a day, every day, five days a week. So I'm in the weeds with the lawyers. It's just a matter of, of what can, what can we all keep improving? We all need to keep improving. And so why not learn from someone who's been in the, in the in that, you know, in the weeds with attorneys as long as I have. And see if there's nuggets that you can pull out of it that, that you can use that are going to improve your game or make it more fun or interesting to do business development. Not such a drug, such drudgery.   Allison Williams: [00:13:08] Yeah. Well, so I love that you put the phrase put fun together with business development, because I don't think that most people, when they hear that, especially most attorneys, are going to think of fun and business development. But that's really your approach to it. So talk to us about when you say you're kind of been in the weeds with the lawyers, you know, you've been in the struggle with us. What are some of the things that lawyers really struggle with that you help with? And how do you help them to ultimately over overcome those struggles so that they can get to the success that they desire?   Steven Fretzin: [00:13:40] Yeah. So what I do is I sit down with an attorney that I meet through a presentation, through referral, through whatever, and I always do like a 30 to 40 minute evaluation. And it's interesting to go through these evaluations every week, multiple times, and hear the same things over and over again. So I'll give you the top three and then if we can go from there. But number one, poor time management, they're not really they never learn time and so again, learn skill time management to learn skill. I am the perfect example because I'm a feather on the wind. I am the least organized person you would have met 15, 16 years ago. And it took really learning and dedicating time and energy. And now I don't have an open email. At the end of the day, everything's been been handled. There's no paper on my desk. Everything's done through my remarkable two, through Dropbox, through whatever. So organization is something that's number one on the list. Number two is how are they spending their time doing business development? And in most cases, it's not being done in the most efficient way. They're not in the right place with the right people. They're out spinning their wheels, presenting all over. They're networking haphazardly. There's no plan in place of how to go after low-hanging fruit, how to go after where the business is. So I say this to attorneys all the time. You realize there's a table right in front of you with a pile of money on it, and you're walking around it all day and they go, What? I go, Yeah. Like all the business you ever need and will ever need is right in front of you and you're not taking it. They go, Well, why? Well, okay, so you have 250 clients that think you're the greatest thing since sliced bread and you're not asking them for introductions to people they know to get new business. Well, I'm not comfortable with that. Well, there you go. There you go. So where's the gap? Well, the gap. Is the lack of process and lack of language to make it comfortable, to make it easy. So that's where we're in the weeds, that's where we're working every day, and most importantly, getting in front of decision-makers and, and having a process to walk them through a buying decision. So most lawyers call it a pitch meeting. Hey, we're going on a pitch meeting. Right. And I hate it. I hate pitch, I hate convince. I hate sell. I'm very anti-sell. My first book is Sales Free Selling. Why? Because I'm teaching lawyers, you don't have to go out and be a salesman. All right? You can do it through relationships, consultative, questioning. You can do it through empathy, listening, and most importantly, qualifying. They go qualifying. What do you mean? Well, you're presenting and giving solutions to people that aren't qualified and they go, What do you mean? I go, Well, they're not the right decision maker. They're not committed to sign up with you. If, if they, if they, even if they wanted to and they don't have any money to pay you, but yet you're spending a year chasing after this person that's never going to work with you. So how quickly can we figure out that someone's real or not is a huge part of where lawyers spin their wheels and spend their time inefficiently.   Allison Williams: [00:16:32] Yeah. So a lot, a lot there that you just shared with us. And the thing that I think that of all that you just describe that really resonated with me is the idea that it sounds like just having a system and an approach to doing things can take away the stress of the unknown, right? It can give you a certain level of you might not immediately feel comfortable, but it can at least give you the bravery to get out there and do it. Scared, right?   Steven Fretzin: [00:16:57] Yeah. Yeah.   Allison Williams: [00:16:58] And then the other piece of it is having someone like you to actually not just hold them accountable, but to actually guide them through what to say, where to go, how to be, what to, what not to overlook. Because, you know, there are so many things in this that are self-evident when you're looking from the outside in. But, you know, when you are in the center, right, when you're the epicenter of your own life, you oftentimes can't see what you're missing. So we just go right past it without help.   Steven Fretzin: [00:17:24] And it's interesting because I'm not only working with lawyers in every practice area, but I'm working with the most extroverted lampshade on the head at the party fund lawyers. And what are they lacking? Well, they're lacking process and structure, similar to what I was lacking because I was that person. So I need to bring them into process and structure so they can leverage their personality and their energy in a way that's going to be efficient with their time. Now, on the other side of it, I work with some of the most introverted like IP attorneys and people that don't want to go anywhere, do anything. They don't want to be in front of anybody. But they also recognize that the key to freedom and success and control in a career, whether you're at a big firm or a solo, is having more of your own business, selecting your clients and having that. And so they love the fact that I'm giving them the structure, the language, the process to follow because they are scared and terrified of winging it and failing, or they've already tried winging it and failed. And now it's like, well, why bother? Well, so the structure works for everyone that's willing to put the time in to learn it and execute on it, internalize it. It's all there. They just have to have they have to draw a line. I mean, literally, I need people to kind of convince me that they're going to work with me. It's not just about me saying convincing them to work. They need to convince me that they're going to put the time in and they're going to follow the structure to get the results. Because if they're not, then I don't have the time to spend with them or want to spend with them because I'm only as good as my players, right Allison? That's what it comes down to. We need to find the right players. That's how we win.   Allison Williams: [00:18:57] Yeah. And it sounds like no matter what type of lawyer you are, no matter what type of personality you have, whether you are an introvert, extrovert, and I would dare say andover, right, those folks in the middle that kind of go both ways. You know, there's a strategy for you and it really just takes finding someone who has the dedication and the talent to be able to guide you to the right strategy for who you are.   Steven Fretzin: [00:19:16] Yeah. And the best part is and I don't if you find this too, I work with the best, smartest, most enjoyable attorneys that exist. Now, why is that? Well, think about who wants to learn. Think about who wants to achieve. Think about who can get their ego in a place where they can take advice and they can take coaching. Those aren't the crazy people at the law firms that everyone's afraid of. Right. These are people that are humble, and open, and modest, and interested in developing, and that makes them the best people for me. I just every day I get to enjoy my job and enjoy my career helping these attorneys take it to the next level. So it's just like I wake up every morning just excited to go to work.   Allison Williams: [00:19:59] Yeah, well, I think that that is really the difference between someone who chooses a path where you chose lawyers. Right. So it's one thing to be a lawyer and to experience the different shades of our personalities and the different types of lawyers that there are. But for somebody who's on the outside, right, you start to experience what it is to work with lawyers and you start to see the complexity and the wide diversity of people that we are. The same way you find in every other profession and you chose to stick around. So I think, yeah.   Steven Fretzin: [00:20:27] I'm not going anywhere. I'm not going anywhere. So, you know, my my legacy is, look, I'm only a one man band. I'm not going to work with more than maybe 30 lawyers in a year for my main like coaching and training program. However, when I as I go through this industry and as I eventually leave the industry and when I'm 100 years old or whatever it's going to be, I want there to be a legacy. And the legacy is that I'm helping lawyers all over the world figure out something that they were denied in law school and they were denied at the law firm level. And that is a proper education and proper motivation to build the future and the life that they dreamed about when they went to law school. And it isn't always happening. As you know, for most lawyers, they're not always happy. They're in there, in, you know, in the crap dealing with multiple partners, yelling at them, and forcing work on them. They're in a bad culture environment. I mean, the great resignation is obviously helping to kind of weed, weed out the bad firms or weed out the, the egomaniacs that no one wants to work for anymore. Happiness has come to the forefront and I want to be a part of that future.   Allison Williams: [00:21:35] Yeah, well, you're absolutely taking the right steps to let people know who you are, how you are, and what immense value that you add. I mean, I have I've exposed quite a few of our audience, obviously have have heard you on our previous podcast. You were somebody that got a lot of favorable ratings and I got a lot of very good feedback from the show before. And of course, I know that you offer immense, immense value in the books that you read that you write. So, Steve, thank you so much for being on. Thank you for sharing with us about your book, Legal Business Development. I want everyone that's listening to check that out. It's a great resource. And Steve, I would like you to let everyone know if they are interested in learning more about you, not just the array of your library, but also how they could work with you to please let them know where they can find you.   Steven Fretzin: [00:22:21] Yeah. So the easiest way is, is one of two places. One is my website, which is essentially my last name. So Fretzin and F, R, E, T, Z, I, N dot com. And that's going to give you the information on my programs, videos of my clients talking about the programs I run and how they kind of viewed it from before they joined and after they went through it. And then, of course, I'm a big LinkedIn guy, so if you want to connect with me on LinkedIn, just type in Steve Fretzin on LinkedIn and give me a little message saying you heard me on The Crushing Chaos in Allison show and that would be fantastic and happy to connect with lawyers all over the world and I do and again, then then you're able to see all my content real-time.   Allison Williams: [00:22:59] Yeah. All right. Thank you so much, Steve Fretzin. You have always been a friend of the show and a great guest. And once again, we, we delivered on our great promise to offer you to the world. Everyone, all of Steve's information is going to be in the show notes, so please do check that out. You are watching The Crushing Chaos with Law Firm Mentor podcast. I'm Allison Williams. Everyone have a wonderful rest of your day.   Allison Williams: [00:23:28] Thank you for tuning in to the Crushing Chaos with Law Firm Mentor podcast. To learn more about today's show and take advantage of the resources mentioned, check out our show notes. And if you enjoy today's episode, take a moment to follow the podcast wherever you get your podcast and leave us a rating and review. This helps us to reach even more law firm owners from around the country who want to crush chaos in business and make more money. I'm Allison Williams, your Law Firm Mentor everyone. Have a great day. Allison Bio: Allison C. Williams, Esq., is the Founder and Owner of the Williams Law Group, LLC, with offices in Short Hills and Freehold, New Jersey. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, is Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Matrimonial Law Attorney, and is the first attorney in New Jersey to become Board-Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in the field of Family Law. Ms. Williams is an accomplished businesswoman. In 2017, the Williams Law Group won the LawFirm500 award, ranking 14th of the fastest-growing law firms in the nation, as Ms. Williams grew the firm by 581% in three years. Ms. Williams won the Silver Stevie Award for Female Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017. In 2018, Ms. Williams was voted as NJBIZ's Top 50 Women in Business and was designated one of the Top 25 Leading Women Entrepreneurs and Business Owners. In 2019, Ms. Williams won the Seminole 100 Award for founding one of the fastest-growing companies among graduates of Florida State University. In 2018, Ms. Williams created Law Firm Mentor, a business coaching service for lawyers. She helps solo and small law firm attorneys grow their business revenues, crush chaos in business and make more money. Through multi-day intensive business retreats, group and one-to-one coaching, and strategic planning sessions, Ms. Williams advises lawyers on all aspects of creating, sustaining, and scaling a law firm business – and specifically, she teaches them the core foundational principles of marketing, sales, personnel management, communications, and money management in law firms.   Contact Info:     My favorite excerpt from the episode: TIME:

After surviving a near death experience in a small plane crash in 1996, Steve Fretzin vowed to turn each day into an extraordinary experience. Today, he is one of the most respected business leaders and advisers on sales effectiveness for attorneys. Acting as a “business development therapist” Steve coaches and trains lawyers modern-day business development skills, providing precise tips, fresh ideas and actionable tasks that drive tangible results. The host of the BE THAT LAWYER podcast, Steve has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain's Chicago Business and Entrepreneur.com. He has also appeared on NBC News and WGN Radio. He is the author of three books on legal business development, is a regular contributor to the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and has published articles in Attorney at Law magazine, the American Bar Association and Illinois State Bar Association

Make More Money and Have More Fun as a LawyerIf you want to make more money and have more fun as a lawyer, you cannot miss this episode of The Inside BS Show.On today's show Dave Lorenzo and Steve Fretzin share some great ideas for growing a law firm and managing your practice. They also  talk about the value in creating a lifestyle practice.  If you want to get some great ideas and have a few laughs, you need to join us.Chapters00:00 Intro: Make More Money and Have More Fun as a Lawyer01:24 How a Plane Crash Inspired Steve to Do What He Does06:00 How Can a Lawyer Structure a Business to Live Life on His/Her Terms?09:00 The Myth of Working Hard vs. Working to Enable Your Lifestyle11:40 You Don't Get Extra Points for Doing Things the Hard Way13:00 Steve Debunks the Myth that You Can “Just be a Good Lawyer” and the Clients Will Come17:00 The Story of How Someone Bought into the Myth of Having Lots of Employees19:00 The Danger of Winging It23:15 What is the Value in Learning from Your Peers?28:00 What is the Value of Looking at The Practice of Law with Fresh Eyes?31:24 Why Do Failed Lawyers Go Into The Practice of Law? Should You Trust Them?35:30 We Don't Sell Professional Services Work. People Engage Us.38:30 Who is Steve's Ideal Client?Steve FretzinAuthor & Podcast HostBe That Lawyersteve@fretzin.com(847) 602-6911About Steve FretzinDriven, 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 17 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 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.

Driven, focused, and passionate about helping attorneys 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 17 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 three 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 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. In this episode, Dean Newlund and Steve Fretzin discuss:Making every day count. Sales-free selling. The best experience for buyers. Developing relationships takes intention. Key Takeaways:Sometimes, being aware that life is truly fragile and short is what we need to realize how we could live our best life. Don't wait for a crisis, make every day count starting today. If you're analytical and a natural problem solver, you might be inclined to solve without listening first. However, the best way to get sales is to listen and make the client feel like they're being understood and see if your solution would be a fit. The best experience for a buyer is for them to not be sold anything, but for them to buy what they want and what is a fit for what they need. If you want to have interesting points of discussion, a good and simple idea is to research that person and ask questions about the things they put out there.   "Lawyers love to solve problems, fix things, get creative over language - that's all fine and dandy… the problem is what they're doing is giving free consulting, what they're not doing is… ask questions, listen, let them feel understood." — Steve Fretzin  See Dean's TedTalk “Why Business Needs Intuition” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEq9IYvgV7I Connect with Steve Fretzin:  Website: http://www.fretzin.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/stevefretzinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesresults/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefretzin/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SalesResultsInc  Connect with Dean:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgqRK8GC8jBIFYPmECUCMkwWebsite: https://www.mfileadership.com/The Mission Statement E-Newsletter: https://www.mfileadership.com/blog/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannewlund/Twitter: https://twitter.com/deannewlundFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissionFacilitators/Email: dean.newlund@mfileadership.comPhone: 1-800-926-7370

About Steve Fretzin: He is passionate about helping attorneys reach their full potential. He's regarded as the premier coach, skills trainer and keynote speaker on business development for attorneys. Over the past 17 years, he's devoted his career to helping lawyers master the art of business development so they can 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 called, “Be that lawyer”. Steve has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain's and Entrepreneur.com and has appeared on NBC News and WGN Radio. He has written three books on legal business development, is a regular contributor to the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and has published articles in Attorney at Law magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association.   In this episode, Jordan and Steve discuss: Lessons from a plane crash  What is sales-free selling How to not waste time in sales meetings Asking for commitment  Key Takeaways Life is finite, never take it for granted. Always strive to develop yourself and add value to others around you in some way.  Sales-free selling is about getting the seller and the buyer to walk through a decision that will be a fit for both.  Start a sales meeting by establishing an agreement to make the best of each other's time. Make sure that they have the right kind of problems that you solve because if not, then it's best to just walk away.  In coaching situations, it's important to know if the other person is committed to resolving the problem. In a corporate setting, you'd be better off if you don't continue the coaching if the person is not committed to making a change.  “I always appreciated the methodologies that were more consultative, more nurturing, that dealt with asking questions and being a really good listener, not about presenting and pitching.” —  Steve Fretzin   Get the complimentary guide: How To Select An Executive Coach at www.selectcoach.workplacewarrior.com    Get the Am I Abrasive Self Test at abrasive.workplacewarrior.com    Connect with Steve Fretzin:    Website: https://fretzin.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefretzin/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevefretzin  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesresults/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SalesResultsInc    Connect with Jordan:  Get the complimentary guide: How To Select An Executive Coach at www.selectcoach.workplacewarrior.com  Get the Am I Abrasive Self Test at abrasive.workplacewarrior.com  Website: www.workplacewarriorinc.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/jordangoldrich1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jordan.goldrich Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordangoldrich/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgoldrich/

Steve Fretzin is the Managing Partner at Fretzin, Inc. He coaches and trains lawyers the most modern-day business development skills, providing precise tips, fresh ideas and actionable tasks that drive tangible results. As the host of the Be That Lawyer podcast, Steve has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, NBC News and WGN Radio. He has written three books on legal business development, is a regular contributor to the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and has published articles in Attorney at Law magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association. Learn from his expertise and what trends are helping grow his firm on this episode of The Managing Partners Podcast! —- Array Digital provides bold marketing that helps managing partners grow their law firms. arraylaw.com Follow us on Instagram: @array.digital Follow us on Twitter: @thisisarray Call us for a FREE digital marketing review: 757-333-3021 SUBSCRIBE to The Managing Partners Podcast for conversations with the nation's top attorneys.

In this episode, I speak with Steve Fretzin, who is regarded as the premier coach, skills trainer and keynote speaker on business development for attorneys. Over the past 17 years, Steve 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.  We talk about: How networking has changed in the last two years How networking is different from sales Tips to conducting effective networking sessions How to make sure you're always talking to the decision makers Tips to ensure your networking sessions are hitting maximum impact   In addition to writing three 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 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. Resources mentioned in this episode: The Attorney's Networking Handbook by Steve Fretzin You Are the Brand by Mike Kim and Todd Herman   Connect with Steve here: Twitter LinkedIn Facebook YouTube Be That Lawyer Podcast www.fretzin.com  Connect with me Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter Karin on Twitter Karin on LinkedIn Conroy Creative Counsel on Facebook https://conroycreativecounsel.com 

In this episode, I speak with Steve Fretzin, who is regarded as the premier coach, skills trainer and keynote speaker on business development for attorneys.   Over the past 17 years, Steve 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.    We talk about: How networking has changed in the last two years How networking is different from sales Tips to conducting effective networking sessions How to make sure you're always talking to the decision makers Tips to ensure your networking sessions are hitting maximum impact    In addition to writing three 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 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.   Resources mentioned in this episode: The Attorney's Networking Handbook by Steve Fretzin You Are the Brand by Mike Kim and Todd Herman    Connect with Steve here: Twitter LinkedIn Facebook YouTube Be That Lawyer Podcast www.fretzin.com  Connect with me Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter Karin on Twitter Karin on LinkedIn Conroy Creative Counsel on Facebook https://conroycreativecounsel.com 

In Part Two of this special two-part episode, Susan Guthrie continues her conversaiton with leading family law attorney Beth McCormack, who helps to demystify the roles of Guardian ad Litems and Attorneys for the Children in contested custody cases. Divorce is hard enough but when parenting and custody issues are contested, things get much more complicated and crowded!  You will often find that you have more professionals appointed in your case such as a GAL or Attorney for the Child.  In fact, sometimes you may have both but what exactly do they do?  How do they help your children and how do you work with them?  Attorney Beth McCormack, one of the leading attorneys in the country who is often appointed by the court in the role of a GAL or AMC explains the reasons why the court may appoint these professionals in your case, what the important differences between the roles are and importantly, Beth preps you to help you get ready to work with the professionals in your case.  There is so much important information in this episode, we broke it into a special two-part series so that we could make sure you are ready for your GAL or AMC and that there is no need for OMG! More Information About This Week's Special Guest:  Beth F. McCormack focuses on highly complex family law matters with vast experience in complex litigation, as well as mediation and collaborative law. Beth also represents children, when appointed by the court, which makes her unparalleled in her ability to navigate complex parenting issues. Beth appreciates the sensitivity surrounding high net-worth, high-profile, and child-related matters, with each requiring a very different skill set. Ms. McCormack's practice is founded on compassion and empathy. She sees it as her responsibility to be aware of each person's needs, seeking the most appropriate solution for each client. Ms. McCormack's vast family law experience enables her to handle and settle complex and sophisticated issues many families face. She is an unwavering advocate for the best interests of children, and easily navigates families through the highly emotional nature of any divorce.  As one of the most influential attorneys in Chicago, Ms. McCormack has naturally become a mentor to many professionals in the legal community. Her peers consistently nominate her as a Best Lawyer, Super Lawyer, and Leading Lawyer. Most recently, Beth was named top 50 women Super Lawyers. Her work ethic and community involvement have earned her accolades within the legal community, and beyond. Ms. McCormack has a monthly column in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, where she educates other lawyers on best practices and writes for many other publications as well.  Follow Beth on Instagram at @bethfmccormack Get in touch with Beth McCormack: W: https://www.beermannlaw.com E:  bfmccormack@beermannlaw.com T:  312-621-9700 ********************************************************************** Listen to Beth's prior episode on Divorce & Beyond:  Lessons From a Billion Dollar Divorce Attorney *********************************************************************** SUSAN GUTHRIE®, ESQ., the creator and host of The Divorce and Beyond® Podcast, is nationally recognized as one of the top family law and divorce mediation attorneys in the country.  Susan is a member of the Executive Council of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution and is the Founder of Divorce in a Better Way® which provides a curated selection of resources and information for those facing divorce and other life changes.  Internationally renownded as one of the leading experts in online mediation, Susan created her Learn to Mediate Online® program and has trained more than 18,000 professionals in how to transition their practice online.  Susan recently partnered with legal and mediation legend, Forrest "Woody" Mosten to create the Mosten Guthrie Academy which provides gold standard, fully online training for mediation and collaborative professionals at all stages of their career.   ***************************************************************************** THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR: Thriving in divorce and beyond means not having to worry about the safety of your children when it comes to co-parenting. With alcohol abuse on the rise, many co-parents are turning to the system committed to providing proof, protection, and peace of mind. Soberlink's alcohol monitoring system is the most convenient, reliable, and reasonable way for a parent to provide evidence that they are not drinking during parenting time. Soberlink's real-time alerts, facial recognition, and tamper detection ensure the integrity of each test, so you can be confident your kids are with a sober parent. With Soberlink, judges rest assured that your child is safe, attorneys get court-admissible evidence of sobriety, and both parents have empowerment and peace of mind. Pull back the curtain on the mysteries of parenting time and trust The Experts in Remote Alcohol Monitoring Technology™ to keep you informed and your kids safe and secure. For an exclusive $50 off your device and to download the addiction and children resource page that I developed with Soberlink, visit www.Soberlink.com/Susan   *************************************************************************************************** CHECK OUT THE NEW RESOURCE PAGE ON THE WEBSITE WITH DIVORCE & BEYOND RECOMMENDED READING!   Remember, knowledge is power and we have the books that will help educate you and support you in all areas of divorce including finance, parenting, healing, conflict resolution and MORE!  Check it out now on the website:  www.divorceandbeyondpod.com/beyond-reading *************************************** JOIN US IN THE DIVORCE & BEYOND MEMBERS ONLY COMMUNITY! D & B Members Only will receive a number of benefits including: Ad and Interruption Free Podcast Archive BONUS Members Only Podcast Episodes monthly Downloadable Worksheets, Spreadsheets and Other Forms  Access to the "Ask Susan Anything" Forum where you can ask your questions and learn from the answers to others. AND MUCH MORE - REGISTER NOW! ***************************************************************************** SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE! If you would like to sponsor the show please reach out to us at  divorceandbeyondpod@gmail.com for pricing and details!!! ********************************************************************* Remember to follow Susan Guthrie and THE DIVORCE AND BEYOND PODCAST on social media for updates and inside tips and information: Susan Guthrie on Facebook @susanguthrieesq Susan on Instagram @susanguthrieesq Susan on Twitter @guthrielaw Divorce & Beyond Podcast on Instagram @divorceandbeyond Divorce & Beyond Podcast on Twitter @DivorceBeyond If you want to see the video version of the podcast episodes they are available on The Divorce & Beyond YouTube Channel!  Make sure to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss a single episode! Finally, we'd really appreciate it if you would  give us a 5 Star Rating and tell us what you like about the show in a review - your feedback really matters to us!  You can get in touch with Susan at divorceandbeyondpod@gmail.com.  Don't forget to visit the webpage www.divorceandbeyondpod.com and sign up for the free NEWSLETTER to receive a special welcome video from Susan and more!! ***************************************************************************** DISCLAIMER:  THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE.  YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM  

In this special two-part episode, Susan Guthrie speaks with leading family law attorney Beth McCormack, who helps to demystify the roles of Guardian ad Litems and Attorneys for the Children in contested custody cases. Divorce is hard enough but when parenting and custody issues are contested, things get much more complicated and crowded!  You will often find that you have more professionals appointed in your case such as a GAL or Attorney for the Child.  In fact, sometimes you may have both but what exactly do they do?  How do they help your children and how do you work with them?  Attorney Beth McCormack, one of the leading attorneys in the country who is often appointed by the court in the role of a GAL or AMC explains the reasons why the court may appoint these professionals in your case, what the important differences between the roles are and importantly, Beth preps you to help you get ready to work with the professionals in your case.  There is so much important information in this episode, we broke it into a special two-part series so that we could make sure you are ready for your GAL or AMC and that there is no need for OMG! More Information About This Week's Special Guest:  Beth F. McCormack focuses on highly complex family law matters with vast experience in complex litigation, as well as mediation and collaborative law. Beth also represents children, when appointed by the court, which makes her unparalleled in her ability to navigate complex parenting issues. Beth appreciates the sensitivity surrounding high net-worth, high-profile, and child-related matters, with each requiring a very different skill set. Ms. McCormack's practice is founded on compassion and empathy. She sees it as her responsibility to be aware of each person's needs, seeking the most appropriate solution for each client. Ms. McCormack's vast family law experience enables her to handle and settle complex and sophisticated issues many families face. She is an unwavering advocate for the best interests of children, and easily navigates families through the highly emotional nature of any divorce.  As one of the most influential attorneys in Chicago, Ms. McCormack has naturally become a mentor to many professionals in the legal community. Her peers consistently nominate her as a Best Lawyer, Super Lawyer, and Leading Lawyer. Most recently, Beth was named top 50 women Super Lawyers. Her work ethic and community involvement have earned her accolades within the legal community, and beyond. Ms. McCormack has a monthly column in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, where she educates other lawyers on best practices and writes for many other publications as well.  Follow Beth on Instagram at @bethfmccormack Get in touch with Beth McCormack: W: https://www.beermannlaw.com E:  bfmccormack@beermannlaw.com T:  312-621-9700 ********************************************************************** Listen to Beth's prior episode on Divorce & Beyond:  Lessons From a Billion Dollar Divorce Attorney *********************************************************************** SUSAN GUTHRIE®, ESQ., the creator and host of The Divorce and Beyond® Podcast, is nationally recognized as one of the top family law and divorce mediation attorneys in the country.  Susan is a member of the Executive Council of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution and is the Founder of Divorce in a Better Way® which provides a curated selection of resources and information for those facing divorce and other life changes.  Internationally renownded as one of the leading experts in online mediation, Susan created her Learn to Mediate Online® program and has trained more than 18,000 professionals in how to transition their practice online.  Susan recently partnered with legal and mediation legend, Forrest "Woody" Mosten to create the Mosten Guthrie Academy which provides gold standard, fully online training for mediation and collaborative professionals at all stages of their career.   ***************************************************************************** THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR: Thriving in divorce and beyond means not having to worry about the safety of your children when it comes to co-parenting. With alcohol abuse on the rise, many co-parents are turning to the system committed to providing proof, protection, and peace of mind. Soberlink's alcohol monitoring system is the most convenient, reliable, and reasonable way for a parent to provide evidence that they are not drinking during parenting time. Soberlink's real-time alerts, facial recognition, and tamper detection ensure the integrity of each test, so you can be confident your kids are with a sober parent. With Soberlink, judges rest assured that your child is safe, attorneys get court-admissible evidence of sobriety, and both parents have empowerment and peace of mind. Pull back the curtain on the mysteries of parenting time and trust The Experts in Remote Alcohol Monitoring Technology™ to keep you informed and your kids safe and secure. For an exclusive $50 off your device and to download the addiction and children resource page that I developed with Soberlink, visit www.Soberlink.com/Susan   *************************************************************************************************** CHECK OUT THE NEW RESOURCE PAGE ON THE WEBSITE WITH DIVORCE & BEYOND RECOMMENDED READING!   Remember, knowledge is power and we have the books that will help educate you and support you in all areas of divorce including finance, parenting, healing, conflict resolution and MORE!  Check it out now on the website:  www.divorceandbeyondpod.com/beyond-reading *************************************** JOIN US IN THE DIVORCE & BEYOND MEMBERS ONLY COMMUNITY! D & B Members Only will receive a number of benefits including: Ad and Interruption Free Podcast Archive BONUS Members Only Podcast Episodes monthly Downloadable Worksheets, Spreadsheets and Other Forms  Access to the "Ask Susan Anything" Forum where you can ask your questions and learn from the answers to others. AND MUCH MORE - REGISTER NOW! ***************************************************************************** SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE! If you would like to sponsor the show please reach out to us at  divorceandbeyondpod@gmail.com for pricing and details!!! ********************************************************************* Remember to follow Susan Guthrie and THE DIVORCE AND BEYOND PODCAST on social media for updates and inside tips and information: Susan Guthrie on Facebook @susanguthrieesq Susan on Instagram @susanguthrieesq Susan on Twitter @guthrielaw Divorce & Beyond Podcast on Instagram @divorceandbeyond Divorce & Beyond Podcast on Twitter @DivorceBeyond If you want to see the video version of the podcast episodes they are available on The Divorce & Beyond YouTube Channel!  Make sure to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss a single episode! Finally, we'd really appreciate it if you would  give us a 5 Star Rating and tell us what you like about the show in a review - your feedback really matters to us!  You can get in touch with Susan at divorceandbeyondpod@gmail.com.  Don't forget to visit the webpage www.divorceandbeyondpod.com and sign up for the free NEWSLETTER to receive a special welcome video from Susan and more!! ***************************************************************************** DISCLAIMER:  THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE.  YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM  

Attorney Mark DeBofsky is a member of DeBofsky Sherman Casciari Reynolds P.C. as well as an adjunct professor of law at University of Illinois-Chicago John Marshall Law School. He is a prolific author who has written many journal articles and has been a regular columnist for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin since 2004. Mark DeBofsky is also an annual contributor to the ERISA Survey of Federal Circuits published by the American Bar Association and served for many years as a senior editor of Employee Benefits Law published by Bloomberg. Mark DeBofsky is also a frequent speaker and has lectured at conferences sponsored by many organizations, including the American Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, the Illinois State Bar Association, Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Chicago Bar Association and LexisNexis/Mealey's. Many of his cases have resulted in precedent setting decisions issued by the United States Court of Appeals for the Third, Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Circuits. In 2008, he was nominated as a finalist for LexisNexis' Insurance Law Center Policyholder Attorney of the Year award. Attorney DeBofsky is proud to have been recognized by his peers in the legal profession with the coveted AV® PreeminentTM Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®. He was named a Super Lawyer in Employee Benefits/ERISA in every year since 2009, and since 2011, he has been listed among the Top 100 Lawyers in the State of Illinois and among the Top 10 in Illinois in 2017. Recently, the National Trial Lawyers has named him one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the State of Illinois. He has also been ranked by the Leading Lawyers Network.

Amy M. Gardner, JD, CPC, ELI-MP Amy brings to Apochromatik a unique track record of working with law students as dean of students at a top 5 law school and a successful career practicing law, first as a Skadden litigation associate and later as an associate and then partner at a mid-size Chicago firm.  In addition to countless hours completing stand-alone coaching trainings, she is a graduate of the Institute of Professional Excellence in Coaching. Until March, 2016, Amy was the Dean of Students at the University of Chicago Law School.  Through her work as a dean of students, Amy developed an expertise in understanding the unique needs of law students and in tailoring professional education and development opportunities to their needs.   Her work as a dean of students was described as “transformative” and “visionary.”  In addition to counseling and advising law students on a variety of issues, she drew on her legal experience to revolutionize the way the Law School prepared students for legal practice.  These efforts took the form of programs and initiatives to prepare students for the reality of the legal practice outside the classroom that are now being mimicked at other law schools.  In one such effort, Amy partnered with the Booth School of Business to create the Kapnick Leadership Development Initiative, the first program at a top law school to introduce systematic leadership development to all 1Ls.     While serving as dean of students, she received the Class Award from the Class of 2014 for outstanding contributions to improving the quality of student life and the spirit of community at the Law School.  In 2013, she was nominated to and completed the University of Chicago's Executive Program for Emerging Leaders.  She received her B.A. from Luther College in English and political science before spending two years working in Iowa politics. Amy received her J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School in 2002, where she served as a Topic Access Editor for the Law Review, among other activities. She earned her M.A. in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University in 2017.  Amy spent five years as a litigation associate at Skadden in Chicago, where her extensive pro bono work was profiled by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and resulted in her receipt of the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation 2006 Distinguished Service Award. While an associate at Skadden, she also founded and led the Chicago Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society from its first organizing meeting in 2003 to its being named the Lawyer Chapter of the Year for 2006-2007.  From Skadden, Amy was a commercial and intellectual property litigator at Ungaretti & Harris LLP in Chicago, first as an associate and later as a partner.  Amy’s extensive community service has included serving as president of the University of Chicago Alumni Club of Chicago from 2008-2010 and as a member of the University’s Alumni Board of Governors from 2010-2016.  Her service to the University was recognized by her receipt of the Young Alumni Service Citation in 2007.  In the spring of 2010, she traveled to five European cities as an American Marshall Memorial Fellow, meeting with policymakers and prominent members of the business, government, political, NGO, and media communities. In 2017, Amy was appointed to the Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Character & Fitness.  She is a member of the Illinois and U.S. Supreme Court bars.  

  In this episode Jonathan Rosenfeld chats with Gerald Bekkerman an Attorney at Taxman, Pollock, Murray, & Bekkerman, LLC. Here, they give statistics on car accidents in Illinois including injuries and fatalities. They also go over the 5 crucial steps to take after a car accident: What to Do After a Car Accident? 1) Check yourself for injuries. 2) Contact law enforcement. 3) Gather information about the incident. Take photos of the cars, intersection, etc. 4) Get medical attention. 5) Consult with an attorney.   For more information visit https://www.rosenfeldinjurylawyers.com   Read the Transcript Download the PDF Jonathan Rosenfeld: Hi everybody. I am Jonathan Rosenfeld. And today I am joined by my colleague and good friend, Gerald Bekkerman, who is a partner at Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, in Chicago, Illinois. And one of the things that I've always respected about Jerry is that he is a really a lawyer's lawyer if you will. I've known Jerry for over 10 years, and I've watched him develop as a lawyer, as a person, and really people, others have really started to grab onto what I sort of recognized early on, that he's really committed to his cases. He really is dedicated to his clients, people, other attorneys really respect him and enjoy his company, and these have not gone unnoticed by the legal world. Jerry is also... I'm not going to embarrass him too much, but Jerry has won numerous awards in the legal community recently, and over the past few years. Jonathan Rosenfeld: He is a 2018 Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 40 under 40 very prestigious award, he is an Illinois super lawyer, a National Trial lawyers 40 under 40, top 40 in the country, he is a Illinois emerging lawyer for several years, and he's also a lifetime member of the million dollar advocates forum, and multi-million dollar advocates forum. Today, I am going to talk with Jerry and get his input about the steps to take after a car accident. And before we get into that, of all the different types of personal injury cases out there, every single person, I'm sure who's listening to this, can relate to being involved in a car accident, some type of motor vehicle accident, whether they are directly involved or they have a friend or family member involved, this is something that really impacts everyone. Before we started doing this, I just started looking around a little bit. And one of the shocking statistics that I saw was that in the state of Illinois, where we're located right now, there were almost 320,000 motor vehicle accidents last year. Jonathan Rosenfeld: And of those 300,000 plus accidents, there were 94,164 people who were injured, and 11,345 of those people sustained significant injuries which required extended hospitalization, or medical care. Over 1,000 people lost their lives, in motor vehicle accidents in Illinois last year. So this is an extremely pervasive problem that we have. And it is something that really everyone needs to be aware of. So, Jerry, I really appreciate you joining me today, and really looking forward to talking with you. I guess from the beginning, an ounce of prevention goes a long way. And I think a lot of times that people are aware of the things that they can or should be doing, after a car accident that can really go a long way towards helping them from a physical perspective, as well as helping them from a legal perspective, if they need to pursue a claim. So, first off, thank you for joining us. Gerald Bekkerman: Of course, John, thank you. And didn't embarrass me too much, I appreciate the kudos. Obviously we've known each other a long, long time and mutually respect what we've accomplished in the legal community, and I think podcasts like these are a great way to educate people on some of the missteps that I've seen, my 12 years of practice and what we see on a daily basis, almost in this firm. Auto accidents are the bread and butter of law firms. Even as large ones like us, we have 20 attorneys. We practice, everything from medical malpractice, civil rights work injuries, but the crux of the practice 80% of it is car accidents. Most of our clients come into our office as a result of injuries sustained in car accidents. Gerald Bekkerman: And as part of working with those clients over the years, we've picked up and some of the mistakes, some of the nuances in these cases, and unfortunately there's mistakes that are made and just steps that people aren't aware of. Maybe because they're just not educated enough. They've not experienced a car accident. They're shocked, they're surprised they're afraid. And they don't take certain steps that unfortunately wind up hurting them in the ultimate process of working with an attorney like myself, or here at our firm. So the main steps, the main things that people need to do, we can kind of go through them. Gerald Bekkerman: The five things that we always recommend somebody does when they get in a car accident, whether it's their first or their third, and they don't know what to do, are the following. First five are, so you check yourself for injuries. Are you hurt? Are you just in shock? Obviously, you can tell if you have a broken bone, you are going to be in excruciating pain, but are you unable to move your neck? Are you stiff? Did you feel something in your knee twist when you were putting your foot on the brake, did the seatbelt, give you scars and burns, and did the airbag go off and injure your face? There's a lot of elements involved pending on the severity of the crash. So first thing is check yourself for instance am I hurt? The second thing of course, and this one is commonplace. People do know that contact police, right? So get your cell phone. You know you have one in the car, OnStar or things like that with some vehicles. Get police, get law enforcement at the scene. Sometimes it might take a while. Gerald Bekkerman: The city of Chicago police officers could come quickly at some areas and other locations, maybe more rural places it takes the Sheriff's office a while to get there, be patient. Make sure the police arrive at the scene. You might be running late to pick up your kids from soccer, or to an appointment, but having the police come is really, really crucial to build your evidence in a case. [inaudible 00:07:14] police report and we'll go through these in more detail is very critical. So make sure, check yourself for injuries, contact law enforcement, and then take some basic evidence gathering steps that are so crucial to attorneys like us. Take [inaudible 00:07:29] of the vehicle, maybe take a photo of the intersection, maybe call somebody, give a statement to somebody, check in, all right. Obviously the police wait for them and give them all the actual information on what happened. Hey- Jonathan Rosenfeld: Now Jerry, If I can stop you for a second. Gerald Bekkerman: Yeah. Jonathan Rosenfeld: I think one of the things that every single person, as far as I'm aware of today, walks around with... they basically have them glued to their hand is their cell phone. And a lot of times people, after an accident, they may not be thinking clearly, they are clearly shaken up, but certainly, in today's world where every cell phone has a camera on it, documenting that the damage to the vehicles, documenting the area of the accident, is that something that you would suggest that people do? Gerald Bekkerman: Very, very critical, it helps us. When you call and speak with an attorney, which is the fifth step we're going to get into, get your medical attention for your injuries, contact a lawyer. But when you contact us the three questions I'm going to ask you are, were you injured? Is there a police report? And do you have any photos of your car, the other car, your injuries, and the scene of the occurrence, right? And that's really where it's really critical for us as lawyers, because that makes us figure out what we need to do and how quickly we need to move. What's good evidence. If you are claiming that you can't move your neck and your shoulder because of this really huge rear end and by a pickup truck, it would be great to have a picture to show that, that really happened as opposed to, I don't know, we don't have any photos. Gerald Bekkerman: In that a month or two later, the insurance claim gets open and we get a photo of the back of your car, and there's not even a scratch on it. We're going to be like, "Well, I don't understand, I thought you said this was a huge... you got to hit a 50 miles per hour by this pickup truck, and where's damage?" And that doesn't mean you don't have a case or you weren't injured, but there'll just be a thing that we would look at with not suspicion, but with just curiosity and obviously the insurance company, defense lawyers, things like that would look at the intersection, the scene of the occurrence, the other vehicle, maybe your car doesn't have a lot of damage to it, because you have a nice big American built tank, you got rear-ended by a [inaudible 00:10:05] that folded like an accordion. Gerald Bekkerman: Well, that's good evidence for us that this was a large impact, that there was some trauma that could have resulted from significant forces. The intersection, when you said you had a green light, or you said that there was a construction zone, so you slowed down for the construction zone as you're required to do under the law, but you're claiming that the person that hit you didn't slow down. Well just take a couple of pictures. You have your phone in your hand, we're all glued to them. Show me a construction barrier, show me a work zone. It's really, really helpful because that work zone might be gone the next day, and so we're going to have to take a lot more steps to prove that there was construction going on in that day, and that was a cause of why somebody was negligent in how they were driving. So yeah, pictures, evidence, very important. Jonathan Rosenfeld: So after this accident, the police are there. The police are documenting everything, which is important for preserving the evidence and preserving the scene of the accident and how this incident occurred, and the photographs are taken. What is really... what should someone be thinking after that? Let's say that maybe their back or their neck, is giving them some problems after an accident, which is very common. Sometimes, people are in shock after an accident and they're just not thinking clearly, but at some point, a lot of times these are delayed onset conditions. At some point, would you suggest that someone get checked out by a doctor? Gerald Bekkerman: Yeah, absolutely. So most of the time when you call the police, you're also going to get an ambulance if you're in a car accident. So a lot of municipalities here in Chicago and all over, they're going to offer you an ambulance. And to offer, to take you to the hospital. A lot of times you actually have to refuse the ambulance ride. Now we always tell people, don't refuse if you're legitimately injured, go to the hospital because the shock is stimulants that could be making... effect your judgment, but I mean if you're hurt, and an ambulance comes and you're involved in a big accident, and you're feeling pain, you should probably go to the hospital, take the EMS. Gerald Bekkerman: Now, if you can't, you're concerned, because you have a child in the car that's not injured, or you're concerned about what happened to your car, tow truck's not there, or any other circumstance, do what you have to do at the scene, finish up with the police, finish up with the tow driver, or maybe drive the car home if it's salvageable and then get immediate attention that night go to an urgent care, maybe the next morning at the latest. There's so many urgent care facilities. Now, even in our, we have a new boom and private medicine in this country. There's so many different clinics. Obviously you got your classic emergency rooms, but go get medical care. One of the biggest issues we see that hinders our ability to recover the most amount of money for clients, is a delay in medical treatment. So, I'd call it the classic tough guy syndrome, although it applies to soccer moms as well. "I'll be fine. I can't lift my shoulder up and my God, I got tingling coming down in my feet from my back, but I'll be all right." Gerald Bekkerman: You wait a day, you wait a second day. "You know what? I'll call my primary care doctor. Oh, they won't give me until next Friday." Now we have a 10 day, we call gap in treatment. And you may well have great intentions, and try to hold off, and try to not go see a doctor, but in the insurance world, you're going to be flagged as someone that probably isn't hurt. And they're going to argue to a jury, a judge, or devalue your case, even if it's legitimate and say, "Well, wait a minute, no reasonable person would wait 10 days to go seek medical attention, if they claim they have a torn rotator cuff or herniated disc or any of these medical issues." So, sooner you can get medical attention, given your circumstances, the better. It's very, very important, it's one of the main, I call them case killers, an otherwise great case or an otherwise compensable claim, that's going to either be dragged out for years by defense, or undervalued, or rejected outright. Jonathan Rosenfeld: Now, if there are... you've seen hundreds and hundreds of car accident cases where various types of injuries and everything, but, if you had two different people, one person, goes to the hospital after the accident, the other person goes home, sits the couch, he's clearly in pain, they'd take some over the counter pain medication, they take it easy, maybe they take some time off from work, you're going to see potentially drastically different results, based on not even necessarily what the injury is, but the type of medical care that they received following the injury, the accident. And I guess as someone who's seen that, over and over and over again, would you agree that it's just really important that you not only get medical care initially, but that you actually follow through with the prescribed care, whether it's physical therapy, whether it's getting a medication, whether it's taking time off from work, can you talk a little bit about how those factors play into the eventual outcome of a case in terms of settlement or trial [inaudible 00:15:56]? Gerald Bekkerman: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, having tried dozens of cases, I've seen the arguments actually made by lawyers for insurance companies to jurors, and those arguments appeal to the common sense of 12 people in a jury box. Well, if they were so injured as they claim, two years ago, they should have gone to the emergency room and they didn't go for five days or alternatively, well, they went to the emergency room and they said that they were hurt, and then they were told to follow up with a pain management physician, or an orthopedic surgeon for the shoulder, and they never went for two months. Those are again, it's a continuation of that gap in treatment kind of argument. Gerald Bekkerman: And it makes sense. It resonates because there's a person sitting in a jury that's going to relate to your common sense because you're going to say, well, wait a minute. If I had a torn shoulder, or a herniated disc, and now I have to have surgery, or my knee was torn, I wouldn't for sure go to an orthopedic doctor if that's what they told me to do, or I would for sure go to physical therapy as the told me to do. And it makes you as the injured victim in a case seem almost less credible, if that makes sense. So, it's clearly really critical after you seek your first care, whether it be ER, urgent care or your primary the next day, and those are referral made you follow the steps. Gerald Bekkerman: And physical therapy, [inaudible 00:17:16] conservative care if you will. Four to six weeks and that's what's recommended, you go. If you improve great, if you don't, they usually recommend you see a specialist either for spine, orthopedic sports injuries, or pain management, go to those appointments. Ultimately they may say, well, we need more imaging of your spine, or your shoulder, or your knee, or your ankle, go get that MRI. If you don't take the steps that are recommended, obviously it's adverse to your health A, and B, it's going to come back to bite you, because a common sense argument can be made that well, if they're hurt, why aren't they following doctor's orders? Jonathan Rosenfeld: That makes sense. I've seen personally firsthand, people, a lot of times, especially when they're doing physical therapy, they may feel some initial benefit, they may feel some initial pain relief, then they say, "All right, hey, I've been to two weeks of physical therapy, I've gotten some improvement, I've gotten some massage, I'm starting to feel better." And they decide, "Hey, all right, I'm done." And they decide to basically take a pause, and move on, and then life essentially gets in the way, and then a month or two months later, they really realize that they either plateaued out or actually regressed in terms of their healing. Jonathan Rosenfeld: And I've really seen that destroy a case in terms of a settlement for them, because they really do have a legitimate injury. And that's an unfortunate thing. So I really agree with you that, really seeing things through, is really the key in a case like this, because as a trial lawyer, you're basically limited to the evidence that you have. And you can be the best lawyer in the world, but if someone is not following doctor's orders, they're not doing the things that they need to do, there's only so much that you can do as a lawyer to really help improve the value of their case and position it for a good outcome. So- Gerald Bekkerman: We got to come up with excuses for you then. You're going to have to explain that you didn't have babysitting and you had too many errands or work would let you go. I mean, there's obviously common sense answers to the criticisms, but you're just creating more work, creating less credibility in your case and adversely potentially affecting your health. So, follow doctor's orders. Jonathan Rosenfeld: All right. That's good. Well, I mean, maybe my kids can contact you if they lose their homework or something, they'll get the Jerry Bekkerman, excuse- Gerald Bekkerman: Absolutely. We got all the excuses. Yeah, medical attention is really key. And the fifth thing in our five step process here, is consult with an attorney. That's kind of the last thing after you've done all these steps, I think we've covered it really well. The only other thing I think we didn't address besides collecting evidence with the phone, when the police come, do your best to find a witness. Do your best to give the police evidence. The officers that do traffic reports are typically, you're very level, entry level, new guys on the scene, the traffic cops, they do hundreds of these, and a lot of times they just don't, not all, sometimes when they're busy, they don't create very factually thorough reports, okay? Gerald Bekkerman: And you could have been in a bad accident where it's a green light, red light issue, and you got three people that were at the scene there, and they're going to be like, we'd love to give you our name and number, and you're going to assume the police took their info but a lot of times they're not going to. So, you know somebody that witnessed it, get a name, get a number, a witness to your case is big. Tell the police, this guy Joe over here gave me his name. He saw everything that happened. That's a non-interested party. That's also helpful. So that's the only thing I would add about the information gathering phase, with addition to the photographs, grab a witness if there is one on the scene, and tell the cops very good and thorough story. Jonathan Rosenfeld: I think that's excellent, excellent advice. In terms of contacting an attorney, and again, it sounds a little bit, self-serving obviously, two lawyers talking about contacting an attorney, but the truth is that getting some input from an attorney who has experience with the particular type of case, can go a long way, in terms of positioning your case for a better result down the road. Someone who waits over year after an accident, there's only so much that you can do at that point, in terms of giving advice or suggestions for them. So I would just add, sure if you would agree, but to basically reach out to an attorney before you're in a situation where, "Hey, I got to get the case settled, I'm sort of up against a Statute of Limitations deadline." And contact that attorney early on. So you can get some input, so to help position your case for a better result down the road. Gerald Bekkerman: Yeah. Earlier the better. I mean most states have two year Statute of Limitations, the state Illinois does, but Tennessee is one year. So a lot of people just don't know that some states have a one year statute, some have three, some have four, most have two, but even the Statute of Limitation, and that means that's your limit for filing a claim to get compensation. Even without that, the earlier you contact a lawyer is better because we're going to be able to make sure that these holes, that the fence pokes in your case don't exist. Gerald Bekkerman: So if you're not getting medical attention, the lawyers are going to remind you, "Hey, why aren't you going to see the neurologist that you were told to follow up with for your brain injury? Why aren't you seeing the orthopedic sports doctor for the knee that you can't walk on? Why aren't you going to therapy like you were recommended? Hey, help me out. You said, there's a witness on the scene. You said his name was Joe, and he lived in the neighborhood, what did he look like? We'll send an investigator to go him and make sure we get a recorded statement." Little things like that, that are so vital in the first couple of days, and weeks or even weeks at the latest after an accident are crucial, to making sure that the case is a sound as possible, for a potential trial or resolution, a year or two away. But any of those little gaps or mistakes, sometimes we can't catch up, if you call us a year later and tell us about your accident, and unfortunately you've lost out on an opportunity to get a compensable case. Jonathan Rosenfeld: Jerry, I appreciate your input, and your time, and I really think this was good dialogue and really hopefully helpful information for people who may have been involved in an accident recently, or may have a friend or family member who, who was. So, thank you and I appreciate it.  

Building an Unfailing Book of Business, with Steve Fretzin 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 16 years, Steve Fretzin has devoted his career to helping law firms and 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 three books on legal marketing and business development, Steve has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crains and Entrepreneur.com. He has appeared on NBC News, WGN Radio and has written articles for 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. What you’ll learn about in this episode: The most common challenges that prevent lawyers from growing their book of business What is a “book of business” The value of developing your own book of business Two ways two approach relationship building  Why you should consider admitting that you’re uncomfortable requesting it, but ask your clients for referrals anyway How business development coaching can help lawyers across all practice areas 3 sections of a good business development structure   Resources: Website: www.fretzin.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefretzin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevefretzin   Additional Resources: The Mastermind Effect: https://www.pilmma.org/the-mastermind-effect/  PILMMA’s free Coronavirus Survival Kit: www.pilmma.org/free-resources/  Internet Domination Bootcamp: https://www.pilmma.org/idb2021 PILMMA Join Page: https://pilmma.kartra.com/page/join-pilmma 

Steve Fretzin is the President of FRETZIN Inc., where he is devoted to helping law firms and lawyers master the art of business development in order to achieve their business goals and the peace of mind that comes with developing a successful law practice. He is also a three-time author of Sales-Free Selling, The Attorney's Networking Handbook, and The Ambitious Attorney. Steve is also host of BE THAT LAWYER Podcast, a show that demystifies the most challenging elements of growing a sustainable law practice through practical tips, fresh ideas, and new methodologies. He has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain's, and Entrepreneur.com and has appeared on NBC News and WGN Radio. He is a regular contributor to the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and has published articles in Attorney at Law Magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association. In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran and Dr. Jeremy Weisz, Co-founders of Rise25 Media, are joined by Steve Fretzin, the President of FRETZIN Inc., to talk about the importance of business development and networking for lawyers and other professionals. They'll also discuss the value of relationship building, setting agendas before a meeting, and most common bad habits that people make when networking.

Family law is rife with emotion. Michelle Lawless kept that in mind when she built her solo family law practice, after a 19-year tenure at a successful Chicago family law firm. Balancing kindness with efficient processes, Michelle explains how technology, which is usually on the wrong side of the ‘good for mental health' equation, actually makes difficult family matters easier to emotionally handle. It's just a bonus that it keeps her solo venture moving full speed. Key moments:Attorney assisted mediation and collaborative law (05:16)Crafting a kind and effective intake process for family law clients (21:42)“The Daley Center is a daily education”: Building experience in family law (28:26)What Michelle Lawless wants to see changed in the legal profession (39:37) MEMORABLE QUOTES“[Mediation has] been a growing trend…. Clients want an alternative to litigation… Litigation is emotionally difficult. It can be protracted and inefficient [and] incredibly expensive.”“Clients have told me how difficult it was to almost get up the courage to walk into a divorce lawyer's office for a console. Because, physically, it was a manifestation that their marriage was over, and that that was a really difficult step to take…. [Because of this] I was kind of thinking about, ‘are there ways to do Virtual Counsel,' and then boom COVID hit.”“I'm using online forms to capture information that you need in every divorce case but you don't want to keep asking people for, like the names and the ages of their kids and the birth dates….Making things easier on clients was something that I was really looking to do.”“I always prided myself on providing personalized service, and being there for clients, listening to them. Getting back to them quickly, as quickly as I can…. As a solo I think that's even more critical because it's me. I mean, the business is me. So, I need to provide almost… I look at it like a better client experience. Because I am the client experience. A hundred percent.” CONNECT WITH MICHELLE LAWLESSMichelle has spent her entire 20-year career assisting high-net-worth individuals and their spouses by protecting and preserving their assets during divorce. After spending 19 years with one of the most prominent family law firms in the country, she opened her own law practice in 2020, where she is able to take her in-depth training and experience with executive compensation packages, valuations of closely-held businesses, and other complex, hard-to-value assets and income streams to her own practice.She is a graduate of the American Bar Association's Advanced Trial Advocacy Institute focusing exclusively on business valuations and has also been named one of the 10 Best Attorneys in Illinois for Outstanding Client Service by the American Institute of Family Law Attorney (2017-2019). Michelle is a past recipient of the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin's "40 Under 40" award and holds certifications in Collaborative Law and mediation.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellealawless/Michelle's Firm: www.malfamilylaw.com CONTINUE EXPLORING“Family Law Mediation: A Response to the Rising Pro Se Tide” FamilyLawyerMagazine.com; 8 November 2019 https://familylawyermagazine.com/articles/family-law-mediation-a-response-to-the-rising-pro-se-tide/“The Battlescars of Family Law” Michelle Lawless; 11 November 2020https://www.malfamilylaw.com/blog-2-2/p5lqojvv0fl1dmbm6jo1uw7oetdaai Have comments, questions, or concerns? Contact us at feedback@1958lawyer.com

In this episode Dan and Pat discuss a BIPA regarding standing and removal, Thornley v. Clearview, before the 7th Circuit and a cyber insurance case before the Indiana Supreme Court, G&G Oil Company of Indiana v. Continental Western Insurance Company. Follow Dan on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/cotterdan Follow Pat on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-patrick-eckler-69880814 Follow the show at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/podium-and-panel-podcast Predictions Sure to Go Wrong: Dan - Thornley remanded to state court and G&G Affirmed Pat - Thornley remanded to state court and G&G Affirmed Rule of the Week: Illinois Supreme Court Rule 352: https://courts.illinois.gov/SupremeCourt/Announce/2018/052518-4.pdf Thornley v. Clearview oral argument is here: http://media.ca7.uscourts.gov/sound/external/ds.20-3249.20-3249_01_04_2021.mp3 G&G Oil Company of Indiana v. Continental Western Insurance Company oral argument is here: https://mycourts.in.gov/arguments/default.aspx?&id=2519&view=detail&yr=&when=&page=1&court=sup&search=&direction=%20ASC&future=False&sort=&judge=&county=&admin=False&pageSize=20 Standard Fire v. Knowles 568 US 588 (2013) is here: https://www.oyez.org/cases/2012/11-1450 Spokeo, Inc. v. Robins, 136 S. Ct. 1540 (2016) is here: https://www.oyez.org/cases/2015/13-1339 Clapper v. Amnesty International 568 U.S. 398 (2012) is here: https://www.oyez.org/cases/2012/11-1025 Thole v. US Bank, 140 S.Ct. 1615 (2020) is here: https://www.oyez.org/cases/2019/17-1712 Bryant v. Compass Group, USA, Inc.¸2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 14256 is here: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca7/20-1443/20-1443-2020-05-05.html Pat's column in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin on standing is here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/donald-eckler-69880814_standing-column-activity-6681832631212019712-nQB_ Pat's Article with Calvin Townsend is here: https://www.pretzel-stouffer.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Im-Still-Standing.pdf --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Platform tennis, golf, ironman competitions, fishing; no sport is safe in this conversation about marketing and building a book of business as a lawyer. Passionate about helping attorneys reach their full potential, Steve Fretzin is regarded as the premier coach and skills trainer on legal business development. Key moments:Making changes and taking chances as an attorney (03:57)Succeeding without running yourself crazy (12:35)Past-Present-Future of marketing for law firms (22:20)The Three Ps: Planning, Process, Performance (31:17)What Steve Fretzin wants to see changed in the legal profession (47:55) MEMORABLE QUOTES“I think the biggest misstep that's happening is lawyers are afraid to miss something, they're afraid to leave something out for fear that if they do, that they're going to miss out on the business. And the reality is that listing off five or ten things that you do, pretty much just falls on deaf ears.” “It's all about organization. And it's all about leveraging resources…. Whether it's work that you shouldn't be doing that you should be…handing over to associates, paralegals assistants, etc. or it's the idea that… you haven't made the proper hire, to be able to delegate and then go out and get more business.” “Into the simplest form: it's about having a great plan. Something that you can look at every day that you can execute on every week, that speaks to you. And it's the lowest hanging fruit. It's not about how many hours you put into it. It's about a plan that's focused and targeted, as well as having a tracking system, because as we talked about earlier, if you don't measure it, you can't manage it.” CONNECT WITH STEVE FRETZINOver the past 16 years, Steve Fretzin has devoted his career to helping law firms and lawyers master the art of legal business development to achieve their business goals and the peace of mind that comes with developing a successful law practice.In addition to writing three books on legal business development, Steve 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 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. You can also find his podcast show BE THAT LAWYER, where Steve interviews rainmakers and legal marketing experts. Fretzin, INC.: https://fretzin.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefretzin/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevefretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinBe That Lawyer Podcast: https://fretzin.com/podcast/ KEEP READING:“Two Growing Trends In America: Platform Tennis And Legal Business Development” Be That Lawyer with Fretzin, 30 September 2020https://fretzin.com/two-growing-trends-in-america-platform-tennis-and-legal-business-development/ “The Bryson DeChambeau Effect: Ready or not, the game is about to change” Golfworld, 22 September 2020https://www.golfdigest.com/story/the-bryson-dechambeau-effect-how-golf-is-about-to-change-us-open “Spanx founder Sara Blakely learned an important lesson about failure from her dad — now she's passing it on to her 4 kids” Business Insider, 17 July 2018https://www.businessinsider.com/spanx-founder-sara-blakely-redefine-failure-2016-10 After recording this episode, legal industry journalist Roy Strom posted an article also equating the legal profession to DeChambeau. Read his in-depth and well researched thoughts here: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/business-and-practice/dechambeaus-big-miss-at-masters-is-lesson-in-successful-failure Have comments, questions, or concerns? Contact us at feedback@1958lawyer.com