Solo Practice University® Guest Lectures

You know you need to transition over to more automation in your practice. You read the benefits. Lawyers you know can't say enough about the time-savings. You watch them accessing their entire office from their smartphone with a tinge of jealousy but you can't seem to move off the mark. Now you've got the added pressure of the clients demanding it, plus asking for lower costs for your services and you are getting squeezed. Rules of Professional Conduct and ABA Opinions are putting further pressure on you labeling you 'incompetent' if you don't get up to speed on all of it; e-discovery, electronic filings and more. Listen to this podcast and learn how to transition. It's important you do.Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

What if you had to market your law firm without using any money? Literally: no money, at all. It turns out that you can develop a vibrant marketing plan without spending one cent. This guest lecture you will learn practical marketing tactics that you’ll be able to employ. Join us as we lay out specific networking and content marketing strategies to apply to your no-cost legal marketing. Learn how as Jared Correia and I discuss in this lively guest lecture.Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

In the late 90's and definitely into the 21st century, the law firm fee structure is morphing and changing under tremendous pressure from clients and the economy. But where do new solos (and some not-so-new) lawyers go to learn about the what fee structures are out there? Jared and I discuss the pressures and those very fee structures. Join us!Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

Have you ever been grieved? The odds are you will. You've planned for the actual process of addressing the grievance, maybe. But odds are you've not planned for the emotions of being grieved and how it will impact you moving forward. Join us as we talk more in depth about the root of the emotions surrounding a grievance, how it can negatively impact you and what you can do to work through them in a positive, pro-active way.Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

How important is content marketing? It's actually incredibly important in today's marketing environment for new (and seasoned lawyers). Join us as we discuss what content marketing is, why it's important, what are the fastest, easiest, and cheapest ways to get good quality content into the universe, and what you should be writing about. As always, it's highly informative. Join us!Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

How do we stop worrying about money? In this guest lecture we focus on the particular emotional issues of solos and their relationship to money, those who are out on their own without a steady paycheck. There is also a psychology about money which is fascinating, how we live in judgment of others and how it impacts our actions and emotions day-to-day. Why do we worry when we are somewhat comfortable? Why will we share our most intimate feelings about various topics but feel the most vulnerable talking about money, feel the most shame if we don't seem to measure up. It's all in this great guest lecture with the incomparable Karen Caffrey. Join us!Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

When are you most vulnerable to a malpractice claim, when are you least? What are the ugly malpractice monsters are rearing their heads going forward? Are you safer as a a newbie or a more seasoned professional? The answers may surprise you. But most importantly, they'll inform you to help you with your practice going forward. Join Jared and I as we discuss these surprising landmines from our unique perspective.Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

Today, psychotherapist and JD, Karen Caffrey and I take a deeper dive into understanding the psychological ramifications of not taking a vacation (meaning rest) and our own inability to even recognize we need it which compounds the harm. Join us for this highly informative adventure and maybe you'll come out resolving to take some much needed time to rest and repair. We'll explain why and then show you how.Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

Nearly 40% of all high-achieving people experience an observable phenomenon called ‘Imposter Syndrome’ - that feeling that you are a fraud, that you’ve fooled the world into believing you are capable and knowledgeable. And most people have experienced moments of this. This lecture is a more in-depth, companion piece to the blog post: Are You Suffering From Imposter Syndrome?. Learn more as we do a deeper dive into this important topic.Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

Nicole Black is the tech evangelist for MyCase. But long before she enjoyed her new position, she was a tech geek and advocate for tech in the legal space. The 21st legal consumer is different and their client service expectations are very different. If you don't know how to reach them, they are going to move on to the lawyer who does. Today, Nicole and I discuss reaching the 21st century client through technology. Learn how to be the lawyer the 21st century legal consumer will come to again, and again.Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

Society as a whole encourages suppression of feelings.  The legal profession, as a micro-culture, further encourages lawyers to suppress their feelings.  What happens when feelings are suppressed to such a degree? This is a very powerful 32 minutes.  We discuss lawyers and how they deal with (and don’t deal with) feelings in the practice of law. […]Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

Isolation will literally kill you. Yet many lawyers don't even realize they are isolated. They also don't realize there are many forms of isolation that are insidious and destructive. There is professional, personal and social isolation and you may not even understand you are isolated. Isolation is a mental health risk. Today we dig in to raise awareness in the legal community. These are very real and serious issues that have long term impact on your physical and mental health. And if this resonates with you at all, please seek out help. There are ways to manage this risk in a healthy and productive way. Listen and learn.Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

There is so much technology out there which can improve your practice.  However, what are the major technologies you should be investing in and why?  Jared and I talk about two types of technologies in this podcast: document automation and assembly software and case management software, not just a recitation of how they can improve […]Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

Amazon transformed the retail industry by networking small businesses together. It eventually replaced the individuality of each small business with it's own 'brand', Amazon. Eventually, small businesses were able to reduce their overhead further by cutting out their physical real estate, cutting employees and simply marketing and selling their goods through Amazon. This on-demand online company is a 'networked platform' and meets the customer where they are. Imagine a network for lawyers that has nothing to do with a commercially branded company, but through bar associations, or through certain law schools or an AmLaw 100 firm. Imagine a network for solos in a given state or region. Imagine a network driven by the lawyers. This is an eye-opening guest lecture which will help you to envision practicing the way you want to practice. Listen and learn.Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

Do you think a signed retainer agreement is the beginning or end of your marketing to gain a client? The beginning or end of the 'sale'? Today we talk about the reality that once a client retains you it is just the beginning of the sales 're-cycle' - the continuing process of re-affirmations that the client made the right choice in selecting you as their attorney. Listen and learn.Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

Debra says she's always felt like Paul Revere trying to make lawyers understand what is transforming the law profession but it's been challenging. In this guest lecture she share her thoughts on the subject and how you can survive commoditization. Listen and learn.Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

Christina Burns is the Director of Client Happiness at Ruby Receptionists. Ruby's understanding of customer service is so deep, their results so stellar, it is why this company is growing by leaps and bounds and you will only find they receive glowing reviews. Christina understands, and Ruby Receptionists lives and breathes, customer service. They have developed a Service Pyramid which is at the core of their client service. Today, Christina will teach you how to implement your own Service Pyramid to improve your clients' experience with your law firm. Listen and learn.Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

Today we have a highly informative guest lecture with the Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Smokeball, one of our partners in helping you build your solo/small firm practice. Our conversation focuses on change, fear of change, and how to get through the process of change in order to reap the rewards on the other side. It includes assessing the current state of your law firm, how to align your attitude and vision, commit to the reward, and benchmark progress. One thing you will not hear is 'change is easy'. It's not. But it is necessary and it is doable if you want to have a successful law practice. Join us! Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

Becoming a solo and building a solo/small firm practice is a different journey for everyone. However, Scott O'Sullivan, a personal injury lawyer in Colorado and also faculty at Solo Practice University, has graciously shared how he has grown his practice from a one man shop in a shared space to a 10 person firm and owning his own office building in eight years. It's not a story of magic pills and luck. It's a story of hard work, learning from mistakes, creativity, patience, persistence, and being fiscally responsible. It's a podcast you don't want to miss. Listen and learn. Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

Do you understand the financial power of building lawyer networks for referrals? Do you understand the importance of being a traffic hub for business, even legal matters you don't handle? Do you know how to talk with other professionals to garner referrals? Referrals for many lawyers are their lifeblood, a way to keep the pipeline filled with clients to serve. Jared and I discuss the importance of referrals in this guest lecture and we'd love for you to listen and learn.Written by Susan Cartier Liebel