Advertise on podcast: New Solo

Guest Phil Diamond is a CPA and lawyer who serves as the comptroller for Orange County, Florida (think Orlando). He started out studying accounting and got his first job in the field before deciding it wasn’t all he dreamed of and headed back to law school.   But now, after a long and successful career in law, Diamond combines his accounting and legal background as comptroller, serving his community as a fiscal watchdog and guardian.  This episode of New Solo may spark something in you, make you want to get out there and do something for your community. “I think it’s important for lawyers to get involved. Lawyers, in general, I think have this gene inside of them that makes them want to get involved and make a difference.” Diamond says. “I’d encourage every lawyer out there to get involved.” Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at [email protected]. Topics:  Funny where life takes us. Guest Phil Diamond started in accounting, went into law, and then public services, first as a volunteer, then an elected city commissioner, and now as the elected comptroller of a major Florida county. Lawyers by nature want to get involved and have a drive to help reach the right decisions. They are made for public service. You don’t have to run for office to help your community. Every government has committees that need smart, insightful people, from planning and zoning boards to parks and rec.   Resources:  IRS.gov  ClioCon 2026  ABA Techshow 2027

What are you charging your clients for, “minutes” or “results?” Guest John Rafferty started his own firm, Highfield Law, in the Philadelphia suburbs, specializing in guardianships and estates. He’s a convert to flat-fee, results based, billing. No more “billable hours.” And it works. Rafferty is also a tech guy. Zoom, phone, face to face, it’s all at the client’s choice. Meeting clients where they want is key, and Rafferty finds many prefer some mix of online and in-person contact. It’s a new world. (And that goes for hiring online and part-time administrative help, too). Hear how Rafferty reinvented his legal practice, from billing to remote work, and how he sets his flat-fee rates based on value and the market. Having the confidence to set a rate, and stick to it, is important. It takes courage, but it’s worth it.  And one more thing: “All funds are due up front.” Does this all sound blunt and, frankly, different? Perhaps, but it can take the focus off the money and hours and let clients focus on getting the results they want. (Plus, a bonus tip: where to find the best Philly cheesesteaks!)  Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at [email protected].  Topics: Flat-fee billing works if you have the confidence to set your fee and stick to it. John Rafferty went out on his own and established a results-based firm. No more “billable hours.”  Meet clients where they are. That doesn’t have to be in an office. Clients are busy, too. Sometimes an online video chat or a phone call is better than having someone “drop by the office.”  For solo practices, tech matters. Get comfortable with digital platforms and let them speed up the routine tasks. If a flat-fee project takes fewer hours than you estimated because you were efficient, that’s pure profit. Resources: “Ditch the Billable Hour! Implementing Value-Based Pricing in a Law Firm,” by Shaun Jardine Previously on the Legal Talk Network, “No More Billable Hours: The Move To Value-Based, Results-Based Pricing,” The Un-Billable Hour Clio legal software Smokeball legal software CARET legal software Claude AI Microsoft OneDrive Quo phone system Zoom ClioCon 2026 ABA Techshow 2027

As an attorney, you do great work, you get results for your clients, but do you ever feel invisible? Getting your name out there and letting people know what you do is still important, no matter how good you are, and it doesn’t have to be expensive or take up all your time. Guest Karen Korr is a veteran legal communications professional and an expert in legal media relations, public relations, marketing, and branding who helps lawyers get their name out there, build relationships, and make a lasting impression.   Of course, it starts with being consistent and being human. But it’s been said most of us don’t remember something until we see it 15 times. So, making your firm visible is important, whether that’s in a news release, or social media, or sponsorships, or advertising. The secret is, it’s not that time consuming or costly. It just takes some knowhow. Hear Korr’s tips for letting your light shine, tips you can start using today to make your firm top of mind. Visibility lets clients know about the great work you do and the problems you solve. Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at [email protected].  Topics: It’s not enough to do good work. If nobody knows, how does that build your business? Guest Karen Korr is a legal communications pro who gets legal professionals the attention and recognition they deserve. Awards, rankings, social media, advertising, and networking do matter. Many lawyers avoid that part of building a business because they think it’s too time consuming or expensive. The secret? It’s not. How do you write an effective news release? What do reporters and influencers want to know in the first paragraph. What does using a generic (hint, “Gmail”) email address say about your firm?   Resources: Super Lawyers Best Lawyers LinkedIn Bluesky X Eventbrite Reddit Businesswire PR Newswire ABA Techshow 2026 Special thanks to our sponsors CallRail, ALPS Insurance, Wyzer Staffing, and LEX Reception.

Still on the fence about AI? You might not have a choice if you want your firm to succeed. Guest Craig Ball is a lawyer, law professor, special master, author, and above all a tireless student of all things electronic. AI, he says, may be the most transformative legal tool to hit the profession ever. Bigger than word processing, online research, even the internet.  Ball explains how AI is emerging from hype and headlines to real world applications such as drafting documents and sifting through gigabytes of e-discovery. Learning the art of AI prompting and developing the skepticism to evaluate AI powered product isn’t an option. This is the future of the practice of law, Ball says. But AI isn’t a free pass and it’s not magic. If you want quality legal work through AI, it’s going to cost you. “Free” AI platforms probably won’t cut it. Be prepared to spend not just the time, but also the money to incorporate your own voice and the particular expertise of your firm into pay-to-play AI programs.  If you’ve been reading the headlines and wondering how AI applies to your practice, this episode will fill in a lot of the gaps. And here’s the thing, you’re not “too old” to dive in and resistance can hurt you. As Ball says, “It’s an AI enabled world.”    Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at [email protected]   Topics: If you thought you could ignore AI, continue your practice without it, and scoff at lawyers who use it, you may be wrong. AI is here to stay and it’s transforming the legal profession. Guest Craig Ball – a lawyer and law professor – shares how AI is already performing real tasks and making real, experienced lawyers better. You’re not “too old” or too set in your ways to plug AI into your practice (and to understand how opposing counsel is already using it). Mastering AI isn’t free and it won’t come without effort. But if you invest the time and money, it can return exponential rewards in productivity and efficiency. Get excited about AI today.   Resources: Microsoft Copilot AI Claude AI Harvey AI Microsoft Word ABA Techshow 2026 CraigBall.com  “Leery Lawyer’s Guide to AI,” by Craig Ball Ball in Your Court blog “Forensic Tells: The Litigator’s Guide to Detecting Deep Fakes,” by Craig Ball

What’s it like to manage diverse organizations and bring together different personalities and achieve goals? Guest Jill Epstein is a lawyer by training but has spent more than two decades managing organizations and associations. She is currently the CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of California and has served as executive director of the San Diego County Bar Association, among other leadership positions.  Epstein found her own path, bringing people together, during her internships while attending law school. That opened a new horizon. For her, managing teams and developing innovative solutions was a more appealing career than the traditional law firm or government litigator route. Working for a variety of associations, she has carved her way by leading associations as they navigate shifting priorities, evolving technologies, and demands.  For lawyers, there’s more than practicing law in the traditional sense. Epstein built on her education to develop skills in budget management, human resources, bringing diverse parties together, solving problems, organizing, managing meetings, and driving initiatives. Did you graduate from law school only to find that practicing law isn’t for you? Your law degree and the critical thinking skills you’ve developed are still the springboard to a variety of careers in leadership.  Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at [email protected]   Topics: A law degree doesn’t limit you to a career practicing law. The critical thinking and negotiating skills you learn in law school open a path to a variety of leadership fields. Guest Jill Epstein was inspired by her law school internships with membership organizations and has enjoyed decades of challenging roles leading a range of membership organizations. Leadership skills apply no matter an organization’s membership and specialty. Understanding how to navigate boards and members with different perspectives apply across fields.  Resources: Toastmasters International: https://www.toastmasters.org/  ChatGPT: https://chatgpt.com/  Claude AI: https://claude.com San Diego County Bar Association: https://www.sdcba.org/  ABA Techshow 2026: https://www.techshow.com/

Let’s talk about finances; specifically, your law practice’s finances, everything from billing (even flat fee pricing) and bookkeeping to taxes and support staff salary negotiations. Guest Terrell Turner is not a lawyer, he’s a CPA and co-founder of the TLTurner Group, an accounting practice that helps lawyers and law firms understand and maximize their finances. In addition, Turner hosts the American Bar Association Law Practice Group’s podcast, called “The Law Practice Podcast,” that covers money and running a practice. Finance is the foundation of any firm, otherwise, why are you working? And it’s a team issue, everyone in your firm drives the firm’s finances. Every function should help feed the bottom line. Turner helps firms break down the value of every part of your practice. It’s vital to understand the impact every member of the team has on your firm’s function – even non-billing members such as a virtual assistant (and the TLTurner Group website is adding a free calculator you can use to break it all down). Not only are you responsible for managing the firm’s output and efficiency, but you should also know what you need from your accountant and bookkeeper (they aren’t the same) and what you should expect to pay for and get from those services. Real talk, real answers. Because money matters. Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at [email protected]   Topics: Your firm exists to generate revenue and profit. That’s where a professional financial service can help you strategically understand and maximize your returns. Every part of your firm should contribute to your bottom line, whether that’s attorneys billing clients or support staff and AI creating efficiencies. And don’t forget, accountants and bookkeepers are not one and the same, you need to know the difference (and how much you should pay). Are you actively managing your practice with a goal in mind? A practice management program and a professional review of your practice can unlock hidden potential. Resources: American Bar Association Law Practice Division QuickBooks Canva ABA Techshow 2026 Clio Cloud Conference 2026 Podcast, “American Bar Association Law Practice Podcast”  Podcast, “Stuff Your Accountant Isn’t Telling You”

Drop a quarter in the slot and dig into the nontraditional career of Chrissie Scelsi who specializes in the law of video gaming. Scelsi forged her own way, untangling the intersection of entertainment, marketing, technology, and law.  Games aren’t all fun and games. Scelsi deals with licensing, advertising, intellectual property, transactions, e-sports, content clearance, privacy law, and even influencer relations. “I lean something new every day, and that’s great,” she says. Throughout her career, she’s become a self-described legal Swiss army knife (and she’s a master at Pokémon Go). Among the topics she encounters both in her practice and as the first woman president of the Video Game Bar Association is the impact of AI, from game development to game play. Working independently, hear how Scelsi has found her community, networks with others, and keeps current on the latest issues affecting not only legal aspects but also trends across the video gaming industry, an industry expected to approach $200 billion in annual revenue this year.  Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at [email protected].  Topics: Have a passion? There’s a legal field for that! Hear how guest Chrissie Scelsi turned her love for entertainment and video gaming into a full-time practice. Video gaming is big business not just in the U.S. but around the world, and that means a web of legal needs to help game developers and marketers navigate copyright, legal protections, liability, and intellectual property issues. In a rapidly evolving field, it’s important for solo practitioners and consultants to build a community through associations, conferences, and networking to share ideas and understand ever-changing legal issues and challenges.

Meet Alyssa Vachon Daigneault, a new Massachusetts attorney who benefitted from a chat with lawyer and law coach Kellam Parks, an amazing guest from our previous podcast. Hear how Daigneault launched her law firm as a second career after years teaching high school chemistry and hear what she learned from Parks as she beefed up her technology. Daigneault launched her own firm less than two years ago in the busy Boston area, specializing in real estate, land use, and property matters, all fields she was already well versed in. A session with a coach helped Daigneault fully frame the vision and direction of her practice, craft policies, and understand onboarding new hires. Starting a new solo firm is hard, do you need help cutting through some of the steps and learning from those who went before you?   Daigneault is an advocate for learning about and investing and experimenting in tech, AI, and other tools before worrying about office space. As a new solo, tech can save time, build efficiencies, and let lawyers do what they do best.  Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at [email protected]     Topics: A new solo, embarking on a second career as an attorney, took some tips from one of New Solo’s earlier guests, attorney and legal practice coach Kellam Parks.  Not all tech and AI are the same, it takes time and research to understand what works for you. Lining up the right tools makes a difference. In today’s legal environment, tech is becoming king. But if you can manage it, the right support staff and office space can push you forward and keep you growing. Resources: Previously on New Solo, “Six To-Dos Every Firm Can Embrace in 2026,” with Kellam Parks The Real Estate Bar Association for Massachusetts QuickBooks Gusto Adobe ChatGPT Perplexity Spellbook Lexis Protégé Clio ABA Techshow 2026 Clio Cloud Conference 2026

Where do you want your firm to go in the new year? Do you have a plan to get there? Intentional firm design and strategy trumps reactive growth every time. Don’t let your firm run you; take charge today! Guest Kellam Parks is a partner with the metrics- and technology-driven family and cybersecurity law firm Parks Zeigler PLLC, and he runs the coaching program “The Motivated Lawyer,” helping firms craft a path to a successful future. Hear how he recently took on one new client pro bono to demonstrate how his coaching helps lawyers visualize and achieve their goals. Parks began his own Virginia Beach firm as a “paperless” entity nearly 15 years ago, incorporating emerging tech to maximize efficiencies. As the firm developed, tech tools have helped his team automate the routine and focus on the most important and demanding tasks. He is a regular speaker and provider of CLE programs for attorneys and firms and produces educational videos and a popular newsletter packed with tips. Do you need help building out your technological capacities and marketing? As Parks points out, “Nobody knows everything.” Always be learning and open to new ideas.  Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at [email protected]   Topics: Too many solos start out with no intentional plan, opting instead to gather as many clients as they can then scrambling to keep up. A recipe for stress and inefficiency. In 2026, think about what you actually want from your firm. Then create an intentional plan to get there, step by step. Technology is not an option. Use the tools available to you. But remember “technology does not fix chaos.” It all starts with your plan, your established systems, and understanding what you’re doing (and why).  Mentioned in This Episode: Previous appearance on New Solo, “Tech, Automation, and Cybersecurity: A Pioneering Attorney’s Perspective”  Previous appearance on Legal Talk Network’s Digital Detectives, “Cybersecurity: Getting to Good for the Small Law Firm”  Ben Glass, Great Legal Marketing Gino Wickman, “Traction”  Allie K. Miller, understanding AI “Buy Back Your Time: Get Unstuck, Reclaim Your Freedom, and Build Your Empire,” by Dan Martell  Clio ABA Techshow 2026 Clio Cloud Conference 2026

When family lawyer and podcaster Lee Rosen talks about referrals, he doesn’t call them a network. He calls them friends. He explains why you only need about 20 trusted relationships to sustain a thriving practice, how genuine curiosity and consistency outperform traditional “networking,” and why lawyers make some of the most powerful referral partners across practice areas. Lee also shares how thoughtful gestures, not referral fees, build long-term goodwill and how social media can strengthen real-world connections when used with intention. Then, ALPS Insurance’s Rio Laine joins host Adriana Linares to cover the risk-management side of referrals, including documentation best practices, appropriate thank-you gifts, when to decline referrals, and why every solo should have a backup attorney and succession plan in place. Hear the original episode with Lee Rosen Learn more about ALPS Insurance.  Receive email notifications every time we release a new episode.

Let the record show, records were meant to be corrected. In this episode, we revisit something we mentioned that might not have been the full story, the role of the remote attorney and the freelance attorneys provided by LAWCLERK.  Guest Kristin Tyler is a lawyer and co-founder and chief brand officer at LAWCLERK, which supplies contract attorneys for growing, busy law firms under an arrangement where freelance attorneys work under the supervision of a client’s in-house attorneys.  From discovery to document review to deposition management, contract attorneys can manage routine tasks at rates designed to be affordable for growing firms. Why hire a part-time paralegal when you can hire an actual attorney at a comparable rate?  Whether you’re a growing firm or an attorney looking for part-time work, hear why this could be the solution you’ve been looking for.  Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at [email protected].  Topics: Contract and part-time remote attorneys can help busy, growing firms find affordable legal assistance when things get hectic. Why hire a remote paralegal when you can hire an actual, licensed attorney at a comparable cost? Do your best and outsource the rest! Special for our listeners, for your first hire from LAWCLERK, use the promo code NewSolo25 for a $100 rebate. Hear how the arrangement works, including ethical and licensing policies, confidentiality, state-specific availability, and even hiring attorneys who are experts in the exact area of law you need. Resources: Previous appearance on Legal Talk Network, “Clio Cloud 2022: Hire for Success – Best Practices for Growing Your Team” Previously on New Solo, “Checking In! Four Years Later, Solo Practice Aloha Divorce Is Thriving”  Clio ABA Techshow 2026 Clio Cloud Conference 2026

When Milwaukee attorney Nate Cade left big law, he wasn’t just starting a firm — he was rebuilding his entire work life around flexibility, technology, and intention. He shares how shedding committees and tradition helped him design a virtual, modern practice from day one, why an iPad and curiosity turned him into a tech-first lawyer years before it was common, and how testing every tool himself led to a streamlined firm that serves clients better from anywhere. Then, ALPS Insurance’s Rio Laine joins host Adriana Linares to explore what remote-first solos must plan for, how discipline and smart systems act as your “secret” backup plan, and why supervision, cybersecurity, and dedicated hardware matter even more when your whole team works from home.   Hear the original episode with Nate Cade Learn more about ALPS Insurance.  Receive email notifications every time we release a new episode.

Security, security, security. In your law firm’s tech package, there is probably no more important word than security. Your clients depend on it. Your business depends on it.  You and your firm can get hacked. It happens. Bad people want to get into your firm. They can dig through your email. They can get into your Microsoft 365 One Drive or Google accounts. Guest Adam Alexander, president of the Orlando-based IT firm Internetwork IT, explains two recent breaches, how they happened and how much damage hackers can do.  Once inside, hackers can hold your business – and your reputation – for ransom. The scary part? While evil doers are worming through your data, you may not even know it.    In this important episode, even if you think you know all about security, take a moment to get your head around the latest threats and safeguards. What’s an admin account? What’s two-factor authentication? Who holds the key to your kingdom? If you haven’t thought about this for a while, today’s the day.  Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at [email protected],  Topics: Cyber security should be your firm’s top priority. If you think your firm is “too small” for hackers to target, you could be in for a nasty surprise. Authentications, password management, and encrypted emails are the rule, not the exception. Security is everybody’s business. The tools you probably use today, including Microsoft and Google, include advanced security options. How to take advantage of them. Mentioned in This Episode: Previous appearance on New Solo, “AI And The Evolving Security Threats (And Protections)”  Previous appearance on New Solo, “The Microsoft 365 Special: Your Questions, Expert Answers” Microsoft 365 Microsoft 365 Premium Microsoft Defender Threat Intelligence “Set up multifactor authentication for Microsoft 365” Google OAuth 1Password RoboForm American Bar Association, “Insurance Strategies to Mitigate AI and Cyber Risks” Clio ABA Techshow 2026 Clio Cloud Conference 2026

When Matthew Moeller launched his New Orleans law firm, he wasn’t just becoming a solo attorney— he was stepping into entrepreneurship. He shares how he turned lessons from a high-school retail job into business instincts for running a profitable practice, why he ditched file cabinets for the cloud, and how technology and specialization keep his firm agile and client-focused. Then, ALPS Insurance’s Rio Laine joins host Adriana Linares to unpack why business training, specialization, and tail coverage matter for every new solo.   Hear the original episode with Matthew Moeller Learn more about ALPS Insurance.  Receive email notifications every time we release a new episode.

Starting your solo firm means building good habits from day one and that begins with your intake process. In this episode of New Solo: First Flight, host Adriana Linares revisits her conversation with Chad Burton, co-founder of Modern Law Practice and CEO of CuroLegal, about how thoughtful workflows create better client relationships and fewer headaches. From conflict checks and engagement letters to managing matters in Clio and working with virtual assistants, Chad shares how documenting your processes can help your firm grow smoothly and ethically. Plus, Adriana Linares and Rio Laine from ALPS Insurance break down why consistent intake procedures and clear engagement letters are key to avoiding malpractice claims and protecting your peace of mind. Hear the original episode with Chad Burton Learn more about ALPS Insurance.  Receive email notifications every time we release a new episode.