How do you build a law firm team that actually loves what they do and stays longer because of it?

In today’s legal market, hiring for skill isn’t enough. Law firms need to rethink how they attract, engage, and retain top talent.

This week on Hot Docket, we’re joined by Kyle Robbins, Founder of Robbins Estate Law, who’s sharing with us how he’s grown his firm through culture-first hiring. Using a custom personality and values survey, Kyle has scaled to over 30 team members in just a few years.

He's not just building a fast-growing practice—he’s reinventing how law firms hire, engage, and manage their people through innovative processes you won’t hear about in your typical legal playbook.

Get ready for tangible strategies, a few behind-the-scenes laughs, and ideas you can steal for your own firm!

Tune in to learn:

• From Farm to Firm Owner – Kyle’s unconventional journey from Oklahoma farm life to building a fast-growing estate law firm in Texas
• Fix the Hiring Funnel – Why traditional interviews fall short and how Kyle uses the Culture Index to find top talent that sticks
• Personalities Over Resumes – Real stories of team members thriving after shifting roles based on personality and behavioral data
• Automate to Elevate – How tools like Process Street and Clio helped Kyle replace entire departments and free up staff for high-impact work
• Lead Like a CEO – Why stepping away from lawyering was Kyle’s boldest and smartest move as a founder
• Market Smarter, Not Louder – What marketing efforts actually drove growth and how referrals became the engine of his firm

Key Takeaways for Law Firm Owners:

• Assess “Fit” First – Use culture and personality assessments to hire for alignment, not just qualifications.
• Automate Intentionally – Deploy workflow tools to eliminate repetitive tasks and empower your team.
• Rework Roles, Not People – Redesign jobs around team members’ strengths to boost retention and morale.
• Measure What Matters – Track marketing ROI rigorously! Cut what doesn’t convert and reinvest in what does.
• Let Go to Grow – Delegate legal work to step fully into leadership and scale with purpose.

Important Links and Resources:

• Website: https://www.robbinsestatelaw.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-robbins-3b54b480
• Culture Index: https://www.cultureindex.com
• Clio: https://www.clio.com
• Process Street: https://www.process.st

If you have guest ideas or questions you would like our hosts to cover, please email info@hotdocketpodcast.com.

Tune in to hear from more the Hot Docket podcast hosted by Bobby Steinbach and Andrew Nasrinpay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Radio Public and more!

How many millions of everyday disputes go unresolved simply because the legal system is too daunting or inaccessible for the average person?

In an era where technology is reshaping everything from food delivery to banking, the legal industry is finally feeling the impact. Platforms are emerging that aim to make access to justice as easy as hailing a ride, challenging traditional legal models and empowering real people to take action.

This week on Hot Docket, we’re joined by Michael Egenthal—Attorney, Law Professor, and Founder & CEO of Squabble—an innovative platform streamlining the small claims process across the U.S. We invited Michael on because he’s building the first-of-its-kind nationwide platform that makes filing and handling small claims approachable, transparent, and fast for everyone.

Tune in to learn the surprising bottlenecks of the small claims process, how Squabble is changing the game for plaintiffs and courts alike, and what legal tech means for traditional law firms.

Tune in to learn:

• From Olive Branch to Operating System – How Squabble evolved from a local mediation concept into a nationwide platform handling thousands of small claims.
• Why Most Small Claims Fail – The common procedural mistakes that derail pro se litigants—and how Squabble helps users avoid them.
• Triple-Check to Win – Squabble’s built-in process that dramatically lowers rejection rates and keeps claims moving forward.
• David vs. Goliath – How regular people are using tech to successfully bring claims against big companies—and win.
• When Automation Meets Advocacy – The balance between tech efficiency and the role of attorneys in simplifying legal access.
• Legal Industry Pushback – Why some traditionalists are wary of platforms like Squabble, and what that reveals about the future of legal tech.

Key Actionable Takeaways for Law Firm Owners:

• Streamline Referrals – Use legal tech platforms to route out-of-scope or low-value cases, keeping your firm focused and your network grateful.
• Improve Your Intake – Apply principles from Squabble’s triple-check system to reduce document errors and boost client success.
• Lean Into Legal Tech – Embrace tools that simplify legal access—tech-savvy clients increasingly expect it.
• Know the UPL Line – Stay current on what counts as unauthorized practice so you can work with (not against) legal tech partners.
• Empower Through Education – Like Squabble, demystify legal processes to boost client trust—even when they’re not your direct client.

Important Links and Resources:

• Squabble: https://www.squabbleapp.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-e-8b292941

If you have guest ideas or questions you would like our hosts to cover, please email info@hotdocketpodcast.com.

Tune in to hear from more the Hot Docket podcast hosted by Bobby Steinbach and Andrew Nasrinpay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Radio Public and more!

Wondering how lawyers can use AI to improve their practice?

This week on Hot Docket, we’re joined by David Drwencke—Founding Partner at DRD Law, LLC—to learn how he's using AI to streamline everything from intake and document review to trial prep and client communications. He also unpacks the realities of practicing in a high-stakes, privacy-sensitive field—where wins are hard to publicize and courtroom persuasion is part art, part science.

Whether you’re exploring legal tech or refining your client experience, David’s approach offers a forward-thinking blueprint for modern law firms.

Tune in to learn:

• Crafting Credibility in Criminal Defense – Why discretion matters more than online reviews in high-stakes, high-privacy cases.
• Persuade with Purpose – How to adapt your trial strategy depending on your audience—facts, law, or theatrics.
• Tech with a Human Touch – How David uses AI to improve speed, accuracy, and personalization—without losing empathy.
• Bench vs. Jury – The hidden dynamics behind choosing your forum—and how to win in either.

Key Actionable Takeaways for Law Firm Owners:

• Digitize Your Voice – Use AI to automate and personalize client comms—boosting engagement without burning out your team.
• Review Before You Send – AI saves time, but human review protects your brand and your clients.
• Track the Right Metrics – From intake call sentiment to conversion rates, use AI insights to refine your process.
• Scale Without the Overhead – Smart automation can help small firms punch far above their weight.

Important Links and Resources:

• Website: https://drdlawllc.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-drwencke
• David Drwencke’s podcast: Defending the Windy City: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defending-the-windy-city-with-david-drwecke/id1804172923
• CoCounsel: https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en/cocounsel

If you have guest ideas or questions you would like our hosts to cover, please email info@hotdocketpodcast.com.

Tune in to hear from more the Hot Docket podcast hosted by Bobby Steinbach and Andrew Nasrinpay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Radio Public and more!