A quick heads-up:

On November 21, we’re taking all past episodes of the Wildly Successful Law Firm Podcast off the public platforms (Apple, Google, etc.).

If you want to keep every episode, re-listen anytime, and have lifetime access to the full archive, you can purchase it here:

👉 Podcast Archive Lifetime Access — $100

https://buy.stripe.com/fZu14n00Z6Tg9NUcGi0oM0X

Once you purchase, you’ll get permanent access to all episodes, including the final one. After Nov 21, they won’t be available for free anywhere.

Key Takeaways:

1. Raise your prices every year.

If Big Law can raise their rates by 7 to 10 percent, so can you. You have more experience now than you did last year. Charge for it. Stop worrying about who you’ll lose. The right clients will stay.

2. Write down your marketing plan.

If it lives in your head, it’s not real. I write my plans down and move them into my calendar. You should too. Know where your clients came from and where you want new ones to come from.

3. Track your numbers every month.

You don’t need fancy reports. Your bank statement and calendar will tell you almost everything. Know what came in, what went out, and how many consults turned into clients.

4. Group your clients into buckets.

Every firm has work that drains time and work that drives profit. Look at what brings money and joy, and cut what doesn’t. Don’t build your firm around the work you hate.

5. Be brutally honest with yourself.

Ask if you really want the kind of work you’re chasing. Ask if you actually want to manage a team or be in court all week. Your firm should fit your life, not the other way around.

6. Charge more so you can hire better.

You get what you pay for. If you want smart, reliable people who take work off your plate, you have to charge enough to afford them.

7. Data gives you power.

When you track your data, decisions become simple. Without it, you stay stuck and overwhelmed. Start with what’s in front of you—your bank account and your schedule.

8. Your marketing should match your truth.

Don’t copy what every other lawyer does. You don’t need TikTok if it doesn’t fit you. Be honest about what you’ll actually do and commit to it.

9. Consistency beats perfection.

One post, one newsletter, or one lunch won’t change your firm. Doing it every month will. Show up often enough to stay top of mind.

10. You already know what to do.

Everything I’ve taught for four years comes down to this: charge what you’re worth, track your data, plan ahead, focus on what works, and be honest about what you want.

Thank you for being part of the Wildly Successful Law Firm podcast.

These past four years have meant the world to me. I’ve shared everything I know about growing, managing, and marketing a firm that feels good to run.

Even though the podcast is ending, I’m not going anywhere. I’m still here helping lawyers raise their rates, hire better teams, and build firms that last.

If you ever need help with your marketing, pricing, or systems, or just want to say hi, reach out to me. I’d love to hear from you.

Email: nermine@wearews.com

Thank you again for listening, for growing, and for being part of this journey with me.

Key Takeaways

1. Don’t lower your rates.

You didn’t lose your experience when you left Big Law. If you billed $1,200/hour before, you can still bill that now. Clients already expect that rate.

2. Your clients want you, not a team of juniors.

They are paying for your direct access, your speed, and your experience, not layers of associates and partners.

3. Use fixed fees as a marketing edge.

Flat or fixed fees help corporate clients plan budgets and make you look predictable, professional, and easy for a CFO to approve.

4. Big Law marketing rules don’t apply.

Skip SEO, Google Ads, and billboards. Your next clients will not find you that way. Focus on relationships, thought leadership, and visibility.

5. Build relationships the right way.

Use the “1-2-3-4 punch”:

• Meet in person (coffee, events, conferences)
• Send newsletters
• Stay active on LinkedIn
• Keep showing up consistently

6. Show thought leadership with real opinions.

Don’t post case summaries. Share what you think about them. Take a stand. Clients trust strong opinions, not robotic summaries.

7. Use your marketing to show confidence, not discount it.

Your message should be: “When you email us, you get us, not a junior.”

8. Video can be simple and effective.

Be direct, speak about real deals or trends, and have an opinion. Use clear brand visuals that fit your niche.

9. Marketing for Big Law attorneys is relationship marketing.

It is not about being everywhere. It is about being seen by the right people enough times to build trust.

10. Stay consistent.

Clients trickle in over months, not overnight. Keep posting, emailing, and meeting. Results come with repetition.

A quick heads-up:

On November 21, we’re taking all past episodes of the Wildly Successful Law Firm Podcast off the public platforms (Apple, Google, etc.).

If you want to keep every episode, re-listen anytime, and have lifetime access to the full archive, you can purchase it here:

👉 Podcast Archive Lifetime Access — $100

https://buy.stripe.com/fZu14n00Z6Tg9NUcGi0oM0X

Once you purchase, you’ll get permanent access to all episodes, including the final one. After Nov 21, they won’t be available for free anywhere.

Thank you so much for being part of this journey and for listening.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Most solo lawyers are happy.

The ALPS survey found that 3 out of 4 solo attorneys feel satisfied in their work. That’s much higher than lawyers in big or mid-size firms.

Control matters more than money.

Many lawyers leave larger firms because they want control over their schedule, clients, and workload—not just a big paycheck.

Debt shapes career choices.

Law school debt pushes a lot of people into jobs they didn’t plan for. Over time, that can lead to burnout or regret.

Less stress when you focus.

Solos who pick one or two practice areas do better and even pay lower malpractice insurance. The more you “dabble,” the more risk you take on.

Solo life doesn’t mean lonely life.

Many solos stay connected through Facebook groups, Slack channels, and local bar groups. Support is there—you just need to reach out.

Health and vacation matter.

Most solos in the survey rated their health as good or great, and many take real time off each year. When you take care of yourself, you do better work.

Technology made going solo easier.

You don’t need a big office anymore. Tools like Clio and virtual offices make it possible to start a practice with low costs.

More lawyers will keep going solo.

About 76% of solos plan to stay that way. They like the freedom, the clients they serve, and the work they’re building for themselves.

The big message:

You don’t need to stay in a job that drains you. You can build a practice that fits your life—and still be a great lawyer.

ALPS INSURANCE REPORT FINDS SOLO LAW FIRMS BUCKING THE LAWYER WELL-BEING CRISIS TREND

While solo practitioners make up 49% of private practice lawyers in the U.S., relatively little research or attention has focused specifically on America's solo community. At the end of 2024, ALPS endeavored to establish benchmark data about solo attorneys and their respective professional satisfaction to determine how this subset of the nation’s legal workforce was faring. The findings, released in the 2025 Solo Attorney Well-Being Trends Report, were surprising.

To download the report, visit: https://www.alpsinsurance.com/2025-solo-well-being-report

Podcast Guest: Chris Newbold, Chief Operating Officer, ALPS Insurance

Email Address: cnewbold@alpsinsurance.com

Website: https://www.alpsinsurance.com/

Blog: https://www.alpsinsurance.com/blog

CLE Catalog: https://www.alpsinsurance.com/cle

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alpscorporation/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alpsinsurance/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/3966272/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ALPSCorporation