Conrad Saam

On this week's episode Oscar and Scott welcome Conrad Saam from Mockingbird Marketing. They discuss the importance of a website to your legal practice, what to look for in a website vendor and what every website should contain. Most importantly, hear the story of how "Zippy the Chicken" was invited to become a "Lawyer of Distinction.

On this week's episode Oscar and Scott welcome Conrad Saam from Mockingbird Marketing. They discuss the importance of a website to your legal practice, what to look for in a website vendor and what every website should contain. Most importantly, hear the story of how "Zippy the Chicken" was invited to become a "Lawyer of Distinction.

Episode 149 Talking with Conrad Saam of Mockingbird Marketing

This Episode, Oscar and Scott discuss the potential timelines for law practices to financially recover from this crisis. They discuss short term and long term possibilities along with other informative information about how to run your practice during this crisis.

This Episode, Oscar and Scott discuss the potential timelines for law practices to financially recover from this crisis. They discuss short term and long term possibilities along with other informative information about how to run your practice during this crisis.

Episode 148 Long at Short Term Plans for Law Practices During the Covid Crisis

On this episode, Oscar &amp; Scott discuss the probability that the Covid Pandemic will have serious effects on the practice of law until a vaccine is distributed and even beyond. They discuss mindset and how to get yourself and your practice in a position to succeed in this unprecedented situation.

On this episode, Oscar &amp; Scott discuss the probability that the Covid Pandemic will have serious effects on the practice of law until a vaccine is distributed and even beyond. They discuss mindset and how to get yourself and your practice in a position to succeed in this unprecedented situation.

Episode 147 The Long Term Effects of Covid-19 on the Practice of Law

A few weeks into the Covid-19 Pandemic, Oscar and Scott talk about how they are handling their practices and the planning they are doing for the future.

A few weeks into the Covid-19 Pandemic, Oscar and Scott talk about how they are handling their practices and the planning they are doing for the future.

Episode 146 Some Ideas for your Practice During the Pandemic

After over a year absence, Oscar and Scott "Reboot" the podcast to discuss some of the issues they are facing as a result of the Covid-19 Pandemic. They discuss the changes in their practices and give advice on how to position your practice over the next few months.

After over a year absence, Oscar and Scott "Reboot" the podcast to discuss some of the issues they are facing as a result of the Covid-19 Pandemic. They discuss the changes in their practices and give advice on how to position your practice over the next few months.

Episode 145 Practicing Law in the age of Covid-19

This episode Oscar and Scott discuss the impact of technology on how the solo and small practice are looked at by consumers. The ability to hold yourself out as an expert in many types of law is increasingly difficult. Client's want someone who specializes in their specific issue and if your website advertises that you are an "expert" in 7 types of law then the client may well move on to someone else. They discuss how to use your website and other online media to best try and attract the client that is looking for your services

This episode Oscar and Scott discuss the impact of technology on how the solo and small practice are looked at by consumers. The ability to hold yourself out as an expert in many types of law is increasingly difficult. Client's want someone who specializes in their specific issue and if your website advertises that you are an "expert" in 7 types of law then the client may well move on to someone else. They discuss how to use your website and other online media to best try and attract the client that is looking for your services

Episode 144 The Impact of Technology on the Practice of Law

As your practice grows and you enable more moving parts, sometimes these parts break down and you have to deal with a quick painful situation or a long painful situation. This week Scott discusses the stress of creating a new website for his practice while Oscar discusses an associate who left and the options for replacing him.

As your practice grows and you enable more moving parts, sometimes these parts break down and you have to deal with a quick painful situation or a long painful situation. This week Scott discusses the stress of creating a new website for his practice while Oscar discusses an associate who left and the options for replacing him.

Episode 143 Dealing with Bumps in the Road

Oscar and Scott discuss Text-a-lawyer. Is it a service that can help those that can’t otherwise afford legal advice or is it an ethical mess that distorts attorney client privilege.

Oscar and Scott discuss Text-a-lawyer. Is it a service that can help those that can’t otherwise afford legal advice or is it an ethical mess that distorts attorney client privilege.

Episode 142 Legal advice by Text???

When Oscar and Scott started the podcast they were truly “Rebooting” their law practices. Now over three years later they discuss the next level planning and ideas that they are initiating for their practices. They touch on speaking in front of groups, evaluating if a networking group is right for you and getting involved in thier local bar associations.

When Oscar and Scott started the podcast they were truly “Rebooting” their law practices. Now over three years later they discuss the next level planning and ideas that they are initiating for their practices. They touch on speaking in front of groups, evaluating if a networking group is right for you and getting involved in thier local bar associations.

Episode 141 Next Level Ideas

As we know, your website is one of the most important tools you have to give prospective clients information about your firm. Scott gives a status update on the revamp of his website. He discusses the steps his design firm is taking to make the new site a success.

As we know, your website is one of the most important tools you have to give prospective clients information about your firm. Scott gives a status update on the revamp of his website. He discusses the steps his design firm is taking to make the new site a success.

Episode 140 Website Revamp

Scott Limmer and Oscar Michelen, lawyers who watched their once thriving solo (Scott) and small firm (Oscar) law practices lose direction, discuss how based on the principals of being authentic, giving value and building business relationships &amp; networking they were able to analyze, reboot, and grow their law practices and offer practical advice on how you can grow your solo or small law practice too.  Join them each week to discuss topics such as legal marketing, personal &amp; professional growth, networking, technology and helping mold and grow your personal self and your online persona.

great content

Full of great value.   Thanks Scott and Oscar for this podcast.

Highly recommend

Reboot Your Law Practice

Steven Funari from Law Office Suites wrote a recent article that discussed 7 important things that solo practitioners should do. Steven recognizes how overwhelming it can be to be a small or solo attorney and gives this tips to help attorneys with time management, become lean, grow professionally and personally and just be able to deal with the every day stress of running your own practice. We chime in with our opinions about each of the activities. You can check out Steven’s website at http://lawfirmsuites.com/

Steven Funari from Law Office Suites wrote a recent article that discussed 7 important things that solo practitioners should do. Steven recognizes how overwhelming it can be to be a small or solo attorney and gives this tips to help attorneys with time management, become lean, grow professionally and personally and just be able to deal with the every day stress of running your own practice. We chime in with our opinions about each of the activities. You can check out Steven’s website at <a href="http://lawfirmsuites.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://lawfirmsuites.com/</a>

Episode 96 - 7 Essential Actions for Solo and Small Firm Attorneys

EPISODE #1 - Intro to the series: In this episode, Oscar and Scott talk about their backgrounds, their law practices and what led them to develop this podcast. Both hosts discuss how their prior practices began floundering after long periods of success and how they had to retool and reboot their own businesses. Topics discussed this week include: - The current state of the legal marketplace - What solo and small firm lawyers need to start thinking about to succeed under current conditions.

EPISODE #1 - Intro to the series: In this episode, Oscar and Scott talk about their backgrounds, their law practices and what led them to develop this podcast. Both hosts discuss how their prior practices began floundering after long periods of success and how they had to retool and reboot their own businesses. Topics discussed this week include: - The current state of the legal marketplace - What solo and small firm lawyers need to start thinking about to succeed under current conditions.

EPISODE #1: Reboot Your Law Practice

EPISODE #2 – Be the CEO of Your Practice: This episode discusses how the first step in rebooting your law practice is taking stock in your current practice and realizing that you must take charge of every facet of your business.  Topics discussed this week include; - The importance of making sound business decisions- Examining your competitors to take stock of the marketplace - How to analyze your practice areas and make sure that your social media presence   is geared to those practice areas. - The importance and need for a business plan- How implementing a business plan properly can be the key to running a successful   practice.     

EPISODE #2 – Be the CEO of Your Practice: This episode discusses how the first step in rebooting your law practice is taking stock in your current practice and realizing that you must take charge of every facet of your business. Topics discussed this week include; - The importance of making sound business decisions- Examining your competitors to take stock of the marketplace - How to analyze your practice areas and make sure that your social media presence   is geared to those practice areas. - The importance and need for a business plan- How implementing a business plan properly can be the key to running a successful   practice.

EPISODE #2: Be the CEO of Your Practice

The hosts discuss how small and solo firms need to focus on being organized in order to be successful. As lawyers, we all take deadlines very seriously – appearance dates, statutes of limitation, etc. So we should treat the business goals and “to do “ list” items we set for ourselves as importantly as we treat important dates in our legal matters.  Scott and Oscar talk about what works for them and which strategies they employed that helped them get organized and stay focused on business development. It can be hard for those of us who are not keen on technology to learn new methods of law firm management, but the podcast discusses why it’s essential and offers tips on getting itdone. 

The hosts discuss how small and solo firms need to focus on being organized in order to be successful. As lawyers, we all take deadlines very seriously – appearance dates, statutes of limitation, etc. So we should treat the business goals and “to do “ list” items we set for ourselves as importantly as we treat important dates in our legal matters. Scott and Oscar talk about what works for them and which strategies they employed that helped them get organized and stay focused on business development. It can be hard for those of us who are not keen on technology to learn new methods of law firm management, but the podcast discusses why it’s essential and offers tips on getting itdone.

Episode #22 - The Need to be Organized

Oscar and Scott discuss how Authenticity is the first core element needed to help reboot your business. Using personal experiences, the two hosts discuss how their passion for particular fields of law helped to revive their practices. Topics on this weeks show include: - The need to look inward to assess what it is about the practice of law that initially interested you- How your “authentic self” needs to be projected in client meetings and interactions and your social media. - How being authentic in your practice also leads to being content in your practice. 

Oscar and Scott discuss how Authenticity is the first core element needed to help reboot your business. Using personal experiences, the two hosts discuss how their passion for particular fields of law helped to revive their practices. Topics on this weeks show include: - The need to look inward to assess what it is about the practice of law that initially interested you- How your “authentic self” needs to be projected in client meetings and interactions and your social media. - How being authentic in your practice also leads to being content in your practice.

EPISODE #3 - The Need to be Authentic

The show often discusses the importance of networking and following up with potential clients and referral partners. The hosts remind listeners, however, that not everything you do will work and almost none of it will work right away. You never know which of your efforts will bear fruit and, in some cases, it may take some time before it generates any business. That’s why it’s important to have a balanced approach to building your business. Different things will come to fruition at different times and some things won’t ever produce results. That’s also why it’s important to keep a good flow of communication and contact with your best sources of business to keep your practice on the top of their mind. The hosts discuss the importance of balancing your time between doing the work and getting the work to allow you plant as many seeds as you can and hopefully reap a harvest.

The show often discusses the importance of networking and following up with potential clients and referral partners. The hosts remind listeners, however, that not everything you do will work and almost none of it will work right away. You never know which of your efforts will bear fruit and, in some cases, it may take some time before it generates any business. That’s why it’s important to have a balanced approach to building your business. Different things will come to fruition at different times and some things won’t ever produce results. That’s also why it’s important to keep a good flow of communication and contact with your best sources of business to keep your practice on the top of their mind. The hosts discuss the importance of balancing your time between doing the work and getting the work to allow you plant as many seeds as you can and hopefully reap a harvest.

Episode 89 – Plant the Seed – You Never Know When It Will Bloom

Lawyers likely get inundated with ads for client management or practice management software that make numerous promises that will revolutionize your practice. Look past the promises and investigate the validity of the claims made. You need to find the proper program that is streamlined to your needs. Some programs specialize in email drip campaigns; some help you with intake forms; others help you set up an intake system right from your website. It’s not one size fits all and you can spend a lot of money on programs and systems that will give you things you don’t need and won’t fulfill the needs for your practice. The host discuss experiences with these systems and some of the issues they have come across.

Lawyers likely get inundated with ads for client management or practice management software that make numerous promises that will revolutionize your practice. Look past the promises and investigate the validity of the claims made. You need to find the proper program that is streamlined to your needs. Some programs specialize in email drip campaigns; some help you with intake forms; others help you set up an intake system right from your website. It’s not one size fits all and you can spend a lot of money on programs and systems that will give you things you don’t need and won’t fulfill the needs for your practice. The host discuss experiences with these systems and some of the issues they have come across.

Episode 92- Be Careful When Selecting Client Management Software

The hosts discuss a recent Above The Law article about getting clients. The author of the article discusses how she thought about the steps she took when she selected a professional to hire. She applied what she did in those situations and what was important to her in developing her practice. The first step most folks do in selecting a professional is seek suggestions from their referral network. They then will check the person’s credentials, give them a call and examine their responsiveness. These are steps that your clients will be taking when selecting a lawyer so you need to examine how you would be judge by this criteria. The authors also discuss keeping your name and services on top of your client’s mind by using newsletters, blogs, and emails. It’s not easy - it takes planning, patience, attention to detail and consistency but keeping contact with your clients and keeping a strong online presence is a necessary step in rebooting your law practice.   

The hosts discuss a recent Above The Law article about getting clients. The author of the article discusses how she thought about the steps she took when she selected a professional to hire. She applied what she did in those situations and what was important to her in developing her practice. The first step most folks do in selecting a professional is seek suggestions from their referral network. They then will check the person’s credentials, give them a call and examine their responsiveness. These are steps that your clients will be taking when selecting a lawyer so you need to examine how you would be judge by this criteria. The authors also discuss keeping your name and services on top of your client’s mind by using newsletters, blogs, and emails. It’s not easy - it takes planning, patience, attention to detail and consistency but keeping contact with your clients and keeping a strong online presence is a necessary step in rebooting your law practice.

Episode #19 -Tips on Getting and Maintaining Clients by Thinking About Their Perspective

Scott and Oscar discuss some recent articles and emerging issues that reflect the change in the legal marketplace. They speak about the need to realize the changing landscape of the legal field in general and the marketing of legal services specifically. Lawyers seeking to develop their practice must adapt to the new expectations of consumers in the legal field.      

Scott and Oscar discuss some recent articles and emerging issues that reflect the change in the legal marketplace. They speak about the need to realize the changing landscape of the legal field in general and the marketing of legal services specifically. Lawyers seeking to develop their practice must adapt to the new expectations of consumers in the legal field.

EPISODE #7: Examples of Change in the Law Marketing Paradigm

The key to a successful networking opportunity is being able to create a conversation that holds the interest of the others at the event. Scott and Oscar relate stories they were recently involved in around meeting lawyers and law students at events that offered great opportunities to make connections and maybe even develop some business. They offer suggestions and some “do’s and don’ts,” to help guide the listener through these opportunities. Step 1 is to be engaged – listen to what the other person has to say and build off of that; Step 2 is to personalize your story to match the event’s focus or at least the focus of the conversation you are having; and Step 3 is to be yourself and recognize that the others at the event are likely there for the same reason as you are – to meet people, make connections and try to get business in the future.

The key to a successful networking opportunity is being able to create a conversation that holds the interest of the others at the event. Scott and Oscar relate stories they were recently involved in around meeting lawyers and law students at events that offered great opportunities to make connections and maybe even develop some business. They offer suggestions and some “do’s and don’ts,” to help guide the listener through these opportunities. Step 1 is to be engaged – listen to what the other person has to say and build off of that; Step 2 is to personalize your story to match the event’s focus or at least the focus of the conversation you are having; and Step 3 is to be yourself and recognize that the others at the event are likely there for the same reason as you are – to meet people, make connections and try to get business in the future.

Episode 46 Creating Conversation During Networking Opportunities

What’s a young lawyer to do? Every client says they want experience but if you have just started your practice how do get those clients? What about if you are trying a new practice area but don’t have any successes in that area to tout? This week’s episode discusses ways you can build your practice while you develop the experience clients want. Focus on other areas – customer service, connectivity, price point. What’s important is that you be authentic and let the client know what value you can provide in place of experience. It takes time to get experience but there are things you can communicate to clients and provide to clients that are just as important as a long resume.

What’s a young lawyer to do? Every client says they want experience but if you have just started your practice how do get those clients? What about if you are trying a new practice area but don’t have any successes in that area to tout? This week’s episode discusses ways you can build your practice while you develop the experience clients want. Focus on other areas – customer service, connectivity, price point. What’s important is that you be authentic and let the client know what value you can provide in place of experience. It takes time to get experience but there are things you can communicate to clients and provide to clients that are just as important as a long resume.

Episode 120 Building a Practice While You Build Experience

Anthony DiPaolo

This week, we continued our interview with Michelle and Anthony DiPaolo, discussing their decision to hire an office manager. We’ve often talked on the podcast about how to determine when the right time is to take on that first employee. The DiPaolos explain how their practice was ready for the hire and how bringing on an office manager has helped them grow their practice. They offer great insight for listeners on what benefits they derive from having someone else deal with much of the administrative strain on the practice, including billing, client relations and scheduling. We conclude the talk with a discussion of how they have now brought on a second person – a young lawyer to help with the work overflow. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Anthony and Michelle for allowing us and our listeners to peek into their practice and for the many relatable and practical pieces of advice they offered.

This week, we continued our interview with Michelle and Anthony DiPaolo, discussing their decision to hire an office manager. We’ve often talked on the podcast about how to determine when the right time is to take on that first employee. The DiPaolos explain how their practice was ready for the hire and how bringing on an office manager has helped them grow their practice. They offer great insight for listeners on what benefits they derive from having someone else deal with much of the administrative strain on the practice, including billing, client relations and scheduling. We conclude the talk with a discussion of how they have now brought on a second person – a young lawyer to help with the work overflow. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Anthony and Michelle for allowing us and our listeners to peek into their practice and for the many relatable and practical pieces of advice they offered.

Episode 107  Hiring An Office Manager – Case Study: Michelle and Anthony DiPaolo

One thing lawyers in small or solo practices can do to help revitalize their current practices is look to developing a practice in a niche area of law. Scott and Oscar discuss specific lawyers who have developed such practices in a variety of legal fields – steroid law; bicycle accidents and representing pet owners. They also discuss how adding niche areas to their own practices helped increase their cash flow and provide a steadier revenue stream. The hosts provide pointers on how to develop such a practice and how adding a niche area of law cannot only enrich your business but also provide an area of law that interest you and keeps you focused on practice development.

One thing lawyers in small or solo practices can do to help revitalize their current practices is look to developing a practice in a niche area of law. Scott and Oscar discuss specific lawyers who have developed such practices in a variety of legal fields – steroid law; bicycle accidents and representing pet owners. They also discuss how adding niche areas to their own practices helped increase their cash flow and provide a steadier revenue stream. The hosts provide pointers on how to develop such a practice and how adding a niche area of law cannot only enrich your business but also provide an area of law that interest you and keeps you focused on practice development.

Episode #15 - Establishing a Niche Practice

This week Scott and Oscar talk about their experiences with the networking site LinkedIn. While both of the podcast hosts agree that all solos and small firm practitioners should have a Linked In profile, Oscar is the bigger fan of the site. That stems from his practice being largely a commercial litigation practice and Linked In being a social networking tool mostly for business and professional people. The hosts talk about how to get the most out of it by being active on it, and using it to find potential referral partners. It’s just another tool to help get your practice and name out there to the community but you want to make sure you are maximizing its effect if you are going to have profile on

This week Scott and Oscar talk about their experiences with the networking site LinkedIn. While both of the podcast hosts agree that all solos and small firm practitioners should have a Linked In profile, Oscar is the bigger fan of the site. That stems from his practice being largely a commercial litigation practice and Linked In being a social networking tool mostly for business and professional people. The hosts talk about how to get the most out of it by being active on it, and using it to find potential referral partners. It’s just another tool to help get your practice and name out there to the community but you want to make sure you are maximizing its effect if you are going to have profile on

Episode 108  Getting the Most Out of LinkedIn

This episode discusses whether listeners should offer a free consultation to prospective clients or charge for them. Host Oscar Michelen recently started charging for initial consultations while Host Scott Limmer offers free consultations. The hosts engage in a spirited back and forth discussion as to why they chose each particular method and why works for them. Listeners can gain insight from the talk as to which method would work best for their practice.

This episode discusses whether listeners should offer a free consultation to prospective clients or charge for them. Host Oscar Michelen recently started charging for initial consultations while Host Scott Limmer offers free consultations. The hosts engage in a spirited back and forth discussion as to why they chose each particular method and why works for them. Listeners can gain insight from the talk as to which method would work best for their practice.

Episode 125 Pros and Cons of Free Consultations

Oscar Michelen

In this episode the podcast hosts talk about developing and transitioning into a new practice area. Scott has Oscar take listeners through how he made a transition into a new practice area when his main practice field –criminal defense - began to decrease. Oscar explains why the need arose and how he adapted and developed as he transitioned. The podcast hosts apply lessons learned from this experience into tools listeners can use and apply to their own practices.

In this episode the podcast hosts talk about developing and transitioning into a new practice area. Scott has Oscar take listeners through how he made a transition into a new practice area when his main practice field –criminal defense - began to decrease. Oscar explains why the need arose and how he adapted and developed as he transitioned. The podcast hosts apply lessons learned from this experience into tools listeners can use and apply to their own practices.

Episode 34 Transitioning to a New Practice Area – Oscar Michelen’s experience

Oscar and Scott discuss the networking group they are launching for Long Island attorneys. The 1st meeting of “Master Your Law Practice” will take place on June 29th at Seasons 52 in Garden City. Oscar and Scott discuss the beginnings of this idea and how it has grown into a different kind of legal networking group. They both are looking forward to sharing their experiences with other attorneys.

Oscar and Scott discuss the networking group they are launching for Long Island attorneys. The 1st meeting of “Master Your Law Practice” will take place on June 29th at Seasons 52 in Garden City. Oscar and Scott discuss the beginnings of this idea and how it has grown into a different kind of legal networking group. They both are looking forward to sharing their experiences with other attorneys.

Episode 117 Master Your Law Practice

In today’s world, with all its access to instant information, you must be careful how you tout yourself online. Scott and Oscar discuss a variety of real life cases where lawyers got into serious trouble for overstating their experience or outright lying about their credentials online. If you have no heavy experience to boast of, then build up your accessibility, talk about your commitment to clients, back it up by offering effective and immediate communication. Say something that differentiates yourself and that is valid. Whatever promises or boasts you make online you need to be able to back them up or they can come back and bite you.

In today’s world, with all its access to instant information, you must be careful how you tout yourself online. Scott and Oscar discuss a variety of real life cases where lawyers got into serious trouble for overstating their experience or outright lying about their credentials online. If you have no heavy experience to boast of, then build up your accessibility, talk about your commitment to clients, back it up by offering effective and immediate communication. Say something that differentiates yourself and that is valid. Whatever promises or boasts you make online you need to be able to back them up or they can come back and bite you.

Episode 101 Your Credibility is Everything

This week Scott and Oscar discuss how the same issues that cause Solo and Small Practices to fail are the same issues that affect Big Law. The top three things affecting Big Law being, below average performance, internal dynamics (no leadership, incompatible goals and lack of planning) and external dynamics (competitive pressure related to firms client base, not having access to new clients. The same issues that are of tantamount importance to solo and small firms

This week Scott and Oscar discuss how the same issues that cause Solo and Small Practices to fail are the same issues that affect Big Law. The top three things affecting Big Law being, below average performance, internal dynamics (no leadership, incompatible goals and lack of planning) and external dynamics (competitive pressure related to firms client base, not having access to new clients. The same issues that are of tantamount importance to solo and small firms

Episode 115 Why Do Big Law Firms Fail? For the Same Reasons as Solo and Small Practices Do!

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