Claim OwnershipThe Law Firm Owner Podcast
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The Law Firm Owner Podcast, powered by Velocity Work, is the go-to resource for law firm owners looking to take their business to the next level. Host and founder Melissa Shanahan shares insights and practical advice on how to organize your numbers, grow your team, increase your revenue, and achieve a better work-life balance. Through quarterly strategic planning, accountability, and coaching, Melissa shows listeners how to create sustainable success for both their firms and their personal lives. Tune in each week to join the community of law firm owners who are committed to taking their businesses from where they are now to where they want to be.
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Are you ready to make 2025 your best year yet as a law firm owner? In the midst of holiday celebrations and all the things that come with this exciting time of the year, the key to success lies in being proactive and setting yourself up for a strong start. And in this episode, Melissa shares two crucial areas to focus on now that will pay dividends in the new year and beyond. Listen in this week to learn Melissa’s tips for teeing yourself up for success in 2025. You’ll hear how surrounding yourself with the right people can provide energy, inspiration, and guidance you need to thrive, why data is an essential piece of the puzzle, and the key metrics every law firm owner should track to gain clarity and make informed decisions to drive your firm forward. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/284
If you ever find yourself doubting your team's ability to hit your firm's revenue goals, you’re not alone. Many law firm owners struggle with this, but the truth is, lowering your targets is not the answer. Listen in this week to discover how to identify the real reasons your team may not be following processes and what you can do as a leader to address those underlying issues. Learn why accountability, training, and process validation are essential for enabling your team to perform at their best, and important questions to ask yourself about what’s really going on under the surface if you find yourself wanting to lower targets. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/283
Last week, Melissa introduced you to the concept of the future vision you are creating for your law firm. In order for it to come to fruition, you must deeply believe in that vision as an owner, which requires you to take a close look at your mindset and assess whether or not it’s supporting you in achieving your goals. Join Melissa this week to learn the mindset shifts required to break free from the perfectionism and doubt that can hold you back from achieving your goals. You'll learn how to quiet the voices of fear and doubt and instead focus on aligning your actions with the paradigm shift required to reach your goals. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/282
Do you ever feel like you're stuck in the day-to-day of your law firm, making decisions that don't align with the future you envision? Whether you want to be a $2 million firm, a $5 million firm, or something more, you must start thinking from your future and making choices that bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be. Discover the power of thinking from your future and learn practical strategies for aligning your daily decisions with your long-term vision. Melissa emphasizes the crucial role of data in creating a realistic roadmap to your desired future state, and shows you how to overcome the default thinking patterns and behaviors that are holding you back from achieving your goals. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/281
Have you ever experienced an organization grasping tightly onto you as a client at all costs, even if it wasn’t in your best interest to stay? Maybe you’ve done this with your own clients in the name of retention. You probably already know this doesn’t feel good to anyone, and it’s also not the healthiest way to run your business. At Velocity Work, Melissa takes a different approach. Tune in this week to hear where Melissa stands on client retention and when it might be time to let a client fly on their own. You’ll learn the importance of recognizing how a step back could be a positive move in your client’s journey, examples of when sabbaticals in your professional relationships might be necessary, and Melissa’s top tips for approaching these partnerships with honesty, trust, and a focus on long-term growth. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/280
When law firm owners find Melissa, one of the most common problems they face is finding enough time in their calendars for the things that are most important to them personally and professionally. Not only is taking care of your closest relationships a priority, but so is your health and wellbeing, and of course, growing your firm. If balancing it all isn't something that comes easily to you, don't worry. Melissa has you covered this week. In this episode, Melissa shows you how to create calendar "Zones" dedicated to your priorities, and guides you through the process of identifying these priorities and gradually improving time management. She offers practical advice, breaking the process down into manageable steps so firm owners can progressively take back control of their time. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/279
Do you ever catch yourself making excuses for your business, whether it’s the way things are run, your team members, or the numbers? Does a bad day, a lack of sleep, an unproductive meeting, or a difficult client sound like a valid reason for why you couldn’t achieve what you said you would? While excuses are a trap many intelligent and high-achieving law firm owners fall into, the hard truth is that they are a surefire way to undermine your success. Join Melissa this week as she encourages you to examine where you might be in the habit of giving excuses and making yourself a victim to your circumstances. You’ll hear why excuses can be so damaging to you and your firm’s success, how they waste your time, energy, and resources, and Melissa’s tips for kicking excuses to the curb and embracing a no-excuses mindset. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/278
Is your firm lacking structure and organization when it comes to how work gets done? Are tasks falling through the cracks or are team members working in silos? How do you know that both your team and yourself are following through on the things you said you would do? Join Melissa in this episode as she shares the two key elements that can help bring more visibility, accountability, and progress to your firm’s workflow. You’ll hear the importance of having a centralized task management system and holding regular progress meetings with your team, and how these strategies can create a culture of high performance and results in your law firm. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/277
Do you ever feel like you're carrying the weight of your law firm's growth on your shoulders alone? As overachievers, it's easy to fall into the trap of trying to make things happen by sheer force of will. But the truth is, to achieve your ambitious goals, you need a team that can rise to the challenge. Tune in this week as Melissa shares why law firm owners end up with mismatched teams, and what you can do to course-correct. You’ll learn the importance of articulating your vision, setting clear standards, and gaining team buy-in so you can build a team that matches where you’re taking your law firm. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/276
Do you feel like you should be generating more revenue from the leads your marketing efforts are currently bringing in? If you're pouring money into marketing but seeing minimal results, this episode is for you. As a law firm owner, conversion rates are a critical metric to track and understand if you want to get the most out of your marketing spend. In this episode, Melissa digs into what a conversion rate is and how improving it can massively increase your firm's revenue without needing to spend more on marketing. Tune in to understand how to calculate your firm's conversion rate, identify the common barriers to tracking and improving conversion, and implement practical strategies to optimize your intake process. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/275
While finance management can feel intimidating, the great news is that consistent financial reporting isn’t rocket science. There’s just a little organization to get squared away upfront, which will make you the most empowered, responsible business owner you can be. If you need a clear plan for creating a consistent financial reporting system, this episode is for you. Listen in as Melissa shares the four key numbers every law firm owner needs to know, the cadence at which you should be reviewing these numbers, and why having a blueprint for your firm’s financial reports is critical for long-term success. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/274
Are you pedaling furiously on the bike of your law firm, working harder and harder but not getting very far? Making the transition from "bike" to "car" means leveraging the tools, systems, and people around you to accelerate your progress and create momentum, rather than grinding away and doing everything yourself. While it can feel scary to let go of control, the payoffs in terms of growth, sustainability, and quality of life are immense. Join Melissa on this episode as she explores the powerful analogy of getting off the bike and into the car when it comes to running your law firm. She shares concrete strategies for delegation, constraining your focus, and stepping into a leadership role, and how this allows you to set yourself up for sustained growth, rather than short bursts of progress that end up being followed by burnout. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/273
As a law firm owner, you have the opportunity to be a mentor for the people on your team. But what does effective mentoring actually look like in practice? This week, Melissa outlines the best kind of mentoring you can offer your team, what it means to get them on the same page and take on what matters most to you, and how this can drastically shape the culture of your company. Join Melissa as she explores the concept of “capital M mentoring” and “little m mentoring” and their differences. You’ll learn how “little m mentoring” gets your whole firm working in a way that has your stamp of approval, examples of how you can incorporate more of it into your firm’s culture, and the long-term impact of up-leveling your mentoring game. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/272
When you are mentally, physically, and emotionally strong, it lends itself to success in all areas of your life. Setting personal goals alongside your business goals is a powerful way to show up as your best self. But too often, Melissa sees law firm owners and their teams neglecting their personal development in the pursuit of professional achievement. In this episode, Melissa shares an inspiring team initiative you can borrow to create or strengthen the culture of making progress, and the remarkable impact this has had on Velocity Work’s team in just one month. Tune in to discover the simple yet intentional process Melissa uses to help every team member set a meaningful personal goal and stay accountable to it. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/271
What does it take to cultivate the mindset of a champion who realizes their biggest dreams? As a law firm owner, it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and lose sight of the bigger vision. If you feel disconnected from your purpose, you’re in luck because on this episode, Melissa shares key takeaways from an inspiring talk by Bob Bowman, the longtime coach of Michael Phelps, on the characteristics of champions. Tune in to hear an overview of the six characteristics of champions and how these principles can be applied to you as a law firm owner. You’ll learn why having a compelling dream is critical, how to create a plan to achieve it, and the importance of focusing on the process over outcomes. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/270
Billing monthly is the norm for most law firm owners, and it's probably working just fine for you and your clients, so why would you do it differently? This is what Eileen Kendall from Kendall Law believed… until she realized that a simple billing switch could change the game for her firm’s cash flow. Eileen Kendall is back this week to share how billing twice a month has helped stabilize her firm’s cash flow, especially as she’s gone through a period of rapid growth from $300K to $900K per year. Listen in to discover how you can improve your firm's financial health and create more breathing room in your schedule with a simple billing tweak. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/269
By the end of May, Eileen Kendall was essentially running her firm alone. With her associate out sick and no paralegal support, this was her breaking point. She was close to shutting the doors to her firm when she decided it was time to make some big changes to get her house in order. Eileen has been a private client of Melissa’s for a couple of years, and on this episode, Eileen and Melissa are discussing how Eileen's tenacity has helped her weather some significant storms in her business. Join them to hear what it takes to build a get-it-done mentality, why Eileen believes failure isn’t an option, and how her mindset has kept her afloat when she thought the worst might happen. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/268
Welcome to a special episode as Melissa celebrates five years of The Law Firm Owner Podcast! There are a handful of other things Melissa is celebrating right alongside the fifth anniversary of the podcast, and she’s using this opportunity to introduce you to Velocity Work’s COO, Giselle Urbina, and highlight everything that’s been going on behind the scenes. Join Melissa and Giselle on this episode as they dig into the work Giselle has been doing inside the company as COO and facilitator, and how she came into this role. They’re also exploring some of the major client wins that have been happening in Melissa’s groups, the role Giselle has played in ensuring client success, and the updates and improvements you can expect to see soon. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/267
There are two approaches to running a law firm and the first one is structured. Discipline and focus are highly valued with this style, and there’s often intensity present too. The second approach is one that’s softer, more flexible and adaptive. Both sound great, but is there a time and place for one over the other? Which foot are you leading with? And why does understanding your stance even matter? Listen in this week as Melissa walks you through what it takes to create radical shifts inside your firm, and why your approach matters when it comes to achieving whatever it is you have your sights set on right now. You’ll hear when the combination of structure and flexibility is truly powerful, how to exercise your individual strengths, and how to walk the line of focus and adaptability at the same time. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/266
As a law firm owner, you’ve taken huge risks and put in blood, sweat, and tears to lift your firm off the ground. You’ve considered how to run your firm in a way that feels healthy and aligned, and you’re ensuring your clients and team are served at the highest level possible. But have you ever stopped to put a number on what success means to you? Have you figured out how all this work you’ve put in can lead to more time and money freedom for you? Join Melissa on this episode as she offers her guide for calculating how your business can fund your dreams. You’ll hear how you can make jumps in profit without putting in extra work, what playing around with your future numbers looks like, and a mental exercise to get you in the practice of mapping out your dreams. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/265
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