In this powerhouse episode of the Lead Counsel Podcast, host Tom Tona sits down with Michelle Dellino, founder and CEO of Dellino Family Law Group, to unpack the strategies, mindsets, and mistakes behind scaling her Seattle-based firm to eight figures in just 10 years.

If you're a law firm owner looking to grow, lead, or restructure for scalability, this conversation delivers master-level insight. Michelle shares how she transitioned from criminal defense to family law, scaled her team to 16 attorneys, built sustainable systems, and navigated the mindset shifts necessary to move from managing attorney to CEO.

Key SEO-optimized highlights include:

• How Michelle Dellino built an eight-figure law firm in 10 years

• The EOS operating model adapted for law firm growth

• Why firing herself from management was the turning point

• Core values that guide hiring, firing, and operations

• Managing people, profit, and systems through data and KPIs

• Using AI to scale legal operations and client service

• How to build a firm clients love through communication

• The truth about risk tolerance, burnout, and leadership in law

• The importance of intake systems and hiring HR at the right time

• Marketing strategies: referrals, SEO, content, and social media

• How lawyers can lead with candor, clarity, and culture

Whether you're at $500K or $5M, this episode will challenge your assumptions and give you actionable tools to scale without sacrificing sanity or service.

Featured Guests:

Michelle Dellino
Website: Dellino Family Law Group
TikTok: @seattledivorcelawyer
Email: michelle@dellinolaw.com

Your Host:

Tom Tona
Founder & Managing Attorney, Tonalaw
Website: https://www.tonalaw.com
LinkedIn: Tom Tona
X: @NYPITrialGuy

This podcast is sponsored by TonaLaw.

TonaLaw is not just another law firm. They're defining what it means to fight for their clients. We get a lot of attorney referrals from across the country. We pay fee participation in all jurisdictions where it's permitted. We focus on integrity, innovation and relentless advocacy. TonalLaw is proving that the business of the law can scale without losing its heart. Do you want to see how a modern firm is built for impact and happy client referrals? Check out tonalaw.com mention again the Lead Counsel Podcast and I'm happy to get on the phone with you.

This episode is also brought to you by Meet Gabbi, the voice AI built for law firms. Gabbi answers your phones 24-7, qualifies leads and books consultations so you never miss another client. Imagine cutting intake time in half or giving every caller a five star experience. That's the power of Meet Gabbi. Learn more at meetgabbi.com mention the Lead Counsel Podcast. You can also hit me up and I'm glad to make an introduction to the owner.