BE THAT LAWYER Steve Fretzin

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and MerriLyn Gibbs discuss:
Staying focused on your goals.
How Assistants 4 Hire works differently from a recruiting firm to help your law firm succeed.
The art of delegation.
Business lessons from the game of golf.
How you show up every day will determine the results you get.

Key Takeaways:
Delegation starts slow - you don’t have to delegate and forget, you can start with smaller tasks and check the work before the trust is built and you can truly let go of those tasks.
If you’re looking for easy lead generation, start with your existing clients - reach out to them first, that’s where the low-hanging fruit is.
Recognize the value in the bad shots - it’s not about how good your good shots are, it’s how quickly you can recover from the mistakes.
Making mistakes is important. The key is not to keep making the same mistakes over and over.

"There's so much more learning in the errant shots. And that is what makes you a better golfer. Because the next time you see that, it's easier and easier and easier. And it's really fun when you pull off those impossible shots." — MerriLyn Gibbs

Take the BE THAT LAWYER challenge at Fretzin.com/BTLChallenge!

Thank you to our Sponsors!
Ready to go from good to GOAT? Attend PIMCOM, the inaugural personal injury mastermind conference Sept 15-17, 2024. Use promo code BeThatLawyer to get $200.00 off at https://www.pimcon.org/
Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/
Lawmatics: https://www.lawmatics.com/bethatlawyer/

Episode References:
You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth by Jen Sincero

About MerriLyn Gibbs: MerriLyn’s passion is simple: she is driven to help her fellow business owners thrive by empowering them to focus on what they love. As founder and owner of Assistants 4 Hire, MerriLyn has plenty of experience with managing her team and assessing the needs of her clients - but it doesn’t stop there! She also offers business seminars and productivity coaching for those not in need of outside assistance. Her know-how and unrelenting attention to detail make MerriLyn a pro at setting others up for success.

Connect with MerriLyn Gibbs:
Website: https://www.assistants4hire.net/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merrilyn-gibbs-50283642/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/assistants-4-hire/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merrilyn.gibbs
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Assistants4hire
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/assistants4hire/

Connect with Steve Fretzin:
LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin
Twitter: @stevefretzin
Instagram: @fretzinsteve
Facebook: Fretzin, Inc.
Website: Fretzin.com
Email: Steve@Fretzin.com
Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!
YouTube: Steve Fretzin
Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911


Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Nathan Ohler discuss:
Moving past the status quo to something different.
Saving yourself pain and frustration by crowdsourcing your problems with peer advisory groups.
Topics that come up frequently in lawyer peer advisor groups.
Top benefits of peer advisor groups for the members.

Key Takeaways:
In peer groups, you can realize that your firm’s problems are not unique to you and those problems are solvable.
Goals and tactical plans are related but are not the same thing. You need to have a tactical plan in place to achieve your goals. It is 2% about the goal and 98% about the tactics and habits.
Finding and retaining talent now, both young attorneys and support staff, is different than it was in the past.
There are many different ways that peer groups or masterminds - not every type will work for every person, but there is a benefit in actively participating in these groups.

"It is just linking back to these problems, and getting solutions to them. Hearing what is working from my peers who are living something similar to what I'm living. And I want to hear a diversity of solutions. So then I can go internalize which of those I want to test out. That environment of being able to hear not just one example, but maybe 10 is really powerful." — Nathan Ohler

Take the BE THAT LAWYER challenge at Fretzin.com/BTLChallenge!

Thank you to our Sponsors!
Ready to go from good to GOAT? Attend PIMCOM, the inaugural personal injury mastermind conference Sept 15-17, 2024. Use promo code BeThatLawyer to get $200.00 off at https://www.pimcon.org/
Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/
Lawmatics: https://www.lawmatics.com/bethatlawyer/

Episode References:
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Getting Things Done by David Allen
ProVisors: https://provisors.com/
Sleep: Redefine Your Rest, for Success in Work, Sport and Life by Nick Littlehales

About Nathan Ohler: Nathan Ohler is the President/COO of Nuooly, an exclusive Community for experienced independent/small firm professionals, such as attorneys and accountants. With prior experience on Wall Street and as an executive of multi-billion dollar businesses, he now focuses on enabling Nuooly member success by facilitating peer connections and providing business assistance.

Connect with Nathan Ohler:
Website: https://www.nuooly.com/
Email: nathan@nuooly.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-ohler/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nuooly/

Connect with Steve Fretzin:
LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin
Twitter: @stevefretzin
Instagram: @fretzinsteve
Facebook: Fretzin, Inc.
Website: Fretzin.com
Email: Steve@Fretzin.com
Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!
YouTube: Steve Fretzin
Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911


Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Karl Seelbach discuss:
The way you do one thing is the one way you do everything.
Building out and being consistent with expectations through SOPs and accountability charts.
Setting aside time specifically to work on your business, not just in it.
Hiring a coach to remove your blinders.

Key Takeaways:
Focus on the solutions - if something goes wrong, look at why and see how it can be fixed.
Everyone and every firm is a work in progress. The little things that are sometimes forgotten are the things that need the most attention because they will make the biggest results.
You don’t have to be the one to wear every hat. You don’t have to execute on every idea. Delegate what you can’t (or don’t want to) do.
Attorneys are responsible for the work they file with the court. If you utilize AI the same way you would utilize a paralegal or law assistant, you can let the tech work for you.

"You can't just keep doing the same thing, it's not going to change, and you're going to burn out and end up in a bad spot. You have to hit the brakes and say, ‘Okay, look, I've got to figure out how to solve this.’" — Karl Seelbach

Take the BE THAT LAWYER challenge at Fretzin.com/BTLChallenge!

Thank you to our Sponsors!
Ready to go from good to GOAT? Attend PIMCOM, the inaugural personal injury mastermind conference Sept 15-17, 2024. Use promo code BeThatLawyer to get $200.00 off at https://www.pimcon.org/
Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/
Lawmatics: https://www.lawmatics.com/bethatlawyer/

Episode References:
Traction: https://www.eosworldwide.com/traction-book
eMyth: https://www.emyth.com/
Who Not How: https://whonothow.com/
ChatGPT Enterprise: https://openai.com/chatgpt/enterprise/
Casetext: https://casetext.com/
Lexis+ AI: https://www.lexisnexis.com/en-us/products/lexis-plus-ai.page
Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara: https://www.amazon.com/Unreasonable-Hospitality-Remarkable-Giving-People/dp/0593418573

Mention Steve’s name and get $500 off your first deposition or upload at Skribe: https://skribe.ai/


About Karl Seelbach: Karl Seelbach is a LegalTech founder and seasoned litigation attorney with over 17 years of experience in the courtroom, representing clients in personal injury, business, and employment litigation. He is a skilled advocate and a tenacious fighter who handles cases with precision and an eye toward trial from day one. His adversaries describe him as "skilled" and "whip-smart." But Karl's legal expertise doesn't stop there - he's also the founder of Skribe.ai, a software platform for capturing testimony that's changing the game for attorneys and their clients.

Prior to launching his own law firm in 2015, Karl worked as a litigation partner at one of Texas' largest law firms, Winstead PC, where he was mentored by some of the state's top litigators, including former appellate judges and veteran trial lawyers. Karl received his law degree from South Texas College of Law in Houston and his undergraduate degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. In his free time, Karl enjoys spending time with his wife and daughters in Dripping Springs, Texas as a #GirlDad who proudly cheers on his kids in volleyball, basketball, and more!

Connect with Karl Seelbach:
Website: https://skribe.ai/
Email: karl@skribe.ai
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwseelbach/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skribe-ai/
Twitter: https://x.com/KarlSeelbach

Connect with Steve Fretzin:
LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin
Twitter: @stevefretzin
Instagram: @fretzinsteve
Facebook: Fretzin, Inc.
Website: Fretzin.com
Email: Steve@Fretzin.com
Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!
YouTube: Steve Fretzin
Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911


Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Chelsea Williams discuss:
Why personal finance is so key to living a healthy, balanced life.
The formulas for success at your firm and as an individual.
The most common mistakes lawyers make around money.
Tips for taking control of your money today.
How to stay on top of your finances.

Key Takeaways:
Watch out for lifestyle creep. It doesn’t matter how much you make if you keep spending more than you bring in.
Track your money. Having a personal budget is not restricting, it is setting a financial boundary.
There are only two ways to change how much money you spend: you can trim the fat (even if it is just a rogue subscription) or through negotiating your expenses.
It is the small things that bite into your spending. The biggest takers are Amazon, software, and subscriptions.

"It doesn’t just stop at the money story, we have to hold all of our numbers accountable." — Chelsea Williams

Take the BE THAT LAWYER challenge at Fretzin.com/BTLChallenge!

Thank you to our Sponsors!
Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/
Lawmatics: https://www.lawmatics.com/bethatlawyer/

Episode References:
Rocket Money: https://www.rocketmoney.com/
Profit First by Mike Michalowicz: https://mikemichalowicz.com/profit-first/
Justin Krane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinkrane/
Mindvalley: https://podcast.mindvalley.com/

About Chelsea Williams: Chelsea has invested ten years of expertise into understanding law firm finance in order to create a framework that any law firm owner can follow to achieve time and money freedom. She's uncovered the common mistakes and struggles law firm owners face that keep them from profitability. Her company partners with law firms to establish a solid financial foundation and works with them to build the framework that gets them to a place of financial clarity, direction, and freedom.

Connect with Chelsea Williams:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_money_whisper/
Website: https://www.yourcoresolution.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseamwilliams-themoneywhisperer/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/core-solutions-group-inc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chelsea.zeschke
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourcoresolution
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/core_solutions_group/

Connect with Steve Fretzin:
LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin
Twitter: @stevefretzin
Instagram: @fretzinsteve
Facebook: Fretzin, Inc.
Website: Fretzin.com
Email: Steve@Fretzin.com
Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!
YouTube: Steve Fretzin
Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911


Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Dennis Kennedy discuss:
The intersection of the legal system and technology.
Utilizing technology in ways that enhance the customer experience.
Recognizing where you can free up time to do higher-level legal work.
Why every lawyer should have a good, well-utilized CRM.

Key Takeaways:
Using technology for things like scheduling meetings, paying invoices, receiving payments, and other things not specific to the legal field is a great place to start if you’re unsure of where to begin.
There are technology applications that can make your life easier and free up time to do the creative legal work that you want to do.
Legal students and younger lawyers are used to using more technology and when they start working, at many law firms, it feels like taking a step back in their use of technology.
Don’t let the fear of the unknown around technology stop you from leaning into and using it.

"Figure out some problem that you have - something or some way you'd like to make your life easier that you think a technology might be to help you - then decide that you're not going to learn all of the technology, you're just going to learn one thing." — Dennis Kennedy

Take the BE THAT LAWYER challenge at Fretzin.com/BTLChallenge!

Thank you to our Sponsors!
Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/
Lawmatics: https://www.lawmatics.com/bethatlawyer/

Episode References:
Chuki Obiyo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chukiobiyo/
Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan Mollick - https://www.amazon.com/Co-Intelligence-Living-Working-Ethan-Mollick/dp/059371671X

About Dennis Kennedy: Dennis Kennedy is the Director of the Center for Law, Technology & Innovation at Michigan State University and a widely-known expert on law and technology. He teaches AI and the Law and other technology and innovation classes at MSU, and also teaches a legal technology literacy class at the University of Michigan Law School. Dennis has co-hosted The KennedyMighell Report podcast since 2006, wrote the book Successful Innovation Outcomes in Law and many other publications, and, before joining MSU, retired as Senior Counsel at Mastercard, where he focused on technology law.

Connect with Dennis Kennedy:
Website: https://www.denniskennedy.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennismkennedy
Blog: https://denniskennedy.blog/
Podcast: https://legaltalknetwork.com/podcasts/kennedy-mighell-report/

Connect with Steve Fretzin:

LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin
Twitter: @stevefretzin
Instagram: @fretzinsteve
Facebook: Fretzin, Inc.
Website: Fretzin.com
Email: Steve@Fretzin.com
Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!
YouTube: Steve Fretzin
Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911


Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and John Sciaccotta discuss:
Building relationships everywhere you go.
Connecting authentically and building trust in the community.
The time of building relationships and expected outcomes.
Breaking out of the billable hour hampster wheel.
Controlling your destiny.

Key Takeaways:
Get active, get involved, and maintain friendships within the legal practice.
Wherever you have a relationship, give them a business card and tell them what you do. Tell them to think of you first.
Make significant touches every single day - social media will allow you to do that easier than ever before.
Step one is to be a great lawyer. But that’s not all there is to building your own business. You will need to understand more about business and sales than law school has led you to believe.
It is never too early to start learning networking, relationships, and non-verbal communication. They are the ingredients to success as a human being, as well as in your law firm.

"Life is about needs. If you can identify the need of a potential client or a referral source, and you can fulfill that need, you’re going to get what you want." — John Sciaccotta

Take the BE THAT LAWYER challenge at Fretzin.com/BTLChallenge!

Thank you to our Sponsors!
Lawmatics: https://www.lawmatics.com/bethatlawyer/
Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/

Episode References:
Start with Why Series by Simon Sinek - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VVJF819

About John Sciaccotta: John C. Sciaccotta has more than 37 years of trial and litigation experience advocating for clients in complex civil litigation, arbitration, mediation and business counseling matters with a special emphasis on complex civil trial and appellate cases brought in federal and state courts and tribunals throughout the United States.

John represents publicly and privately held domestic and foreign business entities, business owners, lenders, employers, municipalities, government bodies and individuals in transactional matters and disputes, which include:

Counseling and advocating for business entities and their owners in disputes involving Business Divorce issues, including corporate control, valuation, corporate squeeze-outs, minority oppression, dissolution actions and breaches of fiduciary duty and business tort claims.

In addition, John has been appointed as a Neutral Arbitrator and Mediator for many years to resolve and arbitrate business-related disputes. He serves on the Commercial Panel of the American Arbitration Association's National Roster of Arbitrators.


Connect with John Sciaccotta:
Website: https://www.agdglaw.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-c-sciaccotta-7472535
Twitter: https://x.com/Scilaw
Facebook: https://facebook.com/Johncsciaccotta
Instagram: https://instagram.com/jcscilaw

Connect with Steve Fretzin:
LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin
Twitter: @stevefretzin
Instagram: @fretzinsteve
Facebook: Fretzin, Inc.
Website: Fretzin.com
Email: Steve@Fretzin.com
Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!
YouTube: Steve Fretzin
Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911


Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.