The Lawyer Millionaire® Podcast: Business & Financial Planning for Law Firm Owners

Darren Wurz, CFP
  • 5.0 (24)
  • Investing
  • Updated Semiweekly

The Lawyer Millionaire® Podcast helps law firm owners grow their firms, build wealth, and achieve financial freedom. Hosted by Darren Wurz, you’ll learn practical business strategies, financial planning tips, and exit strategies designed exclusively for lawyers.

  1. 6d ago

    The Lawyer You’re Afraid to Fire is Holding Your Firm’s Profit Hostage (Ep. 186)

    On this episode of The Lawyer Millionaire, host Darren Wurz interviews Jimmy Evans, founder of Evans Family Law Group, about how transforming his firm’s culture, redefining its core values, and investing in employee training helped improve profitability and build a stronger team. Jimmy shares how he moved away from hiring employees just to handle a growing workload to building a firm centered on excellence, accountability, creativity, and client service. Darren and Jimmy discuss: Why you need to define your firm’s core values and mission? The importance of hiring for attitude and work ethic. How Evans Family Law Group built a structured onboarding and training system for their attorneys. Why Jimmy has reservations regarding hiring Gen-Z and other young professionals. The fear of losing top producers should not control your decisions. Resources: Profit First – Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Mike Michalowicz (Book) Law Firm Financial Reporting Template Pack (Exclusive content) Law Firm Profitability Assessment How to Calculate Your Law Firm Tax Reserve Get your Free Law Firm Audit Download the Client Attraction Playbook Connect with Darren Wurz: Want to work with our team? Schedule an Intro Call The Lawyer Millionaire Website LinkedIn: Darren P. Wurz Join The Lawyer Millionaire® Community Don’t Miss a Thing! Subscribe to The Lawyer Millionaire® Email List Subscribe to The Lawyer Millionaire Youtube Channel Connect with Jimmy Evans: Linkedin: Ellen Cookman Youtube: Ellen Cookman – Special Needs Trust Attorney Website: Cookman Law   About Jimmy Evans: James W. Evans is a board-certified family law attorney and the founder of Evans Family Law Group. With over 25 years of experience, he has built a reputation as a trusted advocate for Texas families navigating divorce, custody, and complex family law matters. Jimmy’s practice encompasses the full range of Texas family law, including Austin divorce attorney, child custody, child support, adoption, grandparents’ rights, mediation, and collaborative law. His philosophy is simple yet impactful: “Protecting What Matters Most.” Clients choose Evans Family Law Group not just for the firm’s legal expertise, but for its commitment to serving with integrity, compassion, and clarity. Jimmy’s excellence has earned him numerous accolades, including the BV Distinguished Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell® and recognition as a Super Lawyers® honoree for 16 consecutive years — most recently in 2026. This distinction, awarded to only 5% of attorneys in Texas, affirms his standing as one of the top professionals in the field of Family Law. His decades of experience and dedication to his clients’ well-being make him a go-to advocate for families in Austin and beyond. When families need an experienced advocate who understands their challenges and is committed to achieving meaningful outcomes, they turn to James W. Evans and the team at Evans Family Law Group.

  2. Sep 23

    Becoming One of the Fastest Growing Estate Planning Practices in California (Ep. 185)

    On this episode of The Lawyer Millionaire, my guest Ellen Cookman, founder of Cookman Law, shares how she built a rapidly growing California estate planning practice by combining specialization, smart marketing, disciplined financial management, and effective delegation. Darren and Ellen discuss: The business side of running a law firm How creating relevant educational content can build your firm’s marketing engine. The mindset behind paid consultation. Why Cookman Law hired an intake specialist to filter prospects. How to discover your niche instead of trying to serve everyone. Resources: Profit First – Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Mike Michalowicz (Book) Giftology: The Art and Science of Using Gifts to Cut Through the Noise, Increase Referrals, and Strengthen Retention by John Ruhlin (Book) Law Firm Financial Reporting Template Pack (Exclusive content) Law Firm Profitability Assessment How to Calculate Your Law Firm Tax Reserve Get your Free Law Firm Audit Download the Client Attraction Playbook Connect with Darren Wurz: Want to work with our team? Schedule an Intro Call The Lawyer Millionaire Website LinkedIn: Darren P. Wurz Join The Lawyer Millionaire® Community Don’t Miss a Thing! Subscribe to The Lawyer Millionaire® Email List Subscribe to The Lawyer Millionaire Youtube Channel Connect with Ellen Cookman: Linkedin: Ellen Cookman Youtube: Ellen Cookman – Special Needs Trust Attorney Website: Cookman Law   About Ellen Cookman: Ellen Cookman started Cookman Law in 2015 to help families of all shapes and sizes plan for the future and utilize available resources. Ellen is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law from the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. She received her J.D. from UC Berkeley School of Law and her LL.M. in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate from Golden Gate University. Ellen lives in East Palo Alto with her husband, two middle school boys (her older son has high-functioning autism), a husky mix named Rosie, and a kitty named Skittles.

  3. Sep 15

    How Much Should a Law Firm Owner Pay Themselves? (Ep. 184)

    On this episode of The Lawyer Millionaire, Darren Wurz explores one of the most important and often overlooked questions for law firm owners: How much should you pay yourself? He argues that many law firm owners make the mistake of paying themselves whatever is left after covering payroll, rent, marketing, software, and other expenses. This can create the illusion of profitability while the owner is actually subsidizing the firm’s growth by underpaying themselves. Darren discusses: Why you are an employee of your own business? How to think about owner compensation. Why you must not confuse revenue with wealth? Why you cannot simply make your salary artificially low to minimize taxes? How to structure your firm for success?   Resources: Profit First – Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Mike Michalowicz (Book) Law Firm Financial Reporting Template Pack (Exclusive content) Law Firm Profitability Assessment How to Calculate Your Law Firm Tax Reserve Get your Free Law Firm Website and Lead Audit Download the Client Attraction Playbook Owner Pay Reality Check Connect with Darren Wurz: Want to work with our team? Schedule an Intro Call The Lawyer Millionaire Website LinkedIn: Darren P. Wurz Join The Lawyer Millionaire® Community Don’t Miss a Thing! Subscribe to The Lawyer Millionaire® Email List Subscribe to The Lawyer Millionaire Youtube Channel

  4. Sep 8

    Law Firm Profitability in the AI Era: Finding Your Profit Zone (Ep. 183)

    On this episode, host Darren Wurz discusses The Profit Zone by Adrian J. Slywotzky and David J. Morrison. Darren shares why market share and operational excellence don’t guarantee future profitability. Businesses must continually adapt their “business design” to where customers and economic value are moving. Darren discusses: Every business has a profit zone. Why successful businesses can still become obsolete. How AI is shifting the legal industry’s profit zone. Why you need to reinvent yourself and your business. How to build strategic control points. Resources: Profit First – Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Mike Michalowicz (Book) The Profit Zone: How Strategic Business Design Will Lead You to Tomorrow’s Profits by Adrian J. Slywotzky & David J. Morrison with Bob Andelman (Book) Law Firm Financial Reporting Template Pack (Exclusive content) Law Firm Profitability Assessment How to Calculate Your Law Firm Tax Reserve Get your Free Law Firm Website and Lead Audit Download the Client Attraction Playbook Connect with Darren Wurz: Want to work with our team? Schedule an Intro Call The Lawyer Millionaire Website LinkedIn: Darren P. Wurz Join The Lawyer Millionaire® Community Don’t Miss a Thing! Subscribe to The Lawyer Millionaire® Email List Subscribe to The Lawyer Millionaire Youtube Channel

  5. Sep 1

    Pricing Legal Work in Points: Billing That Beats Hourly and Flat Fee (Ep. 182)

    On this episode, host Darren Wurz speaks with Whitney Harper, Co-Founder of ADVOS Pro as they explore why law firms need to rethink traditional billing models especially as AI makes lawyers faster and more efficient. Whitney explains how her firm has successfully operated for more than a decade without tracking or billing by the hour. Darren and Whitney discuss: Billing by the hour is becoming increasingly difficult to defend. Why flat-fee pricing is difficult for legal firms. Why ADVOS uses a points based pricing system. How AI can become an advantage instead of a threat. Why lawyers need to change the way they think of their business. Resources: Profit First – Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Mike Michalowicz (Book) Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek (Book) Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman (Book) Law Firm Financial Reporting Template Pack (Exclusive content) Law Firm Profitability Assessment How to Calculate Your Law Firm Tax Reserve Get your Free Law Firm Website and Lead Audit Download the Client Attraction Playbook Connect with Darren Wurz: Want to work with our team? Schedule an Intro Call The Lawyer Millionaire Website LinkedIn: Darren P. Wurz Join The Lawyer Millionaire® Community Don’t Miss a Thing! Subscribe to The Lawyer Millionaire® Email List Subscribe to The Lawyer Millionaire Youtube Channel Connect with Whitney Harper: Linkedin: Whitney Harper Website: The Deal ADVantage Website: ADVOS Pro   About Whitney Harper: Whitney Harper is the co-founder of ADVOS Legal and ADVOS Pro, where she helps law firm owners leave hourly billing behind and build practices they truly enjoy. In this conversation, Whitney shares how her small-town upbringing and strong family roots shaped her confident mindset, how she navigated career changes with intention, and how she is rewriting the rules of modern legal practice. Her story will encourage you to rethink how you work and remind you that more joy and freedom are within reach.

  6. Aug 25

    Five things your SEO company is missing that cost you cases (Ep. 181)

    On this episode, host Darren Wurz explains why investing heavily in SEO does not necessarily translate into more signed cases. The central message from this episode is simple: more traffic through a broken conversion process only creates more wasted traffic. Law firms need to optimize the entire journey from being discovered online to becoming a paying client. Darren discusses: Why law firms must think beyond Google rankings? The importance of clear positioning and niching down on a website. High value KPIs you should be tracking. Why your website must show visitors the next action. H0w to create content from existing client questions. Resources: Profit First – Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Mike Michalowicz (Book) Walking to Destiny: 11 Actions An Owner Must Take to Rapidly Grow Value & Unlock Wealth by Christopher M. Snider (Book) Law Firm Financial Reporting Template Pack (Exclusive content) Law Firm Profitability Assessment How to Calculate Your Law Firm Tax Reserve Get your Free Law Firm Website and Lead Audit Download the Client Attraction Playbook Connect with Darren Wurz: Want to work with our team? Schedule an Intro Call The Lawyer Millionaire Website LinkedIn: Darren P. Wurz Join The Lawyer Millionaire® Community Don’t Miss a Thing! Subscribe to The Lawyer Millionaire® Email List Subscribe to The Lawyer Millionaire Youtube Channel

  7. Aug 18

    Debt, Profit & Exit: Fractional CFO Advice for Law Firm Owners (Ep. 180)

    On this episode, host Darren Wurz speaks with fractional CFO Ryan Kimler about how business owners particularly law firm owners can improve profitability, make smarter financial decisions, and build long-term wealth Darren and Ryan discuss: Why forecasting is a critical business tool? Debt is more expensive than it appears. Start exit planning early. The right time to begin the hiring process How AI can support financial decision making. Resources: Profit First – Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Mike Michalowicz (Book) Walking to Destiny: 11 Actions An Owner Must Take to Rapidly Grow Value & Unlock Wealth by Christopher M. Snider (Book) Law Firm Financial Reporting Template Pack (Exclusive content) Law Firm Profitability Assessment How to Calculate Your Law Firm Tax Reserve Get your Free Law Firm Audit Download the Client Attraction Playbook Connect with Darren Wurz: Want to work with our team? Schedule an Intro Call The Lawyer Millionaire Website LinkedIn: Darren P. Wurz Join The Lawyer Millionaire® Community Don’t Miss a Thing! Subscribe to The Lawyer Millionaire® Email List Subscribe to The Lawyer Millionaire Youtube Channel Connect with Ryan Kimler: Linkedin: Ryan Kimler Youtube: The Legal CFO Website: Net Profit CFO   About Ryan Kimler: Ryan Kimler helps business owners take control of their finances and accelerate their profits. He works directly with business and law firm owners to gain a deep understanding of their operations, assess their financial health, analyze current profitability, and identify the obstacles hindering growth. With this insight, he develops tailored, data-driven strategies that transform financial challenges into opportunities. By implementing clear, actionable financial solutions, Ryan helps businesses accelerate profits, improve cash flow, and achieve long-term financial success. With years of experience as the Director of Finance for a $100 million company, Ryan understands what drives business success. He has worked with more than 200 law firms, helping them scale their operations and significantly boost their profits. His expertise in financial analysis and strategic planning gives business owners the clarity they need to make informed, profit-driven decisions. Whether it’s through part-time CFO services or financial coaching, Ryan equips his clients with actionable steps that move their business forward. As an international best-selling author, nationwide CLE speaker, podcast host, and Certified CFO with the CFO Project, Ryan will leverage all of these experiences as part of our Profit Accelerator System designed to help businesses reach 25% net profit margins in just 90 days. When he’s not working with business owners, Ryan enjoys spending time outdoors with his family. He’s a husband, a stepfather to two children, and the proud parent of two Great Danes. Whether speaking at industry events or hiking a scenic trail, Ryan is always focused on the same goal, helping business owners like you Accelerate Your Profits!

  8. Aug 11

    The Hidden Reason You Won’t Hire, Raise Your Rates, or Take a Real Vacation (Ep. 179)

    On this episode, host Darren Wurz explores why smart, capable law firm owners often fail to take actions they already know they need to take. Darren introduces the concept of “immunity to change,” explaining that procrastination is often not caused by a lack of discipline, time, or knowledge, but by a hidden commitment that is competing with the desired change. Darren discusses: Why smart people don’t do what they need to do? Procrastination can be protective behaviour. How lawyers can balance risk awareness with business judgment. Immunity to change and how to get unstuck. The Four-Column immunity to change X-ray. Resources: Profit First – Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Mike Michalowicz (Book) Law Firm Financial Reporting Template Pack (Exclusive content) Law Firm Profitability Assessment How to Calculate Your Law Firm Tax Reserve Get your Free Law Firm Audit  Connect with Darren Wurz: Want to work with our team? Schedule an Intro Call The Lawyer Millionaire Website LinkedIn: Darren P. Wurz Join The Lawyer Millionaire® Community Don’t Miss a Thing! Subscribe to The Lawyer Millionaire® Email List Subscribe to The Lawyer Millionaire Youtube Channel

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The Lawyer Millionaire® Podcast helps law firm owners grow their firms, build wealth, and achieve financial freedom. Hosted by Darren Wurz, you’ll learn practical business strategies, financial planning tips, and exit strategies designed exclusively for lawyers.

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