Lead Counsel

Thomas Tona
  • 5.0 (31)
  • Business
  • Weekly

What happens when law, business & life collide? What if you could hang out with law firm owners and accomplished business leaders earning seven, eight, and nine figures a year, and gain insights that propel legal cases, and businesses forward exponentially? The Lead Counsel podcast, hosted by Thomas Tona, is a weekly show that delves into the world of law, the business of law, life, and where the three intersect. Each episode will feature in-depth conversations with industry insiders and experts, thought leaders, and individuals that are making significant contributions and differences in their chosen fields. The show covers a wide range of topics related to law, the business of law, life and how they are intertwined. From the latest trends and research to personal stories and practical takeaways, the Lead Counsel podcast offers listeners deep dives on every topic discussed. The goal of this podcast is to provide zero cost to consumer information about law and the business of law, and related tools, to the general public. The show will include different segments, such as "Case of the Week," where the host gives his perspective on recent happenings in the industry, "Tools of the Trade," where the host and guests share valuable resources and tips for listeners, "Behind the Scenes" where the host and guests will share insights and stories not generally known in the industry, and "The Law Leader," where the host and guests will explore what it takes to build a 7,8 or 9-figure law firm and have a great life at the same time. Whether you're a lawyer, or non-lawyer, the Lead Counsel podcast is a must-listen for anyone looking to stay informed and inspired. The show is sure to be a valuable resource for anyone looking to learn more about your personal injury, no-fault collection, or other claims or lawsuits, as well as law firm business owners looking to perform at the highest levels of leadership.

  1. 1d ago

    177: Unleashing Traction: Turning Vision into Execution

    Lead Counsel Podcast hosts Thomas Tona and co-host Mike Zappone explain how EOS traction turns a law firm's vision into disciplined execution. Using Tona's firm as a case study, they cover leadership, financial literacy, hiring, focus, and practical ways to assess whether the operating system is working. Law firm owner Thomas Tona and EOS implementer Mike Zappone discuss how EOS helps law firms grow beyond founder dependence through better structure, leadership, and measurable execution. They cover practical steps for forming a small leadership team, choosing useful scorecard metrics, evaluating marketing spend, and staying focused on the vision instead of reacting to every issue. Key Episode Highlights Executing the company vision with discipline and accountability. Build teams that fit your firm's specific culture and expectations. Ensure marketing aligns with strategy, cash flow, and acquisition costs. Targeted quarterly focus drives measurable business wins. Stop chasing new ideas; narrow your focus so others can execute. Master all three financial statements, not just the P&L.  Evaluate your team on vision, people, numbers, issue-solving, processes, and goals. Connect the company's vision to employees' personal motivations. Hire an officially vetted EOS implementer who fits your firm's style. Speak last in meetings so your team takes ownership. Shift from being a practitioner (e.g., a lawyer) to building an organization. Treat expenses as investments, aiming for a 3-4x return. Start small with your most trusted person, then expand as needed. Track leading activities (like lead gen) rather than lagging results. Use spaced learning to gradually build habits and accountability. Prioritize issues against the company vision, not immediate urgency. Use friendly competition between departments to drive ownership. Trusting the process frees up the owner's time and passion. Your Hosts Tom Tona Founder & Managing Attorney, Tonalaw Website: https://www.tonalaw.com LinkedIn: Tom Tona X: @NYPITrialGuy Mike Zappone Professional EOS Implementer  & ProfitWorks Certified Coach® Website: https://eosworldwide.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelzappone/ This podcast is sponsored by TonaLaw.

  2. Oct 29

    Incentives That Drive Ownership Mindset in Teams with Mike Zappone

    In this episode, Tom Tona and Mike Zappone discuss replacing discretionary year-end bonuses with a self-funded incentive plan that rewards company-wide profitability. Mike explains how the approach fits after strong operating execution, using examples from pest control, construction, and law firms to show how employee insight, financial literacy, and aligned incentives can uncover savings and improve performance. Key Episode Highlights Incentive Systems over Discretionary Bonuses Common Incentive Pitfalls Frontline Savings Insights: Ownership Risk vs. Reward Shifting Mindsets from 'Me' to 'We' Aligning Case Quality with Compensation Quarterly Funding & Holdbacks Operational Readiness Financial Prudence & Compliance Featured Guest Mike Zappone Professional EOS Implementer  & ProfitWorks Certified Coach® Website: https://eosworldwide.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelzappone/ Your Host Tom Tona Founder & Managing Attorney, Tonalaw Website: https://www.tonalaw.com LinkedIn: Tom Tona X: @NYPITrialGuy This podcast is sponsored by TonaLaw.

  3. Oct 22

    Mastering Accountability Without Micromanagement with Mike Zappone

    In this episode, Tom Tona and Mike Zappone explore the core principles of accountability in business, emphasizing the importance of clear expectations, the role of leadership, and practical tools like EOS to foster a culture of responsibility and growth. Key Episode Highlights The difference between leading and managing for accountability Creating clarity around roles and expectations The importance of vision and core values Using scorecards and rocks to measure progress The role of the leadership mindset in accountability Tools and systems to foster responsibility The importance of delegation and ownership Diagnosing and reversing accountability issues The visionary and integrator relationship Featured Guest Mike Zappone Professional EOS Implementer  & ProfitWorks Certified Coach® Website: https://eosworldwide.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelzappone/   Your Host Tom Tona Founder & Managing Attorney, Tonalaw Website: https://www.tonalaw.com LinkedIn: Tom Tona X: @NYPITrialGuy This podcast is sponsored by TonaLaw.

  4. Oct 15

    How Law Firms Solve Problems Faster: Mastering the EOS Level 10 Meeting and IDS (Identify, Discuss, Solve)

    In this episode, Thomas Tona and Mike Zappone break down how to transform team meetings into high-impact problem-solving sessions using the EOS framework . Learn how to leverage IDS (Identify, Discuss, Solve) to address root causes, establish clear rules of engagement, and foster the vulnerability needed to build a healthy, results-driven team culture . Key Episode Highlights The importance of clear purpose in meetings Managing conflict and healthy friction in meetings The significance of weekly issues review The importance of root cause analysis in meetings How to structure an EOS L10 meeting Rules of engagement for decision-making The role of accountability and rules in business meetings The impact of effective meetings on business growth Featured Guest Mike Zappone Professional EOS Implementer  & ProfitWorks Certified Coach® Website: https://eosworldwide.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelzappone/   Your Host Tom Tona Founder & Managing Attorney, Tonalaw Website: https://www.tonalaw.com LinkedIn: Tom Tona X: @NYPITrialGuy This podcast is sponsored by TonaLaw.

  5. Oct 8

    Data Driven Law Firm Management: Stop Running Your Legal Business on Gut Feeling with Mike Zappone and Tom Tona

    In this episode, Mike Zappone and Thomas Tona explore how data-driven decision making transforms law firm management. They discuss scorecards, KPIs, and the importance of aligning business metrics with strategic goals to avoid common pitfalls and foster growth. Key Episode Highlights The importance of data and scorecards in law firm management How to implement effective KPIs across departments The role of EOS in aligning team and business goals Using financial metrics to improve profitability The impact of mindset and accountability on growth Featured Guest Mike Zappone Professional EOS Implementer  & ProfitWorks Certified Coach® Website: https://eosworldwide.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelzappone/ Your Host Tom Tona Founder & Managing Attorney, Tonalaw Website: https://www.tonalaw.com LinkedIn: Tom Tona X: @NYPITrialGuy This podcast is sponsored by TonaLaw.

  6. Oct 1

    Right Person, Right Seat Part 2: Unpacking EOS Leadership with Mike Zappone

    In this episode, Mike Zappone shares insights on building effective organizational structures using EOS principles, focusing on the accountability chart, hiring right people, and creating a culture of discipline and accountability to drive exponential growth. Key Episode Highlights The importance of the accountability chart over traditional org charts How to identify and fix issues with the right people in the right seats The role of core values and culture in hiring and retention Using scorecards and metrics to create accountability The impact of organizational structure on business valuation Featured Guest Mike Zappone Professional EOS Implementer  & ProfitWorks Certified Coach® Website: https://eosworldwide.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelzappone/   Your Host Tom Tona Founder & Managing Attorney, Tonalaw Website: https://www.tonalaw.com LinkedIn: Tom Tona X: @NYPITrialGuy This podcast is sponsored by TonaLaw.

  7. Sep 24

    Right Person, Right Seat Part 1: Unpacking EOS Leadership with Mike Zappone

    In this episode, Thomas Tona and Mike Zappone explore the critical importance of placing the right person in the right seat within a company. They discuss how alignment with core values, understanding capacity, and strategic decision-making can transform organizational culture and performance. Key Episode Highlights The importance of aligning people with core values  How to identify the right person and right seat The cost of keeping the wrong person in a role Strategies for letting go of outgrown employees The role of data and scorecards in decision-making The impact of trauma and mindset on leadership The significance of accountability and transparency The parallels between racing teams and business leadership   Featured Guest Mike Zappone Professional EOS Implementer  & ProfitWorks Certified Coach® Website: https://eosworldwide.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelzappone/   Your Host Tom Tona Founder & Managing Attorney, Tonalaw Website: https://www.tonalaw.com LinkedIn: Tom Tona X: @NYPITrialGuy This podcast is sponsored by TonaLaw.

  8. Sep 17

    How Clear Vision and Communication Drive Business Success with Mike Zappone

    In this episode, Mike Zapone and Tom Tona explore how clear communication, vision, and effective leadership are essential for business success. They discuss practical tools and mental models to align teams, delegate results, and build a cohesive organizational culture.   Key Episode Highlights Importance of clear communication in leadership The exercise of defining and sharing your vision Difference between delegating tasks and results Using EOS tools to align team and culture The role of core values and core focus in business The significance of organizational knowledge and documentation The impact of friction and conflict in decision making Strategies for effective prioritization and accountability   Featured Guest: Mike Zappone Professional EOS Implementer  & ProfitWorks Certified Coach® Website: https://eosworldwide.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelzappone/ Your Host: Tom Tona Founder & Managing Attorney, Tonalaw Website: https://www.tonalaw.com LinkedIn: Tom Tona X: @NYPITrialGuy This podcast is sponsored by TonaLaw.

See All (178)

Trailer

5
out of 5
31 Ratings

About

What happens when law, business & life collide? What if you could hang out with law firm owners and accomplished business leaders earning seven, eight, and nine figures a year, and gain insights that propel legal cases, and businesses forward exponentially? The Lead Counsel podcast, hosted by Thomas Tona, is a weekly show that delves into the world of law, the business of law, life, and where the three intersect. Each episode will feature in-depth conversations with industry insiders and experts, thought leaders, and individuals that are making significant contributions and differences in their chosen fields. The show covers a wide range of topics related to law, the business of law, life and how they are intertwined. From the latest trends and research to personal stories and practical takeaways, the Lead Counsel podcast offers listeners deep dives on every topic discussed. The goal of this podcast is to provide zero cost to consumer information about law and the business of law, and related tools, to the general public. The show will include different segments, such as "Case of the Week," where the host gives his perspective on recent happenings in the industry, "Tools of the Trade," where the host and guests share valuable resources and tips for listeners, "Behind the Scenes" where the host and guests will share insights and stories not generally known in the industry, and "The Law Leader," where the host and guests will explore what it takes to build a 7,8 or 9-figure law firm and have a great life at the same time. Whether you're a lawyer, or non-lawyer, the Lead Counsel podcast is a must-listen for anyone looking to stay informed and inspired. The show is sure to be a valuable resource for anyone looking to learn more about your personal injury, no-fault collection, or other claims or lawsuits, as well as law firm business owners looking to perform at the highest levels of leadership.

Information

  • Creator
    Thomas Tona
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    178
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2023
  • Show Website
    Lead Counsel

You Might Also Like