Life Beyond the Briefs

Brian Glass

At Life Beyond the Briefs we help lawyers like you become less busy, make more money, and spend more time doing what they want instead of what they have to. Brian brings you guests from all walks of life are living a life of their own design and are ready to share actionable tips for how you can begin to live your own dream life. 

  1. 4D AGO

    Purpose-Driven Social Media for Modern Law Firms | LexSummit 2025 Breakout Session with Mike Rafi

    Step into a packed breakout room at LexSummit 2025. The coffee is still warm, the questions come fast, and trial lawyer Mike Rafi is as candid as they come. This session is about social that serves a purpose. Not chasing viral hits, but speaking clearly to the people who might need you, and to the colleagues who might send you your next great case. We start with the simple idea that wins on every platform: be useful. Mike walks through how he chooses a lane, why daily posting is easier than it sounds, and what a good 60-second video actually says. We talk about writing for clients and referrers at the same time, turning a website visit into a call through basic retargeting, and handling the occasional troll without losing your voice. There is no fluff here. You will hear what has actually moved cases for modern firms. Short LinkedIn posts that build trust over time. Local stories that make your value obvious. Speaking gigs and bar journals that scale your reputation. Clear calls to action that turn attention into intakes. We close with a simple plan you can try this week: pick one platform, commit to two repeatable content types, and set up a small system that keeps you consistent when the docket gets loud. Recorded live at LexSummit 2025. If this conversation helps, share it with the lawyer who keeps saying they will start posting tomorrow. ____________________________________ Brian Glass is a nationally recognized personal injury lawyer in Fairfax, Virginia. He is passionate about living a life of his own design and looking for answers to solutions outside of the legal field. This podcast is his effort to share that passion with others. Want to connect with Brian? Follow Brian on Instagram: @thebrianglass Connect on LinkedIn

    50 min
  2. NOV 4

    Law Firm Life Cycle Unpacked: Ethical Exits & the Equity Trap | Jonathan Hawkins

    Ever drafted the “I’m out” email and saved it as “send after bonus”? In this episode, Jonathan Hawkins returns to talk about the messy middle of law firm life: when to leave, how to leave without stepping on landmines, and how to know if “partner” is a leap or a leash. We get into the kitchen-table talk at home, what you can and can’t say to clients before you give notice, and the quiet costs of equity that no one puts in the brochure. We also dig into the parts owners whisper about: slowing down departures without playing games, conflict waivers when friends want to be partners, when to update the partnership agreement, and what M&A really looks like for smaller firms, especially in PI. If you’re plotting an exit or trying to keep your team from plotting theirs, this one will feel familiar and useful. Jonathan’s new book, The Law Firm Life Cycle, is our guide throughout, with simple checklists and plain-English frameworks you can use the minute the episode ends. Connect with Jonathan:Book: The Law Firm Life Cycle: Counsel for Every Stage of Your Law Firm’s Journey — Paperback ISBN-13: 9781964046808 (Amazon paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1964046807 • Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FT3K1WMY • B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/1148475106Book landing page: https://www.lawfirmgc.com/law-firm-life-cycle/Website: https://www.lawfirmgc.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-hawkins-law-firm-general-counsel/If this episode sparks a decision, start with the book chapter on planning your exit, then replay the section on client communications and do the kitchen-table talk tonight. Your future self will thank you. ____________________________________ Brian Glass is a nationally recognized personal injury lawyer in Fairfax, Virginia. He is passionate about living a life of his own design and looking for answers to solutions outside of the legal field. This podcast is his effort to share that passion with others. Want to connect with Brian? Follow Brian on Instagram: @thebrianglass Connect on LinkedIn

    37 min
  3. OCT 28

    11 Client Communication Hacks | Gyi Tsakalakis & Jared Jaskot

    Picture a new client on day 17. They signed last week. Their neck still hurts. Their inbox is quiet. The silence makes the story in their head louder. Did the firm forget me? That moment is where this episode lives. From the first call through the first 30 days and beyond, Brian Glass sits with Gyi Tsakalakis and Abogado Jared Jaskot to map a simple system for better client communication and steadier client engagement. They show how to set client expectations on day one, why a real voice every 30 days calms anxiety, and how a welcome kit or closeout letter can anchor the relationship. You will hear where digital tools help and where they don’t. Chatbot for intake, sure. Automation for reminders and scheduling, yes. But the real wins come from mixing law firm technology with a human check-in that proves you are working the file. If you care about legal marketing that feels like service, legal practice management that your team can keep, and a client experience that earns five-star reviews, this is your playbook. We cover using SMS over email when it fits, capturing preferences early, routing DMs back into your system, and building evergreen videos that answer common questions without repeating yourself. Keywords you will hear throughout: client communication, client expectations, digital tools, chatbot, automation, and the habits that make a modern practice run. Recorded at Kaleidoscope 2025 by 8AM (formerly, Affinipay) with Brian, Gyi, and Jared. ____________________________________ Brian Glass is a nationally recognized personal injury lawyer in Fairfax, Virginia. He is passionate about living a life of his own design and looking for answers to solutions outside of the legal field. This podcast is his effort to share that passion with others. Want to connect with Brian? Follow Brian on Instagram: @thebrianglass Connect on LinkedIn

    56 min
  4. OCT 21

    Using AI to Make a Solo Practice Scalable | Carolyn Elefant

    What happens when one of the original voices in solo law practice meets the cutting edge of AI? At 8AM’s Kaleidoscope event, Brian sat down with Carolyn Elefant - legendary founder of MyShingle, author of Solo by Choice, and environmental justice attorney fighting Big Energy with bold strategy and even bolder tech. In this conversation, Carolyn shares how she: Turned a dot-com-era blog into a pipeline for high-value clientsUses AI to decode 200-page rulings in minutes (and train new lawyers fast)Created a playbook so effective, government agencies distributed it for herIs building an AI-first law firm offshoot with scalability in mindThis isn’t your average solo practice story. It’s a deep dive into how to work smarter, build authority, and design a law firm that actually fits your life — not the other way around. Whether you’re solo-curious, tech-savvy, or just sick of the billable grind, this episode will make you rethink what’s possible. Hit play and get inspired by Carolyn’s unapologetic, future-facing approach to law. Connect with Carolyn: www.myshingle.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynelefant/ ____________________________________ Brian Glass is a nationally recognized personal injury lawyer in Fairfax, Virginia. He is passionate about living a life of his own design and looking for answers to solutions outside of the legal field. This podcast is his effort to share that passion with others. Want to connect with Brian? Follow Brian on Instagram: @thebrianglass Connect on LinkedIn

    21 min
  5. SEP 30

    Gray’s Anatomy of a Verdict: From Voir Dire to Victory | Sharif Gray

    He left Big Law after 90 days to chase juries. Now Sharif Gray, Richmond trial lawyer and co-host of the RVA Trial Lawyers podcast, breaks down how authenticity (not interrogation) wins over jurors and drives real results in the courtroom. We get into the hard stuff: valuing cases beyond medical specials and policy limits, the “speed-trial” mindset of cutting what doesn’t serve the story, and why parachuting in close to trial can actually sharpen your case. Sharif also shares a tough crime-victim matter that shows what accountability really looks like—and why some cases are worth saying “no” until it pays. In this episode: Make authenticity your unfair advantage in voir direPrice pain and conduct—not just bills and limitsSpeed-trial thinking: cut to winParachute-lawyering: fresh eyes, clearer themesBuild a career around trials vs. running the businessGet real reps (JAG, prosecution) when jury trials are scarceIntake filters that find clients who want accountability, not just a checkSharif’s Event Voir Dire to Verdict 2025 — practical training from top trial minds. Proceeds support the Wounded Warrior Project. Info & tickets: https://rvatriallawyers.com/events/ Connect with Sharif LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharifgray YouTube (RVA Trial Lawyers): https://www.youtube.com/@RVATrialLawyers Apple Podcasts (RVA Trial Lawyers): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rva-trial-lawyers-virginias-trial-lawyer-podcast/id1669382040 Contact page: https://rvatriallawyers.com/contact-us/ Firm bio: https://graybroughton.com/team/sharif-gray/ ____________________________________ Brian Glass is a nationally recognized personal injury lawyer in Fairfax, Virginia. He is passionate about living a life of his own design and looking for answers to solutions outside of the legal field. This podcast is his effort to share that passion with others. Want to connect with Brian? Follow Brian on Instagram: @thebrianglass Connect on LinkedIn

    46 min
  6. SEP 23

    Stop Being Polite… and Get Rude In Your Branding | Lee Rudin

    Forget boring branding and forget trying to please everyone, this episode is about standing out, building trust, and boldly owning your space. This week, Brian sits down with Lee Rudin, founder of RUDIN LAW and the brain behind the unforgettable “Get Rude” brand. If you’ve ever wondered how to create a law firm identity that clients actually remember and wear on a t-shirt, this is your playbook. Lee shares: Why polite branding gets you forgotten (and what to do instead)How niche swag and grassroots engagement built his client baseThe psychology behind bold legal advertisingWhat most firms get wrong about digital marketingHow he's managing cash flow and growth while scaling fastAnd why your brand should repel as much as it attractsHe’s not selling gimmicks — he’s building real relationships and a brand that hits hard. If you're tired of safe, bland, forgettable law firm marketing... it's time to Get Rude! 🎤 Connect with Lee Rudin: Instagram / TikTok / YouTube: @GetRudeLawFacebook: RUDIN LAWLinkedIn: Lee RudinWebsite: www.getrude.comHe's speaking at PIMCON in Scottsdale, October 2025. Don’t miss it! ____________________________________ Brian Glass is a nationally recognized personal injury lawyer in Fairfax, Virginia. He is passionate about living a life of his own design and looking for answers to solutions outside of the legal field. This podcast is his effort to share that passion with others. Want to connect with Brian? Follow Brian on Instagram: @thebrianglass Connect on LinkedIn

    32 min
4.9
out of 5
40 Ratings

About

At Life Beyond the Briefs we help lawyers like you become less busy, make more money, and spend more time doing what they want instead of what they have to. Brian brings you guests from all walks of life are living a life of their own design and are ready to share actionable tips for how you can begin to live your own dream life. 

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