Speaking with Steph

Stephanie Rodin, Mandelbaum Barrett PC
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This podcast will provide information across multiple industries who support small businesses, with a concentration in healthcare practices. The information provided is to be educational and to outline issues that small businesses may come across as they grow and expand.

  1. 4D AGO

    New Sick Leave Rules for NYC: What Changes on February 22nd

    Hi! I'm Stephanie Rodin, host of the Speaking with Steph podcast. In this episode, I want to speak to you about a significant update affecting New York City employers and employees: the expansion of safe and sick leave.  In this episode, we discuss: How New York City's new safe and sick time law expands existing paid sick leave by adding 32 hours of unpaid safe and sick time for eligible employees. What types of workers are covered by the new requirement, including full‑time and part‑time W‑2 employees, and which categories (such as independent contractors) are excluded.​ When employees may use this additional time, including during public disasters that close the place of business or their child's school or childcare provider. Why the new leave can be critical for employees involved in legal proceedings or actions related to subsistence benefits or housing for themselves, family members, or care recipients. How the definition of a caregiver is broadened, allowing individuals who provide ongoing care to a minor child or care recipient to use this time solely for caregiving responsibilities.   Stephanie Rodin is a partner at Mandelbaum Barrett PC, a full-service law firm that has been serving clients since 1930. With decades of collective experience, the firm takes a collaborative and proactive approach to legal counsel, advocating for clients with care, attention, and dedication. Before joining the firm, Stephanie was the founder and principal of Rodin Legal, P.C., and has been practicing law since 2000. Throughout her career, she has focused extensively on supporting healthcare professionals. Having grown up in a family of medical and dental practitioners, Stephanie was immersed in the healthcare world from an early age. This unique exposure gave her firsthand insight into the legal and operational challenges faced by medical professionals experience that continues to inform her legal practice today. Website: https://www.mblawfirm.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanierodin/

    7 min

  2. FEB 13

    Demystifying Business Valuation: Jennifer Cohen's Advice for Healthcare Practice Owners

    This week, Stephanie Rodin chats with her guest, Jennifer Cohen. The two chat about the journey to partnership in the financial advisory industry, the essential steps and challenges involved in valuing healthcare practices, and the distinction between business and personal goodwill.  In this episode, we discuss: How valuation professionals analyze a medical or healthcare practice as a cash‑generating business, focusing on patient revenue, margins, systems, and fair market value rather than just simple "rules of thumb." What distinguishes business goodwill from personal goodwill in a medical practice, including how a physician's own reputation and patient relationships can materially affect value. Why timing matters and why sellers should ideally start working with valuation advisors four to six months before a contemplated sale, even if a specific buyer has not yet been identified. What distinguishes business goodwill from personal goodwill in a medical practice, including how a physician's own reputation and patient relationships can materially affect value. Why the fair market value (hypothetical buyer and seller) differs from synergistic value tied to a specific buyer, and how this shift affects negotiations with hospitals, PE groups, or junior partners.   Jennifer Cohen is a Partner in the firm's Valuation Advisory Services Practice and has nearly 15 years of experience preparing business valuations for healthcare organizations, privately held companies, family limited partnerships, real estate holding partnerships, stock options, intangible assets such as royalty assets, patents and trademarks and other income generating assets in broad industries including healthcare, service, manufacturing, and wholesale distribution industries.   Jennifer prepares valuations for a variety of purposes, including financial reporting, estate and tax planning, matrimonial and shareholder disputes, transactional and other litigious purposes. Her extensive experience includes: Value privately held companies, family limited partnerships, real estate holding partnerships, stock options, intangible assets such as royalty assets, patents and trademarks and other income-generating assets in a broad variety of industries including restaurants and hospitality, technology, healthcare, cannabis, and other service, manufacturing, and wholesale distribution industries. Prepare business valuations for a variety of purposes including financial reporting, estate and tax planning, matrimonial and shareholder disputes and other litigious purposes. Prepare engagements in accordance with FASB ASC topics ASC 805 (business combinations), ASC 718 (equity-based compensation) and ASC 820 (fair value measurements) and IRS 409a compliance. Review externally prepared valuations by third party specialists as part of the fair value audit review process. EDUCATION & LICENSES Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration, Muhlenberg College, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Candidate of the American Society of Appraisers  Social Media Links:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-cohen-40935425/

    29 min

  3. 12/08/2025

    Balancing Creativity and Compliance in Modern Law Firm Marketing

    This week, Stephanie Rodin talks with her guest, Lauren Lynch. They discuss the evolution of marketing in the legal world, the challenges of balancing creativity with compliance, and the importance of cultivating a strong organizational culture. In this episode, we discuss: How internal compliance and technology safeguards work together, Lauren details protocols for automatic disclaimers on firm websites and educational outreach to ensure all attorneys understand and meet ever-changing regulatory requirements. What sets legal marketing apart from other industries, including strict compliance with state-specific advertising regulations and the critical need to balance creativity with legal and ethical obligations in every marketing initiative. When law firm marketing evolved from print ads and directory listings to digital-first strategies, Lauren shares the shift to content, thought leadership, and brand storytelling, along with the growing impact of data analytics and AI on practice growth. Why aligning branding, website, and social media messaging matters, and the importance of regular year-end audits to review whether digital strategies, SEO efforts, and referrals are delivering measurable results for practices and firms. How AI is used responsibly in legal marketing, including for drafting and organization, but always reviewed for accuracy, compliance, and a human touch to maintain credibility and proper disclosure in all client-facing communications. Lauren Lynch With over 20 years of experience in the legal services industry, Lauren Lynch serves as Mandelbaum Barrett PC's Chief Marketing & Culture Officer. She is a dynamic leader passionate about organizational culture, employee engagement, and strategic marketing. In her role, Lauren seamlessly bridges two essential roles—enhancing employee experience and driving impactful marketing strategies for the firm's 100+ attorneys across 35+ practice areas. Lauren believes that a law firm's greatest marketing asset is its people. She champions workplace morale, team building, and professional satisfaction, ensuring that employees—both attorneys and staff—feel valued and engaged. Her initiatives have played a pivotal role in Mandelbaum Barrett PC being recognized as a New Jersey Best Place to Work and a Top Workplace by NJ Biz. On the marketing front, Lauren leads a high-performing team that crafts compelling content, develops practice area marketing plans, and enhances the firm's brand presence through multi-faceted brand strategies. She also plays a key role in the firm's social media strategy, managing campaigns to increase engagement and expand the firm's digital presence.  She collaborates with leadership to maintain consistent messaging that aligns with the firm's core values, while overseeing client engagement strategies. A driving force behind Mandelbaum Barrett's community outreach, Lauren spearheads charitable initiatives that bring together attorneys and staff to give back. She is committed to fostering a workplace where excellence, collaboration, and well-being thrive—because she truly believes that work/life balance is attainable, even in the legal profession. In 2024, Lauren was named a Leading Woman in Business by NJ Biz. She holds a B.A. in Marketing and Journalism from Rider University and a M.A. in Communications. Social media: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenllynch/

    33 min

  4. 12/01/2025

    Smart Hiring in the Age of AI: Insightful Tools and Techniques for Employers

    Hi! I'm Stephanie Rodin, host of the Speaking with Steph podcast. In this episode, I address the growing impact of artificial intelligence on the modern workplace and on hiring practices. As AI is increasingly used to draft written work, refine application materials, and support other aspects of the job search, employers are confronting new challenges and opportunities in evaluating candidates and assessing the authenticity of their qualifications. In this episode, we discuss: How artificial intelligence is increasingly being used in the hiring process, including resume enhancement and interview preparation, posing both challenges and opportunities for employers in evaluating candidates. What cybersecurity measures employers should have in place to safeguard their operations, including up-to-date IT systems, cyber liability policies, and computer restrictions, particularly when onboarding new employees. When conducting interviews, why in-person meetings remain the gold standard to assess candidates authentically, and practical tips for detecting AI-assisted answers or outside help during remote interviews.​ Despite AI's many benefits, vigilance is critical to prevent hiring individuals who lack proper qualifications or could negatively impact business operations due to insufficient skills or experience. How a thorough and personalized interview process protects your organization and promotes responsible use of technology in recruitment. Bio: Stephanie Rodin is a partner at Mandelbaum Barrett PC, a full-service law firm that has been serving clients since 1930. With decades of collective experience, the firm takes a collaborative and proactive approach to legal counsel, advocating for clients with care, attention, and dedication. Before joining the firm, Stephanie was the founder and principal of Rodin Legal, P.C., and has been practicing law since 2000. Throughout her career, she has focused extensively on sunnorting healthcare professionals Having grown up in a family of medical and dental practitioners, Stephanie was immersed in the healthcare world from an early age. This unique exposure gave her firsthand insight into the legal and operational challenges faced by medical professionals experience that continues to inform her legal practice today. Website: https://www.mblawfirm.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanierodin/

    9 min

  5. 11/24/2025

    Building Strong Financial Foundations for Private Practices: Strategies and Stories from Sarah Webb

    This week, Stephanie Rodin talks with her guest, Sarah Webb. They discuss real-world financial challenges faced by private medical practices, best practices for accounting and cash flow management, and strategies to prevent and detect both internal and external fraud. In this episode, we discuss: Sarah's team assists with fraud prevention and cyber risk mitigation, outlining best practices for internal controls, detection of cybercrime, and real-world examples of risk management in professional settings. What common financial challenges arise for physicians and practice owners, including issues related to cash flow, budgeting, compensation structures, and benefit planning; and how expert guidance can ensure sustainable business growth and regulatory compliance. Medical and business clients should seek financial advisory services, with emphasis on the importance of proactive planning and profit assessments to identify operational risks before they escalate. Why accurate, accrual-based accounting is essential for healthcare organizations to gain clarity on their revenue streams, expense cycles, and to maintain compliance with industry standards and legal requirements. When significant financial concerns arise, such as fraud investigations or major tax issues, Sarah describes her methodical approach—offering analysis, legal collaboration, and coordinated responses for optimal client results. Sarah Webb Sarah founded Webb CFO to provide accounting assistance and long-term financial planning guidance to licensed physicians and their private practice small businesses. Though Sarah and her team are happy to address the fundamental aspects of day-to-day accounting, such as cash flow management and budgeting, they take client financials a step further by adopting a strategic approach: leveraging numerical data for forecasting and planning, and offering a broader management-oriented perspective.   https://www.webbcfo.com/

    29 min

  6. 11/10/2025

    Understanding Noncompete Updates: New Trends and Enforcement in 2025

    Hi! I'm Stephanie Rodin, host of the Speaking with Steph podcast. In this episode, I want to speak to you about non-compete clauses in your contracts. In this episode, we discuss: How the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has dropped its appeal on the full ban of a nationwide non-compete, but they are now challenging non-compete agreements against larger companies and sending warning letters to major healthcare facilities and staffing firms. The change in non-compete enforcement involves the FTC shifting from supporting a broad nationwide ban to focusing on particular companies that use restrictive non-compete agreements.  What the future of non-competes will be remains uncertain, as ongoing developments with the FTC and administrations are still unfolding. Employees may benefit from changes in noncompete agreements because it increases their freedom to change jobs, start new businesses, or practice without excessive restrictions. Large businesses appear to be most affected as the FTC is sending out warning letters and filing suit against them. Bio: Stephanie Rodin is a partner at Mandelbaum Barrett PC, a full-service law firm that has been serving clients since 1930. With decades of collective experience, the firm takes a collaborative and proactive approach to legal counsel, advocating for clients with care, attention, and decicaton. Before joining the firm, Stephanie was the founder and principal of Rodin Legal, P.C., and has been practicing law since 2000. Throughout her career, she has focused extensively on sunnorting healthcare professionals Having grown up in a family of medical and dental practitioners, Stephanie was immersed in the healthcare world from an early age. This unique exposure gave her firsthand insight into the legal and operational challenges faced by medical professionals experience that continues to inform her legal practice today. Website: https://www.mblawfirm.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanierodin/

    9 min

  7. 11/03/2025

    Avoiding Disaster: How Cyber Insurance Protects Against Financial and Legal Risks

    This week, Stephanie Rodin talks with her guest, Sean O'Rourke. They discuss the evolution of cyber insurance from basic coverage to advanced policies, highlighting risks like ransomware, data privacy, and social engineering. They also cover claim denials and AI's growing role in cyber risk, providing a concise overview. In this episode, we discuss: Cyber insurance is a business policy designed to help companies recover from technology and data risks, such as ransomware, data privacy breaches, wire fraud, and other cyber threats. The growing use of technology and AI, combined with the rise of scams, makes businesses very vulnerable to disruptive cyber incidents—making insurance essential for financial, legal, and reputational protection. Cyber insurance policies cover a variety of risks, including regulatory fines, legal expenses, and civil litigation related to data privacy laws, as well as recovery from direct attacks like ransomware and business email compromise. Policies should be established before an incident happens. Promptly notifying the insurer (and your legal counsel) is essential once you suspect or get notice of a breach or claim. Waiting may hurt the ability to have full coverage by the carrier. Carriers are adapting to the increases in technology, but they cannot always keep up as technology advances rapidly. Currently, obtaining insurance coverage for emerging fields like AI and cryptocurrency is difficult because carriers require more time and understanding to accurately assess risks. Sean O'Rourke Sean O'Rourke is a Cyber Liability Consultant for Combs & Company, an insurance brokerage and consultancy for small- and mid-sized businesses around the U.S. Sean works with companies to mitigate the myriad of risks posed to their technology and data by internal and external threats. Sean spent 25+ years in the IT arena, which included 12 years running the IT firm he cofounded, so he has a unique perspective on the financial, legal, and reputational disruptions faced by businesses in today's interconnected world. Sean also sits on the board of Pancakes for Roger, a veteran-focused nonprofit, and has served as board member for multiple private companies. He's a long-time mentor to students and new entrepreneurs; he's a CrossFit & Spartan coach and competitor, and has recently taken up endurance events.   Social media Instagram: scor1680 LinkedIn: Sean O'Rourke | LinkedIn

    37 min

  8. 10/24/2025

    Building Trust Online: Properly Handling Feedback and Negative Reviews

    Hi! I'm Stephanie Rodin, host of the Speaking with Steph podcast. In this episode, I want to speak to you about online reviews. In this episode, we discuss: You can handle negative reviews by recognizing each platform's guidelines (Google, Yelp, Facebook, etc.) and asking for their removal if a review breaks those rules. Not all negative reviews are harmful; some may represent genuine feedback, and having a few isn't necessarily bad—it's a sign of authenticity. As a healthcare practice, responding to reviews must be in a HIPAA-compliant manner and reaching out privately for more serious issues. Practices should be using standard response templates for both positive and negative reviews.  If a review is genuinely harmful and all other options are exhausted, consider taking legal action with an attorney, especially for repeated false or defamatory statements. If a negative review comes from a known patient or customer, contact them directly to address the issue and possibly have them remove the review.  Bio: Stephanie Rodin is a partner at Mandelbaum Barrett PC, a full-service law firm that has been serving clients since 1930. With decades of collective experience, the firm takes a collaborative and proactive approach to legal counsel, advocating for clients with care, attention, and dedication. Before joining the firm, Stephanie was the founder and principal of Rodin Legal, P.C., and has been practicing law since 2000. Throughout her career, she has focused extensively on supporting healthcare professionals. Having grown up in a family of medical and dental practitioners, Stephanie was immersed in the healthcare world from an early age. This unique exposure gave her firsthand insight into the legal and operational challenges faced by medical professionals—experience that continues to inform her legal practice today.   Website: https://www.mblawfirm.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanierodin/

    8 min
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About

This podcast will provide information across multiple industries who support small businesses, with a concentration in healthcare practices. The information provided is to be educational and to outline issues that small businesses may come across as they grow and expand.

Information

  • Creator
    Stephanie Rodin, Mandelbaum Barrett PC
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    74
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Stephanie Rodin 2022
  • Show Website
    Speaking with Steph