Grow Your Law Firm Podcast

Welcome to episode 285 of the Grow Your Law Firm podcast, hosted by Ken Hardison. In this episode, Ken sits down with John Kormanik, Esq., a Certified Professional Coach and former trial lawyer.

John brings decades of experience from the courtroom to the coaching space, guiding attorneys to say no to burnout and yes to a legacy theyre proud of by realizing their potential and optimizing their life. With 20+ years as a practicing attorney including time as a Deputy Attorney General, law firm partner, and firm owner, John understands the unique pressures of the legal profession. Today, he coaches lawyers on reengineering their mindset, optimizing their systems, and rediscovering the joy in their work and life. When hes not coaching exceptional attorneys, youll find John experiencing the world with Michelle, his wife of more than thirty years, riding his mountain bike, or walking his yellow Lab, Olive.

1. Dispelling Myths:
- Success doesn't require constant grinding.
- Being busy doesn't equate to productivity.

2. Strategic Decision-Making:
- Importance of having free time for strategic thinking.
- Making tough decisions and embracing white space in the calendar.

3. Work-Life Balance:
- Avoiding the belief that one must be available 24/7.
- Prioritizing personal time for long-term success.

4. Relationship with Money:
- Understanding that money alone does not guarantee happiness.
- Viewing money as a tool for experiences rather than the end goal.

5. Asking for Help:
- Acknowledging that seeking help is a strength, not a weakness.
- Recognizing the value of mentors and coaches in providing guidance and uncovering blind spots.

Resources:

Website:Lawyer coaching lawyers
LinkedIn:(26) John R. Kormanik, Esq. | LinkedIn

Instagram:John R. Kormanik (@johnrkormanikcoaching)

Additional Resources:

Welcome to episode 284 of the Grow Your Law Firm podcast, hosted by Ken Hardison. In this episode, Ken sits down with Ilona Anderson, founder of Carpe Diem Law Firm, a legal practice that helps businesses, employers, and employees navigate trademark protection, employment law compliance, and workplace disputes.

Ilona is a trademark and employment law attorney. She helps entrepreneurs protect their brands and build compliant, high-integrity teams. With a decade of experience co-leading one of Florida’s fastest-growing employment law practices, Ilona brings a unique dual perspective—having represented both employees and business owners. Known for her mindful and practical legal approach, Ilona empowers business owners to avoid costly lawsuits and protect what they’ve built.


What you’ll learn about in this episode:

1. Importance of Trademarking:

- Trademarking your name, slogan, or business elements is crucial for business protection and growth.

- Getting a trademark is relatively affordable, typically costing around one to two thousand dollars.

2. Hiring Offshore Workers:
- Hiring offshore workers through agencies can simplify compliance with employment and tax laws.
- Offshore workers can be managed by agencies, reducing direct employer responsibilities.

3. Distinction Between Independent Contractors and Employees:
- Simply labeling a worker as an independent contractor is not sufficient for legal compliance.
- The Department of Labor and IRS use economic realities tests to evaluate worker classifications.

4. Factors for Determining Worker Status:
- Control over work schedules, tools, and independence are key factors in determining worker classification.
- The totality of circumstances, not individual factors, is considered by courts in determining employee versus independent contractor status.

5. Resource for Determining Worker Classification:
- Access to a guide for determining employee or independent contractor status based on the latest Department of Labor guidance.
- Listeners can request the guide from Ilona Anderson or through Ken for additional assistance.



Resources:

Website: Carpe Diem Law Firm | Helping Your Brand & Team Blossom
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilona-anderson 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarpeDiemLawFirm/


Additional Resources: 

 

Welcome to episode 283 of the Grow Your Law Firm podcast, hosted by Ken Hardison. In this episode, Ken sits down with Josh Konigsberg, Co-Founder of Law Firm Marketing Pros, a digital marketing agency that partners with law firms.

Josh is a digital marketing expert with over 30 years of experience. He co-founded the first financial search engine on the web in 1996 and now helps law firms generate more qualified leads and grow their revenue through strategic digital marketing. As Partner and Co-Founder of Law Firm Marketing Pros, he authored Law Firm Digital Marketing Made Easy and created the Behind the Bench newsletter. His agency was named “Agency of the Year” by the 7 Figure Agency mastermind, where he also mentors over 300 agency owners.

A sought-after speaker, Josh regularly presents at legal and marketing conferences, sharing actionable strategies to scale law firms and digital agencies. Known for his engaging, data-driven presentations, Josh blends real-world results with deep industry expertise to inspire and educate audiences.

 

What you’ll learn about in this episode:

 1. Utilizing AI Tools in Marketing:
  - Leveraging AI tools like Answer the Public for in-depth research insights.
  - Customizing content based on regional language variations for enhanced SEO strategies.

2. Importance of Brand Consistency:
  - Maintaining brand voice and consistency with human-created content.
  - Collaborating with marketing professionals to ensure alignment with brand identity.

3. Transparency in Project Management:
  - Demonstrating project management efforts to clients for increased transparency and appreciation.
  - Staying proactive and adaptable to algorithmic changes in digital marketing platforms.

4. Avoiding Unreliable Marketing Agencies:
  - Steering clear of inexperienced or untrustworthy marketing agencies.
  - Engaging in industry-related groups and events to stay informed on the latest trends and technologies.

5. AI Applications in Personal Injury Law Marketing:
  - Exploring upcoming trends in AI applications for personal injury law marketing.
  - Harnessing AI advancements like Chat GPT 5.0 for optimizing marketing strategies and client engagement.

 

Website: http://www.lawfirmmarketingpros.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshkonigsberg-seo-pro/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lawfirmmarketingpros/

 

Additional Resources: 

 

Welcome to episode 282 of the Grow Your Law Firm podcast, hosted by Ken Hardison. In this episode, Ken sits down with Mark Bassingthwaighte, Esq., Risk Manager at ALPS, an attorney’s professional liability insurance carrier. 

In his tenure with the company, Mark has conducted over 1200 law firm risk management assessment visits, presented over 650 continuing legal education seminars throughout the United States, and written extensively on risk management, ethics, and technology. Mark is a member of the State Bar of Montana as well as the American Bar Association where he currently sits on the ABA Center for Professional Responsibility’s Conference Planning Committee. He received his J.D. from Drake University Law School. When he’s not helping lawyers mitigate risk, he’s enjoying all things Disney and lives in close proximity to the House of the Mouse 

 

What you’ll learn about in this episode:

1. Importance of Cyber Insurance:
    - Essential for all legal practices to protect against cyber threats.
    - Smaller firms are also targets for cyber breaches with severe financial consequences.

2. Underwriting Process for Standalone Cyber Coverage:
    - Thorough details about security measures are required.
    - Risks of misrepresentation can lead to denial of coverage.

3. Compliance with Security Measures:
    - Crucial to implement declared security measures for coverage.
    - Warning against complacency to avoid serious consequences.

4. Accessibility to Risk Management Support:
    - ALPS Insurance offers risk management services for legal professionals.
    - Support available regardless of insurance status.

5. Specialization in Legal Insurance:
    - ALPS Insurance provides tailored legal malpractice and cyber insurance.
    - Increasing cyber threats emphasize the need for robust security measures and comprehensive coverage.

Resources: 

 

Website: www.alpsinsurance.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alps-corporation/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alpscorporation/

 

 

Welcome to episode 281 of the Grow Your Law Firm podcast, hosted by Ken Hardison. In this episode, Ken sits down with Gabriel Stiritz, the founder and CEO of Lexamica, the platform powering Plaintiff Law 2.0 – a specialized model for injury law firms. 

As a legal operations innovator and industry visionary, Gabriel sees trends like marketing firms generating leads at scale, AI-driven case management, and high-value trial specialists shaping the future. With firsthand experience in the traditional vertically-integrated law firm model, Gabriel understands how technology, regulatory changes, and capital are transforming the industry. He helps law firm owners thrive through specialization and tech-enabled collaboration, rather than being disrupted by these changes.

Gabriel’s background spans legal operations, technology development, and multi-state firm management, offering insights into both the business and practice of law. He is passionate about helping law firms adapt to technological change while maintaining core values of client advocacy and professional excellence.

 

What you’ll learn about in this episode:

 

1. Focus on Relationship Marketing:
- Building strong relationships sets you apart from big competitors who may struggle with this due to their size.
- Clearly define why clients should choose your firm over larger competitors or alternative business structure firms.

2. Niche Specializations Are Valuable:
- Consider specializing in a specific area of law to stand out and become a boutique firm.
- Engaging with the community and leveraging past clients for referrals can lead to significant growth.

3. AI Disruption is Inevitable:
- Embrace AI technology as it is expected to revolutionize law firm operations, potentially doubling firm capacity.
- Intake departments may be replaced by AI voice agents within the next 12 to 18 months, highlighting the need to adapt to new technologies.

4. Brand Building is Essential:
- Developing a strong brand can create a competitive advantage in a noisy marketplace.
- Ensure your return on ad spend considers both internal and external case acquisition, emphasizing the importance of a robust referral strategy.

5. Law Firm Differentiation:
- Differentiate your firm by focusing on niche practice areas, community engagement, and building a reputable brand.
- Stay mindful of advertising ethics and the importance of ethics boards keeping pace with rapidly evolving marketing tactics in the legal industry.

 

    

Website: Lexamica
LinkedIn: Gabriel Stiritz | LinkedIn 

 

Additional Resources: