Rethinking Legal Fees for a Modern, Value-Based Practice
Modern law practice needs a modern billing approach. Learn tactics for the successful transition from hourly billing to flat and alternative fees with Scott Leigh of AltFee, the 2024 ABA Techshow Startup Alley winner. Mathew Kerbis talked with Scott at Techshow 2025 about the evolution of fee structures alongside technology advances and what lawyers should be thinking about to align their services with competitive pricing. They discuss how modernized fees can increase efficiency and profitability while offering transparent pricing for your clients.
Scott Leigh is co-founder and CEO at AltFee.
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35:26
SCOTUS & the Separation of Church and State
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution reads ‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. In 1802, founding father Thomas Jefferson, wrote a letter to the Danbury, Connecticut Baptist Convention insisting that their legislature "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between church and state.
On April 30th, 2025, SCOTUS heard arguments in the consolidated cases of St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School v. Drummond and Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond which could redefine the fine line between religion and government in public education.
In this episode, Craig is joined by Frank Ravitch, professor of law & religion at Michigan State University's College of Law. Together, Craig and Professor Ravitch delve into the significant legal topic of SCOTUS and the separation of church and state. Their discussion encompasses the details of these cases, Chief Justice Roberts' prior involvement in similar matters, the complex question of whether faith-based schools should be part of the public charter system, the importance of safeguarding religious freedom, and the potential ramifications of this forthcoming landmark decision.
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43:35
How This New Lawyer Branded Her Firm With Aloha and Built a Happy Practice | First Flight #4
Can your law firm be both professional and personal? In this episode, host Adriana Linares revisits her conversation with Cassandra Koeing, a solo family lawyer who launched Aloha Divorce straight out of school and found success by leaning into her personality and values.
From creating a business plan with heart to growing a referral network through community events and Instagram, Cassandra shares how authenticity helped her attract the right clients. Plus, Adriana Linares and Rio Laine from ALPS Insurance break down how choosing the right tech, building good habits, and learning when to say no can keep your practice and your peace of mind on track from day one.
Here the original episode with Cassandra Koeing
Learn more about ALPS Insurance
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44:24
From Classroom to Social Media to Cruise Ship? New Ways to Learn.
Guest Linda McGrath-Cruz worked as a paralegal professional in private practice and in-house (including Royal Caribbean) for 28 years, and she’s a leader for the Paralegal Navigating Perilous Waters cruise, a CLE paralegal conference that takes place on a cruise ship (how cool is that?).
She is currently the program coordinator and a full-time faculty member in the paralegal program at St. Johns River State College in Florida, a hands-on, real-life program that helps students get jobs and then get the job done. She is also the founder and leader of the social media program Perfectly Paralegal, a community that offers resources, support, and continuing education to paralegal professionals nationwide.
We all need NALA continuing ed credits, but why not make it a family vacation on a cruise ship? Courses on the Perilous Waters cruise are arranged to provide both credits but also leave time for networking, sharing tips, and having fun. Make it a family trip, a friends group outing, or a company event. Learn while you sail.
Whether it’s in the classroom or on the high seas, McGrath-Cruz is dedicated to sharing what she’s learned with practical teachings that make you better and advance your career. Get excited and get involved.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Paralegals Navigating Perilous Waters Cruise, March 6, 2026
St. Johns River State College Paralegal Program
NALA, The Paralegal Association
NALA CP exams
NALA Conference & Expo 2025
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49:34
#558: The Wealthy Lawyer: Practical Financial Strategies for Legal Professionals with Darren Wurz
Unlock valuable insights for your legal practice and personal finances in this engaging episode. First, Zack explores the cutting edge of AI with Tanguy Chau from Paxton.ai, revealing how their innovative AI assistant is specifically built to streamline the often-daunting task of drafting legal documents. Discover the power of their multi-step modular process, designed to provide you with more coherent and relevant output, ultimately saving you time and enhancing your efficiency.
Then, get ready to transform your financial outlook as Stephanie Everett speaks with Darren Wurz about financial planning and wealth building tailored specifically for lawyers. We delve into essential mindset shifts, helping you define your financial goals and overcome the common hesitations around financial planning. Learn practical strategies to effectively manage your cash flow, build safety nets, and consciously avoid the trap of lifestyle creep that can hinder your long-term wealth accumulation.
We also explore smart investment diversification beyond traditional retirement accounts and uncover valuable tax planning strategies to ensure you're making the most of your earnings. Learn the importance of building a reliable team of financial experts, providing you with peace of mind and allowing you to focus on what you do best – practicing law and growing your firm. Tune in to gain practical knowledge that can impact your practice and your financial well-being.
Listen to our other episode about your firm’s finances:
KPIs for Lawyers: Measuring Your Law Firm’s Financial Health with Bernadette Harris Apple Podcast | Spotify | Lawyerist
Overcoming Personal Financial Struggles as a Lawyer, with Rho Thomas Apple Podcast | Spotify | Lawyerist
Healthy Profits: Understanding the Story Your Numbers Tell, with Bernadette Harris Apple Podcast | Spotify | Lawyerist
Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!
If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.
Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.
Links from the episode:
Paxton.ai
Chapters/Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:20 - AI Prompt Tips with Zack Glaser and Stephanie Everett
06:22 - Sponsor Guest: Tanguy Chau from Paxton.ai on AI for Legal Document Drafting
18:12 - Financial Planning and Wealth Building for Lawyers
19:35 - Money Mindset and Defining "Enough"
21:42 - Overcoming Financial Hesitancy and Fear
24:38 - Importance of Cash Flow Management
30:34 - Diversification of Investments Beyond Traditional Retirement Accounts
33:08 - Tax Strategies and Planning for Business Owners
40:00 - Building a Team of Financial Experts
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About Legal Talk Network - Law News and Legal Topics
The premier provider of podcasts for attorneys and legal professionals. Over 15 shows on varied topics highlight important issues, current events, technology and the future of law. Legal Talk Network's shows are hosted by leading industry professionals and feature high profile guests.
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