The Law Firm Owners Podcast

170 - The Greatest Mistake Law Firm Owners Make When Stepping Back from Fee Earning (And How to Build a Law Firm That Runs Without You)

In this episode of The Law Firm Owners Podcast, I'm joined by Rachel Roche, founder of Roche Legal, author of How to Start a Law Firm, and one of the few law firm owners I've met who has successfully transitioned from being a technician in the business to a true business owner.  If you're a law firm owner, managing partner, solicitor or legal entrepreneur who feels trapped in fee earning, constantly firefighting, or struggling to find time to grow your firm, this episode is packed with practical insight. Rachel shares how she's spent more than a decade building systems, processes, leadership structures and internal knowledge systems that allow her team to operate effectively without relying on her for every decision. In this episode, we cover: *  Why so many law firm owners get trapped in fee earning  *  The difference between being a lawyer and being a business owner  *  How to build a law firm that doesn't depend on you  *  Creating systems and processes that support growth  *  Building an internal knowledge base that empowers your team  *  Why delegation often fails in law firms  *  The leadership mistakes that create dependency  *  How to stop becoming the solution to every problem  *  The importance of communication, accountability and boundaries  *  Why law firm owners must learn to let go  *  Using AI and automation to improve legal operations  *  How process-driven firms can scale faster  *  Building a culture where people solve problems for themselves  *  Why resilience is one of the most important leadership skills  Rachel also shares how her passion for process improvement, systems thinking and AI is helping her create a more enjoyable business for both her team and her clients. If you've ever wondered how to step back from the day-to-day running of your law firm without losing control, this episode will give you a roadmap. About Myerson Connections: Myerson Solicitors is a 100% employee-owned independent law firm based in Altrincham, Greater Manchester. Myerson supports many other law firms across the country daily through its referral network, Myerson Connections. Not only does Myerson help other law firms with referrals, but it also provides free peer-to-peer education, knowledge sharing and practice management support. Discover more at http://myerson.co.uk/connections [http://myerson.co.uk/connections] . About Dan: Currently, Dan is seeking a London Law Firm turning over £1.5M to £6M to invest in, so if you are interested in receiving investment to grow or sell your law firm or know someone who might be, please contact Dan on: dan@danwarburton.com [dan@danwarburton.com] Dan can also show you strategies that have increased his clients' law firm revenues by 15% to over 300% in one year while reducing their workload by more than half. To find out more about Dan and his programs, click here: https://www.danwarburton.com/ [https://www.danwarburton.com/] Or add Dan on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/authordanwarburton/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/authordanwarburton/] Proudly edited with finesse by Mike [https://www.linkedin.com/in/framamike/] at Making Digital Real [https://vault.makingdigitalreal.co.uk/] ✨

169 - The Law Firm Model That’s Changing the Legal Industry with George Reynolds, Chief Growth Officer at Setfords

My next guest is George Reynolds, Chief Growth Officer at Setfords, the UK's largest platform law firm. Founded in 2006, Setfords pioneered the consultant model in the UK and now supports more than 650 consultant lawyers across England and Wales, with revenue of £67 million in its most recent financial year. It was the fastest-growing firm in The Lawyer Top 100 in 2025, with 47% organic revenue growth, and is the only law firm listed in the Financial Times' Europe's Long-Term Growth Champions.  George leads the firm's growth strategy behind its platform – including the technology, data and infrastructure that allow experienced lawyers to run their own practices without the burden of running a business. If you’re a law firm owner, managing partner, solicitor or legal entrepreneur trying to understand the future of legal services, AI, recruitment, culture, or law firm growth, this conversation is packed with insight. In this episode, we cover: *  Why the future of law firms is about structure, not harder work *  The difference between traditional law firm models and consultancy law firms *  How Setfords built a scalable, high-growth legal business  *  Why modern lawyers want flexibility, autonomy and work-life balance *  Building culture and community in a remote-first law firm  *  The importance of psychological safety and employee wellbeing *  Why younger lawyers are changing the legal industry  *  How AI is reshaping legal services and client expectations  *  The future of law firm recruitment, retention and talent attraction *  Why law firms must focus on human skills, communication and judgement *  Using data, systems and AI to improve legal operations  *  Why law firm owners must rethink how teams collaborate and perform  *  The changing relationship between employers and employees in law firms  *  How legal businesses can stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market  George also shares how Setfords approaches innovation, growth strategy, digital communication, and building a law firm model designed for the next generation of lawyers. If you’re wondering what the legal industry could look like over the next 5–10 years, this episode will get you thinking differently. About Myerson Connections: Myerson Solicitors is a 100% employee-owned independent law firm based in Altrincham, Greater Manchester. Myerson supports many other law firms across the country daily through its referral network, Myerson Connections. Not only does Myerson help other law firms with referrals, but it also provides free peer-to-peer education, knowledge sharing and practice management support. Discover more at http://myerson.co.uk/connections [http://myerson.co.uk/connections] . About Dan: Currently, Dan is seeking a London Law Firm turning over £1.5M to £6M to invest in, so if you are interested in receiving investment to grow or sell your law firm or know someone who might be, please contact Dan on: dan@danwarburton.com [dan@danwarburton.com] Dan can also show you strategies that have increased his clients' law firm revenues by 15% to over 300% in one year while reducing their workload by more than half. To find out more about Dan and his programs, click here: https://www.danwarburton.com/ [https://www.danwarburton.com/] Or add Dan on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/authordanwarburton/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/authordanwarburton/] Proudly edited with finesse by Mike [https://www.linkedin.com/in/framamike/] at Making Digital Real [https://vault.makingdigitalreal.co.uk/] ✨

168 - The Big Mistakes Business Acquirers Make

In this episode of The Law Firm Owners Podcast, I’m joined by David Little [https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-little-182a6210/], Partner and Head of Company Commercial at Bishop & Sewell LLP, to explore the biggest mistakes law firm owners and business buyers make during acquisitions.  If you’re a law firm owner, managing partner, solicitor, legal entrepreneur or business owner looking to grow through acquisition, this episode is packed with practical insight from someone who has advised on hundreds of business sales and acquisitions over the last 30 years. We get into what really happens after the deal is done… and why many acquisitions fail because owners underestimate the importance of people, culture, communication and integration. In this episode, we cover: *  The biggest mistakes buyers make during a law firm acquisition *  Why many acquisitions fail after completion, not before *  The importance of integrating teams and retaining talent *  Why communication and visibility matter after buying a business  *  The dangers of changing too much too quickly after an acquisition  *  Why buyers must understand the business they are acquiring  *  The risks of poor due diligence and hidden liabilities  *  Why earn-outs and structured deals reduce acquisition risk  *  The psychology of founders selling their business  *  How law firm acquisitions differ from other business acquisitions  *  The challenges of merging systems, culture, branding and workflows *  Whether law firms should keep acquired firms independent or rebrand them  *  How AI could reshape law firm acquisitions and legal services *  Why the legal sector could become a huge acquisition opportunity over the next decade  David also shares his thoughts on consultancy law firm models, legal industry consolidation, and why maintaining trust and local reputation is often more valuable than forcing a full rebrand. If you’re considering buying a law firm, selling your law firm, or scaling through acquisition, this episode will help you avoid some very expensive mistakes. To find out more about Tad go to: David Little [https://www.bishopandsewell.co.uk/solicitors/david-little/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-little-182a6210/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-little-182a6210/] About Myerson Connections: Myerson Solicitors is a 100% employee-owned independent law firm based in Altrincham, Greater Manchester. Myerson supports many other law firms across the country daily through its referral network, Myerson Connections. Not only does Myerson help other law firms with referrals, but it also provides free peer-to-peer education, knowledge sharing and practice management support. Discover more at Myerson Connections Scheme | For You & Your Clients [http://myerson.co.uk/connections] .   About Dan: Currently, Dan is seeking a London Law Firm turning over £1.5M to £6M to invest in, so if you are interested in receiving investment to grow or sell your law firm or know someone who might be, please contact Dan on: dan@danwarburton.com [dan@danwarburton.com] Dan can also show you strategies that have increased his clients' law firm revenues by 15% to over 300% in one year while reducing their workload by more than half. To find out more about Dan and his programs, click here: https://www.danwarburton.com/ [https://www.danwarburton.com/] Or add Dan on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/authordanwarburton/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/authordanwarburton/] Proudly edited with finesse by Mike [https://www.linkedin.com/in/framamike/] at Making Digital Real [https://vault.makingdigitalreal.co.uk/] ✨

167 - The Real Skills Law Firm Owners Need (Not Taught in Law School) with Afsheen Nasr

In this episode of The Law Firm Owners Podcast, I’m joined by Afsheen Nasr, Managing Partner of RFB Legal, to break down the three most important lessons she’s learned in her first year leading a growing law firm. If you’re a law firm owner, managing partner, solicitor or legal entrepreneur looking to scale your law firm, improve performance, and build a stronger team, this episode is packed with practical insight. Afsheen shares how focusing on three core principles - fairness, financial awareness, and calculated risk-taking - has shaped her leadership and driven growth in a 150+ person firm.  In this episode, we cover: *  Why fairness and consistency are critical in law firm leadership  *  How to manage performance and underperformance effectively  *  Setting clear targets and expectations for fee earners and teams *  Why law firm owners must know their numbers and track KPIs *  The importance of financial visibility for decision-making and growth *  How to create a culture where people feel valued, supported, and accountable *  Why calculated risks are essential for scaling a law firm  *  How strategic decisions (like new offices or hires) can accelerate growth  *  The role of AI in improving efficiency and reducing admin *  Building a law firm that balances profitability with work-life balance Afsheen also shares how her firm is creating an environment where teams can hit targets without sacrificing their personal lives, while still maintaining strong commercial performance. If you’re leading a team or stepping into a leadership role in your law firm, this episode will give you a clear framework to think about how you operate and grow. To find out more about Afsheen go to: https://rfblegal.co.uk/ [https://rfblegal.co.uk/] https://uk.linkedin.com/in/afsheen-nasr-9147689b [https://uk.linkedin.com/in/afsheen-nasr-9147689b] About Myerson Connections: Myerson Solicitors is a 100% employee-owned independent law firm based in Altrincham, Greater Manchester. Myerson supports many other law firms across the country daily through its referral network, Myerson Connections. Not only does Myerson help other law firms with referrals, but it also provides free peer-to-peer education, knowledge sharing and practice management support. Discover more at http://myerson.co.uk/connections [http://myerson.co.uk/connections] . About Dan: Currently, Dan is seeking a London Law Firm turning over £1.5M to £6M to invest in, so if you are interested in receiving investment to grow or sell your law firm or know someone who might be, please contact Dan on: dan@danwarburton.com [dan@danwarburton.com] Dan can also show you strategies that have increased his clients' law firm revenues by 15% to over 300% in one year while reducing their workload by more than half. To find out more about Dan and his programs, click here: https://www.danwarburton.com/ [https://www.danwarburton.com/] Or add Dan on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/authordanwarburton/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/authordanwarburton/] Proudly edited with finesse by Mike [https://www.linkedin.com/in/framamike/] at Making Digital Real [https://vault.makingdigitalreal.co.uk/] ✨

166 - How to Build a Profitable Law Firm Without Losing Your Soul with Sarah Khan-Bashir

In this episode of The Law Firm Owners Podcast, I’m joined by Sarah Khan Bashir, founder of SKB Law, to explore one of the biggest mistakes I see law firm owners make: building a profitable law firm that no longer feels human. If you’re a law firm owner, managing partner, solicitor or legal entrepreneur focused on growth, profitability and scaling your law firm, this conversation will challenge how you think about success. Sarah shares her journey of moving away from the traditional model of legal practice and building a firm that aligns with her values, her clients, and her life. In this episode, we cover: *  Why many law firms become profitable but lose their identity *  The danger of building a business that takes over your life *  How to define success beyond just revenue and profit *  The importance of building a values-led law firm culture *  Why empathy and human connection are a competitive advantage in legal services *  How to create a people-first law firm that still drives strong profit margins *  Using AI in law firms to reduce admin and improve client experience  *  How to make legal services more accessible and affordable *  The role of leadership in creating a safe, high-performing team culture *  Why law firm owners must learn to let go of control and delegate effectively Sarah also shares how her firm has achieved consistent growth and strong profit margins by focusing on people, purpose, and long-term impact rather than short-term gain. If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your firm, overwhelmed by the workload, or questioning whether this is what success is supposed to feel like… this episode will resonate. To find out more about Sarah go to: Family Lawyer Bradford - Divorce Solicitors | SKB Law Firm [https://skblawfirm.co.uk/]  and their podcast links Four Family Lawyers. One Question: Is Court Really Your Best Option? [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwL9uVt2v-k&list=PLv5pEWsjxwT5UCvu3dAg91cAV6j4yEptH] About Myerson Connections: Myerson Solicitors is a 100% employee-owned independent law firm based in Altrincham, Greater Manchester. Myerson supports many other law firms across the country daily through its referral network, Myerson Connections. Not only does Myerson help other law firms with referrals, but it also provides free peer-to-peer education, knowledge sharing and practice management support. Discover more at Myerson Connections Scheme | For You & Your Clients [http://myerson.co.uk/connections] .   About Dan: Currently, Dan is seeking a London Law Firm turning over £1.5M to £6M to invest in, so if you are interested in receiving investment to grow or sell your law firm or know someone who might be, please contact Dan on: dan@danwarburton.com [dan@danwarburton.com] Dan can also show you strategies that have increased his clients' law firm revenues by 15% to over 300% in one year while reducing their workload by more than half. To find out more about Dan and his programs, click here: https://www.danwarburton.com/ [https://www.danwarburton.com/] Or add Dan on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/authordanwarburton/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/authordanwarburton/] Proudly edited with finesse by Mike [https://www.linkedin.com/in/framamike/] at Making Digital Real [https://vault.makingdigitalreal.co.uk/] ✨