BE THAT LAWYER

Robert Hartmann: Building Rainmaking Skills

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Robert Hartmann discuss: * Taking ownership of the business of law * Building rainmaking skills through empathy and responsiveness * Preparing for independence before you need it * Networking strategically, not randomly   Key Takeaways: * Law school prepares lawyers for doctrine, not for marketing, leadership, or running a practice. Lawyers must take responsibility for learning how to generate work and build a book of business. The safest career path is being able to stand on your own if circumstances change. * Empathy, honesty, and fast communication are powerful differentiators in a crowded market. Treating clients and referral sources with care strengthens reputation and repeat business. Soft skills practiced early, especially as an associate, lay the foundation for becoming a future Rainmaker. * Every lawyer should be financially and operationally ready to go solo if necessary. That includes savings, strong professional relationships, and clarity around overhead and support systems. Leaving firms well and preserving bridges can turn former employers into future referral sources. * Effective networking focuses on finding a small group of true strategic partners, not collecting business cards. Let others speak first, listen well, and align your value to their needs. Consistent systems and intentional follow-through turn relationships into long-term referral engines.   "Everybody has the ability with a few simple soft skills to become a good Rainmaker." —  Robert Hartmann   Check out my new show, Be That Lawyer Coaches Corner, and get the strategies I use with my clients to win more business and love your career again.   Ready to go from good to GOAT in your legal marketing game? Don’t miss PIMCON—where the brightest minds in professional services gather to share what really works. Lock in your spot now: https://www.pimcon.org [https://www.pimcon.org/]/   Thank you to our Sponsor! Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/ [https://rankings.io/] Lawyer.com: https://www.lawyer.com/ [https://www.lawyer.com/]   Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/ [https://fretzin.com/]   About Robert Hartmann: Robert Hartmann is the founder of Hartmann Law Firm and an advocate for helping attorneys develop the soft skills needed to build successful legal careers. With years of experience practicing law and running a boutique firm, Robert emphasizes the importance of networking, relationship-building, and business development, skills often overlooked in traditional legal education. Through his work, he encourages lawyers to take ownership of their careers by building their own books of business and cultivating meaningful professional relationships. Robert is also the author of the upcoming book Making It Rain, which provides practical guidance and checklists for attorneys who want to become effective rainmakers and prepare for starting their own practice. Passionate about mentorship and professional growth, Robert regularly shares insights on networking, empathy in client relationships, and strategic career planning for lawyers.   Connect with Robert Hartmann:   Website: https://www.hartmannlawfirm.net/ [https://www.hartmannlawfirm.net/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-hartmann-565a5919/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-hartmann-565a5919/] Email: bob@hartmannlawfirm.net [bob@hartmannlawfirm.net] Phone: 714-381-1366   Connect with Steve Fretzin: LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefretzin/] Twitter: @stevefretzin [https://twitter.com/stevefretzin] Instagram: @fretzinsteve [https://www.instagram.com/fretzinsteve/] Facebook: Fretzin, Inc. [https://www.facebook.com/fretzinsteve] Website: Fretzin.com [https://fretzin.com/] Email: Steve@Fretzin.com [Steve@Fretzin.com] Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science [https://www.fretzin.com/about/books/] and more! [https://fretzin.com/about/books/] YouTube: Steve Fretzin [https://www.youtube.com/user/SalesResultsInc] Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. [https://www.turnkeypodcast.com/] You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Leah Miller: Run Your Firm Like a CEO

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Leah Miller discuss: * Run your law firm like a business, not a hobby * Use accurate financials to avoid hidden risks and overpayment * Track key metrics and benchmarks for people, operations, and marketing * Leverage metrics to make strategic growth decisions   Key Takeaways: * Long-term growth requires regular attention to financials. Cash in the bank is not a strategy; data should guide hiring, marketing, and operational decisions. * Bad bookkeeping masks problems and can cost in taxes. Early investment in a bookkeeper or financial team yields high ROI and clarity. * Monitor payroll, operating costs, and marketing spend as percentages of revenue. Focus on trends over time and adapt to what works for your firm. * Financial data informs hiring, marketing, and process improvements. Treat new hires as investments, plan for cash gaps, and track time spent on business development for accountability.   "If you're not paying attention to the dollars and you're not operational decisions based on the finances, you are not going to have that long-term, sustained growth that you're looking for as a lawyer in a firm." —  Leah Miller   Check out my new show, Be That Lawyer Coaches Corner, and get the strategies I use with my clients to win more business and love your career again.   Ready to go from good to GOAT in your legal marketing game? Don’t miss PIMCON—where the brightest minds in professional services gather to share what really works. Lock in your spot now: https://www.pimcon.org [https://www.pimcon.org/]/   Thank you to our Sponsor! Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/ [https://rankings.io/] Lawyer.com: https://www.lawyer.com/ [https://www.lawyer.com/]   Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/ [https://fretzin.com/]   About Leah Miller: Leah N. Miller, MBA, is the founder and CEO of Firmly Profits, a firm providing fractional CFO and bookkeeping services to law firms across the United States. Starting her career as a paralegal, Leah rose to become a firm administrator and CFO at a personal injury law firm in Fort Myers, Florida, where she recognized the need for law firm owners to gain confidence in their finances. Passionate about helping attorneys achieve financial clarity and sustainable growth, she now leads a team dedicated to offering expert financial guidance, process improvement, and strategic planning for firms of all sizes. Outside of work, Leah teaches paralegal courses and enjoys spending time with her husband and three daughters in sunny Southwest Florida.   Connect with Leah Miller:   Website: https://firmlyprofits.com/ [https://firmlyprofits.com/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LNMFinancialServices/videos [https://www.youtube.com/@LNMFinancialServices/videos] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/firmlyprofits/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/firmlyprofits/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/LNM-Financial-Services/100091343407958/ [https://www.facebook.com/people/LNM-Financial-Services/100091343407958/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leah_lnm_financial/ [https://www.instagram.com/leah_lnm_financial/]   Connect with Steve Fretzin: LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefretzin/] Twitter: @stevefretzin [https://twitter.com/stevefretzin] Instagram: @fretzinsteve [https://www.instagram.com/fretzinsteve/] Facebook: Fretzin, Inc. [https://www.facebook.com/fretzinsteve] Website: Fretzin.com [https://fretzin.com/] Email: Steve@Fretzin.com [Steve@Fretzin.com] Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science [https://www.fretzin.com/about/books/] and more! [https://fretzin.com/about/books/] YouTube: Steve Fretzin [https://www.youtube.com/user/SalesResultsInc] Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. [https://www.turnkeypodcast.com/] You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Gary Miles: Breaking Free in Law, Mastering Fear and Freedom

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Gary Miles discuss: * Facing fear with clarity * Owning your internal authority * Focusing on the process, not the outcome * Building freedom through micro-shifts   Key Takeaways: * Fear is common in legal careers, often hidden behind competence. Recognize that much of it is imagined, not reality. Facing it openly allows lawyers to act with clarity and confidence. * Internal authority matters more than external validation. Measure success by your own standards, preparation, and effort, not by others’ opinions or metrics. This mindset creates professional freedom and peace of mind. * Enjoying the process improves performance more than obsessing over outcomes. Focus on preparation, relationships, and skill-building instead of constant comparison or pressure to “win.” This approach fosters growth and satisfaction. * Small, practical shifts build lasting change. Replace self-critical thoughts with supportive ones, set clear boundaries, and evaluate progress by skill, enjoyment, and well-being. Over time, these micro-actions compound into meaningful professional freedom.   “There’s fear everywhere. Unfortunately, the reality is that we have to lean into it… We have to lean into the fear and make mistakes, and that’s how we improve." —  Gary Miles   Check out my new show, Be That Lawyer Coaches Corner, and get the strategies I use with my clients to win more business and love your career again.   Ready to go from good to GOAT in your legal marketing game? Don’t miss PIMCON—where the brightest minds in professional services gather to share what really works. Lock in your spot now: https://www.pimcon.org [https://www.pimcon.org/]/   Thank you to our Sponsor! Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/ [https://rankings.io/] Lawyer.com: https://www.lawyer.com/ [https://www.lawyer.com/]   Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/ [https://fretzin.com/]   About Gary Miles: Gary Miles is a trial attorney and former managing partner with over 40 years of legal experience, now dedicated to coaching lawyers to thrive. Drawing on his own journey managing complex cases and running a successful firm, he helps attorneys overcome fear, limiting beliefs, and burnout while building practices aligned with their values. Gary is the host of The Free Lawyer podcast and author of Breaking Free: A Guide to Achieving Personal and Professional Freedom as a Lawyer, combining mindset strategies with practical tools for professional and personal fulfillment.   Connect with Gary Miles:   Website: https://www.garymiles.net/ [https://www.garymiles.net/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-miles-freedom/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-miles-freedom/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gary.miles.75641 [https://www.facebook.com/gary.miles.75641] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/golfinggary52/ [https://www.instagram.com/golfinggary52/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqcfaTWo17uxmYS9hfAdiaQ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqcfaTWo17uxmYS9hfAdiaQ] Free Lawyer Assessment: https://www.garymiles.net/the-free-lawyer-assessment [https://www.garymiles.net/the-free-lawyer-assessment]   Connect with Steve Fretzin: LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefretzin/] Twitter: @stevefretzin [https://twitter.com/stevefretzin] Instagram: @fretzinsteve [https://www.instagram.com/fretzinsteve/] Facebook: Fretzin, Inc. [https://www.facebook.com/fretzinsteve] Website: Fretzin.com [https://fretzin.com/] Email: Steve@Fretzin.com [Steve@Fretzin.com] Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science [https://www.fretzin.com/about/books/] and more! [https://fretzin.com/about/books/] YouTube: Steve Fretzin [https://www.youtube.com/user/SalesResultsInc] Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. [https://www.turnkeypodcast.com/] You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Josh Hodges: Building Community-Focused Legal Excellence

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Josh Hodges discuss: * Turning challenges into determination * Finding opportunity in small markets * Building influence through consistency and service * Leading with accountability and learning   Key Takeaways: * Unconventional paths and high-stakes personal challenges build resilience and drive. Success becomes non-negotiable when urgency is present. * Leveraging local connections and analyzing lawyer-per-capita dynamics uncovers untapped opportunities. Diversifying practice areas ensures financial stability and community impact. * Treating marketing, content creation, and networking as long-term habits fosters credibility and goodwill. Prioritizing service-first approaches generates multiple professional opportunities over time. * Investing in systems, mentorship, and operational structure strengthens sustainable growth. Making timely personnel decisions maintains firm performance and prevents operational strain.   "If you wait until you're not busy or things slow down to start networking, you will retire one day, and it never will occur." —  Josh Hodges   Check out my new show, Be That Lawyer Coaches Corner, and get the strategies I use with my clients to win more business and love your career again.   Ready to go from good to GOAT in your legal marketing game? Don’t miss PIMCON—where the brightest minds in professional services gather to share what really works. Lock in your spot now: https://www.pimcon.org [https://www.pimcon.org/]/   Thank you to our Sponsor! Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/ [https://rankings.io/] Lawyer.com: https://www.lawyer.com/ [https://www.lawyer.com/]   Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/ [https://fretzin.com/]   About Josh Hodges: Josh Hodges brings a unique blend of life and professional experience to his practice. After working full-time factory jobs while completing his undergraduate degree, he graduated Summa Cum Laude from Salmon P. Chase College of Law, serving as Student Bar Association President and National Treasurer of NLLSA. He gained experience at a major Midwestern law firm, handling complex civil litigation and high-stakes personal injury cases. Now based in Hamilton, Ohio, Josh focuses on personal injury law throughout Southwest Ohio as managing partner of Kruger & Hodges Hometown Injury Lawyers. He has personally handled hundreds of cases and leads a team that has successfully managed over 1,000 cases, securing more than $10 million for clients in 2025 alone. Josh is also a sought-after speaker on national legal podcasts and conferences, teaching lawyers to serve their communities and build stronger practices. He actively mentors younger lawyers, emphasizing the value of guidance and community support in building a successful career.   Connect with Josh Hodges:  Website: https://thehometownlawyers.com/attorneys/josh-hodges/ [https://thehometownlawyers.com/attorneys/josh-hodges/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-hodges-hplaw/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-hodges-hplaw/]   Connect with Steve Fretzin: LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefretzin/] Twitter: @stevefretzin [https://twitter.com/stevefretzin] Instagram: @fretzinsteve [https://www.instagram.com/fretzinsteve/] Facebook: Fretzin, Inc. [https://www.facebook.com/fretzinsteve] Website: Fretzin.com [https://fretzin.com/] Email: Steve@Fretzin.com [Steve@Fretzin.com] Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science [https://www.fretzin.com/about/books/] and more! [https://fretzin.com/about/books/] YouTube: Steve Fretzin [https://www.youtube.com/user/SalesResultsInc] Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. [https://www.turnkeypodcast.com/] You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Brooke Lively: Mastering Law Firm Leadership and Execution

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Brooke Lively discuss: * Recognizing that law firms must master the business of law * Prioritizing rocks before everything else * Building culture through the right people and real accountability * Understanding personal wiring and stage fit   Key Takeaways: * Law school teaches legal doctrine, not leadership, systems, or execution. Firms that struggle often lack clear vision, aligned people, and real accountability. Frameworks like EOS provide structure for turning intention into consistent results. * You cannot pursue every opportunity at once without diluting impact. Identifying quarterly “rocks” forces focus and determines what gets a firm’s time and attention. Without clear priorities, “urgent” noise will crowd out important progress. * Success depends on having the right people in the right seats and refusing to tolerate toxic high performers. Clear metrics, documented processes, and regular follow-through create traction. When accountability becomes normal, execution improves across the firm. * Leaders thrive in different environments, whether scrappy growth or mature stability. Misalignment between personality and company stage can create friction and unintended chaos. Self-awareness allows both the leader and the firm to operate at their best.   "The urgent overtakes the important, and the important never gets done." —  Brooke Lively   Check out my new show, Be That Lawyer Coaches Corner, and get the strategies I use with my clients to win more business and love your career again.   Ready to go from good to GOAT in your legal marketing game? Don’t miss PIMCON—where the brightest minds in professional services gather to share what really works. Lock in your spot now: https://www.pimcon.org [https://www.pimcon.org/]/   Thank you to our Sponsor! Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/ [https://rankings.io/] Lawyer.com: https://www.lawyer.com/ [https://www.lawyer.com/]   Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/ [https://fretzin.com/]   About Brooke Lively: Brooke Lively is a speaker, author, and profitability expert, and the founder of Cathedral Capital, a team of CFOs and Profitability Strategists dedicated to helping entrepreneurs transform their private practices into profitable, well-managed businesses. With an MBA in Investments and Corporate Finance, Brooke has leveraged her experience growing multiple companies to guide clients—from law firms to marketing agencies—in understanding financial statements, making data-driven decisions, and increasing profitability. She is the author of the 6 Key Numbers series, providing accessible financial guidance for business owners, psychologists, and attorneys. Known for her approachable yet candid style, Brooke also delivers engaging keynote presentations that educate entrepreneurs on financial stability, growth management, and sustainable profitability.   Connect with Brooke Lively:  Website: https://brookelively.com/ [https://brookelively.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CathedralCapital [https://www.facebook.com/CathedralCapital] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookelively/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookelively/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg1JD7XBFwGjizaa9_566sg [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg1JD7XBFwGjizaa9_566sg] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathedralcapital/ [https://www.instagram.com/cathedralcapital/]   Connect with Steve Fretzin: LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefretzin/] Twitter: @stevefretzin [https://twitter.com/stevefretzin] Instagram: @fretzinsteve [https://www.instagram.com/fretzinsteve/] Facebook: Fretzin, Inc. [https://www.facebook.com/fretzinsteve] Website: Fretzin.com [https://fretzin.com/] Email: Steve@Fretzin.com [Steve@Fretzin.com] Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science [https://www.fretzin.com/about/books/] and more! [https://fretzin.com/about/books/] YouTube: Steve Fretzin [https://www.youtube.com/user/SalesResultsInc] Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. [https://www.turnkeypodcast.com/] You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.