Smart Lawyers Position to Transition – Details, episodes & analysis

Since the election a month ago, many lawyers, especially women and those owning immigration law firms, are grappling with uncertainty about how the new administration may affect their businesses. In this episode, our host Victoria Collier goes into the emotional and practical challenges lawyers are facing. They discuss whether to shut down, sell, or even relocate a law firm—and what steps and consequences to consider before making drastic moves.

Key Topics Covered

Election Results and Lawyer Anxiety
Why election outcomes are creating stress for law firm owners, especially women business owners and those practicing in areas like immigration or environmental law.

Emotional Impacts
How societal polarization and shifting regulations are pushing lawyers into survival mode, with some questioning their ability to continue operating.

Finding Opportunities in Crisis
How lawyers can pivot their practice areas or perspectives to adapt to changing environments, using immigration law as an example.

Victoria Collier is a seasoned attorney, entrepreneur, and expert in law firm sales and valuations. With a background in law and accounting, including her prior military service and CPA training, she brings a unique perspective on the financial intricacies of business valuations. Victoria helps transform law firms into more valuable and sellable businesses, guiding attorneys through life after law.

 

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Connect with Victoria Collier

https://quidproquolaw.com/

Private Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1284225722042602

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/victoria-collier-coaching/

 

 

 

Are you wasting money on a business coach? Or have you been holding off on hiring one, thinking the timing isn’t right? In this episode, host Victoria Collier speaks with Doug Brown, a seasoned law firm leadership coach, to uncover the truths behind effective coaching. Doug explains how the right business coach can transform your law firm—and your mindset—helping you work smarter, prioritize better, and achieve sustainable growth. Whether you're looking for better team dynamics, improved time management, or more personal freedom, this episode provides the insights you need to make the most of coaching.

Key Takeaways
1.⁠ ⁠How to assess whether your current or potential business coach is delivering the results you need.
2.⁠ ⁠The surprising mindset shift lawyers must make to unlock true growth and freedom.
3.⁠ ⁠Why prioritizing leadership and emotional intelligence is essential for building a thriving law firm.

About Our Guest
Doug Brown is a licensed attorney and the Chief Learning Officer at Summit Success International, where he coaches law firm owners to achieve maximum profitability and sustainability. With a wealth of experience in law, business, and executive coaching, Doug is passionate about helping professionals create scalable and balanced practices. His tailored, empathetic approach ensures that clients get the tools they need to transform both their firms and their lives.

 

We want to hear from you!

You can leave us a rating and review in Apple Podcasts. Click here and then scroll down the page to the rating and review section.

You can also leave us a rating in Spotify by clicking here.

Connect with Victoria Collier

https://quidproquolaw.com/

Private Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1284225722042602

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/victoria-collier-coaching/

 

 

 

In this episode, host Victoria Collier sits down with Charley Mann, founder of Law Firm Alchemy, to discuss how law firm owners can transform their entrepreneurial mindset and build essential business skills. Charley shares insights on overcoming growth plateaus, marketing strategies for law firms at various stages, and the importance of embracing the identity of an entrepreneur.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale your law firm, this episode is packed with practical advice on leadership, marketing, and sustainable growth.

 

Key Takeaways:

1.⁠ ⁠Entrepreneurial Mindset Shift: Charley discusses how many law firm owners hesitate to embrace their entrepreneurial identity, but doing so is key to unlocking firm growth.
2.⁠ ⁠Referral Marketing Essentials: Charley’s three-part referral marketing plan—meetups, email newsletters, and monthly printed materials—can help law firms build strong, sustainable growth.
3.⁠ ⁠Overcoming Growth Plateaus: If your firm has hit a growth plateau, it’s likely because you need to refocus on one of three key areas: marketing, operations, or finances.

 

About Our Guest:

Charley Mann is the host of "They Don't Teach This in Law School" and founder of Law Firm Alchemy, a company dedicated to providing resources and coaching for law firm growth. With over 14 years of experience in the legal industry, Charley guides law firm owners in optimizing their practices and achieving success. He emphasizes the importance of networking, providing value, and maintaining strong client relationships, focusing on both business operations and personal growth. Known for his approachable demeanor and deep industry knowledge, Charley values integrity, transparency, and genuine connections.

Should you build or buy a law firm? We often hear that building is much better than buying another person’s problems when acquiring an already established law firm. But is this always the case? 

On Today’s episode, we discuss 7  key things you should consider when deciding which option suits you best.

Listen to learn 

👉 How to know whether you build or buy 

👉 What factors have to be taken into account with each option 

👉 Some of the common problems you will face when building or buying a law firm

Connect with Victoria Collier

https://quidproquolaw.com/

Private Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1284225722042602

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorywalkcoaching/

Should I build a law firm, or should I buy a law firm? And is buying a law firm even possible? In today’s episode, Will Williford shares his journey from being in the army, to achieving multiple educational degrees, and eventually buying an already established law firm at the age of 36. 

Listen to learn: 

👉 Why buying a law firm instead of starting from scratch is worth it 

👉 How Will ended up buying his close friend’s law firm 

👉 What precautions and planning should be considered when acquiring a business that has someone else's name on it, has employees who have been working there for a long time, and ultimately has been managed by someone else for years.

Connect with Victoria Collier

https://quidproquolaw.com/

Private Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1284225722042602

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorywalkcoaching/

Did you know lawyers are prone to be 3.6x more depressed than workers in other fields? Wellness is not something that is talked about enough in the legal field, and it affects the way we deal with life and the work that we do.

In this episode, we talk with Gayle Damiano, founder of Legal Ease Wellness. Legal Ease Wellness is dedicated to addressing the lack of mental, physical, and emotional health in the legal industry by offering wellness coaching programs and events for law firms and business owners struggling with their (and their employees') well-being. 

Listen to learn: 

👉 How mental health and wellness can affect not only your personal life but your business 

👉 How well-being can actually improve the profit and productivity of your business 

👉 Gayle Damiano’s story and how her business can help you overcome your mental barriers 

Connect with Gayle at https://www.legaleasewellness.com/ 

Connect with Victoria Collier

https://quidproquolaw.com/

Private Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1284225722042602

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorywalkcoaching/

Have you lost your spark? Maybe it's time to give yourself the chance to live a life that you love. On this episode, we talk with Donusia Lipinski, formerly an immigration attorney and now founder of Grace and Ease Life Coaching. Helping lawyers find clarity on what they really love so they can transition into a life that they are truly passionate about. 

Listen to learn: 

👉 How Donusia transitioned from having an immigration law firm to owning a coaching business 

👉 How to turn life events into opportunities to take action

👉 How Grace and Ease Life Coaching can help you see a better future for yourself 

 

Get in touch with Donusia at https://www.linkedin.com/in/donusia-lipinski-clfblf04/ 

Connect with Victoria Collier

https://quidproquolaw.com/

Private Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1284225722042602

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorywalkcoaching/

It's no secret that one of the keys to pivoting from an operator to a real business owner is having the right team. But how exactly do you do that? In this episode, we talk with Brett Trembly, co-founder of Get Staffed Up, an offshore hiring service that connects your business with the best talent in Latin America. Having the right employees makes all the difference, allowing you to build a profitable business that benefits both.   

Listen to learn: 

• How to turn your team into an asset instead of a liability.
• What kind of staff members are useful for your firm.
• What hiring offshore is like and what it could mean to your business. 
• How to build the right team while still remaining profitable.

For a special offer for our podcast listeners, go to https://getstaffedup.com/smartlawyers/

Connect with Victoria Collier

https://quidproquolaw.com/

Private Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1284225722042602

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorywalkcoaching/

Too often, owners of law firms just expect that their associate will take over their practice and pay good money for it. The conversation comes from out of the blue, leaving the associate with so many questions. This can lead to a strained working relationship.

Listen to this episode to learn:

• The best way to handle this discussion with 3 solid action steps for owners (4:50) 
• What to look for in an associate that you want to be your successor (6:00) 
• Steps  an associate can take (9:00) 
• And what to expect in the first meeting (9:55)

Connect with Victoria Collier

https://quidproquolaw.com/

Private Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1284225722042602

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorywalkcoaching/

Are we or are we not heading into a recession? Why does this matter to you and your law firm? If you are planning to sell within the next 2-5 years, listen to this episode for recommendations on how you, as the seller, can create certainty in an uncertain world.

Connect with Victoria Collier

https://quidproquolaw.com/

Private Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1284225722042602

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorywalkcoaching/