Episode

Just focus on your biggest PI cases. Afterall, that’s where you make the most money and the biggest difference, so it should be easy. Right? Wrong. Before you know it, you’ve spent the majority of your time working on cases where you’re just trying to get your expenses back, and not working enough on your big cases. So how do you make sure you actually focus your attention on where it is needed the most?

In this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, Michael Cowen and Malorie Peacock discuss strategies they’ve used to keep their focus on their biggest cases. They share why you need to intentionally identify your top cases to avoid “the whirlwind”, how to create a culture where you can have “accountability meetings” with fellow lawyers in your firm that are useful (and don’t run people off), and how to figure out the places where you can and should delegate. 

Don’t miss out! Michael’s book, Big Rig Justice: A Comprehensive Guide to Maximizing Value in Truck Accident Cases is now available!

Featured Guest

Name: Malorie J Peacock

About: Malorie J Peacock is a Partner at Cowen Rodriguez Peacock. She was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas and received her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center. During her time with Cowen Rodriguez Peacock, Malorie has worked on numerous commercial vehicle, trucking, and wrongful death cases. Malorie brings close attention to detail, commitment to finding safety issues and areas of neglect, continued utilization of technology and cutting-edge visuals in cases, along with a sincere passion to help those who have been hurt, to each and every case.

Company: Cowen Rodriguez Peacock

Connect: LinkedIn

Episode Highlights 

[04:43] Get to the big things: Michael credits the book The 4 Disciplines of Execution with teaching him about the concept of “the whirlwind”–where you have big things that you want to get done, but you keep getting sucked into all the little things and never get to the big things. Reading this book was one of the first steps to Michael realizing that he needed to find time to focus on the big things. 

[08:09] Identify your biggest cases: All of your cases can’t be your “biggest” cases. Michael and Malorie decided that each attorney in their firm needed to identify their top 3 cases. It could be a different number for you, but you don’t want to have so many things that you have to get done in a week that it becomes impossible. 

[11:31] Big goal of the month, weekly commitments: You have to focus on pushing your case forward, not just allowing the defense to push their case forward. Weekly goals don’t have to be something huge, but it has to be something that is moving towards your big monthly goal. 

[17:49] Holding each other accountable: Malorie shares that when they first started doing “accountability” meetings with fellow lawyers within the firm, it was uncomfortable. But they have a lot of trust and community within the firm that makes it helpful and useful.  Everyone knows the focus is to make each other better and not to embarrass anyone. 

[21:02] Radical candor: Accountability involves creating a culture where people can take the coaching that you provide and accept it, which is hard to do. Michael shares, “sometimes that means we have to tell each other the truth and not just make excuses for each other.” 

[25:36] Get out of your comfort zone: “We tend to fall into what we’re comfortable doing, even though it’s not as valuable,” says Michael. But stretching and doing something that is uncomfortable is what is going to add value to the case and help you grow as a better lawyer. 

[28:25] “Momentum Builder” form: For anyone interested in Michael’s “momentum builder” form to help you set goals to focus on your 3 biggest cases, email michael@cowenlaw.com. 

[30:08] Work time is for work, rest time is for rest: Whether it is for work or personal, having a strategy for how you are going to manage your work gives you the time you need for both work and all the other things you want to do. If you can’t control your work schedule, then it is hard to control anything else, and you start to live in chaos.

Connect with Trial Lawyer Nation

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In this popular and award-winning podcast for trial lawyers, noteworthy author, sought-after speaker, and renowned trial lawyer, Michael Cowen explores critical topics distinctive to the legal profession with some of the biggest names in the industry – specifically focused on developing extremely efficient law practices, securing a competitive edge in the industry, and wildly excelling in the courtroom.

Produced and Sponsored by LawPods.

Can lawyers really get cases from their podcasts? Robert Ingalls built a business banking on just that. In this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, host Michael Cowen welcomes LawPods CEO and Founder (and recovering lawyer) Robert Ingalls to discuss how lawyers are using podcasts to fuel their businesses and personal brands.

Podcasts have the ability to create an immediate connection between the hosts and their audiences. Informal conversations on a podcast give lawyers a unique opportunity to convey emotion and build rapport with their listeners, an area where corporate videos and other promotional materials often fall short.

Tune in to learn how to use your podcast to establish yourself as an authority, nurture leads, boost the size of your network, and turn your podcast into a content marketing machine.

Don’t miss out! Michael’s book, Big Rig Justice: A Comprehensive Guide to Maximizing Value in Truck Accident Cases is now available!

Featured Guest

Name: Robert Ingalls | LinkedIn

About: Robert is a recovering attorney, speaker, and the Founder and CEO of LawPods, one of the first podcast production agencies for law firms. At LawPods, Robert and his team help busy lawyers produce and promote branded podcast content that builds relationships and drives revenue. He’s also a dedicated husband, #GirlDad, and avid longboard skateboarder.

Company: LawPods

Connect: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter/X 

Episode Highlights 

[02:16] Life before podcasts: Robert began his career as a criminal defense attorney, but it wasn’t long before he was having second thoughts.

[06:45] Go big or go home: Changes in his personal life and career-related mental health challenges sent Robert on a path that led to him listening to his first podcast. Within a month, he owned all the gear and began to launch his first podcast at his law firm.

[10:21] How LawPods helps: Robert discusses the primary ways lawyers leverage podcasting in their firms.

[13:19] Unexpected connections: The unexpected ways podcasts have been beneficial to lawyers personally and professionally.

[18:20] Thought leadership: How firms position themselves as thought leaders by being the first mover–and the first voice people turn to–when relevant legal updates are released.

[23:46] Promoting your podcast: Real examples are successful podcast promotion strategies.

[27:49] To be, or not to be: Monologue format versus conversational.

[33:17] Don’t look for instant ROI: Ultimately, podcasting is content marketing, and it’s unlikely to change your fortune overnight. If you need your marketing dollars to duplicate immediately, Robert recommends you consider other avenues.

[37:40] Always start with the listener in mind: Pick the most effective topics to discuss and clips to promote your podcast by starting with the listener in mind. What pain point is someone listening to your podcast experiencing? That’s what your talk about.

[44:43] Is the market oversaturated?: tl;dr? Not even close. And not when the content is valuable. Podcast consumption is up across every metric, and new podcasts that put the listener first–and do it professionally–are thriving.

Connect with Trial Lawyer Nation

☑️ Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn.

☑️ Subscribe to Trial Lawyer Nation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and YouTube.

In this popular and award-winning podcast for trial lawyers, noteworthy author, sought-after speaker, and renowned trial lawyer, Michael Cowen explores critical topics distinctive to the legal profession with some of the biggest names in the industry – specifically focused on developing extremely efficient law practices, securing a competitive edge in the industry, and wildly excelling in the courtroom.

Produced and Sponsored by LawPods.

Marketing a law practice is different from other types of businesses, due to things such as unique ethical considerations and the referral aspect.

On this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, Michael Cowen is joined by Gyi Tsakalakis, President and Co-Founder of AttorneySync, a digital legal marketing agency. A former trial lawyer from Southeast Michigan, Gyi is also the co-host of the Lunch Hour Legal Marketing podcast.   

Tune in to hear Gyi’s practical tips on how you can more effectively market and promote your law firm, both online and through more traditional channels, including if you’re working with a limited budget. Gyi also covers the importance of building relationships in the local community, how to ask for reviews, and how to gain a competitive edge. 

Don’t miss out! Michael’s book, Big Rig Justice: A Comprehensive Guide to Maximizing Value in Truck Accident Cases is now available!

Featured Guest

Name: Gyi Tsakalakis 

About: Gyi Tsakalakis is a lawyer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of AttorneySync, as well as the co-host, along with Conrad Saam, of the Lunch Hour Legal Marketing podcast.

Company: AttorneySync

Connect: LinkedIn 

Episode Highlights 

[2:26] Marketing for legal services vs. other businesses. There are unique considerations to marketing a law practice, such as ethical considerations, among others. 

[5:33] Promoting your law firm on a budget. Lawyers should look for ways to cross promote in their community, including building relationships with local business leaders and organizations, sponsoring events, and getting involved in educational programs.

[12:09] The importance of demonstrating subject matter expertise. Testimonials, business profiles, and endorsements from other lawyers can validate your expertise.

[29:49] Online reviews for a referral-based practice. When other firms refer clients to you, they will check your reviews. Gyi suggests what lawyers can do if they receive a negative review. 

[39:01] Building relationships. When you’re just starting out, you have more time than money. So use that time to build relationships, talk to people, and focus on providing great service.  

[49:47] Lunch Hour Legal Marketing podcast. Gyi and co-host Conrad Saam have a podcast that is available on the Legal Talk Network, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Google Podcasts. 

[51:39] Annual trucking seminar. Registration is open for Michael Cowen’s Big Rig Boot Camp taking place on July 12, 2024.

Connect with Trial Lawyer Nation

☑️ Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn.

☑️ Subscribe to Trial Lawyer Nation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and YouTube.

In this popular and award-winning podcast for trial lawyers, noteworthy author, sought-after speaker, and renowned trial lawyer, Michael Cowen explores critical topics distinctive to the legal profession with some of the biggest names in the industry – specifically focused on developing extremely efficient law practices, securing a competitive edge in the industry, and wildly excelling in the courtroom.

Produced and Sponsored by LawPods.

Empathy is an emotion not commonly associated with lawyers. But harnessing it can provide valuable insight.

On this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, Michael Cowen is joined by colleague Robert Disque who focuses his practice on 18-wheeler and commercial vehicle cases. 

Tune in to hear Michael and Robert discuss Robert’s path to law, the difference between a litigator and a trial lawyer, and how to talk to clients about bad cases. Robert also shares how empathy led him from the defense side to the plaintiff’s side, and how empathy has helped him find common ground with opposing counsel. And how does Robert’s passion for gardening benefit him as a trial lawyer? It’s taught him patience and the willingness to accept mistakes.

Don’t miss out! Michael’s book, Big Rig Justice: A Comprehensive Guide to Maximizing Value in Truck Accident Cases is now available!

Featured Guest

Name: Robert Disque 

About: Robert has been an associate attorney at Cowen Rodriguez Peacock since early 2018, concentrating on 18-wheeler and commercial vehicle cases involving death and catastrophic injury. He earned his undergraduate degree from Creighton University and subsequently attended Baylor Law School on a three-year, full-tuition academic scholarship. While at Baylor, Robert served as an Associate Editor of the Baylor Law Review and competed on several moot court teams.

Company: Cowen Rodriguez Peacock

Connect: Robert Disque  

Episode Highlights 

[2:43] The difference between a litigator and a trial lawyer. Law school teaches you the rules to work up cases and prepares you to be a litigator. Being a trial attorney is more about case presentation. 

[7:13] Robert’s first case on the defense side. Robert was assigned a traumatic brain injury case involving an 18-wheeler that swerved into traffic.

[10:12] Empathy for defendants. Knowing that most truckers don’t want to get dragged into court can help you find common ground with the defense attorney.

[17:30] Dog cases. Some cases are simply bad and not much is not going to change leading up to trial.

[25:07] Radical Candor. When it comes to difficult conversations, a lot of pain can be avoided by being upfront, honest, and transparent early on.

[35:39] Rock analogy. Rocks represent the big things that move the ball forward on your biggest cases and water represents the small things that you can get bogged down on. It’s important to concentrate on the rocks. 

[44:29] Robert’s gardening hobby. Robert discusses his love of gardening and analogizes it to being a trial lawyer.

Connect with Trial Lawyer Nation

☑️ Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn.

☑️ Subscribe to Trial Lawyer Nation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and YouTube.

In this popular and award-winning podcast for trial lawyers, noteworthy author, sought-after speaker, and renowned trial lawyer, Michael Cowen explores critical topics distinctive to the legal profession with some of the biggest names in the industry – specifically focused on developing extremely efficient law practices, securing a competitive edge in the industry, and wildly excelling in the courtroom.

Produced and Sponsored by LawPods.

Lawyers aren’t necessarily great business people, or even good law office managers for that matter. That’s because running a business requires a different type of skill set than the practice of law. However, if you have a firm that is run well, you will have more time to be a good lawyer.

On this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, Michael Cowen is joined by Anthony Vessel, a lawyer from Houston, Texas, and a partner at Marc Whitehead & Associates, to talk about how to manage a law firm.

Tune in to hear Michael and Anthony talk about building an empathetic law firm culture, the benefits of an inclusive workforce, the use of behavioral assessments, and book recommendations. You’ll also learn how Anthony went from the nickname “Tony the Hatchet Man,” because he had to fire so many people, to being a respected leader in a firm whose core values are integrity, accountability, compassion, communication, teamwork, customer service, and health and happiness in the workplace.

Don’t miss out! Michael’s book, Big Rig Justice: A Comprehensive Guide to Maximizing Value in Truck Accident Cases is now available!

Featured Guest

Name: Anthony Vessel 

About: Anthony Vessel is a partner at Marc Whitehead & Associates, LLP.  He dedicates his practice to plaintiff’s insurance denials and disability law, specializing in long-term disability insurance denials, social security disability, mass torts, and veteran disability. The firm’s central office is headquartered in Houston, Texas, where Anthony manages a national practice and has successfully litigated disability claims in nearly every state, including the Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico. Anthony leads the firm’s largest department, the Social Security Disability Department. Anthony’s SSD department advocates for the rights of thousands of clients annually.

You may have seen Anthony’s work as an author of the newsletter, “The Successful Barrister–Marketing, Management & Life Skills that Probably Won’t Get You Disbarred.”  He has authored numerous articles and often presents on the topics of law office management, professional development, time management, as well as disability benefit claims, litigation, and negotiation.  Anthony also greatly enjoys mentoring young attorneys and peers.

Anthony is an active member, presents CLE presentations, and holds leadership positions in several professional organizations including the American Association for Justice (AAJ), Texas Trial Lawyers Association (TTLA), Houston Trial Lawyer Association (HTLA), Houston Bar Association (HBA), National Organization for Social Security Claims Representatives (NOSSCR), and National Organization for Veteran’s Advocates (NOVA).    

Anthony is also a certified mediator and mediates across a wide practice area. Visit his website www.vesselmediation.com to book a mediation.

Connect: LinkedIn 

Episode Highlights 

[4:04] Firm background and caseload. Brief background on the Social Security Disability Department that Anthony heads up at Marc Whitehead & Associates and the cases he handles. 

[8:52] Max fee for Social Security Disability. Congress recently raised the maximum fee for Social Security Disability to $7,200. This fee was previously set at $6,000 about 12 years ago.

[9:47] Organizing your team for efficiency. Anthony’s team is organized into pods, each of which handles different tasks starting from case intake through completion. 

[11:04] Choosing the right case management system for your practice. A cloud-based case management system, such as Litify, can help ensure efficiency and timeliness by setting specific tasks. This system is customizable, can be accessed remotely, and is good for a high volume practice.

[12:04] Traction. Making sure that people fit their role helps to ensure success for the individual and the firm. This concept of “right people, right seats,” comes from Gino Wickman’s book, Traction.

[14:37] Empathy over skillset: Hiring candidates who have empathy, rather than a certain niche skill set, has helped improve the firm’s culture. 

[17:11] Setting core values. Patrick Lencioni’s book, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team instructs you to set three core values to work towards. However, it’s ultimately up to each law firm to identify however many core values are important to them, even if it’s more than three. 

[17:58] Book recommendations. For Michael, different books, such as The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber, The 4 Disciplines of Execution, the Lencioni books, and Traction, have taught him many things about running a business. Anthony also recommends Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek and Never Split the Difference, a book about negotiating by Chris Voss.

[24:35] Kaizen. Kaizen is a Japanese business philosophy about continuous improvement. This philosophy goes along with the premise in the book, Who Moved My Cheese, which states that things are always going to be changing so it’s important to learn to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.   

[26:49] Building and retaining your team. Being intentional about building firm culture and making the workplace the type of place where employees want to be attracts people who bring success to the firm.

[33:00] Workplace assessments. Behavioral assessments such as DISC, which is similar to Myers-Briggs, help identify employees’ strengths, management styles, and where they will best fit into the team. 

[37:46] Employee risk factors and coaching. The Jay Henderson workforce analysis identifies potential employee risk factors as well as provides good fodder for interview questions. A company called Atticus provides individual attorney coaching, guidance, and training so that attorneys can be better leaders. 

[40:22] Building a presence in legal organizations. The firm is active in legal organizations at the city, state, and national levels, including HTLA, TTLA, AAJ, and American Association for Justice. All of the firm’s attorneys have gone through the TTLA lead group, applications for which open up in January.

[42:52] The Flywheel Effect. The concept in The Flywheel Effect was first popularized by Jim Collins, author of the book, Good to Great. The premise is that momentum is built through a series of small but continuous actions. 

[43:55] Continuous improvement. One of the biggest themes in the book, What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, is continuing to improve as well as correcting bad habits.

[44:40] Stoic philosophy. Ryan Holiday’s books on Stoicism contain a lot of useful information about working on yourself and building a place you want to be in.

[45:20] Instruction manual for leaders. The 4 Disciplines of Execution instructs teams and organizations on how to achieve their goals and priorities.

Connect with Trial Lawyer Nation

☑️ Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn.

☑️ Subscribe to Trial Lawyer Nation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and YouTube.

In this popular and award-winning podcast for trial lawyers, noteworthy author, sought-after speaker, and renowned trial lawyer, Michael Cowen explores critical topics distinctive to the legal profession with some of the biggest names in the industry – specifically focused on developing extremely efficient law practices, securing a competitive edge in the industry, and wildly excelling in the courtroom.

Produced and Sponsored by LawPods.