Community Table: Origination Fees for New Hires, “It Gets Weird”
In this episode’s discussions around the Community Table:
How do you implement origination percentages when a new attorney joins the firm. What’s important is clarity, making sure everyone knows who originated the case (and how, including prior websites, phone numbers, and relationships) and how those payments will be calculated.
What if your new hire has a few existing cases in the pipeline? Can a new hire continue to work independently to wrap up existing cases on the side? Would these cases involve your professional liability policies or include the new hire using the legal software your firm pays for?
On any team, different members prefer different communication channels. But it’s important to develop consistent policies. Consistency matters because in a law firm, speed of retrieval trumps speed of information flow. The ability for any member to see the entire case at a glance is vital.
Ask us anything for the Community Table. Leave us a question online
Join the next Community Table discussion live! Always the third Thursday of the month at 3 p.m. Eastern
Mentioned in This Episode:
“Come up for Air,” by Nick Sonnenberg
Clio
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Lights, Camera, Marketing! Making a Better Impression on Camera.
How you appear on camera is how you appear to future clients. And today, you’re pretty much always on camera. Guest Kerry Barrett, an Emmy Award-winning television journalist, helps attorneys present their best self on camera, whether that’s on a Zoom call, on YouTube, or when being interviewed by a TV crew. Project authority, build trust, and attract high value clients through video.
As Barrett says, that “little red light” can seem like the devil. It’s hard to avoid looking camera shy and stiff. But she taps into 20 years of on-camera experience to coach and guide attorneys. Being on camera doesn’t come naturally, it takes training and practice.
Barrett’s lessons apply across the board, whether you’re a lawyer offering an expert opinion, a law firm marketer producing content, or an attorney coaching clients to appear on video in recorded depositions.
Think it’s not important? The reality is that today we’re all pretty much on camera all day. You are how you look, and connecting with your audience matters. When the camera turns its eye on you, do you look genuine and engaging, or do you look like you’re reading a hostage note? Improving your video skills is no longer an option.
Ask us anything for the Community Table. Leave us a question online
Join the next Community Table discussion live! Always the third Thursday of the month at 3pm Eastern
Mentioned in This Episode:
“'I’m not a Cat': Lawyer Gets Stuck on Zoom Kitten Filter During Court Case,” The Guardian
Previous appearance on the Legal Talk Network “The Caitlin Clark Experience; Being a Camera-Ready Professional; and ‘Candid Camera,’” on The Legal Toolkit podcast
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Community Table: Ditching Billable Hours, Maximizing Earning Potential
In this episode’s discussions around the Community Table:
The Un-Billable Hour takes on a very real move away from the “billable hour.” As Christopher says, the billable hour “is the worst thing that ever happened to law.” Clients pay for results, not time. Examine alternative fee structures as technology changes the practice of law.
Young lawyers looking to maximize lifetime earnings have choices. Big firm partnership track or solo practice? Ask yourself if you have the “fire” under you to build a practice from nothing, because there’s no ceiling on earnings when you build your dream. But if that’s not you, maybe the big law firm path is right.
No matter where you are, knowing where you want to get to is hard. Christopher explains how charting a career path takes a real, conscious effort, and it can change over time. Make time for contemplation and move with purpose.
Ask us anything for the Community Table. Leave us a question online,
Join the next Community Table discussion live! Always the third Thursday of the month at 3pm Eastern
Mentioned in This Episode:
InfoTrack
InfoTrack Legal Up 2025
Clio Legal Trends Report
Cliocon 2025
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Niche Marketing, a Podcast About Marketing Through Podcasting
Did your firm “set and forget” its marketing strategy? Today’s marketing has evolved beyond Google ads and billboards. Finding new, niche channels can tap new markets. Imagine a firm still relying solely on a Yellow Pages ad, that would be crazy. Times change.
Guest Carrolee Moore is the CEO and chief strategist at the Podcast Pitching Society, a firm dedicated to matching experienced experts to influential podcasts hungry for guests. Connect to listeners in your target audience, listeners who don’t know (yet) that they want to work with you. And pay you.
Moore helps clients stand out as thought leaders, experts, and trend setters. If you’ve been listening to The Un-Billable Hour (celebrating its 200th episode right here), you know the value of podcasts. Maybe you’ve been that captive audience listening on your commute or your morning jog. Learn to become a sought-after guest and to turn those appearances into revenue.
These are tips some traditional marketing agencies don’t want you to hear. Don’t hide your business or your expertise. You have wisdom to share, so get out there and shout. Reach new audiences that want to hear from you and hire you.
Ask us anything for the Community Table. Leave us a question online
Join the next Community Table discussion live! Always the third Thursday of the month at 3pm Eastern
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Community Table: Live From InfoTrack Legal Up Conference
In this episode’s discussions around the Community Table:
Growth is the big issue firms repeatedly face. Set reasonable expectations and know what you want. Is it revenue growth? Why? Is it a lifestyle? What does that look like? Growth without a destination in mind is a fool’s errand. As Christopher says, “Clarity of purpose aligns everything.”
It’s vital to start planning for the future when you know your firm is at capacity, but you just can’t justify hiring more staff (yet). You feel pressure to expand, but you’re afraid of overextending. Make a detailed plan, don’t guess, and trust the process.
Burnout. There’s no reason or excuse for it. Burnout stems from unreasonable expectations for yourself and others. Know your limits. Running yourself into the ground to meet unreasonable demands helps no one. Not you, and not your clients.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Ask us anything for the Community Table. Leave us a question online
Join the next Community Table live. What’s on your mind?
InfoTrack
InfoTrack Legal Up 2025
Clio Legal Trends Report
Cliocon 2025
About Un-Billable Hour: Business Management Strategies for the Busy Lawyer Around the Community Table
Managing your law practice can be challenging. Marketing, time management, attracting clients and all the things (besides the cases) that you need to do, but aren't billable. Welcome to this edition of "Un-Billable Hour" ...the law practice advisory podcast! This is where you'll get the information you need from expert guests and host Christopher T. Anderson.
Listen to Un-Billable Hour: Business Management Strategies for the Busy Lawyer Around the Community Table, Hot Money: Agent of Chaos and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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