Alpha Lawyer Podcast

What if your law firm’s biggest cash flow problem isn’t a lack of clients, but the money you’ve already earned and still haven’t collected? In this episode of the Alpha Lawyer Podcast, Jason Marsh sits down with Matt Darner, co-founder and CEO of CollBox, to break down why so many law firms struggle with accounts receivable, delayed payments, and inconsistent collections processes, even after the legal work is already done.
Matt shares practical strategies for improving billing systems, setting stronger client expectations, and creating healthier collections workflows without damaging client relationships. The conversation explores why most firms don’t actually have a true collections process, how poor billing habits quietly destroy cash flow, and why attorneys often avoid financial conversations until it’s too late. From retainers and billing cadence to automation, follow-up systems, and escalation strategies, this episode offers a practical playbook for turning earned revenue into collected revenue while protecting both profitability and client trust. 🎧 Listen to learn: ✔️ Why many law firms don’t actually have a real collections system in place ✔️ How delayed billing creates major cash flow problems for growing firms ✔️ Why client expectations around fees should start during intake conversations ✔️ The importance of consistent billing schedules and predictable invoicing ✔️ How smaller, more frequent invoices often improve collection rates ✔️ Why law firms should stop relying only on email reminders for collections ✔️ How text messaging and phone calls improve payment follow-up success ✔️ The difference between protecting client relationships and avoiding difficult conversations ✔️ How law firms can identify leverage points before unpaid balances become uncollectible ✔️ Why attorneys should avoid personally handling collections whenever possible 🔗 Follow and Connect with Matt Darner 🌍 Website: https://collbox.co 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewdarner/ 🏢 CollBox LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/collbox/ 🔗 Follow and Connect with Host, Jason Marsh 🌍 Website: https://www.alphalawyer.io/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshjason/ 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoAlphaLawyer

What happens to your law firm, your clients, and your family if retirement doesn’t happen on your timeline? In this episode of the Alpha Lawyer Podcast, Jason Marsh sits down with David Bilinsky, longtime legal practice management advisor, legal tech leader, and Fellow of the National Center for Technology and Dispute Resolution at the University of Massachusetts, to discuss how lawyers should prepare for retirement realistically, not just for the ideal scenario, but for the unexpected events that can force major life changes overnight. David shares personal experiences and hard-earned insights about disability, financial preparedness, succession planning, and the emotional realities of transitioning out of legal practice. From disability insurance and partnership agreements to custodianship planning and maintaining purpose in retirement, this conversation explores how lawyers can create stability and peace of mind for themselves and the people who depend on them. The episode also dives into the often-overlooked emotional side of retirement, including identity loss, changing family dynamics, and the importance of staying socially connected and mentally engaged after leaving practice. 🎧 Listen to learn: ✔️ Why retirement planning should include preparation for unexpected disability or illness ✔️ The financial risks lawyers face when forced to stop practicing suddenly ✔️ Why disability insurance and long-term care planning are critical considerations ✔️ How partnership agreements and buyout planning protect both firms and families ✔️ What solo attorneys should do to prepare for custodianship and client file management ✔️ Why estate planning documents should be reviewed and updated regularly ✔️ The emotional impact of losing professional identity after retirement ✔️ How social isolation can affect lawyers transitioning out of practice ✔️ Practical ways to create purpose, structure, and fulfillment during retirement ✔️ Why retirement conversations with your spouse and family are essential long before retirement arrives 🔗 Follow and Connect with David Bilinsky 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-bilinsky/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.bilinsky 🔗 Follow and Connect with Host, Jason Marsh 🌍 Website: https://www.alphalawyer.io/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshjason/ 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoAlphaLawyer
 

Are you waiting for clients to find your law firm, or are you actively building credibility where journalists, industry leaders, and potential clients are already paying attention?
In this episode of the Alpha Lawyer Podcast, Jason Marsh sits down with longtime PR professionals Denise Nix and Brenda McGann to break down how lawyers can become trusted media sources, get quoted in major publications, and turn earned media into a powerful reputation and business development strategy.
Denise and Brenda share a practical PR playbook for lawyers who want to increase visibility and position themselves as experts in their field. From pitching story ideas and building relationships with journalists to leveraging blogs, LinkedIn, and niche publications, they explain how lawyers can create opportunities even without high-profile cases or national headlines. They also reveal what reporters actually want, why responsiveness matters, and how one media quote can create a long-term domino effect for credibility, speaking opportunities, and client growth.
 
🎧 Listen to learn: ✔️ Why earned media creates stronger credibility than traditional advertising ✔️ How one media quote can lead to more interviews, speaking engagements, and new business ✔️ Why journalists are constantly looking for fresh legal story ideas and expert sources ✔️ How lawyers can pitch story ideas even without high-profile cases ✔️ Why relationship-building with reporters matters more than cold pitching alone ✔️ How LinkedIn, blogs, and platforms like Substack can increase visibility ✔️ The importance of responding quickly when reporters reach out ✔️ How to simplify complex legal topics into quotable insights reporters can use ✔️ Why local and niche publications can be just as valuable as national outlets ✔️ Practical first steps lawyers can take to start building a PR strategy today
 
🔗 Follow and Connect with Brenda McGann 🌍 Website: http://www.zumado.com 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendamcgann/ 📧 Email: bmcgann@zumado.com 🏆 Lawdragon Limelight (Member of The Lawdragon 100 Global Leaders in Legal Strategy & Consulting)
 
🔗 Follow and Connect with Denise Nix 🌍 Website: http://nixstrategiccommunications.com 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisenix/ 📧 Email: denise@nixstrategiccommunications.com
 
🔗 Follow and Connect with Host, Jason Marsh 🌍 Website: https://www.alphalawyer.io/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshjason/ 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoAlphaLawyer
 

Are your attorneys and staff already using AI inside your law firm without clear policies, oversight, or safeguards in place?
In this episode of the Alpha Lawyer Podcast, Jason Marsh sits down with Charity Anastasio, attorney, ethics advisor, and leading voice on legal practice management, AI adoption, and law firm risk management, to discuss why every law firm needs an AI policy now and how firms can responsibly adopt AI while protecting client confidentiality, minimizing hallucinated citations, and reducing operational risk. Charity breaks down the growing reality of “shadow AI” inside law firms, where attorneys and staff are already using AI tools for drafting, legal research, marketing, and daily workflows without formal guidance or training. She shares practical strategies for creating an AI policy that actually works, including approved tools, verification processes, confidentiality safeguards, accountability systems, and firm-wide training. From hallucinated court citations to ethical concerns around client data, this conversation is packed with actionable insights to help law firms embrace AI responsibly instead of reacting to problems after they happen. 🎧 Listen to learn: ✔️ Why law firms can no longer afford to delay creating an AI policy ✔️ The hidden risks of “shadow AI” and unapproved AI usage inside firms ✔️ How hallucinated citations are creating real legal and ethical consequences ✔️ Why AI adoption requires both policy and hands-on training ✔️ The difference between general AI tools and legal-specific AI platforms ✔️ How to safely handle client confidentiality when using AI tools ✔️ Why verification and accountability are critical for AI-assisted legal work ✔️ How firms can create AI workflows without killing innovation ✔️ Why lawyers should embrace AI instead of avoiding it out of fear ✔️ How AI is changing the future of legal practice, staffing, and client service 🔗 Follow and Connect with Charity Anastasio 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charityanastasio/ 📄 Article: Why You Need an AI Policy Yesterday, and How to Write It https://www.americanbar.org/groups/law_practice/resources/law-practice-magazine/2026/march-april-2026/why-you-need-an-ai-policy-how-to-write-it/?login 🔗 Follow and Connect with Host, Jason Marsh 🌍 Website: https://www.alphalawyer.io/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshjason/ 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoAlphaLawyer

Are your law firm’s mentorship and training programs actually working for today’s attorneys, or are they stuck in outdated one-to-one models that no longer fit how lawyers learn? In this episode of the Alpha Lawyer Podcast, Jason Marsh sits down with Susan George Broach, a commercial real estate and corporate attorney at Andrews Myers PC and a long-time leader in mentoring and developing young lawyers, to break down how mentorship needs to evolve for the next generation.
Susan shares a practical, modern approach to training lawyers through “mini mentoring,” shadowing, and intentional knowledge sharing. She explains how firms can create more collaborative, flexible learning environments that align with how Gen Z consumes information, while also improving retention, engagement, and overall firm culture. From real-time demonstrations to building a “mentor search engine” inside your firm, this conversation is packed with actionable strategies to help law firm leaders train smarter and build stronger teams.
 
🎧 Listen to learn:✔️ Why traditional one-to-one mentorship often fails in modern law firms✔️ How Gen Z lawyers prefer to learn through real-time, visual “shadowing” experiences✔️ The concept of “mini mentoring” and how it increases participation from senior attorneys✔️ How to train lawyers efficiently without requiring large time commitments✔️ Why mentorship should happen in small, on-demand learning moments✔️ How to create a “mentor search engine” inside your firm for faster knowledge sharing✔️ The role of collaboration in improving both training and firm culture✔️ How mentoring benefits senior lawyers through skill sharpening and cross-selling✔️ Why relationship-building and human connection are critical in the age of AI✔️ How modern mentoring models can improve retention and job satisfaction
 
🔗 Follow and Connect with Susan George Broach💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanrgeorge/🌍 Website: https://www.andrewsmyers.com/
 
🔗 Follow and Connect with Host, Jason Marsh🌍 Website: https://www.alphalawyer.io/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshjason/📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoAlphaLawyer
 

This episode of the Alpha Lawyer Podcast features experts Lynda Artesani and Sarah Prevost, co-founders of The Proper Trust and leaders in accounting for law firms. They join host Jason Marsh to discuss why so many law firms struggle with "jacked up" financial records and how to move from chaotic spreadsheets and incorrect Quickbooks setups to a clear, scalable accounting system.
Lynda and Sarah break down the risks of "magic spreadsheets," the importance of integrating practice management tools like Clio or LeanLaw with your ledger, and how proper financial visibility directly impacts a firm's growth and decision-making. You’ll hear practical guidance on setting up a bulletproof chart of accounts and maintaining compliance to ensure you can sleep at night while your firm thrives.
🎧 Listen to learn:✔️ Why relying on a "magic spreadsheet" for bookkeeping is a recipe for disaster as you grow✔️ The "compliance hammer": How improper accounting creates major ethics and bar risks✔️ Why you should never bucket borrowed money (loans) into sales✔️ The critical difference between a simple spreadsheet and a true ledger system✔️ How to structure a Chart of Accounts (COA) specifically for a law firm’s needs✔️ Why integrating your accounting software with tools like Clio or Xero is non-negotiable for efficiency✔️ How to identify "hidden" startup costs and equipment that often get missed in financial records✔️ The "CFO mindset": Using numbers and graphs to tell the story of your business and plan for future hires✔️ Why "all-in-one" software solutions might actually be a trap for your firm's data✔️ Best practices for managing trust accounts and the dangers of automated transfers
🔗 Follow and Connect with Lynda Artesani & Sarah Prevost💼 Sarah's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-prevost/💼 Lynda's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynda-artesani/📸 Instagram: @thepropertrust📱 TikTok & Instagram: @accountantslawpod
🔗 Follow and Connect with Host, Jason Marsh🌍 Website: https://www.alphalawyer.io/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshjason/📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoAlphaLawyer

Are you a lawyer wondering how to use LinkedIn to generate referrals, attract top talent, and grow your firm without spending hours creating content?In this episode of the Alpha Lawyer Podcast, host Jason Marsh speaks with Tony Albrecht, founder of Contender Creative and known as “The Yoda of LinkedIn” for lawyers, about one of the biggest missed opportunities in the legal industry. Tony breaks down why most lawyers treat LinkedIn like a digital resume or announcement board, and how that mindset prevents them from unlocking real business growth.Tony shares his simple but powerful 1-5-10 framework and explains how lawyers can shift from chasing leads to building demand, becoming the go-to person in their market. He also dives into the power of storytelling, generosity, and consistency to build a personal brand that attracts referrals, clients, and even high-quality talent.You’ll hear practical guidance on how to show up on LinkedIn in a way that feels authentic, stands out, and creates real opportunities over time.🎧 Listen to learn:✔️ Why most lawyers use LinkedIn incorrectly and miss major opportunities✔️ The hidden advantage of low competition on LinkedIn✔️ The difference between lead generation and demand generation✔️ Tony’s 1-5-10 framework: one post, five DMs, and ten meaningful comments per week✔️ How to overcome fear, perfectionism, and resistance to posting✔️ Why storytelling works better than generic “informational” content✔️ How to build trust with referral partners and your network✔️ Real examples of attracting talent and opportunities through LinkedIn✔️ How to stay consistent with just one hour per week🔗 Follow and Connect with Tony Albrecht💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-albrecht/🔗 Follow and Connect with Host, Jason Marsh🌍 Website: https://www.alphalawyer.io/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshjason/📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoAlphaLawyer🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/alphalawyer

Are you a lawyer wondering how to use AI without putting your firm, clients, or reputation at risk?
In this episode of the Alpha Lawyer Podcast, host Jason Marsh speaks with Jennifer Ellis, attorney, legal ethics advisor, and technology consultant, about one of the biggest challenges facing modern law firms: AI hallucinations.
Jennifer breaks down why these errors happen, how they show up in legal work, and why even the most advanced tools can still produce inaccurate or misleading results.
You’ll hear practical guidance on how to safely integrate AI into your practice, verify outputs properly, and build safeguards that protect both your clients and your firm, while still benefiting from the efficiency AI can offer.
 
🎧 Listen to learn:✔️ What AI hallucinations are and why they’re unavoidable in generative AI✔️ Real examples of lawyers getting into trouble from fabricated citations✔️ Why verifying AI output outside of AI tools is critical✔️ How to structure prompts to reduce errors and improve results✔️ The risks of confidentiality breaches when using consumer AI tools✔️ Why every law firm needs an AI policy and proper team training✔️ Simple, practical steps to start using AI safely in your daily work
 
🔗 Follow and Connect with Jennifer Ellis💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellisjenniferleigh/🌍 Website: https://jlellis.net/
 
🔗 Follow and Connect with Host, Jason Marsh🌍 Website: https://www.alphalawyer.io/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshjason/📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoAlphaLawyer🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/alphalawyer

Are you a lawyer wondering how to build a brand that actually drives growth?In this episode of the Alpha Lawyer Podcast, host Jason Marsh speaks with John Rizvi, founder of the Patent Professor® law firm, board-certified patent attorney, and author of If You Brand It, They Will Come. John shares how he transformed a niche intellectual property practice from a spare bedroom into an eight-figure firm by focusing on one powerful strategy: branding that owns attention instead of renting it.You’ll hear practical insights on how any law firm can create a memorable identity, earn client trust faster, and position themselves as the go-to authority in their space, without relying solely on paid ads.🎧 Listen to learn:✔️ Why branding is the true foundation of sustainable law firm growth✔️ The difference between renting attention through ads and owning it through brand recognition✔️ How a trademarkable, memorable name can attract better clients and reduce price shopping✔️ Simple ways to reinforce your brand through intake, client experience, and communication✔️ Why niching down expands your opportunities instead of limiting them✔️ The mindset shift lawyers must make to stand out in a crowded legal market🔗 Follow and Connect with John Rizvi💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thelawfirmgrowthprofessor/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelawfirmgrowthprofessor📺 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thelawfirmgrowthprofessor📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FBjcCQdQk/🔗 Follow and Connect with Host, Jason Marsh🌍 Website: https://www.alphalawyer.io/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshjason/📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoAlphaLawyer🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/alphalawyer
 

Are you a lawyer wondering how to actually turn AI into a competitive advantage, not just another shiny tool?
In this episode of The Alpha Lawyer Podcast, host Jason Marsh sits down with C. Todd Smith, founder of C. Todd Smith Law and a longtime tech leader in the Florida legal community. Todd shares how he’s transforming his firm into an AI-driven law practice, using tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and NotebookLM to streamline workflows, boost productivity, and empower his team to think with AI, not just use it.
You’ll hear practical insights on how any firm can start adopting AI responsibly, get buy-in from their team, and design a visible AI strategy that everyone participates in.
🎧 Listen to learn:✔️ The 3 stages of AI adoption for law firms: exploring, engaging, and optimizing✔️ How to create a visible AI strategy your entire team understands and supports✔️ The 10-80-10 framework for safe, high-quality AI output✔️ How to use AI for meetings, SOPs, and training — even to generate internal podcasts✔️ Why AI will transform staffing, billing models, and client service faster than most expect✔️ The mindset shift from “using AI” to thinking with AI
 
🔗 Follow and Connect with Guest, C. Todd Smith🌐 Website: https://ctoddlaw.com/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ctoddsmith/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ctoddlaw/📰 Newsletter:https://bit.ly/JoinToddBot
🔗 Follow and Connect with Host, Jason Marsh🌍 Website: https://www.alphalawyer.io/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshjason/📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoAlphaLawyer🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/alphalawyer