The Litigator’s Path Podcast

16. Brian Colón: Building a Values-Driven National Firm by Leading with Authenticity

This episode features Brian Colón, the Managing Partner of Singleton Schreiber's New Mexico offices. Brian oversees a rapidly growing practice for a national firm that has recovered over $3 billion for clients. He shares a powerful story of personal and professional resilience, from a hard-fought loss in a race for Attorney General to finding his purpose at a firm that truly aligned with his values. Brian reveals why, before accepting the partnership, he insisted on seeing the standard employee agreement—and how its contents, including 100% healthcare coverage and childcare reimbursement, sealed the deal. He offers a masterclass in authentic leadership, explaining how his firm fuses fearless legal advocacy with deep commitments to philanthropy and public policy, and why they've invested in a full-time social worker to support both their team and their clients. This is an unfiltered look at what it means to build a law firm on a foundation of service, gratitude, and unapologetic conviction.
Show Notes:
(0:00) Introduction: Brian Colon's journey through public service and private practice.
(1:40) The Firm's 8X Growth: How Singleton Schreiber maintains a client-centered and diverse culture.
(2:49) The Righteous Case: Taking on environmental justice cases for communities without a voice, even if they aren't profitable.
(6:45) A Leader's Philosophy: "I work for my team."
(8:28) The Three Pillars: Integrating philanthropy, public policy, and the law into the firm's DNA.
(10:41) The Aftermath: The devastating emotional toll of losing the Attorney General primary.
(12:32) The Turning Point: How the book Untethered Soul and the mantra "Be open" created a floodgate of opportunities.
(14:43) The Ultimate Litmus Test: Why the employee agreement was the real deal-closer for joining the firm.
(15:40) What True Values Look Like: Child care reimbursement and a $1,000 nonprofit match for every employee.
(18:44) The Roots of Resilience: How growing up in poverty and personal tragedy shaped his drive.
(20:19) The Bonus Round: Brian's passion for mentoring the next generation of leaders.
(27:25) A Radical Investment in People: Why the firm employs a full-time social worker for staff and clients.
(30:21) Scaling Culture: How to keep everyone aligned with the mission during rapid expansion.
(37:28) Unapologetic Advocacy: Why being transparent about his political values is a magnet for the right clients and talent.
(46:56) The Problem with "Inventory": How to manage mass torts cases without dehumanizing clients.
(54:30) The Future of Law: Why attorneys who don't learn to use AI will be the only ones to lose their jobs.
Contact: (505) 270-2154

15. Michael J. Ash: "CSI Magic" for Winning Trials - Using Google Earth to Make Juries Understand Property Cases

This episode features Michael J. Ash, a partner at Carlin, Ward, Ash & Heiart LLC and a certified civil trial attorney specializing in the niche field of eminent domain and real estate value litigation. Michael shares his unconventional journey from transactional law, where he deciphered 400-year-old deeds with descriptions like "easterly as the cow walked," to becoming a leading trial attorney in New Jersey. He reveals the creative strategies he uses to make complex property concepts compelling to a jury, including using Google Earth flyovers to create a "CSI magic" effect in the courtroom. Michael also discusses his pivotal career shift from representing the government ("the black hat") to defending property owners ("the white hat"), the power of attorney referrals as a primary marketing tool, and why finding the right business partner is the most critical skill for any firm owner.
Show Notes:
(0:00) Introduction: Michael J. Ash's specialization in eminent domain and real estate litigation.
(1:49) How a background in transactional law became the foundation for a career in niche litigation.
(5:28) The challenge of litigating 400-year-old deeds with descriptions like "as the cow walked."
(6:44) How to make complex real estate concepts understandable and engaging for a jury.
(8:33) The "CSI Magic": Using Google Earth flyover videos as a persuasive courtroom tool.
(11:10) Why Michael refuses to outsource trial demonstratives and insists on maintaining full control.
(15:03) The Career Shift: From representing the government ("the black hat") to defending property owners ("the white hat").
(17:38) The biggest challenge in transitioning from being an employee to a firm owner.
(20:10) A marketing model built on relationships: How attorney referrals drive their business.
(24:19) The two factors that tell you exactly when it's time to grow your firm and hire.
(26:04) The strategy of hiring a tax court clerk to build expertise and attract partner-level talent.
(30:30) The #1 skill for running a successful practice: Finding the right business partner.
(32:57) A framework for handling disagreements and making decisions with a partner.
(36:01) Michael's take on AI, including a clever use of image generation for marketing case studies.
(39:12) Where to find and contact Michael J. Ash.
Contact: https://carlinward.com/

14. Jason Horst: The Pragmatic Pioneer Building a Future-Proof Law Firm with AI

This episode features Jason Horst, a former Am Law 100 attorney who left Big Law to build his own practice in the high-stakes world of the California cannabis industry. Jason shares the inside story of the “Green Rush,” explaining why the initial excitement collapsed under the weight of crushing taxes, heavy regulation, and what he calls the “Al Capone law” that prevents legal cannabis businesses from taking normal deductions. He details his strategic pivot from a struggling industry to a diversified, locally-focused practice and offers a masterclass in marketing through genuine, one-on-one connection. The conversation takes a deep dive into the impact of artificial intelligence, as Jason—a heavy early adopter—discusses which AI tools are changing the game, the ethical thicket of their use, and his critical concerns about how the next generation of lawyers will be trained when AI automates their foundational work.
Show Notes:
(0:26) Introduction: Jason Horst’s journey from Big Law to founding Horst Legal Counsel.
(3:43) Why the security of Big Law is an illusion without a book of business.
(4:11) The personal and professional constraints of a large firm’s corporate culture.
(7:33) Making the jump: Why the cannabis industry required a “jump in with both feet” approach.
(8:22) The early days of cannabis law: “Everybody here is a felon.”
(10:43) How Jason found his niche as one of the first insurance coverage lawyers in the cannabis space.
(12:37) The “Green Rush” fades: How unsustainable regulations and taxes crippled the industry.
(15:03) “Death by a thousand bullet holes”: The 70% effective tax rate killing legal cannabis businesses.
(18:26) The “Al Capone Law”: How the IRS prevents cannabis companies from taking ordinary business deductions.
(20:17) Jason’s marketing strategy: The power of showing up and building one-on-one connections.
(22:14) How to pivot when your primary industry dries up.
(31:13) When to hire: Growing a firm from a solo practice to a full-service shop.
(31:42) Using the gig economy to scale a law firm up and down effectively.
(35:34) The legal tech stack that makes running a firm easier than expected.
(38:50) A deep dive into AI’s impact on legal practice.
(39:45) Why AI output should be treated like a first-year associate’s work product.
(43:09) The business model paradox: AI tools increase expenses while decreasing billable hours.
(43:38) The critical question: How do we train junior lawyers when AI automates their work?
(53:58) How AI will dramatically increase the pace of litigation and the pressure on courts.
(01:03:42) Jason’s favorite AI tools that are changing his practice.
(01:06:33) Where to find and contact Jason Horst.
Contact: jason@horstcounsel.com

13. Peter Kalanda: How Law Firms Can Win at Digital Marketing

This episode features Peter Kalanda, a 20-year digital marketing veteran and the co-founder of Three Horizons Interactive. Peter shares his unique journey from managing hotels and consulting at Ernst & Young to mastering the digital marketing landscape for law firms. He breaks down the complex world of SEO and SEM with a simple analogy: SEO is like planting a garden that grows over time, while SEM is like renting a billboard for immediate visibility. Peter provides a masterclass on the immense, often-overlooked power of local search, explaining how optimizing a Google Business Profile can be a game-changer for attracting clients. He reveals the most common technical mistakes that make websites invisible to Google, how to find high-impact keywords, and the three simple fixes any lawyer can make this week to improve their online presence.
Show Notes:
(0:26) Introduction: Peter Kalanda’s 20-year journey in digital marketing.
(1:50) From hotel management and Ernst & Young to founding Three Horizons Interactive.
(4:15) Why law firms are uniquely positioned to benefit from digital marketing.
(7:00) The garden vs. billboard analogy: Understanding SEO vs. SEM.
(10:30) Breaking down SEO: How search engines crawl, index, and rank websites.
(14:00) The three pillars of SEO: Technical, on-page content, and authority/backlinks.
(17:45) Common technical mistakes that make law firm websites invisible to Google.
(21:00) The power of local search and Google Business Profile optimization.
(24:30) How to claim and optimize your Google Business Profile for maximum visibility.
(28:00) The role of reviews in local search rankings.
(31:15) SEM fundamentals: How Google Ads work for law firms.
(34:45) Understanding cost-per-click and competition in legal advertising.
(38:00) Finding high-impact keywords for your practice area.
(41:30) The importance of landing pages in converting ad clicks to clients.
(45:00) Three simple fixes any lawyer can make this week to improve online presence.
(48:30) How AI is changing the digital marketing landscape for law firms.
(52:00) Measuring ROI: What metrics matter most for law firm marketing.
(55:30) Where to find Peter Kalanda and Three Horizons Interactive.
Contact: peter@threehorizons.com

12. Andre Rembert: What it Takes to Hang Your Own Shingle with $200/Month Overhead

This episode features Andre Rembert, a former U.S. Army artillery officer turned personal injury lawyer. He shares his journey from combat tours to founding Rembert Law in South Carolina, including living on a sailboat to save money and recovering from a major injury just weeks after launching. Andre offers sharp insights into personal injury marketing, from secret ad strategies to three-month test runs, and explains why AI won't replace persuasive trial lawyers. A raw, honest look at the grit it takes to build a firm from scratch.
Show Notes:
(0:21) Introduction: Andre Rembert's military background and legal career.
(2:44) The #1 lesson from a large "mill" firm: Can you get clients?
(4:11) Applying a military and classics background to spot and fix law firm inefficiencies.
(7:33) How a simple follow-up process added $50,000 a month in fees.
(9:27) The importance of auditing and process enforcement to prevent "quiet quitting."
(15:45) Andre's post-law school journey through Afghanistan and document review.
(19:46) The decision to go solo and the strategy to make it work.
(20:12) The Sailboat Strategy: Living on a boat for $200/month to keep overhead non-existent.
(21:12) Catastrophe: A severe leg injury just two weeks after starting the firm.
(22:37) The Grind: Waiting tables and mowing lawns to keep the business alive while injured.
(30:36) The Hard Truths of Personal Injury Advertising.
(31:32) Your marketing source is your most valuable trade secret.
(32:59) Lessons from testing various channels: SEO, Pay-Per-Click, social media, and TV.
(39:27) The story of spending $35,000 on TV ads for a single case.
(44:40) The 3-Month Rule: How to ruthlessly vet and fire marketing agencies that don't perform.
(49:54) Andre's take: Why AI can't replicate the persuasion and valuation skills of a trial lawyer.
(54:36) Final Advice: Bet on yourself, manage risk, and keep costs down to ensure survival and success.

11. Chris Lusby: From Detective to Law Firm Owner - Lessons in Hiring, AI, and Building a Resilient Modern Practice

This episode features Chris Lusby, the founder of Lusby Law in Wilson, North Carolina, who shares his unconventional journey from being a police detective and restaurateur to running a successful law firm. Chris provides a candid look at the challenges of hiring and retaining talent in a "legal desert," detailing the evolution of his strategy from hiring recent grads to taking a chance on an experienced professional with no litigation background. He discusses his firm's focus on family law, his hands-on approach to creating a partner track, and why he embraces a value-based, flat-fee billing model. A true early adopter, Chris offers a deep dive into his tech stack, explaining how he uses tools like Spellbook, Westlaw Precision, and AI transcription to boost efficiency, improve client management, and stay ahead of the curve.
Show Notes:
(1:25) The Revolving Door: Challenges with attorney retention and having employees leave to become Sheriff and DA.
(3:50) A New Hiring Strategy: Focusing on community connection and "hunger" over direct experience to find long-term talent.
(4:15) Practicing in a "Legal Desert": The unique challenges and opportunities of opening a new firm in an underserved area.
(9:15) The Big Risk: Hiring an attorney with zero litigation experience based on mentality and teachability.
(12:39) Reevaluating the Compensation Model: Moving from "eat what you kill" to a competitive salary plus commission structure.
(16:07) Designing a Transparent Partner Track: The benchmarks and emotional investment required for partnership at his firm.
(24:08) A New Kind of Lawyer: Why clashing with tech-resistant culture at a traditional firm drove him to start his own practice.
(26:18) The Power of Resilience: How a failed restaurant venture prepared him for the risks of launching a law firm.
(32:19) The E-Filing Revolution (and more tech details).

10. Edward F. Cohn: Criminal Defense from Day One

Join us for a conversation with Edward F. Cohn, a veteran criminal defense attorney who launched his solo practice right out of law school. Edward shares how court-appointed cases, courtroom observation, and strong mentorship shaped his early career. He reflects on the evolution of legal marketing, lessons from a Harvard negotiation course, and the value of maintaining respectful relationships with opposing counsel. Candid and practical, this episode offers real-world insights into the challenges and rewards of running a solo law firm.
Show Notes:
(0:11) Introduction to Edward F. Cohn, his criminal defense practice, and his professional accolades.
(0:50) Overview of his practice in Tucson, focusing on criminal defense for misdemeanors and felonies, often for local college students.
(2:07) How he got into criminal defense: starting his own firm right out of law school and taking court appointments to gain experience.
(3:35) The decision to go solo, encouraged by a mentor, and the appeal of being his own boss.
(4:41) The fear and anxiety of starting a practice from scratch and the importance of having good mentors.
(5:06) Learning the ropes as a new solo: The invaluable and practical tip of going to the courthouse to watch hearings.
(7:48) The benefits of observing court: learning procedure, getting to know judges, and navigating different courtroom personalities.
(8:34) Learning from other attorneys in court, including the calm and effective demeanor of famed lawyer Jeff Fieger.
(9:46) Setting up the business: how a "Law Practice Management" class in law school provided practical guidance.
(23:53) Key traits for a successful solo practitioner: an entrepreneurial mindset and comfort with the "feast or famine" nature of the business.
(25:25) The necessity of a healthy appetite for risk, adaptability, and emotional resilience.
(26:54) How to contact Edward F. Cohn (website, phone, and social media).
(28:28) Final thoughts: Finding motivation and a "buzz" from getting the best possible outcome for his clients.

9. Peter Bochnewich: The Art of Probate & Trust Litigation

Join us for an insightful discussion with Peter Bochnewich, owner of Bochnewich Law Offices, as he shares wisdom from his impressive 32-year career in Trust and Estate litigation. Peter details his journey from general civil litigation to specializing in complex trust and estate disputes, emphasizing the profound impact of mentorship on his development and his commitment to guiding younger attorneys. He offers a look into managing his own firm, the importance of maintaining civility with opposing counsel, adapting to technological advancements like cloud-based software and the emerging role of AI in law, and underscores the value of hands-on experience and continuous learning in the legal profession.
Show Notes:
(0:00) Introduction: Peter details his firm’s focus on trust and estate litigation (80%), estate planning (10%), and other civil matters, along with his 32 years of experience.
(1:45) Early career path: From general civil litigation to finding a specialty in probate and trust disputes.
(5:30) The importance of mentorship in developing as a litigator.
(9:00) Key differences between trust litigation and other civil litigation.
(12:15) Common types of trust and estate disputes: Undue influence, lack of capacity, and fiduciary duty breaches.
(16:00) The emotional complexity of family disputes in probate cases.
(19:30) Managing a small firm: Balancing case work with business operations.
(23:00) Maintaining civility with opposing counsel and its strategic benefits.
(26:45) The evolution of legal technology: From paper files to cloud-based systems.
(30:00) Peter’s experience adapting to new technology in his practice.
(33:30) The emerging role of AI in legal research and document review.
(37:00) Concerns and opportunities with AI in the legal profession.
(40:15) Mentoring the next generation: Peter’s commitment to guiding younger attorneys.
(43:30) Building a reputation through quality work and referrals.
(47:00) The value of hands-on courtroom experience for young lawyers.
(50:30) Closing thoughts and advice for attorneys entering trust and estate litigation.
Contact: peter@bochnewichlaw.com

8. David Gammill: Building Gammill Law with Prosecutor Trial Skills in Personal Injury and Civil Rights

This episode features David Gammill, owner of Gammill Law in Manhattan Beach, specializing in personal injury and civil rights cases. With 17 years of experience from LA District Attorney to founding his own firm in 2018, David explains how prioritizing family drove his career decisions. His business thrives on attorney referrals and remote work, emphasizing digital presence over physical office space. David discusses his storytelling approach to cases and predicts AI will significantly increase law firm efficiency and profitability.
Show Notes:
(0:00) Introduction of David Gammill: Trial attorney with 17 years of experience in personal injury.
(1:30) The transition from LA District Attorney to founding Gammill Law.
(5:15) How prioritizing family influenced David’s career decisions and firm structure.
(8:45) Building a practice on attorney referrals and professional relationships.
(12:30) The decision to go fully remote and its impact on the practice.
(16:00) Digital presence over physical office space: A modern approach to law firm management.
(19:45) David’s storytelling approach to personal injury cases.
(23:00) Civil rights cases: Passion projects and their unique challenges.
(27:30) Trial preparation strategies and the art of jury selection.
(32:00) Managing case volume as a solo practitioner.
(36:15) The role of AI in increasing law firm efficiency and profitability.
(40:00) Work-life balance as a solo practitioner and father.
(44:30) Advice for attorneys considering starting their own firm.

7. Katie Diemer: From Public Defender to Bankruptcy Powerhouse

Join us for an engaging conversation with Katie Diemer, managing partner at Diemer & Wei LLP, as she reflects on her 41-year career in law, detailing her unexpected journey from aspiring pediatrician to a seasoned litigator. Katie shares valuable insights into the world of financial litigation and reorganization, representing creditors and other parties in bankruptcy. She emphasizes the importance of expectation setting with clients, her firm's hourly billing approach, and the significance of building strong client relationships. Katie also discusses her path to founding her own firm, the strategic importance of diversity within her practice, and offers advice for lawyers on proactive problem-solving in their careers.
Show Notes:
(1:05) Introduction and Practice Overview: Katie Diemer, managing partner at Diemer & Wei, LLP, discusses her firm's specialization in the crossover between litigation and reorganization.
(28:55) Finding Litigation: Discovering a passion for litigation during law school after initially pursuing transactional work.
(35:00) Influence of Family and Travel: The impact of a family of academics and international exposure on her approach to interacting with diverse individuals.
(47:45) Founding the Firm: The circumstances that led to starting her own law firm after a period as a stay-at-home mom.
(63:30) Client Retention: The surprising success in clients following her when she started her own firm.
(88:45) Importance of Diversity: Emphasizing the value of diversity in a law firm for problem-solving and understanding a diverse client base and jury pool in Silicon Valley.
(102:00) Changes for Women in Law: Reflecting on the changes and persistent biases for women in the legal profession over her 41-year career, and the importance of proactive problem-solving.