Daniel Scola: Developing Business in Law: What They Don’t Teach You in Law School
In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Daniel Scola discuss: Developing business skills as a lawyer Balancing legal expertise with emotional intelligence Transitioning from in-house counsel to a law firm partner Competing with larger firms for corporate clients Key Takeaways: Building strong relationships with general counsel often involves using emotional intelligence to understand their concerns and tailor communication effectively. Transitioning from in-house to a law firm typically requires learning business development skills, relying on initiative and building relationships to attract clients. To compete with larger firms, smaller firms can emphasize personal attention from experienced attorneys, offering more direct and hands-on service. Understanding the internal pressures on general counsel, such as how they communicate up the chain, helps lawyers offer tailored solutions that ease their stress. "If you just say, 'I can do it for a cheaper price,' it's not going to work... You have to emphasize that an experienced person will do the work... not a first-year associate with three others reviewing it." — Daniel Scola Join Steve on November 15th for an exclusive 60-minute session focused on actionable strategies for business growth. Register now—seats are limited to the first 20 attorneys! Sign up here: https://www.fretzin.com/blog/category/events/ Thank you to our Sponsors! Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/ Rainmakers Roundtable: https://www.fretzin.com/lawyer-coaching-and-training/peer-advisory-groups/ Episode References: The Power of Bad: How the Negativity Effect Rules Us and How We Can Rule It by John Tierney & Roy F. Baumeister About Daniel Scola: Daniel A. Scola, Jr. is the managing partner of Hoffmann & Baron, LLP, overseeing the chemical, pharmaceutical/biochemical, and medical device practice in the New Jersey office. With extensive experience in polymers, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices, he specializes in building IP portfolios and strategies to protect company value. Scola practices in Post Grant Proceedings at the USPTO and has argued at the appellate level before the CAFC. He held roles at Warner-Lambert Co. and Loctite Corporation, and before law, he was a chemist at United Technologies with expertise in material science, polymers, and adhesives. Connect with Daniel Scola: Website: https://www.hbiplaw.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielscola/ & https://www.linkedin.com/company/hbiplaw Twitter: https://x.com/hbiplaw Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hbiplaw Connect with Steve Fretzin: LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin Twitter: @stevefretzin Instagram: @fretzinsteve Facebook: Fretzin, Inc. Website: Fretzin.com Email: [email protected] Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more! YouTube: Steve Fretzin Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Show Notes
In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Daniel Scola discuss:
- Developing business skills as a lawyer
- Balancing legal expertise with emotional intelligence
- Transitioning from in-house counsel to a law firm partner
- Competing with larger firms for corporate clients
Key Takeaways:
- Building strong relationships with general counsel often involves using emotional intelligence to understand their concerns and tailor communication effectively.
- Transitioning from in-house to a law firm typically requires learning business development skills, relying on initiative and building relationships to attract clients.
- To compete with larger firms, smaller firms can emphasize personal attention from experienced attorneys, offering more direct and hands-on service.
- Understanding the internal pressures on general counsel, such as how they communicate up the chain, helps lawyers offer tailored solutions that ease their stress.
"If you just say, 'I can do it for a cheaper price,' it's not going to work... You have to emphasize that an experienced person will do the work... not a first-year associate with three others reviewing it." — Daniel Scola
Join Steve on November 15th for an exclusive 60-minute session focused on actionable strategies for business growth. Register now—seats are limited to the first 20 attorneys! Sign up here: https://www.fretzin.com/blog/category/events/
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/
Rainmakers Roundtable: https://www.fretzin.com/lawyer-coaching-and-training/peer-advisory-groups/
Episode References:
About Daniel Scola: Daniel A. Scola, Jr. is the managing partner of Hoffmann & Baron, LLP, overseeing the chemical, pharmaceutical/biochemical, and medical device practice in the New Jersey office. With extensive experience in polymers, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices, he specializes in building IP portfolios and strategies to protect company value. Scola practices in Post Grant Proceedings at the USPTO and has argued at the appellate level before the CAFC. He held roles at Warner-Lambert Co. and Loctite Corporation, and before law, he was a chemist at United Technologies with expertise in material science, polymers, and adhesives.
Connect with Daniel Scola:
Website: https://www.hbiplaw.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielscola/ & https://www.linkedin.com/company/hbiplaw
Twitter: https://x.com/hbiplaw
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hbiplaw
Connect with Steve Fretzin:
LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin
Twitter: @stevefretzin
Instagram: @fretzinsteve
Facebook: Fretzin, Inc.
Website: Fretzin.com
Email: [email protected]
Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!
YouTube: Steve Fretzin
Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.