Successful Barrister

Did you know your marketing & intake team can kill your best leads without anybody noticing? That’s the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry reveal the top marketing & intake reports every law firm needs to track. Hear why lead volume alone can be misleading, why you should track outcomes as a law firm, how to think about marketing & intake together, what can cause good leads to stall out, and the immense value of weekly review meetings for law firms. Think before you call Marc’s home landline.Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected] to get your AI Checklist & Core Values Checklist.

Did you know your clients will tell you whether your operations are working or not? That’s the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry share 6 operations systems every law firm needs to retain more clients. Hear why ops are so crucial for client satisfaction, how to measure performance with the right KPIs (Key Performance Indicators), how to use automation & tech as a law firm today, how to approach continuous improvement, and why standardization reduces mistakes & improves consistency. See, we’re not winging this!Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected] to get your AI Checklist & Core Values Checklist.

Did you know command and control can make or break your law firm? That’s the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry discuss command and control leadership for law firms following their workshop at the Atticus quarterly meeting in Orlando. Hear the difference between a technician & leader mindset in your law firm, how the command and control leadership model works, the ideal day exercise, how many goals to focus on each quarter in your law firm, and how to manage hybrid & remote teams. We’re talking pilates. We’re talking putt-putt. And we’re talking 10-minute planks.Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected] to get your AI Checklist & Core Values Checklist.

Did you know the right report can make you money? That’s the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry reveal the 5 operations (ops) reports you can’t live without in your law firm. Hear the background of closed without a fee, how Pareto analysis works, what to consider when it comes to exceptions reporting for your law firm, why cash flow is crucial, and how to develop a pipeline analysis for your law firm. Who are YOU taking to geek prom?Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected] to get your AI Checklist & Core Values Checklist.

Did you know your culture might be more important than your next AI tool? That’s the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry share why culture matters more than ever in your law firm. Hear how to define & reinforce your core values, how to measure engagement regularly in your law firm, how to create equitable opportunities for advancement, how to communicate your non-negotiables, and why you should eliminate secrecy in your law firm. ENTOURAGE!!Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected] to get your Core Values Checklist.

Did you know Trader Joe’s can teach you everything you need to know about running a law firm? That’s the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry discuss law firm strategy and why strategy means making choices for your law firm. Hear the difference between strategic planning and your company vision, how to define success for your law firm, how to identify your ideal clients as a law firm, why you should stay away from price competition, and how to structure compensation in your law firm. Anyone else craving H-E-B tortillas?Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected] to get your AI Checklist.

Did you know getting visible in AI is easy? That’s the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry continue their AI Search discussion by sharing how to get cited by AI as a law firm. Hear the attributes that AI Search rewards, how to inspire third-party validation, why you should consider publishing case studies, how to approach social media with AI Search in mind, and how to create helpful content that truly answers the questions your customers are asking. Quick! The robots are coming for you.Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected] to get your AI Checklist.

Did you know Google is obsolete? That’s the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry break down what you need to know about AI Search as a law firm. Hear why Google Search is changing so much, how to focus on AI citations as your new marketing objective, how to make your website AI-friendly, why recognition & awards are even more important now, and why you should avoid vague marketing language. Diana’s on Part 7 of the outline, and Marc’s making up words. Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected] to get your AI Checklist.

Did you know your intake team can make more money for you than your attorneys? That’s the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry reveal how to transform your intake team as a law firm. Hear how to standardize your intake process as a law firm, how to leverage technology correctly during the intake process, how to develop ongoing sales & intake training, what you can learn from looking at your intake numbers, and the value of decision trees in your law firm. Let’s bundle up and watch The Wolf of Wall Street. Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected]

Did you know deciding which tech tool to use is easy? That’s the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry showcase the tech tools they can’t live without as a law firm. Hear how to decide which tech tools to implement in your law firm, whether you should use AI agents as a law firm, the essential client communication platforms, how Marc Whitehead & Associates navigates complex medical records, and how Foundation AI has made them more efficient when it comes to mail. Settle this for us: does pineapple belong on pizza?Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected] to suggest topic ideas for future episodes.

Did you know building a diversified marketing portfolio is easy? That’s the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry break down how to build a diversified marketing portfolio as a law firm. Hear why diversification matters in your marketing mix, an overview of their current marketing mix, the importance of defining marketing campaign goals & timelines, when to cut losing marketing campaigns in your law firm, and how to audit your marketing mix as a law firm. Should we just drop everything and go back to the Yellow Pages?Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected] to get a copy of his marketing plan.

Did you know teaching your team accountability is easy? That’s the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry share the 3 habits that make or break leaders in your law firm from the hit book How Leaders Can Inspire Accountability by Michael Timms. Hear Marc’s approach to onboarding new employees, why engagement alone doesn’t guarantee results, how to welcome feedback as a leader in your law firm, the items you should automate in your law firm, and the difference between excuses & explanations. Did you know this podcast episode description can fit on a t-shirt?Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected] to suggest topic ideas for future episodes.

Happy New Year! In the spirit of the season, Marc has a gift for you in today’s mini-episode: a free copy of his marketing plan. He has presented his plan to lawyers across the country.Some key points from this episode:-Are lawyers too focused on being profitable? Marc believes this is the wrong framing. Lawyers have an ethical duty to be wildly profitable – to help the most people and give them the best service. -Marc gives an outline of the marketing strategies covered in his plan – from intakes to referrals. -To get a copy of the marketing plan, email Marc Whitehead at [email protected] more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected]

Happy Holidays! Enjoy this special holiday message & gift from Marc.Did you know you can work 4 hours/week and still make a ton of money? That’s the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry talk the key lessons from the iconic bestseller The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss - and apply them to creating your lifestyle law firm. Hear whether a 4-hour workweek is actually achievable, how to apply the DEAL framework to your lifestyle law firm (Define, Eliminate, Automate, Liberate), how to fire low-value clients & employees, whether you can take a sabbatical as a lawyer, and how to build a think day into your weekly schedule. We hope you love this episode more than Diana loves this book.Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected]

Did you know dying with zero is the goal? That’s the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry talk lessons on lifestyle & law from the hit book Die with Zero by Bill Perkins. Hear how to find a task to delegate, how to design your lifestyle law firm, how to audit your firm for sellability, why you should schedule a postponed experience, and why money is a resource meant to be used. Who’s joining Marc for Machu Picchu?!Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected]

You should take some time off. That’s the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry get real about burnout - and how to eliminate burnout in your law firm. Hear why burnout is so prevalent in the legal field, whether multitasking can ever work, how burnout impacts your customer service to clients, how AI & automation can help reduce burnout at your law firm, and why you should consider changing your pricing structure. This episode is spicy, snappy, sassy, and SaaS-y.Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected]

Did you know learning critical business skills is easy? That’s the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry talk through the 5 critical business skills for success at your law firm. Hear how to think like a CEO, how to choose your strategy, the importance of documenting operations, why you need to know your numbers, and how to invest in your people. Enjoy this episode with your best homemade BBQ & veggie tray.Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected]

Did you know showing up for the 3rd day is the key to your success? That’s the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry recap their takeaways from keynote speakers Dre Baldwin, Barb Betts, and Matthew Emerzian at The Summit by Atticus. Hear why the 3rd day is so important with any new habit, why business moves at the speed of relationships, how to practice human-centered leadership at your law firm, why authenticity & emotional intelligence are crucial for building influence, and how to remind your law firm clients they matter. See if you can listen to this episode while crossing your fingers AND your toes.Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected]

Does Diana want to be Marc’s Marketing Director? That’s absolutely the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry reveal when it’s time to hire a Marketing Director for your law firm - and how to do it successfully. Hear the difference a Marketing Director can make for your law firm, how to create the job description & set proper expectations, the importance of being crystal clear with your marketing budget, why the ideal Marketing Director should be both a strategist and a creative, and why you should treat the hire as a growth investment. Put those chocolates on your desk and that Devo hat on your head. Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah!Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected]

Did you know unreasonable hospitality can be a competitive advantage in your law firm? That’s the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry share how to offer Unreasonable Hospitality for the benefit of your law firm, inspired by the bestselling book by Will Guidara. Hear how hiring shapes the culture of your law firm, why unreasonable hospitality is not hard or expensive to provide, why you should let your team members lead more meetings, how to commit to one hospitality improvement for the year, and how to get your team to abide by your nonnegotiables. Tune into this episode before Marc whines more about pickleball or that Holiday Inn Express last night.Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected]

Did you know answering 5 simple questions can solve all your marketing problems? That’s the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry talk through how to build & keep marketing momentum in your law firm. Hear why small consistent efforts build momentum, how to find your ideal client, how to convert attention into relationships, how to deliver & delight, and the importance of measurement. Marc’s back from vacation and already rewriting episode outlines.Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected]

Did you know growing your law firm isn’t always a great idea? That’s the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry debate whether it’s actually in your best interest to scale your law firm. Hear why growth isn’t always as beneficial as it seems, the dangerous parallels between growth & bankruptcy, what happens when you hire too fast, why you should hold off on marketing until your intake systems are solid, and how growth directly affects your cash flow. Diana finally admits Marc might’ve been right - and now, Marc has a new ringtone.Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected]

Did you know you can learn everything you need to know about trust from the Blue Angels? That’s the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry take notes on trust from the Blue Angels in High Trust Leadership by Captain George Dom. Hear the trust continuum model, The 5 C’s of Trust, why trust is crucial in a law firm, why low trust leads to micromanaging & turnover, and the trust-building activities that actually work. Marc loves micromanaging and still owes Diana lunch.Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected]

Did you know AI can run your law firm? That’s the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry explore how to use AI to improve your strategic thinking and enhance your law firm, inspired by The Ai-Driven Leader by Geoff Woods. Hear what Marc’s learned from his experiments with Claude, whether AI can replace human decision-making, how to find the bottleneck at your law firm, the drivers of growth AI can help with, and how to find an AI Champion in your law firm. Be warned! Marc’s grumpy and Diana doesn’t want to celebrate her birthday.Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected]

Did you know the secret to a great hire is a successful onboarding? That’s the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry share how to onboard new hires so they become successful at your law firm. Hear what onboarding should look like, the importance of a well-planned first day, how to teach your core values to every new employee, how often to check in with your new hires, and why you need to hire slow, fire fast. Plus, whether it’s cool to microwave fish in the office.Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected]

Did you know scaling your law firm is easy? That’s the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry detail how to grow your law firm by adding branch offices (aka satellite offices) and through clever use of your Google Business Profile listing (GBP). Hear how to tailor your law firm marketing to local communities, why visibility equals credibility, how to recruit in different markets, disclaimers to consider for each branch office, and how to navigate obstacles on your strategic expansion. Including how to avoid getting hangry.Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected]

Did you know Mark Lanier knows how to try a case using just AI? That’s the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry dive into Mark Lanier’s tips for using AI to become a better lawyer. Hear the pros & cons of ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, how ChatGPT can help you manage unhappy clients, the ability of Claude to review lengthy contracts, how Gemini stays on top of current events, and the importance of solidifying your firm’s AI policies. You’ll hear everything from AI hallucinations to AI affirmations.Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected]

Did you know you can teach your lawyers to act like Navy SEALs? That’s the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry prioritize the key lessons from the iconic bestseller Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink & Leif Babin - and translate how they’ll help your leaders build a better law firm. Hear why leaders must own everything, the importance of clear & concise communication, why discipline equals freedom, how to empower leaders at all levels, and how to prioritize ruthlessly. Tune in for Marc’s massive ego and why Diana almost got fired this week.Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected]

Did you know getting a 1-star review isn’t really all that bad? That’s the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry explore the power of Google Reviews for law firms - the word-of-mouth marketing of the digital age. Hear how to handle negative Google Reviews, proactive strategies for positive Google Reviews, how frequently to monitor Google Reviews, how to perfect empathetic replies, and how to encourage more Google Reviews. Diana’s jealous of Wendy’s and Marc’s still pissed off about law school.Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected]

Did you know you can work 4 hours/week and still make a ton of money? That’s the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry talk the key lessons from the iconic bestseller The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss - and apply them to creating your lifestyle law firm. Hear whether a 4-hour workweek is actually achievable, how to apply the DEAL framework to your lifestyle law firm (Define, Eliminate, Automate, Liberate), how to fire low-value clients & employees, whether you can take a sabbatical as a lawyer, and how to build a think day into your weekly schedule. We hope you love this episode more than Diana loves this book.Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected]

Did you know you can still make money on Pay-Per-Click (PPC)? That’s the dumbest thing Marc’s ever said. In this episode of the Successful Barrister, Marc Whitehead & Diana Berry talk the good, the bad, and the ugly of PPC advertising as a law firm. Hear how PPC ads work, Marc’s best advice for law firms starting PPC campaigns, how to select the right keywords for your PPC ads, the pitfalls of automated bidding, and how PPC ads compare to LSA ads (Local Service Ads). Listen closely for Diana’s eye rolls.Learn more about the Successful Barrister at SuccessfulBarrister.com, Marc Whitehead & Associates at DisabilityDenials.com, and contact Marc Whitehead at [email protected]