The Legal Growth Podcast

Why Nancy Delain Believes Niche Expertise Wins in Law

In this episode of the Legal Growth Podcast, host Aaron Fulk sits down with Nancy Delain, a patent attorney and solo practitioner specializing in intellectual property and business law, who shares her unique journey into the legal profession and the lessons she learned building a successful independent practice. From working as a technical writer for twenty years before attending law school to launching her own solo firm without ever working for another attorney, Nancy opens up about the mindset, resilience, and adaptability that shaped her career.
They discuss everything from patent prosecution and intellectual property law to legal writing, solo practice growth, mentorship through bar associations, and the growing influence of AI in the legal industry. Nancy also shares why having a niche practice matters, how strong communication skills helped her stand out, and what attorneys need to understand about balancing technology with real legal experience.
Listeners will learn:
How to build a successful niche legal practice as a solo attorney
Why strong writing and communication skills matter in today’s legal industry
The impact of AI and automation on the future of law firms
How to navigate practicing law without traditional mentorship structures
Advice for attorneys and professionals looking to grow independent practices
Tune in for an insightful, practical, and candid conversation that highlights entrepreneurship, intellectual property law, and the human side of building a long-term legal career.

How Osahon Okundaye Is Redefining Business Development in Law

In this episode of the Legal Growth Podcast, host Aaron Fulk sits down with Osahon Okundaye, a structured finance attorney and founder of Okundaye Legal PLLC, who shares his unconventional journey through the legal industry and the lessons that shaped his career. From growing up in a family of doctors and engineers to building a niche practice in impact structured finance after years in Big Law, Osahon opens up about the mindset shifts, failures, mentorship, and personal growth that helped him launch and grow his own firm.
They discuss everything from networking authenticity and mentorship to structured finance, legal communication, entrepreneurship, and the growing impact of AI on the legal profession. Osahon also shares honest insight into the challenges of starting a solo practice, balancing business development with client work, and why attorneys need to better explain the true value they bring beyond simply producing documents.
Listeners will learn:
How to build a law firm by leaning into authenticity and relationship-building
Why mentorship and self-awareness matter in today’s legal industry
The impact of AI and client expectations on modern law firms
How to navigate the transition from Big Law to solo practice
Advice for attorneys looking to grow their careers while staying true to themselves
Tune in for a candid, insightful, and thoughtful conversation that explores entrepreneurship, communication, and the evolving role of lawyers in a rapidly changing legal industry.

How Kara Conway Love Reinvented Her Career Beyond Traditional Law

In this episode of the Legal Growth Podcast, host Aaron Fulk sits down with Kara Conway Love, an attorney, entrepreneur, educator, and communications expert who shares her unique journey through the legal industry and beyond. From building and running her own law firm and title company in Upstate New York to transitioning into teaching, public speaking, branding, and authoring a book for influencers and creators, Kara opens up about the experiences and mindset shifts that shaped her evolving career.
They discuss everything from entrepreneurship in law and personal branding to communication skills, trusted advisor relationships, AI in the legal industry, and why lawyers need more than just legal knowledge to succeed. Kara also shares candid stories from early in her legal career, lessons learned from working with diverse clients, and how embracing reinvention helped her discover a more fulfilling professional path.
Listeners will learn:
How to build a personal brand and market yourself as an attorney
Why communication and relationship-building matter in today’s legal industry
The impact of AI and technology on the future of law firms
How lawyers can evolve their careers beyond traditional practice
Advice for attorneys looking to grow as entrepreneurs, leaders, and trusted advisors
Tune in for an insightful, candid, and inspiring conversation that highlights the power of adaptability, communication, and lifelong growth in the legal industry.

How Jeonghoon Ha Is Navigating the Future of Web3 Law

In this episode of the Legal Growth Podcast, host Aaron Fulk sits down with Jeonghoon Ha, a Web3 and finance attorney who shares his unique journey from the foreign policy world into the rapidly evolving legal technology space. From spending more than a decade working in foreign policy and Korean reunification efforts to launching his own Web3-focused law practice in 2024, Jeonghoon opens up about the experiences, mindset shifts, and strategic decisions that shaped his career.
They discuss everything from blockchain regulation and AI in the legal industry to specialization, legal education, and the future of digital asset compliance. Jeonghoon also shares honest insight into building credibility through thought leadership, navigating emerging technologies, communicating with policymakers, and helping clients adapt to a constantly changing legal landscape.
Listeners will learn:
How to build authority by specializing in a niche legal industry
Why continuous learning matters in today’s rapidly evolving legal landscape
The impact of AI, automation, and blockchain technology on modern law firms
How to navigate legal uncertainty in emerging industries like Web3 and digital assets
Advice for attorneys looking to grow their practice through education, speaking, and strategic positioning
Tune in for an insightful and forward-thinking conversation that highlights the intersection of law, technology, policy, and entrepreneurship in the modern legal industry.

A Nonlinear Path to Law: A Conversation with Abby Schwarz

In this episode of the Legal Growth Podcast, host Aaron Fulk sits down with Abby Schwarz to explore how a nontraditional career path, life experience, and a people-first mindset can shape a successful and fulfilling legal career.
Abby shares her journey into law as a third career, following years in human resources, marketing, and leadership roles at a major tech platform. Entering law school later in life, she brought with her a depth of real-world experience that continues to influence how she practices today — with a strong focus on client relationships, communication, and practical problem-solving.
Initially drawn to employment law, Abby quickly realized that her strengths and interests aligned more closely with trust and estate work. She discusses how the practice is far more nuanced and creative than many assume, requiring thoughtful planning, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to navigate complex family dynamics. Rather than simply drafting documents, her role often involves guiding clients through important life decisions with clarity and confidence.
Abby also reflects on what growth looks like from her perspective — not just big wins, but the daily moments where she helps clients feel supported, understood, and taken care of. She emphasizes how life experience, emotional intelligence, and a sense of humor can be just as valuable as legal knowledge in building trust with clients.
Looking ahead, Abby shares her perspective on the future of law firms, highlighting the importance of work-life balance, sustainable career paths, and maintaining the human element in legal services. While technology continues to evolve, she explains why areas like estate planning will always require a personal, relationship-driven approach.
Listeners will learn:
How nontraditional career paths can strengthen legal practice
Why life experience is a powerful asset in client-facing work
What makes trust and estate law more creative than people expect
How small, daily wins define long-term success as an attorney
Why emotional intelligence is critical in legal practice
How to build trust and connection with clients
What the future of law firms looks like beyond just technology
👉 Tune in for a refreshing and relatable conversation about career pivots, personal growth, and building a legal career that aligns with both skill and lifestyle.

Rethinking Access to Justice: A Conversation with Sean Dennin

In this episode of the Legal Growth Podcast, host Aaron Fulk sits down with Sean Dennin to explore how innovation, mission-driven thinking, and business model disruption are reshaping access to legal services.
Sean shares his unique path into the legal industry as a non-attorney, bringing years of experience in e-discovery, large-scale litigation support, and legal operations. From working on high-profile cases to building and scaling legal-adjacent businesses, his career has been centered around understanding how the legal system works — and where it falls short.
That perspective ultimately led him to help build a new kind of legal model focused on solving a major gap in the market: individuals facing serious habitability issues, like toxic mold, who often lack the financial resources or legal pathways to take action. Sean explains how traditional legal routes frequently fail these individuals, leaving them stuck between expensive retainers and difficult-to-prove claims.
By rethinking the model and implementing a contingency-based approach, Sean and his team created a system that meets people where they are — offering access to legal help that many previously didn’t have. The result has been rapid growth, strong demand, and real-world impact, with hundreds of cases and meaningful outcomes for clients in a short period of time.
Beyond innovation in services, Sean also dives into what he believes is the next evolution of law firms: not just technology, but culture and structure. From remote-first operations and global teams to profit-sharing philosophies and mandatory mental health days, he outlines a model designed for sustainability, purpose, and long-term success.
Listeners will learn:
How non-attorneys can play a critical role in shaping the legal industry
Why access to justice remains a major gap — and how to address it
How rethinking the business model can unlock new markets
Why contingency-based models can expand legal access
How innovation goes beyond marketing and into service design
What a modern, people-first law firm culture looks like
Why the future of law includes both operational and structural change
👉 Tune in for a powerful conversation about innovation, impact, and how thinking differently can create meaningful change in the legal industry.
 

From Tech to Law: A Conversation with Bill Goldberg

In this episode of the Legal Growth Podcast, host Aaron Fulk sits down with Bill Goldberg to explore how a background in business, technology, and real-world client experience can shape a more practical, effective approach to law.
Bill shares his non-traditional path into the legal profession, starting in the tech and business world working in sales, consulting, and project management before making the decision to attend law school. That foundation gave him a unique perspective early in his legal career — one that centers not just on legal theory, but on understanding what clients actually need to succeed.
He discusses how entering law later in life allowed him to approach the profession with more intention, discipline, and clarity. Instead of focusing solely on technical legal analysis, Bill emphasizes the importance of keeping client outcomes at the center of every decision — a mindset that continues to define how he practices today.
One of the most impactful moments in his career came after being laid off from a large firm, which unexpectedly led him into solo practice. That experience forced him to take full ownership of his work, build his own client base, and develop a deeper sense of accountability — ultimately accelerating his growth as an attorney.
Bill also brings a unique perspective on technology in the legal space. With a strong interest in AI and its applications, he explains how these tools are transforming efficiency in legal work — while also warning of the risks when they are used without proper understanding. From poorly drafted contracts to unintended legal consequences, he shares real-world examples of how misuse of AI is already creating problems that attorneys will need to solve.
Listeners will learn:
How a background in business and tech can strengthen legal practice
Why client-centered thinking is critical for long-term success
How non-traditional career paths can create a competitive advantage
What solo practice teaches about ownership and growth
How AI is improving efficiency in legal work
The risks of relying on AI without legal expertise
Why the future of law will require both technical skill and practical judgment
👉 Tune in for a practical and insightful conversation about career pivots, real-world experience, and how technology is reshaping the way attorneys deliver value.
 

Building With Purpose: A Conversation with Mayowa Gbenro

In this episode of the Legal Growth Podcast, host Aaron Fulk sits down with Mayowa Gbenro to explore how intentional growth, adaptability, and a people-first mindset are shaping modern legal careers and law firm success.
Mayowa shares his journey into law, highlighting the key moments and decisions that guided him toward building a meaningful and impactful legal career. With a focus on both professional development and client service, he discusses how his approach to law is rooted in understanding people, solving real problems, and continuously evolving in a competitive industry.
He reflects on his growth as an attorney, emphasizing the importance of gaining confidence through experience, learning from every stage of the journey, and building a practice that aligns with both skill and purpose. Mayowa also dives into the non-legal skills that have been critical to his success — including communication, adaptability, and the ability to connect with clients and colleagues on a deeper level.
Looking ahead, Mayowa shares his perspective on the future of law firms, including how technology, shifting client expectations, and evolving career paths are changing the legal landscape. He explains why attorneys who remain flexible, open to growth, and focused on delivering real value will continue to stand out.
Listeners will learn:
How Mayowa built a purposeful and growth-focused legal career
Why adaptability and continuous learning are essential for attorneys
How strong communication and people skills elevate legal practice
Why confidence develops through experience and real-world application
How client relationships drive long-term success in law
What trends are shaping the future of law firms and legal careers
How attorneys can position themselves to stay competitive in a changing industry
👉 Tune in for a thoughtful and motivating conversation about growth, purpose, and what it takes to build a meaningful legal career in today’s evolving landscape.
 

From Restaurants to Regulation: A Conversation with Cannabis & Corporate Attorney Jason Adelstone

In this episode of the Legal Growth Podcast, host Aaron Fulk sits down with Jason Adelstone, attorney at Harris Sliwoski LLP, to explore how an unconventional career path, global perspective, and adaptability are shaping success in emerging areas of law like cannabis and international business.
Jason shares his unique journey from spending over twenty years in the restaurant industry to traveling to Antarctica, and ultimately finding his way into law later in life. Drawn by an interest in business, regulation, and emerging industries, he built his legal career around corporate law and international cannabis policy — carving out a niche by becoming one of the few attorneys deeply versed in global cannabis regulations and treaty compliance.
He explains how a simple piece of advice early in his legal career — to find something no one else is doing and become an expert in it — led him to track cannabis policy across the globe, study international treaties, and even teach law students on the subject. That intentional focus helped him build both credibility and opportunity in a rapidly evolving space.
Jason also reflects on his biggest growth milestone: gaining true confidence as an attorney after entering the profession later in life, and building a practice on his own terms. Now at Harris Sliwoski LLP, he has expanded both his client base and his international reach, working on cross-border transactions, manufacturing agreements, and global regulatory issues.
Beyond legal knowledge, Jason highlights how his background in hospitality became one of his greatest advantages — teaching him communication, adaptability, and the ability to thrive under pressure. He also shares a forward-looking perspective on AI, emphasizing that attorneys who are flexible, multi-disciplinary, and willing to evolve will be best positioned for the future.
Listeners will learn:
How Jason transitioned from the restaurant industry to a legal career in his 30s
Why emerging industries like cannabis law reward early specialization and curiosity
How becoming an expert in a niche area can accelerate career growth
Why hospitality experience builds essential skills for lawyers
How confidence develops through experience — especially for non-traditional attorneys
Why being a “jack of all trades and master of one” is a competitive advantage
How AI is reshaping legal work — and why adaptability is critical
👉 Tune in for a dynamic and insightful conversation about career reinvention, niche expertise, and how thinking differently can create powerful opportunities in the legal industry.
 

Vision, Focus, and Servant Leadership: A Conversation with Peter Mallouk

In this episode of the Legal Growth Podcast, host Aaron Fulk sits down with Peter Mallouk, President and CEO of Creative Planning, to explore how clarity, discipline, and servant leadership can transform both legal and financial service firms.
Peter shares his unexpected journey into law — a path chosen partly by default — and how his time as an estate planning attorney became the foundation for something much bigger. By delivering high-end service quickly, charging flat fees, and explaining complex estate strategies in plain English, Peter built one of the largest estate planning practices in his region.
His real breakthrough came when he recognized what clients wanted before they could articulate it themselves: a fully integrated model combining financial planning, tax preparation, estate planning, and investment management under one roof. That vision led him to acquire Creative Planning in 2004 — then a small firm with just thirty clients and thirty million under management — and scale it into a nationally recognized powerhouse.
Peter dives deep into the practical habits behind that growth, from eliminating distractions and attacking the hardest task first each morning to embracing disciplined execution even when it’s not enjoyable. He also shares candid insights about the coming AI transformation in law and business, predicting that much of traditional legal work will be automated — and explaining why specialization and complex problem-solving will be key to survival.
Above all, Peter emphasizes the power of servant leadership and being a “player-coach” — leading from the front, working alongside your team, and eliminating the ivory tower mentality that holds organizations back.
Listeners will learn:
- How Peter scaled from estate planning attorney to CEO of a national firm
-Why delivering fast, flat-fee, high-quality service creates exponential growth
- How to eliminate daily noise and focus only on what truly moves the needle
- Why attacking the hardest task first changes productivity outcomes
- How AI will reshape law and professional services — and how to prepare
- Why specialization and complexity will protect professionals from automation
- How servant leadership and player-coach mentality build winning cultures
 
Tune in for a high-impact conversation filled with practical strategies, bold predictions, and timeless leadership principles that apply to law firms, financial firms, and growth-focused organizations alike.