Listen Now

With a team of four seasoned personal injury attorneys at Zinda Law Group, this first episode provides real insight into how each one of these legal minds lost their training wheels to become confident, successful and effective lawyers. New attorneys can listen to this plethora of legal wisdom and breathe a sigh of relief in hearing that a legal passion plus a thirst for fresh legal knowledge is a recipe for professional success. On today’s podcast: • Introduction to Zinda Law Group Attorneys, Joseph Caputo, Christina Hagen and Neil Solomon • Do nerves ever end as a new attorney? • Advice for their younger selves as new lawyers • Worst mistakes new attorneys make • Law firm’s responsibility to help new attorneys’ get better vs new attorneys’ responsibility to get better • How to manage stress in a stressful professionDiminishing nerves When asked at one point did they feel comfortable as a litigator, the attorneys had the following to say. Senior Attorney, Neil Solomon, who handles severe and catastrophic injury cases at the firm, says when he started fresh out of law school he had no idea what was up from what was down. But, after 5 years of experiencing and learning, he found his legal ‘groove’. On the other hand, Christina Hagen, an attorney with a focus on wrongful death cases, found that for her it was less about the years of practice but more about the ‘types of experiences’ she was exposed to that helped diminish her stress as a novice. When asked if the nerves ever really disappear, Partner and Attorney, Joe Caputo advises that “the minute we stop feeling the nerves and the pressure, we’ve got to get into a different business.” It’s important to recognize that there is a lot on the line, and to constantly be pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Legal passions and skills Looking back on their time as newly licensed litigators, each attorney gives a piece of advice to their former selves. “Don’t be hard on yourself, and understand you don’t have to know everything right away,” Chrissy shares. Neil, who practiced law for years with respected defense firms in Texas before becoming a plaintiff’s attorney, suggests “trying to figure out what you’re passionate about, and what you want to do in your legal career.” They discuss the faux pas that many young lawyers make in chasing money rather than their legal passion. They advise that it is the wrong way around and leads lawyers to be married to an area of law that in the end may not be satisfactory. “Figure out what you love, and the money will follow”, Jack Zinda wisely advises. Be yourself In a similar vein, Joe, who was trained to be a ‘balls to walls’, aggressive type of lawyer, says he would have told himself to find his own style. “Be yourself. Find out what your style is and mold what you are learning to your style,” Joe shares from personal experience. Altogether, the key message for new attorneys is to find a passion, stay updated on the law and ‘sharpen your tools’ by taking advantage of all opportunities available from conferences to mentorships. Learn from your mistakes A common mistake that new attorneys often make is being over-aggressive or over the top. “Our practice is still based in relationships”, advises Neil, “whether it be opposing counsel, the judge and their staff, or the adjustor, building those relationships can generally work out in your favor and your client’s favor rather than being aggressive.” As a new litigator, if you’re ever worried about making a big mistake, the best advice Joe has is to “learn the rules and learn the laws because that is your safety net.” Work hard, play hard Finally, with some important words of caution, the team address how the high levels of stress inherent to the legal profession can be a killer, cause addiction and overwhelm lives. However, to combat this, they advise that being organized is one of the key tools for lawyers to stay on top and in control of the many competing demands. And, lastly, the resounding message to new attorneys from the Zinda Law Group team, is to get the work-life balance right. This is a profession that demands hard work, but survival for attorneys requires them to work hard but play harder.

Summary In this episode, Zinda Law Group’s Chief Marketing Officer, Kevin Tully, sits down with Zinda Law Group CEO and founder, Jack Zinda to talk more about effective management practices for your personal injury law firm.  Discussed in this Episode: Set clear goals Create an open door for opinions Recognize team members Give feedback ASAP Invest in the “A” players Set Clear Goals Outside of normal day-to-day business practices, setting goals for your employees is an important factor in growing your business. You or your employee should establish what those goals are and should work together to make sure that they have what they need to succeed. Set clear milestones and reward structures.  Create an Open Door for Opinions Internal suggestions and critiques are incredibly important to keep your practice growing and innovating. Allowing your employees to submit those opinions in a way that lets them feel safe is also an important element if you want honesty. In addition to safety, the opinions should be “weighted” towards the employee’s own expertise. That doesn’t mean that other opinions don’t matter, but it can give you a clearer sense of direction.  Recognize Team Members There are a million ways that your team can go above and beyond. Giving equal recognition regardless of hierarchy is very important. Even if the role is deemed as “less important”, their hard work shouldn’t go unnoticed. Give Feedback ASAP It’s always better to address it immediately regardless of how small or large the issue may be. By communicating quickly, you’re able to get your thoughts out before frustration can build up. Invest in the “A” Players Your “B” and “C” players may be the ones who make the most mistakes and often seem like they require the most correction and attention, but by putting the same amount of extra effort into the “A” player can allow them to grow by leaps and bounds. Links: Principles: Your Guided Journal Scaling Up Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business You can reach Jack at: jack@zindalaw.com 512-246-2224

Summary In this episode, Zinda Law Group’s Chief Marketing Officer, Kevin Tully, sits down with Zinda Law Group CEO and founder, Jack Zinda to talk about effective management practices for your personal injury law firm.  Discussed in this Episode: Define your team’s responsibilities KPI scoreboards Communication in the hybrid/remote era Outlines and scripts Define Your Team’s Responsibilities Every team needs to be organized and it all starts with you. Having a firm grasp on what your business needs to be successful will go a long way when it comes to delegating responsibilities. Each team member should have an “area of focus” where their expertise comes into play. Sometimes it’s as simple as asking yourself “what does X do everyday?”. Once established, create a KPI that can track their performance over time. Finally, express what their responsibilities are and give them the tools to achieve it.  KPI Scoreboards Public scoreboards can be a great tool for group accountability, increased performance and team comradery. Creating positive competition can work well when done properly, but you must be careful that it doesn’t become demoralizing. Short competitions are better as they prevent a few players from pulling away and thus making the rest of the group feel like they’re unable to win.    Communication in the Hybrid/Remote Era Even lawyers can struggle with honest, direct communication. Especially when the face-to-face element has been altered. Developing a management style based on empathy and vulnerability goes a long way to create trust in you as a manager. When it comes to communication there are four factors at play: 1. What you meant to say 2. What you actually said 3. What the person heard and 4. How they understood it. Addressing each of these points when trying to convey an idea (especially a critique) is crucial to ensuring that both parties understand the expectations and are capable of achieving them.  Outlines and Scripts Come prepared when opening up lines of communication. It may be tempting to go off the cuff, but having your thoughts written down will keep you on task. Remember to include personal mistakes as well. Nothing humanizes your conversation more than a moment of vulnerability. Links: Principles: Your Guided Journal You can reach Jack at: jack@zindalaw.com 512-246-2224

Summary In this episode, Zinda Law Group CEO and founder, Jack Zinda, gives you quick tips on what to do when attending your first personal injury hearing. Discussed in this Episode: Read the local rules Understand your judge What’s your objective? Read the Local Rules This step may feel simple, but before you do anything make sure you’re completely comfortable with the rules and regulations of the specific state or county you’re working in. You may find yourself facing problem after problem if you don’t take the time to understand the small differences.  Understand Your Judge Each judge is different and has unique quirks and communication styles. If you aren’t sure, talk with colleagues or attend a trial to gain a better understanding of how they run their courtroom. Try to give your judge the benefit of the doubt and know that each judge will rule differently. There will be certain cases that judges prefer over others, if you can learn that information, it can be helpful in the level of organization that’s required to plead your case. What’s Your Objective? Don’t approach your case to win for the sake of winning. Be nuanced and fair when asking for a discovery and don’t try to take everything just because it’s available to you. Be organized, calm and reasonable at all times. If you don’t think you’ll be able to get everything you want, have a fallback position ready. This can show that you’re willing to compromise and further sell your case to the judge that your positions are reasonable. You can reach Jack at: jack@zindalaw.com 512-246-2224

Summary In this episode, Zinda Law Group CEO and founder, Jack Zinda, gives you quick tips on what to do when attending your first personal injury mediation. Discussed in this Episode: What is my objective? Who’s going to attend mediation? Understand your case’s value Preparing your Client for Mediation Be prepared to walk away at the right time What is My Objective? Jack lays out his three reasons for mediation: 1. To gather information 2. To set the defense up to resolve the case 3. To resolve the case. Mediation doesn’t necessarily mean resolution, but by having everyone involved in the case in the same room, you can make a lot of progress towards a final result. Who’s Going to Attend Mediation? Get in writing who’s going to be attending in order to understand what level of authority the various participants have. Reference that lit against local rules to further your understanding of what leverage you may have.  Understand Your Case’s Value  If your case is high value, there are often additional steps needed before beginning a mediation. The defendant may need higher authority to approve a certain amount of money and not communicating those numbers beforehand will only delay a resolution. There are many ways to decide on a value, but once you do, stick to it and be decisive.   Preparing Your Client for Mediation The client’s role in mediation is to listen and take instruction from you as their lawyer. In order to keep them feeling comfortable and even able to hold a “poker face”, running them through the order of proceedings is important. Always remember that there is no such thing as over-preparing your client. If you feel that your client needs more time or more practice, don’t hesitate to offer it. Be Prepared to Walk Away at the Right Time Walking away is a tool to help facilitate a result. Knowing when the defendant is bluffing or doesn’t have the means to fulfill your request can help maintain leverage. Once this has happened the case can resolve in two ways: 1. The mediator's proposal. Where the mediator provides a number that they best believe can resolve the case and 2. Direct contact with the defense willing to reopen negotiations.  You can reach Jack at: jack@zindalaw.com 512-246-2224

Summary In this episode, Zinda Law Group CEO and founder, Jack Zinda, gives you quick tips on how to handle fire injury cases. Discussed in this Episode: Get to the scene early Don’t rely on the government report Don’t send someone else to the scene Find a fire cause origin expert What other experts do you need? Get to the Scene Early During cleanup evidence can be destroyed, so it’s imperative that you get to the scene as soon as possible. Even a week can be too long to wait.  Don’t Rely on the Government Report Government reports often don’t tell the full story as they have different objectives than you or your client do.  Don’t Send Someone Else to the Scene Make sure that you or a lawyer you trust is able to physically review the scene. You may find more than just physical evidence, including eyewitness testimony. Find a Fire Cause Origin Expert Getting an expert on the scene as fast as possible is crucial. Make sure you have someone ready to call when the case presents itself. What Other Experts Do You Need? Once you’ve established the origin of the fire, you may need an expert in a specific field. For example: a washer/dryer repairman to assess if the cause was faulty equipment or improper installation.  You can reach Jack at: jack@zindalaw.com 512-246-2224

In this episode, Zinda Law Group CEO and founder, Jack Zinda talks about everything you need to know about effective team structures within a law firm. Discussed in this Episode: What type of Firm do you want to be? A functional vs. team-based approach Focus on management Your Non-legal departments What Type of Firm Do You Want to be? If you’re just starting out, it’s important to envision what you want your firm to look like. That includes establishing what types of employees your firm will need. This is adjustable depending on the type of firm, but creating a list of the ideal teammates is a great base to build on.  A Functional Vs. Team-Based Approach There are a few ways to divide your firm’s workload. With a function based approach, you assign your teams based on their function in the firm. With a team-based approach, each team consists of a number of different functions. Each approach has its own merit, depending on how your firm is set up. Focus on Management A team can’t succeed without the right manager. Depending on the type of team structure you might look for different management styles. Management is not an easy thing to train and more often than not, a lawyer is not going to be the best fit for that position. Hiring someone with specific management skills is much more effective than teaching a lawyer to do the job.  Your Non-Legal Departments Who owns the functional accountability among business, money and office management? It’s not just about creating teams for your case work. Being intentional about who controls these departments is crucial to effective and efficient business operations.  Links: Scaling Up Good to Great You can reach Jack at: jack@zindalaw.com 512-246-2224

In this episode, Zinda Law Group CEO and founder, Jack Zinda, gives you quick tips on how tomanage case expenses at a personal injury law firm.Discussed in this Episode: Track your case expenses How much to spend on cases Consider a line of credit Don’t invest before you know Evaluate your Case Expenses Track Your Case ExpensesRegardless of how new your practice is, hiring a bookkeeper or at least getting expense trackingsoftware is a crucial element of successful money management. How Much to Spend on CasesBefore you begin to spend money on a case, make sure that you have a percentage of totalvalue in place to ensure that the case is profitable. Properly evaluating the value of a case is themost important step in this process. Consider a Line of CreditIt’s often important to maintain a certain level of capital to pay for things like payroll. Having anadditional credit resource can go a long way to ensure that you’ll have funds when needed. Don’t Invest Before You KnowRefrain from using funds towards a case until you’re certain that the appropriate value is there.There are certain cases that require funds to be accessed before that point, but waiting 30 daysto properly examine the case is the best practice. Evaluate Your Case Expenses As you complete cases, go back and reevaluate your expenses and adjust as needed. Don’t putall of your eggs in one basket. While it may be exciting to take on a large case, if you don’t getthe return you expect, you may end up out of practice before you know it. You can reach Jack at:jack@zindalaw.com512-246-2224

Summary:In this episode, Zinda Law Group CEO and founder, Jack Zinda, gives you steps for decreasing the resolve time for a personal injury lawsuit. Discussed in this episode:•    Maximize your value in the least amount of time possible•    Create a timeline•    Pre-planning•    How to get around insurance company tactics Maximize your value in the least amount of time possibleIn solving a personal injury case, your objective should be to maximize the case value in the least amount of time possible. This doesn’t mean that the case should get tried sooner than it should be or that you should settle for the sake of time and walk away with less money. Rather, this means that you should look for opportunities to decrease the amount of time each aspect of the case takes. Create a TimelineIn order to accomplish this, you should create a case timeline. Within two weeks, you should establish what happened, liability, and the source of recovery in addition to discerning how catastrophic a client’s injuries are. After you file the lawsuit, make sure you have a deadline to get the defendant served and measure how long each inflection point of the case should take. Pre-PlanningBefore voicing your client’s demands, you need to know 1) what the case is worth, 2) what monetary number an insurance company or entity can initially offer that will indicate they are not serious about compensation, and 3) what monetary number an insurance company or entity can initially offer that will be acceptable. How to get around insurance company tacticsInsurance companies use tactics to slow down personal injury cases such as hiring overworked law firms and utilizing their own company lawyers. To get around these tactics, you should point out to the judge the logic behind them. Insurance companies also tend to ask judges for extended expert designation deadlines in addition to intentionally not scheduling depositions ahead of time. The way around these tactics is to send letters reminding the defendant of upcoming deadlines. With these reminders in place, judges are less likely to grant extensions. 

In this episode, Jack discusses how to increase the average value of a case. He shares tips and tactics such as valuing the quality of a case over quantity of cases, having a strong knowledge of your case, knowing your client's personal story, understanding the elements of liability and damages within your case, and running up the score on loss of earning capacity.   

Summary In this episode, Zinda Law Group CEO and founder, Jack Zinda, gives you quick tips on how to become a great personal injury lawyer. There’s more to it than having a nickname and fancy marketing! Discussed in this Episode: Is this what I want to do? Make a list Get repetitions  Is This What I Want to Do? It’s impossible to have the drive to be great if you’re not in love with what you do. You must first identify what you love about being a lawyer and hyper focus on that area.  Make a List Make a list of the types of cases you’re passionate about, other lawyers you look up to, and what makes those lawyer’s practice’s special. Get Repetitions Once you figure out what you’re passionate about, get as much experience with that type of case as you can. That might mean volunteering time for another lawyer or doing research about the subject.     You can reach Jack at: jack@zindalaw.com 512-246-2224

Summary  In this episode Jack talks about how to manage vendors and consultants at a law firm. We cover the pitfalls to look out for and the best practices needed to get the best return on your investment.   Discussed in this episode:   How to hire the best vendors  How to manage vendors  Goal setting and KPIs  When to part ways  And much more    As always, feel free to contact us for more information on this topic.     You can reach Jack at:  jack@zindalaw.com  866-578-0982   

Summary In this episode, Zinda Law Group CEO and founder, Jack Zinda, gives you quick tips on how to give yourself the best chance of landing a job at a firm. Discussed in this Episode: Customize your resume Identify the firms Look for Opportunities How can you help the firm? Customize Your Resume Why do you want to work for a particular firm? Be specific with your resume and share your intentions. When you join a firm, you’re a part of a team and a generic resume doesn’t show why you’d be a good fit. Identify the Firms Find 3 law firms that you really like and get to know everything about them. For one, so you can give a good interview and two, so you can know if you really want to work there. Look for Opportunities Don’t just submit resumes, look for events or other opportunities to meet lawyers. Sometimes all it takes is one really good recommendation from a trial lawyer.     How Can You Help the Firm? It’s not about how they can help you. If you want to get hired, you need to be able to show what qualities you can bring to the table.  You can reach Jack at: jack@zindalaw.com 512-246-2224

Discussed in this Episode: Identify the client  Ensure there are no conflicts Get the credentials Know your client’s story Identify the source of recovery Identify the Client Just because they are a family member, does not mean they have the right to file the lawsuit.  Ensure There are no Conflicts If you’re dealing with multiple people, make sure that they are on the same page. Family can be difficult, especially while ensuring a tragic event.  Get the Credentials  In addition to identifying the client, you also have to verify that they are who they say they are and have access to important information like the death certificate. Know Your Client’s Story It’s not just about financial damages, it’s also about the loss of a person. Was that person well liked and respected by their family, friends, co-workers, etc? You must be able to tell their story in a way that shows how their absence negatively affects the people around them. Identify the Source of Recovery If there isn’t any method of significant financial recovery, then you’re doing you and your client a disservice.

Discussed in this Episode: Make sure you’re the best Be confident & empathetic Be prepared & stay calm Practice makes perfect Make Sure You’re the Best It’s not about being the best law firm in the world, but you must be the best law firm for their specific case. Don’t get caught up in trying to be everything for everyone, promote what you’re the best at and provide consistent results. Be Confident & Empathic Lead with empathy and your client will see your confidence. Talking to someone person-to-person instead of just looking at the numbers will go a long way. Be Prepared & Stay Calm The more prepared you are, the more calm you will be. A calm person is a confident person and your client will be able to notice the difference.  Practice Makes Perfect There’s no limit to how much you can or should practice. Practice in front of a mirror, in front of your spouse or trusted friend, while you’re driving or any time possible. You can reach Jack at: jack@zindalaw.com 512-246-2224

Discussed in this episode:  Investing in continuing education  Putting together a syllabus of educational materials  Investing in Continuing Education When it comes to CLEs, you want to be intentional about the programs you attend. If you are a personal injury lawyer, for example, you wouldn't attend a program unrelated to your field. Creating a Syllabus of Educational Materials Next, create a syllabus of educational materials that will help you master your craft. Then, spend 15 minutes per day mastering your craft or improving yourself. The important thing here is to start small. Ask someone to hold yourself accountable and make sure you have the materials you need on-hand. 

Discussed in this Episode: What are core principles? Zinda Law Group’s core principles Should your core principles evolve? How do you apply them? Holding your employees (and yourself) accountable  What Are Core Principles? Your core principals are your “bill of rights” that all decisions are based on. A mission statement or “core purpose” describes who you are. Your core principles are the action steps to achieve that mission statement.  Zinda Law Group’s Core Principles Jack breaks down how Zinda Law Group established their core principles and explains what they are. 1. Failure’s not an option: “By doing the little things right… that leads to really big results”. 2. It’s only the best: Everyone at the law firm must be an A player in their role. 3. We’re going to outwork our opponent: “if there’s a problem on a case, we’re not going to give up until we find a solution. 4. We all take out the trash: Everyone will be treated equally 5. We make data driven decisions. Should Your Core Principles Evolve? Revisit no less than once a year. Core principles shouldn’t be something that easily changes, but they should be reevaluated often and make tweaks when necessary. Look 10 years into the future, will your core principles make sense as your practice grows?  How Do You Apply Them? Repeat them often. Bring up your core principles at every opportunity. Put your core principles in your job posting to keep the wrong people from applying. “The People Analyzer” is a tool they use to determine how consistent their employees are with their core principles and is also used to determine raises, hirings, firings etc.  Holding Your Employees (and Yourself) Accountable One of the most difficult things to do is release an employee who is a great worker, but doesn’t mesh with company culture. Look in the mirror and make sure you’re adhering to your own values. If you aren’t following the practices core principles, then why would your employees? If no effort is made, releasing that “star” employee is the right thing to do. You can reach Jack at: jack@zindalaw.com 512-246-2224 Links: Trillion Dollar Coach

Discussed in this Episode: Why is deposition preparation important? Preparation steps  Mock deposition Why is Deposition Preparation Important? How your client does in a deposition will make or break how the defense evaluates your case. You cannot put too much time into a deposition.  Preparation Steps These steps will allow you to properly prepare for the deposition. 1. Understand the defense’s case. 2. Make sure the client understands what the setting will be like 3. Do not overload the client with too much information. 4. Make sure the client knows to tell the truth.  Mock Deposition Get your client familiar with the process by practicing with someone else from your staff. If your client is struggling with a mock deposition, the worst thing you can do is add negativity to the situation. Keep your client feeling positive. You can reach Jack at: jack@zindalaw.com 512-246-2224

Discussed in this Episode: What is a “big case”? How to acquire a “big case” Marketing Strategies Putting it all together What is a “Big Case”? “Try to get as specific as you can by identifying what your case is that you’re targeting, that’s step one.” Before attempting to land a big case, you first need to determine what a big case means to your firm. A big case is typically a case with an excess amount of potential value. “If 100% of your cases are considered big cases, you need to reevaluate what a big case means to you." How to Acquire a “Big Case” “Become an expert in that area.” It’s important to be prepared when searching for big cases. You don’t want to feel like a fraud when a big case presents itself. Create the profile of the ideal client. What would they have gone through? What type of person are they? Although wealthy clients can file a wrongful death claim, it’s typically people who don’t have the means to live without that person’s income that look for a lawyer. Marketing Strategies First, you need to budget not only your money, but also time by placing a value on it. Big cases may require more effort than you’re used to putting and establishing what you’re willing to spend (in both time and money) is an important step in achieving your goals. “Be aggressive, but be realistic.” Finding sources through referrals, personal connections and advertising are the best ways to establish your credibility as someone who takes on “big cases.”   Putting it All Together The only way to truly see success is to take all of the elements listed above and actively apply them to your practice. “This frankly, is where most people give up… a lot of this is elbow grease and being willing to put in the time and energy to make it happen.” You don’t need to do everything all at once, you just need to find your niche and press into it.    You can reach Jack at: jack@zindalaw.com 512-246-2224

Discussed in this Episode: What is the role of an executive team? Executive team evolving as your business evolves Topics of conversation Meeting decorum Avoiding blindspots What is the Role of an Executive Team? Jack talks about the various types of people who should be a part of your executive team. These people are typically department heads or leaders in their specific area of the business. While it may be uncommon for law firms to have an executive team, they can be powerful tools to keep each other accountable and moving forward in the same direction. Executive Team Evolving as Your Business Evolves It can be lonely at the top. Installing an executive team will not only allow you share the burdens, but also workshop ideas and celebrate the victories together. Even if your organization is only 7-10 people, an executive team will ensure that nothing slips through the cracks.  Topics of Conversation “Every executive team meeting, you want to cover at least the main KPIs of your organization”. Revisiting your primary objectives is a great way to make sure that you’re on track or to course correct if needed. Sharing personal or KPI victories is a great way to start the meeting on a positive note. Sending out potential topics of conversation beforehand can give the team time to prepare.  Meeting Decorum Not everyone on your executive team is going to be the same personality or have the same primary topics of discussion. If your meeting contains both lawyers and non-laywers, you must learn each other’s communication styles and give space for your team. Not just try to win the debate. If you’re the CEO, delegating responsibility is important. It may not be in your best interest to be in charge of the agenda. You should be an active participant as well. Avoiding Blindspots As your organization scales up, the probability of dysfuction or systematic problems increases. Putting systems in place to continually check the health of your business is crucial to thriving. If you’re noticing consistent patterns of poor performance, the best thing you can do as an executive team is to avoid blaming the single person and look at the bigger picture together. You can reach Jack at: jack@zindalaw.com 512-246-2224 Links: Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business Scaling up: How a Few Companies Make it… and Why the Rest Don’t The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable