Join Josh Gerben as he chats with Ryan McKeen, a former personal injury attorney who made the leap from law firm ownership to founding Best Era, a consultancy for lawyers seeking more effective business operations.
In Episode 43, Josh and Ryan explore the nuances of transitioning from legal practice to consultancy, including team growth, financial management, and crafting a sustainable practice vision. This episode is a must-listen for law firm owners interested in practical strategies for navigating the complex business side of law,
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0:00 – Intro
0:45 – Meet Ryan McKeen
1:17 – How Ryan went from lawyer to legal consultant
3:09 – Finding work that energizes you
4:32 – Making the decision to leave a law practice
6:09 – Selling an exiting a law firm
8:34 – The perks to starting a business when you’re older
12:05 – Optimize your law practice: Remove business disorganization
14:35 – Optimize your law practice: Align business vision with goals
16:01 – Optimize your law practice: Properly staff your firm
19:44 – What profit margins should firm owners strive to hit?
23:18 – This Episode Sponsored by Gerben IP
24:55 – Understaffing is the biggest problem for most firms
28:01 – The growing phases of a law practice
28:56 – Optimize your law practice: Know when to hire non-legal specialists
32:40 – Maintaining quality of legal service while adding attorneys to your practice
35:08 – Optimize your law practice: Have an onboarding program
38:48 – How Ryan came up with the Best Era name
39:57 – Outro Ad
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About Ryan McKeen
Ryan is the co-founder of and consultant at Best Era, LLC. His extensive background as a lawyer and law firm owner fuels his dedication to helping the legal community thrive. With over 18 years of experience in trial and litigation, Ryan has led Connecticut Trial Firm to significant achievements, including a landmark $100 million jury verdict.
Committed to enriching the legal profession, Ryan shares his insights through writing and speaking. He is the co-author of the best-selling books Tiger Tactics: Powerful Strategies for Winning Law Firms and CEO Edition. He is also a sought-after speaker at national legal conferences, presenting on topics such as innovative marketing, artificial intelligence, the future of law, and effective management.
Under Ryan’s leadership, Connecticut Trial Firm has garnered prestigious accolades, including membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and repeated recognition as an Inc. 5000 firm. In 2023 and 2024, the Hartford Business Journal named the firm the third best place to work in Connecticut, and Law Firm 500 ranked it as the tenth fastest-growing firm in the United States.
In addition to his consulting work, Ryan serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Connecticut School of Law and as an instructor of trial advocacy at Yale Law School.
Connect with Ryan McKeen and Best Era:
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If you have any questions about starting or running a law practice, feel free to send me an email at josh@joshgerben.com or jgerben@gerbenlawfirm.com.
You can also follow the show on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
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Josh Gerben is a nationally recognized trademark attorney and sought-after thought leader for the national news media. In 2008, Josh founded Gerben IP, a boutique intellectual property firm, with the goal of providing businesses, individuals, and their attorneys with a way to protect their growing brands with the help of experienced attorneys, and without breaking the bank.
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Sponsor Information:
This episode is brought to you by Gerben IP, a premier boutique law firm specializing in intellectual property. While primarily focusing on trademark law, Gerben IP also offers expert assistance for copyright and patent matters. Its team of dedicated attorneys serves clients across all 50 states in the U.S. and in over 30 countries worldwide, ensuring comprehensive protection for your innovations and creative assets.