Behind the Bench brings you the raw, untold truths of building and running a law practice, the unheard moments from your favourite legal voices.
Hosted by Daniel Steinberg (Founder & CEO of Lawbrokr), each episode features unfiltered conversations with law firm leaders, founders, and operators, diving into what really happens behind growth, failure, pressure, and leadership.
No fluff. No scripts. No BS. Just the real stories that happen behind the bench.
How Relationships Built the Playbook for Building in Law & Tech w/ Bob Simon
What if the real advantage in law and tech isn’t tactics, but relationships? In this episode, Daniel sits down with Bob Simon to break down how building and investing in the right relationships became the foundation for everything he’s created, from his law firm to his tech company and Justice HQ. Rather than chasing shortcuts, Bob shares how consistently showing up, building trust, and staying connected has shaped his entire playbook for growth. They dive into how relationships translate int...
18 Aug 2026
How Lisandro Matos Built a Law Practice Through Language and Personal Branding
What if your biggest advantage isn’t scale, but specificity? In this episode, Daniel sits down with Lisandro Matos to unpack how leaning into a language niche, combined with a strong personal brand, became the foundation for building a thriving practice. Rather than trying to serve everyone, Lisandro shares how focusing on a specific community created deeper trust, stronger referrals, and faster growth. They dive into how language can be a true differentiator in legal services, why personal b...
4 Aug 2026
Built on People: How Greg Gilston Is Growing a Law Firm and Consultancy at the Same Time
What does it look like to build from scratch, while building around people at the same time? In this episode, Daniel sits down with Greg Gilston to unpack the reality of starting a law firm from the ground up, while also building a consultancy rooted in people, relationships, and long-term value. Greg shares how he’s approached both ventures with intention, balancing the demands of growth with a clear focus on culture and human connection. They dive into what it takes to build without a legac...
21 Jul 2026
Clarity Wins: How Brian Glass Builds Law Firms That Grow With Focus and Discipline
What if the biggest unlock for growth isn’t doing more, but doing the right things, consistently? In this episode, Daniel sits down with Brian Glass to break down how clarity, focus, and disciplined execution have shaped the way he builds and advises law firms. In a space full of noise, new tools, and constant change, Brian shares why narrowing your priorities is often the fastest path to real results. They dive into how firms can cut through distractions, align their teams around what actual...
7 Jul 2026
Suits Optional: How Patrick Patino Built High Five Legal With Casual Branding That Converts
What if the fastest way to stand out in law is to stop looking like a lawyer? In this episode, Daniel sits down with Patrick Patino, founder of High Five Legal, to unpack how leaning into a more casual, authentic brand, think backward hats, hoodies, and real personality, has helped him cut through the noise and connect with modern clients. They dive into why traditional legal branding often falls flat, how Patrick made the decision to show up differently, and what happens when you prioritize ...
23 Jun 2026
Beyond the Firm: How Kellam Parks Built a Law Practice and a Consultancy That Fuels It
What happens when you don’t just build a law firm, but an ecosystem around it? In this episode, Daniel sits down with Kellam Parks of Parks Zeigler to unpack how expanding beyond the traditional firm model, through consulting, strategy, and broader advisory work, has shaped both his growth and perspective. Rather than keeping everything inside the firm, Kellam shares how building alongside it has created new opportunities, insights, and leverage. They dive into why thinking beyond billable wo...
9 Jun 2026
Built on Culture, How Jonathan Merel Turned Values Into a Winning Law Firm
What if culture isn’t a buzzword, but the foundation of growth? In this episode, Daniel sits down with Jonathan Merel to break down how building a strong, intentional culture became the backbone of his practice. From hiring to leadership to client experience, Jonathan shares how aligning values across the firm has driven performance, retention, and long-term success. They dive into what culture actually looks like in a high-performing law firm, how to create accountability without losing buy-...
26 May 2026
The Hometown Advantage - How Joshua Hodges Built a Law Firm on Trust, Community, and Consistency
What if the biggest growth advantage isn’t scale, it’s staying local? In this episode, Daniel sits down with Joshua Hodges, known as the Hometown Lawyer, to unpack how leaning into community, reputation, and consistency can outperform flashy marketing and rapid expansion. Joshua shares how building deep roots in a single market has allowed him to create trust at scale, becoming the go-to name where it matters most. They dive into what it really means to be a “hometown” firm in today’s digital...
12 May 2026
Two Engines, One Vision: How Jason Melton Built His Law Firm and Regents
What does it take to build not just a law firm, but something alongside it that expands the vision? In this episode, Daniel sits down with Jason Melton to unpack how he’s built both his law firm and Regents, and how the two work together to create leverage, opportunity, and long-term growth. Rather than treating them as separate paths, Jason shares how each venture informs the other, shaping strategy, decision-making, and execution. They dive into the realities of building in two lanes at onc...
28 Apr 2026
Wasserman White's Playbook - Scaling From the Inside w/ Martha White
What does it actually take to scale a law firm from the inside? In this episode, Daniel sits down with Martha White to break down her role in joining Wasserman White with a clear mandate, help build the systems, structure, and discipline required to scale. Rather than growth happening by chance, Martha shares how intentional execution behind the scenes is what turns a firm into a true growth engine. They dive into what most firms get wrong when trying to scale, why operations and leadership a...
14 Apr 2026
Built From Pain w/ Kurt London
What happens when your path into law is shaped by personal pain? In this episode, Daniel sits down with Kurt London to unpack how his own injuries didn’t just change his life, they became the foundation for the firm he built. What started as a deeply personal experience evolved into a clear mission, a sharper perspective on client care, and a different way of thinking about how a law firm should operate. Kurt shares how living through the client experience firsthand reshaped how he approaches...
31 Mar 2026
Betting on Yourself, Building a Practice Without a Safety Net w Mark Reel Jr.
What does it actually take to build a law firm when there’s no blueprint, no guarantees, and no room for hesitation? In this episode of Behind the Bench, Daniel sits down with Mark Reel Jr. for a raw conversation about the realities of betting on yourself in the legal industry. From the early uncertainty of starting out to building credibility in a space where reputation is everything, Mark shares the mindset, discipline, and decisions that shaped his journey. This isn’t about highlight reels...
17 Mar 2026
Leading with Heart in a High-Stakes Industry with Christopher Earley
What does it look like to build a law firm where empathy is the foundation, not just a buzzword? In this episode, Daniel sits down with Christopher Earley, Founder of Earley Law Group, to unpack how he’s built one of the most respected personal injury firms by putting people first, both clients and team. We get into the real side of running a law firm: the pressure, the responsibility, and the constant balancing act between growth and maintaining a high-touch client experience. Christopher sh...
3 Mar 2026
Pressure, Judgment, and Reputation w/ Nick Passalacqua
In this episode of Behind The Bench, Daniel Steinberg, Founder and CEO of Lawbrokr, sits down with Nick Passalacqua for a candid look inside the mindset of a trial lawyer operating under constant pressure. Nick breaks down what it really means to carry judgment and reputation into every decision, from preparing for high stakes cases to standing in front of a jury when outcomes truly matter. He opens up about the mental load of being the one clients rely on, the responsibility that comes with ...
17 Feb 2026
Building from Zero to Scale Alongside Family w/ Francesca Witzburg
In this episode of Behind the Bench, Daniel Steinberg sits down with Francesca Witzburg, Founder of ESCA Legal, for an honest conversation about what it really takes to build a law firm from the ground up, while doing it alongside family. Francesca shares how ESCA Legal grew from zero into a scaled practice, the realities of building a business with people you love, and the unique pressures that come with mixing family, leadership, and high-stakes client work. She opens up about the decisions...
2 Feb 2026
The Untold Truth Behind Building and Scaling a Modern Law Firm w/ Lee Rudin of Rudin Law
This episode is a raw look at what it actually takes to build authority, credibility, and a reputation-driven law firm in a competitive market, and the weight that comes with being the one clients rely on when the stakes are high. Daniel Steinberg, Founder and CEO of Lawbrokr, sits down with Lee Rudin of Rudin Law for an honest conversation about the realities of running a firm where results, judgment, and trust are everything. Lee opens up about the pressure behind major decisions, the respo...
19 Jan 2026
The Untold Truth Behind Building a Practice as a Social Media Influencer w/ Matt Margolis
This episode is an unfiltered look at what it really takes to build a modern law practice, and the sacrifices no one talks about. Daniel Steinberg (Founder & CEO of Lawbrokr) sits down with Matt Margolis, Managing Partner of Margolis PLLC and one of the most recognizable legal voices on social media, for a candid conversation on the behind-the-scenes reality of running a firm in today’s world. Matt breaks down what it’s actually like to scale a practice while staying true to your own stan...
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