Founding Partner Podcast

The Founding Partner Podcast follows host Jonathan Hawkins as he interviews the founders of successful law firms across the country. Get the inside scoop on how these legal trailblazers built their firms from the ground up. Learn about their origin stories, the challenges they faced, and the lessons they learned along the way. Whether you're an aspiring lawyer looking to start your own firm someday or just interested in the behind-the-scenes world of law firm entrepreneurship, the Founding Partner Podcast offers an educational, insightful, and entertaining look at what it takes to establish and grow a successful law practice in today's competitive legal market.

Pursuing Your “Love & Great” with Adam Rossen
Apr 15, 2025 – 01:05:46
From Boardrooms to Boutique Law: My Conversation with Josh Watts on Entrepreneurial Legal Innovation
Apr 8, 2025 – 55:56
A Mother’s Message to Her Daughter with Michelle Wilson
Apr 1, 2025 – 01:06:35
Law Firm General Counsel: My Conversation with Jeff Cunningham
Mar 25, 2025 – 01:05:14
Athlete, Musician, Lawyer with John Griffith
Mar 18, 2025 – 57:47
Finding Clarity in the Chaos: My Conversation with Criminal Defense Maverick Ben Sessions
Mar 11, 2025 – 01:00:30
Blue Skies and Bold Moves with Mitesh Patel
Mar 4, 2025 – 01:03:24
Niching Down in a Smaller Market
Feb 25, 2025 – 58:13
Hustling Towards a Very Big Goal
Feb 18, 2025 – 59:26
The Early Grind of Starting a Firm
Feb 11, 2025 – 52:41
Growing a Big Family Law Practice
Feb 4, 2025 – 58:25
O.G. Legal Entrepreneur
Jan 28, 2025 – 56:54
Less Than a Year In
Jan 21, 2025 – 01:01:34
Not Every Wave Is Your Wave
Jan 14, 2025 – 54:22
The Subscription Attorney
Jan 7, 2025 – 59:15
The Tech-Savvy Attorney Revolutionizing Legal Practice with AI
Dec 31, 2024 – 58:11
Balancing Family and Law Firm Success with Brandon Osterbind
Dec 24, 2024 – 54:18
Developing a New Practice Area with Clayton Cain
Dec 17, 2024 – 58:52
Building a Law Firm from Scratch Alexis Johnson's Journey to Success
Dec 10, 2024 – 01:00:26
Embracing TikTok and Change with Adrienne Hines
Dec 3, 2024 – 59:53
Using a Business Background to Build a Law Firm
Nov 26, 2024 – 01:00:52
Canadian Insights: Kendelle Pollitt on Articling, Law, and Family Mediation
Nov 19, 2024 – 47:03
Running a Practice and Traveling ... A Lot
Nov 12, 2024 – 54:29
Building a National Firm in a Small Town
Nov 5, 2024 – 50:47
Effective Grass Roots Marketing with Len Spada
Oct 29, 2024 – 01:00:45
Starting a Big Ticket Plaintiff's Contingency Practice
Oct 22, 2024 – 56:46
Operating Two Separate Law Firms with Owen McGrann
Oct 15, 2024 – 59:06
Navigating Changes in Law Firm Business Model
Oct 8, 2024 – 53:08
Building a Large Law Firm from Zero
Oct 1, 2024 – 42:08
Deciding to Grow His Law Firm
Sep 24, 2024 – 45:34
4-Time Founder with Ryan McKeen
Sep 17, 2024 – 52:28
Lessons Learned in College Athletics to Propel Her Law Firm
Sep 10, 2024 – 53:24
Scale to Exit Your Law Firm with Ed Alexander
Sep 3, 2024 – 01:01:14
Iowa's Trucking Lawyer with Tim Semelroth
Aug 27, 2024 – 56:55
Dax Lopez on Transitioning from Judge to Trial Lawyer and Achieving Multi-Million Verdicts
Aug 20, 2024 – 01:11:31
Building a Firm with Grass Roots Marketing
Aug 13, 2024 – 58:35
Balancing Law Firm Growth and Client Work with Sarah Jacobs
Aug 6, 2024 – 54:49
The Delicious Grind: Sonia Lakhany on Trademark Law and Entrepreneurial Success
Jul 30, 2024 – 01:10:57
You Can Sell Your Law Firm
Jul 23, 2024 – 01:00:28
Not Afraid to Pivot
Jul 16, 2024 – 01:00:41
To Grow or Not to Grow
Jul 9, 2024 – 45:05
From 8 Lawyers to AmLaw 200
Jul 2, 2024 – 01:00:30
From Small Town to Big Law to Her Own Firm
Jun 25, 2024 – 51:24
Using AI as a Law Firm Differentiator
Jun 18, 2024 – 58:40
Betting on Yourself with Jess Davis of Davis Adams
Jun 11, 2024 – 01:08:47
Building a Successful Law Firm: Darl Champion's Journey and Insights on Growth, Marketing, and Culture
Jun 4, 2024 – 01:02:16
Brian Glass on Law Firm Growth: Mastering Marketing, Hiring, and Leveraging an EA
May 28, 2024 – 59:13
Dewnya Bazzi's Journey from Personal Injury to Full-Service Law Firm Success
May 21, 2024 – 01:00:38
Christian Simpson: From Pro Basketball to Personal Injury Law
May 14, 2024 – 52:25
Growing a Law Firm and Embracing Sales with Marco Brown
May 7, 2024 – 58:01

Recent Reviews

CharlesScottLaw.com

Inspiring stories!

I enjoy the podcast. I love to hear how others have been successful starting and running their law practices.
DClaw202

Practical, Must-Listen for Serious Law Firm Owners

The Founding Partner Podcast is a must-listen for any law firm owner (solo to multi-partner) who’s serious about growing and protecting their business. The insights I get from Jonathan and his guests are equal parts practical and motivating—I get tons of actionable advice to build a law firm the right way and to navigate growth from the people who’ve actually done it successfully. And it’s a great pod to listen to in the gym!
fourfingers

Where else can lawyers get this kind of insight?

What an amazing resource for lawyers everywhere to learn about different ways to practice law! I wish I’d had this podcast 20 years ago… oh the things I’d have done differently. Nevertheless, my mind is now open to so many new opportunities and I’ve learned it’s never too late to pivot!
Tim Semelroth

Jonathan knows what makes lawyers and law firms tick

Jonathan Hawkins gets his guests to give an insider’s view of their legal journey, their law firm and what it takes to succeed in the business of law. This is a must-listen for anyone who aspires to a successful legal career.
David Jaffer

Content Review

Great guests and practical advice for any lawyer.
Ludwig van Bayblade

Brilliantly done!

I have been binging the episodes of the podcast, and I’ve noted several to listen to again. It has introduced me to several new perspectives on key aspects of my firm. As lawyers, we sometimes feel apprehensive about getting too focused on the business side of law practice. But Jonathan does an excellent job selecting guests who convey an ethical approach to smart business practices. I am grateful for the content and for the time Jonathan has spent creating it!
JessDavisIII

Essential listening for any lawyer

For any lawyer who's seriously interested in growing a practice or a firm, this podcast is required listening. Every episode provides something interesting you can use. Great stuff.
CharleyMann

Brings together new voices

The show is excellent and brings together people and ideas you won’t hear on other lawyer-focused podcasts. Definitely a hidden (but hopefully not for long) gem for lawyers and firm owners.
JM41978

Inspiring!

Great interviews, this podcast will get you excited to practice law!
FletcherB1212

Great content!

Very good guests and advice. Definitely recommend!
Shopppasaurus

Great resource for those looking to go solo

I’ve only finished one episode so far (but it won’t be my last), and I need to re-listen to it just to take some notes! Great resource and encouraging stories for the post-Foonberg modern pre-solo attorneys.
@TheLawFirmGC

A Must Listen for any lawyers

Great content and focus. This is such a valuable series for lawyers: law firm leaders or otherwise. Great guests and conversations, thank you!
Minelody

Insightful!

Great podcast! Jonathan is very personable and discusses with successful attorney entrepreneurs their journey. Highly recommend.
Jwoo (Business Litigator)

Excellent investment of your time!

Jonathan Hawkins is an engaging interviewer, and his guests are top notch. Because of his own background, and his focus here on founding law partners, his podcasts are brimming with innovative ideas.
Hueyproductions

Incredible interviewer makes for an incredible podcast

There are levels to being able to conduct a interview that makes for a powerful conversation, and Jonathan shows his superpowers off with his ability to craft an engaging conversation that provides tons of value for his target audience of entrepreneurially minded lawyers. This is a no-brainer of an addition to my listening queue.
Trizna23

A Must Listen for any Founding Partner, or entrepreneur

Very informative! This show presents an inside scoop from successful law firm founders; well worth a listen for anyone starting out, or those who have founded their own firm.