Building Your Unique Legal Brand

From helicopter pub crawls in Southland to getting kicked out of university, building a computer business, selling it to a global giant, moving to Malaysia, then abandoning an entire market after discovering firms ran two sets of books, Doug Thomson’s journey eventually led him home to build OneLaw, one of New Zealand’s most trusted legal software systems.We cover:• How a Southland farm kid became a salesperson who ran his own computer company• Why Malaysia’s “shadow accounting” exposed a market no compliance product could fix• How a retired product left 600+ NZ law firms stranded—and created a once-in-a-generation opportunity• The three-year MVP grind, the quakes that slowed everything down, and the first customers who came on for free• How NZ’s unique trust accounting rules keep global competitors outWhether you’re building legal software, running a firm, or just curious how grit, timing, and a bit of chaos can create a world-class product from a small New Zealand town, this episode is for you. This episode is brought to you by VXT. The phone system built specifically for law firms.

Nick Abrahams has had one of the most unconventional careers in law.From starting a comedy club in Tokyo to attending film school in Los Angeles, helping run a dot-com during the boom (and bust), then returning to the law to become a partner at Norton Rose Fulbright, Nick has built a powerful and unique personal brand. We cover:How a Tokyo comedy club and sitcom became part of Nick’s legal detourWhat it was like working on ER and The West WingThe lessons he learned during the dot-com crashWhy going “off-track” helped him build a standout legal careerThe origin of Nick's business, LawPath and how it reached 500,000 customersHow AI is already changing how lawyers workWhy you don’t need a passion - you can build one through masteryWhat separates thriving lawyers from grinding ones‍Whether you’re just starting out in law, thinking about your next move, or curious how creativity, risk, and reinvention can lead to a career you actually enjoy this episode is for you.This episode is sponsored by VXT, the phone system built for law firms.

Hunter Steele grew up surrounded by small law. Now, as the founder and CEO of Smokeball, he’s built a legal tech company that helps small firms get more work done in less time.From his early days shadowing his father in a three-person law firm to knocking on doors in Naperville, Illinois, Hunter shares the journey of how Smokeball found product-market fit, expanded across three countries, and became one of the most popular practice management systems in Australia, the U.S. and the U.K. ‍We cover:How growing up in his Dad's small-town law firm shaped his vision for Smokeball How Smokeball got its first client in the U.S.Why small law firms struggle with running a business and how technology helpsWhat it takes to launch and scale a legal tech company across different regionsThe surprising success of Smokeball’s AI assistant, ArchieThe biggest lessons from leading a fast-growing legal tech companyWhy small law firms should be billing more for the work they do‍Whether you're building a legal tech company, running a small law firm, or interested in how great businesses are built, this episode is for you.This episode is brought to you by VXT, the phone system built for law firms.Connect VXT to your practice management system (like Smokeball), to sync your contacts, record time and automatically save AI phone transcripts and summaries to the right matter.

Early Stephens didn’t think legal tech would be exciting. Now, as CEO of Actionstep, he’s leading one of the fastest-scaling legal tech companies. From his early days in tech to learning from industry legends like Dave Duffield, Early has built his career around strategy, competition, and making the right moves. He shares how Actionstep tripled its team in just two years, why giving ownership to regional leaders was key, and what it takes to scale a legal tech company at speed.We cover: Why Early almost didn’t take the CEO role at Actionstep—and what changed his mind What he learned from working with tech pioneers like Dave Duffield How Actionstep scaled from 80 to 225+ employees in just two years Why giving ownership to leaders in different regions was key to growth How Actionstep’s workflow-driven practice management system sets it apart The reality of leading a high-growth legal tech company What makes a great company culture—and the toughest decisions along the wayIf you’re interested in leadership, scaling a business, or if you want to hear the story behind the practice management system you use, tune in!This episode is brought to you by VXT. VXT is a phone system built for law firms. By integrating with your practice management system, lawyers save an hour everyday on tasks like note-taking and time recording.

Helen Mackay, founder ofJuno Legal, joins us to talk about why she built a different kind of law firm. After working in-house for Nestlé and Novartis in London and later leading IPOs as a General Counsel in New Zealand, Helen saw firsthand that traditional law firms weren’t designed for lawyers who wanted flexibility. So, she built one that was.‍Juno Legal has grown from three lawyers to 33, offering senior in-house legal talent at a fraction of the cost of large firms, while giving lawyers the ability to work on their terms.‍We cover:Helen’s career journey from in-house lawyer to General Counsel to founderThe realities of leading an IPO while raising a familyWhy 30% of lawyers in New Zealand now work in-houseHow Juno provides businesses with expert in-house counsel exactly when they need itWhat makes a great Juno lawyer—and why the right client fit is just as importantHow Helen built a firm where lawyers can do great work and be happy‍If you’re interested in how legal careers are evolving, this episode breaks down what’s driving the shift to alternative legal careers, why businesses are rethinking how they access legal talent, and how lawyers can build careers on their terms, without sacrificing ambition or balance.This episode is brought to you byVXT, the only phone system built for law firms. Connect your phone to your practice management system to automatically save file notes and record your time from phone calls.

Mary Inman, a leading expert in whistleblower law with over 30 years of experience, joins us to share her incredible journey. As the founder of Whistleblow Law, Mary has dedicated her career to championing those who expose fraud and corporate misconduct. She’s played pivotal roles in high-profile whistleblower cases, including Theranos and Hyundai, and has worked globally to expand whistleblower protections. We cover: How whistleblower laws have changed over the years The rise of international whistleblower programs and their impact High-profile cases, including the tactics used to silence truth-tellers Advice for whistleblowers on navigating the risks The critical role journalists play in exposing fraud Mary’s insights into building trust with clients and starting her own firm If you’re curious about what it really takes to expose fraud or want a behind-the-scenes look at some of the biggest whistleblower cases, Mary’s stories shed light on the bravery and challenges involved in speaking up. This episode is brought to you by VXT, the phone system built for law firms.

David Lisitsa, founder and director of NewLaw and an expert in legal technology, walks us through the essential steps to implement a legal tech stack tailored to your firm’s needs. From understanding your firm’s requirements to evaluating different software, implementing and training, and optimizing systems post-implementation, this episode is packed with actionable advice. How to identify your firm’s tech requirements:Discover why defining inefficiencies and non-negotiables is critical before exploring legal tech solutions—and how failing to do so can lead to costly mistakes. The right way to evaluate legal tech:David explains how most firms don’t test systems properly and provides practical tips for evaluating features, integrations, and vendor claims to ensure your choice meets your firm’s needs. Different pieces of a tech stack:From practice management systems (PMS) to document management systems (DMS), client portals, VoIP phone systems, and trust accounting software, we discuss the features that matter most and why one system can no longer do it all. Planning for implementation:Learn how to budget for software beyond just subscription costs, including implementation, customization, and potential disruption to operations. Implementation and training:Tips for ensuring a smooth rollout, including staff training methods, test runs, and avoiding disruption during go-live. Post-implementation optimization:Why your tech journey doesn’t end after implementation and how ongoing reviews and phase-two planning can unlock even greater efficiency and profitability. Whether you’re looking to overhaul your existing tech stack or change one piece of your stack, this episode provides a comprehensive guide to making smarter decisions and avoiding common pitfalls. David’s expert advice is your shortcut to a more efficient and profitable practice. This episode is brought to you by VXT, the legal phone system that integrates with your practice management system.

Caralee Fontenele shares her incredible journey from starting law school in her 30s to taking over a law firm with significant debt and transforming it into a thriving seven-figure practice. Her story highlights determination, smart decision-making, and a passion for helping other law firm owners grow their businesses while avoiding burnout. We cover: How she balanced studying law, raising three children, and working full-time The challenges and strategies behind turning a struggling law firm into a profitable business The importance of niching down and building brand authority in a competitive legal market Smart hiring practices, systematization, and empowering teams to achieve scalability Building Scalable Law, a program that helps law firm owners grow their practices with confidence Whether you’re a junior lawyer with entrepreneurial aspirations or a seasoned firm owner seeking fresh ideas, Caralee’s insights provide a practical blueprint for balancing business success and personal well-being. View Scaleable Law This episode is sponsored by VXT, the phone system built for law firms.

Jack Newton, CEO of Clio, shares the pivotal moments and strategic insights that propelled Clio from an ambitious startup to a global leader in legal technology. From pioneering cloud-based legal practice management software to reshaping the way law firms operate, Jack’s story is a masterclass in innovation. Jack also discusses how Clio’s evolution mirrors the broader transformation needed in the legal industry, encouraging firms to embrace change and reimagine how they deliver value. We explore: Clio’s ascent from bootstrapped legal tech startup to practice management powerhouse Identifying and addressing gaps in the legal market The role of cloud-based legal software in modernizing law firms and offering scalable growth Rethinking innovation beyond “building faster horses” Emerging trends shaping the future of legal practice, including client-centered services and flexible billing models Tackling the access to justice gap as a product-market fit challenge Whether you’re a law firm leader or legal professional looking to stay ahead, or just curious about the future of law and technology, Jack’s insights offer invaluable lessons and inspiration. This episode is sponsored by VXT. Lawyers spend half their time at work on paperwork from calls, messages, and meetings. Law firms use VXT to make phone calls, send messages, host meetings, and we automate all of that paperwork using AI and integrations with legal software like Clio.

Missed calls could be costing your law firm more than you think. Recent data from Clio’s Legal Trends Report shows how poor client communication is driving potential clients away—and it's more common than you'd expect. William Burry, CRO of VXT, joins Sophie to discuss these findings and explore practical solutions for improving client interactions. From the rise of automation in legal services to the growing shift toward fixed-fee billing, we break down the key trends shaping the future of law. Plus, William shares how small changes like phone systems and prioritizing client calls, can have a huge impact. ‍Key Highlights: Nearly 50% of law firms fail to answer client calls—leading to lost business. Automation’s role in freeing up time for lawyers and improving client service. How fixed-fee billing models are pushing firms to operate more efficiently. Practical ways VXT helps firms solve the issues outlined in Clio’s report. Tune in for a deep dive into the trends and solutions shaping the future of legal practice. Brought to you by VXT, the phone system built for law firms.