In 1958, one article changed how lawyers got paid. We’re here for the next change.
The 1958 Lawyer Podcast
The 1958 Lawyer is a podcast about the business of law — how solo and small firms actually grow, market, hire, and run a practice. Real attorneys, real numbers, honest conversation. Hosted by Ron Bockstahler, founder of Amata Law Office Suites.
“The 1958 Lawyer and His 1938 Dollar.”The American Bar Association pamphlet that gave this show its name — and helped launch the billable hour.
The last time the business of law really changed.
Before 1960, most legal work was billed by the project. Then the ABA published a now-famous pamphlet arguing that lawyers were falling behind — and the billable hour was born. It reshaped how every firm in America made money.
That was the last major change to the business of law. More than 60 years ago. We think it’s past time for the next one — and this show is where we work it out, one honest conversation at a time.
What is The 1958 Lawyer? It’s a podcast about the business of law for solo and small firms — growth, marketing, staffing, and the realities of running a practice — hosted by Ron Bockstahler, founder of Amata Law Office Suites and a Chicago Bar Association partner.
The latest episode
Episodes worth your commute.
Evan Polin: The Mindset and Methods Behind Law Firm Business Development
Most attorneys were never taught to sell — a gap that becomes a real problem when a managing partner realizes their firm is worth…
Listen now → ▶ July 15, 2026Gregg Garofalo: Building a Tech-Forward, Human-Centered Estate Practice
For over two decades, Gregg Garofalo has helped families through some of life's hardest moments — settling estates, fighting probate disputes, and planning for…
Listen now → ▶ July 15, 2026Maurice Vincent and Ron Robinson: Building E‑Discovery Partnerships for Solo and Small Firms
E-discovery has ballooned into a $15 billion industry that eats up the lion's share of litigation costs — yet most solo and small firm…
Listen now → ▶ July 15, 2026Marian I. Kelly: Turning Trusted Relationships into a Personal Injury Referral Engine
The average attorney converts fewer than half their consultations into actual clients — meaning every other conversation that walks through the door walks right…
Listen now → ▶ July 14, 2026Larry Chester: Turning Legal Work Into Real Cash Flow, Not Just Paper Profit
Many law firms look profitable on paper right up until the account is empty on payroll day — the P&L says one thing, the…
Listen now → ▶ July 14, 2026Steve Mesirow: How Solo Attorneys Can Defer Hundreds of Thousands in Taxes
Most solo attorneys are so buried in billables that they never build a retirement structure — and only discover in April what they could…
Listen now → ▶ July 14, 2026Jared Gibson: Turning Expertise into a Visible Personal Brand with AI and Video
Most solo and small firm attorneys have real expertise but an invisible online presence — a quiet website and a stale LinkedIn profile that…
Listen now → ▶ July 14, 2026Robert Harney: How Smarter Phone Systems Stop Law Firms from Losing Clients at First Contact
Most law firms obsess over marketing but ignore what happens the moment the phone actually rings — and that's where the real revenue leak…
Listen now →Doing law differently? Come talk about it.
We’re always looking for attorneys and legal professionals with a real story about the business of law — what worked, what didn’t, and what you’d tell someone starting out.
Or call us — 312.924.0200