The 1958 Lawyer Podcast
A podcast about the business of law — how solo and small firms actually grow, market, hire, and run a practice. Each episode features attorneys, founders, and consultants sharing how they built their practice, found clients, and navigated the legal landscape.
"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.
Ron & Rebecca: How to Collect Without Conflict
Latest Episodes
View all →Marian 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…
Larry 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 —…
Steve 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…
Jared 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…
Robert 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…
Rakesh Parikh: Valuation, Exit Planning, and the Hidden Power of Your Law Firm’s Address
Building a Firm That's Truly an Asset — De-Risking Your Business for a High-Value Exit And a possible…
Erin Guthrie: Turning Your Law Firm into a Valuable, Exit-Ready Asset
Most lawyers assume their practice ends the day they stop practicing—this episode with Erin Guthrie of Exit Factor…
Rick Rivero: Turning SEO into Answer Engine Optimization for Law Firms
AI search has changed how clients find lawyers online, and most law firm websites are still built for…
What Listeners Say
Ron gets to the heart of what matters — real talk about running a law practice. No fluff, just honest conversations with people doing it right.
Been solo for 3 years and this podcast has been my best business mentor. The guests actually run firms, not consultants selling frameworks.
Every episode gives me something I can actually use. Growth, staffing, operations — The 1958 Lawyer covers what matters to real attorneys.
This is the podcast I recommend to every attorney I know. Real problems, real solutions, from people who've actually built successful practices.
Finally a podcast that treats attorneys like adults — no sugar-coating, no fluff. Ron's guests are doing real work and aren't afraid to talk about the money side of law.
The business of law rarely gets this honest treatment. From marketing to operations to hiring — these conversations are changing how I think about my firm.
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