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
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Daniel A. Cotter: Cyber-Insurance, Legal Tech and The Chief Justices
You could say Daniel A. Cotter has had an accomplished 26 years so far as an attorney. He’s…
Mellisa Grisel: Unbundled Legal Services Provide a Bright Future for Law
Few attorneys build their law firm against the billable hour. Mellisa Grisel is one of those. Atlas Legal…
Kendra Spearman: Dismantling Systemic Inequity, As a Lawyer and Citizen Alike
Kendra never envisioned herself becoming a lawyer, per se. Like becoming a minister, earning her J.D. and opening…
Clinton Ind: Finding Your Niche In The Business Of Law
Clinton Ind chose a vastly different route in practicing law compared to his wife: he is a solo…
Richard Gurak: Building A Powerful Law Firm (Paper-Free) And Out-Of-The-Box Thinking
How do you build a powerful firm? Take Advitam IP as an example – a firm that started…
Judge Erika Orr: Women In Law, Parenthood, And Asking For What You Want
It’s our first episode and the Honorable Erika Orr helped us launch with a bang. Determining what you…
Welcome to The 1958 Lawyer
If you’re a lawyer, you’re familiar with the ABA article “The 1958 Lawyer and his 1938 Dollar” which…
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