Struggling to hire the right people—or worse, stuck with mis-hires who drain your time and energy?

In this episode, Bridgit Norris sits down with Emily Geddes, an attorney licensed in Washington and Idaho, business strategist with an MBA, and adjunct professor at Gonzaga Law who graduated first in her class.

Emily brings a rare perspective to the intersection of law, business, and leadership, shaped by years in business consulting, healthcare administration, and now transactional and real estate law at Malek + Malek.

Together, she and Bridgit unpack how to hire with values at the center, build teams you can actually trust, and turn hiring from a dreaded chore into a growth tool for your firm.

If you’re tired of playing roulette with your hires, this conversation will show you how to create clarity, avoid costly mistakes, and build a culture that lasts.

Key Takeaways from Bridgit and Emily:

1. Start with Values, Not Resumes

Hiring starts long before the interview.

When your mission and values are clear and visible, you naturally attract candidates who share your vision and filter out those who don’t.

2. Use the Three C’s Framework

Competence gets someone in the door, but character and chemistry determine whether they thrive.

By looking beyond skills, you create space for integrity, humility, and teamwork to guide your decisions.

3. Treat Hiring as a Team Sport

A hiring process that includes staff and peers gives you a fuller picture of a candidate.

This not only uncovers red flags but also strengthens buy-in from the people who will work with them every day.

4. Prioritize Communication and Transparency

Clear expectations and open conversations prevent issues from escalating.

Addressing concerns right away allows for training or mentoring—and, when needed, timely decisions to part ways.

5. Humanize the Hiring Process

Every interaction leaves an impression.

Closing the loop with candidates, even with a simple note, demonstrates respect and reinforces the kind of culture you want to be known for.

"Close the loop. These are human beings who have feelings… even a quick email or a quick phone call saying, hey, we decided we’re not hiring for this position—it sets you apart as a good place to work." — Emily Geddes

Get in touch with Emily Geddes:

Website: http://malekattorneys.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyhgeddes/

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If you’re a law firm owner who feels like you’re working harder but keeping less, this conversation is going to hit home.

Bridgit Norris sits down with Frank Rekas, a CPFA with 34 years in financial services who serves as a “Personal CFO” to attorneys and has earned the nickname “The Tax Whisperer.”

Frank’s not just another advisor—he’s built a systematic approach to help lawyers minimize taxes, protect assets, and grow wealth with purpose.

From uncovering hidden leaks in your finances to strategies for building generational wealth, Frank reveals why winging it with your money is costing you more than you realize.

Stick around, because this episode gives you the clarity and confidence to finally make your money work as hard as you do.

Key Takeaways from Bridgit and Frank:

1. Stop Winging It With Your Finances

Many attorneys bring in strong revenue but fail to track or plan their money, leaving them vulnerable to overspending, missed deductions, and tax surprises.

Building even small proactive systems gives you control instead of chaos.

2. Proactive Tax Planning Beats Reactive Returns

Most CPAs look backwards, filing returns instead of helping clients plan ahead.

Frank stresses the value of collaborating with proactive tax professionals who align entity structure, retirement contributions, and deductions to keep more money in your pocket.

3. The Right Retirement Plan Unlocks Big Savings

A simple 401(k) often isn’t enough for high-earning attorneys.

Leveraging cash balance or defined benefit plans can allow six-figure contributions, creating massive tax savings while building long-term wealth.

4. Protect and Pass on Generational Wealth

Through approaches like the Rockefeller method, life insurance can be more than protection—it can become a tool for passing down wealth across generations and putting your heirs in a stronger financial position than you started with.

5. The First Step Is Deciding to Act

Whether you’re new or twenty years into practice, it’s never too late to put the right plans in place.

Progress starts with one intentional step—like a 30-minute call with an advisor—to begin turning scattered finances into a strategy.

"Every decision has a consequence—even not doing something is a decision." — Frank Rekas

Get in touch with Frank:

Website: https://palmwealthpartners.com/

Email: frank@palmwealthpartners.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankrekas/

Book time to meet with Frank

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📢 Live AI Workshop for Law Firms

📅 Wednesday, Sept 24 | 🕛 12:00 PM PDT

Watch a brand-new lead turn into a signed retainer — in real time.

• See AI employees handle: Answering → Triage → Scheduling → Docs → Retainer
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If your practice isn’t built on your values, it may be costing you more than you realize.

In this episode, Bridgit Norris sits down with Amanda DuBois, founder of DuBois Levias Law Group and one of the longest-standing women-owned firms in Washington, to explore what it really takes to design a law practice that reflects who you are at your core.

With over 30 years of experience, Amanda reveals how authentic leadership, intentional culture, and mentorship can reshape not just the way you practice law but the way you live your life.

You’ll walk away with a fresh perspective on building a firm that honors both your principles and your profitability.

By the end, you’ll see that the most powerful strategy isn’t growth at all costs—it’s courageously leading with purpose.

Key Takeaways from Bridgit and Amanda:

1. Revenue Follows Culture

Profitability naturally flows when a firm prioritizes values, excellence, and community engagement rather than chasing money first.

2. Vision Over Fear

Defining the environment, team, and client experience you want creates clarity that attracts alignment and success, instead of anxiety and scarcity.

3. Hiring Beyond Résumés

Life experience—such as parenting or second careers—often brings empathy, resilience, and judgment that enrich client service and team culture.

4. Mentorship as the Model

Replacing the traditional “sink or swim” approach with structured training and support builds competence, confidence, and loyalty.

5. Freedom Through Flexibility

Remote work, transparency, and honoring personal priorities create an environment where lawyers thrive without sacrificing family or well-being.

"Be brave about being willing to step into the unknown." — Amanda DuBois

Get in touch with Amanda DuBois:

Website: https://duboislaw.net/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-dubois-2b46071/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DuBoisLeviasLawGroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/duboisleviaslaw

🚀 Want to SCALE your law firm? Go here: https://bit.ly/3z7R5qM

⭐️Get our proven 2025 Law Firm Growth Plan that has generated millions in revenue for law firms