In this episode of The Way, hosts Marisa Rua and Allison McKeen dive into the future of paralegal work—and why embracing AI is essential. They talk about how paralegals can stay ahead by learning how to use AI as a tool, not something to fear. Instead of being replaced, paralegals who adapt and innovate can become even more valuable to their teams.

They also discuss Para Era, Best Era’s dedicated Slack-based community for paralegals, and how it’s helping legal professionals grow through coaching, collaboration, and expert-led learning. Marisa shares how her coaching program through Para Era is helping paralegals build confidence, increase efficiency, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.

🔗 Join Para Era today at slack.bestera.io/para-era

📬 To connect with Marisa Rua directly, email her at marisa@bestera.io or find her on LinkedIn as Marisa Rua.

In this episode of The Way, Ryan McKeen is joined by Best Era’s paralegal expert Marisa Rua to talk about one of the most powerful tools in a law firm: a strong attorney–paralegal relationship. Together, they explore how to effectively divide tasks, what attorneys should stop doing themselves, and how to set your team up for success through intentional training and smart delegation.They also dive into what happens when firms push their paralegals too hard and the importance of preventing burnout. If you want your paralegals to stay, grow, and thrive—you need to invest in systems that support them.

Marisa also shares more about Para Era, a Slack-based subscription community for paralegals at all levels. From expert guidance to helpful resources and support, it’s a space built to elevate paralegal work.🔗 Join Para Era today at ⁠slack.bestera.io/para-era⁠

In this episode of The Way, Ryan McKeen and Brittany Green dive into the mindset of continuous hiring—why you should always be looking for great people, even when you’re not actively hiring. They share practical tips on building relationships with future candidates, including connecting with students in college and law school, and how that effort can lead to strong referrals and future hires.

They also touch on the current decline in law school enrollment, but share reasons to be optimistic about the direction things are headed.

Whether you're growing your firm or just want to stay ready, this episode is packed with smart, forward-thinking advice for keeping your talent pipeline strong.

Join the conversation in our Best Era community at bestera.io and connect with others who are building law firms that last.

In this episode of The Way, Ryan and Brittany dive into the often confusing world of marketing spend and SEO investments for law firms. They talk through how to approach these decisions wisely, what kind of spending actually moves the needle, and how to avoid wasting your budget on strategies that don’t serve your firm’s goals.

Whether you're just starting out or reassessing your current marketing strategy, this conversation offers grounded advice on how to make intentional, impactful investments—especially when it comes to SEO and long-term brand visibility.

🎧 Join the conversation and explore more helpful resources by becoming a part of the Best Era community at bestera.io.

In this episode of The Way, Ryan McKeen and Brittany Green reflect on what it truly means to practice unreasonable hospitality—a philosophy that goes far beyond handing out gifts or perks. Inspired by the book Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara and a powerful talk given by Lindsay and Billy from the Unreasonable Hospitality team at our March event, this conversation explores how small, intentional acts of care can create lasting impressions.

Ryan and Brittany share personal insights on what it means to genuinely see your clients, show up for them, and build trust through attention to the little things—the things that matter most. This kind of hospitality isn’t just for restaurants or hotels; it’s for anyone running a business who wants to lead with heart.

Want to join more conversations like this? Become a part of our Best Era community at bestera.io for access to live events, expert support, and tools that help you build a business where hospitality and humanity lead the way.

In this episode of The Way, Ryan McKeen and Brittany Green dive into the fundamental differences between branding and advertising, emphasizing why both are crucial for a successful law firm. They discuss the importance of building strong relationships with clients, providing value without expecting something in return, and how these efforts contribute to long-term business growth.

Ryan and Brittany also share real experiences from members of the Best Era Slack community, highlighting the impact of effective marketing strategies in real firms.

Want to be part of the conversation? Join Best Era for just $1 a day at bestera.io, where you’ll get access to expert insights, valuable resources, and a network of like-minded professionals. Plus, when you join, you’ll receive a free copy of The Way—our guide to running a better, more efficient law firm.

Tune in to learn how to market your firm the right way and start building a brand that truly stands out!

In this episode of The Way, hosts Ryan McKean and Brittany Green draw inspiration from Rob Coleman, Director of Business Development at Hennessey Digital, to explore the critical role of marketing investments in law firms. They discuss:

• Rob Coleman's Expertise – With a background in SEO, PPC, and website design, Rob specializes in driving business growth through digital marketing strategies.
• Allocating Marketing Budgets – How much of your firm's revenue should be dedicated to marketing? Industry benchmarks suggest law firms typically invest between 2% to 10% of their gross revenue, depending on their size and growth objectives.
• Strategic Planning – The importance of aligning marketing investments with specific business goals, whether maintaining a steady client base or aggressively expanding your firm.

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Marketing isn’t just an expense—it’s an investment in your firm’s future. Tune in to gain valuable insights on optimizing your firm’s marketing strategies and ensuring your budget is working for you.

Looking to continue the conversation? Join our Best Era Slack community to connect with like-minded legal professionals, get exclusive insights, and share ideas to help your firm grow. Sign up now in bestera.io!

In this episode, host Ryan McKeen welcomes special guest Marisa Rua, an expert in paralegal training, to discuss the critical role paralegals play in law firms and why they need more than just on-the-job training from attorneys. They explore how structured education and mentorship can help paralegals work more efficiently and contribute meaningfully to a firm’s success.

Ryan and Marisa also discuss David Ball on Damages and Damages 3, influential books by trial consultant David Ball. These books provide strategies for attorneys to effectively present damages in personal injury and wrongful death cases, helping juries understand the full impact of a client’s suffering.

To further support paralegals, they introduce Para Era, a specialized Slack subscription service led by Marisa. This platform provides access to a community of experts, continuous learning opportunities, and professional support to help paralegals excel in their careers. Joining Para Era is a great way for law firms to invest in their team’s growth.

For more details and to subscribe, visit Para Era.

And for those who made it through the entire episode—you're in on the inside joke. If you want to check out what Ryan has been watching lately, take a look at Funny or Die on YouTube. Enjoy!