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Lawyers are often known for their disciplined approaches to learning the facts of a case, applying the rule of law, and doggedly pursuing outcomes for clients. Accomplished musicians share a similar disciplined and meticulous approach to their crafts. And you might be surprised to learn how many attorneys have hidden musical talents.

Attorney Gary Greene was raised in a musical family and mentored by an uncle who founded and led the Jr. Philharmonic Orchestra of California. An accomplished violinist and concert master, Gary first pursued a career in politics after law school before settling into a solo legal practice he’s maintained for 50 years. But he never abandoned music.

In this episode, you’ll hear how Gary launched the L.A. Lawyers Philharmonic with a roster of judges and attorneys who also have serious musical chops. They have also added a Legal Voices chorus and Gary Greene, Esq. and His Big Band of Barristers. These volunteer groups practice weekly and have performed in prestigious venues, often benefiting charitable causes. Gary believes an early exposure to practicing music helped create the discipline that shaped these successful legal minds. Providing a platform for their musical expression benefits his musicians and all who listen.

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The billable hour has been the dominant pricing model in legal practice for decades, but it wasn't always this way—and it was never meant to be permanent.

What started as an accountability measurement has evolved into a system that stifles new thinking about client value and often works against the client's interests and the attorney's well-being.

Well-known in legal circles, Christopher T. Anderson has been leading the charge to disrupt the billable hour. He's a named partner with Anderson Dodson, P.C., the founding consultant of Sunnyside Services, the entrepreneurial mind behind New Leaf Family, and the longstanding host of The Unbillable Hour Podcast. Christopher brings a unique perspective shaped by his background in astrophysics, government studies, and years in legal information and the practice of law. His law firms are testing grounds for innovative approaches that prioritize value over time.

In this episode, Christopher talks with John Reed about the history of legal billing from its origins as an explanatory narrative to today's time-tracking obsession. Listen in as he explains how the billable hour disincentivizes efficiency and how New Leaf's alternative model seeks to efficiently and cost-appropriately solve clients' problems while creating more fulfilling careers for attorneys.

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Have you ever heard of an attorney who went from tax attorney to meal kit general counsel to legal innovator and startup founder? Now you have. It’s Sticky Lawyer Shane Mulrooney.

Shane’s career has been a series of stepping stones and building blocks; one phase providing a foundation for the next. Despite the changes, he has dived into each new role, determined to learn and contribute as much as he can, expand his subject matter expertise, and develop new skills and perspectives.

As you’ll hear, Shane’s in-house litigation experiences sparked the idea for New Era ADR, a digital dispute resolution platform featuring highly sought-after neutrals who resolve matters quickly, thoroughly, and cost-effectively.

Listen in as Shane describes his literal and figurative journey (including a life-changing cross-country bike ride), his observations about the traditional arbitration and mediation, and finding himself in a large law firm’s tax department with no prior financial or accounting background.