Welcome to episode 303 of Grow Your Law Firm, hosted by Ken Hardison. In this episode, Ken sits down with Jonathan Hawkins, Founder of Law Firm GC, host of the Founding Partner Podcast, and author of The Law Firm Life Cycle. Jonathan serves as outside general counsel for law firms nationwide, advising on partnerships, succession planning, ethics, operational issues, and other day-to-day legal matters. His book and guidance help law firm owners navigate the lifecycle of their firm, from formation to expansion, mergers, acquisitions, partner transitions, and eventual exit strategies. What you'll learn about in this episode:

1. Law Firm Lifecycle: - Key stages from starting a firm to growth and succession - Common challenges and strategies at each stage
2. Partnership Agreements: - Structuring agreements to prevent disputes - Exit ramps and governance for minority and majority partners
3. Firm Valuation & Sales: - Factors that determine a firm's market value - Insights on selling, cash flow, and maintaining revenue
4. Operational Challenges: - Handling mergers, acquisitions, and team transitions - Managing ethics, notice requirements, and client choice
5. Resources & Mentorship: - How Jonathan supports lawyers through coaching and his podcast - Tools and strategies to navigate law firm growth and legal operations

Resources: Website: lawfirmgc.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jonathan-hawkins-law-firm-general-counsel/ Facebook: facebook.com/LawFirmGeneralCounsel/ Additional Resources: https://www.pilmma.org/aiworkshop https://www.pilmma.org/the-mastermind-effect https://www.pilmma.org/resources https://www.pilmma.org/mastermind AI for PI Expo: www.pilmma.org/ai-for-pi-expo