2026 Summit Speakers

We’re thrilled to share some of the top-tier experts who will be joining us. The Summit will feature innovative and inspiring speakers, including thought leaders, Atticus members, and our team, all dedicated to helping you build a thriving practice and life.

Our speakers bring real-world experiences and will share their challenges, successes, and game-changing ideas.

Keynote Speakers

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Kenya F. Oduor, PhD

Stop the Hidden Leaks that are Costing You Money: How Better Systems and Better Client Experiences Lead to More Profit and Less Stress

In this keynote, Dr. Kenya Oduor introduces a human-centered approach to improving firm performance. You’ll learn how to identify the hidden friction points that influence client behavior, team effectiveness, and business results, and how thoughtful design can transform the way your firm operates. You’ll leave with practical strategies to create better experiences, stronger systems, and sustainable growth.

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About Dr. Kenya F. Oduor:  Dr. Kenya F. Oduor is a human factors practitioner, behavioral researcher, and the CEO & Founder of Lean Geeks, a consultancy serving companies, non-profits, and small businesses across the U.S. With a PhD in Human Factors Psychology and dual specialization in Industrial Engineering from North Carolina State University, Dr. Oduor has cultivated a career at the intersection of behavioral science, workflow analysis, experience design, and emerging technology. At Lean Geeks, Dr. Oduor and team improve product and service experiences by transforming how organizations deliver value. They uncover the hidden roadblocks that hinder growth: customer pain points, operational inefficiencies, and unseen risks that most organizations miss. Clients have included Legal Aid of NC, where Lean Geeks streamlined the client intake process and reduced the backlog for individuals in need; Blue Cross of NC, where design thinking principles were applied to rescue a delayed software project; and a family-owned service business that achieved a meaningful increase in profitability through targeted systems and technology implementations. As a human factors expert witness, Dr. Oduor provides expert analysis and testimony to plaintiffs’ attorneys in personal injury and product liability cases involving warnings and risk communication, human error, user behavior, and product design. Her expert witness work has influenced cases pertaining to consumer products, commercial machinery, and industrial equipment. Prior to Lean Geeks, Dr. Oduor served as Director of User Experience at LexisNexis, leading cross-functional teams in design thinking integration across product management and software development. She also served as a User Experience Professional at IBM. She currently teaches Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) to computer science students at NC State. She has been a featured speaker on several stages, podcasts, panels, and is an expert facilitator that ensures outcomes balance organizational goals with the humans-in-the-loop.
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Jennifer and Fred Felten

Growing P”AI”ns, Lessons from a Law Firm Learning to Scale with Technology

Jennifer and Fred Felten take you inside their law firm to show how they moved beyond using AI as a super search engine. You’ll see how they capture attorney knowledge in internal GPTs, train their team faster, and automate repetitive work, all of which helped double the firm’s revenue and output in the last year.

They’ll also share the marketing initiative they’re running now to fill that new capacity and turn productivity into profit. You’ll leave with ideas you can put to work in your own firm, and a clear picture of what it really takes to get there.

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Jennifer Felten has been working in the real estate industry since 1993. Starting out in customer service at a title company, she worked her way into the escrow side of the business, where she worked as an escrow officer, manager and trainer.

Jennifer’s commitment to the field of real estate includes obtaining her Certificate of Achievement from the California Escrow Association as well as the professional designations of both Certified Escrow Office and Certified Bulk Sale Specialist. She has been an active member of the Ventura County Escrow Association since 1997, serving as President in 1999.

Her education also reflects her interest in real estate. While obtaining her Bachelor’s degree at UCLA, she took the eleven courses required to obtain her California Real Estate Broker’s License. Thereafter, she went to law school and obtained her Juris Doctorate with honors in 2006.

As the principal at RELAW, APC, she continues to use the knowledge and skills obtained as an escrow officer for the benefit of her clients.

Fred Felten was born and raised in Southern Indiana. In 1998, he graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) degree. Upon graduation, Fred moved to Southern California to work in the semiconductor industry. In 2003, he graduated from Pepperdine University with a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Fred has worked in the Aerospace Industry for nearly 15 years. From 2012 through 2016, he focused on International Drone programs, from initial proposal response, to contract negotiations, hardware delivery, and post-delivery sales support. In January 2017, Fred joined RELAW, APC as the Operation Manager.

Fred holds his license in California as a Resident Insurance Producer, with qualifications as a Casualty Broker-Agent and Property Broker-Agent.

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Honorable Judge Mark Klingensmith

The Future Lawyer Is on Trial: Will Your Next Opposing Counsel Be AI and Who will Be Sitting on the Bench?

What changes, what endures and who thrives in the next era of law? The legal profession is preparing for artificial intelligence as a powerful new tool. But what happens when AI is no longer simply assisting the lawyer and begins functioning as the paralegal, negotiator, advocate, arbitrator, or even decision-maker?

Drawing on 25 years in private practice and his experience on both Florida’s trial and appellate benches, Judge Mark W. Klingensmith puts the future lawyer on trial. He will examine the case for and against AI-driven legal practice, from virtual advocates and automated dispute resolution to synthetic evidence and machine-assisted courts.

The real question is not whether AI can perform legal work. It is what lawyers and judges should delegate but what must remain unmistakably human. Attendees will leave with a clearer picture of what is changing, what will endure, and the skills solo and small-firm lawyers will need to thrive in the legal profession of tomorrow.

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Judge Mark W. Klingensmith serves on Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal, following a distinguished career spanning private practice, the trial bench, and the appellate judiciary. He earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Florida and later received an LL.M. from Duke University. Before joining the bench, Judge Klingensmith spent more than two decades in private practice focused on civil litigation.

Judge Klingensmith previously served as Chief Judge of the Fourth District Court of Appeal and was elected President of the Florida Conference of District Court of Appeal Judges, where his leadership included statewide issues involving judicial administration and the future of Florida’s courts.

Long before today’s explosion of generative AI, Judge Klingensmith was examining how technology could reshape the legal profession and judiciary. In 2016, he authored Computers Laying Down the Law: Will Judges Become Obsolete?, exploring the growing role of technology in judicial decision making. His experience as a practicing civil litigator, trial judge, appellate judge, and judicial leader gives him a unique perspective on what technology may change in the practice of law and what must remain fundamentally human.

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Chris Murphy

I am not lucky… and neither are you! Creating a Funnel of your dream cases and clients

The biggest cases and best clients rarely happen by accident. What looks like luck from the outside is often the result of years of intentional choices, strategic relationships, and a clear vision for the kind of practice you want to create.

Using his landmark eBay case as the backdrop, this session reveals the path from hoping for better cases to intentionally attracting them. You’ll learn how to define your dream client or case, position yourself and your firm to attract that work, develop relationships with the best in your field, and continually raise the level of your expertise and reputation.

You’ll also explore one of the hardest parts of growth: saying no to the work that no longer fits where you’re going. Because moving from five-figure cases to six-, seven-, and eight-figure opportunities requires more than ambition and that requires making room for what’s next.

You’ll leave with a practical framework for creating your own funnel of dream clients and cases, and a new way of thinking about success: stop waiting to get lucky and start creating the opportunities you want.

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Attorney Christopher (“Chris”) Murphy began working for our office in 1997 as an intern. Shortly thereafter, Chris was hired as a paralegal while he attended law school. Upon obtaining a law license in 1999, Chris was immediately hired as an associate attorney. Since that time, Chris has climbed every possible rung on our law office corporate ladder and is now the managing partner of a law firm.

That long climb allowed Chris to work with clients at every level and on every type of legal matter handled by the firm. From day one, Chris embraced our “client first” approach. He is truly a guide and partner to clients, helping them navigate the seemingly insurmountable challenges that unexpected injury or death brings.

To properly assist individuals and families who suffered an injury or lost a loved one, Chris spends considerable time getting to know clients. During that time, Chris wants to discover what is truly important to you (the client) and what your needs, wishes, and goals really are.

Whether a car accident, slip and fall, medical error, asbestos/mesothelioma ailment, or other personal injury matter, Chris has helped thousands of people and families receive the result that was important to them.

After helping so many great people in so many different situations, Chris has learned a “great result” means something different to every client. Whether obtaining an apology, correcting behavior, fixing a dangerous condition, obtaining financial compensation, or a combination thereof, Chris works tirelessly to understand what you want and need and then finds ways to achieve your desired results.

A “great result” for Chris is helping clients get whatever they seek. A personal, joyous byproduct of that journey for Chris is being able to help clients receive the resources, medical care, personal and financial assistance, and compensation needed to continue with hope, comfort, and security during and after a tragedy. Helping injury victims put the pieces back together after a loss, motivates Chris day in and day out. One of Chris’ favorite sayings is “give to give.”

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Scott Pioli

Getting People to do a Great Job: Leadership Lessons from a Three-Time Super Bowl Champion

Great teams begin with great people, but hiring talented people is only the beginning. A leader’s job is to create expectations, accountability, motivation, and culture that allow those people to develop and consistently perform at their highest level.

In this exclusive fireside chat, three-time Super Bowl executive Scott Pioli shares leadership lessons from some of the most successful teams in professional sports and why they apply just as powerfully to your law firm. Through stories from his years working alongside legendary leaders like Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, Scott explores why even great people sometimes underperform, what leaders often get wrong, and what it takes to create a culture of consistent excellence.

You’ll discover:

  • Work ethic alone isn’t enough.
  • Culture is built through daily standards, not mission statements.
  • Simple behaviors become extraordinary results when consistently reinforced.
  • Role clarity and accountability drive high performance.
  • Leaders create an environment where talented people excel day in and day out.

Whether you lead a team of five or fifty, you’ll leave with practical leadership principles you can immediately apply to strengthen your culture, improve accountability, and help your team consistently perform at its best.

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Scott Pioli is a nationally respected former NFL executive whose 30-plus year career includes five Super Bowl appearances, three Super Bowl championships, four AFC Championships, one NFC Championship, and nine Division titles. Widely recognized as one of the key architects of the Patriots dynasty, he played a pivotal role as VP of Player Personnel in drafting Tom Brady and 12 other Pro Bowlers. His contributions earned him NFL Executive of the Year five times and Executive of the Decade honors from ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and Sporting News; he remains the youngest recipient of both the George Young NFL Executive of the Year Award (38) and the PFWA Executive of the Year Award (37).

Today, Pioli advises companies and organizations on leadership, culture, and team building through his company, 51 Consulting. He continues to work with the NFL and multiple FBS athletic departments, including National Championship programs Alabama and Georgia, and currently Virginia, Utah, and Iowa, while privately advising coaches and executives across sports and business. A highly sought-after speaker and occasional media contributor, he and his wife are also investors/owners in the NWSL’s Boston Legacy FC franchise, which began play in 2026. His philosophy remains grounded in building the right team for a specific culture: “We are not just collecting talent. Individuals go to Pro Bowl, teams win championships.”

Beyond his consulting work, Pioli is committed to driving change and advancing equity. He serves on the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Board of Trustees as chair of its Finance and Legal Committee, contributes to RISE, co-founded RISE to Vote, and sits on the National Advisory Council for Women Leaders in Sports. He is a board member of the Black College Football Hall of Fame, recipient of its 2024 Founders Award, and a founding member of the NFL’s Bill Walsh Diversity Council, as well as Co-Founder and founding chair of The John Lewis Institute for Social Justice at Central Connecticut State University. Pioli holds a master’s degree from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Communications and an undergraduate degree from Central Connecticut State University, where he was a 3-time All-New England selection as a player.

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Steve Riley

Frustration as Fuel: The REACT Formula™ to Achieve Your Most Meaningful Goals

Frustration is inevitable, but staying stuck in it is a choice. The things that frustrate you most may actually be pointing directly to the conversations, expectations, and decisions standing between you and your biggest goals.

In this session, you’ll learn to recognize frustration as a signal rather than a setback. Using the REACT Formula, you’ll uncover the expectation behind what’s frustrating you, determine what’s really getting in the way, get clear about what needs to change, and turn that clarity into action.

Whether the frustration comes from your team, your business, your relationships, or even yourself, you’ll leave with a practical framework for moving from stuck to fueled, and a new way to use everyday frustrations to create greater clarity, stronger communication, and meaningful progress.

Because sometimes your frustrations are simply your goals telling you where to look next.

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Steve Riley has coached attorneys for more than 20 years. His one-on-one coaching focuses on a limited number of top producing attorneys committed to taking their practices to new levels of excellence, profit, and personal success. He also presents at group coaching workshops around the country for individual law firms, state bar associations, and other legal organizations. Steve has a way of getting attorneys to see where they might be “stuck” in running their practices and guiding them through a process of self-discovery to implement impactful, sustainable change. He knows their unique path because he walked it.

Steve first practiced law as a trial attorney, acquiring a decade of experience trying more than 100 cases, including multiple jury trials. Balancing trial work with the rigors of running a practice gave Steve a thorough understanding of the challenges faced by firm owners. After 10 years of litigation, Steve transitioned his practice into estate planning and elder law and through referral-based marketing strategies built a thriving, large practice.

The firm’s dramatic growth prompted other lawyers to seek Steve’s mentorship on growing their own practices, and he quickly became the go-to advisor for many successful practitioners. To further pursue that passion, he sold his practice and joined the nation’s premier law practice management consulting firm, Atticus, as a shareholder.

At Atticus, Steve created innovative coaching programs, including the Double Your Revenue™ workshop (featured in LawyersUSA), the Practice Growth Program®, and Dominate Your Market®. Hundreds of satisfied attorneys have successfully completed his programs and are actively building more successful firms with what they gained. He is also the host of the Great Practice. Great Life.® by Atticus® podcast.

Steve is a highly sought-after presenter and speaker for legal association events nationally. He wrote ‘The Busy Lawyer’s Guide to the Laws of Practice Growth” and “The Busy Lawyer’s Guide to the Domestic Assistant Advantage” and is a contributing author to six additional books, including Basic Estate Planning for the Florida Bar. He was also a national columnist for CCH magazine on practice management. In 2006, Steve won the National Small Law Firm Practice Innovation Award.

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Matthew Emerzian

KEYNOTE
Human-Centered Leadership: How to Prioritize Mental Health, Increase Well-Being, and Mitigate Burnout Across High-Performing Teams

In today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected world, we’re witnessing an unprecedented rise in mental health challenges that, with the right guidance, can be mitigated and overcome. With burnout, anxiety, and poor well-being sweeping the nation, leaders today need a new playbook that helps them better equip themselves and their teams to these new and evolving challenges. This playbook is called The Mattering Mindset.

Matt Emerzian personally battled with these mental health and wellbeing challenges and has dedicated the last two decades to changing the conversation about mental health via his four best-selling books and his non-profit organization, Every Monday Matters (EMM). EMM serves over 4 million people through elements of the Mattering Mindset playbook where he helps every person he connected with understand that they matter and make a difference in the world.

About the presenter

Matthew Emerzian delivers a personal, interactive, and transformational keynote based on his experiences of working with countless individuals and organizations to create spaces where people feel seen, heard, and loved. He believes that profitable growth is only achieved through personal and professional growth. And, when people know how much and why they matter, everything in their life levels up.

Great Practice, Great Life Podcast Appearance

How the Every Monday Matters Mindset Can Reignite Your Law Practice with Matthew Emerzian

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Gorham "Rory" and Elizabeth “Eliz” Clark

GAME CHANGERS
33x Growth: The Money Moves That Multiplied Our Revenue—Without Burning Out

Over the last 11 years, Rory Clark and his team didn’t just grow—they 33x’ed their revenue, doubling it five times using a bold mix of strategic innovation, mindset shifts, and operational precision. In this candid, fast-moving session, Rory and Eliz will unpack several of the unconventional “money moves” behind their explosive growth—including scalable staffing through non-attorney consults, creating 24-hour firm capacity with off-shore talent, adding recurring revenue through client maintenance plans, and taming the “High-I” to close more business. Whether you’re in growth mode or rebuilding, you’ll walk away with a high-impact checklist and the clarity to think—and lead—like a CEO.

About the presenters
Gorham “Rory” Clark

A native of Virginia with deep roots in his community, Rory has almost 40 years’ experience practicing elder law, estate planning, asset protection, Medicaid planning, veterans’ affairs, and special needs planning.

In addition to having a deep understanding of law firms, especially Elder Law and Estate Planning practices, he knows what it takes to grow a great firm. He has experienced every aspect of building a successful law firm and developing an innovative marketing strategy the utilizes the creation of aligned businesses that operate at a profit that generate clients for the law firm. From time management, finding and retaining talent, to marketing and turning a profit, Rory knows how to quickly identify the problems in a firm and more importantly, how to fix them.

Rory currently serves as President of the Virginia Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (VAELA). A longtime resident of Loudoun County, Rory has served on the Loudoun County Zoning Board of Appeals since 2005 and has been the Board’s Vice Chairman since 2020. Rory is one of only five attorneys in Virginia to hold the designation of “Qualified Master Counselor in Trusts and Estates.”

Elizabeth “Eliz” Clark

As a Practice Advisor, Eliz leverages her marketing and client recruitment to help attorneys overcome their challenges and grow their practice. Eliz also serves as Client Services Director for the Legacy Elder Law Center, where she works closely with the firm President on marketing efforts, client recruitment, and engagement. She finds it an incredibly rewarding position with each day holding a new challenge or surprise. Eliz considers it a privilege to meet with clients. Global life experiences and circumstances have provided Eliz with the empathy to listen to their concerns, desires, fears, and plans for the future.

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Michele Fuller

GAME CHANGER
From Dumpster Fire to Domination: The Great Life Focus Fire Extinguisher

When everything felt like a dumpster fire, Michele used the My Great Life Focus as her lifeline. In this powerful Game Changer session, she shares how the tool became more than just a planner—it became her anchor for clarity, leadership, and self-care.

You’ll hear how she used it to prioritize what mattered most, navigate chaos with intention, and guide her team through tough seasons—without losing herself in the process. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, off-course, or just plain tired, this session will remind you what’s possible when you focus on what truly matters.

About the presenter

As a Practice Advisor, Michele works with attorneys to develop practical strategies to find and maintain balance in their lives. She helps attorneys identify tasks that are not the best use of their time both at home and in the office, freeing them to focus quality time on what matters most.Recognized by colleagues for her compassion and communication skills, Michele enjoys the opportunity to support other attorneys as they grow their law firms and works with a limited number of coaching clients to provide them with her focused attention. She is also the founder of Michigan Law Center, P.L.L.C., specializing in elder law, special needs planning, and asset preservation for individuals with disabilities. She also serves as President of Advocacy, Inc., a non-profit organization. Michele was recently appointed Special Assistant Attorney General to assist in settlement planning for the Flint Water cases. A leader in her field, she has held key positions in organizations like the Academy of Special Needs Planners (ASNP) and National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).Michele is the recipient of several prestigious awards, including the 2018 State Bar of Michigan Unsung Hero Award and multiple Super Lawyers nominations. While client service and advocacy are key priorities in her life, they share the spotlight with a dynamic home life. In partnership with her husband, Michele parents four active children.

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Carl and Brent Doré

GAME CHANGERS
The Turnaround Blueprint for Revenue and Profitability: Reinventing a Law Firm with Grit, KPIs, and Heart

What happens when a well-established law firm hits bottom just two years after its best year ever? In this honest, fast-paced 20-minute talk, father-son duo Carl and Brent Dore share the inside story of how they rebuilt and expanded their firm from a post-pandemic crash into a thriving, multi-office operation—hiring 7 attorneys in 6 months, creating firm-wide KPIs that actually work across billing models, implementing new technology and leveraging a foundation built through 20 years of Atticus and five Double Your Revenue workshops. With transparency, humility, and a touch of humor, they’ll show how tough conversations, bold hiring decisions, and investing in the right infrastructure and people helped them turn chaos into clarity—and scale for the future.

About the presenters
Carl Doré

After working for a decade as a petroleum engineer, Carl established a law firm practice more than 35 years ago that focuses on Real Estate and Oil and Gas, as well as litigation in those areas. He frequently writes and speaks on legal developments impacting business decision-makers and entrepreneurs. Many of these same business folks sought out Carl to help in other areas of law, including estate planning, probate, and lots of transactional work. As a result, our firm routinely helps form new limited liability companies and other corporate structures. Carl’s experience in commercial collections and lien preparation for contractors and oil & gas service companies is second to none. Clients rely on his varied business background for all types of out-of-the-box advice. Carl and Tamra also own Katy Budget Books, a local Katy fixture for 40 years. That small business experience colors much of what we do and how we do it in this law firm. Carl truly believes he is the luckiest guy around!

Brent Doré

Brent prides himself on solving problems for our clients–whether figuring out a contract issue or resolving a business dispute. He previously worked for Harris, Finley & Bogle PC in Fort Worth. Brent is an experienced litigator, including oil & gas disputes and complex fiduciary litigation. He also oversees the firm’s estate planning & probate section. Brent’s mom has owned Katy Budget Books for nearly 40 years and raised him with a book in his hand and a love for small businesses. Brent approaches each legal issue he faces with the belief that with enough creativity and commitment, any problem can be solved–even if the problem borders on sci-fibrin focuses on serving our clients in West Texas, North Texas, and Oklahoma. He has lived and worked in Fort Worth for two decades with his wife, Julie, and their three kids. Brent proudly serves on the Board of Directors of Fortress Youth Development Center, Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County, and the Texas Aggie Bar Association. Since his wife is the PTA President of their kids’ school, Brent also has the “privilege” of being the PTA First Gentleman. When not helping his clients, he can be found coaching youth sports, camping, hiking, reading, or continuing his quest to find the best BBQ in Texas.

Workshop Speakers

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Lori Pulvermacher & Seth Kuntz

Build It: The essential framework every law firm has to get right

About Lori Pulvermacher

Lori Pulvermacher, MBA, is a dedicated practice management and business development advisor at Atticus, Inc. With a rich background in law firm management, operations, marketing, sales, and client service, Lori brings a well-rounded perspective that drives law firm growth and success.
Before joining Atticus, Lori worked as a business advisor at a consulting firm, partnering with organizations in various industries such as banking, finance, manufacturing, technology, and construction. She also led training programs in sales, leadership, and communication. With over two decades of experience working with attorneys and their teams, Lori deeply understands the unique challenges and opportunities within the legal profession.

Lori’s blend of practical experience, academic achievement, and passion for growth makes her an invaluable asset to attorneys and law firms looking to enhance their practice management and business development strategies.

About Seth Kuntz

As an attorney, Seth is no stranger to the challenges lawyers face daily in their practices. A desire to help attorneys overcome these obstacles and gain control over their firms and lives was one of the driving forces that led him to Atticus. He is now dedicated to helping attorneys identify what’s holding them back from building the practice and life they envisioned when they first became lawyers.

Prior to joining Atticus, Seth served as a Senior Attorney at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, where he was responsible for enforcing the nation’s banking laws. Before that, he was an Associate Attorney in the Washington, DC office of a law firm, specializing in registered fund work—typically before the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Seth holds a Juris Doctor from Washington and Lee University School of Law and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics and Finance from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina.

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Mark Powers & Shawn McNalis

Scale It: The operating system for attorneys and COOs ready to dominate

About Mark Powers
Mark Powers, President of Atticus, has been coaching attorneys for nearly 40 years. He is the founder and developer of the first personalized training program dedicated to teaching attorneys the lasting skills and habits necessary for practice development. These skills include strategic planning, client development, customer service, prioritization, time blocking, managing interruptions, financial management, staffing, and delegation. Mark is an internationally recognized expert in the legal field with a long list of accomplishments. He is a prominent public speaker who has presented to thousands of attorneys in multiple venues across the world, such as The American Bar Association and The Law Society of Scotland. He has also spoken to bar associations in Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New York, South Carolina, and Texas, and has delivered presentations to law organizations such as The Fund, Wyoming Trial Lawyers, the Dallas INBLF, and Tennessee Trial Lawyers. Mark has also co-authored The Making of a Rainmaker: An Ethical Approach to Marketing for Solo and Small Firm Practitioners, published by The Florida Bar and been featured in publications such as Lawyers Weekly USA, Money magazine, American Bar Association Journal, Florida Bar News, and Massachusetts Bar Association Lawyers Journal.
About Shawn McNalis
Shawn McNalis is a former Imagineer with the Walt Disney Company and credits her 15-year career with Disney for her creative, collaborative approach to advising attorneys. In partnership with Mark Powers for 25 years, Shawn is a senior practice advisor, director of curriculum, and a trainer for Atticus. With Mark, she co-authored The Making of a Rainmaker, commissioned and published by the Florida Bar in 1995, and Time Management for Attorneys: A Lawyer’s Guide to Decreasing Stress, Eliminating Interruptions & Getting Home on Time, published in conjunction with the ABA in 2008, and in 2009, How Good Attorneys Become Great Rainmakers: A Breakthrough Referral Marketing Process and Hire Slow, Fire Fast. In 2020 she wrote, Cashflow and Profitability: What Law School Didn’t Teach You About Running A Successful Law Firm. A former columnist for Lawyer’s USA, Shawn has authored and co-authored numerous articles on law practice management that have appeared in the ABA’s Law Practice Management Magazine, Journal of the Association of Legal Administrators, ABA Family Law Section Magazine, The Florida Bar News, The Lawyer’s Competitive Edge, The Florida Bar Workers Compensation Section Journal, Family Lawyer Magazine, Attorneys At Work, and Massachusetts Bar Journal, among many others.
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Jordan Ostroff & Denise Cullen

Double It: The revenue growth strategy for owners done playing small

About Jordan Ostroff

Jordan Ostroff knew the traditional legal model wasn’t built for people—it was built for endless stress and burnout. Determined to break the mold, he founded Jordan Law, a client-centric personal injury firm in Orlando that prioritized transparency, efficiency, and genuine care.
Starting his career as a prosecutor handling thousands of cases, Jordan quickly learned that working smarter, not just harder, was key to both success and happiness. He transformed his firm into a multi-million-dollar practice while working just three days a week, proving you can build a thriving law firm without sacrificing your sanity—or your sandals.

Not satisfied with keeping this success for himself, Jordan expanded into coaching and consulting, helping other law firm owners escape the grind. He teaches practical strategies for scaling sustainably, automating strategically, and attracting ideal clients—all while promoting mental health, financial literacy, and genuine fulfillment in the legal profession. Jordan’s mission goes beyond business growth; he’s committed to reducing lawyer burnout and improving the lives of attorneys nationwide.

About Denise Cullen

Denise is a well-respected practice growth advisor, speaker, and blog writer. She has committed the past ten years to help attorneys grow their practices in a sustainable and intentional way using Atticus coaching processes. She has worked with hundreds of solo and small firm attorneys across the United States and Canada to diagnose issues in their practice holding them back from growth and satisfaction.

Denise has presented at numerous legal conferences for all practice areas on implementing time management processes, client development strategies, assessing your practice with the Solo Practice Scorecard™, and practice management growth paths.

Previous to her work in attorney practice management, Denise was a sports anchor and television personality. She is the President of Team Gamez Foundation. Her experience, wit, and front stage personality engages with audiences. She is never a dry speaker.

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Patti Paz & Lori Goetz

Lead It: The team’s guide for operating the practice the founder built

About Patti Paz
Patti Paz is a Certified Team Leader and Atticus Practice Advisor. Patti was instrumental in the creation of Idaho Estate Planning, an estate planning and elder law firm in Idaho. She also had the privilege of presenting a Game Changer at the 2017 Summit on her journey with handling initial consults. She began her association with Atticus over a decade ago, coaching with Atticus Practice Advisor and Attorney Steve Riley. She has participated in the Practice Growth Program® as well as the Dominate Your Market Program®. She was hand picked in 2021 to develop curriculum and facilitate the Atticus Team Leader Certification program.

About Lori Goetz
Lori Goetz brings a powerful combination of real-world law firm experience and data-driven strategy to her coaching. With over 20 years in the legal industry and a decade in technology and data management, she helps law firm owners cut through complexity and build profitable, well-run practices that support both business success and personal fulfillment. Lori’s background spans every layer of law firm operations: she’s been a controller for a 30-attorney firm, built and sold a consulting business that served more than 90 law firms, and led product and marketing strategy at global tech companies like LexisNexis, Toshiba, and insightsoftware. She also spent five years as a business analyst and data manager on the TransAlaska Pipeline, sharpening her expertise in systems thinking, compliance, and operational scale. Law firm owners turn to Lori when they need to solve tough business problems: flatlining profitability, underperforming teams, poor delegation habits, disorganized systems, or unclear leadership. She brings clarity, structure, and momentum with a style that’s direct, positive, and outcome focused. She is certified in Green Belt Six Sigma and Pragmatic Marketing and has advanced training in driving revenue through customer-centric growth and customer experience mapping, expertise she regularly brings into her coaching to help law firms optimize systems, align around client value, and scale sustainably.
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Patti Paz

The Team Leader Advantage: Elevate Your Role, Enhance Your Life

Patti Paz is a Certified Team Leader and Atticus Practice Advisor. Patti was instrumental in the creation of Idaho Estate Planning, an estate planning and elder law firm in Idaho. She also had the privilege of presenting a Game Changer at the 2017 Summit on her journey with handling initial consults.
 
She began her association with Atticus over a decade ago, coaching with Atticus Practice Advisor and Attorney Steve Riley. She has participated in the Practice Growth Program® as well as the Dominate Your Market Program®. She was hand picked in 2021 to develop curriculum and facilitate the Atticus Team Leader Certification program.

Group Facilitators

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Josh Dorcey

Josh Dorcey is the founder and managing partner of Dorcey Law Firm, PLC, a Florida based firm focusing on Estate Planning, Business Planning and Asset Protection. Josh started Dorcey Law in the recession of 2007 and in the past 15 years has grown the firm from being a solo practice to 12 attorneys (8 full time and 4 of counsel), and 42 staff members. The firm’s revenue exceeded $4.5 million in 2021, where his personal rainmaking and collections have exceeded $2million each year since 2019.

Josh has been named a Florida Super Lawyer for 2021 and 2022 and was named in 2020 as one of the top 40 under 40 most influential people in southwest Florida by Gulf Shore Business Magazine for his business and philanthropic endeavors. The Dorcey Law Firm was named by Florida Trend Magazine to be in the top 100 Best Companies to Work for in Florida for 2020 and 2021.

The law firm is designed as a system and process-driven firm allowing for a maximization of efficiencies to increase and improve revenue, profitability, and quality of life. As you can imagine, Josh is a goal-driven individual to the point where he sets and attempts daily to stay connected to his long-term goals. One way that he stays connected is by reading a statement he wrote many years ago about what he would want people to say about him at his funeral. Having that deep connection to his life goals allows him to remain focused on meeting the goals he sets for himself and the firm daily.

His management style is to assist, when necessary, always lead by example, but most of all, build trust and vulnerability in his team. He attempts to understand and manage every relationship based on the communication style of the person he is interacting with to reduce confusion and maximize clarity for the best understanding and outcome for everyone involved.

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Glenn Finch

For almost twenty years Glenn has worked with Atticus in matching clients with coaching programs that help them take better care of their clients, increase their incomes, decrease their stress, and achieve an overall balance in their life. As a Certified Practice Advisor, he has specialized in assisting small and medium-sized firms to break those invisible barriers, which so often prevent them from reaching the next level.

Glenn is adept at getting professionals to step back and envision new possibilities and creating practical strategies to make them reality. Through the formation of new habits, practice management systems and disciplines in client development, Glenn has assisted firms across the nation to double their revenues and obtain a more balanced life as a result.

Glenn graduated Summa Cum Laude from Asbury University near Lexington, Kentucky with a degree in Psychology and Sociology. Following college Glenn received his Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary and is certified in several personality assessment tools and organizational assessments for staff training and development.

Glenn also earned a Master of Strategic Studies as a distinguished graduate of the United States Army War College. He is a frequent advisor to government agencies in both leadership capacity and staff development.

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Victor Medina

Victor is a practicing attorney, Certified Financial Planner, managing partner and host of Retirease Radio. He is the founder & managing attorney for Medina Law Group, an estate planning firm and Palante Wealth Advisors, a retirement planning firm.
He attributes his work with Atticus to turning his firm into a seven-figure practice, learning how to support a championship-level team and, importantly, delegate more effectively.

In addition to running multiple businesses, Victor is committed to his clients having a great life and great practice. Victor facilitates the Atticus Practice Growth Program – Ascend, a coaching program for high-performing law firms.

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Mark Metzger

Mark C. Metzger is a seasoned attorney and professional practice coach with over three decades of diverse legal experience. He began his legal career in 1989 at a prominent Chicago-based law firm with 400 attorneys, where he specialized in insurance defense litigation and rose to the position of partner. Throughout his tenure, Mark amassed extensive trial experience, representing clients across the Midwest and the Eastern Seaboard.

In the next phase of his career, Mark transitioned to working with software companies, expanding his expertise at the intersection of law and technology. In 2006, he established his own firm, focusing on estate planning, elder law, and real estate. Under his leadership, the firm experienced a sevenfold increase in revenue. In 2024, he successfully sold and transitioned his practice, further demonstrating his deep understanding of law firm growth, succession planning, and operational excellence.

Mark’s journey with Atticus began in 2011 when he attended a transformative workshop that reshaped his approach to legal practice management. He became the first member to progress through the program and serve as an Adjunct Practice Advisor. In this role, he has helped numerous attorneys and law firms amplify their operations and develop strategic exit plans. Mark continues to share his expertise with law firm owners seeking to create profitable, sustainable, and scalable practices.

Mark’s extensive legal background, combined with his firsthand experience in law firm growth and transition, makes him an exceptional facilitator for strategic firm retreats. His expertise in practice management, leadership, and business development provides invaluable insight for law firms seeking to enhance operations, improve profitability, and plan for long-term success.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Mark is an avid gourmet chef, a dedicated father of three, a proud grandfather, and an accomplished magician.

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Sam Price

Sam is the founder of the Price Law Firm, a revered Estate Planning and Probate Law firm in California. He is also an Atticus Practice Advisor and helps attorneys increase their revenue, develop rockstar employees, and market more effectively.

Sam is an expert in the fundamentals of growing a successful firm, walks the talk in his own practice, and understands the nuances of the estate planning and probate universe. Because he also operates his own firm, he only coaches a select number of attorneys each year.

His ongoing service to the legal profession includes being the Chair of the San Bernardino County Bar Association – Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Section, a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, and a Member of the California Lawyers Association Trusts & Estates Executive Committee (TEXCOM).

Sam earned a J.D. with honors from Western New England College School of Law and an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University School of Law. Sam is a frequent speaker, mentor, and resource to others on practice management.

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Steve Riley

Steve Riley has coached attorneys for more than 20 years. His one-on-one coaching focuses on a limited number of top producing attorneys committed to taking their practices to new levels of excellence, profit, and personal success. He also presents at group coaching workshops around the country for individual law firms, state bar associations, and other legal organizations. Steve has a way of getting attorneys to see where they might be “stuck” in running their practices and guiding them through a process of self-discovery to implement impactful, sustainable change. He knows their unique path because he walked it.

Steve first practiced law as a trial attorney, acquiring a decade of experience trying more than 100 cases, including multiple jury trials. Balancing trial work with the rigors of running a practice gave Steve a thorough understanding of the challenges faced by firm owners. After 10 years of litigation, Steve transitioned his practice into estate planning and elder law and through referral-based marketing strategies built a thriving, large practice.

The firm’s dramatic growth prompted other lawyers to seek Steve’s mentorship on growing their own practices, and he quickly became the go-to advisor for many successful practitioners. To further pursue that passion, he sold his practice and joined the nation’s premier law practice management consulting firm, Atticus, as a shareholder.

At Atticus, Steve created innovative coaching programs, including the Double Your Revenue™ workshop (featured in LawyersUSA), the Practice Growth Program®, and Dominate Your Market®. Hundreds of satisfied attorneys have successfully completed his programs and are actively building more successful firms with what they gained. He is also the host of the Great Practice. Great Life.® by Atticus® podcast.

Steve is a highly sought-after presenter and speaker for legal association events nationally. He wrote ‘The Busy Lawyer’s Guide to the Laws of Practice Growth” and “The Busy Lawyer’s Guide to the Domestic Assistant Advantage” and is a contributing author to six additional books, including Basic Estate Planning for the Florida Bar. He was also a national columnist for CCH magazine on practice management. In 2006, Steve won the National Small Law Firm Practice Innovation Award.

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Aaron Rothert

Aaron Rothert is an attorney, a former instructor for the Internal Revenue Service, and has worked with the State Attorney’s Office in Florida.

As a Practice Advisor, Aaron works with firm owners and associates to achieve their goals in the areas of time management, client development, staffing, cash flow and profitability. In addition to his individual coaching practice, Aaron conducts DISC Behavioral Profile discussions with attorneys and team members.

Aaron has been published in the Family Law Journal and writes regularly on time management and marketing for attorneys. He also conducts regular marketing webinars for Atticus and has contributed to ElderCounsel’s webinar series.

A graduate of Florida State University College of Law, Aaron also holds BAs in Political Science and English from the University of North Florida. Aaron has started and led several young professionals groups in church communities in Tallahassee and Jacksonville. A member of the Florida Bar, Aaron is married and resides in central Florida.

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Daniel Struna

Daniel Struna, a Practice Advisor with Atticus, is an attorney and former owner and founder of a million-dollar business. Daniel’s coaching practice focuses on solo and small law firm owners and partners, to help clients transform their practice and their life. His goal is to help them increase their income, decrease their stress, build a rock-star team, and improve their client experience.

To do this he uses the four foundations of practice growth: time management, staffing, marketing, and profitability. Daniel is well versed in the DISC behavioral profile and helps his clients utilize the DISC to inform their growth, leadership, and team development.

Daniel has spoken to bar associations and legal organizations in the areas of law practice growth and management, including the South Carolina Bar, the Family Law Section of the Alabama State Bar, and Florida Bar associations. Daniel has a degree in Theology and prior to his pursuit of coaching attorneys and law firms, he worked with orphanages in India, Brazil, and Guatemala.

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