What does it take to grow a 1,200-lawyer firm through chaos, competition, and industry change without losing the culture and discipline that made it strong in the first place?

Hosts Chris Batz and Howard Rosenberg sit down with Chase Simmons, Chair and CEO of Polsinelli, for a thoughtful conversation about leadership under pressure. As the leader of one of the largest full-service U.S.-focused law firms, Chase brings a clear point of view on growth, judgment, and the kind of institutional clarity that gets tested when the market shifts.

The conversation gets to the heart of how firms grow without losing themselves. Chase shares why Polsinelli has stayed intentionally U.S. focused, how leadership teams decide where to invest and where to hold back, and what hard moments can reveal about a firm's values. What helps a firm stay disciplined when the market keeps shifting? What becomes possible when leaders know who they are and refuse to chase every opportunity?

Chris and Howard also ask Chase about private equity, AI, succession, and the broader disruption reshaping big law. What emerges is a thoughtful discussion about stewardship, ambition, and the choices that give a firm staying power. It is a grounded look at leadership from someone who has helped scale a major firm while staying protective of the culture behind it.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Polsinelli's Growth Strategy and Leadership Vision

03:08 Building a Law Firm Culture That Holds Up Under Pressure

11:56 The Future of Big Law and Industry Disruption

14:59 AI and the Changing Practice of Law

17:54 Private Equity and the Future of Law Firm Ownership

21:04 Leadership Lessons for Law Firm Leaders

Connect with Chase Simmons:

Chase Simmon's Law Firm Web bio

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Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

What happens when accomplished lawyers realize the traditional firm model no longer supports the practice they want to build?

James Hacking, founder and CEO of Kindleworth, joins the conversation for a clear-eyed look at why more top lawyers are questioning the traditional big law model and what it takes to build something more aligned, more focused, and more sustainable.

At the center of the discussion is a simple truth: many partners are not looking to leave because they are bored or impulsive. They are responding to real pressure. Conflicts get in the way. Firm priorities shift. Business models grow rigid. At a certain point, the question becomes unavoidable. What happens when the institution no longer supports the work you do best?

James brings real specificity to that tension. He explains why boutique firms have become a more serious option for elite lawyers and why the move requires more than confidence and a strong book of business. What does it actually take to launch well? What do lawyers often fail to see until they are in the middle of it? This conversation stays grounded in those questions.

The result is a thoughtful look at agency, timing, and design inside a changing legal market. For anyone curious about where the industry is headed, or what it looks like to build a firm around the work that matters most, this episode gives that conversation real substance.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 The Rise of Boutique Law Firms

05:03 Understanding Kindleworth's Mission

12:34 The Process of Launching a Law Firm

19:24 Navigating the US Legal Market

24:04 Common Mistakes in Law Firm Launches

28:11 Future Services and Growth Opportunities

31:18 The Future of Boutique Legal Services

Connect with James Hacking:

Connect with James on LinkedIn

Law Firm Web bio

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Company web profile

Connect with Chris Batz:

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Columbus Street Website

MergerWatch Website

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

What if the biggest barrier to justice in America is the legal profession itself and the solution begins by rethinking who is allowed to help people solve their legal problems?

Chris Batz and Howard Rosenberg sit down with Natalie Knowlton of Stanford Law School's Deborah L. Rhode Center about the widening gap between the legal system and the people it is meant to serve. Millions of Americans cannot access legal help, including many in the middle class. Natalie argues the problem goes beyond funding. The structure of the profession itself limits who can deliver legal services and how people receive help. This conversation sits at the intersection of Legal Tech, Access to Justice, policy, and innovation.

A central question drives the discussion. Should lawyers be the only people allowed to provide legal assistance? Natalie challenges that long-standing assumption. Many everyday legal needs involve simple processes such as filling out forms or navigating court procedures. Could trained non-lawyers and technology expand access where lawyers are scarce or unaffordable? The conversation explores how emerging Legal Tech tools and direct-to-consumer platforms may help people understand legal problems and identify practical next steps.

The episode also looks at how legal education, regulation, and global experimentation shape the future of the profession. Natalie points to reforms in places like the United Kingdom and Canada that test new service models through regulatory sandboxes. Could similar experimentation help the United States close the justice gap? The discussion leaves listeners with a larger question about the future of law. What would the legal system look like if it were designed around real human needs and genuine Access to Justice?

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Access to Justice and the Future of Legal Services

01:11 Natalie Knowlton's Journey Into Legal Innovation

06:28 Why Most Americans Cannot Afford Legal Help

10:34 Non-Lawyer Legal Services and UPL Reform

12:13 Legal Tech and Direct-to-Consumer Justice Tools

18:42 Legal Innovation Lessons From the UK and Canada

20:35 The Future of Law and Access to Justice

Connect with Natalie Knowlton:

Natalie's Company Web Bio

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Connect with Howard Rosenberg:

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Howard's Company Web Profile

Connect with Chris Batz:

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Follow Columbus Street on LinkedIn

Columbus Street Website

MergerWatch Website

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm