Running a plaintiff’s firm takes more than courtroom skill. It takes the right people, a clear culture, and a steady focus on the client. A recent episode of the Build Your Firm podcast with trial attorney Mark Lazarus of Russell & Lazarus breaks down how he approaches each one.
Lazarus has worked alongside his partner for about 25 years. His experience in both case management and trial work makes his advice useful for firm owners, associates, and injured people looking for representation.
Focus on Your Strengths
One of Lazarus’s main points is to stop doing everything yourself. He hands off accounting and HR to team members who excel at them. That frees him to focus on marketing and case management, where he adds the most value.
This kind of delegation is not about giving up control. It is about putting the right person in the right seat. Clients benefit because every part of the practice gets expert attention.
Hire for Drive, Then Test for Fit
Lazarus looks closely at early work experience when hiring. Jobs like babysitting or mowing lawns can signal a self-starter. Someone who earned money young often brings the same initiative to a law office.
Using Assessments to Build Stronger Teams
He also leans on testing to evaluate fit. His toolkit includes:
- DISC communication styles
- The Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team
- IQ testing
These tools help a firm understand how people communicate and where they will thrive. The goal is a team that works well together, not just a group of talented individuals.
Accountability Applies to Everyone
Hiring is only half the equation. Lazarus is candid about the tough personnel calls that come with leadership. He explains when it is time to let someone go and why accountability has to apply to everyone on the team.
He also argues that a business works more like a sports team than a family. A team has shared goals, defined roles, and standards for performance. That framing keeps a firm fair, focused, and moving forward.
Grow Without a Giant Budget
Not every successful firm spends eight figures on advertising. Lazarus relies on tracked return on investment, grassroots relationships, and a long-running radio partnership. Each marketing dollar has to earn its place.
Community ties matter too. Strong relationships with other attorneys and local groups build trust that no ad campaign can buy. For firms with modest budgets, this approach offers a practical path to steady growth.
Put the Client First
The most memorable stories in the episode involve clients. Lazarus describes referring a client away from a case that would not help her. The decision cost the firm a case, but it served the person in front of him.
He also shares a story about finding a missed insurance policy. That discovery turned a $15,000 case into one worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Digging deeper into every file can change what an injured person recovers.
Clients who want that level of care should look for a personal injury lawyer who takes the time to review every detail of their case. A thorough review can uncover coverage and evidence that others overlook.
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Structure Teams and Prepare for Trial
Lazarus also discusses how his firm organizes its work. Pre-litigation and litigation operate as separate departments. Auto and non-auto cases have their own teams, and two attorneys can share a caseload.
This structure keeps every file moving and gives each case focused attention. It also lets attorneys build deep expertise in specific types of claims.
Trial Preparation Matters
When a case heads to court, preparation is everything. Lazarus values focus groups, voir dire, and opening statements. He also encourages attorneys to learn trial skills by watching lawyers they admire.
Injured people often have a wide range of case types, and each calls for its own strategy. Anyone exploring their options can review the full list of practice areas to see which kinds of claims a firm handles.
Use AI Responsibly
Technology is another major topic. Lazarus stresses why closed AI tools matter for protecting sensitive information. He also warns clients to think carefully before entering case details into a public chatbot.
At the same time, he sees real value in the right tools. Attorneys can use AI to analyze deposition transcripts and spot patterns faster. Used carefully, technology supports good lawyering without replacing judgment.
Key Takeaways for Attorneys
Lazarus’s advice comes down to a few principles that any firm can apply:
- Delegate tasks outside your strengths
- Hire for initiative and test for fit
- Hold everyone to the same standard
- Track the return on every marketing dollar
- Treat each client’s interests as the priority
- Protect confidential information when using AI
Firms that follow these principles build teams people want to join, and clients want to recommend. The full conversation includes book recommendations, courtroom stories, and honest talk about the parts of practice that law school never covered.
