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Beyond Billables: Lessons from Top Law Firm Partners

Beyond Billables: Lessons from Top Law Firm Partners

Von: Stephen Rodney
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 The legal sector thrives on talent, but how do you ensure partner success, both generally and in relation to how new hires integrate and succeed? Hosted by Stephen Rodney, founder of IntoGreat Coaching, which provides tailor made integration programmes for laterals and, previously a veteran of partner legal recruitment. Beyond Billables is the essential podcast for law firm leaders and in house GCs. Stephen draws on both his recent coaching experience and his previous recruitment life as a co-founder of a leading recruitment boutique (including being responsible for one of the UK's largest-ever team moves), to look at the essential elements necessary to produce both successful partners and also other senior lawyers and to look at the critical challenge of effective senior lawyer integration. Join Stephen as he speaks with successful partners, other industry experts and legal innovators. Follow Beyond Billables to ensure you absorb the lessons told by the successful partners interviewed!Copyright 2026 Stephen Rodney Bildung Kunst Ökonomie
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  • He Left Broken Law Firms to Build a 600-Lawyer, Freedom-Based Practice with Darryl Cooke

    He Left Broken Law Firms to Build a 600-Lawyer, Freedom-Based Practice with Darryl Cooke
    Apr 28 2026
    In this episode of Beyond Billables: Lessons from Top Law Firm Partners, host Stephen Rodney interviews Darryl Cooke, Founder and Executive Chair of gunnercooke, a next-generation law firm that has grown to 16 offices across the US, Austria, Germany, Scotland, and England. Darryl shares his unconventional journey into law and how frustration with traditional law firm leadership pushed him to build a more flexible, entrepreneurial model that empowers lawyers to run their own practices while still collaborating within a shared firm structure.Darryl Cooke also discusses gunnercooke’s rapid growth to more than 600 professionals worldwide and how the firm blends autonomy with collaboration. He shares his views on leadership development, coaching, and the growing impact of AI on legal services, reflecting on how the profession can evolve while staying focused on client relationships and meaningful work.Expect to Learn:The inspiration behind starting gunnercooke and how it differs from traditional law firms.Why creating a positive and empowering work culture is crucial to success in a law firm.How AI is shaping the future of the legal profession, and the challenges it brings.The importance of building relationships as a key to being a successful partner.The value of coaching for lawyers and how it contributes to their long-term success.Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:[00:00] – Teaser[01:15] – Welcome & Introduction to Beyond Billables with Darryl Cooke[09:44] – From Industry to Private Practice: Discovering Business and Private Equity[13:03] – The Frustration That Built gunnercooke: Why Law Firms Are Badly Run[18:48] – A Father's Final Push: The Trigger to Start Something New[20:20] – Designing the Model: Freedom, Control, and the One Thing That's Different[28:56] – Lateral Hiring at gunnercooke: The VTO and Coaching Before Day One[33:47] – The Data on Coaching: Twice as Successful[37:05] – Innovation as a Value: Why Law Firms Are Afraid of Change[40:14] – AI at gunnercooke: Pricing, the "Co-Effect," and Developing Junior Lawyers[48:54] – Giving Back: The Bookshops and the Fight Against Social Isolation[52:21] – Advice to His Younger Self: Fail Quicker and Stay Positive[54:10] – One Golden Rule: Build Relationships[55:16] – Closing RemarksConnect with Darryl Cooke:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darryljcooke/Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gunnercooke-llp/Company’s Website: https://gunnercooke.com/Connect with Stephen Rodney:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenmrodney/Company’s Website: https://www.intogreatcoaching.co.uk/Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intogreat-coaching/Connect with IntoGreat Coaching:Website: https://www.intogreatcoaching.co.uk/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intogreat-coaching/Listening Links:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5itRkdqnE9iUG7XuVXfur9?si=cd8ec898274442d9&nd=1&dlsi=6ff13118ea1a44b4Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-billables-lessons-from-top-law-firm-partners/id1847593311Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenRodney-i8l
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    55 Min.
  • US Law Firm Growth for Senior Lawyers to Lead the London Private Equity Market with Mike Francies

    US Law Firm Growth for Senior Lawyers to Lead the London Private Equity Market with Mike Francies
    Apr 21 2026
    In this episode of Beyond Billables: Lessons from Top Law Firm Partners, host Stephen Rodney speaks with Mike Francies about a remarkable legal career built across some of the world’s leading firms. From serving as Managing Partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP for over two decades, to now being a Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, Mike reflects on leadership, private equity growth, and the evolution of global law firms. The conversation explores what it takes to build a top tier practice, lead through change, and stay relevant across different phases of a long career.Mike has worked on some of the largest private equity transactions in Europe, mentored generations of lawyers, and served in senior leadership roles. He is also Chair of the Board of Trustees at Power2, reflecting his strong commitment to social mobility and mentoring beyond the legal profession.Expect to LearnHow private equity law evolved from a niche practice to a dominant force in the legal marketWhy judgement and client relationships matter more than technical brilliance aloneWhat makes lateral hires succeed or fail in major law firmsThe realities of leading a London office of a global US firmHow AI is reshaping private equity law and the future of associate developmentEpisode Breakdown with Timestamps[00:00] – Teaser[00:38] – Welcome & Introduction to Beyond Billables with Mike Francies[04:37] – The Leap to Weil: Building a US Firm's London PE Practice[12:37] – The Lateral Myth: Origination vs. Firm Clients[18:09] – What Makes a Successful Partner? Hard Work, Judgement, and Playing Nice[24:37] – Light-Touch Leadership: Managing Without a Capital[30:05] – Measuring Success: The Holistic View Beyond Billables[35:18] – AI in Private Equity: Efficiency, Clients, and the Future of Judgement[43:11] – Highs and Lows: The FT Front Page Story[49:46] – Advice to His Younger Self: Be Less Intense[52:44] – One Golden Rule: Treat People as You Want to Be Treated[53:33] – Closing RemarksConnect with Mike Francies:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-francies-7bb6b64/Sullivan & Cromwell LLP LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sullivanandcromwell/Sullivan & Cromwell LLP Website: https://www.sullcrom.com/Power2 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/power2org/Power2 Website: https://www.power2.org/Connect with Stephen Rodney:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenmrodney/Company’s Website: https://www.intogreatcoaching.co.uk/Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intogreat-coaching/Connect with IntoGreat Coaching:Website: https://www.intogreatcoaching.co.uk/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intogreat-coaching/Listening Links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5itRkdqnE9iUG7XuVXfur9?si=cd8ec898274442d9&nd=1&dlsi=6ff13118ea1a44b4Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-billables-lessons-from-top-law-firm-partners/id1847593311Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenRodney-i8l
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    54 Min.
  • What Makes Law Firm Partners Fail for Legal Executives to Master Ownership with Richard Medd

    What Makes Law Firm Partners Fail for Legal Executives to Master Ownership with Richard Medd
    Apr 14 2026
    In this episode of Beyond Billables, host Stephen Rodney speaks with Richard Medd, Managing Partner at Browne Jacobson LLP, a leading UK law firm. Richard shares his journey from a corporate lawyer to managing partner, highlighting the firm’s growth and transformation over the years. He discusses leadership, the importance of ownership, and how to foster a one-firm culture as the firm expands. The conversation also covers the challenges and opportunities of recruiting laterals and the role of AI and external investments in shaping the future of law firms.Richard Medd has been with Browne Jacobson LLP for his entire career, starting as a trainee and working his way up to managing partner. Under his leadership, the firm has expanded to seven offices across the UK and Ireland, reflecting its national and international growth. Richard shares valuable insights into what makes a successful partner, how leadership differs from management, and how the firm's commitment to values and ownership drives its success.Expect to Learn:How ownership and accountability shape successful law firm partners.The significance of aligning individual success with the firm's overall strategy.Insights into integrating laterals and maintaining a unified company culture.The impact of AI and external investment on the future of law firms.Why leadership and management skills are crucial for law firm success.Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:[00:00] – Teaser[00:56] – Welcome & Introduction to Beyond Billables with Richard Medd[03:54] – 26 Years at Browne Jacobson LLP: From Trainee to Managing Partner[09:34] – One Firm Approach: Partnership Over Individualism[14:54] – Transitioning to Leadership: From Corporate Partner to Managing Partner[18:25] – Starting as Managing Partner During COVID: A Crisis Forged in Fire[22:09] – Lateral Hiring: Art Over Science, Values, and Human Fit[30:46] – Best Moments: Client Emotions, People, and the Annual Tour[37:33] – Advice to His Younger Self: Listen More, Talk Less, and Don't Wait to Be Ready[43:49] – The Future: AI, Private Equity, and Forcing Strategic Conversations[52:00] – One Golden Rule: Own It Together[52:38] – Closing RemarksConnect with Richard Medd:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-medd-managing-partner/Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brownej/Company’s Website: https://www.brownejacobson.com/Connect with Stephen Rodney:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenmrodney/Company’s Website: https://www.intogreatcoaching.co.uk/Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intogreat-coaching/Connect with IntoGreat Coaching:Website: https://www.intogreatcoaching.co.uk/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intogreat-coaching/Listening Links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5itRkdqnE9iUG7XuVXfur9?si=cd8ec898274442d9&nd=1&dlsi=6ff13118ea1a44b4Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-billables-lessons-from-top-law-firm-partners/id1847593311Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenRodney-i8l
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    53 Min.
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