What happens when a lawyer decides that bigger isn’t always better?

On this episode of That One Lawyer™ Podcast, Neal Goldstein sits down with Don McClure — a Houston attorney, former police officer, and community leader — who’s spent the last 30 years proving that success in law doesn’t have to come at the cost of integrity, family, or peace of mind.

Don and his wife, Edith, have built a practice that’s less about billboards and more about belonging — where every client feels seen, heard, and valued. From handwritten notes and phone calls to charity events and summer reading programs, Don’s firm has become more than a business. It’s a hub for human connection.

In this heartfelt conversation, Don shares how his faith, humility, and life experiences shaped not only the lawyer he became — but the man he strives to be.

Watch now on YouTube HERE

✅ How Don McClure turned a small Houston firm into a community pillar
✅ Why authenticity and communication are more powerful than marketing spend
✅ How growing up in dysfunction taught him empathy and intentional living
✅ The impact of being a police officer on his approach to client care
✅ How faith and family keep him grounded in an ego-driven profession
✅ What most lawyers misunderstand about connection and communication
✅ Why being proactive with clients actually saves time — and builds trust
✅ The story behind his firm’s culture of giving back (from bike giveaways to reading programs)
✅ How moving to Mexico helped him redefine “success” and “enough”

In an age of Google ads, SEO campaigns, and social media competition, it’s easy to forget what actually matters. Don reminds us that the best marketing is genuine care — and that your character is the real differentiator.

This episode is a must-listen for lawyers who:

• Feel burned out chasing endless growth goals
  
  

• Want to build a meaningful, sustainable firm that aligns with their values
  
  

• Are tired of the “billboard lawyer” image and want to stand out for the right reasons
  
  

• Believe that how you practice law matters just as much as what you practice
  
  

• Communication isn’t just a task — it’s trust in action.
  
  

• Your story (and your scars) can become your greatest connection point.
  
  

• Scaling doesn’t always mean more — sometimes it means better.
  
  

• Clients remember how you made them feel, not how fast you settled their case.
  
  

Hosted by attorney Neal Goldstein, That One Lawyer™ Podcast goes beyond legal talk. It’s real lawyers having real conversations about what it takes to build a fulfilling practice — and a meaningful life.

Each week, Neal interviews attorneys, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders who’ve redefined success in law through authenticity, empathy, and relationships.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

What if law school prepared you for everything except real life?

In this powerful episode of That One Lawyer™ Podcast, host Neal Goldstein sits down with Xavier Prescod — a first-generation lawyer who’s rewriting what success looks like in the legal profession.

Born to immigrant parents from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Xavier grew up watching his mom work as a home health aide and his dad build homes as a carpenter. Today, he’s building something of his own — a thriving career in insurance defense litigation at one of the top firms in the country.

But his path wasn’t paved for him. From failing his first LSAT to being the only Black male student in his law school section, Xavier had to fight imposter syndrome, push through doubt, and learn how to succeed in a system not built for him.

This episode is raw, grounded, and deeply human — a must-listen for any lawyer who’s ever questioned whether they belong.

Watch Full Video on YouTube HERE

✅ How to turn self-doubt into determination (and why failing the LSAT was the best thing that ever happened to him)
✅ The truth about being a first-generation lawyer in today’s profession
✅ What law school should teach you — but doesn’t
✅ How to build real relationships across generations in the legal field
✅ The role of mentors (like Judge Latia Martin) in shaping professional identity
✅ How to overcome feeling like the “only one in the room”
✅ What younger lawyers wish older lawyers understood — and vice versa
✅ The power of kindness, collaboration, and staying authentic in a competitive field
✅ How social media can humanize lawyers — and where it can go wrong

• Xavier’s family story and early influences

• His LSAT journey and the moment he realized he could actually do this

• Navigating law school as one of the few minority students

• Finding belonging through friendship, mentorship, and hard work

• Lessons from clerking in Bronx Supreme Court

• The realities of working in insurance defense

• How firm culture can make or break young lawyers

• What his generation is getting right — and wrong — about work and life

• Why relationships are the future of the legal profession

• How Neal’s “one stranger a day” rule can change your career trajectory

• First-generation lawyers finding their footing in law

• Law students navigating imposter syndrome

• Young attorneys figuring out firm culture and client relationships

• Mentors looking to understand the next generation of lawyers

• Diverse attorneys and advocates for inclusion in law

• Anyone who believes grit, authenticity, and empathy matter more than prestige

Instagram: @x.laflame
Email: xavier.prescod7@gmail.com

🎙️ That One Lawyer™ Podcast is for attorneys who refuse to blend in — the ones building meaningful careers and authentic relationships.

On this episode of That One Lawyer™ Podcast, Neal Goldstein sits down with Ben Glass, attorney, author, and founder of Great Legal Marketing, to address the issue that too many lawyers face but few openly talk about: burnout.

From long hours to endless client demands, lawyers often find themselves running on empty. Ben argues that burnout isn’t just a personal problem — it impacts the quality of advocacy, client trust, and ultimately the entire profession.

In this powerful conversation, Neal and Ben dig into:

• Why lawyer burnout is the #1 problem facing the profession today

• How lawyers can protect their energy without sacrificing results

• The role of purpose and passion in avoiding burnout

• Ben’s journey in creating systems that let lawyers thrive without grinding themselves into the ground

• Practical steps every lawyer can take today to start building a sustainable career

Watch video of full episode HERE

💡 Why this episode matters
Lawyers who burn out don’t just hurt themselves — they can’t serve their clients effectively. The profession doesn’t need more exhausted lawyers. It needs more fulfilled ones.

Whether you’re a law student worried about your future, a young lawyer trying to find balance, or a seasoned attorney ready to rethink your practice, this episode will help you see a path forward.

👉 Subscribe to That One Lawyer™ Podcast for more interviews with attorneys and entrepreneurs who are reshaping what it means to succeed in law.

“It’s not more work. You have to start thinking differently. Because once you start thinking differently, the work yields different results.” – Kara Vaval

On this episode of That One Lawyer Podcast, Neal Goldstein sits down with Kara Vaval, attorney, entrepreneur, speaker, and author, to unpack one of the most important lessons lawyers need to learn: success in law isn’t about grinding harder, it’s about shifting your mindset.

For too long, lawyers have been told that the only path to success is longer hours, more billable time, and constant hustle. Kara challenges that outdated thinking. Instead, she explains how a true lawyer mindset shift can transform the way you practice, the way you serve clients, and ultimately, the results you’re able to achieve.

Watch Full Episode on YouTube HERE

In this conversation, Kara and Neal go deep on topics that every young lawyer, solo practitioner, and law firm owner needs to hear:

• Why thinking differently creates better outcomes for both lawyers and clients

• The importance of aligning your practice with your values and vision

• How to avoid burnout by reframing the way you approach your work

• The difference between “more work” and “different work” — and why the latter is where growth lives

• Kara’s personal journey from traditional lawyering to becoming a sought-after voice on mindset, marketing, and meaningful success

• Real strategies to help lawyers stop chasing someone else’s version of success and start building practices that actually support their lives

This episode is about more than just motivation. Kara offers tangible steps you can take right now to build resilience, think differently, and see real change in your practice.

Whether you’re a law student, a new lawyer just starting out, or a seasoned law firm owner trying to adapt to a changing profession, Kara’s insights will help you rethink what’s possible.

Why this episode matters for lawyers

Lawyers today face more pressure than ever — competition, client expectations, and the relentless pace of legal work. The lawyers who thrive are not necessarily the ones working the longest hours. They are the ones who adapt, evolve, and embrace a new way of thinking.

Kara shows us that lawyers who make the mindset shift can:

• Attract better clients through authentic relationships

• Build more sustainable firms without sacrificing personal health and well-being

• Grow beyond traditional marketing strategies like billboards and SEO, and instead create trust and loyalty that lasts

Become “that one lawyer” people think of when it matters most.

About That One Lawyer Podcast

Hosted by attorney Neal Goldstein, That One Lawyer Podcast isn’t about Hollywood lawyers in expensive suits. It’s about real lawyers having real conversations. Every week Neal talks with lawyers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs who share the stories that shaped them, the mistakes they’ve made, and the strategies they’ve used to build meaningful, client-centered practices.

The podcast is designed for:

• Law students wondering what it’s really like to practice law

• Young lawyers trying to stand out in a crowded field

• Solo and small-firm lawyers looking for marketing and growth strategies

• Law firm owners ready to rethink their business models

• Anyone who believes relationships are the true foundation of success in law

Subscribe to That One Lawyer Podcast for more interviews with attorneys, law firm owners, and entrepreneurs who are changing the way law is practiced. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

At The McCraw Law Group, compassion and integrity aren’t just words on a wall. They’re the foundation of how Lin McCraw has built a values-driven law firm that gets results for real people.

In this episode of That One Lawyer™ Podcast, Neal Goldstein sits down with Lin McCraw to explore how filtering every decision through core values — compassion for clients and integrity in every interaction — creates a law firm that stands out.

Watcht the full video on YouTube HERE

Lin shares:

• Why treating clients as human beings, not case files, is the key to building trust.

• How compassion and integrity guide his firm’s systems, culture, and growth.

• Practical steps lawyers can take to align their practice with their personal values.

• Why values-driven lawyering creates both better outcomes and better lives for attorneys.

Whether you’re a young lawyer, a solo practitioner, or a law firm owner looking for growth strategies, this conversation will show you how to build a sustainable practice that puts clients first without burning yourself out.

👉 Subscribe to That One Lawyer™ Podcast for more interviews with attorneys, law firm owners, and entrepreneurs who are changing the way law is practiced.

Starting a law career later in life doesn’t mean you’re behind — it can mean you’re better prepared.

In this episode of That One Lawyer™ Podcast, host Neal Goldstein talks with Christopher Nicolaysen, co-founder of Springs Law Group in Colorado Springs, about his unconventional path into law, building a practice around authenticity, and how young and solo attorneys can grow without burning out.

Christopher shares his journey of entering law later in life, what he carried from past experiences into his practice, and how staying grounded in family and fitness gives him balance. He opens up about the challenges of starting a firm, the lessons he’s learned about client relationships, and why vulnerability and humility make you a better lawyer.

Whether you’re just starting your practice, running a small law firm, or thinking about how to make your career more sustainable, this episode is packed with insights you can apply right now.

Watch Full Episode on YouTube HERE

• Intro

• Why Christopher Nicolaysen started law later in life

• Lessons from starting a firm with no “traditional” background

• Building Springs Law Group with authenticity and heart

• How fitness and family anchor his leadership

• What young lawyers need to know about client trust

• Mistakes to avoid when starting your own law practice

• Advice for lawyers who feel behind in their careers

• Closing thoughts

Christopher is the co-founder of Springs Law Group, a personal injury firm in Colorado Springs. Known for his approachable leadership style and client-first mentality, he helps people rebuild after trauma while guiding his team with authenticity and care.

👉 Subscribe now for more conversations with lawyers who are growing referral-first, relationship-driven practices.
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Stephanie Rodriguez-Ruiz isn’t just a personal injury lawyer — she’s a former high school dropout with a felony record who went on to become a civil rights attorney, nonprofit leader, and fierce advocate for teens and marginalized communities.

In this episode of That One Lawyer™ Podcast, Neal Goldstein sits down with Stephanie to unpack her unbelievable journey to the courtroom, how 12 years as a paralegal shaped her client-first approach, and what it really takes to build a legal career that matters.

If you're a young or entrepreneurial lawyer wondering whether you belong — this is your episode.

Watch the video on YouTube HERE

What You’ll Learn:

• How Stephanie rewrote her story after early mistakes and legal trouble
  
  

• Why law school doesn’t define you — but grit does
  
  

• The power of lived experience in building client trust
  
  

• What most law firms get wrong about “serving the community”
  
  

• Why mentorship is more than a buzzword — and how she’s doing it in real life
  
  

• How being authentic builds a reputation better than any resume
  
  

Guest: Stephanie Rodriguez Ruiz
Stephanie is a personal injury and civil rights attorney in Boston. She co-founded the nonprofit Leading Ladies of Boston, serves on the board of the Boston Arts Academy (which once expelled her), and is a passionate advocate for record sealing, educational equity, and mentoring teens.

Host: Neal Goldstein
Author of Who’s In The Waiting Room? and founder of That One Lawyer™ Podcast, Neal brings real talk and practical wisdom to lawyers building meaningful careers.

What if burnout wasn’t a failure — but a sign you’re ready to grow?

In this episode of That One Lawyer™ Podcast, Neal Goldstein interviews Bryan Kramer — TED speaker, best-selling author, and marketing expert — on what it means to stop performing and start living.

From burnout to balance, Bryan shares the mindset shift that changed everything.

Watch full video HERE

👉 Topics We Cover:

• Identity beyond your career

• Why burnout isn't weakness

• Mindset shifts for young lawyers

• Boundaries, balance & purpose

• Reinventing your version of success

🎧 Subscribe for more real talk, mentorship, and growth strategies for lawyers.