Mastering the Business of Law: Insights from Adam Berger (Ep. 33)
Welcome to the latest blog post based on Episode 33 of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, featuring the insightful Adam Berger, partner and co-founder of Miller Berger. In this episode, titled "The Power of Client-Centered Growth: Insights from Corporate Law Expert Adam Berger," our guest shares invaluable wisdom on cultivating a successful law practice in today's rapidly evolving landscape.
Lean and Virtual: A New Business Model for Law Firms
The pivot to a lean and virtual business model is redefining the legal services industry. Adam Berger champions this approach, illustrating how quality work can significantly drive revenue and profit. By maintaining a virtual office and a modest in-person footprint, Berger's firm capitalizes on the shift in workplace dynamics, ensuring both high accessibility to clients and an efficient operational setup.
Prioritizing Clients Over Profit
One of the cornerstones of Miller Berger's philosophy is placing client needs and goals at the forefront—a principle crucially discussed by Adam in our podcast. This focus guarantees that every client receives optimal results, which inherently aligns with business growth and client retention strategies.
Cultivating a Collaborative Team Culture
Adam delves into how his firm nurtures a collaborative and family-like atmosphere, prudently selecting team members to ensure a diverse yet harmonious blend of skills and perspectives. They've established a generous origination policy to ensure young attorneys are invested in building their business and in the satisfaction of their clients.
Overcoming Onboarding Obstacles
Despite challenges in recruiting the most skilled candidates, Miller Berger takes a slow and careful hiring approach. Adam emphasizes the importance of not just technical skills but intangibles such as confidence, a sense of humor, and varied personal backgrounds, crucial for a dynamic and resilient law firm.
Embracing a Pandemic-Spawned Opportunity
Starting their practice amidst the COVID-19 pandemic turned out to be a strategic advantage for Adam and his partner. As they anticipated shifts in the legal business, they adopted a selective and empowering hiring approach, ensuring everyone's voice is heard—a significant move that fostered inclusivity and a strong sense of belonging.
Networking and Business Development in the New Normal
Berger recognizes the current business development landscape's nature, where networking and relationship-building remain pivotal for securing referrals and solidifying a firm's reputation.
The Lawyer Millionaire's Resources
Listeners and readers are also reminded that they can access free resources, webinars, and our host Darren Wurz's book at thelawyermillionaire.com. We encourage everyone to subscribe, leave a review, and share the insights they've gained from our podcast.
Closing Thoughts and an Invitation from Adam Berger
Our guest reinforces his business's vision: to double the number of attorneys at the Miller Berger firm. In a candid moment, Adam shares his retirement aspiration to savor cooking and beachside relaxation.
For more details on Adam Berger's expertise, visit Millerberger.com, Find Law, Super Lawyers, and LinkedIn. And of course, Adam welcomes everyone to connect with him online for enriching conversations.
Subscribe and Transform Your Practice
Don't forget to tune in to The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast for more empowering episodes that can help law firm owners achieve greater success and freedom. Subscribe today and transform your law firm into a lean, client-centered powerhouse
Resources:
Connect with Darren Wurz:
Connect with Adam Berger:
About our guest:
Adam’s focuses his practice on Corporate, Complex Commercial Litigation, Insurance Defense, and Employment matters, as well as a wide variety of Commercial Transactions including “buy-sells” and Real Estate. Adam serves as outside general counsel to numerous privately held companies in the Greater Chicago Area, including many automobile dealerships and construction companies. He is regularly engaged to defend lawsuits alleging breach of contract, fraud, breach of warranty, and violations of Federal statutes such as the Truth in Lending Act. Adam is often retained to resolve shareholder disputes and employment charges filed with the EEOC and Illinois Department of Human Rights. Adam also has extensive experience defending construction companies against claims of negligence and wrongful death.
Adam has tried numerous cases to verdict and has an impressive appellate record. He regularly represents clients in arbitration hearings, mediations, and alternative dispute resolution proceedings.
Adam has been recognized as a Super Lawyer Rising Star in Construction Litigation and is the proud recipient of an Illinois Jury Verdict Reporter “Trial Lawyer Excellence Award” for obtaining a defense verdict on behalf of an electrical contractor in a wrongful electrocution death case. Adam serves on the Boards of various public and private organizations. Prior to establishing Miller Berger, LLC, Adam was a partner in a large, multi-state law firm and the owner of a boutique law firm in Chicago.
Bar Admissions
Illinois
U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois
U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court Western District of Wisconsin
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin
Federal Trial Bar
Education
Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Chicago, Illinois
J.D. – 1999
Dean’s List
CALI Highest Grade in Legal Research
Best Oral Advocate, Regional Finals, National Moot Court Competition
National Moot Court Team
Winning Team, Intra-School Moot Court Competition
Phillip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Team
Washington University
B.A. – 1993
Professional Associations
Chicago Bar Association
Northwest Suburban Bar Association
Illinois Defense Counsel
Illinois Independent Auto Dealer Association, Board Member
National Independent Auto Dealer Association
HACIA
Published Works
Co-Author, Chapter 1 and Chapter 4, A Young Lawyer’s Guide to Real Estate Practice, The Young Lawyers Section, Chicago Bar Association
Honors
Illinois Jury Verdict Reporter “Trial Lawyer Excellence Award”
Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Star, Construction Litigation
Super Lawyer 2022
Elite Lawyer 2020-2022
