15 Minutes Share Your Voice

Building a Practice and Making a Difference: Family Law and Advocacy With Olivia St. Clair Long

Olivia St. Clair Long is the Founder and Principal Attorney at O. Long Law, LLC, a family law firm based in Evanston, Illinois, that serves clients in the Chicagoland area. With extensive experience in litigation and a focus on cases involving divorce, custody, domestic violence, and prenuptial agreements, Olivia combines strategic legal advocacy with a practical approach to resolving disputes. Before founding her firm, she worked in both small and large law practices, developing the expertise she brings to her clients today. In this episode… Family law often carries the weight of high emotions, complex disputes, and life-altering decisions. How does a skilled advocate manage these challenges while building a thriving practice and making a meaningful impact?  According to Olivia St. Clair Long, a family law attorney, the key to success lies in understanding that litigation is a last resort. She emphasizes the importance of conflict resolution through negotiation and mediation, which can save clients both time and money while minimizing emotional stress. Olivia highlights that the emotional stakes in family law, particularly in cases involving children, require a delicate balance between compassion and pragmatism. She underscores that educating clients about the long-term impact of their decisions and keeping their focus on financial and emotional stability can pave the way for better outcomes. In this episode of 15 Minutes, Chad Franzen sits down with Olivia St. Clair Long, Founder and Principal Attorney at O. Long Law, LLC, to discuss the nuances of family law and building a practice rooted in advocacy and empathy. They explore Olivia's journey from commercial litigation to family law, her approach to resolving emotionally charged cases, and how she stays grounded while advocating for her clients. Olivia also shares advice for aspiring lawyers and insights on creating a strong firm culture.

Creating Change Through Law, Firefighting, and Community Service With Tom Lubnau

Tom Lubnau is the Owner of Lubnau Law Office, a Wyoming firm offering a spectrum of comprehensive legal services. Tom has practiced in almost every area of the law over his career, representing Fortune 500 companies as well as his neighbors. With over 35 years of legal experience, he focuses on health and hospital law but also engages in personal injury cases and business and estate planning, among others. He has been recognized for his contributions to his community, including his service as a state legislator and volunteer firefighter. Tom was also honored as National Fire Service Training Innovator of the Year for his contributions to firefighter safety. In this episode… What drives someone to make a lasting impact in their community? Whether it's through the courtroom, on the frontlines as a firefighter, or simply lending a hand to neighbors in need, true service often transcends job titles. How can one balance these roles and still find time to give back? According to Tom Lubnau, a respected attorney and dedicated community leader, the key lies in staying focused on helping people solve problems. He emphasizes that whether it's advocating for a client or innovating firefighter safety, success comes from understanding the needs and emotions of others. By blending his legal expertise with his passion for service, Tom has made a lasting impact in Wyoming, creating change that improves lives and strengthens the community. In this episode of 15 Minutes, host Chad Franzen sits down with Tom Lubnau, Owner of Lubnau Law Office, to discuss how he's built a career serving his community through his knowledge of the law and firefighting. Tom shares his experiences innovating firefighter training, his focus on estate planning, and his legislative work to solve real-world problems. He also offers advice for young attorneys on how to strike a balance between serving others and navigating the demands of a challenging profession.

Building Expertise and Relationships in Estate Planning With Michael Menninger

Michael Menninger is the Owner and an Attorney at Houck Menninger Law, a boutique firm specializing in estate planning, trust, probate, and elder law. He is certified as a specialist in estate planning, trust, and probate law by the Ohio State Bar Association. Michael's practice focuses on helping clients develop personalized plans to manage and protect their assets. He's also a founding member of 1st Gen Entrepreneurs and shares expertise as a speaker and educator for attorneys and CPAs. In this episode… Estate planning is often seen as a straightforward process of drafting wills and trusts, but it's more than meets the eye. The complexities, personal connections, and nuances in ensuring a family's legacy goes beyond mere paperwork. What makes an estate planning attorney stand out in such a crowded and evolving field? As a board-certified specialist in estate planning, Michael Menninger says the key lies in prioritizing relationships over documents. He highlights that the true art of estate planning is guiding clients through thought exercises that uncover unique needs and potential challenges. By taking on the role of counselor and educator, he fosters long-term connections that ensure plans remain relevant and adaptable over time. Michael emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and innovation, noting how he and his team obtain certifications and adapt to industry shifts to deliver exceptional service to their clients. In this episode of 15 Minutes, Chad Franzen sits down with Michael Menninger, Owner and Attorney at Houck Menninger Law, LLC, to discuss the art of estate planning. Michael shares his approach to fostering client relationships, the rigorous process of becoming a certified specialist, and the challenges of starting his law firm. He also talks about balancing professional growth with personal fulfillment and offers advice for aspiring attorneys navigating the complexities of starting a legal practice.

Building a Unique Legal Career and Empowering Small Businesses With Feras Mousilli

Feras Mousilli is the Managing Partner at Lloyd & Mousilli, a law firm he co-founded that specializes in intellectual property, startup law, and technology transactions for businesses of all sizes in the US and internationally. In addition to his JD, Feras holds a BS in biomedical engineering and an MSE in computer science. A registered US Patent Attorney, Feras has served as Senior Corporate Counsel for companies like Apple and Dell, advising on intellectual property, advertising, product development, and litigating patent law at DLA Piper.  In this episode… How do you merge technical expertise with a passion for justice to create a meaningful impact in the legal arena? What does it take to build a law firm that truly empowers small businesses while challenging industry giants? According to Feras Mousilli, a registered patent attorney and specialist in law and entrepreneurship, the answer lies in empathy, collaboration, and creative problem-solving. He highlights that successful lawyers aren't just experts in the law but also skilled translators, capable of simplifying complex issues and aligning with their clients' risk profiles. Feras shares how his technical background in biomedical engineering and computer science uniquely equips him to connect with clients in the science and technology industries. By leveraging a solutions-driven approach, he and his team have achieved groundbreaking results, including defending small businesses against corporate giants. In this episode of 15 Minutes, host Chad Franzen speaks with Feras Mousilli, Co-founder and Managing Partner at Lloyd & Mousilli, to discuss how empathy and innovation redefine practicing law. Feras shares insights into building a client-focused law firm, the art of effective negotiation, and lessons learned from his international teaching experiences. Feras also gives advice to aspiring lawyers on gaining practical experience and cultivating a solutions-oriented mindset.

Family Law: Creating New Beginnings and Transforming Lives With Amber James

Amber James is the Founder, CEO, and Managing Member of New Beginnings Family Law, a firm dedicated to resolving disputes with compassion and care. In addition to helping parents resolve divorces and property division issues, Amber offers adoption, surrogacy, and estate planning services. Under her leadership, the firm has grown from its humble beginnings into a seven-figure business. It has become recognized in family law circles for its empathetic approach and commitment to minimizing the emotional impact on children.  In this episode… Families find themselves navigating complex emotional and legal issues during life-changing moments like divorce or adoption. How can attorneys provide not only legal guidance but also emotional support to ensure the best outcomes for their clients, especially children? According to Amber James, a seasoned family law attorney, the key lies in balancing empathy with clear boundaries. She highlights the importance of coaching parents to focus on their children's well-being, even amid conflict, and helping clients reframe difficult transitions as opportunities for growth. Amber also underscores the necessity of creating a safe and supportive environment for clients, particularly in cases involving domestic violence or contested adoptions, where emotions run high, and outcomes can have lasting effects. In this episode of 15 Minutes, Chad Franzen sits down with Amber James, Founder, CEO, and Managing Member of New Beginnings Family Law, to discuss her journey from music education to becoming a leading voice in family law. Amber shares how she helps clients prioritize their children's emotional health, why storytelling skills are vital for lawyers, and the strategies that helped her grow her firm from scratch to seven figures.