Blake Strautins: How Lawyers Can Improve Time Management Delegation and Strategic Growth
03/13/25 • 32 min
In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Blake Strautins discuss:
- The importance of business development for lawyers
- How accountability and culture shape a law firm’s success
- Time management and delegation for legal professionals
- Personal and professional growth in legal leadership
Key Takeaways:
- Building connections early with strategic partners, attorneys, and clients creates long-term opportunities, referrals, and career growth.
- A workplace culture that holds team members accountable improves productivity, reduces inefficiencies, and strengthens collaboration.
- Leaders who delegate effectively gain more time for key decisions, enhance firm efficiency, and empower their teams.
- Keeping an inbox organized by addressing, delegating, or categorizing emails prevents overwhelm, streamlines tasks, and ensures nothing important is missed.
"You can learn the law, you can write great briefs, you can research out of something, but running a business is completely different; managing people is completely different. Being a good manager, a good leader—those are skills that, sadly, [law schools] just don't teach you." — Blake Strautins
Got a challenge growing your law practice? Email me at [email protected] with your toughest question, and I'll answer it live on the show—anonymously, just using your first name!
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/
Rainmakers Roundtable: https://www.fretzin.com/lawyer-coaching-and-training/peer-advisory-groups/
Episode References:
Multipliers by Liz Wiseman: https://www.amazon.com/Multipliers-Best-Leaders-Everyone-Smarter/dp/0061964395
About Blake Strautins: Blake A. Strautins is a co-owner and managing partner of Kluever Law Group, LLC, where he heads the firm’s litigation department. Blake has been practicing in the field of complex litigation his entire legal career, beginning with class action litigation in 2007 and transitioning to commercial and real estate litigation in 2014, where he continues to hone his legal skills to this day. Beyond helping clients solve problems through creative solutions, both before and during formal litigation, Blake is also an accomplished appellate lawyer with numerous published decisions under his belt. Blake takes great pride in charting the firm’s path forward into continued growth and success in partnership with its diverse client base.
Connect with Blake Strautins:
Website: http://www.klueverlawgroup.com/
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blake-a-strautins/
Connect with Steve Fretzin:
LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin
Twitter: @stevefretzin
Instagram: @fretzinsteve
Facebook: Fretzin, Inc.
Website: Fretzin.com
Email: [email protected]
Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!
YouTube: Steve Fretzin
Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Blake Strautins discuss:
- The importance of business development for lawyers
- How accountability and culture shape a law firm’s success
- Time management and delegation for legal professionals
- Personal and professional growth in legal leadership
Key Takeaways:
- Building connections early with strategic partners, attorneys, and clients creates long-term opportunities, referrals, and career growth.
- A workplace culture that holds team members accountable improves productivity, reduces inefficiencies, and strengthens collaboration.
- Leaders who delegate effectively gain more time for key decisions, enhance firm efficiency, and empower their teams.
- Keeping an inbox organized by addressing, delegating, or categorizing emails prevents overwhelm, streamlines tasks, and ensures nothing important is missed.
"You can learn the law, you can write great briefs, you can research out of something, but running a business is completely different; managing people is completely different. Being a good manager, a good leader—those are skills that, sadly, [law schools] just don't teach you." — Blake Strautins
Got a challenge growing your law practice? Email me at [email protected] with your toughest question, and I'll answer it live on the show—anonymously, just using your first name!
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/
Rainmakers Roundtable: https://www.fretzin.com/lawyer-coaching-and-training/peer-advisory-groups/
Episode References:
Multipliers by Liz Wiseman: https://www.amazon.com/Multipliers-Best-Leaders-Everyone-Smarter/dp/0061964395
About Blake Strautins: Blake A. Strautins is a co-owner and managing partner of Kluever Law Group, LLC, where he heads the firm’s litigation department. Blake has been practicing in the field of complex litigation his entire legal career, beginning with class action litigation in 2007 and transitioning to commercial and real estate litigation in 2014, where he continues to hone his legal skills to this day. Beyond helping clients solve problems through creative solutions, both before and during formal litigation, Blake is also an accomplished appellate lawyer with numerous published decisions under his belt. Blake takes great pride in charting the firm’s path forward into continued growth and success in partnership with its diverse client base.
Connect with Blake Strautins:
Website: http://www.klueverlawgroup.com/
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blake-a-strautins/
Connect with Steve Fretzin:
LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin
Twitter: @stevefretzin
Instagram: @fretzinsteve
Facebook: Fretzin, Inc.
Website: Fretzin.com
Email: [email protected]
Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!
YouTube: Steve Fretzin
Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
Previous Episode
Mina Haque: Navigating Solo Practice and Entrepreneurship
In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Mina Haque discuss:
- Overcoming challenges in growing a law practice
- The impact of digital tools on professional success
- Essential skills lawyers need beyond legal expertise
- The mindset shifts necessary for entrepreneurial success
Key Takeaways:
- Solo law practice has become significantly more accessible due to virtual offices, law practice management software, and online marketing, reducing overhead costs and easing client acquisition.
- Lawyers should resist the temptation to accept every client and instead focus on a defined practice area to build a strong reputation and avoid operational inefficiencies.
- Effective delegation, including outsourcing bookkeeping, marketing, and administrative tasks, allows solo practitioners to maximize billable hours and focus on client service.
- Developing an online presence through SEO, blogging, and thought leadership is crucial for standing out and attracting clients in a competitive legal market.
"Show your value to your client. Sometimes it may be outside the scope of the service, but go above and beyond and try to have that servant leadership mindset, because the right client will recognize your talent, and you may find yourself in the right place." — Mina Haque
Got a challenge growing your law practice? Email me at [email protected] with your toughest question, and I'll answer it live on the show—anonymously, just using your first name!
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/
Rainmakers Roundtable: https://www.fretzin.com/lawyer-coaching-and-training/peer-advisory-groups/
Episode References:
Likeable Badass by Alison Fragale: https://www.amazon.com/Likeable-Badass-Women-Success-Deserve/dp/0385549148
About Mina Haque: Mohaimina "Mina" Haque, CEO of Tony Roma’s, leads its strategic transformation, focusing on restructuring, growth, and global expansion. She also runs a law firm specializing in immigration and corporate law, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions. An Adjunct Professor at American University Washington College of Law, she teaches law practice management. Recognized for her leadership, Mina was named one of Women We Admire’s Top Women Leaders of DC (2024) and IAOTP’s Top Attorney of the Year (2023). Washingtonian Magazine honored her as an Outstanding Woman in DC (2021), and she is a member of Chief, a premier network for senior women leaders.
Connect with Mina Haque:
Website: https://attorneymina.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/minahaque/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/attorneyminadc/
Connect with Steve Fretzin:
LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin
Twitter: @stevefretzin
Instagram: @fretzinsteve
Facebook: Fretzin, Inc.
Website: Fretzin.com
Email: [email protected]
Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!
YouTube: Steve Fretzin
Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
Next Episode
Dennis Meador: Winning at Marketing and Personal Branding Beyond the Billable Hour
In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Dennis Meador discuss:
- How lawyers can market themselves effectively in an increasingly competitive industry
- The role of personal branding in helping attorneys differentiate themselves from competitors
- Why podcasting is a valuable tool for business development and client acquisition
- Adapting to changing trends in SEO, social media, and content marketing
Key Takeaways:
- Most potential clients check out a lawyer’s website before making contact, so their online presence should authentically reflect who they are and how they can help.
- Lawyers should avoid “random acts of marketing” and instead build a cohesive strategy centered around their ideal client profile, jurisdictional realities, and brand identity.
- Podcasting is not about going viral; it’s about targeting the right audience—50 engaged listeners in a lawyer’s market are more valuable than 50,000 global views with no conversion potential.
- The best marketing doesn’t just tell potential clients what a lawyer does; it shows how and why they do it differently, using real-world examples and insights that make them the obvious choice.
"We're not trying to get you to be the foremost American divorce lawyer—we want you to be Chicagoland's high-net-worth or father-focused divorce lawyer... or one that focuses on the men's side. And when you become that—now you're owning your market, and it's a huge benefit to you." — Dennis Meador
Got a challenge growing your law practice? Email me at [email protected] with your toughest question, and I'll answer it live on the show—anonymously, just using your first name!
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/
Rainmakers Roundtable: https://www.fretzin.com/lawyer-coaching-and-training/peer-advisory-groups/
Episode References:
Office Ladies Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/office-ladies/id1480311435
About Dennis Meador: Dennis Meador is the CEO and Founder of The Legal Podcast Network, dedicated to providing turnkey podcasting solutions for professionals, particularly attorneys. With over 20 years of experience in legal marketing, he is passionate about helping attorneys engage more clients and establish authority in their practice areas. An entrepreneur since 14, he has built multiple businesses and successfully scaled companies to multi-million-dollar revenues. Based in Austin, TX, he enjoys traveling, snorkeling, and making BBQ on his smoker—The Notorious P.I.T.—while spending time with his wife and three grown children.
Connect with Dennis Meador:
Website: http://www.thelegalpodcastnetwork.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennismeador/ & https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-legal-podcast-network/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100053762623075 & https://www.facebook.com/legalpodcastnetwork.lawyers/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diem.today/ & https://www.instagram.com/lpnlegalpodcastnetwork/
Connect with Steve Fretzin:
LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin
Twitter: @stevefretzin
Instagram: @fretzinsteve
Facebook: Fretzin, Inc.
Website: Fretzin.com
Email: [email protected]
Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!
YouTube: Steve Fretzin
Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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