In this episode, Steve, Nicola, and Shereen discuss: Building strong relationships between in-house and outside counsel The importance of business acumen in legal practice Networking and business development for lawyers Adapting to the evolving legal industry Key Takeaways: Outside counsel should recognize that in-house lawyers often make rapid decisions with limited information and need concise, actionable legal guidance rather than long memos. Many lawyers lack business literacy, making it harder for them to align legal advice with corporate goals; in-house counsel appreciate those who can bridge the legal-business gap. Instead of just asking for work, outside counsel should offer value by staying informed about the company’s initiatives, supporting their causes, and engaging in genuine conversations. In-house counsel prefer different modes of communication (text over email, early breakfast over lunch), and outside counsel should adapt to their client’s preferences to strengthen relationships. "A lot of times, I took for granted that outside counsel understood how in-house counsel worked, and then one day I realized, ‘Oh, that’s really not the case.’ If they did, it could really elevate not only the relationship but how they connect and how they maintain those relationships." — Nicola Hobeiche "If you can’t ask your friends, how are you going to ask strangers?" — Shereen El Domeiri Got a challenge growing your law practice? Email me at steve@fretzin.com 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: Lawyers Behaving Badly by Karen Delaney and Jennifer Judge: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lawyers-behaving-badly/id1654960102 About Nicola Hobeiche and Shereen El Domeiri: Nicola Hobeiche and Shereen El Domeiri are the co-hosts of the Counsel Brew podcast, where they explore the journeys of legal professionals and beyond. Shereen spent much of her career as government and in-house counsel before transitioning into private practice, bringing a sharp, creative approach to problem-solving. Nicola has spent her entire legal career in-house across various industries, leveraging her global upbringing and big-picture thinking to navigate complex challenges. Connect with Nicola and Shereen: Website: https://counselbrew.com/ Show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/counsel-brew/id1746634154 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/counsel-brew/ Nicola’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-hobeiche-84699960/ Shereen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shereeneldomeiri/ Connect with Steve Fretzin: LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin Twitter: @stevefretzin Instagram: @fretzinsteve Facebook: Fretzin, Inc. Website: Fretzin.com Email: Steve@Fretzin.com 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, Nicola, and Shereen discuss:
Key Takeaways:
"A lot of times, I took for granted that outside counsel understood how in-house counsel worked, and then one day I realized, ‘Oh, that’s really not the case.’ If they did, it could really elevate not only the relationship but how they connect and how they maintain those relationships." — Nicola Hobeiche
"If you can’t ask your friends, how are you going to ask strangers?" — Shereen El Domeiri
Got a challenge growing your law practice? Email me at steve@fretzin.com 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:
Lawyers Behaving Badly by Karen Delaney and Jennifer Judge: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lawyers-behaving-badly/id1654960102
About Nicola Hobeiche and Shereen El Domeiri: Nicola Hobeiche and Shereen El Domeiri are the co-hosts of the Counsel Brew podcast, where they explore the journeys of legal professionals and beyond. Shereen spent much of her career as government and in-house counsel before transitioning into private practice, bringing a sharp, creative approach to problem-solving. Nicola has spent her entire legal career in-house across various industries, leveraging her global upbringing and big-picture thinking to navigate complex challenges.
Connect with Nicola and Shereen:
Website: https://counselbrew.com/
Show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/counsel-brew/id1746634154
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/counsel-brew/
Nicola’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-hobeiche-84699960/
Shereen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shereeneldomeiri/
Connect with Steve Fretzin:
LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin
Twitter: @stevefretzin
Instagram: @fretzinsteve
Facebook: Fretzin, Inc.
Website: Fretzin.com
Email: Steve@Fretzin.com
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.