In today’s episode, Jim and Tyson chat with, William Woodford! They dive into the journey of creating a next-generation law firm that challenges the status quo. If you’re interested in learning more about leaving big law, the high-value things in your firm, and the potential future of law, check out this week’s episode.

William is an IP lawyer with 20 years of experience handling high-stakes litigation. Recently, he won a $31M jury verdict for his client in a patent infringement case. William uses his litigation experience to provide cutting-edge counseling on a variety of other issues, such as patent portfolio evaluation, development, and management, IP licensing, technology commercialization, and strategies for avoiding disputes.

Before founding Avantech Law in 2021, William was a principal at Fish & Richardson. He co-founded Fish’s contingent fee practice and was an elected member of the firm's finance committee for eight years. He is known as a leader in creative fee arrangements, especially for start-ups and small companies that require flexibility and certainty.

2:10 Fish and Richardson

5:51 leaving big law

9:17 maximize what you can get

13:17 take two different approaches

17:17 big opportunity for boutiques

21:01 more desire for different types of fee arrangements

Jim’s Hack: A couple of good questions to ask. The first one is from Dan Sullivan, asking if you were sitting here today three years from now what would have to have happened for you to feel like you’ve made progress? The other is from Jerry Colonna, who wrote the book Reboot: Leadership and the Art of Growing Up, asking, how have I been complicit in creating the conditions that I say I don’t want? Third, Nancy Kline, who wrote The Promise That Changes Everything, which asks, what might you be assuming that is stopping you?

William’s Tip: With the resistance to change, there are a lot of assumptions that go with that; whether you’re a big company or small company, don’t be locked into what the industry puts in front of you. Think outside the box!

Tyson’s Tip: During your weekly huddle or meeting, choose one person in your firm to have all the other people say one nice thing about them.

Watch the podcast here.

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Resources:

Building Something Different w/ William Woodford

Maximum Lawyer