In this episode of Power Up Your Practice, Ruby Powers sits down with Steve Recio, Founder and CEO of Pipefile.com, to discuss why the dreaded "document chase" is slowing down your law firm and how to eliminate client friction.

Steve, whose platform is used by hundreds of firms worldwide, argues that operational bottlenecks—especially in document-heavy practices like immigration—always start with client intake. They unpack the difference between a failing case management portal and a true consumer-grade client experience. Together, they explore:

✅ Stop the Ping Pong: Why traditional email requests and client portals create massive case delays.

✅ The Portal Blind Spot: Why most case management portals are built for attorneys, not for the client experience, and what's missing.

✅ Consumer-Grade Law: How to design an intake system that clients actually complete on their first try (think: simple links, no passwords).

✅ The ROI of Frictionless: Concrete proof that eliminating back-and-forth can win back 3–5 hours of paralegal time per case.

If you’re ready to speed up your case filings, reduce administrative chaos, and improve client satisfaction, this conversation provides the tactical steps to make your workflow simple and secure.

📌 Connect with Steve Recio:

🔹 LinkedIn: Steve Recio

🔹 Website: pipefile.com

🎧 This episode is sponsored by Pipefile

📌 Join the conversation in our Power Up Your Practice community! Hosted by Ruby Powers, your guide into the heart of law practice management. Each week, learn insights from leading legal minds, trailblazing attorneys, and expert guests who provide you with actionable advice, out-of-the-box solutions, and a fresh perspective on running your firm more effectively and efficiently. Prepare to open your mind, be inspired, and power up your practice to the next level.

Watch more episodes of Power Up Your Practice on:

🌐 Website: powersstrategygroup.com

📺 YouTube: @powersstrategygroup 💬 Join our Skool Community - Power Hub: https://www.skool.com/powerupyourpractice

Connect and learn more from your host, Ruby Powers:

🔹 LinkedIn: /rubypowers

🔹 Facebook: /poweruppractice

🔹 Website: rubypowers.com

🔹 Ruby's Book: Power Up Your Practice on Amazon

Trusted Resources from Our Toolkit

• Stafi

• Lawmatics

• Filevine

• Candle AI

In this episode of Power Up Your Practice, host Ruby Powers sits down with Ray Brescia, Hon. Harold R. Tyler Chair in Law & Technology at Albany Law School, to explore one of the most important conversations in the legal profession today: how lawyers must evolve in an era of rapid technological and societal change.

Ray explains why the moment we’re living through mirrors the massive transformation that reshaped the profession over a century ago — and why understanding that history is essential to preparing for what’s next. From the justice gap affecting tens of millions to the rise of “Lawyer 3.0,” he breaks down how emerging technologies, new delivery models, and shifting client needs will redefine how law is practiced.

🔹 How today’s transformation parallels the legal upheaval of the early 1900s

🔹 Why 93% of low-income Americans face legal issues without a lawyer

🔹 How technology can reduce the justice gap — and where it might widen it

🔹 What it means for lawyers to “run with the machines”

🔹 Which skills will matter most for the next generation of practitioners

If you’re a firm owner, educator, or forward-looking attorney, this episode offers a grounded, historical, and practical roadmap for navigating the future of practice.

📌 Connect with Ray Brescia:

Faculty Page: https://www.albanylaw.edu/faculty/faculty-directory/raymond-brescia

Social: @raybrescia (Bluesky)

📌 Join the conversation in our Power Up Your Practice community!

Hosted by Ruby Powers, each week you’ll hear from legal innovators and expert practitioners sharing actionable insights to help your firm work smarter, healthier, and more sustainably.

🌐 Website: powersstrategygroup.com

📺 YouTube: @powersstrategygroup

💬 Skool Community – Power Hub: skool.com/powerupyourprac

📚 Ruby’s Book: Power Up Your Practice — available now on Amazon

Trusted Resources from Our Toolkit:

• Stafi

• Lawmatics • Filevine

• Candle AI

In this episode of Power Up Your Practice, Ruby Powers sits down with Rania Combs, Founder of Rania Combs Law PLLC, to explore the art of running a thriving virtual law practice and why the human element is now more critical than ever.

Rania, a true pioneer who has run a fully virtual estate planning practice since 2009, shares her vision for a future where technology provides convenience and accessibility without sacrificing the deep trust required in sensitive areas of law. Together, they explore: ✅ The Over-Automation Warning: Why clients are yearning for more human interaction and how tech fatigue affects the Gen Z client.

✅ Virtual & Vital: How Rania built a personal practice and referral network across state lines for over 15 years.

✅ Finding the Balance: How using tools (including AI) to eliminate the mechanical frees up attorneys for context, strategy, and empathy.

✅ The Future of Lawyering: Why the "post-AI ballgame" in legal services comes down to trustworthiness and resisting the urge to remove the human layer.

If you’re running a practice remotely or looking for practical ways to use technology to deepen your client relationships—not replace them—this episode will show you how to be both virtual and vital.

📌 Connect with Rania Combs:

🔹 LinkedIn: Rania Combs

🔹 Website: raniacombslaw.com

📌 Join the conversation in our Power Up Your Practice community! Hosted by Ruby Powers, your guide into the heart of law practice management. Each week, learn insights from leading legal minds, trailblazing attorneys, and expert guests who provide you with actionable advice, out-of-the-box solutions, and a fresh perspective on running your firm more effectively and efficiently. Prepare to open your mind, be inspired, and power up your practice to the next level.

Watch more episodes of Power Up Your Practice on:

🌐 Website: powersstrategygroup.com

📺 YouTube: @powersstrategygroup

💬 Join our Skool Community - Power Hub: https://www.skool.com/powerupyourpractice Connect and learn more from your host, Ruby Powers:

🔹 LinkedIn: /rubypowers

🔹 Facebook: /poweruppractice

🔹 Website: rubypowers.com

🔹 Ruby's Book: Power Up Your Practice on Amazon

Trusted Resources from Our Toolkit

• Stafi

• Lawmatics

• Filevine

• CandleAI

In this episode of Power Up Your Practice, host Ruby Powers sits down live at #TLTFSummit2025 with returning guest and legal innovator Mitch Zoll. Together, they reflect on what events like TLTF and the State Bar of Texas’s Technology and Justice for All Conference are revealing about the future of legal innovation—from justice tech to community building, and the critical role of adaptability in shaping tomorrow’s profession.

🔹 Why community-centered events are the real engine of legal change

🔹 The importance of bar-led innovation (and how SBOT is showing up)

🔹 Why the adaptability quotient is the new must-have legal skill

🔹 What Ruby and Mitch say law still isn’t talking enough aboutIf you’re curious about how thought leadership, technology, and collaboration are reshaping the legal landscape, this conversation will power up your perspective.

📌Connect with Mitch Zoll

📌 Join the conversation in our Power Up Your Practice community!Hosted by Ruby Powers, each week you’ll hear from firm leaders, legal innovators, and expert guests sharing tools and strategies to help your practice run smarter, healthier, and more profitably.

🌐 Website: powersstrategygroup.com

📺 YouTube: @powersstrategygroup

💬 Skool Community – Power Hub: skool.com/powerupyourpractice

📚 Ruby’s Book: Power Up Your Practice — available now on Amazon

🎯 Trusted Resources from Our Toolkit

• Stafi

• Lawmatics •Filevine

• Candle AI

In this episode of Power Up Your Practice, host Ruby Powers talks with Ben Hokema, founder of Illuminate Wealth Management and the Owner’s Financial Office.

Ben works with law firm owners to bring structure, clarity, and calm to their finances—from daily cash flow to long-term retirement planning. He explains why so many lawyers fall into “owner’s poverty,” what the Profit First model actually changes, and how to shift your mindset from just surviving to building real profit.

🔹 What "Owner’s Poverty" is—and how to escape it

🔹 The Profit First model (and why it works)

🔹 Why your CPA isn’t enough

🔹 Building retirement plans before it's too late

🔹 Daily decisions that lead to long-term financial clarity

🎧 This episode is sponsored by Lawfully Pro: https://www.lawfully.com/pro

📌 Connect with Ben Hokema: ownersfinancialoffice.com

📌 Join the conversation in our Power Up Your Practice community! Hosted by Ruby Powers — each week we feature firm leaders, legal innovators, and expert guests sharing tools and strategies to help you grow a smarter, healthier, and more profitable law practice.

🌐 Website: powersstrategygroup.com

📺 YouTube: @powersstrategygroup

💬 Skool Community – Power Hub: skool.com/powerupyourpractice

📚 Power Up Your Practice — available now on Amazon

Trusted Resources from Our Toolkit

• Stafi • Lawmatics • Filevine • Candle AI

In this episode of Power Up Your Practice, host Ruby Powers sits down with Phillip Hogan, Founder and President of Signing Services of America, a nationwide notary company based in Atlanta.

Phillip shares how he scaled from being a solo signing agent to leading a national operation by focusing on one timeless principle — responsiveness builds trust.

They discuss the art of client communication, the importance of admitting mistakes, and how to develop a team culture rooted in service, transparency, and adaptability.

🔹 How responsiveness directly impacts client retention and reputation

🔹 What true leadership looks like when things go wrong 🔹 Training, cross-training, and empowering teams to deliver consistency

🔹 How adaptability became his secret to scaling sustainably

If you’re a business owner or law firm leader who wants to strengthen relationships, improve client experience, and grow through trust — this episode is for you.

📌 Connect with Phillip Hogan:

🔹 LinkedIn: Phillip Hogan

📌 Join the conversation in our Power Up Your Practice community! Hosted by Ruby Powers — your guide into the heart of law practice management. Each week, learn insights from leading legal minds, trailblazing entrepreneurs, and experts who share actionable advice and fresh perspectives to help you grow your firm effectively and sustainably.

🌐 Website: powersstrategygroup.com

📺 YouTube: @powersstrategygroup

💬 Join our Skool Community – Power Hub: skool.com/powerupyourprac

📚 Ruby’s Book: Power Up Your Practice — available now on Amazon (Paperback + eBook)

Trusted Resources from Our Toolkit • Stafi 

• Lawmatics 

• Filevine 

• Candle AI

In this episode of Power Up Your Practice, host Ruby Powers sits down with Tara Landes, Founder & CEO of Bellrock, who has spent over 25 years helping more than 300 business leaders unlock their potential through practical management and leadership systems.

A certified Change Management Practitioner and licensed Influence Trainer from the Cialdini Institute, Tara has dedicated her career to helping professionals turn ambition into structure and strategy into growth.

Ruby and Tara unpack the real difference between management and leadership —and why mastering both is the key to scaling any law firm without burning out. Together, they dive into practical frameworks for delegation, time-blocking, team engagement, and the mindset shift every lawyer-turned-leader must make.

🔹 Why lawyers need to think like CEOs—not just practitioners

🔹 How to build a mid-management layer that prevents bottlenecks and burnout

🔹 The leadership habits that keep firms sustainable and teams motivated

🔹 How “climbing the tree” helps leaders see the bigger picture

🔹 Why rest, reflection and “shower time” are part of the job

If you’re ready to move from busy to brilliant and build a firm that runs without you, this conversation is your roadmap to becoming the leader your practice needs.

📌 Connect with Tara Landes: 🔹 Website: www.bellrock.ca 🔹 LinkedIn: Tara Landes

📌 Join the conversation in our Power Up Your Practice community! Hosted by Ruby Powers — your guide into the world of law practice management. Each week, Ruby interviews leading legal minds, trailblazing attorneys and expert guests who share actionable advice and fresh perspectives to help you grow your firm with clarity and confidence.

Prepare to open your mind, be inspired, and power up your practice to the next level.

🌐 Website: powersstrategygroup.com

📺 YouTube: @powersstrategygroup

💬 Join our Skool Community – Power Hub: skool.com/powerupyourprac

📚 Ruby’s Book: Power Up Your Practice — available now on Amazon (Paperback + eBook)

Trusted Resources from Our Toolkit:

• Stafi

• Lawmatics

• Filevine

• Candle AI

In this episode of Power Up Your Practice, host Ruby Powers sits down with Cat Moon, Professor of the Practice at Vanderbilt Law School and Director of the Vanderbilt AI + Law Lab. A recognized innovator in legal education, Cat is on a mission to make the law more human-centered—and to empower the next generation of lawyers to lead with authenticity, curiosity, and compassion.

Ruby and Cat explore how technology, especially AI, is reshaping the way law is taught and practiced, the importance of representation in AI, and how women in the profession are driving change from within.

🔹 Why legal education must evolve for the AI era

🔹 How the Women+AI Initiative is amplifying diverse voices in tech

🔹 What “human-centered law” means—and how firms can embody it

🔹 How authenticity and compassion can redefine leadership in law

If you’re curious about the intersection of AI, legal innovation, and leadership—and how to prepare your practice (and mindset) for what’s next—this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.

📌 Connect with Cat Moon:

🔹 Website: Vanderbilt AI + Law Lab

🔹 LinkedIn: Cat Moon

📌 Join the conversation in our Power Up Your Practice community! Hosted by Ruby Powers, your guide into the heart of law practice management. Each week, learn insights from leading legal minds, trailblazing attorneys, and expert guests who provide actionable advice, out-of-the-box solutions, and a fresh perspective on running your firm more effectively and efficiently.

Prepare to open your mind, be inspired, and power up your practice to the next level.

🌐 Website: powersstrategygroup.com

📺 YouTube: @powersstrategygroup

💬 Join our Skool Community – Power Hub: skool.com/powerupyourpractice

📚 Ruby’s Book: Power Up Your Practice — available now on Amazon (Paperback + eBook)

Trusted Resources from Our Toolkit • Stafi

• Lawmatics

• Filevine

• CandleAI