This week, Stephanie Rodin talks with her guest, Lauren Lynch. They discuss the evolution of marketing in the legal world, the challenges of balancing creativity with compliance, and the importance of cultivating a strong organizational culture.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How internal compliance and technology safeguards work together, Lauren details protocols for automatic disclaimers on firm websites and educational outreach to ensure all attorneys understand and meet ever-changing regulatory requirements.

• What sets legal marketing apart from other industries, including strict compliance with state-specific advertising regulations and the critical need to balance creativity with legal and ethical obligations in every marketing initiative.

• When law firm marketing evolved from print ads and directory listings to digital-first strategies, Lauren shares the shift to content, thought leadership, and brand storytelling, along with the growing impact of data analytics and AI on practice growth.

• Why aligning branding, website, and social media messaging matters, and the importance of regular year-end audits to review whether digital strategies, SEO efforts, and referrals are delivering measurable results for practices and firms.

• How AI is used responsibly in legal marketing, including for drafting and organization, but always reviewed for accuracy, compliance, and a human touch to maintain credibility and proper disclosure in all client-facing communications.

Lauren Lynch

With over 20 years of experience in the legal services industry, Lauren Lynch serves as Mandelbaum Barrett PC's Chief Marketing & Culture Officer. She is a dynamic leader passionate about organizational culture, employee engagement, and strategic marketing. In her role, Lauren seamlessly bridges two essential roles—enhancing employee experience and driving impactful marketing strategies for the firm's 100+ attorneys across 35+ practice areas.

Lauren believes that a law firm's greatest marketing asset is its people. She champions workplace morale, team building, and professional satisfaction, ensuring that employees—both attorneys and staff—feel valued and engaged. Her initiatives have played a pivotal role in Mandelbaum Barrett PC being recognized as a New Jersey Best Place to Work and a Top Workplace by NJ Biz.

On the marketing front, Lauren leads a high-performing team that crafts compelling content, develops practice area marketing plans, and enhances the firm's brand presence through multi-faceted brand strategies. She also plays a key role in the firm's social media strategy, managing campaigns to increase engagement and expand the firm's digital presence. She collaborates with leadership to maintain consistent messaging that aligns with the firm's core values, while overseeing client engagement strategies.

A driving force behind Mandelbaum Barrett's community outreach, Lauren spearheads charitable initiatives that bring together attorneys and staff to give back. She is committed to fostering a workplace where excellence, collaboration, and well-being thrive—because she truly believes that work/life balance is attainable, even in the legal profession.

In 2024, Lauren was named a Leading Woman in Business by NJ Biz. She holds a B.A. in Marketing and Journalism from Rider University and a M.A. in Communications.

• Social media:

• • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenllynch/

Hi! I'm Stephanie Rodin, host of the Speaking with Steph podcast. In this episode, I address the growing impact of artificial intelligence on the modern workplace and on hiring practices. As AI is increasingly used to draft written work, refine application materials, and support other aspects of the job search, employers are confronting new challenges and opportunities in evaluating candidates and assessing the authenticity of their qualifications.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How artificial intelligence is increasingly being used in the hiring process, including resume enhancement and interview preparation, posing both challenges and opportunities for employers in evaluating candidates.

• What cybersecurity measures employers should have in place to safeguard their operations, including up-to-date IT systems, cyber liability policies, and computer restrictions, particularly when onboarding new employees.

• When conducting interviews, why in-person meetings remain the gold standard to assess candidates authentically, and practical tips for detecting AI-assisted answers or outside help during remote interviews.​

• Despite AI's many benefits, vigilance is critical to prevent hiring individuals who lack proper qualifications or could negatively impact business operations due to insufficient skills or experience.

• How a thorough and personalized interview process protects your organization and promotes responsible use of technology in recruitment.

Bio:

Stephanie Rodin is a partner at Mandelbaum Barrett PC, a full-service law firm that has been serving clients since 1930. With decades of collective experience, the firm takes a collaborative and proactive approach to legal counsel, advocating for clients with care, attention, and dedication.

Before joining the firm, Stephanie was the founder and principal of Rodin Legal, P.C., and has been practicing law since 2000. Throughout her career, she has focused extensively on

sunnorting healthcare professionals

Having grown up in a family of medical and dental practitioners, Stephanie was immersed in the healthcare world from an early age. This unique exposure gave her firsthand insight into the legal and operational challenges faced by medical professionals experience that continues to inform her legal practice today.

Website: https://www.mblawfirm.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanierodin/

This week, Stephanie Rodin talks with her guest, Sarah Webb. They discuss real-world financial challenges faced by private medical practices, best practices for accounting and cash flow management, and strategies to prevent and detect both internal and external fraud.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Sarah's team assists with fraud prevention and cyber risk mitigation, outlining best practices for internal controls, detection of cybercrime, and real-world examples of risk management in professional settings.

• What common financial challenges arise for physicians and practice owners, including issues related to cash flow, budgeting, compensation structures, and benefit planning; and how expert guidance can ensure sustainable business growth and regulatory compliance.

• Medical and business clients should seek financial advisory services, with emphasis on the importance of proactive planning and profit assessments to identify operational risks before they escalate.

• Why accurate, accrual-based accounting is essential for healthcare organizations to gain clarity on their revenue streams, expense cycles, and to maintain compliance with industry standards and legal requirements.

• When significant financial concerns arise, such as fraud investigations or major tax issues, Sarah describes her methodical approach—offering analysis, legal collaboration, and coordinated responses for optimal client results.

Sarah Webb

Sarah founded Webb CFO to provide accounting assistance and long-term financial planning guidance to licensed physicians and their private practice small businesses. Though Sarah and her team are happy to address the fundamental aspects of day-to-day accounting, such as cash flow management and budgeting, they take client financials a step further by adopting a strategic approach: leveraging numerical data for forecasting and planning, and offering a broader management-oriented perspective.

• https://www.webbcfo.com/

Hi! I'm Stephanie Rodin, host of the Speaking with Steph podcast. In this episode, I want to speak to you about non-compete clauses in your contracts.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has dropped its appeal on the full ban of a nationwide non-compete, but they are now challenging non-compete agreements against larger companies and sending warning letters to major healthcare facilities and staffing firms.

• The change in non-compete enforcement involves the FTC shifting from supporting a broad nationwide ban to focusing on particular companies that use restrictive non-compete agreements.

• What the future of non-competes will be remains uncertain, as ongoing developments with the FTC and administrations are still unfolding.

• Employees may benefit from changes in noncompete agreements because it increases their freedom to change jobs, start new businesses, or practice without excessive restrictions.

• Large businesses appear to be most affected as the FTC is sending out warning letters and filing suit against them.

Bio:

Stephanie Rodin is a partner at Mandelbaum Barrett PC, a full-service law firm that has been serving clients since 1930. With decades of collective experience, the firm takes a collaborative and proactive approach to legal counsel, advocating for clients with care, attention, and decicaton.

Before joining the firm, Stephanie was the founder and principal of Rodin Legal, P.C., and has been practicing law since 2000. Throughout her career, she has focused extensively on

sunnorting healthcare professionals

Having grown up in a family of medical and dental practitioners, Stephanie was immersed in the healthcare world from an early age. This unique exposure gave her firsthand insight into the legal and operational challenges faced by medical professionals experience that continues to inform her legal practice today.

Website: https://www.mblawfirm.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanierodin/

This week, Stephanie Rodin talks with her guest, Sean O'Rourke. They discuss the evolution of cyber insurance from basic coverage to advanced policies, highlighting risks like ransomware, data privacy, and social engineering. They also cover claim denials and AI's growing role in cyber risk, providing a concise overview.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Cyber insurance is a business policy designed to help companies recover from technology and data risks, such as ransomware, data privacy breaches, wire fraud, and other cyber threats.
• The growing use of technology and AI, combined with the rise of scams, makes businesses very vulnerable to disruptive cyber incidents—making insurance essential for financial, legal, and reputational protection.
• Cyber insurance policies cover a variety of risks, including regulatory fines, legal expenses, and civil litigation related to data privacy laws, as well as recovery from direct attacks like ransomware and business email compromise.
• Policies should be established before an incident happens. Promptly notifying the insurer (and your legal counsel) is essential once you suspect or get notice of a breach or claim. Waiting may hurt the ability to have full coverage by the carrier.
• Carriers are adapting to the increases in technology, but they cannot always keep up as technology advances rapidly. Currently, obtaining insurance coverage for emerging fields like AI and cryptocurrency is difficult because carriers require more time and understanding to accurately assess risks.

Sean O'Rourke

Sean O'Rourke is a Cyber Liability Consultant for Combs & Company, an insurance brokerage and consultancy for small- and mid-sized businesses around the U.S. Sean works with companies to mitigate the myriad of risks posed to their technology and data by internal and external threats. Sean spent 25+ years in the IT arena, which included 12 years running the IT firm he cofounded, so he has a unique perspective on the financial, legal, and reputational disruptions faced by businesses in today's interconnected world. Sean also sits on the board of Pancakes for Roger, a veteran-focused nonprofit, and has served as board member for multiple private companies. He's a long-time mentor to students and new entrepreneurs; he's a CrossFit & Spartan coach and competitor, and has recently taken up endurance events.

• Social media
• • Instagram: scor1680
  • LinkedIn: Sean O'Rourke | LinkedIn

Hi! I'm Stephanie Rodin, host of the Speaking with Steph podcast. In this episode, I want to speak to you about online reviews.

In this episode, we discuss:

• You can handle negative reviews by recognizing each platform's guidelines (Google, Yelp, Facebook, etc.) and asking for their removal if a review breaks those rules.

• Not all negative reviews are harmful; some may represent genuine feedback, and having a few isn't necessarily bad—it's a sign of authenticity.

• As a healthcare practice, responding to reviews must be in a HIPAA-compliant manner and reaching out privately for more serious issues. Practices should be using standard response templates for both positive and negative reviews.

• If a review is genuinely harmful and all other options are exhausted, consider taking legal action with an attorney, especially for repeated false or defamatory statements.

• If a negative review comes from a known patient or customer, contact them directly to address the issue and possibly have them remove the review.

Bio:

Stephanie Rodin is a partner at Mandelbaum Barrett PC, a full-service law firm that has been serving clients since 1930. With decades of collective experience, the firm takes a collaborative and proactive approach to legal counsel, advocating for clients with care, attention, and dedication.

Before joining the firm, Stephanie was the founder and principal of Rodin Legal, P.C., and has been practicing law since 2000. Throughout her career, she has focused extensively on supporting healthcare professionals.

Having grown up in a family of medical and dental practitioners, Stephanie was immersed in the healthcare world from an early age. This unique exposure gave her firsthand insight into the legal and operational challenges faced by medical professionals—experience that continues to inform her legal practice today.

Website: https://www.mblawfirm.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanierodin/

This week, Stephanie Rodin chats with her guest, John Samuels. The two chat about the critical role of healthcare advocacy, the process of guiding clients to the appropriate specialists, and how Wellworth supports individuals navigating complex medical systems.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Wellworth evaluates client needs

• What sets Wellworth apart

• How Wellworth builds trust when resistance to help appears, often waiting until a safe "fail" encourages acceptance

• The importance of a multidisciplinary team

• Who typically initiates contact

• Why healthcare navigation is essential

John Samuels is the founder and CEO of Wellworth, a national healthcare advisory firm based in New York that serves high-net-worth individuals and family offices. With over two decades of senior leadership experience in the healthcare sector, he brings deep expertise in operations, strategy, and innovation.

Prior to founding Wellworth, John held leadership roles at North Shore LIJ and Mount Sinai Beth Israel, where he developed a nuanced understanding of the healthcare system and the gaps that can compromise patient outcomes.

John is a contributor to Forbes and Crain Currency, where he shares insights at the intersection of health and wealth. He is also deeply committed to community service, a value that shaped his response during the COVID-19 pandemic—an effort that earned him recognition on the Forbes Next 1000 list in 2021.

Website:

//www.wellworthadvisors.com/

Social Media Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-samuels-4805205/

This week, Stephanie Rodin sits down with William Barrett, CEO of Mandelbaum Barrett PC, to talk about his journey from big law to building a client-focused, entrepreneurial firm. They cover the unique services the law firm offers to healthcare professionals, and the stories and lessons behind Bill's bestselling books for dental practitioners.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• How an accidental speaking engagement at a dental trade show led to serving over 2,000 doctors nationwide.

• Why the firm's 30+ practice areas make it a true full-service platform for both business and personal legal needs—from M&A and real estate to matrimonial and criminal law.

• How the firm's major expansion over the past 20 years has shaped its client-first approach. What the merger with Stephanie's practice means for clients looking for deeper resources and expertise. How their "one-stop shop" approach allows clients to handle all legal matters under one roof, making life easier for both corporate and personal legal issues.

About William Barrett

William Barrett is the Chief Executive Officer of Mandelbaum Barrett PC. With over 25 years of experience, he advises companies of all sizes on mergers and acquisitions, contracts, succession planning, executive compensation, and more. In the healthcare sector, he's nationally recognized for guiding dental and medical practice transitions, including DSOs, MSOs, associate buy-ins, and start-ups.

William is the author of Pain-Free Dental Deals: An Entrepreneurial Dentist's Guide to Buying, Selling, and Merging Practices and The DSO Decision: Winning Answers from Every Angle and is a sought-after speaker at professional conferences, associations, and universities across the country. Under his leadership, Mandelbaum Barrett PC has grown to over 115 attorneys in 30+ practice areas, ranking among New Jersey's top 10 largest law firms.

Tune in to hear the strategies, mindset, and real-world stories behind Mandelbaum Barrett PC's growth — and the lessons any business owner can take away.