Laptop Lifestyle Lawyer | How Kara Vaval Built a 7-Figure Firm Without Burning Out

"It's not more work. You have to start thinking differently. Because once you start thinking differently, the work yields different results." – Kara Vaval

On this episode of That One Lawyer Podcast, Neal Goldstein sits down with Kara Vaval, attorney, entrepreneur, speaker, and author, to unpack one of the most important lessons lawyers need to learn: success in law isn't about grinding harder, it's about shifting your mindset.

For too long, lawyers have been told that the only path to success is longer hours, more billable time, and constant hustle. Kara challenges that outdated thinking. Instead, she explains how a true lawyer mindset shift can transform the way you practice, the way you serve clients, and ultimately, the results you're able to achieve.

Watch Full Episode on YouTube HERE

In this conversation, Kara and Neal go deep on topics that every young lawyer, solo practitioner, and law firm owner needs to hear:

• Why thinking differently creates better outcomes for both lawyers and clients

• The importance of aligning your practice with your values and vision

• How to avoid burnout by reframing the way you approach your work

• The difference between "more work" and "different work" — and why the latter is where growth lives

• Kara's personal journey from traditional lawyering to becoming a sought-after voice on mindset, marketing, and meaningful success

• Real strategies to help lawyers stop chasing someone else's version of success and start building practices that actually support their lives

This episode is about more than just motivation. Kara offers tangible steps you can take right now to build resilience, think differently, and see real change in your practice.

Whether you're a law student, a new lawyer just starting out, or a seasoned law firm owner trying to adapt to a changing profession, Kara's insights will help you rethink what's possible.

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Why this episode matters for lawyers

Lawyers today face more pressure than ever — competition, client expectations, and the relentless pace of legal work. The lawyers who thrive are not necessarily the ones working the longest hours. They are the ones who adapt, evolve, and embrace a new way of thinking.

Kara shows us that lawyers who make the mindset shift can:

• Attract better clients through authentic relationships

• Build more sustainable firms without sacrificing personal health and well-being

• Grow beyond traditional marketing strategies like billboards and SEO, and instead create trust and loyalty that lasts

Become "that one lawyer" people think of when it matters most.

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About That One Lawyer Podcast

Hosted by attorney Neal Goldstein, That One Lawyer Podcast isn't about Hollywood lawyers in expensive suits. It's about real lawyers having real conversations. Every week Neal talks with lawyers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs who share the stories that shaped them, the mistakes they've made, and the strategies they've used to build meaningful, client-centered practices.

The podcast is designed for:

• Law students wondering what it's really like to practice law

• Young lawyers trying to stand out in a crowded field

• Solo and small-firm lawyers looking for market