Legal Innovation Simplified: Design Thinking Tools and Legal Design for Future Law

Leaving Big Law to Scale Legal Tech: How Purpose and Soul Work Drive Future Law with Ben Chiriboga [Ep. 18]

What if the real innovation happens not in the spotlight but in the shadows?
In this episode of Legal Innovation Simplified, I sit down with Ben Chiriboga, legal tech executive and host of This Legal Life, to explore his bold journey from Big Law to legal tech, and eventually to soul-led storytelling and conscious leadership in law. We talk about ego, golden shadow, values shifts across life stages, and what it really means to innovate with heart.
Whether you’re navigating a pivot, wondering what you’ve left behind in pursuit of success, or craving a more meaningful way to lead, this episode offers deep reflections, and a reminder that your story is your strategy.
In this episode, you’ll learn: ✔︎ What it means to leave the law and reimagine your identity ✔︎ The hidden side of innovation no one talks about ✔︎ How your “golden shadow” reveals your deepest value ✔︎ Why soul work is showing up in the future of law ✔︎ What to do when ego wants control but your soul wants freedom
🎧 Listen in and ask yourself: What part of your story have you left behind and what might happen if you picked it back up?
Connect with Ben Chiriboga: 🔗 LinkedIn 🎙 This Legal Life podcast
Loved this episode?Please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating + review and share it with someone exploring their next chapter in law.
Connect with me
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How to implement slow business design strategy using digital legal service offerings and legal design in 5 simple steps [Ep. 17]

Tired of hustling for every client and ready to scale for freedom and with intention? In this final episode of the Slow Business Design series, I’ll walk you through 5 simple steps to turn your expertise into a joyful, scalable digital legal service offering—without burnout or perfectionism.
Whether you dream of more time freedom, consistent revenue, or just want your legal business to feel lighter and more aligned, this step-by-step framework is your guide to starting small and growing sustainably.
In this episode, you’ll learn:✔︎ Why joy is the best starting point for business design✔︎ How to validate your service idea with real people✔︎ What a lightweight prototype is (and how to build one fast)✔︎ How to test your idea for traction without overthinking✔︎ What to include when packaging your offer for clarity and sales
BONUS TOOL: The Idea OracleFeeling stuck with your offer ideas—or not sure where to start? Meet the Idea Oracle, my free custom GPT designed to help legal entrepreneurs like you generate and refine soulful digital legal offerings. Comes with the Starter Kit for Legal Products. 👉 Link to the Idea Oracle
Related Episodes: 🎧 [Ep. 15] How to create time freedom and financial independence with purpose using legal products: the slow business design framework for lawyers. 🎧 [Ep. 16] Is It Time to Productize Services? How to Know If Your Legal Business Is Ready to Scale with Slow Business Design
Loved this episode?Please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating + review and share it with a fellow legal innovator who’s ready to grow with clarity, heart, and strategy.
Curious about Legal Innovation Incubator? Learn more hereInterested in working with me 1:1? Book a free strategy call here

Is it time to scale your law firm with legal products? How legal design and scaling law strategies support sustainable growth for lawyers [Ep. 16]

How many times have you heard a potential client say 'Let me think about it' when you quoted your hourly rate? That pattern might be telling you something important.
In this episode of Legal Innovation Simplified, I’m sharing the 5 clear signs that your legal business is ready to productize services and scale through slow business design. Whether you’re tired of explaining your offers or stuck in inconsistent revenue, this episode will help you recognize when it’s time to shift from custom work to structured, client-centered legal products.
In this episode, you’ll learn: ✔︎ How to know when your legal business is ready for legal products ✔︎ Why unclear offers and inconsistent sales are signals, not failures ✔︎ How to shift from “selling your time” to selling scalable transformation ✔︎ Why client questions are your best business development tool ✔︎ How slow business design supports long-term growth and freedom
🎁 BONUS TOOL: The Idea Oracle Stuck with too many ideas—or no idea where to start? My private GPT tool helps legal entrepreneurs like you find and shape soulful, scalable legal product ideas. It comes with the Starter Kit for Legal Products Workbook.
Meet your Idea Oracle here
Related Episodes: 🎧 [Ep 6] From Overdelivery to Scaling Law: How Legal Products Create Time Freedom 🎧 [Ep 15] How to Create Time Freedom & Financial Independence with Legal Products
Loved this episode?
Please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating + review and share it with a fellow legal innovator who’s ready to grow with heart.

Want time freedom and income stability as a lawyer? Use legal products and legal design to rethink your business model [Ep. 15]

Do you dream of building a legal business that gives you time freedom and financial independence, without sacrificing your purpose or sanity?
What if the key isn’t doing more, but doing it differently?
This episode kicks off a 3-part series on the Slow Business Design Framework—a practical and powerful approach I use to help lawyers break free from the hustle, create legal products, and design a business that works for your life, not the other way around.
If you're ready to rethink business design, say goodbye to burnout, and grow with purpose and profit—this is your starting point.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✔︎ What slow business really means (spoiler: it’s not lazy) ✔︎ How to create time freedom with legal products ✔︎ The 5 principles of slow business design ✔︎ Why financial independence starts with your deeper purpose ✔︎ A powerful “Joy Audit” to guide your next business moves
Resources & Next Steps
Want to generate soulful, scalable ideas? DM me to access my private Idea Oracle GPT
Connect on Instagram: @curious_hannele
Work with me 1:1 to create your own slow business design strategy
Loved this episode?Share it with a legal entrepreneur friend, leave a five-star review, and follow to catch the next part of the series!
Until next time—keep scaling law with heart. 💛

What drives profitable growth for lawyers today? Align your business with strategic intuition and business rhythms for long-term impact [Ep. 14]

Have you ever felt like your business is growing—but you’re shrinking inside?
In this episode, I share a personal story of how embracing a slow business model grounded in strategic intuition completely transformed the way I grow my legal business.
If you’ve been trying to scale your law firm or any purpose-driven business by pushing harder, planning more, and packing your calendar tighter—this conversation is for you.
Instead of hustling in a straight line, I discovered the power of honoring the natural cycles of business—a feminine leadership approach that embraces business rhythms, rest, and intuition as core strategic assets.
What You’ll Learn:
✔︎ Why the traditional linear business plan model often leads to exhaustion✔︎ How I rebuilt my strategy around cycles of business instead of constant hustle✔︎ The five phases of a cyclical business model—and how to identify where you are now✔︎ Practical ways to align your actions with your current business rhythm✔︎ Why slowing down can accelerate your impact and income
❤️ This episode is for you if:
You’re tired of forcing growth and want to feel more aligned with your business
You crave a slower, more soulful way to scale your law firm or entrepreneurial practice
You want to create success that feels sustainable, intuitive, and joyful
You’re curious about blending legal strategy with inner work and cyclical planning
Resources & Mentions:
Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way – for those in the Birth phase of business
Legal Innovation Incubator – my intuitive and design-driven growth program
Book a call with me – if you're ready to grow your legal business with heart
Let’s Connect:
Share your current business cycle with me on Instagram → @curious_hannele
Loved this episode? Leave a review & share it with a fellow legal rebel
Ready for your next phase? Book a discovery call

From burnout to scale: How legal tech and legal design help lawyers build more aligned, efficient businesses with Mbula Nzuki [Ep. 13]

"Stop chasing the butterflies. Just work on your garden." 
If you've been exhausting yourself chasing clients instead of creating a practice that naturally draws them to you, this episode is for you.
Today, I sit down with Mbula Nzuki, founder and Managing Partner of MN Legal, a boutique law firm in Nairobi, Kenya, to explore how she transitioned from exhaustion to clarity, using legal tech, automation, and purpose-driven strategy to build a scalable, thriving law firm.
If you’re ready to move beyond burnout and build a thriving legal business, let’s dive in!
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✔︎ How to grow a law firm without working 24/7✔︎ How legal tech helps you streamline workflows & free up time✔︎ The biggest pricing challenges lawyers face—and how to overcome them✔︎ Why your law firm needs a purpose-driven strategy, not just more clients✔︎ How to step into your leadership & attract high-value clients
Resources & Next Steps
Connect with Mbula Nzuki: 🔗 Website: www.mnlegal.net 🔗 LinkedIn: Mbula Nzuki
Want to scale your legal business with purpose and clarity?Work with me through 1:1 coaching for legal entrepreneurs! Let's map out your next steps, structure your business model, and design a sustainable, scalable law firm that feels right for you and your lifestyle.
→ Book a free discovery call here
Related Podcast Episodes: 🎧 Episode 12: Beyond Billable Hours: How to Build a Scalable Business with Client Experience 🎧 Episode 10: Underpricing Much? 5 Money Mindset Truths That Changed Everything
PS. Remember to leave a 5-star rating and review for Legal Innovation Simplified. Your support means the world to me!

Beyond the billable hour: How to use client-centered lawyering and legal design to build scalable legal services [Ep. 12]

Are You Ignoring the #1 Factor in Legal Business Growth?
When was the last time you truly considered your client experience—beyond solving legal problems? If your answer is “not really,” you’re not alone. Many lawyers focus solely on their expertise, assuming that’s enough to stand out. But here’s the truth: clients choose law firms based on their experience—not just legal skills.
The legal industry is behind the curve in embracing the experience economy, and that’s an opportunity for you! In today’s episode of Legal Innovation Simplified, I’m diving deep into:
✔︎ What client experience really means (hint: it’s NOT just good customer service)✔︎ Why white-glove service isn’t always the best approach✔︎ How to create an effortless, seamless experience that clients love✔︎ Practical steps to map your client’s journey and improve every touchpoint
Whether you’re a solo practitioner or leading a law firm, this episode will help you shift from the outdated billable hour model to a human-centered, scalable approach that benefits both your clients and your business.
Action Step: Spend five days mapping your client’s journey using my step-by-step process to uncover hidden opportunities for growth!
PS. Remember to leave a 5-star rating and review for Legal Innovation Simplified. Your support means the world to me!
Let’s Connect!
Share your biggest takeaway with me! DM me on Instagram (@curious_hannele) or connect on LinkedIn (@HanneleKorhonen).
Loved this episode? Please leave a 5-star review and share it with a lawyer friend!
Interested in working with me 1:1? Book a strategy call here
Until next time—keep scaling law with heart! ❤️

Feeling stuck as a solo lawyer? How to use community, legal innovation, and business mindset to grow your law practice with ease [Ep. 11]

Feeling alone in your business? Here’s why you need to find your people.
Building a legal business as a solopreneur can feel lonely. You’re expected to wear all the hats—lawyer, marketer, strategist, bookkeeper—and make every decision in isolation. But what if scaling your business wasn’t about doing it alone but about finding the right people to support you?
What if success wasn’t about proving your self-sufficiency but about surrounding yourself with people who lift you up?
If you’ve been trying to grow your legal business while feeling isolated, this episode is for you.
What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode:
If you’re ready to move from going it alone to feeling supported, I’m sharing:
✔️ Why the "lone wolf" entrepreneur myth is hurting your business growth ✔️ How to recognize and connect with the right people who will help you scale ✔️ The difference between fitting in vs. belonging—and why it matters for success ✔️ How to identify relationships that may be holding you back ✔️ A powerful exercise to map out your personal and professional network and find your people
Whether you’re just starting your legal business or ready to scale, the key to sustainable growth isn’t doing more alone—it’s finding the right community.
When you surround yourself with people who genuinely support, challenge, and celebrate you, your business growth accelerates in ways you never imagined.
Resources Mentioned
Book: "Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone" by Brené Brown
Exercise: Stargazing to Find Your People - A guided activity to map your personal network
1:1 Coaching Intensive: Limited spots available for legal entrepreneurs ready to scale with support. Send me an email for further info (hannele@lawyersdesignschool.com) or book a discovery call here. 
Stargazing Exercise Overview
Transform how you build your support network with this powerful visualization:
Draw yourself at the center of a blank page
Identify five "galaxies" representing different areas of your network
Plot individual "stars" (people) within each galaxy
Identify "bridge stars" connecting different galaxies
Highlight 5-7 stars most aligned with your vision
Create a simple outreach plan for three people
Remember to leave a 5-star rating and review for Legal Innovation Simplified. Your support means the world to me!

Want to price your legal services with clarity? How a strong lawyer mindset and legal business model support profit [Ep. 10]

Are you underpricing your services without even realizing it?
Do you hesitate when discussing your fees with clients? Do you feel like no matter how much you earn, it’s never enough? Or maybe you were taught that talking about money is impolite—and now it’s limiting your financial success?
What if instead, you could feel completely confident in your pricing, attract clients who respect your value, and build a thriving business without overworking?
It’s possible! And it all starts with shifting your money mindset.
What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode:
If you’ve ever struggled with setting prices, feeling worthy of charging more, or breaking free from scarcity thinking, this episode is for you!
Drawing from my experience building and scaling my own business, I'll share the exact mindset shifts that allowed me to confidently raise my rates while attracting better clients.
I’m sharing five money truths that transformed my mindset and changed my business, including:
✔️ How to become a good guardian of your money—so your finances work for you, not against you.✔️ Why money likes detachment and fun—and how to stop clinging to it out of fear.✔️ How your personal money history shapes your business success—and what to do about it.✔️ The shift from scarcity to sufficiency mindset—so you can trust that more will come.✔️ Why how you spend money affects how you receive it—and how to reframe your financial habits.
✔️ Why women in particular need to heal their relationship with money—and how we can support each other in charging our worth.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale your legal business, your pricing and financial mindset directly impact your success.
When you break free from underpricing and money fears, you step into true financial empowerment—without working more hours or constantly chasing clients.
It’s time to normalize charging more, valuing your worth, and talking about money openly.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
My signature group coaching program Legal Innovation Incubator.
Remember to leave a 5-star rating and review for Legal Innovation Simplified. Your support means the world to me!
🎁 Special Invitation: If you're looking for personalized guidance to overcome your inner blocks, I'd love to connect. Book a free discovery call here to see if we’re a match—sometimes a single conversation can spark meaningful change.

Struggling with self-doubt? How to build confidence as a legal entrepreneur through legal innovation and action [Ep. 9]

Is self-doubt stopping you? 
When your projects get difficult and uncertainty creeps in, do you question if you're on the right path—or if you have what it takes to succeed? What if these feelings aren't warning signs at all, but powerful indicators that you're exactly where you need to be?
In this episode, I share a perspective-shifting insight: when innovation feels hard, it's often a *good* sign.
What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode:
If you're like most legal innovators, you want your ideas and projects to succeed—but the inner journey of innovation often feels overwhelming.
In this episode, I’ll walk you through how to understand, navigate, and even leverage your self-doubt and fear to create meaningful breakthroughs in your work.
You'll discover how to start this transformation, including:✔️ Recognizing self-doubt as a signpost, not a roadblock✔️ Understanding the two sides of innovation—the inner journey and external barriers✔️ Addressing fear, shame, and procrastination through practical reflection exercises✔️ Creating space for honest conversations about societal barriers, discrimination, and structural inequality✔️ Using a gratitude exercise to build resilience and momentum in your innovation journey
Whether you’ve just started your legal innovation journey or you're a seasoned professional facing new doubts, you can overcome these mental and structural barriers to create lasting, impactful change.
Your journey doesn't have to be defined by fear or self-doubt. Instead, you can transform these moments of resistance into powerful opportunities for growth.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Brene Brown’s TED talk: Listening to Shame
Remember to leave a 5-star rating and review for Legal Innovation Simplified. Your support means the world to me!
🎁 Special Invitation: If you're looking for personalized guidance to overcome your inner blocks, I'd love to connect. Book a free discovery call here to see if we’re a match—sometimes a single conversation can spark meaningful change.