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Immigration attorney and law firm founder Hillary Walsh joins Billie Tarascio for a candid conversation about what it's really like to run an immigration law firm in today's turbulent legal and political climate. From filing habeas petitions to protect unlawfully detained clients, to navigating due process violations and a surge in demand for legal services, Hillary shares how her practice has evolved, and how she's adapting to protect both her clients and her team.

They also dig into the business side of running a growing firm: the hard decisions around hiring and letting people go, bringing on a CFO, building custom software from scratch, and finding an operations leader who can handle 1,000+ filings a month. Plus, Hillary opens up about supporting remote employees in Mexico during a crisis, dealing with racist online harassment, and why she's investing in a life coach after years of business-only coaching.

Whether you're an immigration attorney, a law firm owner, or just someone trying to understand what's happening at the intersection of law and politics right now, this episode is for you.

Topics Covered:

• Immigration law strategy under the current administration
• Habeas petitions and unlawful detention cases
• Hiring, firing, and leveling up your team
• Building law firm operations and custom software
• Supporting a remote team during a crisis
• Business coaches that actually helped and how to choose one

Connect with Hillary:

Website: https://newfrontier.us/

Phone: 623-742-5400

Email: hillary@newfrontier.us

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newfrontierimmigrationlaw

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newfrontierimmigrationlaw

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@newfrontier_immigration

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In this episode of Law Labs, Billie Tarascio sits down with Jessica Travis, Co-Owner and Managing Partner of Fighter Law in Orlando, Florida. They talk about how modern law firms can move beyond billable hours, use AI tools the right way, and build strong internal systems that support real growth.

Law Labs is a podcast for law firm owners and legal professionals who want to build smarter firms. Each episode focuses on systems, technology, billing models, marketing, and practical strategies that help firms grow in a sustainable way.

Jessica Travis is the Managing Partner and Co-Owner of Fighter Law, based in Florida. She leads a growing firm that practices Family Law, Criminal Defense, Personal Injury, and Estate Planning. Jessica is passionate about building strong SOPs, improving client service, and integrating technology into daily operations. From experimenting with flat fee billing in family law to implementing an AI receptionist and improving data tracking through Clio, she focuses on practical innovation that supports both clients and her team.

In this episode, you will learn:

👉 How to design a flexible flat fee model for family law

👉 Why the billable hour model is becoming harder to justify

👉 How AI receptionists can improve intake and reduce missed opportunities

👉 How to track leads, consultations, and revenue weekly

👉 How to train and supervise young attorneys using systems

👉 How to approach AI without chasing every new tool

Connect with Jessica Travis:

Fighter Law: https://fighterlaw.com

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In this episode of the Modern Arizona Podcast, Law Labs Edition, Billie Tarascio sits down with Bob Simon. They talk about what it means to run a national law firm, build legal tech companies, and step into civil rights advocacy during a time of major legal and political tension.

Bob Simon is an entrepreneur, trial lawyer, and co-founder of multiple companies, including a national personal injury firm and the legal tech platform Attorney Share. He is also actively involved in civil rights litigation, including cases involving ICE detentions, unlawful stops, and police misconduct. His firm handles personal injury and civil rights matters across the country, and he has been involved in litigation related to wildfire recovery and large-scale corporate accountability. Bob is also a father of three and speaks openly about balancing family, trauma-heavy legal work, and public advocacy.

In this episode, you will learn:

👉 How lawyers can organize and support civil rights cases even if they do not practice immigration law

👉 What illegal detentions look like inside the courtroom

👉 How referral networks can help solo and small firms take action

👉 How Attorney Share connects 5,500+ lawyers nationwide

👉 How technology and AI can automate intake and case routing

👉 Why some civil rights cases may never pay but still matter

👉 How large corporations fight liability and what trial lawyers can do about it

To learn more about Bob and his team, you can visit the sites below.
https://community.justicehq.com/
thesimonlawgroup.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesimonlawgroup/

#culture #law #lawfirm #lawyers #billietarascio #modernlaw #businessoflaw #lawfirmlife #entrepreneur #ai #optimisticdisruptor #billietarascio #bobsimon #justiceteam

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College costs continue to rise, and for families dealing with divorce, remarriage, or complex finances, planning can feel overwhelming. In this episode of the Modern Arizona Podcast, Billie Tarascio sits down with a college funding expert to break down how financial aid really works and what parents need to understand before costly mistakes are made.

Brad Baldridge is a College Funding Specialist and the founder of Taming the High Cost of College. With nearly 20 years of experience, Brad has helped thousands of families plan and pay for college without derailing their finances or retirement. As a financial expert, consultant, and podcast host, he teaches parents how to choose the right school, maximize financial aid and scholarships, and reduce reliance on student loans through smart, proven strategies.

Topics discussed in this episode include:

✔️ How divorce affects FAFSA and college financial aid eligibility

✔️ The difference between FAFSA and the CSS Profile

✔️ How income, assets, and remarriage impact aid calculations

✔️ When families qualify for need-based aid and Pell Grants

✔️ College planning strategies for divorced and blended families

✔️ Why early planning matters more than most parents realize

Learn more and connect with Brad Baldridge:

Website: https://www.tamingthehighcostofcollege.com

If you found this episode helpful, like, subscribe, and share it with someone planning for college.

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In this Modern Arizona Podcast episode, attorney Billie Tarascio sits down with Melissa Leon to unpack the rising safety concerns surrounding e-bikes, scooters, and youth street behavior in master-planned Arizona communities. They explore why accidents are increasing, how misinformation fuels risky habits, and what families, drivers, and neighborhoods can realistically do to protect kids while still giving them freedom and independence.

Melissa Leon is a small business CFO, the owner of Two Sense Consulting, a published author of Efficiency Bitch, an Arizona native, a mother of three, and the founder of Eastmark Safe Streets, a fast-growing community initiative focused on youth street safety. She brings firsthand experience, real data, and practical insight from working with Mesa law enforcement, transportation boards, and thousands of local residents.

Key topics covered in this episode:

✔ E-bike safety laws in Arizona and what parents must know
✔ The rise of teen “ride-outs” and social-media-driven bike groups
✔ Why Mesa is seeing a spike in e-bike and pedestrian accidents
✔ How Eastmark Safe Streets was built and why community groups matter
✔ Legal consequences for parents when minors ride e-bikes illegally
✔ The role of city infrastructure, enforcement, and community behavior
✔ Retailer responsibility and gaps in e-bike education
✔ How to prepare kids for emergencies, collisions, and high-risk situations
✔ How parents can balance independence, safety, and real-world learning
✔ Practical steps to start safety conversations in your own neighborhood

To learn more about Melissa, connect with her work, or reach out directly
Visit: https://twosenseconsulting.com

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In this episode of the Modern Arizona Podcast, attorney Billie Tarascio sits down with Legal Paraprofessional Sandy Bauer of Modern Law to explore her journey, her work, and the heart behind family law practice.

Sandy has spent more than 22 years in the legal field, including over a decade as a senior paralegal before earning her LP license in 2024. Today, she helps clients through divorces, parenting time issues, child support matters, and major family transitions with a calm, empathetic, and highly experienced approach. Outside of work, Sandy enjoys gardening, bird-watching, travel, audiobooks, and her family’s own book club.

Topics discussed in this episode include:
• Sandy’s transition from paralegal to licensed practitioner
• Why LPs are important for access to justice in Arizona
• Lessons learned from 20+ years of family law experience
• Navigating court, mediation, and modern family law changes
• Real-world cases involving parenting time, paternity, and complex family dynamics

Where to find Sandy:
Email: sandy.bauer@mymodernlaw.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandy-bauer-/
Modern Law: https://mymodernlaw.com/our-team/sandra-l-bauer/

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Selling the family home during divorce is one of the hardest decisions you will ever make. In this episode, attorney Billie Tarascio sits down with Jill Sawick-Healy, a community-focused real estate agent with Realty One Group who has been serving Arizona families since 2007. Jill has guided hundreds of clients through upsizing, downsizing, and big life transitions like divorce, always with the goal of making each move informed, steady, and as low-stress as possible.

Together, Billie and Jill walk through what divorcing couples need to know about the current Maricopa County housing market, joint ownership after divorce, and how to protect both your equity and your future. You will hear practical guidance you can use right away, including:

- When it makes sense to sell the house now versus stay for a period of time
- Pros and cons of joint ownership after divorce and what to put in writing
- How today’s interest rates and market trends in Maricopa County affect your options
- Ways to protect your credit, equity, and long term buying power
- Clauses to discuss with your lawyer and realtor for missed payments and future sale
- How community involvement can support emotional recovery after divorce
- Why your personal goals matter more than market headlines when buying or selling

Where to find Jill Sawick-Healy:
Website: www.jillsawick.myrealtyonegroup.com
Call/Text: 480-570-7173
Email: JSawick@CompletionFunding.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jill.sawick/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-sawick-healy-1a2a0030/

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Whitney Harvey is a former litigator, workplace wellness consultant, and founder of The Self Coached Lawyer. She joins Billie to talk about burnout, resilience, emotional regulation, and how lawyers and clients can rebuild themselves during high-stress seasons. Whitney shares how her early experiences with adversity, plus years in insurance defense and plaintiff litigation, shaped her mission to blend law, well-being, and science-backed healing tools. Her work today focuses on giving people simple, practical methods to manage stress, reframe their stories, and rebuild confidence during major transitions like divorce.

In this conversation, Whitney breaks down the real challenges facing modern legal professionals: remote work fatigue, isolation, burnout, loss of identity, and the emotional weight of client trauma. She explains why resilience is a skill, not a personality trait, and how tools like HypnoBreathwork® help people retrain long-held patterns in the subconscious mind. Whether you're a lawyer, a parent going through divorce, or someone feeling stuck, Whitney offers a grounded understanding of healing, purpose, and intentional recovery.

Topics Discussed
- The emotional toll of litigation and why traditional legal training overlooks it
- Burnout signs lawyers and divorcing clients should never ignore
- How to rebuild identity after major life transitions
- HypnoBreathwork® and why it accelerates healing compared to talk therapy
- Why remote work helps flexibility but harms engagement
- Emotional boundaries and the psychology of conflict
- Building resilience through narrative reframing and somatic tools
- How energy, environment, and relationships shape well-being

Where to Find Whitney Harvey
Website: https://theselfcoachedlawyer.com
Email: whitney@theselfcoachedlawyer.com
Instagram: @theselfcoachedlawyer
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitneyharvey