Are you running your firm the way it’s always been done—climbing the partner track, chasing origination bonuses, and operating within a strict hierarchy—only to find it creates more stress and less satisfaction? Or maybe you feel that, despite your best efforts, the structure of your firm is holding you and your team back from truly thriving. If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s a more collaborative, rewarding way to grow your practice and build wealth, we have an episode you don’t want to miss.
On this episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, host Darren Wurz sits down with Tara Jalali Malek: a former federal prosecutor and current co-owner of Smith + Malek, a trailblazing law firm redefining what it means to build a successful legal practice.
Tara’s firm has eliminated the traditional partner track, dropped origination bonuses, and built a supportive, people-first workplace. The result? Not just happier attorneys and better work-life balance, but big wins for the business and their clients.
Tara openly shares her journey, insights, and lessons learned—not just about shaking up the old model, but about empowering people, clarifying your firm’s mission, and understanding how culture drives the bottom line. If you’re a law firm owner who feels the tension between tradition and innovation, this conversation offers a practical, inspiring roadmap to making real change.
Tara discusses:
* How to build a culture that attracts top talent and keeps them engaged.
* Practical strategies for eliminating internal competition and stress.
* Why Smith + Malek offers 16 weeks of paid parental leave for all staff.
* How to make your workplace more productive without compromising productivity or service quality?
* The benefits of offering flexibility in work location choices.
Resources:
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Book: Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek
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Book: The SPEED of Trust: The One Thing that Changes Everything by Stephen M.R. Covey
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Book: The Trusted Advisor by David H. Maister, Charles H. Green and Robert M. Galford
Connect with Darren Wurz:
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Schedule a Call with Darren
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The Lawyer Millionaire Founders Network
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The Lawyer Millionaire: The Complete Guide for Attorneys on Maximizing Wealth, Minimizing Taxes, and Retiring with Confidence by Darren Wurz
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LinkedIn: Darren P. Wurz
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Join The Lawyer Millionaire Founders Network and Book Club for Free
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The Lawyer Millionaire Money Mastery Assessment
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Financial Advisor Decision Checklist
Connect with Tara Jalali Malek:
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Linkedin: Tara Jalali Malek
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Smith + Malek Attorneys
About our guest:
Tara is an Idaho licensed attorney and Smith + Malek, PLLC co-owner. With vast experience in civil and criminal law, Tara practices in state and federal court in business and commercial litigation.
Previously, Tara worked as a Kootenai County Deputy Prosecutor,
