210: Tara Malek | A New Law Firm Model for the New World of Work

Workplace culture shifted significantly during the pandemic, which isn’t just true for the corporate world. Law firms are trying new ways to retain employees, help them attain fulfillment, and experimenting with new structures outside the traditional hierarchy.Tara Malek is an Idaho licensed attorney practicing in state and federal court in business and commercial litigation and is the chief litigator and co-owner at Smith + Malek. Smith + Malek is an Idaho business law firm with practice areas in real estate, healthcare, business, HR and employment, natural resources, and litigation.Join Davina as she interviews Tara, exploring the unique structure of Smith + Malek, her firm’s profit-sharing model, how they’re able to create a culture of trust and collaboration, and why they’ve gone against the legal grain and taken the “flat hierarchy” approach.Show Highlights:The unique structure of Tara’s law firm and what she thinks are the biggest issues with the traditional partnership pathWhy there is a disparity between men and women as equity partners in the legal field and how Tara’s firm is working to create a more equitable environmentHer profit-sharing model, collaborative atmosphere, and rewarding positive behaviorWhat prompted the firm’s owners to eliminate origination fees for people bringing in businessHow she lets clients know they’re hiring the firm--not an individual attorneyCreating a culture of trust, collaboration, and family friendlinessThe “flat hierarchy” model and why it’s different from the traditional law firm hierarchyWhat it takes to have fulfilled employeesFollow and Review:We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.Supporting Resources:Visit the Smith + Malek website: www.smithmalek.comConnect with Tara Malek on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tara-malek-14491820Visit our website: www.wealthywomanlawyer.com Connect with us on InstagramJoin our free Facebook communityReach out to Optimize My FirmVisit our sponsor- Gavel.io!Note: Wealthy Woman Lawyer® may have an affiliate relationship with the podcast sponsors and be compensated for referrals.