Ever wonder what Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and law firm leadership have in common?
A lot more than you’d think.
In a recent episode of the Trial Lawyer View by Synergy podcast, I sat down with Thomas Tona of TonaLaw. A seasoned firm owner—black belt, business builder, and personal injury lawyer—who broke down how years on the mat shaped decades in the courtroom and the boardroom. His take? Winning in business, like in Jiu-Jitsu, starts with mastering the fundamentals and staying calm under pressure.
🧘♂️ “Go Slow to Go Fast”: The Power of Process
In Jiu-Jitsu, rushing leads to mistakes. In law firm leadership, it leads to breakdowns. This principle—go slow to go fast—became a leadership philosophy that shaped every decision in his practice. Slowing down to breathe, observe, and make intentional moves translated to better systems, stronger teams, and more sustainable growth.
🏗️ Four Pillars That Build Resilient Law Firms
For those looking to grow without burning out, he offered a timeless framework:
- Time Management: Your most finite resource must be ruthlessly protected.
- Money Management: Every dollar should have a job—and be accounted for.
- People Management: The right people in the right seats make or break your practice.
- Marketing: Consistent, value-driven visibility is not optional.
Whether you’re trying your first case or scaling past eight figures, these pillars remain.
🛣️ CEO or Trial Lawyer: Pick a Lane
Here’s where things get real. You can’t be the CEO and lead trial counsel forever. If your goal is scale, you’ll need to hire top trial talent or a capable COO—and sometimes both. Recognizing your strengths and filling in the gaps is what separates the firms that last from those that collapse under pressure.
“You don’t have a business if it doesn’t run without you. You have a job.”
The most successful firms run on systems, not personalities. That’s why this attorney brought in a right-hand COO over 20 years ago. Today, that early hire is still with him—now an indispensable integrator who leads operations with precision.
🌱 Culture Is Profit
Scaling isn’t just about systems—it’s about people. And culture, he said, is what holds everything together when growth strains your infrastructure.
“Do they get it, want it, and have the capacity to do it?”
This was his benchmark for team alignment. Using EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), his firm created a culture that’s not just strong—it’s self-sustaining. And that culture fuels profitability.
📄 What Trial Lawyers Can Learn from Lien Resolution
We also dug into something close to home: lien resolution. Most firms treat it as an afterthought. But he sees it as a critical component of client service and firm scalability. That’s why his team integrates third-party vendors like Synergy early in the process. The result? Fewer bottlenecks, faster disbursements, and better client communication.
🕰️ Advice for Young Lawyers: Don’t Skip the 10,000 Hours
One of the most compelling parts of the conversation was his warning to new lawyers.
“If you haven’t put in the reps, don’t try to be the boss.”
He’s seeing too many young lawyers open firms before they’ve learned how to litigate or run a business. And in a high-stakes space like personal injury, skipping those steps can lead to devastating results—for lawyers and their clients.
🎯 Why This Matters to the Peak Practice Community
If you’re serious about growing your PI practice, Thomas’ episode is a must-listen. His advice matters because he speaks from decades of real-world experience building a high-performing personal injury firm in one of the most competitive markets in the country. His insights—grounded in humility, discipline, and relentless execution—reveal what it really takes to scale a law practice without compromising values or client outcomes. From defining your lane to investing in the right people and systems, his lessons are a blueprint for trial lawyers who want to evolve from case handlers to business leaders.
🔗 Ready to Think Differently About Your Practice?
If you’re a trial lawyer who’s hungry to scale and grow your firm, this episode is for you.
🎧 Listen to the full conversation on Trial Lawyer View here: https://triallawyerview.com/podcast/thomas-tona/
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🔗 Want more insights like this?
If you’re a personal injury lawyer ready to scale, streamline, and step into your role as CEO, let’s talk. Join the Peak Practice Community, and learn how synergy. can help you eliminate settlement bottlenecks, resolve complex liens, and maximize recoveries. Learn more here: https://partnerwithsynergy.com/peak-practice/
If you want to grow and scale your law firm more effectively, consider partnering with Synergy for lien resolution. Learn more at: https://partnerwithsynergy.com/liens/
