In this episode of The Bunker Talk, Ciara sits down with Sam, founding and managing partner of The Florida Probate & Family Law Firm, to discuss everything related to growing and scaling a firm.
Sam opened her doors seven years ago, helping South Florida families navigate two of the most difficult transitions in life—divorce and death. She has rapidly scaled her firm, now operating 9 locations with almost 50 employees. Winning the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies recognition for the third time highlights her dedication to building a law firm that truly serves and supports her community.
🔗 Connect with Sam
Website: floridaprobateandfamilylaw.com
Phone: 786-372-6839
Instagram: @lawyerladyboss
LinkedIn: Samah T. Abukhodeir
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
00:21 – Sam explains her role as Founder & Managing Partner
00:39 – From solo practice to 50 team members & 9 offices
01:11 – Why Sam chose probate and divorce law
01:38 – Exploring different law fields before finding her path
02:15 – Landing her first probate internship against all odds
02:47 – How family law naturally became part of her practice
03:12 – The emotional complexity of probate vs. family law
03:30 – Balancing heavy cases while raising two young children
03:47 – Winning Inc. 5000 three years in a row
04:00 – Starting the firm with zero business knowledge
04:31 – Overcoming money-mindset challenges from childhood
05:22 – The reality behind “cheesy” motivational quotes
06:21 – How mindset shapes business growth
06:51 – Sam’s first steps in launching her firm
07:44 – Building the essentials: branding, systems, networking
08:22 – Running a firm with minimal overhead in the early days
09:17 – Networking as the lifeline of a new business
09:56 – When Sam realized it was time to hire help
11:02 – Buying a law firm only 18 months in
12:26 – The risks, negotiations, and ultimate payoff of acquisition
13:42 – Delegation struggles for Type-A founders
15:45 – Implementing EOS and stepping into the CEO role
17:19 – Moving from practitioner to full-time firm leader
20:26 – Building a team through culture, structure, and transparency
22:07 – Creating a workplace without anxiety or toxicity
23:05 – Government-level benefits and why they matter
24:53 – Supporting women, parents, and work-from-home culture
26:47 – Accountability, dashboards, and performance systems
29:10 – Becoming an Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company
36:10 – How estate planning prevents probate chaos
38:20 – Why probate litigation destroys families
40:58 – Breaking down the essentials of estate planning
42:14 – Cultural fears around talking about death & planning
43:41 – Divorce realities: cases, counseling, and early planning
47:06 – When to call a family law attorney
50:32 – Paternity, prenups, postnups & blended family planning
53:04 – How to choose the right attorney for your case
54:05 – The best business advice Sam has ever received
56:02 – Speed, mistakes, masterminds & learning from others
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