BAST AMRON LLP

207: Legend Series – Leadership, Litigation, And Longevity With Kendall Coffey

📣Tune in now: https://lnkd.in/e8WUSPqP.

In this Legend Series installment of The Practice Podcast, Jeffrey Bast and Brett M. Amron sit down with Kendall Coffey, one of South Florida’s most respected trial lawyers and a former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida.

This conversation goes beyond a traditional career retrospective. It is a candid, experience-driven discussion on what actually builds a lasting legal career: adaptability, trial experience, discipline, and a relentless commitment to doing the work the right way.

From an unexpected pivot away from journalism to leading one of the nation’s most prominent U.S. Attorney’s Offices, Coffey shares the inflection points that shaped his career and the practical lessons that continue to apply in today’s legal market.

Key Takeaways
✔️Careers are built through pivots, not straight lines
Early setbacks often create better long-term positioning if you stay in the game.
✔️Your environment matters early
The people you work with will shape your trajectory more than the title on your door.
✔️Trial experience is a differentiator
For litigators, hands-on courtroom experience remains one of the most valuable career accelerators.
✔️Public service sharpens perspective
Time in the U.S. Attorney’s Office provides a broader understanding of the law, government power, and decision-making that translates directly into private practice.
✔️Reputation drives business
Do great work consistently. Business development follows performance.
✔️Relentlessness wins—when applied correctly
Following through and owning outcomes is a competitive advantage, but knowing limits matters.
✔️Integrity is non-negotiable
There is no margin for error. One misstep can define a career.

Quote Worth Noting
“The best thing you can do for your career is do a great job on your cases. Everything else follows from that.”

Bottom Line
Enduring legal careers are not built on shortcuts. They are built on experience, discipline, relationships, and a consistent commitment to excellence over time.

Streaming on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Podcasts. We are also in the top ten percent of listened-to podcasts globally.

206. From Flute Performance To High-Stakes Litigation With Katie Tonkinson
📣Tune in now: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/206-from-flute-performance-to-high-stakes-litigation/id1566884697?i=1000758616924
In this episode of The Practice Podcast, Katie Tonkinson joins Jeff Bast and Brett Amron to discuss her path from music performance to litigation, what law school doesn’t teach you, and why practicing law is ultimately a people business.
She shares practical insights on building a legal career, the importance of discipline and communication, and how creative outlets like writing and music continue to shape her approach to the law.

What You’ll Hear
• How a music background translates to legal practice
• The importance of networking and real-world exposure
• Why communication skills can make or break young lawyers
• What surprised her most about practicing law

Bottom Line
Strong lawyers are not just technically sound—they understand people, communicate clearly, and stay disciplined over time.
Streaming on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Podcasts. We are also in the top ten percent of listened-to podcasts globally.

🎙️ New Episode | The Practice Podcast – Legend Series

205. Legend Series: The Long Game Of Building A Legal Legacy — John Kozyak

What does it really take to build a nationally respected law firm from scratch and sustain it for decades?

In our latest Legend Series episode, we sit down with John Kozyak, co-founder of Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton Law Firm and a nationally recognized trial lawyer and restructuring leader. From knocking on doors as a law student in the 1970s to building one of the most respected litigation and bankruptcy firms in the country, John’s story is a masterclass in initiative, resilience, and long-term vision.

In this conversation, John shares:
• How showing up uninvited and asking for an opportunity changed the course of his career
• The decision to launch a firm in 1982 with no safety net and what it actually took to make it work
• Why getting into bankruptcy early created a defining competitive advantage
• The origin and impact of the Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation
• What young lawyers are getting wrong about networking and career development

One takeaway that stood out:

Opportunities are rarely given. They are created by those willing to take the first step and put themselves in the room.

For lawyers, law students, and professionals building something of their own, this episode is a reminder that success is not accidental. It is built through action, relationships, and consistency over time.

🎧 Listen to the episode: https://lnkd.in/enWaHJpj.