GO There - Beyond Billable Hours: Creating a People-First Law Practice

In this episode of GO THERE, host Kyle Harbaugh engages in a candid and inspiring conversation with attorney and entrepreneur Michelle DeLong about disrupting the legal industry.

Michelle shares her unconventional path—from selling power tools at Home Depot to founding her own medical malpractice law firm in South Florida. Together, Kyle and Michelle unpack the realities of burnout, the toxicity of the billable hour model, and what it takes to build a values-aligned legal practice focused on empathy, efficiency, and impact.

You’ll hear Michelle’s raw story of hitting a breaking point, rediscovering her purpose with the help of coaching, and learning the importance of saying "no" to build a career and firm that actually works for her life. Whether you're in law or just looking for inspiration on leadership, boundaries, and growth, this episode will give you powerful takeaways.

📍 Topics include:

• The flaws of the traditional billable hour system
• Contingency-based practice and its challenges
• Burnout in the legal industry—and how to bounce back
• Hiring based on alignment and culture, not just resumes
• Energy levels, self-care, and the power of knowing your values

🔗 Learn more about Michelle and her firm at MDLawFlorida.com or connect with her on LinkedIn: Michelle Nichols DeLong.