Why Building a Law Practice Makes You a Better Lawyer: Eye-Opening Perspectives from Scott C. Pappas

November 13, 2025 Joe Stephens

In the latest episode of Between the Briefs, Adrian Cea and Joe Stephens sit down with Scott C. Pappas, Managing Partner at Omnus Law to unpack the ins and outs of building an innovative firm that is revolutionizing the legal industry through their metaverse-based workplace, transparent billing structure, and commitment to attorney well-being.

What You’ll Learn:

How to build a successful remote-first law firm using metaverse technology for lawyer collaboration
Why the traditional billable hour model is being challenged by client demands for transparency and value-based billing
How ‘grace’ and ‘kindness’ are key to building a sustainable law firm culture in a virtual environment
How to leverage AI responsibly in legal practice while maintaining high-quality client service
Why law firm innovation requires both technological advancement and cultural transformation
The importance of work-life balance in attorney retention and how to structure a firm that prioritizes well-being
How to transition from traditional practice models to more flexible, technology-driven approaches without sacrificing quality
The future of legal practice management and why big law firms may need to adapt or risk shrinking

If you’re interested in being a lawyer of the future, this episode offers a compelling vision of how technology and human-centered practices are reshaping the future of law.

Want to watch this episode of Between the Briefs instead? Get the full video on YouTube.

About the Contributors

Joe Stephens

Joe Stephens, J.D., is Steno's Director of Legal Solutions as well as a Clinical Lecturer at Texas Tech University School of Law. With over 15 years of experience in criminal defense and public service, he founded and led Texas' largest rural public defender office, which serves a 12-county area. A graduate of The University of Texas School of Law (cum laude) and Vanderbilt University (B.A.), Stephens currently serves as a Board Member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer's Association (TCDLA) and sits on multiple State Bar of Texas committees. His expertise spans the intersection of legal practice and technological innovation in the justice system.

View Full Profile LinkedIn

Adrian Cea

Adrian Cea is Steno's Social Media Manager, leading content strategy, audience engagement, and digital brand-building across platforms. He also produces and co-hosts Between the Briefs, Steno's podcast covering the intersection of legal technology, court reporting, and the future of litigation. With a background spanning content creation, field marketing, and sales at companies like Sell Better and Chili Piper, Adrian brings a multi-disciplined lens to making complex legal tech topics accessible and engaging.

View Full Profile LinkedIn