The Power of a Million Little Things: Persistence in Work and Life with Bill Nolan

What does it take to leave a secure, prestigious position to build something from scratch? In this episode, I chat with Bill Nolan, the founding managing partner of Barnes & Thornburg’s Columbus office.

Bill shares the unflashy reality of leadership from his days as the Mayor of Powell and the persistence required to put a new law office on the map. This conversation explores the power of a million little things, the art of developing talent in business services, and the grace required to navigate identity shifts when handing over the reins of leadership.

🔑 Key Takeaways for Leadership & Personal Growth

• 95% of his graduating class ended up in a different place than they imagined—and that’s okay.
• The tactical socialization needed to get a national firm to remember and utilize a new local branch.
• Success is rooted in the ability to perceive how your actions affect others—whether they are clients, judges, or colleagues.
• Looking for personal strengths (marketing, client service, or event planning) creates a culture of growth and loyalty.
• The importance of planning for a successor and finding fulfillment in community rather than just the title.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Bill Nolan and His Background

02:01 Experiences as Mayor of Powell

05:22 Transitioning to Barnes & Thornburg

07:30 Building the Columbus Office

10:07 Strategies for Success in a New Market

12:06 Personal Growth and Leadership Evolution

14:25 Understanding Client Relationships and Communication

16:35 Building a Thriving Legal Team

20:45 Navigating Challenges in Office Management

22:37 Transitioning Leadership Roles

27:04 The Long View

29:48 Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations

Guest

Bill Nolan brings clarity and closure to employment, contract and business disputes. Passionate about helping employers build strong teams, policies and processes, Bill’s proactive advice minimizes the frequency, cost and severity of employment disputes. Bill also works with clients to design systems and practices to manage the many challenges of complex employer-employee relationships.

An experienced trial lawyer, Bill handles covenant not-to-compete and trade secret cases in many states. He also regularly defends employers in discrimination and discharge cases, administrative claims, arbitrations and mediations. Bill helps clients maneuver shifting legal mandates and has distinct experience handling complicated employee health and leave issues. Admired for his calm and thoughtful approach to resolving disputes, Bill also acts as a neutral.

In his role as employment counselor, Bill advises clients on a range of workplace issues. He is called upon to conduct manager and workplace trainings that ensure legal compliance on the front lines. He was an early leader in tracking how employers and legislatures respond to discrimination in the workplace, advocating for changes in training models to better address persistent workplace behaviors.

Bill is not one to back down from a challenge. Opening the firm’s Columbus office in 2009 during the Great Recession, he built and ran a notable team for over 15 years. Also, as a former two-term councilman and Powell, Ohio, mayor, Bill brings contagious energy to community affairs, focusing on furthering inclusion in the legal profession.

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