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How an IBM Intern Becomes a Lawyer & Entrepreneur

Adam Rossen sits down with Odelia Goldberg, a Fort Lauderdale estate planning attorney whose career spans modeling, 18 years at IBM, and building a thriving law practice. This episode explores how emotional intelligence, disciplined systems, and fearless self-investment drive lasting success in business and life.

Odelia shares why she calls herself “a lover, not a fighter,” focusing on non-confrontational law, estate planning, uncontested probate, real estate transactions, and contracts. She explains how emotional intelligence helps lawyers navigate sensitive topics like death without overwhelming clients. Odelia also unpacks her unlikely path: from pageants and modeling to IBM project management, earning an MBA and law degree at night, then acquiring multiple firms from retiring attorneys, developing a repeatable, people-first model.

Tune in as we dive into her Fort Lauderdale law firm growth, why her favorite investment is herself, and how automations (like Salesforce-powered intake) and ownership of her office building created stability and scale. Odelia also recounts a bold run for New York State Senate and the lesson to “stay a six or seven” emotionally, never riding the highs too high or the lows too low. If you’re an entrepreneur or attorney, you’ll learn how to blend systems, EQ, and strategic risk to build a resilient practice.

🎯 Episode Highlights
EQ in Law: Using emotional intelligence to discuss hard topics without triggering clients Career Pivots: Modeling → IBM PM → attorney & firm owner Deal Model: Buying practices from retiring lawyers (and letting them keep practicing) Process Wins: Automating consults and templates for fewer errors, more speed Owner Mindset: Why Odelia invests in herself, her team, and her building Leadership Lesson: Stay steady, don’t chase the highs or sink with the lows Next Move: Hiring an associate to scale sustainably

About the Guest:
Odelia Goldberg is the founding attorney at The Law Offices of Odelia Goldberg in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Her firm focuses on estate planning, uncontested probate, and real estate transactions with a client-centric, systems-driven approach. Learn more: ogoldberglaw.com.

Want to be a guest on the show? Reach out to: marketing@rossenlawfirm.com.
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