27+ Years Helping Lawyers Build for Life After Law — Without Sacrificing Today | Clarity • Intention • Legacy | Founder, The Wealthy Lawyer

LET’S BE HONEST.
Law school likely didn’t teach you much about personal finance.

But then you’re thrust into a demanding career — often with a ton of student debt — and suddenly you have a second job:
👉 Managing your money.

Whether you're in your first year of practice or a senior partner, you’re busy building your practice and keeping clients happy.

That leaves little time (or energy) for the things you actually enjoy — time with family, travel, hobbies… let alone planning for your financial future.

And honestly?

Most of the lawyers I speak with have spent more time planning their next vacation than protecting the lifestyle they've worked so hard to build.


That’s where we come in.

Using our Wealthy Lawyer™ Program, we take the guesswork out of financial planning.

We help you:
✅ Protect your family and income from the unexpected
✅ Build wealth intentionally
✅ Prepare for Life After Law


Our clients typically reach out when they:

• Are worried about how their family would cope if they couldn’t work
• Don’t know whether to save or pay down debt
• Feel behind, despite earning well
• Know they need a plan — but don’t know where to start
• Realize they can’t do it all alone — and want trusted guidance


What they’re tired of:

• Being the sole/primary income earner without a backup plan
• Wondering if they’d need to change their lifestyle if a family member got sick
• Stressing about whether they’re saving enough for retirement
• Not knowing how to leave a legacy for their kids or grandkids


After just a few months in the Wealthy Lawyer process, our clients tell us they feel more:

✅ Confident about hitting their financial and lifestyle goals
✅ Prepared to face unexpected life events
✅ Assured that their spouse and family won’t be financially stressed
✅ Clear about the legacy they’re leaving behind


You’re in the business of law — not financial planning.
Let us take the worry off your plate so you can focus on what matters most…

Like that next vacation.

📩 Ready to take control of your financial future?
Let’s connect for a Virtual Coffee Chat —  no pressure, just a conversation

Jeffery M. Lamont

Life hack:

Build a life with a partner who, even if you were both exhausted and broke, you’d still want beside you on the couch eating takeout.


👉 What is the last movie you and your partner in crime watched on a night in?


────
I’m Jeffery, the advisor who helps lawyers build a financial life that supports the moments (and the people) that matter most.

Helping Lawyers Build for Life After Law — Without Sacrificing Today | Founder, The Wealthy Lawyer

Most people think they don’t need insurance…
until life proves them wrong.

That's what I thought at 23.

Six weeks in a hospital changed that.

I’d just come back from playing pro baseball in Europe.
Best shape of my life.

Nothing could touch me…
or so I thought.

Then I got seriously ill.
Six weeks hospitalized.
Three months off work.

It was a wake-up call I never expected.

And it taught me something I’ll never forget:

Life is unpredictable.
And when things flip, they flip fast.

So here’s the real question:

If something unexpected happened tomorrow, do you have a plan to protect yourself and the people who rely on you?

Here’s the blind spot most people never see until it’s too late:
insurance isn’t about fear...
it’s about keeping your life stable when everything else feels shaky.

Here are three ways it does that:

➡️ Life Insurance:
Gives your loved ones financial stability — mortgages, debts, daily expenses covered.

➡️ Disability Insurance:
Replaces your income so your lifestyle doesn’t have to change if you can’t work.

➡️ Critical Illness Insurance:
Provides a lump sum so you can cover medical costs and focus on recovery, not money.

The best time to get insurance?
It’s when you’re young and healthy.

It’s more affordable…
and it guarantees you’re protected no matter what life throws at you.

Don’t wait for a wake-up call like I did.
 
👉 What’s one thing you thought was unnecessary when you were younger that makes a lot more sense now?

Share below 👇
 
────
I’m Jeffery, the wealth advisor who helps lawyers build, protect, and transition their wealth.

☕ If you ever want to talk through your options, I’m always happy to grab a quick virtual coffee.

No pressure. No pitch. Just clarity.

Three years ago, I started on LinkedIn…

And three years ago, I was ready to quit…

I was posting Googleable facts.
Zero personality.
Generic advice.
Safe takes.

And it showed.

That was, until I met Holly Crawshaw Joyner
She called me out…
then helped me find MY voice.

That was a little over year ago.

Since then, things shifted in a way I never expected.
Here’s the difference: 2023 vs 2025 (to date).

📈 Impressions: 100K → 2.2 Million
📈 Engagement rate: 1.1% → 5.1%
📈 Comments: 125 → 16,600

This year I’ve had 6 posts get more impressions — individually — than all of 2023.

But the numbers aren’t the part I’m most proud of.

It’s this:

→ People messaging me saying “It felt like you were talking directly to me.”
→ Real conversations with lawyers and professionals who feel seen — not sold to.
→ And the part I never saw coming: actual friendships with people in parts of the world I never imagined I’d be connected to.

If you’d told me three years ago that LinkedIn would introduce me to people I genuinely care about — mentors, peers, friends — I probably would’ve laughed.

But it has.
And it’s one of the best parts of this whole thing.

This reality is, this stopped being “marketing” a long time ago.
Now, it’s turned into a mission.

A mission to help people build wealth with more clarity…
less noise…
less shame…
and a whole lot less stress.

If you’ve been reading, commenting, DM’ing, supporting, or even just quietly lurking…
thank you 🙏

You helped me turn something small and uncertain
into something meaningful.

And if you’re still in the early stages of your own thing?
Stay with it.

Most good things don’t look good at the beginning.
But they become good because you stayed.


 👉 what’s one surprise you’ve experienced as a result of being on LinkedIn?


────
I’m Jeffery. I help professionals build wealth intentionally so they can live with more freedom and peace.

If you want more clarity heading into 2026, let’s grab a Virtual Coffee ☕

Find the “Become a Wealthy Lawyer” link in my profile.

I write your LinkedIn™ posts + your books || Top 20 LinkedIn™ Expert [Favikon, 2025] || New York Times + USA Today Bestseller

The real flex isn’t making $1M a year.

It’s making $1M a year without:

→ Missing every family milestone
→ Sacrificing your health
→ Living life on autopilot

That’s the real flex.

Jeffery M Lamont

I thought I understood gratitude… until one day changed everything.

As we head into American Thanksgiving, I’ve been thinking about what gratitude actually is.

It’s not comfort.
It’s not ease.
It’s not the good years.

It’s perspective.

I didn’t understand that until 2019.

That was the year I lost my mom
and our house flooded
on the very same day.

One morning changed everything.
And it marked the start of one of the hardest chapters of my life.

But it’s incredible what living in a hotel with your wife, three kids, and a dog will teach you.

In the middle of the chaos, I found myself grateful
not for what was happening… but for what I still had.
My family.
Our safety.
And the lessons my mom left behind.

That’s when it finally clicked:

Gratitude isn’t a reaction to things going right.
It’s the anchor that gets you through what isn’t.

So today, I’m grateful for:

• Quiet mornings with Colleen and the kids (even if the house is a little quieter these days)
• Family, baseball, and the memories that outlast the seasons
• Clients who trust me to help them simplify and protect what they’ve built
• And this community — the conversations, connection, and support

Thanksgiving is a time to hit the pause button.
A moment to look around and realize that even in the mess…
there’s still so much to be thankful for.

From my family to all my American friends — Happy Thanksgiving.


🦃Who or what are you grateful for this week — even if life isn’t perfect right now?


📸 Our family’s tradition of writing what we’re grateful for on pumpkins. I’ve included a photo with one of my mom’s final inscriptions.

Simple. Honest. Lasting.

You earn $330,000 and still feel broke.  Here's why...


Meet a client of mine who faced this exact challenge.

→ 34
→ newly engaged
→ student debt finally paid off
→ $285k annual salary
→ $45k-ish annual bonus

Despite his earnings, he was struggling to plan for his future.

He had three main goals:

 1. Save for the wedding
 2. Buy their first home
 3. Retire early-ish

Here's the kicker:

His bonus isn't always guaranteed.

That uncertainty made long-term financial decisions more difficult to make and brought anxiety to him.

 When he came to us, he had:

 → $14,000 in his savings account
 → $27,000 in his TFSA
 → $42,000 in his RRSP

I'd call this a good start for where he's at, but he felt unsure how to manage his finances most effectively each year.

For further context…

He's finding practicing law to be a grind.

Despite being a high performer, the demanding nature of BigLaw has made early retirement a goal of his.


 Here’s what we did:

 → Covered him and his (soon to be) fiancée with the proper insurances in case something happens to him.

 → Created a financial plan to make his bonus work for him, treating it as the game-changer it is when/if it comes next Feb.

→ Implement a cash flow management system that will help ensure he lives comfortably on his salary alone.

→ While not expected to pay for it all, he and his fiancée want to contribute to the wedding, so we upped their short-term savings

→ We've set up FHSA accounts for his fiancée and him so they can take advantage of that opportunity.

The result?

→ As they prepare to start their new life together, both he and his fiancée have peace of mind with the various insurances (life and Critical Illness) we put in place.

→ He feels much more comfortable with his month-to-month cash flow

→ They will have enough saved for what they feel should be their share of the wedding annnnnnd a down-payment on a condo.

→ His retirement plan projects he can retire by 58 (provided he maintains his savings percentages)

We’re little more than a year into his journey with us.

He's told me he already feels more in control and less anxious about his financial future.

Hearing the relief in his voice when we chat is priceless.

It's incredible what a customized financial plan, and his taking action, can do.

No more sleepless nights worrying about where his money is going.

Instead, he now has a clear path to achieving the life he desires.



👉If your money could talk, what do you think it would say about you?👇


────
I'm Jeffery, the wealth advisor helping lawyers take control of their finances and achieve their biggest goals.

🔗 Let’s connect for a Virtual Coffee Chat ☕️ to create a clear path toward your financial future—no more sleepless nights, just a plan that works.

No pitch.  No pressure.  Just clarity

If you feel behind at 41, you’re in good company...

Your income rises quietly…
and then, your lifestyle outruns intention even faster.

On my way home from the F1 in Austin a few weeks ago, I ended up in one of those easy airport conversations that starts as small talk… 
then goes a little deeper than you expect.

I was in the lounge half-working when the guy next to me noticed my F1 bag and said he was there for the race too.

We did the usual recap:
the heat, the crowds, the traffic.

He said he was heading home to NYC.
I said I was making my way back to Toronto.

Then he asked what I did.

I gave him the short version:
I help lawyers simplify their financial lives so money feels less chaotic and more intentional.

He nodded and said:

“Well… I practice at [he named a Top100 firm.]”

That opened the door.

We talked about the pace of practice, the hours, the pressure…
and how hard it is to juggle time and money when both feel scarce.

Then he hit me with something I wasn't expecting:

“This is my first full year as an Equity Partner. Still not making a ton yet, but definitely more than I ever thought I’d be making at 41.”

He paused, then admitted:

“And the worst part is… I still can’t get ahead. I thought by now I would be. But I'm not.”

No blown-out budget.
No crisis.

Just the quiet lifestyle upgrades that sneak in when income rises:

• a nicer hotel
• a faster flight home
• Paddock tickets because “why not?”
• and a handful of conveniences that feel harmless in the moment…

But they add up fast.

Then he said the line most lawyers eventually reach:

“I don’t think mine is a money issue…"

And he’s probably right.

Most lawyers don’t run out of money.
They just let lifestyle outrun the planning that’s supposed to support it.

Which is why tomorrow’s 1% Shift is all about timing…
and the tiny change that helps you finally feel ahead before life expands — not after.

More tomorrow.

☕ If you’ve ever hit that “I’m earning more… so why doesn’t it feel like it?” moment, let’s grab a Virtual Coffee.

You’re not the only one — and clarity comes fast once you have a structure.

Most lawyers don’t run out of money…
They just let their lifestyle outrun their structure.

And a conversation I had recently brought it right back into focus.

The partner I met wasn’t being reckless.
No blown-out budget.
No splurges.
No crisis.

Just the same quiet drift I see every single week:

A nicer hotel.
A quicker flight home.
Paddock tickets because “we might as well.”
Conveniences that feel harmless in the moment… and heavy later.

Then he said the line almost every lawyer eventually reaches:

“I’m earning more than I ever imagined…
but I still can’t get ahead. I thought by now I would be. But I’m not.”

And he said it quietly...
the way people talk when they’re tired of carrying it.

Here’s where most people get it wrong:

It’s not a money issue.
It’s a timing issue.

He wasn’t saving too little.
He was saving what was left after living life the way he wanted.
And that will always feel like you’re chasing something that keeps moving.

Savings before lifestyle?
That’s when things finally flip in your favour.

THE 1% SHIFT FOR TODAY

Set up one automatic transfer (15–20% of your net pay) that leaves your account the same day you get paid.

Put it in a TFSA, your RRSP, or a non-registered account
It doesn’t really matter.
The magic is in the automation.

When your money has a job,
your stress drops,
your decisions get cleaner,
and your lifestyle stops silently stealing your progress.

Tiny shift.
HUGE difference.

If you’ve ever asked yourself why you’re not ahead yet…
you’re not alone.

If you want the exact setup I walk clients through,
DM SHIFT.

No pitch.  No pressure.  Just clarity — and the feeling of finally getting ahead again.

Some weeks don’t hit you until Sunday night...

Not because anything dramatic happened.

But because you spent a week managing work, family, pressure, expectations…
and all the little things no one notices unless they’re the ones carrying them.

By the time Sunday night rolls around, the weight finally shows up.

If that’s you tonight, you’re not alone.

Here’s what I remind myself before a new week starts:

Most of us underestimate how much we're carrying…
until we stop long enough to feel it.

Progress rarely feels fast.
Most of the time it’s quiet, steady… almost unremarkable.

And here’s the part we forget:
Those quiet days —
the ones where you just keep showing up —
they’re the ones that move you forward.

Take the quiet win.
You handled more than you realize…
and you’re still here.

Let tonight be the reset.
Not the end of a long week...
but the chance to set yourself up for an even stronger one.


How do I get myself ready?
I keep it simple:

Three “result priorities” — the three things that, if I do nothing else, will make it a great week.

Three “activity priorities” — the actions that help me hit those results and move me toward my year-end goals.

Six lines.
Ten minutes.
A calmer Monday.

Tomorrow’s yours to set the tone.

Walk into it with clarity, conviction,
and a refueled tank, ready to win the week.


👉 What is one thing you want to accomplish this week to make it a real winner?


If financial clarity is something you want more of as we head into 2026, grab a quick Virtual Coffee using the link in my profile.

Protect your income first…
Everything else depends on it

If you read my post from yesterday,
you saw how quickly life can flip…
and how painful it is to discover you’re underinsured at a time you need it most.

Every lawyer wants to build wealth…
but almost no one starts by protecting the thing all else depends on:

Your ability to earn an income.

If that stops, everything downstream gets shaky fast.

And the cracks usually show up in the same places:

• Group disability that barely covers half the lifestyle
• No critical illness plan
• Life insurance that was “temporary”… a decade ago
• Partners assuming success = invincibility

Here’s your 1% Shift for today:

→ Action: Review your insurance — or ask an advisor to run a quick Insurance Audit.

That’s it.

One audit.
One hour.
Massive clarity.

You’ll know what’s locked in…
and what needs attention before life forces your hand.


💭 When did you buy your first insurance policy?


If you want a quick check-up,
DM “Audit” and I’ll walk you through it.


No pitch.  No pressure.  Just clarity.

There’s a moment I see all the time with lawyers.

It usually happens right after we walk through the numbers...
the real ones.

They exhale.
Their voice softens.
Their shoulders drop.

And they say some version of:

“I didn’t realize how much this was weighing on me.”

Not the savings.
Not the insurance.
Not the tax structure.

The uncertainty.

I saw it again this summer.

A 41-year-old partner I first had a Coffee Chat with a couple years ago.
Back then, he was DIY’ing through a robo-advisor and felt he was “doing fine.”

Then July hit.
And suddenly “fine” wasn’t fine anymore.

Cash flow felt tighter.
Taxes were starting to mount.
And the gap between what he thought he had and what he actually had started to widen.

That’s usually when clarity becomes non-negotiable.

Because optimism works…
until it suddenly doesn’t.

And when you replace,
“I hope everything is fine”
with
“I know exactly where I stand,”
something shifts.

The noise quiets.
The pressure eases.
You make decisions faster.
Your family feels more stable.
You feel a lot more like yourself.

That’s the real benefit of clarity.
Not the spreadsheets.
Not the projections.
Not the policies.

It’s the calm that shows up once you stop relying on hope...
and start relying on structure.

────
I’m Jeffery, the advisor lawyers call when “doing fine” stops feeling fine.

If you want the same kind of calm and clarity...
find the Become a Wealthy Lawyer link in my profile and let's sit talk.

No pressure.  No pitch.  Just clarity.

Most lawyers don’t have a money problem...
they have a “things won’t happen to me” problem.

Most lawyers I meet aren’t careless.
They’re just, shall we say...
optimistic.

• Optimistic that income will stay steady.
• Optimistic that health will hold.
• Optimistic that nothing unexpected will knock them sideways.

Until something does.

And that’s the moment
“I’ll get to it later”
turns into
“I should’ve done this sooner.”

Because it only takes one thing...
• one phone call
• one appointment
• one test result...
for “later” to become “too late.”

And here’s the part no one likes admitting:

Most lawyers aren’t reckless.
They're busy.
They’re overloaded.

And optimism is what fills the gaps they don’t have time to think about.

You don’t need paranoia.
don’t need perfection.

You just need to replace optimism with clarity.

Because the lawyers who feel calm?

They aren’t the ones earning the most.

They’re the ones who stopped assuming things would always stay the same.


👉 Does this sound at all familiar?

Funny how the right people show up at exactly the right time...

I just got off a long call with a group that’s become one of the best parts of my Wednesdays this past year.

Beyond the Apex — led by Anthony Vicino — has pushed me in ways I didn’t even know I needed.

It’s helped me get clearer on how Lamont Wealth Strategies and The Wealthy Lawyer Podcast can support lawyers at every stage…
from the final stretch of law school to partnership, firm-building, retirement, and life after law.

And with American Thanksgiving tomorrow, it felt right to pause and acknowledge how much this work — and the people in it — mean to me.

While I’m not sharing details yet, I can say this:

2026 will see me expand what I offer so more lawyers — in Canada, the U.S., and beyond — can get the clarity, structure, and support they deserve.

From protecting their families…
to building wealth intentionally…
to planning for retirement…
to creating legacies that outlive them.

I’m excited for what’s coming…
and grateful for everyone who’s been in my corner along the way.

So to my American friends…
Enjoy a meaningful holiday with friends and family, tomorrow, wherever you’re celebrating.


👉 What’s one thing you’re grateful for heading into tomorrow?


—
If you’re a lawyer wanting to simplify your financial world before the new year hits, let’s connect for a Virtual Coffee.

No pitch. No pressure. Just clarity.

Helping entrepreneurs build a business that maximizes their Return on Life. | ADHD is my superpower | Bestselling Author | Keynote Speaker | DM “COACH” if you’re ready to scale.

Lamont Wealth Strategies

The Wealthy Lawyer Podcast

Most lawyers don’t fear money…
They fear not doing it right.

I see it all the time.
That quiet moment when a lawyer stops mid-sentence, looks down for a second, and finally says:

“I make good money…
but I don’t actually know where it all goes.”

And here’s the part no one tells you:

• It’s rarely overspending.
• It’s rarely a discipline issue.
• It’s almost never “not caring.”

It’s the uncertainty.

The sense that you’re one step ahead in your career…
but half a step behind in saving and building.

The uncomfortable feeling that no one ever taught you how to manage money at this level…
and somehow you’re still expected to “just know.”

But here’s the truth:

Clarity doesn’t come from making more.
It comes from understanding the flow of what you already have.

Because almost every lawyer I work with has a similar pattern:

About 10% of their income goes unaccounted for.
Not stolen.
Not wasted.
Just… drifting.

A few quiet upgrades.
Some convenience purchases.
A busy month where “I’ll check it later” turns into later never happening…

And — POOF — and it’s gone!

So we walk through cash flow together.
We find the leaks.

Then we give that money a job going forward,
so it starts working as hard for you as you did for it.

And once that starts to click?

• Stress drops
• Confidence rises
• Life finally feels a little less chaotic

That’s when money finally feels like an ally…
not another pressure.


👉 Where does money feel the most unclear for you right now?
(I ask because your answer helps me shape posts that actually help.)

And if you’d rather sort this out with a guide, you can book a virtual coffee anytime through the“Become a Wealthy Lawyer” link in my profile.

You think everything is fine…
until life proves you wrong.

A few years ago, I sat across from a lawyer who’d been blindsided.

Brilliant woman.
Mother of two.
Partnership-track.
Income only going higher.

But her world changed overnight…
and what hit her hardest wasn’t the diagnosis.

It was the realization that nothing she had in place was actually built to fully protect her family.

Here’s what we found:
• Group disability that barely covered the mortgage
• Life insurance worth maybe two years of income
• No critical illness coverage
• A lifestyle built on today’s income… with no backup plan for tomorrow

And I’ll never forget when she looked up and said:

“I just assumed I’d get to it later.”

That sentence has stayed with me for years.

Because the truth is, most lawyers aren’t reckless…
they’re overwhelmed.

They’re building careers, raising kids, keeping the lights on…
and trusting that whatever they set up ten years ago is probably good enough.

Until it isn’t.

And when that day comes, the reaction is almost always the same:

A sigh.
A shake of the head.
And a quiet, painful…
“Why didn’t I look at this sooner?”

It wasn’t a massive mistake.
It was a 1% blind spot.
The kind that hides in plain sight until life forces it into focus.

Tomorrow’s first 1% Shift for Lawyers is exactly about this:

Why income protection comes first…
not tenth.
Why the foundation matters more than the shiny stuff.
Why one small adjustment can protect everything you’re working so hard to build.

More tomorrow.


💭 Do you know someone who’s had a heart attack, been diagnosed with cancer, or had something else pull them out of work unexpectedly?


☕ If you want to make sure your safety net is actually a net, let’s grab a Virtual Coffee.

What do you really get out of being on LinkedIn, anyway?

That was the question a friend threw at me recently.

Before I could even answer, they followed up with:
"Has it actually been good for business?"

I didn't realize the chat was turning into an interview.

Well… yes. I've met clients here. I've built partnerships here.

But truthfully? That's not the best part.

Connection. That's been the real win.

And I don't just mean clicking the "Connect" button.

I mean real conversations.
Shared experiences.
People I've never met in person who genuinely cheer me on...
and vice versa.

The best clients I work with?
They didn't come from a cold call or a sales pitch.
They came from conversations—real ones—where we connected first as people, then as professionals.

Recently, I had the chance to turn a couple of those online connections into real-life ones.

First was Patti Macdonald, founder of Fit Law LLP , who stopped in from Edmonton on her way to an east coast event.

Having spoken over Zoom and in the comments, sitting down in person felt like catching up with an old friend. We talked about life, LinkedIn, and building professional service businesses—great ideas, lots of laughs, and plenty of energy.

Then, during my trip to Austin for F1, I met Jess Sargus for coffee.

A lawyer turned MMA fighter turned business owner, Jess is a high-performance evangelist and keynote speaker who helps others unlock their inner badass. She also hosts The Legal Athlete  Podcast, where she bridges law, mindset, and performance.

We swapped stories about growth, balance, and how to get beyond your own self-doubt—with her sidekick, Paul Newman, joining us too.

Jess reminded me that high performance isn't about doing more—it's about getting clear on what matters. That hit different when you're building a business and trying to serve clients well.

Two incredible women I have the utmost respect for and am excited to call friends.

My only regret?
We forgot pictures.
But honestly, the best conversations don't need documentation…
they just need to happen again.

So as you scroll through here, remember...
behind every profile photo is a real person...
with a story worth hearing.

That's what makes LinkedIn special.

It's not just business. It's belonging.


💭 When was the last time you turned a LinkedIn connection into a real-world friendship? Tag them so we can all connect.


📸 here's Paul Newman… not quite as into the idea of LinkedIn coffee meetups... especially the ones that go long.

#KindnessAndDecency | Fit Law LLP | Founder | Changemaker | Leader | Innovator | Lawyer & Agent - Commercial Lending and Real Estate

Fit Law LLP

Self-Leadership & High-Performance Evangelist | Keynote Speaker | Certified Mental Performance Mastery Coach | Author of Fierce Agency™ (2026) | Ivy League-trained Lawyer, Undefeated MMA Fighter & Neuroscience Ninja

The Legal Athlete

Black Friday isn’t the danger…
Starting 2026 already behind — that’s the danger.

Every year, I see the same pattern:

Smart, thoughtful people walk into the holidays feeling excited and organized…
and walk into January shocked and already behind.

You worked all year to get ahead.
Don’t let one month quietly set you back.

Not because you’re reckless.
Not because you’re careless.

But because December is the one month where overspending feels “special,” “exceptional,” or “worth it.”

Until Blue Monday hits…
and that credit card bill shows up.

Don’t let the excitement of December’s gift-buying become January’s headache when you open that statement.

Because here’s what holiday overspending silently sabotages:

For most lawyers:
• Savings targets
• Debt repayment rhythm
• Investment contributions

For partners, it derails all of that plus:
• Corporate withdrawal strategy...
and with it, tax planning windows

So today, I encourage every client to do the same thing:

Before you buy anything, decide the number you won’t go past.
That top-line budget is the guardrail that protects next year’s goals.

A few simple rules help:

1. Set the ceiling first.
If you don’t pick the number, December will.

2. Use a spending calendar.
We overspend when all the decisions pile up at once — spread them out.

3. Stick to the list.
If it wasn’t on the list yesterday, it’s not suddenly a “deal.”

4. Decide what you’re not doing this year.
Impulse buys.
“Just in case” gifts.
Last-minute panic shopping.

The holidays feel better when the money part is calm.

You get to enjoy your people…
without waking up from this holiday shopping season with a full-blown January spending hangover.


Quick holiday question:
👉 Re-gifting — yes or no?
(Honesty encouraged. Judgement-free zone.)


────
I’m Jeffery, the advisor who wants to help you stay generous… and financially sane.

If you want help making sure 2025’s holiday spending doesn’t blow up your 2026 plan, let’s have a Virtual Coffee Chat.

📩 Send me a message or grab a spot through the link on my profile.

What’s old is new again.

For years, I had the print Globe & Mail delivered to the house.

Then someone convinced me to “go digital — it’s easier.”

Sure…
Great to have it on my iPad when I'm traveling and don't want to deal with carrying the paper...
but there was one problem:

No puzzles.

And as silly as it might sound, I missed my morning Sudoku and KenKen...
the quiet ritual that gets my brain firing before the day gets loud.

Sure, I was doing them on my iPad... sometimes, bit it just wasn't the same.

I prefer doing them pen in hand.

So this weekend, I went old school and restarted my print subscription.

Today was my first day back.

So, at 5:37am, I went downstairs...
got the paper off the porch...
made an iced coffee (still pretending it’s warm out)...
read through the Business section…
then hit my two favourite puzzles.
(Don’t @ me — crosswords and I have never gotten along.)

Why bring back something so simple?

Because it sharpens me.
It grounds me.
And it eases me into the morning just enough to think clearly before I jump into LinkedIn, and the client calls and problem-solving of the day.

I was a little rusty with them, but it felt good.
It felt familiar...
in a good way...
and as a reminder that sometimes the smallest rituals are all we need to get the day going right.


👉 What’s the thing you do every morning that gets you going?

It’s become almost cliché to talk about ‘1% improvements'...
but what the f*ck does that even mean?

Sure, “Get 1% better” sounds great…
but without direction?
It’s just another Instagram quote that disappears by Monday morning.

So for the next 5 weeks, I’m going to give you:

Small, clear, lawyer-focused shifts you can use immediately.

Shifts that will...
• Create clarity
• Lower financial stress
• Make decisions easier

One new shift every Tuesday.
One tiny action you can take that same day.

Nothing technical.
Nothing overwhelming.
Just the next right move.

See you Tuesday.
Let’s get after it.


💭 It’s Sunday night... how do you get ready for a killer week?


────
I’m Jeffery, the advisor who helps lawyers build financial clarity one small shift at a time.

☕ Want a head start?  Find the "Become a Wealthy Lawyer" link in my profile and let's talk.

Spend 30 minutes a week setting goals with your partner...
and you'll never argue about money surprises.

Talk. Plan. Align.

Next year?
Grow together.

Dream Believe Achieve Capital Group

• Advise family offices on due diligence, risk management, and governance structures.
• Consult passive investors to help them navigate through the complexities of the deal structure, offering documents, the underwrite, or capital call situations.
• Coach investors new to multifamily on how to effectively and efficiently underwrite deals.
• Manage ~$80MM AUM commercial real estate portfolio of active and passive real estate investments.
• Build strategic relationships with multifamily operators in markets with strong fundamentals and collaborate on curating, structuring, and sharing investment opportunities for passive investors. Personally underwrite each investment leveraging my prior commercial lending experience. Lead investor relations and additional operational/asset management projects during the investment hold.

Founder and Managing Partner

Wells Fargo

Results-driven and internationally minded finance professional with extensive industry experience in global markets, credit management, and international deals. Demonstrated success in commercial real estate, working capital lines of credit, cash flow lending and asset-based lending, structured trade finance(including Ex-Im), and acquisition finance. Clear communicator, team player, and leader.

• Oversaw and risk-managed a portfolio of international middle market clients and global commodity trading companies - $1.3BN in aggregate commitment. 
• Managed a team of Portfolio Managers. Developed & expanded the credit team’s skill set through training and coaching.
• Provided guidance and global credit expertise to in-market Global Advisors and local Commercial Banking Offices on underwriting new opportunities that are international in nature.

Senior Vice President - Loan Team Manager, Global Advisory - West

•	Oversaw and risk-managed a portfolio of 73 middle market clients/$750MM in aggregate commitment. 
•	Managed a team of Portfolio Managers and Financial Analysts (credit team).  Developed & expanded the credit team’s skill set through training and coaching
•	Led and actively participated in the underwriting, structuring, and completion of credit transactions.
•	Utilized direct and operating credit approval authority to approve transactions with credit risk.
•	Acted as risk control officer for credit and operational risk for the office and coordinate with Risk Asset Review (internal credit audit). 
•	Coordinated timely loan approval, credit review and workout functions.
•	Managed on-going dialog with Regional Vice President (RVP) and Loan Supervision on new loan opportunities and problem loan management.
•	Developed procedures and managed process to ensure that the office is adhering to the regulatory compliance requirements.
•	Partnered with senior management/loan supervision to develop and execute business plans, including meeting or exceeding the office's PTPP goal.
•	Assisted with business development efforts while exhibiting leadership and ownership of credit processes, underwriting, and portfolio management.

Loan Team Manager, Los Angeles-West Middle Market Banking Office

• Managed a portfolio of 40 middle market clients (30 credits), $280MM in aggregate commitment, and $5.1MM in PTPP.  
• Grew portfolio from $337.5M in 2009 to $3.5MM in 2014 and continuously met or exceeded PTPP growth targets. 
• Took initiative and was not afraid to be a trailblazer in unchartered territory for Global Banking: e.g. first cross-border deal, first UK formula line of credit and real estate term loan; booked the first OPIC deal under the new OPIC framework agreement.
• Responsible for loan structuring, negotiating documentation, monitoring credit quality, and cross-selling other banking products.
• Actively involved in profiling and negotiation of new business opportunities including pricing, deal structuring, covenant establishment, legal documentation/negotiation, preparation and submission of recommendations for approval and closing.
• Promoted an environment that supports teamwork, diversity and collaboration.
• Provided guidance to and mentor financial analysts.
• Completed timely and through evaluations or reviews of financial and operating risk for all credits.
• Analyzed and monitored credit risk based on financial statements, performance projections, cash flow, business and industry evaluation.
• Identified opportunities for cross-sell of other bank products and services, as appropriate, including treasury management, foreign exchange, insurance, financial and investment products.
• Maintained high standards of credit underwriting and monitoring across the existing client portfolio and completed thorough due diligence for new lending propositions.
• Ensured early identification of problem credit accounts and proper action on potential or existing problem accounts.
• Maintained quality service for all customers and manage relationship profitability.
• Ensured compliance and operational risk controls are in accordance with the Bank’s or regulatory standards and policies.

Vice President - Senior Relationship Manager, Wells Fargo International

Vice President - Relationship Manager, Wells Fargo International

Assistant Vice President - Relationship Manager, Wells Fargo International

Relationship Manager, Wells Fargo International

•	Participated in a four-month advanced credit management training program to enhance credit underwriting skills, client relationship management, and business development techniques
•	Performed credit analysis including: quantitative risk assessment, financial statement analysis and projections, industry and business risk evaluation, management assessment, and loan structuring

Credit Management Training Program Associate

Unilever

•	Analyzed and evaluated internal hurdle rates relative to customer expected hurdles. 
•	Developed recommendations for adjustment of hurdles and ways to improve profits and promotional effectiveness. Information was to be used as a guideline for decision making.

Finance Summer Associate

Nestlé Purina North America

•	Customer relationship management
•	Translated market and competitive trends into business insights
•	Co-managed the financials of the business
•	Evaluated all aspects of promotions, profitability, and pricing
•	Analyzed category trends and proposed recommendations for sales and profit growth
•	Collaborated with key operational divisions - marketing, supply chain, finance
•	Assisted with new item presentations

Business Development Manager

Real Estate Entrepreneur || Multifamily Investor || Private Lender || Commercial Loan Underwriting Specialist

I grew up behind the Iron Curtain dreaming of the life I would someday build if only I could get to America.

When I finally arrived, it was like stepping into a world of unlimited possibility and responsibility.

I followed the traditional path: school, corporate career, hard work, becoming a high performer. 

I climbed the corporate ladder, putting in 60+ hours a week.

But no matter how hard I worked, I was not actually getting ahead because at the end of the day, I was simply trading my time for money.

My future was tied to a single source of income and the volatility of the stock market.

It was not until I discovered real estate investing - and later, the importance of risk management and strategic investing - that everything changed.

Since discovering the power of real estate investing, I “retired” from my corporate job and now I am on a mission…

A mission to help other high achieving professionals create optionality, stability, and legacy in their financial lives.

Here’s how I serve investors and family offices:
1. I help high achieving professionals and business owners generate additional passive income streams and achieve tax efficiencies through well-vetted, cash-flowing investments in commercial real estate. To learn more, visit: www.dbacapitalgroup.com

2. I consult passive investors to help them navigate through the complexities of the deal numbers and structure, offering documents, or capital call situations. To learn more, visit: www.dbacapitalgroup.com

3. I help beginner investors in multifamily learn how to effectively and efficiently vet apartment deals in five easy steps even if they have never underwritten a deal before in order to minimize the risk of loss. To learn more, visit: www.MasteringMultifamilyUnderwriting.com

4. I advise family offices and private companies on strategic investment due diligence, risk management, and governance structures - helping them safeguard capital, optimize decision-making, and build sustainable multi-generational wealth.

Grounded in deep underwriting expertise and my former commercial lending background, my mission remains simple: 

Protect the downside. Grow the upside. And empower investors to build lasting financial security - on their terms.

Vessi Kapoulian

That 8% check you're getting? It might not be real.

If it is not from operating cash flow, it is just smoke and mirrors.

THE DISTRIBUTION ILLUSION
On paper, it looks like you are making 8% a year.

Checks are coming in.

Your dashboard is green.

Everything feels fine.

But under the hood?

Some sponsors are funding "preferred returns" from reserves or even new investor capital.

That is not income ... it is financial engineering.

And it is your capital being recycled back to you.

Here is the problem: 

False Security
 – You assume the asset is performing
 – But the property has not generated real cash flow
 – It is a distribution illusion

Ponzi-Like Risk
 – New investors fund old investor payments
 – It creates a fragile structure
 – The moment growth slows, the model collapses

No Margin of Safety
 – Reserves get depleted
 – There is no cushion for downturns
 – You are left exposed when the music stops

Want true passive income?
1. Ask the hard question: Is this funded by actual operating cash flow?
2. Follow the cash: Not the marketing decks.
3. Protect your downside: Because financial engineering doesn't pay the bills.

Real investors chase cash flow.

Not clever spreadsheets.

➡️ What red flags do you look for in a deal?

Real Estate Investments & Due Diligence Consultant || Family Office & Board Advisor || Commercial Loan Underwriting Specialist || Multifamily Investor

"We are in a relationship trust recession. As AI grows more advanced, authenticity becomes even more critical. People won’t just want to know your track record - they’ll want to know you are real, that you’re human, that you're trustworthy. That’s why in-person connections will matter more than ever."

Vessi Kapoulian

Not all “value-add” projects actually add value.

Too often, investors get excited by new cabinets, quartz countertops, and fancy lighting packages but forget to ask the most important question:

How much rent lift am I getting for the dollars I am spending?

If the math does not work, those upgrades are not “value-add.”

They are lipstick on a pig - good-looking, but bad business.

When I underwrite renovation projects, I always apply two simple benchmarks:
- ROI of at least 20%
- Payback period of 3–4 years or less

Why? Because if you cannot recoup your investment before the typical 5-year hold, your “value-add” is actually a value drain.

In my latest article (tap the link below), I walk through two real-world examples showing how the same deal can go from diluting returns to enhancing them - just by adjusting your CapEx budget and rent assumptions.

P.S. LIMITED TIME OFFER
Want to finally feel confident reviewing multifamily deals — without second-guessing every number?

Take advantage of the Thanksgiving Sale (link below):
🎁 Get 1 Year of Free Access to the Mastering Multifamily Community with the purchase of the Mastering Multifamily Underwriting Self-Paced Course.

This offer expires soon — do not miss it!

[Missed my last LI Live event on the Hidden Risks Of Multifamily Loan Data? You can catch the replay HERE.] [Want to finally feel confident reviewing 

Open article: The Renovation Reality Check: When Value-Add Becomes Value-Drain by Vessi Kapoulian • 3 min read

The Renovation Reality Check: When Value-Add Becomes Value-Drain

One of the biggest mistakes passive investors make is...

... assuming all operators are created equal. 

The truth? Who you invest with matters just as much as the deal itself.

Join me for an engaging discussion with Pasquale (Pat) Zingarella, founder of Invest Clearly, as we dig into what separates great operators from those you should avoid and tools you can use to vet them before you wire a dollar.

We will cover:
- What most passive investors overlook when vetting an operator
- Red flags that reveal poor alignment or weak execution ability
- How to distinguish substance from style in sponsor pitches
- Why due diligence on the operator is as important as diligence on the deal
- How LPs can now rate and review sponsors on Invest Clearly

 📆 When: November 12th, 2025 (Wednesday) at 5PM PT 

📌 Where: Virtual event (link to reserve your seat is below)

If you are a passive investor (or planning to become one), this is your chance to sharpen your due diligence process and gain an insider’s view of tools designed to protect your capital.

Want to finally feel confident reviewing multifamily deals, without second-guessing every number?
 
Most new (and even experienced) investors struggle with underwriting not because they lack intelligence, but because they lack structure.
 
That is exactly why I created Mastering Multifamily Underwriting (MMU) — a self-paced course and community designed to help you move from uncertainty to clarity.
 
Inside MMU, you will:
✅ Learn a proven 5-Step Framework to analyze deals from A to Z
✅ Access templates, checklists, and case studies used by real investors
✅ Join a private community with monthly live calls and underwriting tips
 
And, equally important, you will avoid:
⚠️ Overpaying because of aggressive assumptions
⚠️ Missing red flags buried in the numbers
⚠️ Relying solely on the sponsor’s spreadsheet without independent validation
 
If you have been meaning to level up your deal-review skills — now is the time.
 
🎁 Enrollment at this special rate is open for a limited time and will close after the Thanksgiving holiday. Spots are limited to the first five students who enroll!
 
💬 DM me if you have questions or click the LINK below to join and start mastering multifamily underwriting today.

👉 Go to https://lnkd.in/gZitVtDP for more information on the course or take a sneak peak into my students' success stories.

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Vessi Kapoulian

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The Battle

Jeffery M. Lamont

Vessi Kapoulian

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Jeffery M. Lamont's LinkedIn Performance

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Performance ScoreJeffery M. Lamont's LinkedIn Performance