Life, Law, and Loud Music: A Week in the Life of Shane Smith

Last week? Let’s just say it was a lot. Not in a bad way, but one of those weeks that feels like you lived three lives in seven days. Travel, law firm meetings, a law school dedication, concerts, family dinners, bulldog medical drama... the whole thing. So here’s the rundown, because honestly, I don’t want to forget it.

My weeks always start the same way: a Monday morning review. It’s my time to hit pause, look at what I got done the week before, and plan out what’s coming. I check in on big-picture goals, set intentions, and try to spot any bottlenecks before they become problems.

Later that day, I met with one of my own business coaches. That’s something I do pretty regularly because even as a law firm owner, I still need accountability and perspective. We talked through a few things I want to improve in the business and some growth plans I’ve been kicking around. We also recorded a podcast episode that afternoon, which I enjoyed.

Tuesday was a work day, but I had to duck out early. Holly had surprised me with Nine Inch Nails tickets for my birthday; one of those “throwback to college” kinds of gifts. We used to crank their music back in the day. So when the lights dropped and the bass hit at Gas South Arena, it felt like stepping into a time machine. I would definitely recommend seeing them live.

The concert was in Duluth, which is a bit of a drive from Peachtree City, and we decided not to stay overnight this time since Ted (our French Bulldog) has been recovering from eye surgery and needed a little extra TLC. But man, what a show. First time I’ve seen an opening act that was just a DJ spinning tracks for an hour, but it worked. By the time Trent Reznor came out, the crowd was ready, and he didn’t disappoint. I’d 100% go again.

Wednesday is my “manager day.” That’s when I go deep into law firm operations. I sit down with all the data and check performance across departments, settlements, client service, marketing, everything. If something’s off, we fix it. If something’s working, we double down. I also meet with all the senior attorneys, check in on their caseloads, how their teams are doing, and anything they need support on.

At Shane Smith Law, we try to run the firm like a real business, not just a legal factory. That means dashboards, accountability, and constant improvement.

Thursday was special. Holly and I flew up to High Point University for the official dedication of their new law school building. They opened the school last year, but the dedicated building just got finished, and we were honored to be part of the ceremony.

What made it even cooler? Justice Samuel Alito from the U.S. Supreme Court Zoomed in to deliver a dedication message. That’s a pretty high-level speaker for a university event, and a testament to how serious High Point is about becoming a major player in legal education.

We got to see the courtroom Shane Smith Law, Holly, and I sponsored, which was amazing. It’s a strange but powerful feeling to walk into a place where future lawyers will argue cases and practice advocacy, knowing you had a hand in building it.

Normally, I lift with my dad on Saturdays, but I had a packed weekend coming, so we moved it to Friday morning. Honestly, I love those sessions. It’s not just about staying in shape, it’s time with him. After the gym, I had lunch with the family and then took Holly out again Friday night for some quiet time before the weekend whirlwind. We both needed it.

We started the morning at the Cars and Coffee meetup in Peachtree City. Holly brought her Ioniq as our ride of choice, and we had fun checking out the classic muscle cars, some luxury rides, and a few dream machines. You never know what’ll show up there. 

Then it was errand time. We knocked out a bunch of to-dos, then took Luna (our other dog) out to the ranch for some off-leash fun. She’s learning to come when we whistle, a work in progress, but she’s food-motivated so we’re optimistic.

That night we were invited to a baby shower and wow, they went all out. Custom archway, dessert spread like something out of a wedding, gorgeous cake. Props to the hosts. From there, we headed over to Trilith in Fayette County for dinner at Enzo. Great recommendation, will definitely go back.

Sunday we stayed close to home. Holly and I grabbed breakfast then spent most of the day organizing the house, cleaning closets, and tossing anything we haven’t worn in a year. Felt good to clear things out. That evening we had dinner with my parents and my brother’s family, which was the perfect wind-down to a full week.

In case you’re wondering, Ted (our French Bulldog) is doing better. He had eye surgery recently and has been bumping into every piece of furniture and human ankle with his cone. It’s like he’s weaponized the thing. But he’s healing. He may never have perfect vision again, but he’ll see well enough to chase toys and play with his brother, and really, that’s all he needs.

All in all? A week that reminded me why we work hard, so we can enjoy all of it: the law firm wins, the unexpected concerts, the quiet dinners, and even the chaos of cone-wearing bulldogs.

If you're navigating life after an injury, and need someone to fight for you while you focus on healing, In pain, call Shane.
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