What exactly is EPiC?
EPiC is a mastermind concept designed exclusively for estate planning law firm owners navigating each stage of the business lifecycle, from an established practice to a successful exit, through confidential participation in professionally facilitated peer groups.
These peer groups consist of law firms similarly situated in experience, sophistication and business acumen.
There are 3 different peer group fits.
–Primary Driver groups consist of solo practitioners with one or two team members, typically around $300,000 – $600,000 in revenue, and where the owner attorney is primary in the sales, marketing, production, finance and administrative functions of the law firm.
–Business Operator law firms have five or fewer employees, revenue below $1 million and up to two leaders controlling business operations (sales, marketing, production, finance and administration).
–An Enterprise Leader law firm is typically approaching or exceeding $750,000 in annual revenue and has more than two functional leads controlling business operations.
Because every law firm is different, group placement is based on more than revenue and headcount alone. A firm with a Primary Driver profile may be better suited for a Business Operator group, and a Business Operator may be better suited for an Enterprise Leader group. Facilitators assess each firm’s needs to determine the best fit based on its individual circumstances.
To eliminate concerns about sharing strategies with direct competitors, each group provides geographic exclusivity based on each member’s primary marketing area (unless members choose to waive it), creating an environment that encourages open collaboration and the free exchange of ideas.
There are two different meeting formats.
Quarterly In Person: Members meet for two days each quarter in different locations.
Virtual Monthly: Members meet for three hours each month via Zoom, with an optional 60-minute midpoint meeting.
Meetings are designed to balance facilitator-led content with member-driven discussion. While each session follows a structured agenda, flexibility is built in to allow members to devote additional time to pressing challenges, explore opportunities, and seek input from peers who have faced similar situations.
Discussions cover every major aspect of operating an estate planning law firm, including sales and marketing, production, finance and administration (including financial performance), and strategic planning. Professional facilitation keeps conversations focused and productive while ensuring every member has the opportunity to workshop ideas, contribute insights, and make meaningful progress toward goals.
Our History
During a series of WealthCounsel CLE classes being led by Thomas Fafinski in 2014, Fafinski mentioned his longtime participation in a local CEO peer group in Minneapolis.
Tom explained that his participation as a member for many years had such a profound effect on his life and business that he became a peer group facilitator in 2008. William Conway, one of WealthCounsel’s founders, was intrigued by the concept. Further discussion led to the idea of an estate planning industry-specific peer group for law firm owners.
Conway and Fafinski consulted with Stan Miller, another WealthCounsel founder, and approached the organization’s leadership with their concept. By 2015, WealthCounsel launched the peer group solution to 2 groups of attorneys with approximately 18 members and two facilitators—Thomas Fafinski and Nathan Nelson.
Following its yearlong beta test, WealthCounsel approved the program’s continuation. Membership grew steadily, virtual peer groups were established, and the solution was featured at multiple WealthCounsel Symposiums.
In 2020, after 5 years of proven performance and with the full support of WealthCounsel, Tom and Nathan continued the program as EPiC Peer Groups, branding the solution in accordance with comments by members, who described their participation in the peer group solution as EPiC!
Leadership
About Thomas M. Fafinski
Prior to founding EPiC, Thomas M. Fafinski cofounded Virtus Law PLLC, an 8-attorney firm in Minnesota serving the estate planning needs of moderate to high net worth clients, with a niche focus in the technology industry. Having successfully built and sold two law firms, Tom remains active with the firm he co-founded as an individual contributor. For the last 20+ years, he has consistently originated seven figures in revenue each year.
Tom graduated 13th in his class at William Mitchell College of Law, cum laude, and is also a cum laude graduate of the College of St. Thomas, where he secured a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Finance. He is admitted in State and Federal Court for Minnesota. Tom is an active real estate investor with nearly $10M in holdings.
In addition to his decades of experience as an attorney, law firm owner and peer group facilitator, Tom is a published author, a frequent speaker on the national stage, and an active real estate investor with nearly $10M in holdings.
When he’s not working, Tom cherishes spending time with his family and extended family, and enjoys reading mystery and suspense novels, golfing and attending sporting events (go T-wolves!). He is also a die-hard Bruce Springsteen fan.
About Nathan W. Nelson
Nathan W. Nelson is a co-founder and managing partner of Virtus Law. He provides knowledgeable legal representation to his clients in Minneapolis and throughout the state of Minnesota in the areas of business and corporate law, asset protection, estate planning, probate, real estate, income tax planning, and managed service providers.
Before attending law school, Nathan completed his undergraduate studies at Hamline University. He then completed his Juris Doctor at what was then known as the Hamline University School of Law and earned his LL.M. in taxation from Thomas Jefferson School of Law, graduating summa cum laude. He is licensed to practice law in both Minnesota and North Dakota.
A frequent speaker on issues relating to real estate investment and privately held business litigation, Nate is involved in the Minnesota Real Estate Investors Association (MnREIA). He has been a guest speaker for real estate associations, multiple colleges and universities, on Todd Rooker’s radio show “Cover Your Assets,” and Jason Walgrave’s “Home Talk” on ESPN1500.
Nathan serves on the paralegal advisory board for Inver Hills Community College, and he is a Board Member and Housing Boards Committee Chair for the non-profit organization Community Involvement Programs (CIP). His articles have been published by Minnesota Real Estate Investors and in Minnesota Business Magazine, and he was awarded the Rising Star designation from SuperLawyers in 2015 and 2016 as well as the Super Lawyer designation in 2021 and 2022.
In his free time, Nate enjoys watching NFL football, MMA and stand-up comedy, running, and spending time with his three dogs. His favorite bands are Shinedown, Senses Fail and Underoath, and he’s also a very big Marvel Comics fan; his favorite Marvel superhero is Spider-Man, villain is Magneto and movie is “The Avengers” (2012).