Episodes

  • 310. PIMCON Returns: 3 Talks That Changed PI (And How to Give the Next One)

    310. PIMCON Returns: 3 Talks That Changed PI (And How to Give the Next One)
    Jan 30 2025
    Want to share the stage with personal injury law's biggest names? As PIMCON returns to Scottsdale this October, we're reserving one speaker spot for our community. Will YOU be the next PIMCON Speaker? CLICK HERE TO APPLY In this special PIMCON showcase, three industry leaders share strategies their firms have already implemented with remarkable results. Amanda Demanda reveals how narrowing her firm's focus led to bigger cases and an unforgettable brand. Bob Simon demonstrates why focusing only on what you love (and building the right team around you) creates unstoppable momentum. Dave Thomas shares how Law Tigers turned authentic community involvement into a marketing powerhouse, generating 35% of their cases through grassroots efforts across 33 states. We discuss: Implementing PIMCON insights in real firms Transforming marketing from expense to asset Building systems that scale without losing soul Creating genuine community connections that drive revenue Measuring and tracking unconventional marketing ROI Guest Details Amanda Demanda: The brand-building strategist redefining what's possible in PI Bob Simon: Trial attorney turned referral network master Dave Thomas: Community engagement pioneer behind Law Tigers' nationwide success Chris Dreyer and Rankings Details Chris Dreyer is the CEO and founder of Rankings.io, the elite legal digital marketing agency. Rankings: Website, Instagram, Twitter Chris Dreyer: Website, Instagram Newsletters: The Dreyer Sheet Books: Personal Injury Lawyer Marketing: From Good to GOAT; Niching Up: The Narrower the Market, the Bigger the Prize Work with Rankings: Connect Time Stamps 00:00 Intro 00:17 Call for Community Speakers 01:00 Amanda Demanda: From Big Tobacco to Building an Unforgettable PI Brand 01:33 Aligning With Your Target Audience 04:35 Making Your Message Pop 08:00 The Power of Bold Branding Choices 11:59 [Transition to Bob Simon] 12:03 Why Personal Relationships Beat VC-Backed Marketing 13:21 The Immigration Lawyer's Million-Dollar Referral Strategy 19:15 Building Your Referral Network 20:25 The Freedom of Focusing on What You Love 20:53 [Transition to Dave Thomas] 21:03 Stop Making Your Firm the Hero 22:14 The Law Tigers Community-First Approach 24:44 Real Community Leadership 26:06 Tracking What Matters 27:03 The Numbers Don't Lie: Grassroots Marketing Results 29:08 The Grassroots Marketing Pyramid 30:06 Closing Call for PIMCON Speakers Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy 80. Mike Papantonio, Levin, Papantonio, & Rafferty — Doing Well by Doing Good 84. Glen Lerner, Lerner and Rowe – A Steady Hand in a Shifting Industry 101. Pratik Shah, EsquireTek — Discovering the Power of Automation 134. Darryl Isaacs, Isaacs & Isaacs — The Hammer: Insights from a Marketing Legend 104. Taly Goody, Goody Law Group — Finding PI Clients on TikTok 63. Joe Fried, Fried Goldberg LLC — How To Become An Expert And Revolutionize Your PI Niche 96. Brian Dean, Backlinko — Becoming a Linkable Source 83. Seth Godin — Differentiation: How to Make Your Law Firm a Purple Cow 73. Neil Patel, Neil Patel — Digital A New Approach to Content and Emerging Marketing Channels
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    34 mins
  • 309. Joe Fried Reveals: The Truth About B2B vs B2C in Trucking Law (Replay)

    309. Joe Fried Reveals: The Truth About B2B vs B2C in Trucking Law (Replay)
    Jan 23 2025
    Trucking litigation is one of the most sought-after practice areas in personal injury law. As the pioneer who helped establish board certification in truck accident law, Joe Fried reveals how he transformed a non-existent specialty into an elite practice area. Dominate your market today. Grab a copy of Chris’ latest book, Personal Injury Lawyer Marketing: From Good to GOAT. Before Joe Fried, trucking litigation wasn't a recognized specialty. There were no billboards, no dedicated attorneys, and no community of experts. In this episode of Personal Injury Mastermind, the father of trucking litigation shares how total commitment to mastery built an entirely new field of law. From establishing board certification to uncovering $150M policies others missed, Joe's journey shows how hyper-specialization can create unprecedented opportunities in personal injury law. We discuss: How Joe created and defined trucking litigation as a specialty Why choosing between B2B and B2C marketing defines your practice trajectory Critical evidence preservation tactics that separate experts from generalists The future of trucking litigation: telematics, Amazon logistics, and emerging sub-specialties Building a nationwide referral network by demonstrating genuine expertise When to handle a trucking case yourself vs bringing in specialized counsel Real examples of uncovering massive policies others missed Guest Details Joe Fried pioneered trucking litigation as a specialty practice area and co-founded the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys. He helped establish the first-ever board certification in truck accident law approved by the American Bar Association and has handled cases in over 40 states. Joe Fried: LinkedIn Fried Goldberg: Website, LinkedIn Chris Dreyer and Rankings Details Chris Dreyer is the CEO and founder of Rankings.io, the elite legal digital marketing agency. Rankings: Website, Instagram, Twitter Chris Dreyer: Website, Instagram Newsletters: The Dreyer Sheet Books: Personal Injury Lawyer Marketing: From Good to GOAT; Niching Up: The Narrower the Market, the Bigger the Prize Work with Rankings: Connect
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    22 mins
  • 308. Local Events to Million-Dollar Cases: How She Built a PI Practice Without Ads

    308. Local Events to Million-Dollar Cases: How She Built a PI Practice Without Ads
    Jan 16 2025
    When a childhood dog attack left her scarred, Laura Ramos James learned firsthand what it means to be an injury victim. Today, she reveals how authentic community engagement built her thriving practice, and why staying true to your purpose creates sustainable growth. Dominate your market today. Grab a copy of Chris’ latest book, Personal Injury Lawyer Marketing: From Good to GOAT. From grassroots marketing to scaling with purpose, Laura shares how genuine community connections generate high-value cases without traditional advertising spend. Whether you're starting your firm or looking to scale authentically, this episode reveals proven strategies for sustainable growth. We discuss: Landing a multi-million dollar case months after opening her firm Building a dream team through intentional hiring and culture Leveraging attorney associations for referrals and growth Serving underrepresented communities while scaling a successful practice Why authentic marketing beats forced networking every time Guest Details Laura Ramos James is the Founder of Ramos James Law, a recognized Texas personal injury firm. Named a "Changemaker" by Austin Woman Magazine and one of Austin's #1 Personal Injury Attorneys since 2022, she's known for advocating for disadvantaged communities while building a thriving practice. Laura Ramos James: LinkedIn, Instagram Ramos James Law: Website Chris Dreyer and Rankings Details Chris Dreyer is the CEO and founder of Rankings.io, the elite legal digital marketing agency. Rankings: Website, Instagram, Twitter Chris Dreyer: Website, Instagram Newsletters: The Dreyer Sheet Books: Personal Injury Lawyer Marketing: From Good to GOAT; Niching Up: The Narrower the Market, the Bigger the Prize Work with Rankings: Connect Time Stamps 00:00 Intro 05:02 Building the Dream Team Through Trial and Error 06:33 Personal Journey into Personal Injury Law 09:10 Marketing Break: Personal Injury Lawyer Marketing Book 10:14 Community Engagement & Authentic Marketing 12:57 Leveraging Attorney Networks & Professional Associations 15:09 Creating Impact in Underserved Communities 16:27 Daily Practices for Success & Closing Thoughts
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    21 mins
  • 307. Don Worley: How Monthly Case Updates Turned 2,000 Cases into 40,000 Without Traditional Marketing

    307. Don Worley: How Monthly Case Updates Turned 2,000 Cases into 40,000 Without Traditional Marketing
    Jan 9 2025
    You're a powerhouse in the courtroom, but does anyone beyond your county know it? In this episode of Personal Injury Mastermind, Don Worley reveals how being transparent with referral partners helped him scale from 2,000 to 40,000 cases without traditional marketing. Dominate your market today. Grab a copy of Chris’ latest book, Personal Injury Lawyer Marketing: From Good to GOAT. Don Worley runs one of the nation's largest mass tort practices, with over 400 law firms sending him cases. But he's never bought a TV ad or danced on TikTok. Instead, he built his empire through radical transparency - sending monthly case updates that most firms are too afraid to share. In this episode, Don explains why letting go of ego and embracing accountability has been the key to his success. We discuss: Why great trial lawyers often struggle with self-promotion How monthly case updates transformed referral relationships The entertainment factor: Making lawyer events actually fun Leveraging comedy background for courtroom adaptability Why you should choose between being an advertising firm or a handling firm Smart strategies for entering mass torts without losing money When to wait for Daubert before investing in mass torts The real reason Wall Street's interest in mass torts has cooled Guest Details Don Worley built a nationwide mass tort practice handling over 40,000 cases through referral partnerships. His stand-up comedy background and commitment to transparency helped him create one of the most successful referral networks in the industry. Don Worley: LinkedIn, McDonald Worly: Website, Instagram, Facebook, Chris Dreyer and Rankings Details Chris Dreyer is the CEO and founder of Rankings.io, the elite legal digital marketing agency. Rankings: Website, Instagram, Twitter Chris Dreyer: Website, Instagram Newsletters: The Dreyer Sheet Books: Personal Injury Lawyer Marketing: From Good to GOAT; Niching Up: The Narrower the Market, the Bigger the Prize Work with Rankings: Connect Time Stamps 00:00 Intro 00:29 The marketing lawyer vs trial lawyer divide 01:17 Don's unique approach to growth 02:14 Relationship building through entertainment 04:08 Comedy background and courtroom skills 07:03 Building a referral network of 400+ firms 08:24 Mass torts: Investment strategies and pitfalls 13:43 Keys to sustainable growth in personal injury 15:30 The power of transparency Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy 80. Mike Papantonio, Levin, Papantonio, & Rafferty — Doing Well by Doing Good 84. Glen Lerner, Lerner and Rowe – A Steady Hand in a Shifting Industry 101. Pratik Shah, EsquireTek — Discovering the Power of Automation 134. Darryl Isaacs, Isaacs & Isaacs — The Hammer: Insights from a Marketing Legend 104. Taly Goody, Goody Law Group — Finding PI Clients on TikTok 63. Joe Fried, Fried Goldberg LLC — How To Become An Expert And Revolutionize Your PI Niche 96. Brian Dean, Backlinko — Becoming a Linkable Source 83. Seth Godin — Differentiation: How to Make Your Law Firm a Purple Cow 73. Neil Patel, Neil Patel — Digital A New Approach to Content and Emerging Marketing Channels
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    21 mins
  • 306. Speed + Tech: How Kurtz Riley Built an Explosive PI Firm in 12 Months

    306. Speed + Tech: How Kurtz Riley Built an Explosive PI Firm in 12 Months
    Jan 2 2025
    When most firms talk about speed or technology, they focus on one or the other. But as Brian Riley reveals, the real breakthrough comes from their intersection. In this episode of Personal Injury Mastermind, Brian shows how KurtzReilly transformed these buzzwords into tangible competitive advantages. From three-click complaint filing to aggressive pre-litigation strategies, learn how they've built systems where velocity and technology amplify each other. Dominate your market today. Grab a copy of Chris’ latest book, Personal Injury Lawyer Marketing: From Good to GOAT. In just 12 months, KurtzReilly has proven that explosive growth isn't about working harder – it's about building smarter systems. As a follow-up to our conversation with Austin Kurtz, Brian Riley reveals how they've weaponized the combination of speed and technology to turn their startup into a powerhouse. We discuss: How KurtzReilly automated their complaint filing process down to three clicks The exact KPIs they use to measure prelitigation performance Why time-on-desk metrics matter and how to improve them Building financial forecasting systems for rapid growth Using AI and client portals to streamline case management How their litigation-ready approach influences insurance negotiations The critical metrics that drive their prelitigation department Guest Details Brian Riley is the co-founder of KurtzReilly, bringing hands-on experience from running Morgan & Morgan's Arizona office. Under his leadership, KurtzReilly has built one of the fastest-growing personal injury practices in Arizona by combining aggressive litigation with cutting-edge technology. Brian Riley: LinkedIn, Instagram Kurtz Riley: Website, Instagram Austin Kurtz Interview on PIM Chris Dreyer and Rankings Details Chris Dreyer is the CEO and founder of Rankings.io, the elite legal digital marketing agency. Rankings: Website, Instagram, Twitter Chris Dreyer: Website, Instagram Newsletters: The Dreyer Sheet Books: Personal Injury Lawyer Marketing: From Good to GOAT; Niching Up: The Narrower the Market, the Bigger the Prize Work with Rankings: Connect Time Stamps 00:00 Intro 01:00 How KurtzReilly automates complaint filing 03:09 Brian's personal connection to law through his father's case 04:16 The 14-year case that inspired his legal career 04:37 Path to success: From law school to Morgan & Morgan 06:07 Division of roles at KurtzReilly 07:11 Pre-litigation KPIs and department oversight 08:19 Average fee goals and firm metrics 09:23 Understanding average fees in Arizona 11:31 The story behind KurtzReilly's branding 13:23 Financial management and forecasting 15:16 Game-changing tech: Client experience through Quilia app Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy 80. Mike Papantonio, Levin, Papantonio, & Rafferty — Doing Well by Doing Good 84. Glen Lerner, Lerner and Rowe – A Steady Hand in a Shifting Industry 101. Pratik Shah, EsquireTek — Discovering the Power of Automation 134. Darryl Isaacs, Isaacs & Isaacs — The Hammer: Insights from a Marketing Legend 104. Taly Goody, Goody Law Group — Finding PI Clients on TikTok 63. Joe Fried, Fried Goldberg LLC — How To Become An Expert And Revolutionize Your PI Niche 96. Brian Dean, Backlinko — Becoming a Linkable Source 83. Seth Godin — Differentiation: How to Make Your Law Firm a Purple Cow 73. Neil Patel, Neil Patel — Digital A New Approach to Content and Emerging Marketing Channels
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    20 mins
  • 305. Is Your Firm Bleeding Marketing Dollars? A Legal Marketing Auditor Tells All

    305. Is Your Firm Bleeding Marketing Dollars? A Legal Marketing Auditor Tells All
    Dec 31 2024
    When every expert is trying to sell you something, how do you really know what your firm needs - or what you're wasting money on? In this episode of Personal Injury Mastermind, John Schroeder, owner of DeFacto Digital Consulting, reveals what he's learned from auditing PI firms spending anywhere from $5K to $100K monthly on marketing. From intake gaps to SEO failures, John shares the brutal truth about where most firms are hemorrhaging money without even knowing it. Dominate your market today. Grab a copy of Chris’ latest book, Personal Injury Lawyer Marketing: From Good to GOAT. As founder of DeFacto Digital Consulting, John built his business on a radical premise: providing unvarnished, data-driven analysis of law firms' marketing performance.. In this candid conversation, he reveals the common blind spots he finds when analyzing firms across the country - and why most firms don't discover these issues until they're "$50K in the hole." If you're investing in marketing but unsure about the real ROI, this episode gives you the framework to evaluate what's actually working. We discuss: Why 90% of intake processes are substandard (and bleeding cases) The real reason most SEO campaigns fail (it's not what agencies tell you) How Google Ads managers are losing control (and your money) The exact metrics John uses to audit marketing performance How to know if your marketing agency is actually delivering results Why most firms discover problems $50K too late Guest Details John Schroeder is the owner of DeFacto Digital Consulting, specializing in unbiased audits of law firms' digital marketing performance. After years in legal lead generation and agency work, John founded DeFacto to help firms get honest, objective analysis of their marketing effectiveness without trying to sell additional services. John Schroeder: LinkedIn, Instagram DeFacto Digital Consulting: Website, Instagram Chris Dreyer and Rankings Details Chris Dreyer is the CEO and founder of Rankings.io, the elite legal digital marketing agency. Rankings: Website, Instagram, Twitter Chris Dreyer: Website, Instagram Newsletters: The Dreyer Sheet Books: Personal Injury Lawyer Marketing: From Good to GOAT; Niching Up: The Narrower the Market, the Bigger the Prize Work with Rankings: Connect Time Stamps 00:00 Intro 00:51 The Truth About Legal Marketing Audits 02:07 What Actually Drives PI Cases Today 03:17 Evaluating Intake Performance 04:58 Common SEO Mistakes and Solutions 08:10 Google Ads: Manual Control vs Automation 10:11 In-House vs Third-Party Intake Teams 12:21 Origins of DeFacto Digital 13:45 The Audit Process Explained Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy 80. Mike Papantonio, Levin, Papantonio, & Rafferty — Doing Well by Doing Good 84. Glen Lerner, Lerner and Rowe – A Steady Hand in a Shifting Industry 101. Pratik Shah, EsquireTek — Discovering the Power of Automation 134. Darryl Isaacs, Isaacs & Isaacs — The Hammer: Insights from a Marketing Legend 104. Taly Goody, Goody Law Group — Finding PI Clients on TikTok 63. Joe Fried, Fried Goldberg LLC — How To Become An Expert And Revolutionize Your PI Niche 96. Brian Dean, Backlinko — Becoming a Linkable Source 83. Seth Godin — Differentiation: How to Make Your Law Firm a Purple Cow 73. Neil Patel, Neil Patel — Digital A New Approach to Content and Emerging Marketing Channels
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    20 mins
  • 304. Quality Over Quantity: The New Economics of Case Acquisition

    304. Quality Over Quantity: The New Economics of Case Acquisition
    Dec 27 2024
    When 460,000+ law firms compete for attention, casting a wide net is no longer enough. In this episode of Personal Injury Mastermind, we explore how AI and innovative business models are reshaping case acquisition. From precision targeting to owning distribution channels, discover how forward-thinking firms land premium cases by fishing with a spear instead of a net. Dominate your market today. Grab a copy of Chris’ latest book, Personal Injury Lawyer Marketing: From Good to GOAT. We discuss: How FirmPilot's AI platform uses psychographic data to target ideal clients Why vanity metrics like organic traffic matter less than qualified leads The real metrics that determine Google Ads placement and cost How Top Class Actions built a 1.5M monthly visitor platform The economics of commercial vehicle cases and mass torts Why traditional case acquisition methods are becoming obsolete Using data feedback loops to optimize marketing spend Guest Details Jake Soffer is the founder and CEO of FirmPilot, an AI-powered marketing platform helping law firms target premium cases. With a background in computer engineering and natural language processing, Jake is revolutionizing how firms approach digital marketing. Jake Soffer: LinkedIn Firm Pilotl: Website Scott Hardy is the founder of Top Class Actions and Leagify Law Firm. Through his innovative approach to case acquisition and Arizona's new rules allowing non-lawyer ownership, Scott has built a platform that attracts 1.5 million potential clients monthly. Scott Hardy: LinkedIn Top Class Actions: Website, Legal Fi Website Chris Dreyer and Rankings Details Chris Dreyer is the CEO and founder of Rankings.io, the elite legal digital marketing agency. Rankings: Website, Instagram, Twitter Chris Dreyer: Website, Instagram Newsletters: The Dreyer Sheet Books: Personal Injury Lawyer Marketing: From Good to GOAT; Niching Up: The Narrower the Market, the Bigger the Prize Work with Rankings: Connect Time Stamps 00:00 Intro 00:43 Meet Jake Soffer & FirmPilot 03:22 The Evolution of Legal Marketing 07:06 AI Marketing Capabilities 10:30 Scott Hardy & Top Class Actions 12:14 Commercial Vehicle Cases 14:59 Forward Integration Strategy 18:36 Closing Thoughts Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy 80. Mike Papantonio, Levin, Papantonio, & Rafferty — Doing Well by Doing Good 84. Glen Lerner, Lerner and Rowe – A Steady Hand in a Shifting Industry 101. Pratik Shah, EsquireTek — Discovering the Power of Automation 134. Darryl Isaacs, Isaacs & Isaacs — The Hammer: Insights from a Marketing Legend 104. Taly Goody, Goody Law Group — Finding PI Clients on TikTok 63. Joe Fried, Fried Goldberg LLC — How To Become An Expert And Revolutionize Your PI Niche 96. Brian Dean, Backlinko — Becoming a Linkable Source 83. Seth Godin — Differentiation: How to Make Your Law Firm a Purple Cow 73. Neil Patel, Neil Patel — Digital A New Approach to Content and Emerging Marketing Channels
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    23 mins
  • 303. Depth Over Scale: How Bill Umansky Built a Thriving Practice by Leading Differently

    303. Depth Over Scale: How Bill Umansky Built a Thriving Practice by Leading Differently
    Dec 26 2024
    After decades of success, Bill Umansky realized something was missing in how he ran his firm. In this episode of Personal Injury Mastermind, Bill reveals why he transformed his leadership style to focus on deeper relationships over pure growth numbers. From having lunch with entry-level staff to maintaining genuine connections with former employees, his approach challenges everything we think we know about scaling a law firm. Whether you're running a growing practice or building your team, this episode shows why authentic leadership might be your most powerful asset. Dominate your market today. Grab a copy of Chris’ latest book, Personal Injury Lawyer Marketing: From Good to GOAT. We discuss: Why focusing on relationship depth matters more than pure numerical growth How stepping away from practicing law led to better firm leadership The transformative impact of finally hiring a CFO after 28 years Building authentic connections with remote and overseas team members Strategies for maintaining positive relationships with departing employees Why intentional leadership requires connecting with all levels of staff The importance of starting relationship-building from day one of employment Guest Details Bill "The Lawman" Umansky has built one of Orlando's most respected law firms by focusing on authentic leadership and deep relationships. His innovative approach to firm culture and management has created lasting connections with both current and former team members. Bill Umansky: LinkedIn, Book, Instagram Umansky Law Firm:Website,YouTube, Podcast, TikTok Podcast: Lawmans Lounge Chris Dreyer and Rankings Details Chris Dreyer is the CEO and founder of Rankings.io, the elite legal digital marketing agency. Rankings: Website, Instagram, Twitter Chris Dreyer: Website, Instagram Newsletters: The Dreyer Sheet Books: Personal Injury Lawyer Marketing: From Good to GOAT; Niching Up: The Narrower the Market, the Bigger the Prize Work with Rankings: Connect Time Stamps 00:00 Intro 00:53 Growth through depth, not just numbers 01:37 From practicing attorney to firm leader 02:30 The game-changing CFO hire 05:29 Rainmaking and networking evolution 09:00 Business development strategy 14:17 Success with former employees 17:02 Building authentic team connections Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy 80. Mike Papantonio, Levin, Papantonio, & Rafferty — Doing Well by Doing Good 84. Glen Lerner, Lerner and Rowe – A Steady Hand in a Shifting Industry 101. Pratik Shah, EsquireTek — Discovering the Power of Automation 134. Darryl Isaacs, Isaacs & Isaacs — The Hammer: Insights from a Marketing Legend 104. Taly Goody, Goody Law Group — Finding PI Clients on TikTok 63. Joe Fried, Fried Goldberg LLC — How To Become An Expert And Revolutionize Your PI Niche 96. Brian Dean, Backlinko — Becoming a Linkable Source 83. Seth Godin — Differentiation: How to Make Your Law Firm a Purple Cow 73. Neil Patel, Neil Patel — Digital A New Approach to Content and Emerging Marketing Channels
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    25 mins