The Criminal Mastermind

42: What's coming up in 2026 from June to December

Summer is the best window you get to work on your firm instead of only in it. In this episode, Jay Ruane walks through the entire Criminal Mastermind speaker lineup from June through December 2026 and makes the case for using the next few months to finish the year strong and start 2027 with a running start. Here is who is coming and what they are covering: * June 10: Social Media Marketing with Gianfranco deGiralamo (15 million YouTube followers) * July 8: 5 Quick Automation Wins with Rachel McGarry * July 22: Hot Seats, where members solve each other's toughest problems * August 12: Live and in person in Nashville with Jason Hennessey on AI and search, Brendan Ruane on websites that build trust, and Jay Ruane on managing employees * August 26: Onboarding the Zingerman's way with Elnian Gilbert * September 9: Setting up your office for filming with Jake Urquidi * September 23: Financial planning equals financial success with Frank Rekas * October 14: CFO for a Day with Quinn Driscoll * October 28: LSA management with Thomas Glasgow * November 11: Building a dashboard with Bobby Steinbach * December 2: Local SEO with Seth Price * December 16: Intake 2027, setting next year up for success, with Jay Ruane Every session is built for one person: the criminal defense firm owner who wants to run a better business. The sessions happen live, and members get the room, the questions, and the full recording library. Don't miss a single session. Join us at thecriminalmastermind.com.

41. Technical Toolset

We’ve got an awesome new episode for you! 🎉 In this session, Jay Ruane dives DEEP into the toolbox every criminal defense practice needs for website data and digital marketing—so you can stop flying blind and start making your data WORK for you. Here’s what you’ll get from this episode: 1. Get the Scoop on Google’s Best Tools Jay breaks down Google Analytics and Google Search Console—what they do, why they matter, and how to make them your not-so-secret weapons for understanding who’s finding your site and how they’re interacting with it. 2. Actionable Website Tweaks for Better Results He explains how to read deeply into your website’s stats (like time on site and bounce rates) so you can make tweaks that actually drive up new cases and weed out traffic that’s wasting your team’s time. 3. Link Building, the Easy Way With Semrush, Ahrefs (and even a spreadsheet of must-get links), Jay shows you a simple approach to link building—yes, even teenagers can do it for you over the summer! 4. Tracking Your True Local Rankings See how tools like Local Falcon give you an X-ray of how you’re ranking in your actual neighborhood (not just on your laptop). Spoiler: most lawyers are missing out on this hidden local advantage. 5. AI in Your Corner Discover how Jay is using ChatGPT, Claude, and Otterly to check how often his firm is being recommended by AI engines—and how those prompts can literally get you mentioned by name (with a little clever prodding). Fun Fact from the Episode Did you know AI tools will often boost lawyers who have literally published the book on their topic—so much so that Jay is publishing a new one just for the SEO and “authority” cred? Publishing a 50-page book on Amazon could help YOU become an “AI darling” for legal search in your state!

40. Know Your Numbers!

Are you ready to take control of your law firm's finances and drive success? 💼💸 Join us in this game-changing episode of The Criminal Mastermind Podcast as we sit down with the incredible Terrell Turner to talk all things numbers! 📊 What’s inside? Here’s a sneak peek at the 5 essential takeaways you’ll learn: ✅ Simplifying Your P&L – Discover the power of a color-coded Profit & Loss statement and how it can make tracking your firm’s finances easier than ever! 🎨💡 ✅ Cost Optimization – Master the art of categorizing expenses and making smart cuts to keep your firm thriving in any season. ✂️📈 ✅ Maximizing Your Accountant Relationship – Learn the right questions to ask and how to truly tap into your accountant’s expertise. 🤝📚 ✅ Understanding Financial Roles – From bookkeeper to CFO, find out how to maximize each role for your firm’s financial growth. 🧑‍💼📈 ✅ Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) – Uncover the KPIs that actually matter and how to track them for long-term success. 🎯✅ This is the financial clarity you’ve been waiting for! Tune in and start mastering your numbers today. 🚀 👉 Listen now and level up your law firm’s financial game!

39. Follow Up is the Key To Intake

Join Jay & Intake Guru Kerri Coby White as they discuss Intake Follow up Here are 5 Keys You’ll Learn in this Episode: The True Meaning of Intake Intake isn’t just phones and forms—it’s your law firm’s entire sales engine. Kerri breaks down why treating intake like a true sales department can transform your entire practice. Why Follow-Up is Your Secret Weapon It’s not enough to answer the phone. Consistent, empathetic, and relentless follow-up turns leads into clients and “one-and-done” clients into raving fans. How to Systematize for Success Learn Kerri’s favorite ways to map out every step of your intake and follow-up process, automate touchpoints (yes, with AI!), and make your workload lighter—without losing that personal touch. The Metrics That Matter Most Know your numbers! Kerri tells you exactly which KPIs to track (spoiler alert: not just clicks and calls) so you can tighten up your conversion rates and measure the ROI of every marketing dollar. Elevating Your Client Experience Discover how clear, empathetic communication—even canned messages at the right times—can make frazzled, stressed-out leads feel seen, supported, and ready to hire YOU.

38. Onboarding Starts with the Job Post

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: * Onboarding Starts Before Day One Jay reveals why your job posting is the very first step in onboarding – and how it sets the tone for your entire firm’s culture. * Writing Culture-Driven Job Postings Discover how to craft postings that attract the right people and repel the ones who aren’t a fit, saving you time and headaches. * Maximizing Every Applicant’s Value Learn how to turn even rejected candidates into fans (and referrers!) with a smart newsletter and kind communication. * First Week Winning Moves From sending swag to team t-shirts and daily lunches, Jay lays out small but mighty actions that make new hires feel like part of the squad instantly. * The Power of 30/60/90 Day Reviews Don’t let onboarding fizzle out! Jay’s breakdown of key review meetings ensures your new team members thrive, feel supported, and help your firm grow.