#16-Mike Papantonio-You Have To Be All In

Lisa Lopez & Megan Schmidt: The Rubenstein Law Way | The Firm Report Conversations w/ Randy Jarrin

What does it take to build a law firm culture so strong that attorneys choose to stay, clients feel genuinely cared for, and the results keep speaking for themselves? In this episode of The Firm Report Podcast, host Randy Jarrin sits down with Lisa Lopez and Megan Schmidt — two attorneys at Rubenstein Law, one of South Florida's most recognized personal injury firms. Recorded live at Mass Torts Made Perfect (MTMP), Lisa and Megan open up about the personal journeys that brought them to law, how Rubenstein Law is embracing AI without losing the human touch, what it means to fight for clients through the grind of mass tort litigation, and the culture that makes "The Rubenstein Law Way" something worth talking about. In this episode: • From a third-grade project on Janet Reno to the courtroom — Lisa's origin story • Megan's full-circle moment: growing up around Rubenstein Law and now practicing there • "If you don't change, you die" — how the firm is using AI to speed up case resolution without replacing the lawyer • Why AI hallucinations are becoming a new obstacle attorneys have to manage with clients • The importance of bilingualism and human connection in Miami's legal market • A verdict that changed a client's life — and why moments like that are what make it all worth it • Fighting on multiple fronts: what mass tort litigation really feels like from the inside • The "sugar in the coffee" — what truly drives results at Rubenstein Law • What it means to work under all-women leadership at a top personal injury firm About Lisa Lopez: Lisa Lopez is an attorney at Rubenstein Law, one of South Florida's leading personal injury law firms. A 305-proud attorney and Marlins season ticket holder, Lisa has built her practice around aggressive client advocacy and a deep commitment to her community. Known for the confidence and support she brings to the attorneys around her, Lisa is a trusted leader and mentor within the firm — championing a culture where young lawyers can grow, ask questions, and develop into strong advocates. About Megan Schmidt: Megan Schmidt is a senior attorney and one of the founding members of Rubenstein Law's in-house mass tort department. She grew up surrounded by the legal profession — her mother, Nympha Schmidt, is the firm's Managing Partner, who herself began her career at Rubenstein Law before becoming one of its top leaders. Now three years into her own legal career, Megan is building a legacy of her own at the firm where her family's story began. About Rubenstein Law: Rubenstein Law is one of South Florida's most recognized personal injury law firms, known for aggressive representation, landmark verdicts, and a client-first culture. Led by founder Robert Rubenstein, CEO Nicole Armstrong, and Managing Partner Nympha Schmidt, the firm handles auto accidents, slip and falls, mass torts, and more. 🔗 Rubenstein Law: https://www.rubensteinlaw.com 📌 Follow Rubenstein Law: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/rubenstein-law Facebook: facebook.com/rubensteinlaw Instagram: @rubensteinlaw 🎧 About The Firm Report Podcast:The Firm Report is brought to you by Exults — a full-service digital marketing agency helping law firms reach new heights. Each episode features candid conversations with legal professionals about strategy, culture, technology, and what it really takes to win for clients. 🔗 Learn more about Exults: https://www.exults.com 📌 Subscribe for new episodes and hit the 🔔 notification bell so you never miss a conversation with the legal industry's top minds.

Chadrick Mance: Chess, Not Checkers — The High-Performance Mindset Behind Winning | The Firm Report

Are you busy — or are you actually building something that matters? In this episode of The Firm Report, host Zach Hoffman sits down with Chadrick Mance, founder of the Mance Law Firm in Savannah, Georgia. Chadrick is a master trial attorney, former visiting professor at Morehouse College, and a leader who has built his practice around one core belief: precision beats volume every single time.Chadrick shares the mindset, strategy, and operational philosophy that drives his success — and the lessons apply far beyond the courtroom. Whether you run a law firm, a service business, or a growing company, this conversation will challenge the way you think about clients, quality, and what it really means to build something with impact. In This Episode: ✅ Why doing less — but doing it better — produces bigger results in any business ✅ How your intake process (or onboarding process) determines your outcomes before the work even begins ✅ The "sniper vs. shotgun" approach to clients, cases, and business growth ✅ Why every client relationship is unique — and why volume-based thinking leaves money on the table ✅ How one small action can create a ripple effect that changes an entire industry ✅ What Chadrick learned from teaching at Morehouse College at age 27 — and how great leaders never stop learning ✅ The fighter pilot mindset: why there is always something you can do, no matter how bad things get ✅ Why saying no to smaller opportunities is what ultimately unlocks the biggest ones ✅ The single focus that drives Chadrick's results in business and life: continual improvement Whether you're an attorney, law firm owner, entrepreneur, business coach, or professional looking to level up your thinking, this episode delivers the kind of insight that sticks with you long after it's over. 🎙️ Guest: Chadrick Mance, Founder of Mance Law Firm 🌐 https://mancelawfirm.com/ Presented by Exults Digital Marketing. https://www.exults.com

John F. Romano: Mindset Behind 50 Years of Winning | The Firm Report Conversations w/ Randy Jarrin

What does it take to build a law firm that lasts 50 years, win jury verdicts across six decades, and still be more fired up today than when you started? In this episode of The Firm Report Podcast, host Randy Jarrin sits down with John F. Romano — partner at Romano Law Group, board-certified civil trial advocate, former U.S. Marine Corps Captain, and Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame inductee.John shares the story behind one of Florida's most respected plaintiff firms, his philosophy on technology and AI in legal practice, what it means to run a true family firm, the power of the team approach in litigation, and what he'd say to every young attorney walking into mass torts for the first time.In this episode: • From the Marine Corps to the courtroom — John's origin story • Jury verdicts in six different decades: what that perspective teaches you about technology and AI • Marketing is a race where there is no finish line" — the mindset behind Romano Law Group's growth • Running a family firm with his wife Nancy and sons Eric, Todd, Chad, and Ryan• Why John views every other plaintiff lawyer as a friend, not a competitor • The MTMP community and the culture of mentorship in mass torts •Advice for young attorneys: "Don't go too fast and try to go it alone when you're not ready" About John F. Romano: John F. Romano is a partner at Romano Law Group and a civil trial advocate board-certified by The Florida Bar, the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys. With nearly 50 years of experience, he has tried almost every type of civil and criminal case to verdict — including personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, insurance litigation, business litigation, and serious criminal matters. He lectures nationally on trial advocacy, tort law, and criminal law, has authored three textbooks, and has published more than 100 articles and papers. A former U.S. Marine Corps Captain and J.A.G. Officer, John received the Jon E. Krupnick Award in 2015 and was inducted into the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame in 2016. Romano Law Group is celebrating 35 years in 2025. 🔗 Romano Law Group: https://romanolawgroup.com 🔗 Trial Toolbox (Free Resource for Plaintiff Attorneys ): https://romanolawgroup.com/trialtoolbox/ 🔗 Co-Counsel with Romano Law Group: https://romanolawgroup.com/co-counsel/ 📌 Follow Romano Law Group: LinkedIn: @RomanoLawGroup Facebook: @RomanoLawGroup Instagram: @romanolawgroup 📌 Connect with John F. Romano: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-romano-01371510/

Jenn Gore: Stop Pouring Money Into a Broken Bucket | The Firm Report

Are you spending more on law firm marketing but not seeing the growth you expected? In this episode of The Firm Report, host Zach Hoffman sits down with Jenn Gore, founder of Evergreen Business Coaching and former owner of one of the fastest-growing personal injury law firms in the country. Jenn shares the strategies that helped her scale a successful law firm, build a world-class intake operation, and transition into coaching law firm owners nationwide. Jenn breaks down why most law firms don't have a marketing problem—they have an intake problem. From missed calls and abandoned leads to AI-powered intake audits, automated follow-up systems, and conversion tracking, she reveals the operational gaps that cost firms millions in lost revenue. In This Episode: ✅ How to build a high-converting law firm intake system ✅ Why most firms lose leads before they ever become cases ✅ The importance of dedicated intake teams and software ✅ AI tools that improve lead qualification and conversion rates ✅ How to track marketing ROI and intake performance ✅ The power of long-term lead follow-up and chase sequences ✅ Business planning, forecasting, and scaling a law firm ✅ Leadership lessons from growing and selling a successful PI firm ✅ Why networking events like MTMP can accelerate growth Whether you're a personal injury attorney, law firm owner, legal marketer, intake manager, or entrepreneur looking to scale, this episode is packed with actionable insights that can help you grow faster and operate smarter. 🎙️ Guest: Jenn Gore, Founder of Evergreen Business Coaching 🌐 https://evergreenbizcoaching.com Presented by Exults Digital Marketing.

Ben Crump: Always Bring Something to the Table - The Firm Report

In this powerful episode of The Firm Report, host Zach Hoffman sits down with Ben Crump — Black America's Attorney General — to discuss his New York Times bestselling debut novel Worse Than a Lie, the landmark cases that defined his career, and the mindset that keeps him fighting when the odds are stacked against him. Ben opens up about representing George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and Trayvon Martin, and how those experiences shaped a book five years in the making. He shares the wisdom passed down by his grandmother and mother — lessons on preparation, communication, and always bringing value to every room you enter. Whether you are a lawyer, entrepreneur, or leader, this conversation is a masterclass in resilience, purpose, and what it truly means to fight for justice.📖 Get Ben Crump's book Worse Than a Lie:Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Worse-than-Lie-Cooper-Novel/dp/0593875702Publisher (Penguin Random House ): https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/767733/worse-than-a-lie-by-ben-crump/ 🎙️ The Firm Report is presented by Exults — a full-service digital marketing agency helping law firms reach new heights. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes featuring top legal minds and business leaders.