Mike Budny: Mastering Trust and Likability in Legal Marketing

Sean Jimenez: Turning Mass Tort Data into Decisions

Sean Jimenez is a Vancouver-based serial entrepreneur, digital marketer, and growth strategist with over a decade of experience scaling brands through data-driven marketing. He is the co-founder of Handled, a centralized mass tort platform that helps attorneys, investors, and marketers make smarter, faster decisions using connected data and technology—resulting in reduced fallout, stronger cases, and higher settlements. Sean is also the founder of Soulpepper Digital, a performance marketing agency recognized among Canada’s Fast 50 and Profit 100 companies. Through Soulpepper, he has helped lead brands such as K-SWISS, Indochino, Cosabella, and top law firms achieve rapid, sustainable growth. A firm believer in growth hacking, Sean specializes in unconventional, ROI-focused strategies that drive efficient, high-impact results. In this episode, John, Kyle, and Sean discuss: * How Sean transitioned from digital marketing and investing into mass tort technology * The operational and reporting challenges facing mass tort law firms * Why traditional CRMs and case management tools fall short for mass tort * How AI can reduce case fallout and improve outcomes for firms and clients * The future of AI, efficiency, and access to capital in the legal industry Key Takeaways: * Mass tort firms face serious scaling challenges because tools designed for single-event cases simply aren’t built to manage the one-to-many complexity that mass tort litigation demands. * When reporting is delayed or incomplete, fallout increases across the entire ecosystem—affecting law firms, funders, marketers, and ultimately the clients waiting for outcomes. * By applying AI to unstructured data like emails, documents, and case notes, law firms can surface critical insights that would otherwise overwhelm even the most experienced staff. * Technology adoption is no longer a strategic advantage but a baseline requirement, as firms that resist innovation risk falling behind faster, more efficient competitors. * In mass tort litigation, access to capital is closely tied to transparency, organization, and the ability to clearly report performance to investors and partners. “AI is being compared to electricity—it will be everywhere in everything that we do. So for those firms who want to operate in this legacy system and charge astronomical rates and do things the old way, that margin is going to erode, because there’s people who are building technology that can just do the same level of work, if not better work, significantly more efficient, and ultimately for a lower price.” - Sean Jimenez Connect with Sean Jimenez:  Website: https://handled.co/ [https://handled.co/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-jimenez-a9279556/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-jimenez-a9279556/]  Email: sean@handled.co [sean@handled.co]  Connect with John and Kyle: Website: https://defactodigitalconsulting.com/https://defactodigitalconsulting.com/ [https://defactodigitalconsulting.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-schroeder-b87b3821a/https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-schroeder-b87b3821a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-schroeder-b87b3821a/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeFactoDigitalhttps://www.facebook.com/DeFactoDigital [https://www.facebook.com/DeFactoDigital] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defactodigitalconsulting/https://www.instagram.com/defactodigitalconsulting/ [https://www.instagram.com/defactodigitalconsulting/] Emails: john@defactodigitalconsulting.com [john@defactodigitalconsulting.com] , kyle@defactodigitalconsulting.com [kyle@defactodigitalconsulting.com]   Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama Audio production by https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85Turnkey Podcast Productions. [https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85] You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Jake Soffer: AI-Driven Marketing for Law Firms

Jake Soffer is the Founder and CEO of FirmPilot, the AI-powered marketing platform transforming how law firms attract premium clients through data-driven SEO, content, and automation. Inspired by his brother’s struggles with ineffective agency marketing, Jake built FirmPilot to eliminate guesswork and costly waste in legal marketing using advanced AI insights and competitive analysis. A seasoned entrepreneur, he previously co-founded Rollio, an AI assistant for Salesforce, and holds degrees in Computer Engineering and Systems Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and NYU, grounding his work in deep technical expertise. Under his leadership, FirmPilot has secured notable venture backing and continues to drive innovation in legal tech and marketing. In this episode, John, Kyle, and Jake discuss: * How FirmPilot evolved from a failed early attempt into an AI-driven legal marketing platform * Why generic AI tools like ChatGPT fail at legal content—and what FirmPilot built to fix it * The importance of multi-channel marketing and why no single strategy is a “silver bullet.” * How personalization, Google’s AI changes, and data patterns are reshaping SEO and ads for law firms * How FirmPilot uses legal data and behavior signals to deliver stronger ROI for firms Key Takeaways: * FirmPilot emerged when Jake realized that traditional agencies and basic AI tools couldn’t create accurate, authoritative legal content. This led him to build a dedicated legal-focused AI engine designed specifically for law firms. * Relying on a single lead source is risky, especially with constant changes in Google and AI platforms. A multi-channel strategy protects long-term growth and keeps firms competitive. * A drop in traffic under Google’s AI mode doesn’t necessarily signal poor performance. In many cases, it simply means the firm is attracting fewer unqualified visitors and more high-intent prospects. * Search results are becoming increasingly personalized based on user behavior. Because of this shift, smaller firms can compete more effectively when their content mirrors real user patterns and preferences. * For FirmPilot, AI isn’t a marketing buzzword — it’s the engine that drives measurable ROI and operational efficiency. Their system enables sharply targeted strategies that outperform traditional methods. “You're not just the attorney who's looking to grow the firm. It's also your livelihood, your business. You're an entrepreneur. You're the CEO of this firm. It's how you feed your kids and your family. So, you want that silver bullet answer. If someone's trying to sell you that, run the other way. There is no silver bullet. It's a series of lead bullets, as I like to say. You have to be multi-channel.” - Jake Soffer Connect with Jake Soffer:  Website: https://firmpilot.com/ [https://firmpilot.com/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-soffer-jd-00797a62/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-soffer-jd-00797a62/]  Connect with John and Kyle: Website: https://defactodigitalconsulting.com/https://defactodigitalconsulting.com/ [https://defactodigitalconsulting.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-schroeder-b87b3821a/https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-schroeder-b87b3821a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-schroeder-b87b3821a/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeFactoDigitalhttps://www.facebook.com/DeFactoDigital [https://www.facebook.com/DeFactoDigital] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defactodigitalconsulting/https://www.instagram.com/defactodigitalconsulting/ [https://www.instagram.com/defactodigitalconsulting/] Emails: john@defactodigitalconsulting.com , kyle@defactodigitalconsulting.com   Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama Audio production by https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85Turnkey Podcast Productions. [https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85] You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Ted DeBettencourt: Winning with Human-Powered Chats

Ted DeBettencourt is the Co-founder of Juvo Leads, a fast-growing legal tech company helping law firms capture 50% more leads through real human chat. A former law and business student turned entrepreneur, Ted built Juvo Leads out of frustration with ineffective chat services. His “butts, not bots” approach emphasizes empathy, data-driven results, and authentic client connections. Today, Juvo Leads serves over 1,100 firms nationwide, empowering lawyers to convert more visitors into qualified cases while optimizing their intake and marketing performance. In this episode, John, Kyle, and Ted discuss: * How Juvo Leads helps law firms boost leads by 50% with real human chat * Ted’s journey from law school to building a successful legal tech company * Why empathetic conversations outperform AI bots in converting leads * How message response time impacts Google’s Local Services Ads rankings * Data-driven insights on SEO vs. PPC vs. LSA for generating quality legal leads Key Takeaways: * Juvo Leads’ “butts, not bots” philosophy proves that empathy and genuine human interaction outperform automation. By having real people engage visitors, law firms can build trust faster and convert more prospects into clients. * Ted’s journey began with frustration — when existing chat vendors failed his clients, he took matters into his own hands. That hands-on solution grew into Juvo Leads, now serving over a thousand firms nationwide. * The data speaks for itself: firms partnering with Juvo Leads often experience up to 50% more qualified leads within just 30 days of a free trial, making it one of the most effective conversion tools in legal marketing. * When it comes to Google’s Local Services Ads, response time is the hidden key to success. Quick engagement doesn’t just secure more leads — it directly boosts rankings and visibility above competitors. * Paid search delivers the most serious inquiries, while SEO casts a wider but less targeted net. Ted’s data-driven insights help firms balance both strategies for steady lead flow and better case quality. “Our motto is butts, not bots. That's butts in the seat, not bots in the cloud. We use real people to answer chats. Why we use real people in an AI-driven world is because we're able to have a lot more conversations by having an empathetic conversation with someone and relating to what they're going through.” — Ted DeBettencourt Connect with Ted DeBettencourt:  Website: https://juvoleads.com/ [https://juvoleads.com/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoremdebettencourt/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoremdebettencourt/]  Email: ted@juvoleads.com [ted@juvoleads.com]  Connect with John and Kyle: Website: https://defactodigitalconsulting.com/https://defactodigitalconsulting.com/ [https://defactodigitalconsulting.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-schroeder-b87b3821a/https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-schroeder-b87b3821a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-schroeder-b87b3821a/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeFactoDigitalhttps://www.facebook.com/DeFactoDigital [https://www.facebook.com/DeFactoDigital] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defactodigitalconsulting/https://www.instagram.com/defactodigitalconsulting/ [https://www.instagram.com/defactodigitalconsulting/] Emails: john@defactodigitalconsulting.com , kyle@defactodigitalconsulting.com   Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama Audio production by https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85Turnkey Podcast Productions. [https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85] You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

John and Kyle - Holding Your Marketing Agency Accountable

John and Kyle expose the truth about marketing accountability in personal injury firms — where the money really goes, why agencies often control the narrative, and how firms can take back visibility and results. They lay out the real levers that drive cases, the hidden revenue leaks inside intake, and why strategy and oversight beat blind spending every time. If you’re tired of guessing and want marketing that actually produces cases, this conversation hits directly where it matters. In this episode, John and Kyle discuss: * Why aggressive PI firms spend tens of thousands per month on SEO/PPC — and still feel stuck * Where marketing retainers actually go (backlinks, content, commissions, etc.) * How law firms can hold agencies accountable without needing to “speak SEO” * Budget realism — why $2,500/month won’t move the needle in competitive markets * Why intake, attribution, and internal leaks cost firms more than bad marketing Key Takeaways: * Most PI firms spend heavily on digital marketing without real clarity on whether that money is applied to tasks that actually drive rankings or produce signed cases. The spend is large, the insight is small. * Agencies commonly “grade their own homework,” which is precisely why firms must define deliverables upfront instead of relying on polished reports and selective metrics. Accountability needs to be contractual, not cosmetic. * SEO is not mandatory for growth — some firms thrive using LSAs, paid leads, or referral engines — but whatever path is chosen must be intentional, not accidental. Strategy should be driven by economics and market reality, not habit. * Leakage in intake and tracking destroys more revenue than weak marketing ever will, with firms frequently losing six- and seven-figure matters that were already within reach. The phone rings — the process drops the ball. * The biggest performance unlock is not “spend more” but “see clearly.” Strategic oversight, not bigger checks, is what converts marketing from a cost center into a returns engine. “Advertisers don't really care where their leads or where their cases are coming from, or how they're getting them. They just want the cases that they want to work. They want to make money. They want to see a return on their investment. And they hire marketing agencies not because they do SEO or because they do PPC. They hire them because they want a partner that's going to deliver results.” — Kyle Sheldon   Connect with John and Kyle: Website: https://defactodigitalconsulting.com/https://defactodigitalconsulting.com/ [https://defactodigitalconsulting.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-schroeder-b87b3821a/https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-schroeder-b87b3821a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-schroeder-b87b3821a/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeFactoDigitalhttps://www.facebook.com/DeFactoDigital [https://www.facebook.com/DeFactoDigital] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defactodigitalconsulting/https://www.instagram.com/defactodigitalconsulting/ [https://www.instagram.com/defactodigitalconsulting/] Emails: john@defactodigitalconsulting.com , kyle@defactodigitalconsulting.com Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama Audio production by https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85Turnkey Podcast Productions. [https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85] You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Mike Budny: Mastering Trust and Likability in Legal Marketing

Mike Budny is the Director of Strategy at Rankings.io. With decades of expertise in marketing, branding, business development, and advertising, he developed a proven sales training system that blends strategies across disciplines for holistic growth. Taking a hands-on approach, he personally reviews sales setups, uncovers growth opportunities, and guides businesses to close gaps for immediate results. Dedicated to integrity and authenticity, Mike helps organizations not just sell, but sell with confidence—driving sustainable success and elevating brands to new heights in highly competitive markets. In this episode, John, Kyle, and Mike discuss: * Mike’s journey from Indiana roots to digital marketing leader for law firms * Branding, storytelling, and authenticity as trust-builders online * Why personal injury law is the toughest SEO market to compete in * How private equity consolidation is reshaping legal marketing agencies * Smarter ways for firms to approach SEO, PPC, and lead generation Key Takeaways: * Humanizing your brand is essential in legal marketing, where trust and likability serve as the core currencies that attract and retain clients. Building authentic connections online is what sets firms apart. * Personal injury law is the most competitive digital battleground, and only those who commit real budgets and long-term strategies can expect to win. Half measures simply don’t work in this space. * When private equity takes over, the focus often shifts from quality to margins. Law firms that want lasting results should align with founder-led agencies that invest heavily in talent and client success. * In SEO, there’s rarely a middle ground. You’re either ranking on the first page and getting cases, or you’re invisible—dabbling almost always leads to wasted effort and disappointment. * The right partner doesn’t just generate leads but ensures budgets, operations, and intake processes work together. This alignment transforms marketing spend into real, measurable ROI. “The two currencies you deal in online, 100% of the time—whether you know it or not—are likability and trust. These two currencies are how we do sales. We buy from those we know, we like, and we trust.” — Mike Budny Connect with Mike Budny:  Website: https://rankings.io/ [https://rankings.io/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebudny/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebudny/]  Email: mike@rankings.io [mike@rankings.io]  Connect with John and Kyle: Website: https://defactodigitalconsulting.com/https://defactodigitalconsulting.com/ [https://defactodigitalconsulting.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-schroeder-b87b3821a/https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-schroeder-b87b3821a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-schroeder-b87b3821a/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeFactoDigitalhttps://www.facebook.com/DeFactoDigital [https://www.facebook.com/DeFactoDigital] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defactodigitalconsulting/https://www.instagram.com/defactodigitalconsulting/ [https://www.instagram.com/defactodigitalconsulting/] Emails: john@defactodigitalconsulting.com, kyle@defactodigitalconsulting.com   Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama Audio production by https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85Turnkey Podcast Productions. [https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85] You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.