308. Local Events to Million-Dollar Cases: How She Built a PI Practice Without Ads

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