Behind The GAVL

Ryan Raplee

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Marketing
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Behind the GAVL takes you inside the conversations law firms actually need to be having. We break down what’s changing in legal marketing, tech, SEO, AI and how it impacts your business right now. Hear real strategies that work, lessons learned from GAVL’s biggest wins, and clear takeaways you can apply to your day-to-day business.

Jul 21

The Client Journey Doesn't End at Settlement | Tracee Wagner, Forge Consulting

In Episode 15 of Behind the GAVL, Ryan Raplee, Co-Founder and CEO of GAVL, sits down with Tracee Wagner, Settlement Consultant at Forge Consulting, to explore why the client journey doesn't end when a case is resolved. With more than 20 years of experience working alongside plaintiff attorneys, Tracee shares how settlement planning and financial education help clients make informed decisions during one of the most important moments of their lives. She also reflects on her own career journey, from helping law firms improve their operations to guiding clients through life after settlement. Here’s what we get into on this episode: What settlement planning is and why it matters How attorneys can better support clients after settlement The role of financial education in the client journey When settlement professionals should become involved Common misconceptions about settlement planning Planning tools beyond structured settlements Tracee shares her lessons learned from attending nearly 50 AAJ conventions Career advice, networking, and building long-term relationships Throughout the conversation, Tracee shares why every client's situation is different, what successful client outcomes look like, and how attorneys can continue serving clients long after a settlement is reached. She also leaves listeners with simple but meaningful career advice: "Try it all." Whether you're an attorney, legal marketer, or someone passionate about improving the client experience, this episode offers practical insights into serving clients beyond the case itself. Learn more about Forge Consulting: https://forgeconsulting.com Behind the GAVL is a podcast dedicated to helping law firms grow through better marketing, stronger client experiences, and conversations with leaders across the legal industry. Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of law firm growth, AI, SEO, websites, legal news, and marketing. Subscribe - https://www.youtube.com/@GAVLMARKETING #LawFirmMarketing #SettlementPlanning #PersonalInjuryLaw #PlaintiffLaw #LegalMarketing #AAJ #Attorney #ForgeConsulting
Jul 15

Relationships Over Business Cards: Conference Tips for Attorneys

In Episode 14 of Behind the GAVL, Ryan Raplee, Co-Founder and CEO of GAVL, is joined by Catherine Rodman, Head of Sales at GAVL, for a conversation ahead of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) Annual Convention in Chicago and why conferences are about so much more than collecting business cards. Whether you're attending AAJ for the first time or you've been going for years, Ryan and Catherine share practical advice on making the most of your conference experience, building meaningful relationships, and avoiding some of the common mistakes they’ve seen make over the years… Topics covered in this episode: How to build genuine relationships at legal conferences Conference scams and what to watch out for What to expect at the AAJ Annual Convention Tips for first-time conference attendees Networking advice for attorneys and legal vendors Why showing up consistently matters in the legal industry In this convo, Ryan and Catherine share stories from past conferences, their favorite memories of AAJ, and why some of the best opportunities come from simply meeting people and building relationships over time. If you're heading to AAJ this year, be sure to stop by Booth #102, say hello to the team, and check out GAVL's video room. Subscribe for more conversations about legal marketing, law firm growth, leadership, and the future of the legal industry. Subscribe - https://www.youtube.com/@GAVLMARKETING Thanks for tuning into another episode of Behind the GAVL, a legal marketing podcast serving law firms across the country. Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of law firm growth, AI, SEO, websites, legal news, and marketing. #AAJ2026 #LegalMarketing #LawFirmGrowth #LegalConference #TrialLawyers #BehindTheGAVL
Jun 24

What Attorneys Should Know About Structured Settlements with Ric Perez

In Episode 13 of Behind the GAVL, Ryan Raplee, Co-Founder and CEO of GAVL, sits down with Ric Perez, Sr. Vice President at Strategic Capital, to get into a conversation around how attorneys can better serve clients beyond the settlement itself, Ric’s passionate work with Paws For Justice, and John Oliver’s recent segment on structured settlements and how it was perceived in the legal space. With more than 16 years at Strategic Capital, Ric works with injury victims, structured settlement recipients, lottery winners, and their advisors as they navigate major financial decisions after settlement. Topics Ryan and Ric get into: • What a structured settlement is, how it works, and common misconceptions • Why some people need access to funds after settlement • Major changes Ric has seen throughout the industry over the years • The recent John Oliver segment and the conversations it sparked • Building trust and long-term relationships in the legal industry • The future of the structured settlement industry • Ric's work with Paws For Justice and giving back Throughout the convo, Ric shares lessons learned from decades of working alongside attorneys, helping clients navigate important financial decisions, and building a reputation centered on trust, relationships, and doing business the right way. Subscribe for more conversations about legal marketing, legal operations, law firm growth, and the people shaping the legal industry. 🎙️ Behind the GAVL is a legal marketing podcast serving law firms across the country. Subscribe - https://www.youtube.com/@GAVLMARKETING #LegalMarketing #StructuredSettlements #PersonalInjuryLaw #LawFirmGrowth #TrialLawyers #BehindTheGAVL
Jun 10

10 Years of Building a Business Through Relationships, Not Transactions

In episode 12 of Behind the GAVL, the tables are turned as Mariah Farrens, Marketing Strategist at GAVL, sits down to interview GAVL Co-Founder and CEO Ryan Raplee. They reflect on the company's 10-year journey and lessons learned from a decade of running a business and working with law firms across the country. The conversation explores entrepreneurship, leadership, team building, company culture, relationship-driven growth, and what it takes to navigate constant change in both business and the legal industry. "Human-to-human connection is really important. And that's really shaped our business...” - Ryan Raplee Topics covered: Lessons learned from 10 years of business ownership Importance of building relationships & a team The story behind the founding of GAVL Why trust and reputation matter more than ever Leadership challenges and unexpected lessons as a CEO Creating and maintaining a strong company culture Hiring, team building, and growth Common misconceptions law firms have about marketing The future of legal marketing and client relationships Ryan also shares personal reflections on entrepreneurship, the importance of staying adaptable, and why human connection continues to be one of the most valuable assets in business. Subscribe for more conversations about legal marketing, law firm growth, leadership, technology, and the future of the legal industry. 🎙️ Behind the GAVL is a legal marketing podcast serving law firms across the country. Subscribe - https://www.youtube.com/@GAVLMARKETING #LegalMarketing #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #LawFirmGrowth #BusinessGrowth #CompanyCulture #BehindTheGAVL
May 28

The Future of Law Firm Intake with Intaker’s Brett Kohler

In this episode of Behind the GAVL, Ryan Raplee sits down with Brett Kohler, Head of Sales at Intaker, to talk about how AI is changing the way law firms capture, qualify, and convert new leads. Brett shares how Intaker helps firms create a faster, more personal intake experience through AI-powered tools, video, and smarter lead communication. In this episode, Ryan and Brett dive into: How AI is improving law firm intake and lead conversion Brett’s background in acting and comedy, and how it shaped his approach to sales Why speed-to-lead matters when someone is ready to hire How website chat can create a better first impression Why firms need to meet potential clients where they are How human connection still plays a critical role in sales and client communication If your law firm is looking for better ways to improve lead conversion, streamline intake, and create a stronger client experience from the first touchpoint, this conversation is worth a listen. Watch now and subscribe for more conversations on legal marketing, law firm growth, AI, legal tech, and the future of client communication. Subscribe - https://www.youtube.com/@GAVLMARKETING Learn more about Intaker - https://www.intaker.com/home/ #LegalMarketing #LawFirmMarketing #AIForLawFirms #ClientIntake #LeadConversion #LegalTech #LawFirmGrowth #BehindTheGAVL
May 13

The Client Experience Most Law Firms Miss | Sam Dolce

In Episode 10 of Behind the GAVL, Ryan Raplee, Co-Founder and CEO of GAVL, sits down with Sam Dolce, Attorney and Vice President at Milestone, to discuss the client experience during litigation, and the financial realities many law firms never fully see. The conversation gets into settlement administration, legal tech, trauma-informed care, client communication, operational efficiency, and how AI is beginning to reshape the future of law firms. Topics Ryan and Sam explore in this episode: • The financial stress clients face during litigation • How settlement administration is evolving • Improving the client experience through technology • Time and cost savings for law firms • AI’s future impact on legal operations Sam Dolce works with law firms nationwide on complex settlement administration and trustee services at Milestone, where he also helped develop Pathway®, a platform modernizing the settlement process and improving client outcomes. Learn more about Milestone - https://milestoneseventh.com/ Thanks for tuning into another episode of Behind the GAVL. Subscribe for more conversations on legal marketing, legal tech, law firm growth, and the future of the legal industry. Subscribe - https://www.youtube.com/@GAVLMARKETING
Apr 29

The Hidden Financial Stress Clients Face During a Lawsuit with Brian Garelli

In this episode of Behind the GAVL, Ryan Raplee, Co-Founder and CEO of GAVL, sits down with Brian Garelli, President and Founder of Preferred Capital Funding. Together, they explore the gap that exists in almost all law firms—the difference between the case an attorney sees and the actual experience a client is living through daily. While legal professionals are trained to focus on facts, strategy, and outcomes, clients are often navigating stress, uncertainty, and major life transitions at the same time. This conversation dives into why empathy isn’t just a “nice to have” in the legal space—it’s a competitive advantage. Brian brings over 25 years of litigation experience and founded one of the first pre-settlement funding companies in Illinois in 1998. Under his leadership, PCF has grown into one of the largest in the country, with a strong focus on supporting attorneys and their clients throughout the life of a case. In this episode: The disconnect between legal strategy and client experience Why empathy plays a critical role in modern law firms How better understanding clients leads to stronger outcomes What this means for branding, messaging, and client trust If you’re in legal marketing, firm leadership, or a client-facing role, this episode offers a grounded perspective on what it really means to connect with clients—and why it matters more than ever. Thanks for tuning into another episode of Behind the GAVL, a legal marketing podcast serving law firms across the country. Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of law firm growth, AI, SEO, websites, legal news, and marketing. #LegalMarketing #LawFirmGrowth #ClientExperience #BehindTheGAVL
Apr 15

What Makes a High-Performing Law Firm Website? with Luke Potadle

When someone lands on a website, what needs to happen in the first 3–5 seconds? In this episode of Behind the GAVL, Ryan Raplee, Co-Founder and CEO of GAVL sits down with Luke Potadle, Head of Websites at GAVL, to break down what actually makes a law firm website effective. With over a decade of experience in web development and design, Luke dives into the importance form, function, conversion rate and your websites structure and ability to support your law firms business growth. From user behavior to backend structure, this conversation explores how thoughtful design and strategy can directly impact client experience and case acquisition. In this episode: An inside look at the importance of “owning your website and data” as a law firm and the risks if you don’t The role of strategy vs. aesthetics in web development Why your website is your most valuable asset Page builders vs. Custom code (pros & cons) GAVL’s website model AI changes impacting websites The landscape of how people navigate websites is changing. Ryan and Luke discuss the future AI plays in website development and user experience. Thanks for tuning into another episode of Behind the GAVL a legal marketing podcast serving law firms across the country. Subscribe to Behind the GAVL for more conversations at the intersection of law firm growth, AI, SEO, websites, legal news and law firm marketing. #LawFirmWebsites #WebsiteDesign #LegalTech #LegalIndustry #LegalMarketing

Behind the GAVL takes you inside the conversations law firms actually need to be having. We break down what’s changing in legal marketing, tech, SEO, AI and how it impacts your business right now. Hear real strategies that work, lessons learned from GAVL’s biggest wins, and clear takeaways you can apply to your day-to-day business.

Creator

Ryan Raplee
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

15
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© All rights reserved.
Show Website

Behind The GAVL