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.

Sep 10

25+ Years in Law: What Tad Thomas Has Learned About Growth & Leadership

What does it take to grow from a solo practitioner into the leader of a multi-state law firm, while still trying cases, building businesses, and serving the legal community? In this episode of Behind the GAVL, host Ryan Raplee sits down with longtime friend and GAVL co-founder Tad Thomas, managing partner of Thomas Law Offices, for a candid conversation about law, leadership, business, tech, and the lessons learned along the way. Over more than 25 years in the legal profession, Tad has grown Thomas Law Offices from a solo practice into a firm with offices across multiple states. He is also a past president of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) and incoming president of the Kentucky Justice Association (KJA). Ryan and Tad get into: Growing a law firm without losing sight of the practice of law Learning to delegate, trust your team, and lead through growth What law firms still get wrong about intake How technology and AI are leveling the playing field for smaller firms The rapid evolution of AI in litigation and trial preparation Why Tad still loves the courtroom after more than two decades Entrepreneurship and building businesses around problems worth solving The importance of relationships, mentorship, and giving back Tad and Ryan’s history together and the early days of GAVL And, of course, bourbon, baseball, and a few stories from over the years It’s a conversation about what changes as you grow, what stays the same, and why having the right people around you matters at every stage. 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. Learn more about Thomas Law Offices here - Personal Injury Lawyer, Car Accident Attorneys - Thomas Law Offices #BehindTheGAVL #LawFirmGrowth #LegalMarketing #TrialLawyers #LegalTechnology #LawFirmLeadership Subscribe - https://www.youtube.com/@GAVLMARKETING
Aug 27

Inside the Case Status CX Summit | Kylie Fahey

What does it take to bring together law firm leaders, technology experts, and forward-thinking legal professionals focused on the future of client experience? In this episode of Behind the GAVL, Ryan Raplee sits down with Kylie Fahey, Director of Growth Marketing at Case Status, for a behind-the-scenes look at the Case Status CX Summit, happening September 16–18 in Charleston, South Carolina. Kylie shares what goes into creating a unique content and hospitality experience, from selecting speakers and developing peer-led sessions to planning curated Charleston experiences that surprise and delight attendees. They also get into: Why client experience is a NEED to have, not a nice to have How firms can build systems and strategies around the client experience The “dehumanization trap” and AI’s impact on client communication The growing cost of client acquisition Using video to reduce friction and improve communication The first-ever Client Experience Awards What attendees can expect from the sessions, networking, dining, and Charleston experiences GAVL will also be at the summit offering VIP attendees free professional video recording sessions. Participating firms can create videos to use throughout the Case Status platform, including welcome messages, case-stage updates, and other client communications. Get 25% off your Case Status CX Summit ticket with the exclusive code GAVL25: https://www.casestatus.com/cx-summit Learn more about Case Status and the CX Summit Legal Client Engagement Software Portal for Law Firms | Case Status 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 #ClientExperience #LegalTechnology #LawFirmGrowth #CaseStatus #CXSummit #LegalMarketing #Attorney
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

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

17
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© All rights reserved.
Show Website

Behind The GAVL