PEAK PRACTICE
Peak Practice is a community that delivers expert industry insights on how to scale, streamline, and accelerate personal injury law practices. By providing knowledge and resources on law firm operations, marketing, and business growth, Peak helps personal injury attorneys gain a competitive edge. As the leader in lien resolution, Synergy partners with firms to eliminate settlement bottlenecks, optimize client outcomes, and drive greater profitability—so you can focus on securing justice. Join the community here and discover how partnering with Synergy helps you achieve Peak Practice.
Below are our Synergy InSights on all things related to Peak Practice.
What happens when the personal injury lawyer becomes the client?
That question shaped one of the most brutally open conversations I’ve had on the Trial Lawyer View by Synergy podcast. In this episode, I sat down with Darryl Isaacs of Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers—yes, The Hammer—who’s known for his bold branding and courtroom tenacity. But what struck me was the story behind the reputation.
In 2015, Darryl was hit by a car while cycling, breaking his neck and suffering life-threatening injuries. A year later, I was hit while cycling too—breaking every bone in my face, jaw wired shut, severe dental injuries and months of recovery. It changed how I view my life and my work. For Darryl? It changed his entire life. And it changed how he runs his law firm.
Here are just a few of the powerful insights we chatted about:
🔁 The Pain That Built Perspective
Darryl’s accident gave him what many trial lawyers spend a career chasing: insight into the journey and incredible empathy. “I had represented thousands,” he told me, “but I didn’t really know what they were going through—until I went through it myself.” That experience now drives everything from how he connects with jurors to how he leads his firm.
🎯 Marketing with Meaning
You might know Darryl as “The Hammer,” but the story behind the slogan “I know what you’re going through” hits even harder. A client who lost her husband told him she hired his firm because, “He gets it. He’s lived it.” That authenticity isn’t a gimmick—it’s a brand built on shared experience, vulnerability, and trust.
❤️ Trial Skills Start with Humanity
Darryl credits Jerry Spence’s trial method and psychodrama with helping him tap into emotional truth in the courtroom. “The only way to create empathy,” he says, “is to first be vulnerable.” He directly takes on opposing counsel. He just tells the truth and connects—and that’s how he gets verdicts.
⚙️ Culture Eats Growth for Breakfast
Building a law firm that scales is tough. Keeping the team aligned as you grow? Even tougher. Darryl admits, “We became a factory at one point. I lost sight of our mission.” Now he focuses on training, values, and making sure each client feels seen—no matter how big the caseload.
📉 The Hammer’s Approach to Tech & Client Experience
From video texting to case updates to hiring a COO, Darryl’s all-in on using tech to elevate service—not replace the human touch. “The hardest thing in the world is getting a case,” he says. “The thing that separates you is how you treat the client once they’ve trusted you.”
👥 Join the Conversation
Join the Peak Practice Community, and learn how synergy. can help you eliminate settlement bottlenecks, resolve complex liens, and maximize recoveries. Learn more here: https://partnerwithsynergy.com/peak-practice/
If you want to listen or watch the Trial Lawyer View by Synergy podcast episode with Darryl Isaacs for even more insights, you can do so here: https://triallawyerview.com/podcast/darryl-isaacs/
If you want to grow and scale your law firm more effectively, consider partnering with synergy. for lien resolution. Learn more at: https://partnerwithsynergy.com/liens/
Subscribe to this Newsletter for more expert insights, exclusive podcast recaps, and law firm growth strategies you won’t find anywhere else!
📩 Have thoughts or want to share your story? Leave a comment. Let’s build a peak practice—together.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/i-know-what-youre-going-through-darryl-isaacs-trauma-jason-d–hlzme/?trackingId=uZVVQhnWTZWYUrmp3O7A%2Fg%3D%3D
I recently sat down with David L. Thomas, MBA of Law Tigers, for a powerful conversation on the Trial Lawyer View by Synergy podcast. We explored how focusing your practice, building trust, and going deep on community relationships can be the difference between a growing firm and a stagnant one.
❓ What Is Killing Law Firm Growth?
Dave didn’t mince words. Too many law firms are acting like legal supermarkets—offering a little bit of everything, mastering none. That might sound smart on paper, but in practice it creates confusion, dilutes your brand, and makes it impossible to connect deeply with the people you’re trying to serve.
“You want to resonate. Not just be recognizable, but relatable. People trust who understands them, not who advertises the most.” — David L. Thomas, MBA
Take Law Tigers. They’ve built a national brand around a single group—motorcycle riders—and have earned loyalty because riders feel seen, heard, and understood. That’s not an accident. It’s strategy.
🔁 The Power of Infinity (and Affinity) Marketing
One standout takeaway? Dave introduced the concept of infinity marketing—a cycle of traditional, digital, and grassroots strategies that feed into each other to build brand affinity. That means people talk about your firm when you’re not in the room.
Here’s what that looks like in action:
- Traditional: Billboards, TV, and radio—but tied to local sponsorships and community events, not just airtime.
- Digital: A clear SEO game plan, especially by optimizing your own website and creating human-centered content.
- Grassroots: Real people on the ground, building relationships with riders, shops, and local businesses.
At the center? A deep respect for community. Not just being visible, but being valuable.
“If you keep people first, they will keep you first.” — David L. Thomas, MBA
❤️ The Emotional Side of Marketing (That Lawyers Often Miss)
We also got personal. I shared my own experience as a cyclist who was hit by a car, and how the cycling community’s response shaped my view of what real connection looks like.
Dave’s advice? Show your flaws. Share your story. Create emotional resonance—not just professional authority.
“The more vulnerable your marketing is, the deeper the connection.” — David L. Thomas, MBA
In an era where every firm boasts million-dollar verdicts, what really cuts through is authenticity. Not just saying you care—but showing how, day in and day out.
⚙️ Growth Metrics That Actually Matter
We closed out our discussion talking law firm KPIs—and Dave challenged the typical playbook.
Yes, revenue matters. So does case volume. But if you’re not measuring internal alignment, team engagement, and mission buy-in, you’re missing the real levers of sustainable growth.
The most successful firms he works with? They’re not just marketing better—they’re leading better.
“You can’t build a great firm on transactional thinking. Relational marketing is how you go from good to great.” — David L. Thomas, MBA
Is It Time to Refocus?
If you’re a PI firm owner feeling stuck, consider this your nudge. Niche down. Make your marketing about connection, not conversion. Then watch what happens.
🔗 Want more insights like this?
If you’re a personal injury lawyer ready to scale, streamline, and step into your role as CEO, let’s talk. Join the Peak Practice Community, and learn how synergy. can help you eliminate settlement bottlenecks, resolve complex liens, and maximize recoveries. Learn more here: https://partnerwithsynergy.com/peak-practice/
If you want to listen or watch the Trial Lawyer View by Synergy podcast episode with David Thomas for even more insights, you can do so here https://triallawyerview.com/podcast/dave-thomas/
If you want to grow and scale your law firm more effectively, consider partnering with synergy. for lien resolution. Learn more at: https://partnerwithsynergy.com/liens/
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/david-thomas-niching-down-jason-d-lazarus-j-d-ll-m-mscc-czkue/?trackingId=GqudXePIRLO2G3oKO8y0Pg%3D%3D
You finally resolved your client’s case. The battle is over. Your client is thrilled with the result. Then you get hit with: “We’re asserting a lien on the proceeds.”
And just like that, closing the case turns into a lien resolution-fueled nightmare.
📉 The Hidden Profit Killer in Personal Injury Law
Lien resolution is the dreaded post-settlement purgatory for personal injury law firms.
It’s tedious. It’s high stakes for your client as it impacts net. And worst of all? It’s work that quietly eats away at your margins and your team’s time.
You didn’t go to law school to chase down lien holder recovery vendor reps or argue ERISA subrogation rights at 9 p.m.
But here you are.
❓ Do I really need this headache?
Here’s a quick taste of the headaches firms face when handling liens in-house:
- Is it a lien, a debt, or just a reimbursement obligation? (Answer: it depends. . .)
- Does the plan get application of federal or state law?
- Is the lien even valid?
- What’s the reduction strategy? (Standard statute reductions, waiver opportunities, equitable defenses?)
- **Has the client been made whole? Can you even argue that anymore under the plan’s language?
Each of these questions is a trapdoor. Miss one and you create unwanted liability.
🚨 Why It’s So Dangerous to Go it Alone?
If you’re handling liens solo or relying on team members without deep experience in this area, you’re walking through a subro minefield blindfolded.
Some potential consequences:
- Personal liability for unpaid liens
- Delays in disbursing funds (angry clients + stalled cash flow)
- Missed reductions that cost your client thousands—and your firm, future referrals
Even worse? It can make you look bad right before the client walks out your door.
💡 The Smarter Way: Systematize or Outsource
Trial lawyers should be in the courtroom—or working on future cases—not decoding plan language or chasing down lien holders to resolve liens.
So, what are your options?
- Build a process. For liens you will handle in-house (like local providers or very small liens), create a standardized protocol for identifying, verifying, negotiating, and resolving liens. Treat it like litigation prep: methodical and documented.
- Outsource strategically. Partnering with experts (like Synergy) not only protects you and your client—it accelerates resolution, ensures compliance, and gets everyone paid faster (most of the time).
Closing Thought 🧠
You can’t grow your practice if you’re stuck in the weeds of lien resolution. Efficiency isn’t optional—it’s a competitive advantage.
Want to Stop Losing Hours to Lien Nightmares?
Join the Peak Practice Community, and learn how synergy. can help you eliminate settlement bottlenecks, resolve complex liens, and maximize recoveries. Learn more here: https://partnerwithsynergy.com/peak-practice/
If you want to grow and scale your law firm more effectively, consider partnering with synergy. for lien resolution. Learn more at: https://partnerwithsynergy.com/liens/
💼 See how synergy. can help your firm reclaim time and drive greater profitability
In the personal injury world, attorney referrals are common — but they also come with risk if Medicare is involved (or other lienholders). When Medicare is involved, as the referring attorney you need to make sure you have three things:
1) A written fee sharing agreement;
2) A copy of the lawyer’s malpractice insurance policy declarations and
3) Proof that the lawyer has engaged lien resolution experts to resolve Medicare Conditional Payment obligations or written assurance that the firm will resolve it compliantly.
When you refer out a case, you don’t refer away your responsibilities. It is possible that referring attorneys are held liable for unresolved liens — even after a case is completely handed off. Medicare is especially unforgiving. U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hurt put it bluntly: “Plaintiffs’ attorneys cannot refer a case… and simply wash their hands clean of their obligations to reimburse Medicare.”
Miss a Medicare lien? It could be on you as the referring attorney.
What are Best Practices to Protect Your Firm on Referred Cases with Liens?
To stay compliant and avoid liability — especially with Medicare liens — follow these five basic rules:
· Communicate Clearly: Referring attorneys should share all known or potential liens up front, including any Medicare involvement.
· Do Your Homework: Receiving attorneys must investigate and address all liens, complying with the Medicare Secondary Payer Act.
· Written Authorization: Secure client authorization before taking any lien-related actions.
· Work Together and Engage a Lien Resolution Partner: Coordinate on a timely, cost-effective lien resolution strategy.
· Keep Records: Document everything — communication, authorizations, and lien actions.
Is There a Technology Solution for Referrals that Protects Everyone?
YES! I recently spoke with Robert Simon on the Trial Lawyer View by Synergy podcast about such a technology!! Have you heard of Attorney Share? Attorney Share is the first AI-powered referral platform built for attorneys, by attorneys — and it’s transforming how firms manage case referrals. How does it change the game? It tracks referrals automatically! No more chasing status updates. You get real-time updates on every case you refer. Additionally, it protects you, your firm and the client. The Attorney Share integration tools help ensure lien issues, especially Medicare’s, don’t fall through the cracks. As a bonus, it helps monetize every opportunity, inbound or outbound — every referral becomes a potential revenue stream. Thousands of new cases are added monthly to Attorney Share. Lastly, and importantly, it is free to join, and Attorney share never takes a percentage of your referral fee.
Referrals Made Smarter. And Safer.
With Attorney Share, you’re not just sending cases into the void. You’re keeping visibility, control, and compliance — while also protecting yourself from the very real risk of lien-related liability.
Want to learn more about how to leverage Attorney Share? Visit https://www.attorneyshare.com/ for more information.
If you are looking for a lien resolution partner with an expert team to protect your firm from potential Medicare liability, learn more about synergy. by visiting https://partnerwithsynergy.com/liens/liens-we-handle/medicare/
Join the Peak Practice Movement
If you’re a personal injury lawyer ready to scale, streamline, or step into your role as CEO, let’s talk. Subscribe to the newsletter, join the Peak Practice community, and learn how Synergy can help you eliminate settlement bottlenecks, resolve complex liens, and maximize recoveries. Learn more here: https://partnerwithsynergy.com/peak-practice/
#MedicareConditionalPayment #RobertSimon #AttorneyShare #PeakPractice #PartnerWithSynergy
by Jason D. Lazarus | Peak Practice by Synergy
What if I told you the road to a $100M verdict starts with a barstool conversation, a Google Doc, and a decision?
That’s exactly how Ryan McKeen of Best Era, LLC, began his journey in building a personal injury practice—going from a two-person shop to a 40+ person powerhouse in just five years. The firm didn’t just scale—it exploded, tripling revenue and securing one of the largest jury verdicts in state history.
How did they do it?
I sat down with Ryan on the Trial Lawyer View by Synergy podcast to unpack the core strategies behind his firm’s meteoric rise and to learn more about Best Era, LLC. The insights are gold for any personal injury lawyer thinking about building not just a law firm, but a scalable, resilient business.
Here are the takeaways that every trial lawyer needs to hear:
Growth Is a Choice—Vision Is the Catalyst
“The size of your firm is largely a choice.” That’s how Ryan kicks off the conversation—and it sets the tone. Before any systems were built or staff hired, Ryan and his partner made a conscious decision to grow. They mapped out a 10-year vision using the EOS Worldwide Vision/Traction Organizer (VTO), committing to a goal that seemed outlandish at the time: a $10M jury verdict.
That choice changed everything.
Their vision drove every operational decision—from adopting Filevine early on to hiring with purpose and investing in high-stakes litigation infrastructure. Within five years, that vision became reality in the form of a $100M verdict for a deserving client.
Lesson: Start with the end in mind. Then reverse-engineer your firm’s structure to support that future.
Systems Win (Yes, Really)
You can’t build a high-performing trial team if you’re stuck figuring out how to buy stamps.
McKeen shared a hilarious yet painfully relatable story about a summer employee who spent five hours trying to figure out postage. That’s when he knew: they needed systems.
So they built an 800+ page internal wiki, documenting everything from how to mail a letter to how to prep for trial. It became their firm’s operating system.
Why it matters: Great lawyering is wasted without great execution. And great execution comes from process.
“We built systems not just to do the work—but to make it easier to do the work the next 500 times.” —Ryan McKeen
Culture = What You Do (Not What You Say)
Ryan’s definition of culture isn’t abstract. It’s behavioral.
At his firm, culture looked like this: “If it’s not in the wiki, it doesn’t exist.” “Did you check the wiki first?” “If it’s missing, go make the page.”
This created a shared responsibility for improvement. Every employee became a builder of the firm’s future.
Result: They didn’t just scale—they scaled without chaos.
The First Hire That Changes Everything
When should you hire your first admin?
Ryan is crystal clear: the fifth hire should be administrative. At that point, the firm dynamics change. Communication breaks down. Systems strain. You need someone making sure the lights stay on and the printer works, so your legal team can focus on high-value tasks.
“Firms that hire admin help at 5 can scale to 15. Firms that don’t? They get stuck.”
That single hire often determines whether you’ll break through the next growth ceiling—or spin your wheels.
Your Job as CEO: Stop Practicing Law or Hire a CEO
It sounds counterintuitive, but Ryan insists that truly scaling requires stepping out of legal work and into leadership.
By the time he fully stepped into the CEO role, Ryan was out of cases and 100% focused on vision, operations, and team performance. They implemented EOS fully, brought in a COO, and used leadership meetings to keep the firm aligned and accountable.
If you want to scale beyond 25-30 people, you need to think like a CEO—not a senior partner.
Communities Are Your Competitive Advantage
Ryan credits much of his firm’s success to legal masterminds, where he learned everything from financial structuring to workflow design.
“Ignorance is very expensive. But wisdom? You can borrow it for free.”
His advice? Surround yourself with people who’ve already done what you’re trying to do. Borrow their playbooks. Learn from their scars.
Now He’s Teaching the Way Forward
Today, Ryan is building Best Era, LLC, a consultancy for law firms ready to scale. He teaches at UConn Law and is launching “The Way”—an online course and book for PI lawyers under $1M in revenue who want a roadmap to growth.
His mission? Help 12,500 lawyers in five years accelerate their law firm journey—with fewer missteps, more clarity, and better systems.
Final Thought: Authority Comes from Doing and Sharing
Ryan didn’t grow a firm by chasing trends—he grew it by executing on vision, building operational mastery, and committing to a culture of improvement.
And now? He’s teaching others how to do the same.
If you’re a personal injury trial lawyer looking to scale your impact, systematize your operations, and claim your place among the best—this is a blueprint.
Subscribe to the Peak Practice Newsletter for more expert insights, exclusive podcast recaps, and law firm growth strategies you won’t find anywhere else.
If you’re a personal injury lawyer ready to scale, streamline, or step into your role as CEO, let’s talk. Join the Peak Practice Community, and learn how synergy. can help you eliminate settlement bottlenecks, resolve complex liens, and maximize recoveries. Learn more here: https://partnerwithsynergy.com/peak-practice/
If you want to listen or watch the Trial Lawyer View by Synergy podcast episode with Ryan McKeen for even more insights, you can do so here: https://triallawyerview.com/podcast/ryan-mckeen/
If you want to grow and scale your law firm more effectively, consider partnering with synergy. for lien resolution. Learn more at: https://partnerwithsynergy.com/liens/
By Jason D. Lazarus | Peak Practice by Synergy
✨Jennifer Gore✨ of Sweet James LLP , founder of one of the fastest-growing women-led personal injury firms in the U.S., joined me on the Trial Lawyer View by Synergy podcast to explore how trauma, grit, and business acumen converge to shape law firm growth. What started as a conversation about our life-changing accidents became a masterclass in building a resilient, scalable practice.
If you want to lead with authenticity, scale sustainably, and build a brand that can weather the chaos of life and litigation—this one’s for you.
From Collision to Calling
Both Jennifer and I have experienced devastating accidents due to the negligence of others. These moments don’t just injure the body—they redefine your mission. For Jennifer, a serious car crash in college became the seed of her career. For me, a cycling accident left me in the ICU in a medically induced coma, reshaping my understanding of what injured clients endure.
These lived experiences taught us something powerful: empathy is the key.
We can’t teach our teams to be trauma survivors. But we can share our stories to help them serve with purpose.
You Don’t Need to Be the CEO—But Someone Must Be
Jennifer credits much of her success to treating her firm like a business from day one. She broke from the “practice vs. business” mindset, understanding that even the best legal talent will struggle without systems, leadership, and financial discipline.
The number one reason lawyers get disbarred isn’t bad lawyering, she said. “It’s mismanagement of their law firm.”
This is the Peak Practice mindset: marrying great legal work with operational excellence.
Coaching, Masterminds, and the Myth of the Lone Wolf
Jennifer’s growth didn’t happen in a vacuum. She immersed herself in coaching programs, surrounded herself with top trial lawyer mentors, and invested in her personal development.
She didn’t just scale her firm. She scaled herself.
Her coaching practice, Evergreen, grew organically from that journey. Now, she’s mentoring other law firm owners to avoid the same pitfalls.
The Danger of Departments of One
One of Jennifer’s most powerful insights: “The worst number in business is one.”
If one person in your firm owns a function and they leave, everything breaks. Her solution? Redundancy, cross-training, and scalable systems. This operational depth isn’t just about peace of mind. It’s about empowering your team and giving them the freedom to take ownership.
Want to go on vacation and not have your inbox explode? Build a team that can cover each other.
Branding Is Just Being Boldly You
Jennifer’s take on marketing is refreshingly simple: be yourself, and be excellent at it. Her LinkedIn presence is a mix of vulnerability, expertise, and value. Not everyone will love your style. That’s okay. You’re not trying to be everything to everyone.
“Nobody can compete with me on being me.”
That’s the essence of powerful personal branding.
Final Thought: You Were Built for This
Whether you’re a lawyer who came to this work through personal pain, or someone scaling a firm from scratch with no blueprint—you have what it takes.
You don’t have to do it alone. Surround yourself with people who’ve walked the path, lean into your uniqueness, and don’t be afraid to run your firm like the business it is.
This is what Peak Practice is all about: operational clarity, strategic partnerships, and a relentless commitment to better outcomes for you and your clients.
Join the Peak Practice Movement
If you’re a personal injury lawyer ready to scale, streamline, or step into your role as CEO, let’s talk. Subscribe to the newsletter, join the Peak Practice Community, and learn how synergy. can help you eliminate settlement bottlenecks, resolve complex liens, and maximize recoveries. Learn more here: https://partnerwithsynergy.com/peak-practice/
If you want to listen or watch the Trial Lawyer View by Synergy podcast episode with Jennifer Gore for even more insights, you can do so here: https://triallawyerview.com/podcast/jennifer-gore/
If you want to grow and scale your law firm more effectively, consider partnering with synergy. for lien resolution. Learn more at: https://partnerwithsynergy.com/liens/
#PersonalInjuryLaw #TrialLawyers #LegalMarketing #LawFirmGrowth #Entrepreneurship #PeakPractice #TrialLawyerView
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