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 

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 

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

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 

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 

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 

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 

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  

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 

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 

In this episode of Behind the GAVL, Ryan sat down with business consultant and coach Cheryl Pope, Founder of Carlton Human Capital.  

Cheryl works closely with law firms to improve leadership, communication, and team performance. From leadership gaps to communication breakdowns, she shares how misalignment between people, roles, and expectations quietly impactsgrowth, culture, and client experience. 

In this episode: 

• An inside look at the biggest communication gaps happening inside law firms (and how to fix them)  
• A look at law firm culture, what does this really mean and why does it matter? 
• Hiring pitfalls that lead to long-term problems  
• Aligning people, roles, and business goals for real growth 

For over a decade, Cheryl has been helping law firms align people, clarify their goals, and ultimately build organizations that actually function the way they’re supposed to.  

Carlton Human Capital is built to improve communication between law firms and their clients. 

Learn more here - https://www.carltonhumancapital.com/ 

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, human connection, and legal marketing. 

In this episode of Behind the GAVL, we dive into how client experience is becoming a defining factor in legal practice today. How can we use technology to support, but not replace, human connection? 

Law firms who win are the ones who use tech to enhance, not replace, the human experience. 

“You want the kiss cam to catch your business with the 5-star review.” - Paul Bamert 

This week, CEO and Co-Founder of GAVL, Ryan Raplee, was joined by the Vice President of Marketing at Case Status, Paul Bamert. 

Can technology help predict sentiment? If so, how would this be a game-changer in the legal world as we know it today? 

How does Case Status use tech to accomplish this? 

Paul shares how tools like real-time updates, secure messaging, and mobile engagement help law firms create more transparency and keep clients informed throughout their case. 

People, now more than ever want to feel seen, heard, and supported during what is often a stressful time going through a legal case. 

But beyond the technology, a key theme emerges: clients don’t just want information, they want connection. Human connection. 

Case Status is a legal tech platform built to improve communication between law firms and their clients. 

Learn more about Case Status here - https://www.casestatus.com/ 

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, human connection, and legal marketing. 

We made it to episode 5 of Behind the GAVL! Thanks to everyone who has tuned in with us thus far. 

This week, we were lucky to be joined by Ray DeLorenzi the Founder of RebuttalPR. 

He joined our very own Ryan Raplee (Co-Founder & CEO of GAVL) for a look at how your businesses reputation and visibility online matter now more than ever. 

In this episode Ray and Ryan dive into: 

• Why should law firms care about PR? 
• How does PR efforts affect your visibility online? 
• How does AI affect the way people are finding you online? 
• What exactly is Public Relations (PR)? 

Ray has more than a decade helping shape the public narrative around some of the most high-profile mass tort and class action cases in the country. You can learn more about Ray and the amazing team at RebuttalPR on their website at - www.rebuttalpr.com. 

Tune into this episode and see Ryan and Ray discuss how media strategy, reputation, and digital visibility intersect with legal marketing today. 

Subscribe to Behind the GAVL for more conversation. 

Podcasts | RebuttalPR

#LawFirmMarketing #LegalMarketing #PublicRelations #LawFirmGrowth #BehindTheGAVL #RebuttalPR 

Episode 4 of Behind the GAVL features Jay Madheswaran, Founder & CEO of Eve, joining host Ryan Raplee (Co-Founder & CEO of GAVL) for a deep dive into how artificial intelligence is transforming plaintiff law firms.

Jay brings over 15 years of experience in AI and machine learning at companies like Facebook and Rubrik, along with venture insight from Lightspeed. In this episode, he breaks down how AI-powered answering agents are changing the way firms capture leads, respond to prospects, and eliminate missed opportunities.

From empathetic AI phone agents that sound human to operational efficiencies that directly impact case outcomes, Ryan and Jay explore what happens when cutting-edge technology meets the real-world demands of plaintiff firms.

-How AI answering agents are eliminating missed calls and transforming the intake experience for plaintiff firms.

-Why empathy, responsiveness, and speed are becoming competitive advantages in modern legal marketing.

-What law firm leaders need to understand about implementing AI today—and where legal technology is headed next.

Episode 3 of Behind the GAVL features Jess Spino, Member Success Manager at Injury Board, joining host Ryan Raplee (Co-Founder & CEO of GAVL) and Catherine Rodman (Sales Development Rep) for a behind-the-scenes look at what truly sets elite plaintiff firms apart.

Jess shares what she hears every day from top trial lawyers across North America—why community, trust, and exclusivity matter more than ever, and how Injury Board creates value far beyond traditional marketing groups. From membership standards to relationship-driven growth, this episode explores what law firm leaders should be prioritizing as the legal industry continues to evolve.

-Why community, trust, and peer relationships have become critical differentiators for top firms

-How Injury Board’s membership standards and structure drive meaningful, long-term value

-What law firm leaders should prioritize to stay respected, connected, and competitive as the industry evolves.

Episode 2 of Behind the GAVL dives into why video matters now more than ever—how storytelling drives trust, why people connect with faces over text, and how video turns law firm websites into real conversion tools.

Host Ryan Raplee (Co-Founder & CEO of GAVL) is joined by Oscar Hernandez (Video Editor) and Catherine Rodman (Sales Development Rep) to unpack why GAVL leaned into video early and why it’s now one of the most powerful tools for building trust, visibility, and conversion for law firms.

The conversation breaks down how video has evolved from a “nice-to-have” into a core growth driver—especially as people increasingly trust faces and voices over blocks of text. The team explores how strong storytelling helps firms stand out in crowded markets, answers questions text alone can’t, and turns websites into connection and conversion tools.

You’ll hear practical takeaways on:

• Why people trust video more than written content—and how that impacts client decisions
• How storytelling becomes a firm’s true differentiator, not just production quality
• Where video fits on a law firm website to actually drive conversions, not just views

Plus, Ryan and the team share what’s coming up next for GAVL, including upcoming projects, conferences, and what’s ahead for the agency in 2026.

Subscribe for twice-monthly episodes of Behind the GAVL, where we break down legal marketing, video strategy, SEO, and what’s really working behind the scenes at a growing agency.

Episode 1 of Behind the Gavl launches with host Ryan Raplee (Co-Founder & CEO of Gavl) and a clear mission: give law firms real-world, behind-the-scenes insight on legal marketing, SEO, and emerging AI trends straight from the agency floor. 

Ryan is joined by Caitlin Lane (SEO Manager) and Catherine Rodman (Sales Development Rep) to break down what’s actually changing in search as we head into 2026. Especially the rise of Google AI Overviews and zero-click search, where users get answers without ever visiting a website. 

You’ll hear practical, law-firm-specific takeaways on:

• Why SEO isn’t dead—it’s evolving toward user intent, brand authority, and stronger technical fundamentals. 
• The biggest myth lawyers fall for: expecting fast SEO results, instead of playing the long game. 
• The smartest SEO move to make this month: optimize what you already have (title tags, H1s, internal linking, schema, and silo pages) before publishing more content. 

Plus, Ryan and the team share what “Behind the GAVL” looks like day-to-day. Conferences, client work, and building high-performance law firm websites without page builders or bloat. 

Subscribe for twice-monthly episodes on law firm SEO, legal marketing strategy, and how to stay visible in an AI-driven search world.