Legal Marketing Happy Hour

Episode Summary: In this episode of Legal Marketing Happy Hour, host Elisza Lambert welcomes Lindsay Marty, Founder and CEO of Above the Bar Marketing, to discuss how internal culture directly shapes a law firm's brand, retention, and performance. Lindsay shares the core principles behind her award-winning workplace, why culture is more than perks, and how leaders can intentionally build environments where employees thrive. The conversation highlights culture killers that drive talent away, the role of lived values in daily client experiences, and the business case for making culture a top priority. Key Timestamps: 00:01 – Show Introduction 01:10 – Why culture is the foundation of Above the Bar Marketing 04:02 – Why culture is more than perks or team lunches 06:15 – Culture killers that drive away good employees 08:12 – How lived values shape client and team experiences 11:05 – Reactive leadership vs. intentional leadership 13:50 – Recognition and growth strategies for small law firms 17:20 – Attracting great talent from the very beginning 20:18 – What Lindsay is most proud of about her team and company 22:40 – The business case for culture: retention, referrals, and results About the Show: Legal Marketing Happy Hour is a podcast designed to help law firms grow smarter, faster, and more profitably. Hosted by Elisza Lambert, the show offers candid conversations and practical strategies from industry leaders on building strong brands, creating client trust, and achieving lasting business success.  

Episode Summary: In this episode of Legal Marketing Happy Hour, Elisza Lambert welcomes Lindsay Marty, Founder and CEO of Above the Bar Marketing, to explore how law firm websites shape first impressions and drive conversions. Lindsay breaks down what makes a website instantly trustworthy, common design mistakes that turn potential clients away, and how to optimize your homepage for speed, mobile responsiveness, and user experience. The discussion also covers the importance of client-focused content, using video effectively, and simple changes that dramatically improve lead generation. Key Timestamps: 00:01 – Show Introduction 01:06 – The #1 red flag: websites that aren't mobile-friendly or fast 02:05 – Why phone numbers, contact forms, and click-to-call must be everywhere 02:59 – How quickly visitors form first impressions 03:45 – Red flags: slow load times, unclear practice focus, generic taglines 04:43 – Why client-focused messaging is more persuasive than lawyer jargon 06:06 – Green flags: reviews, accolades, fresh content, and engaging blogs 07:17 – The power of video and strong attorney bios for credibility 08:22 – Quick homepage audit checklist for law firms 09:42 – Small changes that have a big impact on lead conversions 10:29 – Adding chat and text features to increase accessibility 11:32 – When to consider a rebrand if your website feels outdated About the Show: Legal Marketing Happy Hour delivers tactical insights to help law firms grow smarter, faster, and more profitably. Hosted by Elisza Lambert, each episode dives into the strategies and tools that transform law firm marketing into real client engagement.  

Episode Summary: In this episode of Legal Marketing Happy Hour, host Elisza Lambert sits down with Jim Hayes, Chief Revenue Officer at Above the Bar Marketing, to discuss how law firms can get the most from their paid advertising strategies. Jim breaks down the key differences between pay-per-click (PPC) and Google Local Service Ads (LSAs), explains why a hybrid approach is often the smartest investment, and shares the most common mistakes law firms make when launching campaigns. The conversation covers intake processes, negative keywords, budget planning, and how to protect return on ad spend in a highly competitive legal market. Key Timestamps: 00:01 – Show Introduction 02:05 – PPC vs. LSAs: how they appear and how firms are charged 06:12 – Which types of law firms benefit most from LSAs and PPC 10:40 – Why hybrid ad models matter for sustainable results 13:22 – Biggest mistakes firms make with PPC campaigns 17:30 – The importance of negative keywords and keyword match types 21:55 – Best practices for intake teams handling PPC and LSA leads 28:33 – Why fast human response is critical for ad-driven leads 33:45 – Recent Google updates and the future of AI-driven ads 37:20 – What a healthy monthly ad budget looks like for law firms 43:15 – The two most important fixes every firm should make immediately About the Show: Legal Marketing Happy Hour is a podcast dedicated to helping law firms grow smarter, faster, and more profitably. Hosted by Elisza Lambert, the show features tactical insights and candid conversations with industry leaders on the strategies that drive results in today's legal marketing landscape.  

Episode Summary: In this episode of Legal Marketing Happy Hour, host Jim Hayes, Chief Revenue Officer at Above the Bar Marketing, talks about one of the most significant shifts in Google Search—AI Overviews (AIO). Jim explains how these AI-generated summaries are changing the way potential clients find law firms online, the differences between AIO and traditional search results, and why high-quality, multi-platform content is now more important than ever. The conversation covers practical tips for improving visibility, the risks of misinformation, and how law firms can use AI tools strategically without compromising ethical obligations. Key Timestamps: 00:01 – Show introduction and topic overview 01:10 – What Google AI Overviews are and when they launched 02:44 – How AI Overviews differ from map pack and traditional search results 04:19 – Why some firms appear in AI Overviews while others do not 05:00 – Impact on local versus multi-location firms 06:31 – Key content signals Google uses for AI Overviews 08:00 – Why content distribution matters as much as content creation 10:00 – Risks of misinformation and ethical concerns for law firms 11:25 – Tactical advice for staying ahead of AI-driven search changes 14:09 – Closing thoughts and humor about AI impersonation About the Show: Legal Marketing Happy Hour delivers actionable strategies for law firms to grow smarter, faster, and more profitably in a changing digital landscape. Hosted by expert Jim Hayes, each episode provides insights into marketing trends, technology shifts, and the tools law firms need to compete online.  

Legal Marketing Happy Hour welcomes Heather Olson of Olson Law LLC to discuss building a winning law firm intake process. Learn why a strong intake is crucial for conversions and avoid common pitfalls. Discover actionable tips to optimize your client's first impression and fuel your firm's growth.

Want to dominate your local legal market? The latest Legal Marketing Happy Hour podcast dives into local SEO, revealing how consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) data is your secret weapon and how Lawyer Service Ads (LSAs) can supercharge your client attraction. Tune in to learn how these tactics can make your firm the go-to choice in your area. For more information, reach out to us at info@abovethebarmarketing.com

This episode of Legal Marketing Happy Hour discusses how poor SEO hurts law firm visibility and lead generation, emphasizing attorneys' need to understand basic SEO and build strong relationships with SEO specialists. Open communication, realistic expectations, and ROI measurement are key to successful SEO. For more information, reach out to us at info@abovethebarmarketing.com

This episode of Legal Marketing Happy Hour explores the crucial role of Google Business Profiles in local SEO. Learn how to optimize your profile with accurate information, engage with customers through reviews and social media, and navigate potential suspension issues. For more information, reach out to us at info@abovethebarmarketing.com

This episode of Legal Marketing Happy Hour features employment lawyer Muneeb M. Ahmad, who discusses his career path and the challenges faced by employees who witness workplace misconduct. Ahmad emphasizes the importance of proper workplace policies and procedures, and the effective use of PR. For more information, reach out to us at info@abovethebarmarketing.com

This episode of Legal Marketing Happy Hour covers the importance of lawyer well-being for client success. It explores how a well-rested and empathetic lawyer can handle complex cases, reduce errors, and build strong client relationships. For more information, reach out to us at info@abovethebarmarketing.com

PPC advertising is a powerful tool for lawyers to generate high-quality leads and grow their practice. In this podcast, we discuss how PPC advertising can be used to reach potential clients who are actively searching for legal services. We also introduce Rich White, a PPC advertising specialist for law firms, who will share his insights on how to create successful PPC campaigns. For more information, reach out to us at info@abovethebarmarketing.com

This Legal Marketing Happy Hour episode focuses on the importance of storytelling in criminal defense, featuring Attorney Jessa Nicholson Goetz, discussing why storytelling is crucial in connecting with juries and humanizing defendants. It also discusses using storytelling for marketing a criminal defense firm. For more information, reach out to us at info@abovethebarmarketing.com

Tired of feeling like your marketing dollars are disappearing? This Legal Marketing Happy Hour episode exposes common marketing scams, from hidden fees to false promises. Learn how to protect your business and choose the right marketing partner. For more information, reach out to us at info@abovethebarmarketing.com 

NAMWOLF, the National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms, is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. This podcast features an interview with Leslie Davis, CEO of NAMWOLF, who discusses the organization's mission, initiatives, and how it empowers its members to succeed. We also explore the importance of digital marketing and networking in building a successful law firm. For more information, reach out to us at info@abovethebarmarketing.com 

Join us for a special episode of Legal Marketing Happy Hour where we discuss the importance of HR in building a strong law firm brand. Our guest, Julie Sumner, shares tips on creating a positive culture, attracting top talent, and enhancing client satisfaction. We'll cover strategies for effective HR practices and address common challenges faced by small law firms. Don't miss this informative episode that will help elevate your law firm's brand and attract more clients. For more information, reach out to us at info@abovethebarmarketing.com 

This Legal Marketing Happy Hour episode will feature Aaron Nelson, a criminal defense attorney who handles high-profile cases. We'll discuss his strategies for managing public relations, leveraging marketing opportunities, and navigating the emotional toll of the case. For more information, reach out to us at info@abovethebarmarketing.com 

The podcast discusses legal marketing strategies, specifically focusing on SEO. The hosts, Jim Hayes and Lindsay, interview Steven Wilson, SEO expert. They discuss the importance of keyword research, on-page optimization, and backlink building for law firms. Steven emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to SEO, combining technical optimization with client-focused content. For more information, reach out to us at info@abovethebarmarketing.com 

On this episode of Legal Marketing Happy Hour, Lindsay and Jim emphasize the significance of claiming and optimizing a Google My Business (GMB) profile for lawyers. This profile is essential for local SEO and helps potential clients find your firm.

Jim sits down with Ted Debettencourt, founder of Juvo Leads, to discuss the power of digital marketing for law firms. Ted shares his expertise on generating high-quality leads, providing actionable tips, and real-world examples of successful campaigns. With this episode of Legal Marketing Happy Hour, you will gain valuable insights into enhancing an online presence, attracting new clients, and driving law firm growth through effective digital marketing strategies.

Lindsay and Jim chat about the different strategies that are beneficial for marketing a law firm.

This episode of Legal Marketing Happy Hour, "Beating the Billable Hour Blues," discusses the challenges that lawyers face in managing stress and keeping their well-being in mind. Attorney Bradley Tengler discusses the importance of work-life balance and de-stressing activities for lawyers.

On this episode of Legal Marketing Happy Hour, we chat about how to be a successful lawyer by going beyond just law school with Attorney Matt Mollica. We'll cover joining professional associations, attending conferences to stay up-to-date, and using online networks to connect with other lawyers. The episode will also explore the importance of giving back to the community through pro bono work and leveraging alumni connections. Questions? Email us at info@abovethebarmarketing.com

This episode of Legal Marketing Happy Hour features a conversation between Jim Hayes, Lindsay, and Chris Nelson, Senior Manager of Vertical Marketing at CallRail. The episode delves into the importance of call tracking and lead intelligence for law firms. Chris, with his legal and marketing background, provides insights into the unique challenges faced by law firms in client acquisition. The discussion covers the benefits of call tracking, form tracking, and conversation intelligence, emphasizing how these tools can help law firms improve efficiency, client experience, and overall business growth.

Legal Marketing Happy Hour welcomes attorney Lauren Underwood to discuss the crucial role of setting expectations in legal practice. The episode delves into managing client expectations, the importance of clear communication within the legal team, and strategies for navigating challenging client interactions. Attorney Underwood shares personal experiences and practical advice, emphasizing the significance of empathy, transparency, and effective communication in building strong client relationships.

Criminal and Immigration Attorney Andrew Stacer joins Lindsay and Jim on Legal Marketing Happy Hour to discuss finding your niche as a solo attorney. 

This Legal Marketing Happy Hour episode dives into the evolution of digital marketing! Hosts Lindsay and Jim chat with criminal attorney Christopher Van Wagner about how the legal landscape has transformed from Yellow Pages to social media. Listeners will hear about the challenges and opportunities of the digital age, along with a glimpse into the future of legal marketing with a touch of humor.

This legal marketing podcast explores how criminal defense lawyers adapt to evolving technology (digital forensics, social media) and legal changes. Special guests, Attorneys Aneeq Ahmad and Mindy Nolan, discuss these challenges and their impact on defense strategies, with a look towards the future of criminal justice.

Potential clients trust their peers! In this episode, legal marketing gurus discuss how to leverage online reviews to build trust, attract new clients, and boost your law firm's credibility.

Is your law firm considering a name change? Don't dive in without a plan! In this episode, legal marketing experts break down the key steps to ensure a smooth transition, minimizing disruption to your brand and clients.

Welcome to Legal Marketing Happy Hour, the podcast where marketing meets the law in a laid-back setting! Join us weekly as seasoned marketers, Lindsay and Jim, sit down with attorneys to discuss innovative strategies for boosting their legal practices. From social media tactics to client engagement, each episode delves into practical tips and real-world experiences, all served up with a side of humor and (a good martini?). Tune in and discover how to unleash the full potential of your legal marketing game!