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Finding GOOD ATTORNEYS Who Are Also GOOD PEOPLE | Bourbon of Proof vs. Brandon Herlihy

34m 32s

Finding GOOD ATTORNEYS Who Are Also GOOD PEOPLE | Bourbon of Proof vs. Brandon Herlihy

The transcription captures a lively, informal interview on the "Bourbon Approved" podcast, hosted by a group of legal professionals. The guest Brandon is described as a quiet but highly effective dealmaker at conferences, known for his cool sneakers and ability to connect people. He leads Lofty, a legal technology company that partners with law firms through a unique co-investment model, co-branding and sharing risk rather than simply selling leads. This approach fosters deep partnerships, as evidenced by Maro, an attorney who has worked hundreds of cases with Lofty after a chance lunch meeting. Personal moments include a toast to Brandon’s late dog Zuzu and a humorous story about a Ryder Cup parking arrangement that almost went awry. The conversation also highlights Maro’s skill in handling rejected cases and Ryan Rinella’s reputation as a master connector. The episode blends professional insights with lighthearted banter, including bourbon tastings where Ryan’s homemade “Back Nine Bourbon” is playfully mocked as terrible. Overall, the episode emphasizes the value of authentic relationships and aligned business models in the legal industry.

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It's so exciting to be in this space right now. Coming to this has been life-changing to me. You're always the quietest guy at these conferences. He's at everyone with really cool shoes on, but it's always just like Mickey deals on the corner, quietly whispering. You guys are with the pioneers in the space to discover the ability to partner with the best law firms and do it with a different way or model. You actually take the intentional step to make sure I'm taking it to the best law firm to make sure that they get the best result. (upbeat music) Welcome to the "Sephosota" bourbon approved where we interview those who have both been successful at law and life. We're coming to you live from New York City, the Anchorman interview, the man of the hour, the man of the decade, the century of the minutes. Brennan, let's give a round of applause. Let's get it, it's Nosell. Yeah, yeah. That was it. I mean, expect it a little bit more. That's it, we're done. We're done. Appreciate it. And his faithful sidekick, Joe Boo. No. Hi. Brian Rennell, who's been mentioned so many times over the bourbon approved episodes, by the way, watch "Adams" from Open Jars. It was quite magic to hear Maro DeGrade, you as a human being, Ryan. Well, I can't get this off sale. Can't get this off sale. No. I said, this son of a bitch, I've no idea what he does. I still don't. Smother f**kers under the table. Of course, our co-hosts, Maro Fiori Juni, straight from Hollywood. They're from Hollywood. Hello, all. Hello, hello, hello. So we always save the people we know the best for last, because we could do it hammered. And we may not remember doing the episode, but it will create magic. So thank you for being known enough by us to do you drunk. We'll do you drunk. Oh, we need a bourbon pour. So will bourbon, steward, will please report to the front desk? What are we going to do here? We got to start with mine. This is a good one. All right. So this is two bitches bourbon. This is going to be more appropriate. Coming out in Nevada. So it's a husband and wife. And they were-- the wife was out on her bridal shower. And the husband took the dogs out on a fishing trip. And one of them ran to the desert and was never seen again. It was the wife's dog of 10 years. She was devastated. While they were trying to search for the dog online, they found two puppies that had been abandoned and found in the exact same desert. So they of course adopted both of those. And hence was born two bitches bourbon. So that's the saddest part of the dog. Where the red fern grows, sad of dog births? And no. I love that book when I was in like fifth grade. It's so funny. That was when I liked-- so the reason that I brought this from home. And I bought this especially for you, knowing that you would be here. Not only it was-- I'm a second bitch. No. Brandon, can you tell everybody the name of your dog? What's your dog's name? My dog, Zuzu. Yeah. Yeah. My dog, Zuzu, that passed. This guy was right there to support me. I appreciate it. Zuzu. You have to N-T-L. Yeah. Zuzu's pedals, man. It's a wonderful life. That's movie you've never seen. Zuzu pedals was from Ford Fairling. Wow. Also Ford Fairling. That was Andrew Dice Clay's girlfriend in Ford Fairling. No. Zuzu Jimmy Stewart's daughter, that it wasn't-- that we were going off of. Ford Fairling, a very underrated 80s flick. If you haven't seen it. I have so much respect how you manage this shit. Continue. So really quick. We're at N-T-L. We're at this conference. I love making introductions to different people. I set him up with, I guess, who's the president of AJ at that time. I think it was a good meeting for you guys to have. And I find out that I need to leave early to go put my dog down. Oh, my god. And the first person I see is a guy from Kentucky, the other attorney. And he's like, sometimes you get to put a dog down. This man was so supportive. But-- Yeah, I can't believe you remember that. First time it-- well, we spent time together was-- I was going to try to make you cry, and it worked. So we started-- It started close. You got to go. Start with a poor little tear, say to you guys. Here's to Zuzu. To Zuzu. It's a lunch. Morning. Get us-- I also want to mention that my current dog, the dog that my family went out and got me knowing that I needed a dog, is named Ryan. There it is. So we have your two bitches. You're Ryan and your dog. I'm named my next dog, Ryan. If we get a trend where people sort of name their dog, Ryan, I'm going to be really upset. Or really happy. So I mean, Brandon, you're from Long Island. Born and raised, we learn we have some mutual friends when you grew up. But you're always the quietest guy at these conferences. He said everyone with really cool shoes on. But it's always just like making deals in the corner, quietly whispering, sitting with his legs crossed by a fireplace, being ready to just be engaged. So where to go? That's how I vision you. I love that so much. I mean, you never know when someone's taking a photo off of you. But your intro, as we came in, was so strong, so great. And it was overcompensating for the intro as we were coming into bourbon approved. Let's talk about this killer trial lawyer. Let's talk about this leader in the community. Let's talk about this leader in the space. He best radio guy out there. And we have Brandon. He goes to conferences. He wears sneakers. And he's pretty chill. That was the intro I got on that. You know, to me, since he's from Long Island, I went to the Ryder Cup as I'm a diehard golf fan. And went to the Ryder Cup. And so I called up Brandon. I was like, hey, do you have any hookup for the Ryder Cup? And he's like, well, I happen to have a friend of a friend who lives across the street from Beth Page Black, the golf course. And maybe I can hook up where you can park there at his house. And we walk literally across the street from the entrance. People were parking like 20 miles away taking shuttles. So, and this is on a Saturday morning. And I'm like, I told Renna said, I think this-- and there was no Renna cars. Me and Brandon rented a 15 passenger van. Good parking was ordered to get the tickets. So we get there. And I'm like, this is the fucking house, man. And it's like seven in the morning on a Saturday. And I knocked on the door like three or four times and finally like some typical Long Island fucking guy open door. What the fuck? I was like, what? Sorry, man. What did you ring the doorbell? I was like, Brandon said, you were OK with us parking here. Who the fuck is Brandon? I was like, um-- It was a connection through my wife, thank you. My friend. And he's like, oh, wait a minute. That's my wife's friends, whatever. It's fine. Park there. [BEEP] I was like, thanks, man. No problem. But yeah, I mean, the guy almost was ready to like, [BEEP] and shoot us, I think, they got. But thanks for the hook up. It was-- And that's the thing about Brandon's the most well-connected guy that will just be able to take a few texts or like-- it's like a creditability check. I always ask him, like, what do you think about these five people? And he'll give me the real stuff, right? I mean, we know who the real the real is. But also, the thing I love about you guys the most is the content you guys put out, the commercials for lofty is some of the funniest [BEEP] shit of all time. I don't know if nobody gives it the justice that it deserves. Like, it is so goddamn funny. Have you been a victim of assault for saying you live in Long Island? Good. Get out. Come on. You cannot live in Long Island. You live on Long Island. This is not a debate, all right? This is open and shut. You go into the city, you go on Long Island. It's just so simple, simple. How obvious is it that you grew up in Connecticut? [BEEP] You got shut down from Instagram. You got shut down from Instagram? Yeah, Thomas and Tucci is no more. Why? They just removed it. If you go to do a fake law firm where you say ridiculous things, don't do it under a business account. It also didn't drive enough cases, but still. Really? Tommy Tucci's got shut down. It's done. What is it? What is it called? It's retired. Tommy, who? Thomas and Tucci. Thomas and Tucci? Thomas and Tucci? Who's that? It was him and Thomas, the Tucci. And it was funny as commercials. I never saw it. I'll show you the ones that didn't make it on. They're the best ones. And you're at Lofty and Lofty's law firm technology company. I mean, the idea is if you can partner with the best law firms across the country to do justice by the clients, that's what you do. We've worked with Lofty. Our law firm, Maro's worked with Lofty. A lot of folks in this room probably-- From Burman of Proof is how I met Brandon. We've had a hell of a run with Lofty. But you guys met each other for the group? I met him eating lunch at Burman of Proof. He happened to sit right across from me. We were at some hamburger place, right? And I had no idea who this guy was. Me know I'll talk to anybody. I was like, so, hey, why are you here? Why are you here? And he's like, oh, well, you know. And he's kind of like Rinella, where you can't really-- he's not a real sales guy, you know what I mean? You got to pull it out of him. And I'm good at that because he's not-- Oh, I do this law firm. And we refer-- he's like, oh, well, I said, [BLEEP] man, what the [BLEEP] do you do already? He doesn't need you. Yes, this is an example of someone who does not need your business. So I pulled it out of him. And he-- I was like, well, if you're so lucky to work with Lofty, if you ever have the aspiration. And I was like, well, do you work with people in California? [BLANK_AUDIO] Yeah, I got this guy, that guy's like, I was like, how about Washington City? He's like, I've been looking for someone in Washington. I said, you found him. I practiced in Washington as well as California. And he's like, no way. And from that day forward, we've done hundreds of cases in Washington, literally hundreds from that lunch meeting at some burger place. - What a put out there. Moro is just a fantastic attorney. I know everyone knows this, but I think it needs to be reiterated. - Thank you. - A firm, Moro himself, fantastic attorney. Anything we've driven, often there's a lot of warts of these cases, right? - Oh, yes. - For doing a lot of response. He finds this stuff and handles the thing. So many people would have thrown away. - Turned it down. - Yeah. - Turned it down, not dug into. - Well, yeah, I hope I-- - I hope I-- - I hope the last case, but-- - Yeah, I mean-- - That was a great result. - My whole career has been, has been off rejects from other firms. They don't, I've never been lucky enough to have the easy stuff. I've always got the difficult cases, but that's-- - That was life. - That was life, exactly. - Well, with Lofty, you know how you go through, the case comes in, there's intake, and then there's chain of command at the law firm. It's like it goes this person first, this person, and like, I'm the last person, same with you. Like I'm the last one that picks up, and sometimes I look at this random call and it'll say, "I saved a Delofty." I'm like, "If they're calling me, I'm pissed." Because it means it's six other people. But he takes the call. I see him take the call. - I know it, was a good-- - No, I get it. - I know it's Lofty when it says "Walsh" in DC on my (beep) call or idea. I was like, (beep) it's a Lofty call. So I have to take it. It doesn't matter where I'm at. I take it, but it says DC. - So I will say, one of the huge benefits, what you're saying, I'm turning people down or not bringing up what I'm doing, is the fact that we had a model that was very different from what was out in the space, right? So normal direct response, and there's some amazing markers in this room, and of course, in the space. But normally, it's, hey, they're gonna take 20% off the top, 15% off the top. For us, everything's been in a line in an interest, right? So we're gonna co-invest with our firm on the traditional side, and we're going to be in this together. You're gonna hold me accountable, I'm gonna hold you accountable, I'm gonna look at your answer rate. - That's why I know Moro's so good. They pick up the phone, even if it gets to you. We've been very lucky where that's worked out so well that we've been putting a position to start brand building. So we're in New York right now. If you go in Times Square, you're gonna see lofty all over. Let's us, diversify beyond just like PPC. Not be so beholden to Google. You go on the subway, you're gonna see us. - But that alignment is so nice. - It's a partnership. - You are a partner with that law firm. You don't, it's not like somebody else that's selling leads. You are a partner with that law firm. You do it together, you co-brand it, and you do it the right way. It's different than what other people are putting out there. - All right, so I have to say something. I know we're just buddies, two bitches. I worked with him at my first firm. He is absolutely right about how on top of, they are with you. It works, and if you're in that network, I am, and I, one is a great dude, but they work back and forth, and that is what happens when, how do I say this? I'm so nervous. - He's very clamped. - I love how it's like Brandon's not a sales guy. It's become a big bitch. - Look at that, look at that. Look, look, man, you nervous now, it's we're getting a poltergeist. Poltergeist. - This couldn't have happened more, yeah, that tracks. They are so good at managing what they send to you, to make sure you manage it correctly. That's how it works. It's not just leads and stupid shit that just comes in. They are on you, and I had to have meeting with this CEO today. - And like, so for you to, they don't know Ryan Rinalda. Ryan's a master connector in the space, lives in Texas outside of Dallas, but he's also LA Roots, so he's a guy that's a Mav's fan, but a Dodgers fan. - Not anymore. - And I've literally seen Mar, Ryan loses shirt tomorrow on golf, even though he claims to be very good at it. - I do have video of this, so in case he asks me for video and photos of him, he can't, he just, he could not believe I'll go to a golf or morons. - He's not in my league, man. What do you want from him? - I was trying to be very sincere about his business model, and now you guys gotta bring him my golf. - Let's go. - Okay, you know, this is the last episode, we're making it fun. - So, Rinalda's how we met. And it's actually one of, all right, I have a little beef with you on this. - Oh, that's beef it. Can we do it over a poor? Can we get this gentleman a glass, somebody who had on the bar, because we have Todd from Lofty, so Todd Rickheimer, he's a lawyer, your wife's a lawyer too. And she does also, she does great educational content that I love on social media, you guys are partners together. But you're gonna come up from this guest floor because Rinalda, he made his own special, but we heard Will, who did his own one that he did with Garrison Brothers, there's only 36 in the world, he literally poured the juice, and I'm gonna put it on video. - This is from Rinalda. - Will, promise me a bottle of that 36 bottle. - This is big too, 'cause like nobody sees the wizard, not nobody, not know how. - Are you allowed to be on the show? - Are you allowed to be on camera? - This is a special, special occasion. - I don't do it often. - Yeah, I'm the face, you get to go out there and have fun with everybody. This is the guy that actually works, it's perfect. It's a really good thing. - You know that I have a sign outside the dorm office that's like eight feet long and like a foot wide that says nobody sees the wizard, not nobody, not know how, I have it in my office. (laughing) It's outside the dorm office. - Three of them, I like that. - Hey, this is Bob Simon to host a bourbon of proof. This tour we couldn't do without our sponsors. Even up is an artificial intelligence platform that automates a lot of the mundane tasks that lawyers and law firm staff do from demand letters to running playbooks, to opening up claims or in police reports and doing those so you can spend more quality time with your clients in the courtroom or in their living room. We also have attorney's share. Attorney's share is a product to be able to have lawyers find more cases in their wheelhouse to help clients without having to have the market spend that's out there and also tracking all of your referrals in one place. It integrates with all the major. Case management platforms, it allows lawyers to really better serve their clients and also refer out clients and other jurisdictions and practice areas and be able to monetize all of that goodwill that they put in. Our other sponsors, Justice HQ, Justice HQ, is a mobile app bringing together all the community in the legal field. From vendors to staff to paroligos, they have own masterminds, they have our podcasts are on there, other lawyers podcasts are on there. On demand education, every event in the industry and you have direct access to the best of the best. And of course, coastal research helps all of us injury lawyers find out the insurance limits through investigation, that's on the other side. Whether you know it or not, they're not required to in many states to tell you how much insurance is for the person that catastrophically harmed your clients. But coastal research is able to do it very quickly and efficiently for you to have an actual technology platform that's so easy to use and pushes the data back and forth. We only let people sponsor the show if we use their products and believe in them. I'd like to call bullshit, but he always has. No, it's-- I probably haven't picked your oven. So this is from Ryan. So for my 40th birthday, my wife bought me a barrel. I bourbon, it's called back nine bourbon. I was very excited about it. And I would like you guys to taste the first rendition of it. So what we're doing this one without ice to appreciate the true beauty is-- You really got to appreciate the notes. Maybe the lymph nodes. And that-- I would colorings what Apple's-- Well, tell us about this. It has like the-- I see that the Texas flag. I almost got like an Augusta look to it with a pin in it. Well, it's called back nine bourbon. Back nine. There's my office. You see that sign outside the door of my office? It has to be great time. That thing's eight feet long. That's what she said. Whoa, whoa, whoa, too far on this block. We got close. Who are we talking about? All right, so tell us about this whiskey Ryan that you mean. I made my own mash. I model after antique 107. And let's just say this, guys. Cheers. This is the first rendition. Cheers. All right. That's a worse fucking bourbon on the planet. I mean, it's OK. You guys are a lot of-- What? Ryan, it's really good. No, you didn't pass my litmus test? It's really excellent. That's the really good one because he tasted it and he goes, oh, shit, that's bad. I would have to do this. It looks like ice tea. Black lamb, it's come. Back nine bourbon by black lamb. That's the real bourbon. We don't even have to get into that. It tastes a little foggy. It's awful. I don't know why. Stick to golf. OK. Let's see. Now this one's better. This one's better. This one's the real one. So what is this crap? I know. Is anybody else really confused about what we're just trying? Yeah. Why did you give us the shitty stuff first? Because you know what? I thought it'd be really funny if we tasted my shit bourbon. You know what? It's the afterburn that's the worst. It's so bad. Most of Ryan's stories start with, I thought it was going to be really funny. And then the end. That's so fair. I thought it was going to be really funny, but it [BLEEP] bombed. Well, what do we do on national television? Now this is not bad. This is not bad. Cheers, guys. That is awful. It took them some-- The first for the practical. All right. That one's better. And that's the one you guys have two bottles sitting in Seve's living room. That's good. That one's good. I like that. >> Where's the brand? >> It's not really high proof, but it's good. >> He has something fun for me. >> No, it's not a high proof. >> Yeah, so I mean, congrats to you guys. I mean, I saw the thing in, they call it Times Square when they're, >> Yeah, yeah. >> So that's recent. >> Yeah, it's been fun. >> It's been fun for me. >> We've come out from behind the curtain. >> So we talked about this so much. >> More than any Bob's. >> And of course Todd, it's so exciting to be in this space right now. There's so much opportunity. I feel like we're at a forefront. All of us at this table, many in this room, but it's very exciting. In comparison, what I was doing prior, I saw a large scale retirement plans. Boring is how, coming to this has been life changing to me. It's been nine years that we've been, >> Feel like one. >> And I couldn't be happier. >> And you know, Bob, I think I told you we're going in now to Oregon with Lafitte. >> If you're in legal, and Lafitte are joining up in Oregon, we're taking over the Pacific Northwest. >> Total world domination. >> World domination. Are you going to go with the beavers or the ducks in Oregon? >> I'm definitely a beavers fan. >> There you go. That's. >> We might sponsor the beavers. >> Yes. >> Why not? >> I'm looking here right now. >> The. >> The. >> The. >> The. >> The. >> The. >> I like that a lot actually. >> It's a great. >> I like it a lot. >> It works. >> And they yes. >> So let me go into my beavers. This is very light, but future episodes of Berman Approve. So I was saying how we met and it was through an hour. >> You introduced me to you. We had a conversation. You were nice enough to invite me to the Kentucky Berman Approve OG one. >> Best event I've ever been to. >> Bus one forever. >> Yeah, we were on the same bus. >> We're on the same bus. >> Two bus one rules. >> I slept on that. >> You weren't on that bus. What bus were you on? >> I told him do not miss this event. I cannot go. >> You weren't there. >> And I wasn't there for the original CLI bus trip. I was over the second one. >> He was on a national and I have very cute photos of the two of them. It Jack Daniels. >> All right, so back to Brandon's story. >> So. >> So then. >> Look, man, we'll go all night. But one of my favorite things is I listen to all these episodes, right? So I want to know who's in the space, what they're doing, how they're coming off. Also, I know if they're being, you know, if they're bullshitting or not. Because they'll say one thing, I kind of know another thing. But you were talking to one of my buddies from the southeast in the largest firm in the southeast. He's number two in command. And you guys, Mitri, and you guys talk for 10 minutes on how you guys met each other. And I said, for the love of God, just say my name. I grabbed it by the wrist, walked you over to a- >> For shit that was in Utah. >> Yes, and it's still only, Mitri walks up, is like, finally, you're introducing me to somebody of value. Like, I remember like it was yesterday. You guys spent so much time on it that it felt personal. Like it felt like you were doing this. >> Okay, let me give this is why I'm going to tell you why. Because I had that memory. >> By all by all means. >> By all means, here's why. >> Yeah, yeah. >> So, yes, it was burned for my brain because Brandon was wearing this bright red dose of notches, sneakers I've ever seen in my life. And he's a big sneaker and I remember vividly, it was like a core memory. And then he dragged me over to Mitri and I was like in a fog of war. Because I was so not enamored. And I actually love all of your sneakers. I mean, the ones you had on yesterday are amazing. These are amazing. Those bright red ones, not. >> Brandon, make it happen. This is a good time. >> Oh, look at this. >> I've already sent him for your birthday. >> Brandon sent me some beautiful- >> Kobe's for my birthday. >> So, I'm only one and one that put him back in the box. >> When the Kobe's came out though, they were still in the playoffs. So, these are really unbelievable. >> All right. >> These are the Wu Tang. >> These are Wu Tangs. >> Oh, bro, these are- Look, I mean, you know what, Bob, I think this calls for a bonus for Will. Do you have that sneaker? Where is Will? >> We got this. >> We got the two exos, sneaker one. Who can go over, who can talk about the Wu Tang? >> There is a, the two that goes face kill and spectate deck right upon the chef. >> He can. >> Bethanban, Red Man, old dirty bastard. >> Will, do you have that sneaker bourbon that won the sneaker? >> Yeah, I have some sneaker bourbon. >> I have a kind of logic complaint here, Moral. I got a complaint. I have been partnered with Brandon here for about 10 years. >> He never gave you a sneaker. >> I have never gotten a pair of sneakers. >> He sent me some beautiful Kobe's. >> I see, you know. >> I'm waiting for a pair of sneakers. >> What really? >> And as well. >> As well, I'm waiting for a certain evaluation. >> You have something in your pocket. So as we get the last four of the night. >> Sneaker, the sneaker bourbon. >> Last four of the night. >> Moral, I had, you know, we have these bronze. >> Brando. >> Look at his brand, look. >> I made a, >> Wow, wow. >> It's awesome. >> The sneaker head blan. >> Sneaker head blan. So this is the last four for you. I made an extra stamper, a bronze stamper that is in this bag of holding that is in Brando's pocket. >> And it is for Moral specifically. It's a secret stamper for your eyes. >> God. >> I can't imagine what it says. >> No, go ahead and push, push on it, push on it. >> Is it a beaver? >> It looks like me sleeping. >> It is in fact him sleeping. So this was supposed to be, I was supposed to stamp it as he fell asleep on the last and final episode. It did not happen. But that is the sleepy wookie stamper, Moral. >> I love it. >> I love it. >> I love it. >> The sleepy wookie. >> I love it. >> And this is really good, the sneaker head blan. We had it earlier. >> The street lawyers, the sneakers and street justice. >> And thank you for the co-beast. Maybe one day you'll buy some for your partner. >> Like I said, waiting on a particular evaluation. >> Once it's hit. >> So I feel like I have to pay you back off of this. >> I appreciate that. >> I met Brandon five years ago in Vegas. >> That's really good. >> He had a pair of sneakers on and I was just getting into the sneaker things, which clearly now based on this outfit, I'm out. He goes, I like your sneakers, I go, where did you get those? He goes, oh, I have a slack channel. >> Slack channel for sneakers? >> He has a sneaker slack channel. >> So I had a bot that would let me purchase sneakers before they got out to everybody else. >> So just so you know, we're all talking about AI. He's been doing it for years, for shoes. >> And by the way, Bob, my wife is very happy I'm giving these to you. Like as Nelly would say, I need two pars. She's like, you do not need two pairs of sneakers. So this is my second pair. This is my stock. I rock the others, rocking stock. >> I'm going to wear these tonight, the venue will let me in. But as Nelly said, got two pairs, but those are Air Force ones, but I really appreciate the Jordan ones. >> Of course. >> These are fantastic. >> Thank you for you guys both, that was amazing. >> I mean, so what we have taught here, you guys are in the, you guys are with the pioneers in the space that discover the ability to partner with the best law firms and do it with a different way or model. Now you see a lot of other people that are trying to replicate that. How far, you guys are much further ahead because you've been doing along with you've seen the T-Leaves, you use a lot more data, AI intelligence. So where are we going and how are you so far ahead? >> No, I appreciate it. It is nuts where this industry is right now. The way I describe it though is I do think the headwind is the opportunity. Right? I mean, you got regulatory change, you've got AI. Those two things colliding in the amount of money coming into the space. But I do think it comes back to analytics, right? I mean, I think that's our competitive advantage. But it's like paying attention to what happens to these cases once they get signed. And here's the most important piece of my mind is like, what happens to a client? Right? With all this money coming into the industry, let's focus on the client, right? And make sure that they get good results. And that's what we're after, right? What I've noticed is if you actually take the intentional step to make sure you have so much data to say, I'm taking it to the best law firm to make sure that they get the best result. Some people do it differently, where they will just sell any lead to any law firm. >> Yeah. >> And not care about the end result. You guys do it backwards. >> Yeah. >> That was the whole sort of nexus of the idea at the beginning was like, a line hour interest with the firms that we partner with. Right? And what was interesting when we came into the space 12 years ago, people were just getting burned left and right by marketing agencies. And just saying, look, we'll put skin in the game, really resonated. And I think Brandon and I both agree that we want to stay true to that. True to aligning interest with the attorneys we work with. Working with good attorneys, that are not only good attorneys, but good people. And we're going to get the best results for the people we represent. >> Yeah, it's top down. Client first, we all make a bunch of money. It's a positive thing. >> The key is that you guys align with intake. >> Yeah. >> What? >> You could do all the best marketing in the world if you're in TickSucks. But you guys hammer in Tick hard. >> Andrew Parker. >> Yeah, it's like at my office when we get a gold star losty. >> Yeah. >> They gold star some of their leads. So I say, you f*****er see gold star, we're jumping how high? >> Was that last case gold star enough that you just saw? >> It was a gold star. >> Good, good. >> It's good stuff. >> We had always talked about when we first met in Miami that first time with Tad and Taut is high. Now we're able to, when you send it to a referral partner, a co-counsel, your co-counsel partner, for you to get automatically updated through all of the automations. It took us five f*** years, but we did it. So now if you're on my case or Cleo, if you send it to that user, it'll automatically update you. So now we're seeing firms. Send it to their co-counsel. If you send it tomorrow, he picks it up. You send it directly to him through intake. As soon as he changes the matter stage, you get updated every single way. So now this is like for me, my always vision was like, if you can send all the best cases, if you get him an organ, send him tomorrow and let him use technology to update you to make sure that you're giving access to justice for that client and getting the best result and tracking it all. And this is like, we are the most exciting times of our industry. I love that. And I love your focus on like technology and content. Like I think that those two things can buy this. I don't think people in this industry understand like the complexity of integrating those systems. And like the difficulty of getting good information about that, I joke with people. It's amazing when you could try and integrate systems in this space. You could go to five different firms and they all call a signed case something different. Yeah. Right? And then trying to integrate systems when they call it a signed case, the retained case, an active case. It's really a wild thing. So I think it's the side what a PNC is. What's that? It is everyone. It's like, all right, I said out of CFA retainer, can we just all just agree what it's called? Yeah. Tater. Look, my jokes are bombing tonight. I told you I didn't want to do this. Right. You know what I'm saying? I'm like, I'm like, you know, I'm going to weigh more substance than I ever thought. No, I'm just, I'm shocked for a long time. You know, I've been in practicing at 30 for 27 years, even though I look so young. No, you look at. Yes. That's what my wife says. I always tell my wife, I look young. She goes, you don't look young. You look older than you look older than you are. But I was, I claim I look young. But the three things that like at my office, what we have, the three things that we do at my office that I think most of the beautiful, the cutest look at these two back here. Yeah. I, I, I've been told I look like Leonardo DiCaprio. You know, I can get behind that. And I see it, you know, I look like a snow scenario in which anyone has met your wife and they're like, how'd you do it? Thanks, sir. Good. Thanks for your skills. But no, that's the three things. We have three things. How'd you do it? Three things every law firm has. You have to have good people, good process and good product. That's it. You can call it what you want. You can have good people in a good process. That's all you need. Those three piece is all you need. See OPP. Mm-hmm. Are you down with me? I was going to say it. I just knew he was going to do it. Sorry. I'm going to take it. I bombed earlier. Now I'm starting to catch. All right. So Brandon, Andy the episode we asked you, file you been on the original Burb and Approved tour of Legend and Lore. Now you get to tell everybody what's your favorite poor. I mean, it's got to be the sneaker one. That was fantastic. Sneaker head. So the 2XO. So this is one that Will brings every time. And it's a double oak. I mean, Will doesn't mess around. This is serious bourbon. This is a beautiful product. And we've been talking to the distiller here. It's, I mean, I had it for the first time we were in Charleston and bourbon approved tour. It's fantastic. This is a special poor. So Ryan Todd, Brandon, thank you for coming on this episode. We really appreciate. We drink together a lot. But it's the first time it was videotaped. Yeah, legally, legally. All right. Thank you. Appreciate it. Love you guys. I really hate all of you guys. [MUSIC PLAYING]

Podcast Summary

Key Points:

  1. Brandon is a quiet, well-connected figure at legal conferences who makes deals discreetly and is known for his cool shoes.
  2. Lofty, Brandon’s law firm technology company, partners with top law firms through a co-investment model rather than traditional lead generation, aligning interests for better case outcomes.
  3. The episode features personal stories, including a toast to Brandon’s late dog Zuzu and a humorous anecdote about a Ryder Cup parking arrangement.
  4. Moro is praised as a fantastic attorney who handles difficult cases often rejected by others, and Ryan Rinella is a master connector in the legal space.
  5. The show includes tastings of bourbons, including Ryan’s homemade “Back Nine Bourbon,” which is playfully criticized as awful.

Summary:

The transcription captures a lively, informal interview on the "Bourbon Approved" podcast, hosted by a group of legal professionals. The guest Brandon is described as a quiet but highly effective dealmaker at conferences, known for his cool sneakers and ability to connect people. He leads Lofty, a legal technology company that partners with law firms through a unique co-investment model, co-branding and sharing risk rather than simply selling leads.

This approach fosters deep partnerships, as evidenced by Maro, an attorney who has worked hundreds of cases with Lofty after a chance lunch meeting. Personal moments include a toast to Brandon’s late dog Zuzu and a humorous story about a Ryder Cup parking arrangement that almost went awry. The conversation also highlights Maro’s skill in handling rejected cases and Ryan Rinella’s reputation as a master connector.

The episode blends professional insights with lighthearted banter, including bourbon tastings where Ryan’s homemade “Back Nine Bourbon” is playfully mocked as terrible. Overall, the episode emphasizes the value of authentic relationships and aligned business models in the legal industry.

FAQs

Lofty co-invests with law firms on cases and aligns interests, rather than taking a percentage off the top. This creates a partnership where both sides are held accountable for results.

They met at a burger place during the Burman of Proof conference. Brandon sat across from Maro, and after learning about each other's work, they began collaborating on hundreds of cases in Washington.

A husband and wife lost their dog of 10 years during a fishing trip. While searching online, they found two abandoned puppies in the same desert, adopted them, and named their bourbon after the two dogs.

Brandon is known for quietly making deals and using his connections to help others, like arranging parking near Bethpage Black for the Ryder Cup through a friend of a friend.

The Instagram account for the fake law firm was shut down because it was a business account posting ridiculous content, and it didn't drive enough cases.

Lofty manages the intake process closely, co-invests with firms, and holds them accountable for answer rates. Partners like Maro take calls even when busy, ensuring thorough handling of cases.

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