In this powerful redo episode of the Lead Counsel Podcast, host Tom Tona sits down with Rilee Harrison, personal injury attorney at Cain Injury Lawyers in Oklahoma, to unpack the mindset, systems, and branding strategies that are helping him generate over 250 personal injury cases organically and build a scalable, client first law practice.

Rilee shares how failing the bar exam the first time became the defining moment of his career. Instead of quitting, he built discipline, structure, and a relentless work ethic that now drives his success in trial work, business development, and firm growth. This episode is a masterclass in resilience, law firm marketing, social media for lawyers, associate to partner growth, and how to align personal values with firm leadership.

If you are a personal injury lawyer, law firm owner, or ambitious associate looking to grow your book of business, build a referral network, or scale a modern law firm without sacrificing integrity, this episode is for you.

Key Highlights

• Overcoming adversity in the legal profession and how failing the bar exam shaped a winning mindset
• How Rilee generated more than 250 personal injury cases organically through social media and networking
• The difference between business to business marketing and consumer facing legal advertising
• How to use Twitter X, LinkedIn, and local bar involvement to build a national referral network
• Why authenticity and personal brand are critical for lawyers in a competitive market
• Building trust with law firm owners as an associate and positioning yourself for long term leadership
• How Cain Injury Lawyers is scaling with alignment on vision, mission, and core values
• The importance of putting clients first in every decision and how that fuels long term growth
• Practical advice for young lawyers navigating private equity consolidation, tort reform, and a changing legal landscape
• Books every trial lawyer and law firm owner should read to sharpen trial skills and business acumen

This conversation goes deep into the business of law, trial strategy, branding for lawyers, associate development, and law firm leadership. It is a must listen for anyone serious about building a high performance personal injury practice.

Rilee Harrison
Personal Injury Trial Attorney at Cain Law Office
Website: https://cainlaw-okc.com/
LinkedIn: Rilee Harrison
X: Barred and Bearded

Tom Tona
Founder & Managing Attorney, TonaLaw
Website: https://www.tonalaw.com
LinkedIn: Tom Tona
X: @NYPITrialGuy

This podcast is sponsored by TonaLaw.

TonaLaw is not just another law firm. They're defining what it means to fight for their clients. We get a lot of attorney referrals from across the country. We pay fee participation in all jurisdictions where it's permitted. We focus on integrity, innovation and relentless advocacy. TonalLaw is proving that the business of the law can scale without losing its heart. Do you want to see how a modern firm is built for impact and happy client referrals? Check out tonalaw.com mention again the Lead Counsel Podcast and I'm happy to get on the phone with you.

This episode of the Lead Counsel Podcast builds directly on the previous full length conversation with Patrick Wilson of Atticus, offering additional insights, reflections, and high impact takeaways for law firm owners who want to scale without losing control of their lives or their values.

Host Tom Tona continues the conversation with longtime friend and trusted law firm business coach Patrick Wilson, one of the longest standing coaches at Atticus. Together, they dive deeper into the real difference between coaching and consulting, why accountability is the missing ingredient for most law firms, and how personal injury lawyers are uniquely positioned to build powerful, profitable, and principled businesses.

This episode is especially valuable for personal injury lawyers, small firm owners, and entrepreneurial attorneys who feel stuck practicing law instead of running a business. Patrick explains why law school fails to prepare attorneys for business ownership, why most lawyers procrastinate on management and marketing, and how structured coaching creates urgency where there are no natural deadlines.

Listeners will hear a practical breakdown of why coaching works, how accountability drives action, and why business growth requires clarity around identity, passion, and talent. Patrick also shares his most recommended business books for attorneys at every stage and explains why principle based thinking beats trendy tactics and quick fixes.

This popcorn episode reinforces the themes from the previous episode with Patrick Wilson and expands on how law firm owners can move faster, make better decisions, and build sustainable practices that serve both clients and families.

Key Highlights

• The real difference between a coach and a consultant and why great advisors often do both
  
  
• Why accountability is the single biggest driver of growth for law firm owners
  
  
• How coaching fills the massive business education gap left by law school
  
  
• Why personal injury lawyers are the most entrepreneurial practice area
  
  
• How identity clarity leads to faster and higher quality business decisions
  
  
• Why most lawyers neglect marketing, hiring, and leadership until it hurts
  
  
• Patrick Wilson's top business book recommendations for attorneys
  
  
• How coaching improves not just law firms but marriages, parenting, and life outside the office
  
  Featured Guests:

  Patrick Wilson
  Sr. Management Consultant at Atticus
  Website: https://atticusadvantage.com/
  LinkedIn: Patrick Wilson
  Email Patrick: patrickw@atticusadvantage.com

  
  Tom Tona
  Founder & Managing Attorney, TonaLaw
  Website: https://www.tonalaw.com
  LinkedIn: Tom Tona
  X: @NYPITrialGuy

  This podcast is sponsored by TonaLaw.

  TonaLaw is not just another law firm. They're defining what it means to fight for their clients. We get a lot of attorney referrals from across the country. We pay fee participation in all jurisdictions where it's permitted. We focus on integrity, innovation and relentless advocacy. TonaLaw is proving that the business of the law can scale without losing its heart. Do you want to see how a modern firm is built for impact and happy client referrals? Check out tonalaw.com mention again the Lead Counsel Podcast and I'm happy to get on the phone with you.

In this high-impact episode of the Lead Counsel Podcast, host Tom Tona sits down with Oklahoma City personal injury lawyer Rilee Harrison—also known as "Barred and Bearded" on social media—to unpack the real formula behind modern legal marketing. From growing a loyal online following to generating over 250 cases organically without a single dollar spent on ads, Rilee shares a playbook for young lawyers, firm owners, and rainmakers alike.

Together, Tom and Rilee explore how authenticity, values, and consistency are the cornerstones of lasting success in today's competitive legal landscape. You'll hear why Rilee believes you can't afford not to market, how a drunk driving accident shifted his career path, and how his partnership at Cain Law grew from digital influence to community leadership.

This episode is a must-listen for lawyers looking to scale impact, align with mission-driven partners, or tap into referral-driven growth through smart personal branding.

• Rilee's journey from a bar exam setback to becoming one of the most referred lawyers in Oklahoma.

• The 3-platform social strategy that generated 250+ cases organically.

• Why your "why" matters: how life experiences fuel authentic legal marketing.

• The secret to consistent referral business and rainmaking without ads.

• How to blend traditional networking with digital visibility for national reach.

• Advice to young lawyers: master a skill, be indispensable, and don't chase fast success.

• Community-building wins: backpacks, coat drives, and creating meaningful local impact.

• Why core values—like "client first"—must be lived out, not posted on walls.

• The growing influence of private equity in legal, and what it means for young attorneys.

  Featured Guests:

  Rilee Harrison
  Personal Injury Trial Attorney at Cain Law Office
  Website: https://cainlaw-okc.com/
  LinkedIn: Rilee Harrison
  X: Barred and Bearded

  
  Tom Tona
  Founder & Managing Attorney, TonaLaw
  Website: https://www.tonalaw.com
  LinkedIn: Tom Tona
  X: @NYPITrialGuy

  This podcast is sponsored by TonaLaw.

  TonaLaw is not just another law firm. They're defining what it means to fight for their clients. We get a lot of attorney referrals from across the country. We pay fee participation in all jurisdictions where it's permitted. We focus on integrity, innovation and relentless advocacy. TonalLaw is proving that the business of the law can scale without losing its heart. Do you want to see how a modern firm is built for impact and happy client referrals? Check out tonalaw.com mention again the Lead Counsel Podcast and I'm happy to get on the phone with you.

In this powerhouse episode of the Lead Counsel Podcast, host Tom Tona, founder and managing attorney of TonaLaw, sits down with nationally recognized settlement planning expert Michelle Fuller, founder of the Michigan Law Center.

Michelle unpacks the critical yet often overlooked dangers that law firms face at the end of litigation—when settlement funds are distributed. Known for her expertise in special needs settlement planning, qualified settlement funds (QSFs), and public benefits protection, Michelle reveals how a poorly handled distribution can lead to liability landmines, client dissatisfaction, and even the unraveling of successful verdicts.

This conversation is a must-listen for plaintiff attorneys, trial lawyers, and law firm leaders handling catastrophic injury, mass tort, and medical malpractice cases.

• What is the "danger zone" post-verdict and why law firms must pay attention

• How to use Qualified Settlement Funds (QSFs) to protect clients and reduce tax burdens

• The real risk of placing settlement funds into your firm's IOLTA account

• How to prevent clients from losing government benefits such as Medicaid, SSI, and Section 8

• Strategies to avoid the "lottery effect" where clients mismanage lump sum payouts

• When and why to involve a settlement planner early in the litigation process

• How to properly handle Medicare Set-Asides (MSAs) and why they matter more than you think

• Why family members should not act as trustees in special needs situations

• The "ticking time bomb" every trial lawyer should know about when handling special needs settlements 🌐

• Tools to bulletproof your law firm from future liability

This episode arms you with actionable insights to protect both your firm and your clients, helping you scale your practice ethically, efficiently, and with impact.

Michele Fuller
Founder, Michigan Law Center.
Website:
Michigan Law Center, PLLC
The Architected Settlement Law Group

LinkedIn:
Michelle Fuller

Tom Tona
Founder & Managing Attorney, TonaLaw
Website: https://www.tonalaw.com
LinkedIn: Tom Tona
X: @NYPITrialGuy

This podcast is sponsored by TonaLaw.

TonaLaw is not just another law firm. They're defining what it means to fight for their clients. We get a lot of attorney referrals from across the country. We pay fee participation in all jurisdictions where it's permitted. We focus on integrity, innovation and relentless advocacy. TonalLaw is proving that the business of the law can scale without losing its heart. Do you want to see how a modern firm is built for impact and happy client referrals? Check out tonalaw.com mention again the Lead Counsel Podcast and I'm happy to get on the phone with you.

In this power-packed episode of the Lead Counsel Podcast, host Tom Tona sits down with Darren Wurz, certified financial planner, author of The Lawyer Millionaire, and founder of Lawyer Millionaire® Wealth Advisors. Together, they dive deep into financial strategies specifically designed for law firm owners, offering a roadmap to build lasting wealth, exit strategically, and secure long-term freedom.

Episode Highlights:

• Why law firm owners must think like CEOs to truly scale and grow wealth

• The truth about insurance: risk mitigation vs. wealth-building myths

• Index funds, tax-loss harvesting, and the mechanics of efficient investing

• Smart tax planning strategies for law firm owners, including Roth conversions and structured fee arrangements

• The realities of law firm succession and the danger of owner dependency

• How to start investing early, even with just $10K or less

• Personal financial philosophies from both Tom and Darren—practical, humble, and effective

• Real-life money stories from attorneys and what they can teach you about financial independence

Whether you're a solo practitioner just starting out or an established firm owner eyeing succession, this episode will give you actionable insight to enhance your financial life and law practice.

Darren Wurz
Founder of Lawyer Millionaire® Wealth Advisors
🌐 Lawyer Millionaire® Wealth Advisors
🔗 Monty Cain on LinkedIn
Book: The Lawyer Millionaire: The Complete Guide for Attorneys on Maximizing Wealth, Minimizing Taxes, and Retiring with Confidence
Podcast: The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast

Tom Tona
Founder & Managing Attorney, TonaLaw
🌐 www.tonalaw.com
🔗 Thomas Tona on LinkedIn
X: @NYPITrialGuy

This podcast is sponsored by TonaLaw.

TonaLaw is not just another law firm. They're defining what it means to fight for their clients. We get a lot of attorney referrals from across the country. We pay fee participation in all jurisdictions where it's permitted. We focus on integrity, innovation and relentless advocacy. TonalLaw is proving that the business of the law can scale without losing its heart. Do you want to see how a modern firm is built for impact and happy client referrals? Check out tonalaw.com mention again the Lead Counsel Podcast and I'm happy to get on the phone with you.

In this powerhouse episode of Lead Counsel, host Tom Tona, founder and managing attorney at TonaLaw, sits down with Monty Cain, founder of Cain Law Office in Oklahoma, for a deep dive into what it really takes to scale a personal injury law firm in today's hyper-competitive legal landscape.

Monty Cain's journey is anything but ordinary. Starting his legal career at age 36 and launching his own firm at 52, Monty has grown Cane Law from a one-assistant outfit to a thriving PI powerhouse with 12 attorneys and over 50 staff across three offices. He shares the pivotal moments and strategies that fueled this meteoric rise — from mastering brain injury litigation to redefining trucking law in Oklahoma through precedent-setting Supreme Court victories.

This episode covers:

• How Monty grew his firm by 600 percent in four years

• The power of investing in attorney education and sending trial lawyers to national conferences

• Why mastering brain injury medicine gave his firm a competitive edge

• The real impact of going to trial versus settling, and why litigation is a growth strategy

• How embracing EOS/Fireproof systems is helping transition Kane Law into a data-driven, scalable enterprise

• Why hiring slow is a mistake and how to use data to forecast staffing needs

• Tips on building client experience systems that scale — from intake to settlement

• The importance of strategic marketing, SEO accountability, and using brand-first advertising like their new "In Pain, Call Cain" campaign

• How private equity and hedge funds are reshaping the PI landscape and what smaller firms can do to compete

For law firm owners, PI litigators, and legal entrepreneurs, this episode delivers practical, actionable insight on growing a firm with heart, systems, and serious results.

Monty Cain
Owner and Managing Attorney, Cain Law
📧 monty@cainlaw-okc.com
🌐 www.cainlaw-okc.com
📞 (405) 759-7400
🔗 Monty Cain on LinkedIn

Tom Tona
Founder & Managing Attorney, TonaLaw
🌐 www.tonalaw.com
🔗 Thomas Tona on LinkedIn
X: @NYPITrialGuy

This podcast is sponsored by TonaLaw.

TonaLaw is not just another law firm. They're defining what it means to fight for their clients. We get a lot of attorney referrals from across the country. We pay fee participation in all jurisdictions where it's permitted. We focus on integrity, innovation and relentless advocacy. TonalLaw is proving that the business of the law can scale without losing its heart. Do you want to see how a modern firm is built for impact and happy client referrals? Check out tonalaw.com mention again the Lead Counsel Podcast and I'm happy to get on the phone with you.

In this powerful episode of Lead Counsel, host Tom Tona sits down with Atlanta-based personal injury attorney Rachel Green of Rachel Green Injury Law to explore how she's rewriting the rules of modern legal practice—while globe-trotting across 35 countries by the age of 35. From hiking erupting volcanoes to closing cases across continents, Rachel's life and law firm philosophy challenge the outdated norms of what it means to be a lawyer in today's fast-evolving world.

You'll hear how Rachel seamlessly integrates travel with her client-centered firm operations using tools like Case Status, maintains a thriving litigation practice, and still finds time for global masterminds, cultural deep dives, and building a lifestyle by design. Her mantra: you don't have to choose between your passion and your profession.

Key Highlights:

• The inspiration behind Rachel's 35-by-35 travel goal and how it impacts her legal perspective

• Her top five countries for travel, food, and inspiration

• Building a boutique personal injury practice focused on client experience and communication

• How masterminds and peer networks accelerated her firm's growth

• Why modern law firm leadership must include empathy, flexibility, and automation

• How unlimited vacation and global exposure strengthen team loyalty and client satisfaction

• The software Rachel uses to keep clients informed 24/7, even while abroad

Whether you're a solo attorney, law firm leader, or entrepreneurial spirit, this conversation is packed with insights on scaling a law firm while honoring your personal values and lifestyle goals.

Rachel Green
Personal Injury Attorney at Rachel Green Injury Law
Website: Bank on Green
LinkedIn: Rachel Green
Instagram: @bankongreen

Tom Tona
Founder & Managing Attorney, Tonalaw
Website: https://www.tonalaw.com
LinkedIn: Tom Tona
X: @NYPITrialGuy

This podcast is sponsored by TonaLaw.

TonaLaw is not just another law firm. They're defining what it means to fight for their clients. We get a lot of attorney referrals from across the country. We pay fee participation in all jurisdictions where it's permitted. We focus on integrity, innovation and relentless advocacy. TonalLaw is proving that the business of the law can scale without losing its heart. Do you want to see how a modern firm is built for impact and happy client referrals? Check out tonalaw.com mention again the Lead Counsel Podcast and I'm happy to get on the phone with you.