Ep. 57: Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys — Law Firm Family Succession And Giving Back

TL;DR

Gordon McKernan discusses his journey from being a law clerk to becoming a successful plaintiff's attorney and the challenges of transitioning from his father's firm to running his own practice. He also talks about the importance of community involvement and his passion for fly fishing.

Transcript

gordon so you got your jd in law from loyola university in 19 in 1992 and straight after graduating you became an associate at your father's practice mckernan law firm you know was it your father who inspired you to become an attorney yeah for sure it was he had uh basically raised me up in it and um you know back in the day i can remember you look... Read More

Key Insights

• 👨 Gordon McKernan's journey to becoming a successful attorney was influenced by his father's guidance and exposure to cassette tapes of famous closing arguments and jury psychology during his formative years.
• 👨 Transitioning from a trial-focused firm to an advertising trial firm was challenging for Gordon and his father, but they managed to overcome their differences and maintain a successful practice.
• 💪 Gordon's law firm achieved significant growth through their advertising efforts, sponsorship of community programs, and a strong reputation.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Gordon's father inspire him to become an attorney?

Gordon's father played a crucial role in his journey towards becoming an attorney by exposing him to cassette tapes of famous closing arguments and jury psychology during his junior high years. This early exposure, along with working at his father's law firm in high school, solidified Gordon's path towards becoming a plaintiff's lawyer.

Q: How did Gordon navigate the transition from his father's firm to running his own practice?

The transition was challenging for both Gordon and his father. Gordon saw the shifting landscape of the legal industry and decided to focus on advertising, which his father initially resisted. Moreover, as Gordon's popularity grew due to the firm's advertising efforts, it was difficult for his father to accept that his son was becoming more famous and popular in the legal field. However, after some struggles, they managed to work through these challenges and pass the torch to Gordon.

Q: How did Gordon's law firm achieve significant growth?

Gordon's law firm experienced significant growth, reaching milestones such as having over 150 employees and sponsoring over 200 community programs. They attribute their success to their advertising strategies, such as going on TV and generating high-profile cases through their strong reputation.

Q: How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact Gordon's law firm?

The pandemic forced Gordon's law firm to reevaluate their marketing strategies and reduce their advertising budget by cutting down on PPC spending. With a focus on efficiency and understanding their attribution systems better, they aim to maintain their success in generating leads and cases while spending less.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Gordon McKernan credits his father for inspiring him to become an attorney, providing him with cassette tapes of famous closing arguments and jury psychology during his junior high years. He started working at his father's law firm in high school, setting him on the path to becoming a plaintiff's lawyer.

• Transitioning from his father's firm to running his own practice was challenging, as Gordon had to shift the firm's focus from pure trial work to advertising. This transition strained the relationship between Gordon and his father, but they ultimately worked it out.

• Gordon's law firm experienced significant growth, reaching milestones such as having over 150 employees and sponsoring over 200 community programs. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced them to reevaluate their marketing strategies and focus on better understanding their attribution and reporting systems.