340. The Risk That Nearly Broke His Firm — Jay Kelley’s $100M Branding Playbook [Encore Edition]

How can attorneys integrate leadership, strategy, and branding to build a thriving firm? In this episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Michael Mogill sits down with Jay Kelley, managing partner of Elk + Elk, to explore how one of Ohio's largest personal injury firms has evolved and flourished. Jay shares his unconventional journey into law, drawing from an early love of persuasive speaking he discovered through acting, and how this unique background has shaped his approach to becoming a trial attorney. Here's what you'll learn: How transformative life experiences can shape your practice and lead you to a fulfilling legal career The importance of building a firm culture that is both collaborative and capable of handling serious, complex cases Why strategic brand building and community engagement are crucial for long-term success in the legal industry Law firm leaders who truly want to elevate their impact need to go beyond just winning cases — they need to transform their firms from the inside out. This isn't just about marketing strategies or business development — it’s about embodying authenticity, perseverance, and a relentless commitment to growth. ---- Show Notes:  00:00 – Introduction 02:16 – Jay Kelley's Journey: From Prosecutor to Plaintiff’s Attorney 05:55 – The Power of Listening in the Courtroom 07:35 – Finding Purpose in Medical Malpractice Cases 09:07 – Balancing Being a Trial Attorney and a Law Firm Business Leader 12:46 – Branding a Law Firm: Standing Out in a Competitive Market 17:45 – Community Involvement and Brand Recall Strategies 25:50 – The Difference Between Brand Recall and Credibility 31:52 – Transitioning a Law Firm’s Leadership and Legacy 42:56 – What It Means to Be a Game-Changing Attorney ---- Links & Resources: The Abbey Theatre Arthur M. Elk David J. Elk Cincinnati Reds Columbus Blue Jackets Cleveland Browns USO Dr. Kirk Wakefield Siri John P. O’Neil ---- Listening to this episode but want to watch it? Check it out on Spotify.  Do you love this podcast and want to see more game changing content? Subscribe to our YouTube channel. ---- Past guests on The Game Changing Attorney Podcast include David Goggins, John Morgan, Alex Hormozi, Randi McGinn, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, Kevin O’Leary, Laura Wasser, John Maxwell, Mark Lanier, Robert Greene, and many more. ---- If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: Episode 174 — Joey Coleman — Never Lose a Client Again: Creating Memorable Experiences to Gain an Advocate for Life Episode 137 — Camille Vasquez — Authenticity is the Advantage Episode 119 — Jo-Ná Williams — The Entrepreneurial Attorney: Achieving Freedom by Serving Others