Personal Injury Mastermind Episode 327: “Get Rude”: Skits, Systems, and Saying No—How Lee Rudin Dominated New Orleans

Host: Chris Dreyer, Rankings.io
Guest: Lee Rudin, Founder of Rudin Law
Release Date: May 15, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 327 of Personal Injury Mastermind, host Chris Dreyer welcomes Lee Rudin, the dynamic founder of Rudin Law, to discuss how creativity, robust systems, and unwavering determination have propelled his relatively young firm to prominence in the competitive New Orleans legal market. This episode delves into Rudin’s innovative marketing strategies, unique branding with the “Get Rude” persona, effective use of technology, and the advantages of virtual staffing in scaling a law firm efficiently.

Firm Growth and Client Acquisition

Best Month Performance
At [00:47], Lee Rudin shares, “We had our best month in terms of generating new files in March of 2025.” At just two years old, Rudin Law is experiencing rapid growth, positioning itself for potential expansion challenges and the need for swift scaling.

Diversified Marketing Channels
When asked about the driving factors behind this growth, Rudin explains at [01:08], “We have some meta ads running that are unique to us. We've got SEO and more traditional digital lead gen through LSA and PPC. We've got some partnerships with some national groups.” This diversified approach across four main avenues—Meta ads, SEO, lead generation platforms (LSA and PPC), and national partnerships—ensures consistent lead flow without over-reliance on any single channel.

From Defense to Plaintiff: The Leap of Integrity

Transitioning to Plaintiff Work
Rudin recounts his journey from working at a defense firm for over a decade to founding Rudin Law in 2023 at [02:11]. Initially assisting acquaintances with personal injury cases, his dedication to plaintiff advocacy led to creating a sub-practice within the defense firm, which ultimately conflicted with the firm's vision.

Standing by Values
At [02:23], Rudin states, “It was your deal. I just saw the opportunity and took it.” Refusing to limit his scope or alter the financial structure to fit the defense firm's demands, he chose independence over compromise, emphasizing his commitment to integrity and client-first principles.

“Get Rude” Branding: Bold and Memorable

Brand Identity and Cohesion
Discussing the unique “Get Rude” brand, Rudin elaborates at [04:23], “We're in a serious business and we do serious work. But I tell folks, like, I don't take myself seriously.” The brand embodies a spirited and assertive approach, aligning with Rudin’s personality and making the firm stand out in a traditionally conservative industry.

Creative Marketing Tactics
Rudin shares various branding initiatives:

• Merchandise: “We have four different Mardi Gras colored shirts because everybody's wearing them during Mardi Gras season...” [06:08]
• Sponsorships: Sponsoring local pro wrestling promotions and events, distributing themed shirts that act as conversation starters. At [06:43], he notes, “People love that shirt. I get comments on the airplane, in the airport, in the mall.”

Community Engagement
By tailoring merchandise to local events and cultures, such as Mardi Gras and LSU sports, Rudin ensures high visibility and community connection. This strategic distribution encourages organic conversations and brand recognition, making “Get Rude” a memorable and sticky brand.

Innovative Social Media Strategies

Authentic Content Creation
Rudin emphasizes authenticity over generic posts. At [09:57], he states, “I'm never going to put out a Happy Easter or a Merry Christmas... I will get dressed up like the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus.” This approach differentiates his firm’s social media presence, making it more engaging and relatable.

Creative Campaigns and Viral Content
Highlighting a successful campaign, Rudin mentions dressing as Bobby Boucher from The Waterboy, tailored to the local Louisiana football culture. At [10:25], he says, “It got out to the people, I said, okay, that. That's what works.”

Boosting Strategic Content
Rudin strategically boosts posts that are timely and relevant, such as during major events like Final Four and Mardi Gras. At [14:02], he explains, “We boosted stuff during Final Four. We'll do stuff during Mardi Gras that'll last for a longer burn.”

Engagement Metrics
This strategy has resulted in significant follower growth—from 500 to nearly 850 within a few months—indicating high engagement and a strong online presence.

Leveraging Technology and AI for Efficiency

Tech Stack Utilization
Rudin discusses the various tools that enhance his firm’s efficiency:

• Demand Writing Tools: Mentioning platforms like Even Up and LegalSoft, he highlights the importance of cost-effective solutions for smaller cases ([19:03]).
• AI Tools: Utilizing Law Pro AI for identifying red flags and organizing case information efficiently ([19:03]).
• Text Expander: At [20:37], Rudin introduces Text Expander, a tool that automates repetitive tasks, saving significant time:

  "You can drop a block of text with like a one word code or phrase... I have my entire letter of representation, my entire letter of protection, and all I'm typing in is semicolon letter rep."

AI Integration and Future Prospects
Rudin underscores the transformative potential of AI in legal practice:

“A lot of the legwork that a human might have had to do at a much higher cost can get done either virtually or through tech.” ([18:22])

He encourages firms to adopt AI tools to stay competitive and enhance operational efficiency.

Virtual Staffing: Scaling Without Excessive Overhead

Adopting Remote Teams
At [15:34], Rudin explains the necessity-driven shift to virtual staffing:

“I started small with virtual staffing to explore what the process was like... it takes training because that person's no different than a new hire you're bringing into your firm locally.”

Benefits of Virtual Staffing

• Cost-Effectiveness: Reduced overhead compared to local hires.
• Access to Global Talent: High-quality work from team members abroad.
• Scalability: Easily scale operations without the constraints of physical office space.

Implementation Strategies
Rudin emphasizes the importance of thorough training and clear communication:

“With the way the virtual world is now, you can create the loom, you can screen share... you have the responsibility to train your team members, whether they're local or international.” ([16:51])

Client Communication and Management Systems

Integrated Communication Tools
Rudin utilizes a suite of tools to streamline communication and case management:

• Filevine: Primary case management system.
• Google Chat: For internal team communication, replacing traditional Slack or Discord setups.
• RingCentral: For voice-over-IP services, including video calls with transcription capabilities ([22:59]).

Exploring Client Portal Enhancements
He is actively exploring tools to improve client communication through enhanced portals:

“I'm exploring a bunch of different client portal type tools to pump those out and improve client communication.” ([23:00])

Importance of Implementation
Rudin stresses that the effectiveness of technology lies in its proper implementation:

“If you're not going to use it to its full effect, then what's the point?” ([24:30])

Embracing AI and Automation

AI-Driven Tools
Rudin highlights the importance of integrating AI into legal processes to enhance efficiency:

“AI is all the rage... It just adds such an efficiency.” ([17:25])

Custom AI Solutions
He discusses the potential of creating personalized AI models using podcast content and firm publications to serve as tailored knowledge bases:

“I love it. If I had the time to just... I've got a friend... letting it, just let it, let's see what it does.” ([25:54])

Personal Insights and Brand Personality

Personal Branding Through Interests
Rudin shares his passion for Bruce Springsteen, integrating his personal interests into his professional persona:

“I grew up in New Jersey, so I feel like it's blasphemy if you don't love Bruce Springsteen.” ([26:09])

Creating Relatable Content
By sharing personal stories and interests, Rudin humanizes his brand, fostering a deeper connection with clients and the community.

Conclusion and Contact Information

As the episode wraps up, Lee Rudin provides multiple avenues for listeners to connect and engage with Rudin Law:

• Website: getrude.com
• Toll-Free Number: 833-GET-RUDE
• Social Media: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube (@getrude) ([27:20])

He encourages listeners to reach out for personal injury cases, legal business discussions, or general inquiries.

Key Takeaways

1. Integrity Over Compromise: Rudin’s decision to leave a defense firm and establish his own plaintiff-focused practice underscores the importance of aligning business practices with personal values.

2. Innovative Branding: The “Get Rude” brand exemplifies how bold and memorable branding can differentiate a law firm in a competitive market.

3. Diversified Marketing: Utilizing multiple marketing channels ensures steady lead generation without over-reliance on any single source.

4. Leveraging Technology and AI: Integrating AI tools and automation can significantly enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs.

5. Virtual Staffing for Scalability: Remote teams offer a cost-effective and scalable solution for growing law firms, provided effective training and communication are maintained.

6. Engaging Social Media Presence: Authentic and creative social media strategies can drive engagement and foster a strong online community.

7. Personal Touch: Incorporating personal interests and stories into professional branding can build stronger connections with clients and the community.

Notable Quotes:

• Lee Rudin at [00:00]: “We want to limit what you can bring in, and we want to change the financial structure of the deal. And I said, I can't. I can't do either of those things. It was your deal. I just saw the opportunity and took it.”

• Lee Rudin at [04:40]: “It's not be rude, it's get rude. Meaning I don't need to tell an insurance adjuster, you know, all the nasties if that's not going to be the best for my client.”

• Lee Rudin at [17:25]: “AI is all the rage. I've talked about AI and some of this stuff. If you can figure out which of the tools you're comfortable harnessing, or maybe you have an implementer that'll help you do all those things, it just adds such an efficiency.”

• Lee Rudin at [22:37]: “So if you're somebody that is constantly writing the same email over and over and over, or maybe you're doing litigation and you have all of your discovery objections...”

This episode of Personal Injury Mastermind offers invaluable insights into building a standout personal injury law firm through bold branding, strategic marketing, embracing technology, and maintaining unwavering integrity. Lee Rudin's journey serves as an inspiring blueprint for personal injury attorneys aiming to transform their practices into market leaders.