The Law Firm Marketing Minute

Episode: Are You Ready for the 2026 Shift in How Clients Search for Lawyers?
Host: Spotlight Marketing + Branding
Date: November 21, 2025

Overview

This episode addresses a major upcoming shift in how clients search for and select lawyers: the rapid rise of AI platforms like ChatGPT as primary tools for seeking legal services. The host shares actionable advice for law firm owners on how to prepare for and benefit from this transition, focusing on content creation and online reputation management.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. AI Search as a Game-Changer (00:00–00:35)

• The host emphasizes that consumer behavior is changing fast, with many people moving from traditional Google search to AI platforms such as ChatGPT:
  • “There is a really big shift happening in consumer behavior and that is the growth of ChatGPT and these other AI search platforms.” (A, 00:02)
• Data confirms an increasing trend of clients using AI tools to find and hire lawyers.
  • “The amount of people that are transitioning from traditional Google search to preferring ChatGPT is really massive.” (A, 00:10)

2. AI is Already Delivering Clients (00:35–01:00)

• Law firms are currently acquiring clients via ChatGPT and similar platforms; this trend will accelerate in 2026.
  • “Yes, people are looking for and hiring lawyers for through ChatGPT. We see this every day talking to our clients. We see it in their data.” (A, 00:16)
  • “Lawyers can get clients through ChatGPT. That is going to accelerate big time in 2026.” (A, 00:22)

3. Don’t Abandon What Works—But Get Ahead of the Curve (01:00–01:20)

• The host reassures listeners not to abandon effective current marketing on Google but encourages exploring new AI-driven opportunities.
  • “I'm not saying you should stop doing things that are working for you. If you're advertising on Google and that's working for you, keep doing it right? We're far from the days of Google being dead.” (A, 00:27)
• The “smart marketing shift” for 2026 is positioning your firm for AI recommendations.

4. Keys to Getting Recommended by AI Platforms (01:20–02:00)

• The host offers two fundamental strategies:
  • Create genuinely valuable content for prospective clients.
    • “Bottom line, you want to be creating content that is genuinely legitimately valuable to your prospective clients.” (A, 00:53)
  • Encourage positive online client feedback and reviews.
    • “You want to prioritize getting your clients to say nice things about you online… Whether that is leaving a Google review, a Facebook review, or just making a social media post tagging you and thanking you for the work you've done for them.” (A, 01:04)

5. The AI Recommendation Formula (02:00–02:15)

• With strong, helpful content and positive online feedback, law firms increase their chances of being recommended by AI search platforms:
  • “Get those two things happening, you give yourself a really good chance to get recommended by AI search platforms.” (A, 01:16)

6. Additional Resources (01:30–01:45)

• Listeners are encouraged to download a deeper resource:
  • “Go to spotlightbranding.com, download the free resource. I think it's again, I think it's called how to get leads and clients from ChatGPT; goes into a lot more depth.” (A, 01:37)

Notable Quotes

• “The amount of people that are transitioning from traditional Google search to preferring ChatGPT is really massive.”
  — A, 00:10

• “Lawyers can get clients through ChatGPT. That is going to accelerate big time in 2026.”
  — A, 00:22

• “I'm not saying you should stop doing things that are working for you… But if you are looking for new opportunities and an opportunity to get ahead of the curve… position yourself to get recommended from the AI search podcast.”
  — A, 00:27 & 01:58

• “You want to be creating content that is genuinely legitimately valuable to your prospective clients. And you want to prioritize getting your clients to say nice things about you online.”
  — A, 00:53

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00 — Introduction to the 2026 shift: rise of AI search platforms
• 00:16 — Evidence: clients already using ChatGPT to hire lawyers
• 00:27 — Advice: keep current channels working, but seek AI opportunities
• 00:53 — Action steps: valuable content & online reviews
• 01:16 — Why these steps matter: getting recommended by AI
• 01:37 — Further resources: downloadable guide

Conclusion

In a concise, action-oriented episode, the host urges law firm owners to anticipate and capitalize on the coming rise of AI-driven client searches. By focusing on high-quality, helpful content and encouraging positive online feedback, firms can position themselves to be recommended by tools like ChatGPT—an increasingly critical channel for client acquisition as 2026 approaches.