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The relationships you have with your past clients. All right, so we talk about referrals a lot here, and I think a lot of attorneys just automatically default to their referral sources being either other attorneys who are referring them cases that they can't take on for whatever reason, or maybe it's other business owners in, you know, other industries, you know, like CPAs, chiropractors, you know, stuff like that. Therapists that would refer them business from a situation that is escalating in some way. Right. Well, there are other referral sources as well, your past clients being a big chunk of that. And, you know, for whatever reason, I think a lot of attorneys just don't think about them in that way. And maybe there are some practice areas that lend themselves to that. Right. Like maybe, you know, if you're a criminal defense lawyer, you don't necessarily want to have the same felon constantly coming back to you for. And maybe you do, I don't know. Or maybe family lawyers, maybe they don't want to keep filing divorces for the same person, like they're Elizabeth Taylor or something. Right. But I think for the most part, past clients, whether it's transactional work or even some litigation stuff, they are still a valuable source because they already trust you, assuming you've done a good job and they're happy with everything. Right. But, you know, for whatever reason, there's a lot of reasons why people either don't use you again or they just never come back around and contact you again. Whether it's, you know, fees are out of their budget, or they don't necessarily need any more legal work, or they've, you know, maybe you made a mistake and they don't trust you anymore, whatever it is, you know, there are. There are a bunch of different ways, but it's so, so valuable to keep those past clients in your network. And that's a big reason why when we're working with our clients and we want them to send email newsletters, we want their leads and past clients on that email list to create those touch points to come back around again, whether it's for repeat business, which we've seen happen a lot, or it's those past clients who are like, yes, I remember working with you. I know someone who is going through a similar situation. I'm going to send them your way. And it's. It's just such an easy, small thing to do that brings in business that you otherwise never would have had. So, you know, in every case, even if, even if things don't go the way that you or the client wanted them to. Always try to just end things amicably. Don't, don't burn bridges. Don't, you know, try to make things right if there was that negative situation and keep them around, keep them on your contact list, stay top of mind with them. You never know, right? I mean the worst thing they're going to do is unsubscribe and that's fine, you know, so keep those past clients in mind. They are a really good referral source for your firm and, and can really be great ambassadors and evangelists for your firm and be your biggest cheerleaders. All right. So hope that was a good little nugget of inspiration for you today and that'll do it. We'll see you tomorrow.
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The Law Firm Marketing Minute is brought to by Spotlight Marketing and Branding where we help solo and small law firms get more clients and better clients. If you want more details, visit growmylawfirmfast.com.
Podcast: The Law Firm Marketing Minute
Host: Spotlight Marketing + Branding
Episode Title: Your Big Case of 2026 May Come From Here
Date: January 7, 2026
This episode focuses on an often-overlooked referral source for law firm growth: your past clients. The host discusses why past clients are valuable, strategies for keeping in touch, and how maintaining positive relationships with former clients can lead to repeat business and high-quality referrals. The tone is informal, practical, and encouraging, aimed at solo and small law firm owners.
(00:00 - 00:45)
"There are other referral sources as well, your past clients being a big chunk of that." (A, 00:22)
(00:45 - 01:45)
"Past clients, whether it's transactional work or even some litigation stuff, they are still a valuable source because they already trust you, assuming you've done a good job and they're happy with everything." (A, 01:06)
(01:45 - 02:10)
"There are a bunch of different ways, but it's so, so valuable to keep those past clients in your network." (A, 01:54)
(02:10 - 02:55)
"When we're working with our clients and we want them to send email newsletters, we want their leads and past clients on that email list to create those touch points to come back around again, whether it's for repeat business... or it's those past clients who are like, yes, I remember working with you. I know someone who is going through a similar situation. I'm going to send them your way." (A, 02:14)
"Always try to just end things amicably. Don't, don't burn bridges. Don't, you know, try to make things right if there was that negative situation and keep them around, keep them on your contact list, stay top of mind with them. You never know..." (A, 02:40)
(02:55 - 03:05)
"The worst thing they're going to do is unsubscribe and that's fine, you know, so keep those past clients in mind." (A, 02:59)
(03:05 - 03:16)
"They are a really good referral source for your firm and, and can really be great ambassadors and evangelists for your firm and be your biggest cheerleaders." (A, 03:07)
This episode encourages attorneys to broaden their view of referral sources, emphasizing that nurturing relationships with past clients—regardless of practice area—can lead to valuable, sometimes unexpected, cases and referrals in the future. Using simple methods like email newsletters and staying amicable even after difficult cases can turn past clients into the best marketing asset a law firm has.