#135: Ryan McKeen - Connecticut Personal Injury Lawyer & Law Firm CEO
Apr 19, 2024
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Ryan McKeen, Connecticut Personal Injury Lawyer & Law Firm CEO, discusses his journey in the legal profession, leveraging technology in his practice, achieving a $100 million verdict, challenges in personal injury law, and the evolving role of lawyers in the digital age.
Transitioning from active trial lawyer to law firm leader offers opportunities to make a broader impact by creating systems and sharing knowledge.
Mastering foundational legal skills remains crucial amidst technological advancements for a successful legal career.
Deep dives
Transition to Firm Leadership
Ryan McKeean discusses his transition from being an active trial lawyer to leading a firm, highlighting the opportunity to have a bigger impact by building systems and leveraging knowledge. His shift towards teaching and sharing wisdom reflects his joy in helping others navigate challenges and improve their legal practices.
Importance of Mastering the Craft
McKeean emphasizes the significance of mastering the fundamentals of the legal craft, underscoring its enduring value in an evolving legal landscape. Recognizing the limitless opportunities for those dedicated to honing their trial skills, he stresses the importance of continuing to excel in the core aspects of legal practice.
Embracing Change Through Technology
While acknowledging the transformative impact of technology on legal practice and the increasing focus on mass harm cases, McKeean advocates for adapting and utilizing tech tools to enhance safety and efficiency. He envisions a future where innovation and trial skills coexist, underscoring the value of legal expertise amidst technological advancements.
Developing Resilience and Faith in One's Journey
Encouraging new lawyers to be kind to themselves and seek growth through challenges, Ryan McKeean emphasizes the importance of resilience and maintaining faith in one's professional journey. He advocates for self-compassion, seeking therapy when needed, and embracing the belief that consistent learning and improvement will lead to fulfilling legal careers.
In today’s episode I speak with Ryan McKeen who is the Co-Founder and CEO of the Connecticut Trial Firm which focuses on representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases. In addition to his expertise and experience in the courtroom, Ryan is a sought after speaker on topics related to law firm leadership and success for personal injury lawyers. He is the author of two books: Tiger Tactics: Powerful Strategies for Winning Law Firms and CEO Edition and is active on LinkedIn where he shares lessons from running his own firm and his lawyer life to his more than 16,000 followers on LinkedIn.
Ryan started his career at Leone, Throwe, Teller & Nagel in East Hartford, Connecticut before opening his own firm. He is a graduate of Framingham State University (Go Rams) and Western New England University School of Law (Go Bears).
In our conversation we discuss his path to becoming a lawyer and his practice area, the life of a personal injury lawyer (and his response to common critiques of the practice area), the shift from being a junior associate at a small firm to founding his own firm, the ways that he leverages technology in his law practice, the story of his firm's landmark 100 million dollar verdict (the largest bodily injury verdict in state history), and more.