David vs. Goliath

“Our inventory means nothing to a bank.” Banks won’t lend money for personal injury or other single-event cases, so lawyers and clients need to secure funding elsewhere.

In this episode of The David vs. Goliath Podcast, host Matt Dolman welcomes Casey Gard, the managing partner of Gard Family Office LLC, a litigation finance firm focusing on high-value personal injury litigation. By funding litigation–including hiring expert witnesses and covering medical bills–investment firms like Casey’s provide greater access to the court system and hold insurance companies accountable to plaintiffs suffering catastrophic injuries.

☑️ Casey Gard

☑️ Matt Dolman | Twitter | LinkedIn

☑️ Dolman Law Group

☑️ Dolman Law Group on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube

☑️ Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube

• How does Casey decide which cases to fund?
• Is litigation finance influenced by “social inflation”?
• Litigation finance actually increases the value of a case.
• What happens when there is a meritorious case but a law firm can’t bankroll it and banks won’t lend the firm money?
• Cases in the hands of attorneys who have trial experience have increased value.
• Managing the peaks and valleys of business is key–you’re never as dumb as you feel in the valleys and you’re never as smart as you feel at the peaks.
• What’s the difference between a hedge fund and a family office?
• Third-party funding is here to stay.

The insights and views presented in this podcast are for general information purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. The information presented is not a substitute for consulting with an attorney. Nor does tuning in to this podcast constitute an attorney-client relationship of any kind. Any case result information provided on any portion of this podcast should not be understood as a promise of any particular result in a future case. Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers: Big firm results, small firm personal attention.

How can an attorney fund a case? When a personal injury attorney files suit against an insurance company giant, they often don’t have the same resources as the companies they are going up against. However, private equity gives these attorneys the power to level the playing field.

There are ethical considerations though. Who controls the case? Does the lawyer listen to their client or the lender? Although the lender is giving the money, “any lawyer worth his weight in salt is going to take control of the case”. And the lender, in turn, wants the attorney to act in the best interests of their case in order to succeed. 

In this episode of The David vs. Goliath Podcast, Anthony Russo Jr. of The Russo Firm joins hosts Matt Dolman and Stan Gipe to discuss how private equity is helping personal injury attorneys take on Fortune 500 companies. 

☑️ Anthony Russo Jr. | The Russo Firm | LinkedIn

☑️ Matt Dolman | Twitter | LinkedIn  

☑️ Stan Gipe 

☑️ Dolman Law Group

☑️ Dolman Law Group on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube

☑️ Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube

• Private equity is entering the field of personal injury. 
• Why it is difficult for attorneys to get funding from traditional financial institutions.
• How private equity entering the field of personal injury helps the consumer. 
• Why mass tort financing is needed.
• How private equity levels the playing field. 
• Though a lender may finance a case, the lawyer remains in charge.

The insights and views presented in this podcast are for general information purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. The information presented is not a substitute for consulting with an attorney. Nor does tuning in to this podcast constitute an attorney-client relationship of any kind. Any case result information provided on any portion of this podcast should not be understood as a promise of any particular result in a future case. Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers: Big firm results, small firm personal attention.

“I think the general public has been bamboozled by this tort reform.” Contrary to popular belief, juries are not awarding unmerited “nuclear” verdicts in Florida, so recent tort reform legislation may be doing more harm than good.

In this episode of The David vs. Goliath Podcast, hosts Matt Dolman and Stan Gipe welcome Fort Lauderdale trial lawyer Anthony Russo Jr. to discuss the drawbacks of the recent tort reform legislation in Florida. Anthony, Matt, and Stan talk about the reality of tort practice in Florida and how so-called “tort reform” really affects plaintiffs seeking compensation for their damages.

☑️ Anthony Russo Jr. | The Russo Firm | LinkedIn

☑️ Matt Dolman | Twitter | LinkedIn  

☑️ Stan Gipe 

☑️ Dolman Law Group

☑️ Dolman Law Group on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube

☑️ Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube

• How badly did Ron DeSantis hurt plaintiffs in Florida?
• Doesn’t tort reform prevent consumers from having access to the courts?
• The concept that juries are trying to give away money willy-nilly is a farce.
• What did the legislation really meddle with?  Hint: It’s not what actually leads to “nuclear” verdicts. 
• Are insurance companies really losing money from these verdicts?
• Where do we see tort reform going?

The insights and views presented in this podcast are for general information purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. The information presented is not a substitute for consulting with an attorney. Nor does tuning in to this podcast constitute an attorney-client relationship of any kind. Any case result information provided on any portion of this podcast should not be understood as a promise of any particular result in a future case. Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers: Big firm results, small firm personal attention.

The public often has a negative perception of attorneys, especially plaintiffs attorneys. What many don’t know is the crucial role plaintiffs attorneys play in championing the rights of everyday people, often against incredible odds.

In this episode of The David vs. Goliath Podcast, Matt Dolman and Stan Gipe welcome Marcus Susen, of Susen Law Group, where they discuss the legal intricacies of mass tort cases, the challenges plaintiffs' attorneys face when taking on contingency fees, and the need for effective leadership structures to manage the claims of those impacted.

Marcus also shares a compelling perspective on corporations' treatment in the legal system, the challenges faced by plaintiffs' attorneys, and the limitations of the FDA and the government when it comes to protecting consumers.

• [01:14] Getting into leadership in the mass tort litigation space: Marcus shares how he started, the competition, and his journey to get to where he is today.
• [04:00] Mass tort case consolidation and leadership: What it means to be in leadership, the costs, risks involved, and case examples.
• [09:34] Hopes for quicker resolution of Camp Lejeune claims: The Navy is urged to settle a large number of claims related to the Camp Lejeune injuries.
• [16:46] Vapor study from ATSDR: Data from Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry could potentially support claims for additional injuries in the future.
• [19:02] Optimism about Camp Lejeune case serving as a model for other mass litigations: Marcus urges cooperation and data sharing to help resolve other similar cases.
• [19:41] AFFF and PFAS: Shedding light on the risks posed by these chemicals and their widespread presence in our lives.
• [21:51] Exploring litigation tracks and Bellwether cases: These cases involve the city of Stewart which holds significant implications for both municipalities and individual plaintiffs, setting the stage for potential settlements and shaping the future direction of the litigation.
• [24:35] Unveiling the AFFF Cases: They cover the number of cases, the upcoming bellwether trial, strength of scientific evidence and the impact of the chemicals to firefighters and military personnel.
• [27:44] Unmasking the forever chemicals sources: Understanding which companies are involved in its making and the truth about PFAS and their environmental impact.
• [33:41] Positive change through litigation: Explore the crucial role of plaintiffs attorneys in holding corporations accountable and ensuring consumer safety by initiating recalls and product liability lawsuits, shedding light on corporate wrongdoing.
• [35:01] FDA, big pharma, and medical device litigation: The questionable ties between FDA and Big Pharma as well as the complexities of medical device litigation, highlighting the Essure and Paragard cases as examples.

The insights and views presented in this podcast are for general information purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. The information presented is not a substitute for consulting with an attorney. Nor does tuning in to this podcast constitute an attorney-client relationship of any kind. Any case result information provided on any portion of this podcast should not be understood as a promise of any particular result in a future case. Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers: Big firm results, small firm personal attention.

Ever wondered how to combat the fake online reviews?

In this episode of the David vs. Goliath Podcast, Matt Dolman and Stan Gipe welcome Curtis Boyd, founder of The Transparency Company, to discuss the power of online reviews and how his company is helping to combat illegitimate reviews.

Curtis explains the different types of fake reviews, how businesses can be negatively impacted by them, the process of identifying and addressing fake negative reviews, and disputing fake positive reviews. He also discusses the need for better moderation and verification systems and the challenges of getting big tech companies like Google to address fake reviews.

• [00:42] Reviews are Prominent Factors in Google's Algorithm: Reviews play a significant role in Google's algorithm, and it’s important to understand their impact on local rankings.
• [01:25] The Transparency Company's Approach to Identifying Fake Reviews: Curtis explains their work in building algorithms, software, and AI to detect false online reviews, targeting accounts that violate Google's terms of service.
• [02:46] Identifying Red Flags in Reviews: The Transparency Company uses Natural Language Processing (NLP) to identify authorship styles, duplicate content, and reviewer networks as red flags to indicate fake reviews.
• [07:21] The Challenges of Addressing False Negative Reviews: The challenges of identifying false negative reviews and how The Transparency Company seeks previously purchased fake positive reviews to narrow down potential sources of false negatives.
• [12:35] Behind the Veil of Fake Reviews: The incentives behind fake reviews, the impact of fake reviews on consumer trust, and the difficulty of getting Google to take action.
• [18:26] Moderation Challenges: The process of exposing and disputing bogus five-star reviews, the importance of maintaining consumer trust, and the challenges associated with persuading platforms like Google and the Better Business Bureau to act.
• [19:52] The Growth of The Transparency Company: The company’s exponential growth highlights the urgency of distinguishing authentic businesses from those bolstered by deceitful ratings.
• [23:19] Google’s Hostility to Authenticating Reviews: Google recently removed a review-athenticating Chrome extension built by The Transparency Company.

• Connect with Curtis: LinkedIn | The Transparency Company
• Kubernetes

The insights and views presented in this podcast are for general information purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. The information presented is not a substitute for consulting with an attorney. Nor does tuning in to this podcast constitute an attorney-client relationship of any kind. Any case result information provided on any portion of this podcast should not be understood as a promise of any particular result in a future case. Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers: Big firm results, small firm personal attention.

In this week’s episode, hosts Matt Dolman and Stan Gipe discuss that changes to Florida's insurance laws primarily benefit insurance companies at the expense of consumers. The legislation was criticized for allowing companies to escape corporate negligence and shifting the burden to consumers and businesses.

The bill was sold as a benefit to consumers despite lacking language that would lead to reduced insurance premiums. Rather, the new legislation shifts money from consumers to insurance companies without providing any benefit to consumers, while insurance companies continue to welcome record-setting profits.

• [01:01] Escaping corporate negligence: The new law allows insurance companies to avoid being held liable for mistakes, shifting the burden onto consumers and businesses.
• [07:12] Pressure to settle claims: The legislation makes it more difficult for consumers and businesses to pressure insurance companies to settle claims quickly and fairly.
• [09:22] Nuclear verdicts: Framed as excessively high jury awards, nuclear verdicts are not driven by the costs of future medical bills, they’re driven by pain and suffering, and the bill did nothing to curb recovery for pain and suffering.
• [10:16] Political motivation: Was the legislation pushed through as a political move to reward the insurance industry and attack the plaintiff bar?
• [12:24] Impact on injured individuals: How the new legislation leaves injured individuals at a disadvantage in settling claims with insurance companies.
• [15:42] No reduced premiums: The legislation lacks language that would lead to reduced insurance premiums for consumers.

Name: Matthew A. Dolman, Esq.

Title: Partner at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA

Specialty: Matt is a nationally recognized insurance and personal injury attorney and focuses much of his practice on the litigation of catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. 

Connect: LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

Name: Stanley Gipe, Esq.

Title: Partner and Head of Litigation at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA

Specialty: Stan is a Florida Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer. This distinction connotes expertise in the discipline of trial practice. He has served as lead counsel on over 1,000 Florida personal injury lawsuits.

The insights and views presented in this podcast are for general information purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. The information presented is not a substitute for consulting with an attorney. Nor does tuning in to this podcast constitute an attorney-client relationship of any kind. Any case result information provided on any portion of this podcast should not be understood as a promise of any particular result in a future case. Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers: Big firm results, small firm personal attention.

In this week’s episode, hosts Matt Dolman and Stan Gipe share valuable insights into navigating the complexities of tort law and insurance coverage. 

We discuss the distinctions between intentional torts and negligence, focusing on the insurance coverage implications for each. Intentional torts occur when someone purposely causes harm. Negligence arises from unintentional harm due to careless actions.

Florida law doesn’t provide insurance coverage for intentional acts, making it vital for attorneys to identify and correctly present cases involving underlying negligence. We delve into specific case types, such as negligent transmission of sexual disease and security cases.

Matt and Stan share examples of how framing cases strategically can result in insurance coverage even when harm may initially seem intentional. It’s essential to have a skilled attorney who can present a case in a way that triggers insurance coverage. Most people don’t have sufficient liquid assets to cover large claims. 

It’s also essential to seek a second opinion if you've been told you don't have a case. Different attorneys may have varying perspectives on case approaches and the ability to identify negligence in seemingly intentional acts.

• [00.36] The differences between intentional torts and negligence
• [01.43] Florida's insurance coverage policy on intentional acts
• [04.39] Insurance coverage in specific cases, such as negligent security cases
• [05.58] How testimony from criminal cases can sometimes benefit civil claims
• [09.53] The importance of framing cases correctly for insurance coverage
• [11.14] Pursuing insurance coverage over individual assets
• [15.41] Why you should consider seeking a second opinion if you’ve been told you don’t have a case

Name: Matthew A. Dolman, Esq.

Title: Partner at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA

Specialty: Matt is a nationally recognized insurance and personal injury attorney and focuses much of his practice on the litigation of catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. 

Connect: LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

Name: Stanley Gipe, Esq.

Title: Partner and Head of Litigation at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA

Specialty: Stan is a Florida Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer. This distinction connotes expertise in the discipline of trial practice. He has served as lead counsel on over 1,000 Florida personal injury lawsuits.

The insights and views presented in this podcast are for general information purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. The information presented is not a substitute for consulting with an attorney. Nor does tuning in to this podcast constitute an attorney-client relationship of any kind. Any case result information provided on any portion of this podcast should not be understood as a promise of any particular result in a future case. Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers: Big firm results, small firm personal attention.

Florida's HB 837, the new tort reform bill signed by Governor DeSantis, contains sweeping limits on lawsuits and is likely to have detrimental consequences for accident and injury victims in Florida. While it may appear reasonable to those outside the legal profession, Matt Dolman and Stan Gipe are here to debunk common misconceptions and reveal the true impact of this bill on accident victims in Florida.

Initially aimed at addressing nuclear verdicts (which are quite rare), the bill has evolved to create chaos in areas such as doctors' fees in personal injury cases, negligent security standards, and the ability to pursue minor claims, among others. Furthermore, the bill favors insurance companies by forcing citizens to cover attorney fees, enabling these companies to manipulate the law and profit from countless claims. 

Join hosts Matt Dolman and Stan Gipe in this episode as they delve into the detrimental implications of the new tort reform bill and what it means for you. They examine each amendment in detail, explain how they directly impact Florida residents, and highlight the overarching issues associated with Florida's tort reform bill.

• [00:27] An overview of the changes included in Florida’s tort reform bill, HB 837
• [02:25] How the bill will negatively impact the healthcare treatment personal injury victims receive
• [04:35] Exploring the implications of a letter of protection
• [06:55] The problems arising from introducing Medicare rates in personal injury cases
• [08:46] The misguided effort to eliminate nuclear verdicts – how the HB 837 falls short
• [12:59] Why uninsured and underinsured drivers are far more expensive for Florida citizens than lawsuit verdicts
• [16:01] How HB 837 really hurts the people of Florida
• [23:47] Understanding the 51% standard and the challenges it presents for accident injury victims
• [27:55] The major problem with the HB 837 tort reform bill: the people drafting and voting on these laws often lack industry-specific expertise and, as a result, may not fully grasp the implications of their decisions.

Name: Matthew A. Dolman, Esq.

Title: Partner at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA

Specialty: Matt is a nationally recognized insurance and personal injury attorney and focuses much of his practice on the litigation of catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. 

Connect: LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

Name: Stanley Gipe, Esq.

Title: Partner and Head of Litigation at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA

Specialty: Stan is a Florida Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer. This distinction connotes expertise in the discipline of trial practice. He has served as lead counsel on over 1,000 Florida personal injury lawsuits.

The insights and views presented in this podcast are for general information purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. The information presented is not a substitute for consulting with an attorney. Nor does tuning in to this podcast constitute an attorney-client relationship of any kind. Any case result information provided on any portion of this podcast should not be understood as a promise of any particular result in a future case. Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers: Big firm results, small firm personal attention.

The landscape of legal marketing is evolving rapidly. You can no longer rely solely on word-of-mouth referrals if you want to scale your practice. How do you craft a legal marketing strategy that targets your specific audience?

Invest in the areas where your potential clients are. In 2023, this means putting your marketing dollars into social media. This is an essential step to connecting with others, getting in front of potential clients, and staying top-of-mind in a competitive market.

In this episode, show hosts Matt Dolman and Stan Gipe sit down with Larry Nussbaum, attorney and President of Altman Nussbaum Shunnarah, to talk about effective legal marketing in today’s world. Larry divulges strategies for maintaining relationships, utilizing social media for business, and choosing to be authentic in a changing world. Larry also shares his thoughts on the future of legal marketing and social media and the marketing frameworks his team is working on now.

• [00:31] Stan Gipe and Matt Dolman welcome today’s guest, attorney Larry Nussbaum
• [01:51] The evolution of Larry’s marketing strategy
• [04:07] Personal referrals remain impactful; however, social media marketing has become crucial in the contemporary legal marketing landscape.
• [08:04] Tips to maintain client and referral relationships
• [11:26] Larry's insights on the legal profession's future and advice for today's law school graduates
• [13:59] Leveraging social media to benefit your business
• [21:23] Marketing strategies Larry and his team are focusing on
• [24:37] Envisioning the future of online advertising and marketing

Name: Larry Nussbaum

Title: President and Attorney at Altman Nussbaum Shunnarah

Specialty: Larry Nussbaum is a Boston-based attorney and the President of Altman Nussbaum Shunnarah. He has been named by National Trial Lawyers as one of the top 100 trial lawyers in 2018, earned recognition from Super Lawyers, and earned a perfect score on AVVO, which named him as one of Boston’s top law firms. 

Connect: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok

Name: Matthew A. Dolman, Esq.

Title: Partner at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA

Connect: LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram 

Name: Stanley Gipe, Esq.

Title: Partner and Head of Litigation at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA

The insights and views presented in this podcast are for general information purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. The information presented is not a substitute for consulting with an attorney. Nor does tuning in to this podcast constitute an attorney-client relationship of any kind. Any case result information provided on any portion of this podcast should not be understood as a promise of any particular result in a future case. Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers: Big firm results, small firm personal attention.

Personal injury law is a saturated field — there are thousands of firms battling for top spots on Google search results. So, how do you stand out from your competitors? 

In this episode, personal injury attorneys Matt Dolman and Stan Gipe talk with SEO expert Chris Dreyer about why SEO matters, Google’s recent algorithm update, the importance of link building, ChatGPT, and strategies and tools to never run out of valuable keywords and content.

• [00:13] Today’s guest, SEO expert and Rankings.io founder Chris Dreyer
• [01:43] What a google algorithm is and why it matters
• [04:29] What a ‘link’ is when referring to SEO and what it has to do with your Google ranking
• [08:26] Red flags to watch out for when speaking with SEO companies
• [16:14] Tools for identifying valuable keywords and search terms
• [20:22] SEO is a long-game strategy
• [23:33] Understanding “white hat” and “black hat” when talking about SEO
• [25:18] How AI content like ChatGPT will affect SEO
• [34:32] How Dolman Law uses SEO to position themselves for mass torts like the Tylenol-autism suits
• [40:35] Contact Chris Dreyer and Rankings.io
• [43:17] Contact Dolman Law Group with your accident and injury questions 

Name: Chris Dreyer

Title: CEO & Founder at Rankings.io

Specialty: Chris Dreyer is the CEO and Founder of Rankings.io, an SEO agency that helps elite personal injury law firms land serious injury and auto accident cases through Google’s organic search results. His company has the distinction of making the Inc. 5000 list five years in a row.

Connect: Linkedin | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook

Name: Matthew A. Dolman, Esq.

Title: Partner at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA

Connect: LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram 

Name: Stanley Gipe, Esq.

Title: Partner and Head of Litigation at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA

The insights and views presented in this podcast are for general information purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. The information presented is not a substitute for consulting with an attorney. Nor does tuning in to this podcast constitute an attorney-client relationship of any kind. Any case result information provided on any portion of this podcast should not be understood as a promise of any particular result in a future case. Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers: Big firm results, small firm personal attention.