John and Kyle expose the truth about marketing accountability in personal injury firms — where the money really goes, why agencies often control the narrative, and how firms can take back visibility and results. They lay out the real levers that drive cases, the hidden revenue leaks inside intake, and why strategy and oversight beat blind spending every time. If you’re tired of guessing and want marketing that actually produces cases, this conversation hits directly where it matters.

In this episode, John and Kyle discuss:

• Why aggressive PI firms spend tens of thousands per month on SEO/PPC — and still feel stuck
• Where marketing retainers actually go (backlinks, content, commissions, etc.)
• How law firms can hold agencies accountable without needing to “speak SEO”
• Budget realism — why $2,500/month won’t move the needle in competitive markets
• Why intake, attribution, and internal leaks cost firms more than bad marketing

Key Takeaways:

• Most PI firms spend heavily on digital marketing without real clarity on whether that money is applied to tasks that actually drive rankings or produce signed cases. The spend is large, the insight is small.
• Agencies commonly “grade their own homework,” which is precisely why firms must define deliverables upfront instead of relying on polished reports and selective metrics. Accountability needs to be contractual, not cosmetic.
• SEO is not mandatory for growth — some firms thrive using LSAs, paid leads, or referral engines — but whatever path is chosen must be intentional, not accidental. Strategy should be driven by economics and market reality, not habit.
• Leakage in intake and tracking destroys more revenue than weak marketing ever will, with firms frequently losing six- and seven-figure matters that were already within reach. The phone rings — the process drops the ball.
• The biggest performance unlock is not “spend more” but “see clearly.” Strategic oversight, not bigger checks, is what converts marketing from a cost center into a returns engine.

“Advertisers don't really care where their leads or where their cases are coming from, or how they're getting them. They just want the cases that they want to work. They want to make money. They want to see a return on their investment. And they hire marketing agencies not because they do SEO or because they do PPC. They hire them because they want a partner that's going to deliver results.” — Kyle Sheldon

Connect with John and Kyle:

Website: https://defactodigitalconsulting.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-schroeder-b87b3821a/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeFactoDigital

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defactodigitalconsulting/

Emails: [email protected] , [email protected]

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Mike Budny is the Director of Strategy at Rankings.io. With decades of expertise in marketing, branding, business development, and advertising, he developed a proven sales training system that blends strategies across disciplines for holistic growth. Taking a hands-on approach, he personally reviews sales setups, uncovers growth opportunities, and guides businesses to close gaps for immediate results. Dedicated to integrity and authenticity, Mike helps organizations not just sell, but sell with confidence—driving sustainable success and elevating brands to new heights in highly competitive markets.

In this episode, John, Kyle, and Mike discuss:

• Mike’s journey from Indiana roots to digital marketing leader for law firms
• Branding, storytelling, and authenticity as trust-builders online
• Why personal injury law is the toughest SEO market to compete in
• How private equity consolidation is reshaping legal marketing agencies
• Smarter ways for firms to approach SEO, PPC, and lead generation

Key Takeaways:

• Humanizing your brand is essential in legal marketing, where trust and likability serve as the core currencies that attract and retain clients. Building authentic connections online is what sets firms apart.
• Personal injury law is the most competitive digital battleground, and only those who commit real budgets and long-term strategies can expect to win. Half measures simply don’t work in this space.
• When private equity takes over, the focus often shifts from quality to margins. Law firms that want lasting results should align with founder-led agencies that invest heavily in talent and client success.
• In SEO, there’s rarely a middle ground. You’re either ranking on the first page and getting cases, or you’re invisible—dabbling almost always leads to wasted effort and disappointment.
• The right partner doesn’t just generate leads but ensures budgets, operations, and intake processes work together. This alignment transforms marketing spend into real, measurable ROI.

“The two currencies you deal in online, 100% of the time—whether you know it or not—are likability and trust. These two currencies are how we do sales. We buy from those we know, we like, and we trust.” — Mike Budny

Connect with Mike Budny: 

Website: https://rankings.io/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebudny/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Connect with John and Kyle:

Website: https://defactodigitalconsulting.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-schroeder-b87b3821a/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeFactoDigital

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defactodigitalconsulting/

Emails: [email protected], [email protected]

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Lexi Poborsky is a dynamic leader in legal technology, currently driving innovation at Supio, a cutting-edge AI platform for plaintiff law firms. Born and raised in Western Washington, Lexi is a proud Washington State University alum. With years of experience supporting plaintiff attorneys, she has traveled nationwide, connecting firms with advanced solutions to streamline casework and maximize outcomes. Her career spans roles at Oasis Financial and Physician Life Care Planning, giving her unique insight into both the legal and medical aspects of personal injury law. At Supio, she is passionate about empowering firms of all sizes to harness AI, elevate client service, and achieve remarkable results.

In this episode, John, Kyle, and Lexi discuss:

• The rise of AI in personal injury law and how Supio is reshaping casework
• Why law firms struggle with document overload and how AI solves it
• Overcoming fears about AI replacing legal staff and jobs
• The impact of AI on small law firms competing with industry giants
• Data protection, HIPAA compliance, and how Supio prevents AI “hallucinations”

Key Takeaways:

• Supio was designed exclusively for plaintiff personal injury firms, giving them tools to manage overwhelming documentation, generate accurate medical chronologies, and simplify case preparation. This specialized focus allows firms to work smarter, not harder.
• Rather than replacing legal staff, AI operates as a powerful ally that removes the burden of repetitive, document-heavy tasks. This frees up attorneys and paralegals to prioritize client communication and case strategy.
• Solo and small practices no longer have to feel disadvantaged against large firms. By leveraging AI, they can identify red flags, catch critical details, and elevate case value with the same sophistication as industry giants.
• Supio sets itself apart by embedding strict compliance standards into its platform. With HIPAA compliance, SOC 2 certification, and non-retention of sensitive data, law firms can adopt AI confidently without compromising client security.
• Technology isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about outcomes. Firms using Supio have seen settlement values increase by as much as 20–30%, proving AI is quickly becoming essential for forward-thinking practices that want to maximize results.

“At this point in AI, we still need AI plus people. It's not taking everybody's jobs, but what it does is it alleviates all of that painstaking, really document-heavy work, and allows our teams that we support to focus on what really matters, like client communication or ensuring that that settlement value is as high as possible, depending on all the different circumstances of the case.” - Lexi Poborsky

Connect with Lexi Poborsky: 

Website: https://www.supio.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexi-poborsky-207a6710a/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Connect with John and Kyle:

Website: https://defactodigitalconsulting.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-schroeder-b87b3821a/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeFactoDigital

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defactodigitalconsulting/

Emails: [email protected] , [email protected]

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Anthony Higman is the CEO of ADSQUIRE and one of the world’s leading experts in PPC and Local Service Ads. With years of experience driving results for a top plaintiff law firm and multiple digital agencies, he has mastered the art of building high-performance legal marketing campaigns. Anthony’s journey began with an early fascination for iconic brands like Coca-Cola, which grew into a passion for advertising and storytelling. After graduating from West Chester University of Pennsylvania, he quickly rose to lead paid advertising strategy at a major law firm, expanding into new markets with bold creative and precise targeting. Today at ADSQUIRE, Anthony delivers hands-on, expert-level paid media management that maximizes ROI for every budget.

In this episode, John, Kyle, and Anthony discuss:

• The challenges Google’s automation and AI pose for personal injury lawyers
• Why keyword targeting still matters and where Google is moving away from it
• The impact of hyper-personalization and fingerprinting on ad visibility
• How transparency, attribution, and management fees affect law firms working with agencies
• Practical advice for PI firms choosing the right paid ads partner

Key Takeaways:

• Google’s automation and AI initiatives work well for e-commerce, but they often overlook industries like legal advertising. Personal injury lawyers face unique challenges that don’t fit neatly into Google’s automated systems.
• Even with its flaws, Google Ads continues to dominate search and remains the single most reliable way for law firms to drive cases and client leads. No other platform matches its scale and impact.
• Hyper-personalization has changed the game, creating scenarios where every user sees something different. This makes it increasingly difficult for law firms and agencies to measure performance with confidence.
• Many SEO agencies charge significant fees yet deliver little transparency on actual results. By contrast, PPC campaigns often provide a clearer ROI and faster client acquisition when managed by true experts.
• To avoid costly mistakes, law firms should partner with agencies that demonstrate passion, transparency, and flexibility. Steering clear of long-term lock-in contracts ensures firms can adapt quickly if strategies stop working.

“The best ones out there, the best ones at marketing period, are stupidly passionate about this thing.” - Anthony Higman

Connect with Anthony Higman: 

Website: https://adsquire.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-higman-a3656a46/ 

Connect with John and Kyle:

Website: https://defactodigitalconsulting.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-schroeder-b87b3821a/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeFactoDigital

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defactodigitalconsulting/

Emails: [email protected] , [email protected]

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Welcome to the De Facto Personal Injury Podcast and Accountability for All, the go-to show for personal injury lawyers looking to dominate their market. We break down the strategies that separate top-earning law firms from the rest. This show is all about business, marketing, and accountability—the key pillars of a thriving practice. Join us as we sit down with industry experts, high-performing attorneys, and digital marketing pros to uncover what's working right now. If you're ready to grow, get smarter, and take your firm to the next level, you’re in the right place.

In this episode, John and Kyle discuss:

• Why they launched De Facto Digital Consulting and the meaning behind the name
• The importance of impartiality in evaluating law firm marketing and operations
• Challenges personal injury firms face with limited demand and the need for optimized operations
• How law firms can navigate “tech stack fatigue” and choose the right vendors
• Their vision for the podcast, future guests, and the value it brings to both lawyers and marketers

Key Takeaways:

• Impartiality is at the heart of De Facto Digital Consulting. By refusing to sell ads or SEO services, John and Kyle ensure their evaluations remain completely unbiased and free from hidden agendas.
• Unlike other industries, personal injury law cannot create demand—there’s only a finite number of cases. This makes it vital for firms to sharpen their marketing strategies and streamline operations to capture every possible opportunity.
• Generating leads is only half the battle. Many firms lose potential clients due to weak intake processes or poor CRM tracking, proving that conversion systems are just as important as top-of-funnel strategies.
• With so many agencies, vendors, and technologies competing for attention, “tech stack fatigue” is a real issue. Law firms must carefully evaluate solutions to avoid overwhelm and to ensure that each tool truly supports their business goals.
• This podcast is designed to deliver practical and actionable insights that lawyers, marketers, and vendors can apply right away. At its core, the mission is about creating collaboration, transparency, and shared learning across the personal injury industry.

“We just want to analyze, diagnose, and strategize without any law firms feeling that we're going to sell them something on the back end, so it's completely impartial.” - John Schroeder

Connect with John and Kyle:

Website: https://defactodigitalconsulting.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-schroeder-b87b3821a/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeFactoDigital

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defactodigitalconsulting/

Emails: [email protected] , [email protected]

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.