Running a successful law firm is about so much more than just "knowing the law." In this episode of Unseen Impact, Rory and Kerrie sit down with Ryan McKean, co-founder of Best ERA and a renowned personal injury attorney who built a practice that secured a landmark $100M jury verdict.

Ryan breaks down his "Three Eras" of a legal career—from learning the craft to building the business and, finally, becoming a teacher. We dive deep into why consistency is the ultimate trophy in marketing, how to transition from a "random acts of business" mindset to predictable systems, and why the future of law belongs to those who embrace both AI and radical human empathy.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why "random acts of SEO" don't work (and the 6-year rule for steady growth).
The "Stamp Story": How a simple task can reveal the need for better systems.
The Wu-Tang guide to firm diversification (referrals vs. organic growth).
How AI will automate the mundane, making "human" traits like judgment and connection more valuable than ever.
Why customer service is the best marketing tool in your arsenal.

Whether you’re a solo practitioner or a seasoned firm owner, Ryan’s "blocking and tackling" approach to the business of law is the blueprint you need to scale without losing your mind.

Connect with Ryan McKean: 

● LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ryanmckeen/

● Instagram: @ctryanmckeen

● Threads: @ctryanmckeen

● Bluesky: @ryanmckeen.bsky.social

● Twitter/X: @ryanmckeen

● Facebook: facebook.com/ryan.mckeen

● Substack: ryancmckeen.substack.com

 

Best Era, LLC:

● TikTok: @bestera5

● YouTube: Best Era

● LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/best-era-llc

● Facebook: facebook.com/BestEraLLC

● Main Website: bestera.com

● Service Platform (Para Era): paraera.com

Some notable moments from this episode:

00:00 – The "Consistency Trophy" and why random acts of marketing fail.

01:15 – Introducing Ryan McKean: From $100M verdicts to legal consulting.

04:45 – What is a "Fractional Executive Team" for law firms?

06:50 – The Three Eras of a Lawyer: Practitioner, Builder, and Teacher.

08:50 – The "Stamp Story": The moment Ryan realized he needed systems.

11:40 – Why the legal industry struggles with process improvement.

14:10 – Scaling from "Maybe I'll get a case" to predictable growth.

17:30 – Why you have to be "willing to suck" at video to build a brand.

20:30 – Referral Marketing: The ceiling and the risks of relying on a network.

24:50 – Kaizen in the Law Office: 1% better every single day.

28:00 – Reverse engineering the client experience to build trust.

33:20 – The Future of Law: AI, 2026, and the "Latent Legal Market."

42:30 – How to get involved with the Best ERA community.

 

Quick (but important) disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only — not legal advice (not even a tiny bit). Watching this doesn’t make us your lawyers — that only happens if we both agree in writing. We’re licensed in CA, TX, MT, and MA; if your case is elsewhere, grab a local attorney. And no, we can’t promise outcomes — every case is its own story. If you think you may have a case or need legal help, reach out to a qualified attorney (and if you’re in one of our states, feel free to reach out to us).

Running a successful law firm is about so much more than just "knowing the law." In this episode of Unseen Impact, Rory and Kerrie sit down with Ryan McKean, co-founder of Best ERA and a renowned personal injury attorney who built a practice that secured a landmark $100M jury verdict.
Ryan breaks down his "Three Eras" of a legal career&mdash;from learning the craft to building the business and, finally, becoming a teacher. We dive deep into why consistency is the ultimate trophy in marketing, how to transition from a "random acts of business" mindset to predictable systems, and why the future of law belongs to those who embrace both AI and radical human empathy.
In this episode, you&rsquo;ll learn:
<ul>
<li>Why "random acts of SEO" don't work (and the 6-year rule for steady growth).</li>
<li>The "Stamp Story": How a simple task can reveal the need for better systems.</li>
<li>The Wu-Tang guide to firm diversification (referrals vs. organic growth).</li>
<li>How AI will automate the mundane, making "human" traits like judgment and connection more valuable than ever.</li>
<li>Why customer service is the best marketing tool in your arsenal.</li>
</ul>
Whether you&rsquo;re a solo practitioner or a seasoned firm owner, Ryan&rsquo;s "blocking and tackling" approach to the business of law is the blueprint you need to scale without losing your mind.
Connect with Ryan McKean:&nbsp;
● LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanmckeen/">linkedin.com/in/ryanmckeen/</a>
● Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ctryanmckeen/">@ctryanmckeen</a>
● Threads: <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.threads.net/@ctryanmckeen">@ctryanmckeen</a>
● Bluesky: <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/ryanmckeen.bsky.social">@ryanmckeen.bsky.social</a>
● Twitter/X: <a href="https://x.com/ryanmckeen">@ryanmckeen</a>
● Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ryan.mckeen/">facebook.com/ryan.mckeen</a>
● Substack: <a href="https://substack.com/@ryancmckeen">ryancmckeen.substack.com</a>
&nbsp;
Best Era, LLC:
● TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@bestera5">@bestera5</a>
● YouTube: <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.youtube.com/@BestEra">Best Era</a>
● LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-era-llc">linkedin.com/company/best-era-llc</a>
● Facebook: <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.facebook.com/BestEraLLC">facebook.com/BestEraLLC</a>
● Main Website: <a href="https://bestera.io/">bestera.</a>com
● Service Platform (Para Era): <a href="https://paraera.com/">paraera.com</a>
Some notable moments from this episode:
00:00 &ndash; The "Consistency Trophy" and why random acts of marketing fail.
01:15 &ndash; Introducing Ryan McKean: From $100M verdicts to legal consulting.
04:45 &ndash; What is a "Fractional Executive Team" for law firms?
06:50 &ndash; The Three Eras of a Lawyer: Practitioner, Builder, and Teacher.
08:50 &ndash; The "Stamp Story": The moment Ryan realized he needed systems.
11:40 &ndash; Why the legal industry struggles with process improvement.
14:10 &ndash; Scaling from "Maybe I'll get a case" to predictable growth.
17:30 &ndash; Why you have to be "willing to suck" at video to build a brand.
20:30 &ndash; Referral Marketing: The ceiling and the risks of relying on a network.
24:50 &ndash; Kaizen in the Law Office: 1% better every single day.
28:00 &ndash; Reverse engineering the client experience to build trust.
33:20 &ndash; The Future of Law: AI, 2026, and the "Latent Legal Market."
42:30 &ndash; How to get involved with the Best ERA community.
&nbsp;
Quick (but important) disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only &mdash; not legal advice (not even a tiny bit). Watching this doesn&rsquo;t make us your lawyers &mdash; that only happens if we both agree in writing. We&rsquo;re licensed in CA, TX, MT, and MA; if your case is elsewhere, grab a local attorney. And no, we can&rsquo;t promise outcomes &mdash; every case is its own story. If you think you may have a case or need legal help, reach out to a qualified attorney (and if you&rsquo;re in one of our states, feel free to reach out to us).

Rory Pendergast, Lead Attorney at Rory Law, discusses the unseen impact and ripple effects on victims of various injuries in "The Unseen Impact"  

Unseen Impact with Rory Pendergast explores the ripple effects of personal injury cases, shedding light on the hidden ways accidents, negligence, and injustice shape lives and explores the economic, physical, and emotional damages endured.

Each episode features mental health, physical injury, and industry professionals to examine the widespread effects of various injuries on individuals, families, and communities. 

Rory Pendergast, a California-based attorney originally from Montana, hosts a show where he discusses the unseen impact and ripple effects on victims of various injuries. He advocates in court on behalf of victims of revenge pornography (non-consensual pornography), physical and mental injury, and property destruction.

<a href="https://rorylaw.com/">Rory Pendergast</a>, Lead Attorney at Rory Law, discusses the unseen impact and ripple effects on victims of various injuries in "The Unseen Impact"&nbsp;&nbsp;
Unseen Impact with Rory Pendergast explores the ripple effects of personal injury cases, shedding light on the hidden ways accidents, negligence, and injustice shape lives and explores the economic, physical, and emotional damages endured.
Each episode features mental health, physical injury, and industry professionals to examine the widespread effects of various injuries on individuals, families, and communities.&nbsp;
Rory Pendergast, a California-based attorney originally from Montana, hosts a show where he discusses the unseen impact and ripple effects on victims of various injuries. He advocates in court on behalf of victims of revenge pornography (non-consensual pornography), physical and mental injury, and property destruction.

Unseen Impact 

Unseen Impact is a podcast that looks beyond legal headlines to explore how personal injury truly affects people’s lives. Hosted by Rory Pendergast—a legal marketing strategist with over a decade of experience in the justice space—the show examines the real-world consequences of accidents, negligence, and systemic failures. Each episode features conversations with professionals in mental health, physical rehabilitation, and law—as well as those with lived experience—to shed light on the emotional, physical, and financial aftermath of personal injury. Rory brings a thoughtful, trauma-informed lens to each interview, creating space for guests to share insights that help educate, humanize, and advocate.

Unseen Impact is a podcast that looks beyond legal headlines to explore how personal injury truly affects people&rsquo;s lives. Hosted by Rory Pendergast&mdash;a legal marketing strategist with over a decade of experience in the justice space&mdash;the show examines the real-world consequences of accidents, negligence, and systemic failures. Each episode features conversations with professionals in mental health, physical rehabilitation, and law&mdash;as well as those with lived experience&mdash;to shed light on the emotional, physical, and financial aftermath of personal injury. Rory brings a thoughtful, trauma-informed lens to each interview, creating space for guests to share insights that help educate, humanize, and advocate.