In this episode of Sports ’N Torts, Joshua Stein sits down with Randy Kessler, one of Atlanta’s most respected family law attorneys, to unpack what it takes to build a 30+ year legal career rooted in reputation, relationships, and consistency.

Randy shares how he stumbled into family law early in his career and turned it into a thriving, specialized practice—long before specialization was common. The conversation explores everything from trial strategy and client psychology to media appearances, LinkedIn growth, and personal branding, along with the real-world realities of representing high-profile and celebrity clients.

They also dive into Randy’s unique approach to law firm culture—including building a mock courtroom inside his office, investing in client experience, and surrounding himself with smart lawyers to improve decision-making.

Along the way, Randy offers candid insight into:

• How lawyers are really “in sales” at every level
• Why authenticity and relationships drive referrals
• How to manage emotional clients in high-stakes cases
• The importance of professionalism (including his signature suit-and-tie approach)
• And why doing the right thing—even when it costs you—pays off in the long run

The episode blends legal strategy, business insights, and personal stories—including courtside Hawks experiences, media moments, and lessons learned from decades in practice.

📌 SHOW NOTES

🔹 Building a Career in Family Law

• Randy’s early start and why family law “clicked”
• Finding a niche before specialization became common
• The reward of helping clients through the lowest moments of their lives
• “We see good people when they’re acting their worst.”

🔹 Law Firm Strategy & Client Experience

• Why office space still matters in a remote world
• Creating confidence and comfort for clients
• Building an in-office courtroom for trial preparation
• Using practice to make real court feel easier for clients

🔹 Case Strategy & Client Management

• Starting every case with a long-term plan: “Have a plan for the day after.”
• Balancing emotional clients with rational strategy
• Why “how you say things matters more than what you say”
• Encouraging clients to think beyond the litigation and into their future

🔹 Settlement Philosophy & Human Psychology

• Using small gestures to create long-term outcomes
• The power of being reasonable—even in conflict
• Why “doing something extra” can pay dividends later
• The role of emotional intelligence in legal outcomes

🔹 Marketing, Referrals & Relationships

• Why law is fundamentally a sales profession
• Building a practice through genuine relationships
• “People like sending business to their friends.”
• The importance of being accountable to referral sources

🔹 Media, Branding & LinkedIn Growth

• How Randy became an early LinkedIn influencer
• The role of media in building authority and credibility
• Why consistency matters more than perfection
• Understanding that media often needs experts to validate their stories

🔹 Handling Media & High-Profile Cases

• Best practices for dealing with press and public statements
• Why “no comment” can sometimes hurt more than help
• The importance of preparation and timing in public messaging
• Protecting client confidentiality in high-profile matters

🔹 Professionalism & Personal Brand

• Why Randy still wears a suit and tie every day
• Leading by example within a firm
• The importance of presentation and first impressions
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