Once upon a time, lawyers did not advertise on TV. State and local bars forbid it. Then came the disco era. In 1977, in Bates v. State Bar of Arizona, the U.S. Supreme Court freed lawyers to use television commercials by ruling that lawyer advertising is a constitutionally protected form of commercial speech.
Today, more than 50 years after Bates, you can find lawyers exercising their First Amendment rights in commercials that air around the clock on TV – even during the Super Bowl – and cycle endlessly through YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, and other social media.
Sure, not all law firm TV ads are Super Bowl commercial-caliber. Some still follow a format that likely dates to the late 1970s, with a lawyer staring directly into the camera and talking with a serious face while surrounded by leather chairs, large wood desks, and unused books. In other words, some lawyer TV commercials do little to make the firm stand out.
However, as a general trend, competition for clients has spurred creativity in lawyer TV advertising, especially in personal injury, criminal defense, and family law. Today, law firms nationwide make highly memorable TV commercials featuring quality production, compelling storylines, and clear messaging. They make the law firm stand out and carry the potential to generate solid leads in their target markets.
In this article, we discuss the 12 lawyer TV commercials that we believe are the “best” ones out there. To us, they are the ones that best reflect how lawyers can tackle the competition by getting creative and using effective marketing techniques to connect with prospective clients.
What Makes Some Lawyer TV Commercials Stand Out from the Rest?
Some of the lawyer TV commercials we chose for this list made us laugh. Others made us want to find a family member to hug. What they all have in common is that they made us feel confident that we would contact the law firm if we lived in that market and needed legal help in the firm’s practice areas, which is the key test.
We specifically based our picks on the following three factors:
- Production — We looked for commercials with engaging visuals that brought the law firm’s message to life. Some ads feature Hollywood-style cinematography and sound. Others simply have striking visuals that caught our attention and made us want to keep watching.
- Content — We also focused on whether the commercial features a compelling storyline that could resonate with prospective clients. We looked for content that touches on emotions through humor or heartwarming stories, and for content that showcases the law firm’s experience and character in a way that would build trust with viewers.
- Messaging — Finally, we considered the effectiveness of the ad’s messaging. Does the ad’s core message cover the needs and concerns of prospective clients? Does it display the firm’s personality and strengths? Does it provide a strong call to action?
To compile this list, we reviewed a ton of lawyer TV commercials and found most of them engaging and effective. We considered making the list longer. However, we settled on these 12 commercials as the “best” ones, which we do not list based on any ranking we gave them:
“We Stand Tough” — Jim Adler & Associates (Texas)
We have to start this list with one of the trailblazers in lawyer TV advertising. Jim Adler, or “The Texas Hammer,” has run commercials on TV since shortly after the Bates decision, when it was still largely frowned upon by many attorneys. Even though it made him a “pariah,” Adler told CBS News that TV advertising helped him to grow his Houston personal injury law solo practice into a law firm that today has more than 300 employees and offices throughout Texas.
The fast-action commercial shows Adler standing in the middle of a highway, wielding his sledgehammer, talking tough, and staring nastily at a tractor-trailer as it barrels toward him. “Go with Jim,” the voiceover implores as the firm’s phone number splashes across the screen and the giant truck screeches to a halt just a few feet from Adler and his “big, big hammer.”
“I thought so,” Adler says, turning to the camera with a grin.
Adler has built his practice on his reputation for being a “tough, smart” lawyer who will “stand tough” and take on insurance companies for his clients. With this bold and aggressive commercial, he seamlessly conveys that message and connects with potential clients in his market who want those traits in their lawyer.
“Texas Law Hawk” — Bryan E. Wilson, Attorney at Law (Texas)
It’s also fitting that we list Fort Worth-based criminal defense attorney Bryan E. Wilson right after Adler. He told CBS News that he grew up in Texas admiring Adler’s TV commercials and has tried the same approach in his “over-the-top” ads. However, Wilson shows his commercials solely online and never on TV.
It’s easy to see why this commercial went viral. It features a motorcycle, flames, an American flag, scattered hawk screeches, more flames, and Wilson’s “talons of justice.” Running over a minute long, it also includes a scene in which Wilson smashes through a wall like the Kool-Aid Man to protect a group of young people playing Hungry Hippos from a police officer who tries to crash their party without a search warrant.
“Know your rights!” Wilson screams at the camera. “Call [him] today!”
The ad connects the young attorney to his prospective young adult clients, such as college students, by reaching that target market through a YouTube video rather than a 30-second TV spot. It also appeals to them with some healthy wit, helpful information, and vivid portrayal of Wilson as a passionate, knowledgeable lawyer you can reach any time, day or night.
“Hammer in Space!” — Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers (Kentucky)
When he created Star Wars, George Lucas wanted to make a “space opera.” This commercial is more like a “space opry.”
The ad initially aired during the 2020 Super Bowl. The setting is outer space, where, like life on Earth, you must deal with greedy insurance companies. It features special effects and sound, country music, and Kentucky personal injury lawyer Darryl “The Hammer” Isaacs beaming on board in a Mandalorian suit to save a Princess Leia-like injury victim from a small settlement check.
It works because the commercial grabs your attention from the instant you see that spaceship floating through “the galaxy of Kentucky, where the fight for justice continues,” and because it vividly portrays Isaacs as being a lawyer with the grit and resources to take on even the most powerful opponents for his clients. (You’re also left thinking that a law firm that can spend that much advertising budget on a Super Bowl TV commercial must be doing something right.)
“One Call, That’s All” — Kenneth S. Nugent, P.C. (Georgia)
Personal injury victims don’t want to face a messy, confusing process. They are dealing with injuries, pain, and trauma. They have medical bills, living expenses, mouths to feed, and lives to live. Along those lines, this straightforward ad nails it. With its short, dramatic portrayal of a settlement discussion with a client, the commercial makes the experience of working with Atlanta-area personal injury attorney Kenneth S. Nugent seem like a stress-free process that may lead to much more compensation than you could imagine. The catchy slogan is a bonus.
“The People” — Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, Inc. (California)
This commercial is another with high production value that aired during a Super Bowl. Instead of using humor or special effects, Harris Personal Injury Lawyers uses light music and a memorable montage of the landscape, people, and smoked tri-tip of the Central Coast to show its affection for the community and commitment to the people who comprise it. The ad conveys that the firm’s lawyers take pride in protecting their neighbors from insurance companies “far away from here,” and in doing so, helps to develop a sense of trust with potential clients.
“Protect Your Family” — Trantolo & Trantolo Personal Injury Lawyers (Connecticut and Long Island)
It makes sense that a firm with not one, but three Trantolos on its legal team — father, son, and Taj, a German Shepherd and former Fidelco seeing-eye dog — would make a TV commercial focusing on families. You can see how this beautifully shot video might especially resonate with families in the Connecticut and Long Island markets who face challenging times due to an accident that a family member suffered. The message of working with someone dedicated to protecting families is powerful. It gives viewers a solid reason to contact this family of lawyers when needed.
“Masked Man” — Mike Morse Injury Law Firm (Michigan)
This ad, which pays homage to silent-era films, initially aired during the 2021 Super Bowl and in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. The black-and-white footage is eye-catching, cinema-quality, and a crafty way to deliver the message that this law firm cares about its community and the people it serves (with the founding attorney’s mother even providing a plug). If we had an honorable mention category, the Morse Injury Law Firm’s “Axe Throwing” commercial would be on it thanks to its catchy visuals, strong call to action, and use of a popular Michigan sport to get the target audience’s attention, or its witty “Ambulance Chaser” spot.
“Paper Boy” — George Sink Injury Lawyers (South Carolina)
This commercial has a light, nostalgic tone. It tells the story of a boy who went from delivering newspapers to delivering settlement checks to his clients as a personal injury lawyer. (The firm’s founder, George Sink Sr., went on to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps and did two tours in Vietnam between his days as a paper boy and the opening of his Charleston law office.) The black-and-white opening sequence may especially resonate with an older demographic that grew up watching “The Andy Griffith Show,” and those potential clients of any age who finally want to hear some “good news” after being hurt in an accident and dealing with insurance companies. The firm’s 999-9999 number is perfect.
“It’s Personal” — Bonilla Law Firm (Texas)
This professionally shot and edited commercial from Austin personal injury lawyer Brad Bonilla makes a strong emotional appeal to potential clients that counters the idea that attorneys are simply out to make money. Through a series of shots of the cityscape and the lawyer with his family, the ad clarifies that his law firm has a stake in the community’s safety. At the end of the commercial, it’s convincing when Bonilla tells viewers that “it’s personal” when his law firm helps clients in their community who others have hurt.
“Champion” — Gomez Trial Attorneys (California)
This lawyer TV commercial builds trust and connects with potential clients in the community without talking about the law firm’s experience or results or using a sledgehammer, flames, or spaceship. (After watching the fast-moving first 10 seconds, you may think it’s an energy drink commercial.) Instead, the commercial highlights the San Diego personal injury law firm’s support for a local community athletic center that helps at-risk children, and it encourages viewers to visit the law firm’s website – not to seek money in a personal injury claim, but instead, to be a “champ for these kids, too.” The upbeat, positive tone leaves an impression.
Want to Learn More About Using Video in Law Firm Marketing?
At Consultwebs, we believe videos can serve as powerful digital marketing tools, regardless of whether your law firm uses them in TV advertising, Google ads, Facebook, YouTube, or a combination of platforms.
Videos allow lawyers to showcase their experience and personality and connect with potential clients in their target market in ways static content can’t match. As these TV commercials show, lawyers can use creative, original videos to boost their law firm’s brand visibility and generate leads.
Contact us today to speak with an experienced legal marketing consultant and learn more about how your law firm can use videos in your digital marketing strategy.
