His Mom Was Killed by a Drunk Driver. Now He’s a Lawyer. From personal tragedy to personal injury justice, our next guest share the big reason for their "why". In this episode of Hot Docket, Bobby and Andrew sit down with Geoff Jones, founder of The Jones Firm in Columbus, Ohio. Geoff shares the heartbreaking story of losing his mom in a 2008 drunk driving crash—a tragedy that didn’t lead him into law, but now fuels everything he does as a personal injury attorney. We talk about the emotional side of legal work, why Geoff left the world of high-volume PI firms, and how he’s using tech and empathy to build a firm that actually puts people first. Whether you're building a law firm, burned out from the “mill,” or just want to hear a story that hits hard—this one’s for you. — What You’ll Hear: How personal loss shaped Geoff's passion for PI law Why many big firms fail at client experience How to start and scale a values-driven firm The role of systems, CRMs, and AI in solo practice When to work a case like it’s going to trial—even if it’s not — Episode Highlights 00:00 – The crash that changed Geoff's life 04:21 – From undecided student to attorney 08:40 – Humboldt State and finding his direction 12:50 – What empathy in law actually looks like 16:33 – Why he walked away from volume firm life 21:15 – Starting his own firm: the good and the hard 27:00 – How tech helps him outpace the old school 33:48 – Big firms say no to cases Geoff's wins 37:40 – Advice for any lawyer going solo — Key Takeaways for Law Firm Owners Empathy is a differentiator. Real connection matters more than branding. Build systems early. Structure enables scale without sacrificing service. Don’t assume a “small” case is low value—treat it like it’s trial-ready. Clients should hear from their attorney. Regular contact builds trust. Tech is your friend. CRMs, AI tools, and smart workflows give solos a competitive edge. Important Links and Resources: Connect with Geoff Jones: https://www.jonesfirmohio.com/ If you have guest ideas or questions you would like our hosts to cover, please email info@hotdocketpodcast.com.Tune in to hear from more the Hot Docket podcast hosted by Bobby Steinbach and Andrew Nasrinpay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Radio Public and more!