Niching Down, Expanding Geographically, and Doubling in Size with Attorney Dawn Smith
Dawn Smith and her partner are building a nationwide nursing home neglect firm. They currently are in 20 states, are rapidly adding more, and have more than doubled in size in the last year.
In my interview Dawn shares:
- Her shortcut to adding states
- How Covid made the business model possible
- The big hiring mistake she made early on
- Why processes are critical to scaling
- The simple but game-changing process she recently implemented
- The software working well for her firm
- How she goes after referrals, which are her #1 source of clients
- What the firm does to remain a trusted referral partner
- How the firm works to stand out from its competition
- The ads that haven’t worked for her (save your money)
- The type of overseas clerks working out, and the ones that haven’t

Kara Prior is president of James Publishing and co-founder of James Amplifier. She spends most of her time talking to attorneys about how to improve their marketing results.
Kara has a vast marketing and writing background, working for several newspapers and managing Entrepreneur magazine’s 100,000-member social network before joining James Publishing seven years ago. Kara is co-author of three books: More Referrals from Lawyers, The Most Effective Law Firm Marketing Agencies, and How Small Law Firms Can Obtain More Referrals.
She is the mother of two young boys, and was captain of her Division 1 college swim team.

Attorney Dawn Smith is an owner and the Managing Partner of Smith Clinesmith LLP. Dawn has garnered widespread recognition as one of the top attorneys in her field and nursing home law.
Her expertise and track record of success have earned her the prestigious distinction of being among the top trial attorneys in the country. Through her tireless efforts and commitment to justice, she has solidified her reputation as a trusted advocate for those affected by nursing home abuse and neglect.