Building a Referral Engine with Client-Centered Service
with Sam Aguiar, Founder of Aguiar Injury Lawyers
Sam Aguiar turned his first-year experience driving across Kentucky to visit new clients into the foundation of a 45-person, referral-powered law firm.
Today, 60% of his firm’s cases come from past clients and word-of-mouth. His strategy? Go over the top—every time.
In this 47-minute interview, Sam shares:
- How he creates “wow” first and last impressions that spark referrals
- Why a $100 discretionary budget outperforms a $4,000 billboard
- The billboard campaign that boosted brand and cases—without a phone number
- His Reddit and Meta ad strategies and why they’re crushing it
- How his intake team learns what matters most to each caller
- Why clients get a custom T-shirt, a hug, and sometimes even concert tickets
If your firm is looking to grow through stronger client relationships and smarter, lower-cost marketing, this interview is a masterclass.
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 13 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.
Sam Aguiar isn’t your typical lawyer. As founder of Sam Aguiar Injury Lawyers, he has built one of Kentucky’s most respected personal injury firms through exceptional client service and landmark results. His relentless pursuit of justice has generated dozens of seven and eight-figure recoveries, including a $12 million wrongful death settlement. Sam’s high-profile cases have earned national coverage on Hulu, ABC’s 20/20, CNN, and in the New York Times, while his work has driven meaningful change including significant police reforms and insurance industry overhauls.
A best-selling author and sought-after speaker, Sam educates attorneys nationwide on innovative case strategies and law firm culture. His practice centers on treating clients like family, delivering an unparalleled experience where every interaction matters. Beyond the courtroom, Sam and his wife Janelle are devoted philanthropists who operate a 20-acre animal sanctuary and have contributed millions to support underprivileged children and disaster relief efforts.
