Shows
Personal Injury Mastermind w/ Chris Dreyer374. Case Cost Crisis: How to Survive the PE Squeeze w/ Jon WalnerPrivate equity is reshaping auto PI, driving case costs up and crowding every channel with firms spending millions each month. Jon Walner has lived through TV’s rise, a full rebrand from his father’s household-name firm, and now a market where acquiring a case costs more than ever. In this episode, he breaks down what he’s seeing today — the PE squeeze, the real math behind auto, rebuilding intake to stay fast and calm, and why adding comp, probate, and matrimonial can create steadier cash flow when PI margins tighten.
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2025-12-1834 min
Words With WalnerEp. 24 | Pedaling Forward: Chicago Cycling Insights, Part 2In episode 24 of Words With Walner, we continue our deep dive into the world of cycling in Chicago. This is part two of our series, where we are once again joined by Leo Koenig, a passionate city cyclist. In this episode, we further explore the experiences and challenges that bikers face in the bustling streets of Chicago. Whether you're a driver, cyclist, or pedestrian, there's still plenty to learn and discuss. We hope you enjoy this continuation of our conversation!
2024-06-0515 minWords With WalnerEp. 23 | Biking in Chicago: How to Stay Safe and What to do if You're Injured!In episode 23 of Words With Walner, we visit a very timely topic as more and more bicycles hit the streets in Chicago this spring. We were joined by Leo Koenig, a cyclist in the city, to share and compare experiences that bikers in Chicago have. Whether you are a driver, cyclist, or a pedestrian in the city of Chicago, this episode has plenty for you to learn. We hope you enjoy this episode and stay tuned for more on this topic soon!
2024-05-0122 minWords With WalnerEp. 22 | How to Fix Your Workplace Problems, ft. Carl WestWelcome to another episode of "Words With Walner," where we dive deep into conversations that impact our city of Chicago, the business of law, and anything else that might pop into our heads. In this episode, we are joined by the multi-faceted Carl West, an activist, visionary, and accomplished businessman. Carl sheds light on the profound cultural shifts we've witnessed since the pandemic, highlighting how traditional structures like college and mentorship have evolved. He emphasizes the importance of mindset in applying knowledge, noting that while attributes are inherent, skills can be cultivated. Carl inspires us to foster a culture...
2024-03-0638 minWords With WalnerEp. 21 | Father, Fighter, Founder: A Conversation on Community, ft. Joseph WilliamsIn this special episode of Words With Walner, we discuss fatherhood on community stability. We're privileged to host Joseph Williams, a multifaceted leader (and father of six himself!) whose dedication to empowering fathers and fostering community resilience is truly inspiring. Joseph wears many hats: he's the Founder and Executive Director of Mr. Dad’s Father’s Club, a nonprofit that bridges the gap between fathers and youth in Chicago. Additionally, he serves as the 7th District Councilman for the Chicago Police Department and is currently a candidate for State Representative in the sixth district. Through our conversation, Joseph shares his...
2024-02-0721 minWords With WalnerEp. 20 | Words With Walner 2023 Retrospective! BEST MOMENTSWe have covered every topic imaginable so far with Words With Walner – from where to get the best hotdogs in the city to how to proceed if you’ve been a victim of medical malpractice – but one theme that has shone through time and time again is that with the right lawyers, anything is possible. We hope you enjoy this recap of Words With Walner’s best moments of 2023, and stay tuned for more amazing episodes in the year ahead. We thank you for your support, whether you’ve been with us from the start or if this is your first...
2024-01-1018 minWords With WalnerEp: 19 | The Violence Interruption Front Lines, ft. Tio HardimanTio Hardiman is an incredibly brave leader in the city of Chicago. As Founder and Executive Director of Violence Interrupters, NFP, Tio Hardiman has dedicated his life to helping stop violence in Chicago's struggling communities. A native west sider, Tio knows Chicagoans because he is one. Hear his stories of the work he does, as well has his ideas for how the city can rectify its current problems. You won't want to miss this awesome episode of Words With Walner.
2023-12-0635 minWords With WalnerEp: 18 | Upcoming Walner Law Turkey Giveaway in Chicago & More! ft. Capt. A.J. ZimmermanFor this special 18th episode of Words With Walner, we were honored to be joined by Captain A.J. Zimmerman, Corps Officer for the Adele & Robert Stern Red Shield Corps Community Center in Englewood! The primary focus for this episode is providing logistical insights for the Chicago community on how they can access the upcoming turkey giveaway that will be sponsored by Walner Law and hosted by Capt. Zimmerman's Salvation Army Facility in Englewood. However, listeners can also hear more about all of the amazing community initiatives that people like A.J. are doing to improve lives throughout our...
2023-11-0720 minWords With WalnerEp: 17 | From Personal Injury Law to Politics, ft. Frank CalabreseGuest Frank Calabrese is quickly becoming an important figure in the political landscape of Chicago, having worked on campaigns large and small and now providing insight into races across the city. In episode 17, Frank, Steve, and Jon discuss the state of Chicago politics, the importance of building coalitions, the redrawing of districts to achieve political outcomes, and more. The takeaway: politics, poverty, and personal injury law are all interconnected. You don’t want to miss this one!
2023-10-0427 minWords With WalnerEp. 16 | A Life of Community Organizing in Chicago, ft. Sabrina KingEnglewood native and community organizer, Sabrina King, started Love Teaching Youth after gun violence impacted her family. Walner Law has been proud to support Sabrina and her organization in their mission of education and opportunity-creation. Love Teaching Youth connects children from underprivileged backgrounds in Chicago to sports, social events, and other self-esteem building activities. A giver at heart, it was a pleasure to have Sabrina on Words With Walner, and we hope you will consider getting involved in her organization via donations, volunteering, or simply spreading the word.
2023-09-0622 minWords With WalnerEp. 15 | Legal Tech, TextLegal, and How to Put Clients FirstIn episode 15, guest Jonathan Merel of the Law Offices of Jonathan Merel returns! This time he and Jon discuss their joint venture of TextLegal, a shortcode-based system for law firms and their clients that skips over the frustrations of conventional email communication. Additionally, Jon and Jonathan discuss use cases of AI in their offices and how to leverage that technology responsibly. You won't want to miss this one!
2023-08-0225 minWords With WalnerEp. 14 | Family Law Meets Personal Injury Law, ft. Jonathan MerelFor episode fourteen of Words With Walner, we were joined by Jonathan Merel of The Law Offices of Jonathan Merel. As one of the leading family and divorce lawyers in Chicago, Jonathan's insights were extremely informative, entertaining, and thorough. If you like this episode, stay tuned next month for round two of our conversation with Jonathan!
2023-07-0531 minWords With WalnerEp. 13 | Workers' Compensation ExplainedAre you a gig worker? Contract laborer? No matter what type of work you do, you need to know your rights. Workers’ Compensation is a very complex and layered issue, and navigating it can be tricky for any worker. Laws vary from state to state and district to district, but one thing that doesn’t change is your right to stick up for yourself if you’ve been injured on the job. In episode 13, Chicago’s Personal Injury Lawyer, Jon Walner, breaks down this subject with his signature energy & expertise, reminding you that you are not alone if you are...
2023-06-0722 minWords With WalnerEp. 12 | How to Eat and Explore Chicago Like a Local: Jon Walner's Insider GuideIn this episode of Words With Walner, we take a break from the personal injury law topics and instead give Jon a chance to share his expertise in a different category: all things Chicago. From the best downtown steakhouses and pizza joints to hidden gems in neighborhoods north to south, he dishes on his favorite local eateries that will make your taste buds dance. But it's not all about food; he also shares his favorite places to explore, including museums, parks, and sports stadiums. Whether you're a Chicago native or planning a visit, this episode will provide you with...
2023-05-0333 minWords With WalnerEp. 11 | The Ultimate Guide to Legal MarketingIn this episode, Jon and Steve delve into the world of legal marketing and provide valuable insights on how law firms should market themselves to attract more clients. The hosts also discuss the challenges of standing out in a crowded marketplace and offer innovative strategies for law firms to differentiate themselves and build a strong brand. From SEO to social media, they cover various aspects of digital marketing and how it can be leveraged to achieve business goals. Whether you are an experienced attorney, just starting out, or simply interested in the industry, this episode is...
2023-04-0523 minWords With WalnerEp. 10 | Injury Law in Illinois: What You Need to KnowFor episode 10 of Words With Walner, Jon and Steve discuss the current state of personal injury law in Illinois. This episode is relevant for everyone - lawyers, legal scholars and the general public included. They touch on everything from what kinds of cases are hitting Jon's desk at Walner Law lately, to the increase in distracted drivers due to rideshare and food delivery apps, to why you need a strong lawyer to fight for you if you suffer an unjust injury of any kind.
2023-03-0123 minWords With WalnerEp. 09 | Family Values in Personal Injury Law, ft. Attorney Kristin KladisThis special episode of Words With Walner features one of Walner's own, Attorney Kristin Kladis, who was recently promoted to Partner at Walner Law. She received this promotion due to her relentless dedication to pursuing justice for our clients. In this episode you will hear about her family's long history with Walner Law, her experience as a woman in the field of Personal Injury Law, and she also provides valuable insights for anyone who may be listening, such as what questions you need to be prepared to answer when you think you may have a personal injury case.
2023-02-0126 minWords With WalnerEp. 08 | Rideshare Accident Law Explained, ft. Aaron BoederIn this insightful episode of Words With Walner, we were again joined by Attorney Aaron Boeder. Jon and Aaron discuss the greed and corruption that is present within the rideshare industry, and what YOU can do to avoid getting taken advantage of if you find yourself in an accident involving these kinds of companies.
2023-01-0423 minWords With WalnerEp. 07 | Medical Malpractice: Know Your Rights, ft. Aaron BoederOver 250,000 people lost their lives to medical malpractice in the past year. This episode of Words With Walner features a riveting discussion between two leading lawyers in Chicago on the topic of medical malpractice. Aaron Boeder of Salvi, Schostok and Pritchard shares his expertise on the ins and outs of a very important subtopic within personal injury law. Want to protect you and your loved ones from being victimized by the medical system? Give this episode a listen and remember that lawyers like Jon Walner and Aaron Boeder are on your side.
2023-01-0325 min
Making the BrandHow to Run a Successful Law Firm, ft. Jon WalnerJon Walner is an energetic and passionate lawyer who channels this spirit into achieving justice for his clients. Fortress has developed a strong relationship with his firm, Walner Law, having worked on their website, branding, and many many other projects. Hear Jon and Joel talk about what gets them out of bed every day, and the importance of bringing good people together to reach a common goal.
2022-11-2347 minWords With WalnerEp. 06 | Legal Lending Lessons ft. Michael PekinInsurance companies are a formidable opponent. Guest Michael Pekin – a longtime friend of Jon Walner – discusses how his company, Cartiga, is helping lawyers and their clients tremendously with their pre-trial funding solutions. Lenders like Cartiga let plaintiffs live their day-to-day lives by giving them money for rent, car payments, etc; meanwhile, the lawyers, like Jon, do the work of winning their cases. This way, clients are not settling cases for pennies on the dollar. This episode contains essential knowledge for everyone, so they can be prepared when the unthinkable happens.
2022-11-0223 minWords With WalnerEp. 05 | Empathy & Action: Andrew M. Stroth on Civil Rights Law in ChicagoSummary:Episode 5 of Words With Walner features one of the top civil rights attorneys in the entire country. Andrew M. Stroth, founder and managing partner of Action Injury Law Group, LLC, sits down with his longtime friend and colleague Jon Walner. They talk about current events in civil rights litigation, some specific cases they have settled, and how personal injury lawyers and civil rights lawyers can work together to create change in Chicago and the country at large.Timestamps:0:00 - 7:31 → What is Civil Rights Law7:31 - 17:58 → How to Ap...
2022-10-0525 minWords With WalnerEp. 04 | Legal Lending: When, Why, and How?In episode four of Words With Walner, Jon and Steve sit down to talk about all things legal lending. Why is legal lending important? When exactly is it necessary? Why is it crucial for plaintiffs to secure a strong financial cushion as they wait for their case to be settled? Jon and Steve answer all of these questions, as well as why Walner Law is the right choice for you if you’ve been injured. Timestamps:0:00 - 7:30 → Walner Law core values7:30 - 12:10 → What is legal lending?12:10 - 17:45 → Barriers to quick set...
2022-09-0721 minWords With WalnerEp. 03 | Truck Accident Law Explained: Insights from Walner Law5,000 U.S. deaths per year are caused by truck accidents, and litigating these types of cases is no joke. Learn the ins and outs of this important subtopic within the legal industry by tuning in to episode three of Words With Walner! Jon answers questions such as “How is liability determined in a truck accident case?” and “What were the outcomes of some of the truck accident cases that Walner Law has taken on?” Don’t miss out on these incredible insights and lessons.
2022-08-0322 minWords With WalnerEp. 02 | How to Conquer the Law School JourneyIn episode two of Words With Walner, Jon and Steve dive into a wide range of topics centered around the law school to law profession pipeline. They answer questions like “what advice would you give a recent law school graduate?” and “who is the ideal candidate for a position at a law firm like Walner?” For anyone interested in learning more about the state of law school and the legal profession from an experienced insider like Jon, you won’t want to miss this episode.Timestamps:0:00 - 10:35Introduction and the state of law sch...
2022-07-0536 minWords With WalnerEp. 01 | Welcome to Words With WalnerIn the first-ever episode of Words With Walner, Jon Walner of Walner Law Chicago sits down with co-host, Steve Miller, to discuss topics like personal injury law, where the legal space is headed, and how it has evolved since Jon Walner started practicing in the 80s.
2022-06-0233 min