This interview is with Andino Reynal, Attorney at Law at The Reynal Law Firm.

Andino Reynal, Attorney at Law, The Reynal Law Firm

Andino, could you please introduce yourself to our audience at CorporateLawyer.io and tell us a bit about your area of expertise within the legal field?

Hi there, I'm Andino Reynal. I lead The Reynal Law Firm in Texas, where we focus on criminal defense, especially in complex state and federal cases. My journey in law started with clerking for a federal judge during the Enron cases. I then moved to Baker Botts for commercial litigation before joining the U.S. Attorney's Office. There, I prosecuted white-collar crime, public corruption, and major drug trafficking. Since 2012, I've been in private practice. My work spans from defending executives in multi-million-dollar fraud cases to helping individuals facing serious criminal charges. I've also taken on roles as a special prosecutor and served on the U.S. Magistrate Judge Selection Committee.

Can you walk us through your professional journey that led you to become a prominent figure in the legal field?

Sure, I'd be glad to share my path. My legal career started with a clerkship for Judge Melinda Harmon in Houston. This was during the Enron fallout, so I got a crash course in high-stakes litigation right off the bat. From there, I joined Baker Botts, working on commercial litigation and international arbitration. It was challenging work that taught me a lot about the intricacies of complex cases. In 2008, I took a sharp turn when Eric Holder appointed me as a federal prosecutor for the Southern District of Texas. I joined the Organized Crime Strike Force, which put me in the thick of white-collar crime, public corruption, and major drug trafficking cases. This experience was invaluable—it showed me how the government builds cases and gave me insight I now use to defend my clients. After four years as a prosecutor, I decided to enter private practice in 2012. Since then, I've handled a wide range of cases, from defending foreign officials in multi-million-dollar money laundering cases to helping executives facing securities fraud charges. I've also had the chance to give back to the legal community. I've served as a special prosecutor for Harris County and sat on the U.S. Magistrate Judge Selection Committee. I teach at the University of Houston Law Center too, which keeps me on my toes and connected to the next generation of lawyers.

You've spoken about the importance of networking and speaking engagements for generating leads. Can you share a specific instance where one of these strategies led to a significant and memorable case or client acquisition?

I once gave a speech about human trafficking at the Mexican-American Bar Association. The CLE coordinator, who reached out to me about that talk, ended up becoming one of my closest friends and collaborators in the legal field. This connection led to countless cases we've worked on together since then. It's a prime example of how networking can create lasting professional relationships that go beyond just lead generation. What made this particularly effective was the focused nature of the event. Speaking on a specific, impactful topic like human trafficking allowed me to showcase my expertise and passion. It attracted people with similar interests and values, leading to more meaningful connections and cases.

Many lawyers struggle with effectively tracking the ROI of their marketing efforts. Can you elaborate on the tracking system you use and how you ensure its accuracy?

For each networking event or talk I give, we create a unique landing page on our website. This page offers something special—maybe a free case review or some exclusive content. We tell attendees about this during the event. Each of these pages has its own tracking. We can see how many people visit, how they interact with the page, and if they reach out to us. We then use our CRM system to follow these leads. We track which ones turn into actual cases and what the outcomes are. This lets us see the full journey from initial contact to case resolution. By doing this, we can figure out which topics and venues are best for our practice. It helps us make smart choices about where to put our time and resources. For example, we might find that talks on white-collar crime at business events lead to more high-value cases than general legal seminars. Or we might see that networking at certain industry conferences brings in more clients than others. The key is consistency. We apply this approach to all our marketing efforts, which gives us a clear picture over time. It's not a perfect science, but it's much better than guessing. It helps us focus on what works and cut out what doesn't.

Beyond tracking, how do you determine which marketing strategies are most effective for your specific practice area and target clientele?

First, we segment our clients. We look at the types of cases we handle—white-collar crime, complex civil litigation, high-stakes criminal defense—and group our clients accordingly.

For each segment, we track where these clients came from. Was it a referral? A speaking engagement? Our website? We log all this in our CRM.

We then look at the lifetime value of each client. This includes not just the initial case but any follow-up work or referrals they've sent our way.

By combining this data, we can see which channels bring in the most valuable clients for each practice area.

For example, we found that for white-collar cases, industry conferences and targeted LinkedIn content work well. These clients often research extensively before reaching out, so having a strong online presence matters.

For high-stakes criminal defense, referrals from other attorneys are gold. So we focus on building and maintaining those professional relationships.

We also pay attention to the content that resonates with each group. Our newsletter analytics show us which topics get the most engagement from different client types.

It's an ongoing process. We review this data quarterly and adjust our strategy. If something's not working, we drop it. If something's working well, we double down.

The key is to be flexible and responsive to the data. What worked last year might not work this year, especially in a field that changes as quickly as law.

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, how important are online marketing strategies for modern legal professionals, compared to traditional methods you've mentioned?

Online platforms expand our reach significantly. Our website showcases our expertise and case results. We use SEO to ensure we're visible when potential clients search for legal help in our practice areas. Social media, particularly LinkedIn, helps us stay connected with our professional network and share insights. This keeps us top-of-mind for referrals. Our email newsletter delivers valuable content to subscribers, nurturing relationships over time. We track open rates and click-throughs to refine our content strategy. That said, we don't neglect traditional methods. Personal referrals still drive a significant portion of our high-value cases.

Speaking engagements and networking events remain effective for building trust and demonstrating expertise in person. The key is integration. We use digital tools to enhance our traditional efforts. For instance, we'll share highlights from a speaking engagement on social media, extending its reach beyond the physical audience. We've found that different channels work better for different types of cases. Online marketing tends to be more effective for clients seeking information on complex legal issues, while personal referrals often lead to immediate, high-stakes cases. Ultimately, we aim for a mix that leverages the strengths of both digital and traditional methods. It's about being where our clients are, whether that's online or in person.

Can you share an example of a successful online marketing campaign or initiative that yielded positive results for your practice?

We created a series of in-depth articles on our website covering various aspects of white-collar crime—from initial investigations to trial strategies. Each piece was thoroughly researched and offered practical insights. We then broke these down into smaller, digestible posts for LinkedIn. These posts highlighted key points and linked back to the full articles on our site. To boost visibility, we used targeted LinkedIn ads to reach C-suite executives in industries prone to regulatory scrutiny. We also set up a webinar where I discussed common pitfalls in corporate compliance. We promoted this through our email list and LinkedIn. The results were solid. We saw a significant uptick in website traffic, particularly to our white-collar crime pages. The webinar had strong attendance, with engaged Q&A sessions. Most importantly, we landed several high-profile clients who mentioned they'd found us through this content. They appreciated the depth of knowledge we demonstrated and felt confident in our ability to handle complex cases.

Looking back at your career, what advice would you give to young legal professionals who are just starting out and aiming to build a successful practice?

First, take your time and ask lots of questions. We all make mistakes, especially early on. The key is to be upfront when it happens. Most errors can be fixed if you address them honestly and quickly. Focus on building a solid foundation of legal knowledge. Really dig into your practice areas. The law is complex and always changing, so commit to continuous learning. Find mentors. I learned invaluable lessons from Judge Harmon during my clerkship and from seasoned prosecutors at the U.S. Attorney's Office. Seek out experienced lawyers who are willing to guide you. Develop your own style. Watch how successful attorneys operate, but don't just copy them. Figure out what works for you and your personality. Network, but do it genuinely. Build real relationships, not just a collection of business cards. The connections you make now could lead to collaborations or referrals years down the line. Embrace technology. Learn how to use legal-research tools, case-management software, and even marketing platforms. They can make you more efficient and effective. Take care of yourself. Law can be demanding. Make time for life outside work. Burnout is real and can derail your career if you're not careful. Be ethical, always. Your reputation is everything in this field. Once it's damaged, it's hard to repair. Finally, remember why you got into law. Whether it's to help people, pursue justice, or tackle complex challenges, keep that motivation at the forefront. It'll carry you through the tough times.

What are the biggest challenges you see young lawyers facing today, and what advice would you offer to help them navigate these challenges effectively?

Young lawyers today face a tough balancing act. They're dealing with information overload, rapid tech changes, and intense competition, all while trying to manage hefty student debt and build a client base. The pressure to bill hours often clashes with the need for work-life balance, and many find their soft skills underdeveloped for client management and business growth. My advice? Find a mentor to guide you through these challenges. Specialize strategically in an area you're passionate about, but stay adaptable as the field evolves. Build your personal brand early by writing and speaking on your expertise. Embrace legal-tech tools to boost your efficiency. Most importantly, set boundaries and take care of your mental health. This career is a marathon, not a sprint. If you'd like to chat more about navigating these challenges, feel free to email me at areynal@frlaw.us.