How to Scale a PI Firm with Trial Focus and Strong Systems With Kevin Cheney

How to Scale a PI Firm with Trial Focus and Strong Systems With Kevin Cheney

Episode 354:

Welcome to episode 354 of Grow Your Law Firm, hosted by Ken Hardison. In this episode, Ken sits down with Kevin Cheney, Managing Partner of CGH Injury Lawyers. Kevin shares how he and his partner grew their Colorado personal injury firm from a dining room table into an eight-figure practice with 38 employees and a strong reputation for trial work.

The conversation focuses on the decisions that helped CGH Injury Lawyers grow while maintaining a strong focus on case quality. Kevin explains why trial experience became a key differentiator, why the firm keeps attorney caseloads lower than many larger competitors, and how clear vision, strong processes, data, AI, and specialized leadership can help firms scale more intentionally. Ken and Kevin also discuss rising acquisition costs, technology adoption, SOPs, and why smaller firms can use speed and flexibility to compete with much larger organizations.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

  1. Why Trial Experience Can Differentiate Your Firm
    – How trying cases helped CGH Injury Lawyers build a reputation among other attorneys
    – Why trial capability can create referral and co-counsel opportunities
  2. Why Quality Can Matter More Than Case Volume
    – Why the firm intentionally keeps attorney caseloads lower
    – How deeper case development can support stronger outcomes and higher policy-limit recoveries
  3. Why Vision Comes Before Growth
    – Why law firm owners need to define what they actually want their business to look like
    – How a clear vision helps leaders decide what to build, delegate, and prioritize
  4. How AI and Data Can Improve Decision-Making
    – Why Kevin sees data as one of the most important advantages for growing firms
    – How combining information from case management, finance, intake, email, and other systems can support better planning
  5. Why Strong Processes Need to Come Early
    – Why Kevin wishes he had built more SOPs before the firm entered rapid growth
    – How documented and easily updated processes make change easier as the team expands

Resources: 
Website: cghlawfirm.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kevin-cheney1
Facebook: facebook.com/cghlawfirm
Instagram: instagram.com/cghinjurylawyers

Additional Resources: 
https://www.pilmma.org/the-mastermind-effect
https://www.pilmma.org/resources
https://www.pilmma.org/mastermind
https://calendly.com/jenna-pilmma/strategy-session-with-pilmma

AI for PI Expo
https://www.pilmma.org/ai-for-pi-expo/

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