Storytelling for Attorneys: How to Make Legal Podcasts Engaging Without Violating Ethics Rules
Law school has a funny way of beating the “human” out of our communication style. We’re trained to be precise, cautious, and if we’re being totally transparent a little bit dry. But when it comes to growing your firm, dry doesn’t close deals.
You already know that storytelling is the most lethal tool in a trial lawyer’s arsenal. It’s what wins over juries and keeps judges from nodding off. Yet, the second most attorneys sit down in front of a podcast mic, they freeze up. They worry that one wrong anecdote will lead to a stern letter from the Bar or an accidental attorney-client relationship with a random listener in another state who thinks your general advice was a customized retainer agreement.
The result? A podcast that sounds like a narrated Table of Contents.
If you want people to listen in an era where people scroll within seconds if you don’t grab their attention, you have to master legal podcast ethics without sacrificing the hook that keeps people listening. Here is how you walk that line without falling off.
The Bogeyman
The primary reason attorneys avoid podcasting or keep their episodes painfully boring is the fear of the accidental client. You’re worried that if you give a specific tip, a listener will take it as gospel, follow it poorly, and then sue you for malpractice.
It’s a valid concern, but it’s also a massive missed opportunity. According to Edison Research, over 55% of Americans now listen to podcasts monthly. If you aren’t there, you’re invisible to more than half the country. Staying invisible is a bigger risk to your firm’s growth than sharing your expertise. The secret isn’t to stop telling stories; it’s to change how you frame them.
The What If
You don’t need to name names or leak privileged information to be interesting. You just need to get good at the hypothetical. We’ve all had that “client from hell” who shows up to a deposition with a stack of TikTok screenshots as evidence. You can tell that story……just don’t use their name if you want to keep your license. If you don’t, well, there’s better ways to get disbarred.
. The Composite Case: Instead of talking about “The Smith Case” from last Tuesday, talk about a “common scenario” you see in your practice. Combine three different cases into one narrative. It protects your clients and keeps you out of hot water, all while illustrating your point. As we discussed in our guide on why podcasting is the best branding tool for attorneys, these stories are what actually build your “expert” status.
. Education Over Advice: This is the golden rule. Instead of saying, “You need to file Form X,” say, “In my experience, when people fail to file Form X, they usually run into [Problem].” You aren’t giving a directive; you’re providing an educational insight.
. The Disclaimer Handshake: Don’t just bury your disclaimer in the show notes. Say it. “This isn’t legal advice, and I’m not your lawyer yet.” It sets the boundaries immediately so you can get into the good stuff.
If your podcast is so cautious that it lacks any personality or real world application, no one is going to listen. Period. Forbes notes that people are 22x more likely to remember a story than a list of facts. If you just recite statutes, you’re forgettable.
In a world where potential clients are being bombarded by legal influencers on social media, your best defense is your actual, real world experience. Storytelling humanizes you. It proves you’ve been in the trenches and you know how to win whether that’s navigating a messy probate or handling a high stakes corporate merger. By avoiding stories because you’re unsure of the ethical line, you’re essentially giving your competitors a head start.
The Solution
You shouldn’t have to stay up at night wondering if your latest episode crossed a line. You’re an attorney, not a compliance officer for your own marketing.
That’s where The Legal Podcast Network comes in. We understand the tightrope you’re walking because we live in the legal world. We don’t just help you record audio. We help you structure your episodes to ensure they are engaging, well paced, and most importantly, compliant.
We provide the turnkey support busy professionals need. We help you find the right stories that build trust and authority without putting your reputation at risk. You bring the expertise; we bring the guardrails and the polish.
Ready to start a podcast that actually moves the needle for your firm? Reach out to The Legal Podcast Network today and let’s build your authority the right way.