Why Lawyers Need to Stand Out feat. Lee Rudin

Aug 12

3 min read

Lee Rudin is a New Orleans personal injury attorney and founder of Get Rude, a law firm built around bold branding, authentic marketing, and exceptional client service. In this episode, Lee shares why he left defense work to represent injured people, how building a recognizable brand has transformed his practice, and why lawyers shouldn't be afraid to show their personality.

About This Episode

Background

Lee Rudin didn't grow up surrounded by lawyers, but one early experience stuck with him. As a teenager at summer camp, he watched an attorney balance legal work with spending meaningful time with his son. That flexibility challenged his assumptions about what a legal career could look like and planted the seed that practicing law didn't have to mean sacrificing the life you wanted.

"I saw him kind of in the twilight of his career... be able to be a dad and be at camp with his kid all day long," shares Lee Rudin on You Are A Lawyer.

After earning both his undergraduate and law degrees from Tulane University, Lee stayed in New Orleans, eventually practicing insurance defense before discovering that helping individuals, rather than corporations, was where he found the greatest fulfillment. That realization would ultimately lead him to build his own firm and the memorable Get Rude brand.

Why Law School

Lee's legal education gave him the analytical skills to practice law, but it also taught him something equally important: there isn't just one way to be a lawyer. Looking back, he encourages future attorneys to experience legal work before committing to a particular path because the day-to-day reality often differs from expectations.

"The idea of being a lawyer sounds great, but do you like to research and write? Do you want to talk to clients?" explains Lee Rudin on Episode 257 of You Are a Lawyer.

He believes law students should use internships and clerkships to understand not only whether they enjoy practicing law, but what type of practice best fits their personality. Whether someone thrives writing appellate briefs, litigating in court, or managing client relationships, there's room to build a career around individual strengths.

What Can You Do with a Law Degree

For Lee, a law degree creates options, but the key is understanding yourself first. Throughout the conversation, he encourages future lawyers to spend time learning what kinds of work actually energize them instead of chasing someone else's definition of success. The legal profession needs trial lawyers, writers, negotiators, strategists, and business owners. The challenge is finding where your strengths fit best.

"The idea of being a lawyer sounds great, but do you like to research and write? Do you want to talk to clients? What do you like? Because if it's not for you, then do something else," shares Lee Rudin on Episode 257 of You Are a Lawyer.

Lee believes that a law degree shouldn't limit your career. Instead, it gives you a foundation to build the kind of professional life that matches your personality and interests. Whether you become a litigator, open your own firm, specialize behind the scenes, or create a completely different path, success comes from understanding your strengths and intentionally building around them.

Lawyer Side Hustles

Building Get Rude wasn't simply about opening a law firm. It was about creating a business that reflected Lee's personality while helping potential clients feel comfortable reaching out. Instead of relying solely on traditional advertising, he embraced social media, humor, costumes, and memorable content to stand out in a crowded marketplace.

"You just need to be authentically you,” Lee Rudin expresses in Episode 257 of You Are a Lawyer.

Lee explains that branding isn't about pretending to be someone else. It's about leaning into what naturally makes you different. His willingness to embrace creativity while remaining an excellent attorney has allowed him to build a practice that feels genuine and memorable, proving that authenticity can be one of a lawyer's greatest marketing advantages.