Kansas City criminal defense law firm

Howard helped this law firm solve its hidden problem of missing hundreds of calls, dramatically increasing its monthly revenue from to over $200,000.
A man in handcuffs, symbolizing a potential client in a legal crisis. This image represents the high-stakes, time-sensitive lead that an elite intake process, built by the Firm Heartbeat experience, is designed to capture for a criminal defense law firm.

Client

A Kansas City-based criminal defense firm run by one of the area’s leading attorneys.

Problem

A law firm with a high volume of leads was unknowingly losing hundreds of potential clients and wasting money on ads due to a critical and unmanaged flaw in its call intake process.

The logo for a Kansas City criminal defense law firm. On the left is a circular black icon showing a stylized figure holding the scales of justice. To the right, the text reads "Kansas City" in a large, bold, black serif font, with the words "criminal defense" written underneath in a smaller, lowercase, sans-serif font. The entire logo is set against a dark green background.

Strategy and approach

Tools and methods used

In 2024, a law firm seemed to be in a good spot, receiving around 400 leads each month. Their Google ads were working, bringing in plenty of potential clients. But as their lead volume grew over the next six to eight months, a silent problem began to sabotage their success. The owner was completely unaware, but the firm was missing hundreds of prospective client calls every month. This was a critical failure, effectively burning cash on ads and leaving a massive amount of money on the table with no chance of ever signing those clients.

That’s when Howard stepped in. His detailed Firm Heartbeat analysis quickly exposed the problem, revealing the alarming number of missed calls and the huge financial impact. Howard didn’t just deliver a report; he implemented a comprehensive solution. He worked closely with the owner, setting up a robust system to track every lead and training the entire staff on a weekly basis. With a new focus on accountability, every member of the team was held responsible for their part in the process.

The results were almost immediate. In just a couple of months, the firm went from missing hundreds of calls to missing almost none. This dramatic improvement had an instant effect on their bottom line, with monthly signed cases soaring to over $200,000. Beyond the financial gains, the team’s morale reached an all-time high, as they finally felt empowered and effective.

This story also holds a powerful lesson about consistency. Soon after hitting record-breaking success, the firm changed its internal processes and deviated from the Firm Heartbeat process that had been so effective. The consequences were swift and severe: their monthly signed cases plummeted to $130,000. This sharp decline proved that true, lasting success isn’t just about finding the right system—it’s about sticking with it. The Firm Heartbeat process isn’t a one-time fix; it’s a blueprint for continuous growth and financial stability.

Achieved results

Check out other cases