Show Notes:

Building from the ground up. “It feels like I started the firm yesterday. Twenty years ago, it was just my sister and I working out of an extra room in my house. We couldn’t afford much, but we made do, like when I replaced the carpet with hardwood floors just to move my chair more easily. Today, we’re here discussing cakes for our anniversary celebration, and it’s surreal. The journey from folding tables to a thriving practice is all about resilience, focus, and embracing the grind. Seeing how far we’ve come is a testament to the courage to start small and the persistence to keep pushing no matter what.”

Overcoming adversity. “I had hit rock bottom. After scaling up fast with 500 cases a week due to the BP oil spill, everything got tied up in court. We went from managing multiple offices to reducing down to just six employees in two of the most brutal days of my life. Sitting on my porch, wrestling with the weight of failure, I chose to see every challenge as another step on the way back up, treating every single case like a million-dollar opportunity. Those years taught me a lot about grit and the determination to come back even stronger.”

Lessons from failure. “Failure is profound. It teaches you who truly stands by you and reveals your true character. During those hard times, my mom was my rock. I sold everything I could, even my dream car, to stay afloat and support my firm. Eventually, as we began to see success again, the first thing I did was buy that car back from my mom. It wasn’t just about the car—it symbolized my resilience and the fact that despite hitting rock bottom, I could rise again. Those challenging years were my greatest lessons in perseverance and reclaiming what was lost.”

Passion over pain. “To go from being a good to a great trial lawyer, your passion must be greater than your fear and pain. My drive comes partly from my grandfather who immigrated here with nothing. He worked tirelessly for the opportunities we have today. That legacy fuels my relentless pursuit of excellence. In hard times, when self-doubt creeps in, I remember my purpose. This aligns my passion with action and ensures that I’m advancing not only my career but also honoring my family’s sacrifices.”

Refining the art of trial. “In the early days, we’d write openings in the car on the way to trial, driven by youthful confidence and a fearless mindset. Now, we’ve refined our approach with cutting-edge techniques and technology, incorporating focus groups, AI, and advanced trial school strategies. This evolution keeps us ahead in high-stakes cases and allows us to teach young associates the ‘Amaro way.’ By instilling a methodical yet adaptable approach in our team, we’re building a legacy of legal excellence that extends beyond just our firm.”

Cultural shifts and KPIs. “We’ve grown from a six-person firm to one with over 80 employees today. Instilling accountability through KPIs and SOPs transformed our operational framework. Our rigorous tracking and reporting systems have not only doubled our revenue but also ingrained a high-performance culture. This shift from a basic profit margin to a thriving, competitive entity highlights the importance of metrics and culture. It’s all about maintaining a culture of excellence where our core values drive every decision and every action towards sustained success.”

Continuous improvement and balance. “Striking a balance between ambition and personal time is crucial. My daily routine includes early morning Peloton sessions to kickstart my energy and a genuine focus on quality time with my family. My wife, who’s in law school, plays a key role in our family’s future planning. Her journey also emphasizes our commitment to personal growth and security. At home, my daughter’s passion for tennis is a joy to support. It’s about letting them find their own paths while ensuring they know they have my unwavering support and understanding.”

Being a Game Changer. “To me, it’s about being used and useful to others—leaving an impact through the work we do and the lives we touch. It’s a lesson passed down from my mentor that life is more fulfilling when it’s about more than just winning cases. It’s about giving back, supporting peers, and uplifting the next generation. Being a game changer means becoming an integral part of something bigger than yourself.”