Episode 386 — What Every Firm Needs Before Their Reputation is at Stake with Judy Smith
Bad news travels fast, and if you are not prepared, it can ruin your reputation before you have a chance to respond.
In this encore episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Michael Mogill sits down with crisis management expert and real-life inspiration for Scandal’s Olivia Pope, Judy Smith. With a career that has taken her from the White House to high-profile crises involving celebrities, CEOs, and global brands, Judy shares how law firm owners can protect their reputation, lead with clarity, and respond strategically when the pressure is on.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Why managing your reputation today takes speed, strategy, and the right message, not just a legal defense
- How to create a crisis playbook so you are ready long before problems arise
- What law firm leaders need to know about social issues, cancel culture, and public perception
You do not get to choose when a crisis shows up, but you can choose whether or not you are prepared for it.
Listen & Subscribe
Show Notes:
Comfort won’t protect your reputation. “You don’t want to wait until you’re in the middle of a crisis to figure out how you’re going to respond. You’ve got to plan ahead.”
Not every battle is worth fighting. “As I’ve gotten older, I try to look at the person I’m dealing with before I decide to take the hill. If they’re not going to hear you, don’t waste your time.”
Truth comes in installments. “You’ve got to be careful. Clients don’t always tell you everything up front, and that can change the whole strategy.”
A playbook beats panic every time. “You want to make sure that you have clear messaging. It has to be quick, concise, and thoughtful.”
Sometimes you have to walk away. “I’ve fired clients before. If they won’t follow the strategy, it’s not a partnership.”
Images matter more than you think. “I didn’t understand it then, but I do now. What people see in the media really shapes how they view the world.”
Success starts with clarity. “The best leaders are the ones who know who they are and what they stand for.”
Connect with Michael
- Text directly at 404-531-7691
