What can harlan schillinger do for you?
Create opportunities and increasing market share for advertising law firms is my #1 priority. The value of the case is everything in such a crowded market.
Helps you identify your No Gimmicks, Just Results®. As the first person potential clients speak with at your firm, your No Gimmicks, Just Results® is the person who is most crucial to driving new cases.
To that end, Harlan is committed to understanding each client’s business and discovering new opportunities for their growth. No Gimmicks, Just Results®.
The Black Swan of Legal Marketing: Aggressive Representation with Old School Ethics
Harlan Schillinger is a powerhouse in the legal marketing world, with nearly five decades of aggressive and highly effective advertising experience. His career is not just long—it’s legendary, a fusion of bold innovation and commitment to excellence. And he’s still pushing boundaries today.
A Legacy of Recognition: The Golden Gavel Award
In 2025, Harlan was inducted into the prestigious National Trial Lawyers Association’s Advertising Hall of Fame, which recognizes the “best of the best” and true pioneers in legal marketing and advertising. This award comes full circle and holds special significance for Harlan as he founded the NTLA Hall of Fame in 2019.
Consultant, Speaker, Educator: Shaping the Future of Legal Advertising
Harlan’s influence extends widely—he’s a sought-after speaker and consultant on legal advertising strategy. As Chairman of the A-List for the National Trial Lawyers Association, Harlan identifies and honors the top 100 law firms in the country. He also contributes to The Trial School, a not-for-profit educational platform he was instrumental in organizing with legal legend Rich Newsome. Harlan’s passion for elevating the legal advertising industry remains relentless and unwavering.
The Changemaker Everyone Wants to Work With
Harlan consults privately with lawyers who share his unique vision for increasing business and obtaining high-value cases by insisting on complete accountability from intake through conversion. He knows the value of the case is everything in such a crowded market. Harlan’s No. 1 priority? Creating opportunities and increasing market share for advertising/marketing-oriented law firms.
Within the legal advertising world, Harlan has become known for his “No Gimmicks, Just Results®” approach and advising lawyers to always talk to the public the way they would a jury. In keeping, he has trademarked key phrases that remain the backbone of his famous philosophy:
What You Don't Know, You Don't Know®, Ambassador of First Impressions®, and Making a Wrong a Right®.
The Grandfather of Legal Advertising
Widely regarded as the Grandfather of Legal Advertising, Harlan is the originator and pioneer of television advertising for law firms. In 1978, he began producing commercials that would air nationwide, a revolutionary approach at the time. Over his remarkable career, he has worked with more than 140 law firms across 98 markets in North America.
Harlan’s advertising journey began at Madison, Muyskens & Jones in New York and Connecticut, where he served as Vice President and founding partner. The firm merged with Colorado-based Network Affiliates in 1984. As the leader of this pioneering legal advertising agency, Harlan spent over 34 years shaping the way law firms engage with clients. He is passionate about and appreciative of maintaining a productive relationship with Network Affiliates to this day.
Pioneering Intake & Conversion: The Lead Docket Revolution
A few years ago, Harlan turned his attention to transforming the intake and conversion process for law firms. Along with his partners, Dino Colombo Esq. and Eric Coffman, Harlan co-developed Lead Docket, a revolutionary software designed to increase law firms’ bottom lines by improving client intake and accountability.
Lead Docket has proven to boost net profits by up to 40%—without the need for additional advertising spend. Harlan describes it as a game-changer that reveals insights law firms never knew they were missing. “What You Don’t Know, You Don’t Know®” is key to growth. After all, you can’t fix what you don’t see broken, right?
Legal Marketing Thought Leader
As a senior editor for The National Trial Lawyers Magazine and a key member of the National Trial Lawyers Executive Summit committee, Harlan has an influential voice in the legal marketing community. He’s also deeply involved as Chairman of the Golden Gavel Awards, honoring the best legal
advertising every year. Additionally, Harlan serves as a brand ambassador for FileVine and Lead Docket, contributing his expertise to law firm technology and marketing.
Giving Back: Making a Difference in the Community
Beyond the legal world, Harlan is passionate about giving back. He serves on the board of the Lifescape Children’s Care Hospital in South Dakota, which provides essential services to developmentally disabled children from across the Midwest.
Harlan is a proud 30-year member of Hamsters USA, a prestigious and exclusive worldwide motorcycle group notorious for its funny name. Most members are the “who’s who” of bike builders and manufacturers of custom parts for the motorcycle carrier (MC) industry. Harlan serves as co-chairman of Hamsters USA charity fundraising, raising over $6.2 million for this cause over the past 14 years.
Personal Passions: Motorcycles, Golf, and More
Harlan divides his time between Spearfish, South Dakota, and Scottsdale, Arizona, where he enjoys a balance of work, passion, and relaxation. When not immersed in legal marketing consulting, he can be found, not surprisingly, touring on his motorcycle. Though Harlan jokes that he’s “terrible” at golf, he continues to swing the clubs—a perfect form of therapy to clear his mind.
Harlan is a true innovator and trailblazer in legal marketing. His decades of experience, combined with his unyielding dedication to advancing the industry, ensure that his legacy will continue for years to come.
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