More Cases. Better Clients. Real Results.
Start a Conversation with GAVLIt’s a bright new year for GAVL! Here’s wishing all of our amazing clients, partners, team members, friends, and family members a fabulous 2026! We wouldn’t be here without you.
As we head into this year with all engines firing (let’s just say we get a lot of use out of the rocket emoji internally…), we wanted to take a brief moment to share some of our favorite accomplishments and projects that we worked on in 2025 as well as share what we’re most looking forward to in 2026.
Here’s what our team members had to say:
Ryan Raplee
Co-Founder & CEO
“It was a great year! There were many accomplishments in 2025 for GAVL. We expanded our team with great new talent, brought on some incredible new clients, and won several awards. We did a massive overhaul on our website and several client websites.
In 2026 we turn 10 years old, not many businesses get to say that. We’re humbled and proud. We have big ambitions for 2026 and can’t wait to get started.”
Catherine Rodman
Sales Development Representative
“One of my favorite accomplishments in 2025 was executing multiple client video shoots—from sales and planning through production and post-production—to deliver polished final videos. What stood out most was hearing impactful success stories from attorneys across the country and seeing how they’re making a difference in their communities. Dario and I had a blast in Atlanta with The Moses Firm, we sweated through a shoot in Phoenix in the dead of summer, and we enjoyed the AAJ conventions in both Miami and San Francisco (where we got to know Oscar in person)! I always appreciate when Ryan makes an appearance like he did with the Nace Law Group’s shoot!
In 2026, I am looking forward to attending new legal events and engaging even more attorneys with our outstanding marketing services.”
Lucas Hardgrave
Lead Content Writer
“One of my favorite things I worked on in 2025 was a complete overhaul to our in-house style guide that’s more than a style guide at this point, really. It houses all of our writing processes and procedures, a color-coded client guide, guides to using all of the apps and tech we commonly utilize as a team, and more. It’s helped our whole writing team stay on the same page as we grow as a company, and it makes me realize just far we’ve come from where we started.
2026 is our big 10-year anniversary! We’ve got a lot on our plate, and it’s going to be one heck of a ride!”
Justin Lutz
Social Media Manager
“This year I’ve had a great time taking on the various special projects our clients send my way. Whether I’m promoting a speaking event, a local fundraiser, or a big award win, I genuinely love deep diving into the research, finding the right words, and putting together the perfect graphics to make it pop on their social media channels.
These extra projects are actually great for social media management. They give me a chance to see our clients in action, which helps me understand their public persona way better than standard monthly posts contributing to insights for their day-to-day content, and taking on these new challenges keeps the creative juices flowing and ensures the social feed never feels copy-paste.
These projects are more than just extra tasks—they’re the best way for me to understand our client’s brand and figure out exactly how to make their future social media campaigns hit the mark.”
Caitlin Lane
SEO Manager
“One of my favorite projects I worked on in 2025 has been spearheading a project to update all of the schema across every piece of content on our clients’ websites to not only better support SEO, but to also optimize for AI/LLMs. I can’t talk about this project without also shouting out our amazing team of writers who have lent me their time to help tackle this massive project. What’s been most exciting is seeing the impact from these updates. When I’m doing research and see our clients pop up in the AI overview or ChatGPT responses, I can’t help but get so excited every time!
In 2026, I’m looking forward to embracing the changing landscape of search. Every day is an opportunity to learn or try something new, which means there’s never a boring day.
On a more personal note, I’ve got several concerts with family and friends lined up for next year (including a surprise Hatsune Miku concert for my daughter, shhh don’t tell) that I can’t wait for!”
Luke Potadle
Senior WordPress Developer
“My favorite accomplishment this year was designing and developing the new GAVL website. It was a big, end-to-end project, lots of moving parts and it felt great to ship something that’s clean, modern, and sets us up well going forward.
On a more personal note, my biggest win in 2025 was learning how to be a work-from-home dad to my two kids while keeping work moving. Finding a better rhythm between family time and focus time took some trial and error, but I’m in a much better place with it now.
In 2026, I’m most looking forward to jumping into new projects and taking advantage of new tech as it comes out, anything that helps sharpen my workflow and make the code and designs better. Outside of work, I’m starting training for a half marathon and to keep the momentum going toward a half Ironman in 2027.”
Mariah Farrens
Marketing Specialist
“My favorite accomplishment this year was joining this team. This role means so much to me, as it allows me to lean into both my creative and analytical strengths in a way that truly feels fulfilling and motivating while allowing for the flexibility I need to thrive. The transition has been seamless—everyone has been so welcoming and supportive, and being surrounded by experts in their craft makes coming to work each day something I truly enjoy.
On a personal level, I’m proud of myself for establishing a consistent workout routine in 2025 and finding my rhythm as a working mom of two. I’ve also made time to read again and have enjoyed baking new dessert recipes…these small wins have made a big impact in my day-to-day life.
Looking ahead to 2026, I’m most excited about continuing to grow GAVL’s client list and deepening our impact. I’m also eager to learn how we can adapt and evolve alongside the rapid changes in technology. Personally, I’d like to complete a half marathon and continue to push my creative abilities on the computer and off with my woodworking skills, and I’d like to sell my work at a local art/craft show. ”
Perry Perkins
Content Writer
“I really enjoyed researching and writing the Christmas activity blogs. Nice to think that those helped folks enjoy their holidays a little more.
For 2026 I’m looking forward to expanding my work into new areas of law.”
Theresa Carlson
Content Writer
“While I love writing about personal injury, my favorite projects of 2025 were the ones that let me flex my legal prowess and explore other areas, like criminal defense and family law.
Heading into 2026, I’m ready to chase those new legal adventures.”
Rick Bitzelberger
Content Writer
“One of my favorite projects to take on are the “breaking news” stories that come directly from the client. Often these involve cases they are either directly working on or they impact their community. I enjoy taking the story, conducting additional research and expanding it into an informative and engaging post. It gives “stop the presses!” and “ripped from today’s headlines!” which are great to tackle.
In 2026, I’m looking forward to creating content for expanded practice areas and for the opportunity to get to know the “voice” of our clients. On the homefront, I’m proud of every thing my boy does. Yes, we’re at the age of the occasional “eye roll,” when dad is attempting to share some of his wisdom… but I wouldn’t trade that for anything!”
