How Alan Kaplinsky and Ballard Spahr Turned Niche Consumer Finance Insight into a Must-Read Publication
Alan Kaplinsky did not set out to be a media company. He set out to help clients make sense of a fast-changing consumer finance landscape, especially around the creation of the CFPB. Along the way, he helped build one of the most influential voices in consumer financial services and showed what can happen when a practicing lawyer takes ownership of publishing.
On this episode of Real Lawyers, Kevin O’Keefe talks with Alan about how the idea for a dedicated consumer finance publication came together, how he convinced others it was worth the effort and what it takes to keep a high-volume outlet going year after year.
They also dig into the business impact of publishing and what younger lawyers can learn from Alan’s approach to thought leadership.
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Episode outline
- 00:00 – Opening and introductions – Kevin introduces Alan, his role at Ballard Spahr and the focus of the conversation
- 03:10 – Getting into consumer financial services before the CFPB – How Alan found his way into consumer finance and why the area was ready for a dedicated publication
- 08:25 – The origin story of the publication – When Alan realized he needed an ongoing outlet to track developments and speak directly to clients and regulators
- 14:05 – Convincing the firm to back a serious publishing effort – Internal conversations at Ballard Spahr about resourcing and why a practicing lawyer had to lead the charge
- 20:40 – Editorial judgment and choosing what to cover – How the team decides which regulations, enforcement actions and court decisions to highlight
- 27:15 – Balancing client work with a high-volume publication – How Alan manages time, delegates work and structures writing responsibilities
- 33:50 – Measuring impact with clients and regulators – Where Alan has seen the most tangible business development and reputation benefits
- 41:30 – From publication to podcast and beyond – How audio and other formats grew out of the original written work
- 48:05 – Advice to lawyers who want to build something similar – Why narrow focus and consistency beat perfection when you start publishing
- 54:20 – Closing thoughts – Alan’s take on the future of consumer financial services and the role of publishing in a legal career
Key takeaways
- A focused publication anchored in a single practice area can become the default resource for clients, regulators and media
- Publishing works best when a practicing lawyer serves as the clear champion rather than handing everything to marketing
- Consistency over years matters more than any one post and builds real trust with a specialized audience
- Writing about developments forces a team to stay ahead of the curve, which feeds directly into better client service
- Younger lawyers can use publishing to build their own name in a niche while strengthening the broader practice group
