If you’re a lawyer in 2026 and you’re not posting videos online, you are falling behind.

Not slowly — quickly.

The legal profession has changed. Clients are no longer choosing lawyers based only on referrals or websites.

They are choosing lawyers they already know, trust, and recognize.

And today, that trust is built on video.

The Shift: From Yellow Pages to Social Media

There was a time when lawyers competed using:

• billboards
• TV ads
• phone book listings

Today, clients are doing something very different:

• watching videos
• following legal creators
• learning their rights online

By the time they call a lawyer, they’ve already decided who they trust.

Why Video Works Better Than Anything Else

Video allows potential clients to:

• hear how you think
• see how you explain complex issues
• decide if they trust you

In criminal defense, that matters more than anything.

Because when someone is facing charges, they are not just hiring a lawyer — they are choosing someone to stand next to them in the most stressful moment of their life.

The DrJudge Example

David G. Ridings — known online as “DrJudge” — is a clear example of what happens when a lawyer embraces video.

By consistently posting:

• bodycam breakdowns
• legal explanations
• real-world scenarios

he has built an audience of hundreds of thousands across multiple platforms.

But more importantly:

👉 He has built trust at scale

People don’t just find him.

They already know him.

What That Means for Clients

When someone calls a lawyer they’ve been watching:

• they trust the advice
• they understand the process
• they are more confident in their decision

That leads to:

• better client relationships
• stronger cases
• higher-quality engagements

What That Means for Lawyers

Lawyers who consistently post video gain:

1. Visibility

Your name shows up everywhere — not just in search results.

2. Authority

You become the lawyer people associate with a specific topic.

Example:

👉 Traffic stop rights

👉 DUI defense

👉 Police encounters

3. Inbound Clients

Instead of chasing clients, they come to you.

4. Differentiation

Most lawyers still don’t do this.

That means the ones who do stand out immediately.

The Compounding Effect

One video might not change everything.

But hundreds of videos?

That builds:

• recognition
• credibility
• authority

Over time, this compounds into something powerful:

👉 You become the obvious choice

The Biggest Mistake Lawyers Make

Waiting.

Many lawyers think:

• “I’ll start later”
• “I need better equipment”
• “I don’t know what to say”

Meanwhile, other lawyers are building audiences every day.

What to Post

If you’re a criminal defense lawyer, your content is already in front of you:

• “What should I say during a traffic stop?”
• “Can police search my car?”
• “Do I have to answer questions?”

These are the exact questions people are searching.

The Reality

The lawyers who win in the next decade will not just be:

• the most experienced
• or the most credentialed

They will be the ones who are:

👉 the most visible

👉 the most trusted

👉 the most understood

The Bottom Line

If you are not using video, you are invisible to a growing portion of your potential clients.

If you are using video consistently, you are building a pipeline that works for you 24/7.

About the Author

David G. Ridings is a Nashville criminal defense attorney with almost 30 years of criminal defense experience and nearly 40 years on every side of the criminal justice system.

He is a former Metro Nashville Police Officer, former prosecutor, and has served as a Night Court Judicial Magistrate since 2023.

Known online as DrJudge, he has educated hundreds of thousands of people about their rights during police encounters — and has literally written the book on the subject, “I Don’t Answer Questions.” While he has sold nearly 10,000 books in a years time, the more impressive statistic is that he has received over 100 MILLION VIEWS across all platforms in the same time.

Call to Action

If you are looking for a criminal defense attorney who not only understands the law — but knows how to communicate it clearly:

👉 Don’t talk. Call 1-888-DRJUDGE

Mr. Ridings has prepared his entire life to fill the role of a judge. He has experience working on every side of the legal system. He has protected and served his community as a police officer for nearly a decade, working first for the Murfreesboro Police Department and then the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. During his last year of law school, Mr. Ridings practiced law in the Davidson County District Attorney’s Office. He has served also as an intern for the Board of Paroles and for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, literally making him the most experienced person to run for Judge (probably in the history of Nashville). In 1998, Ridings opened his own law firm, where he initially practiced general law but later narrowed his focus to criminal defense.

His experiences have prepared him for the role of General Sessions Judge like no other candidate in the running. As a police officer and prosecutor, he gained an in-depth understanding of the Tennessee criminal process and the methods and techniques used to investigate and prosecute cases. As a criminal defense attorney, he has learned over the years that the people he represents are generally “good people” many of whom have made mistakes or were in the “wrong place at the wrong time”. Some of them find themselves caught up in a justice system that can often be “unfair.” Ridings will serve to balance the scales of justice in a new way. He will be one of the most relatable judges to sit on the bench.

With his well-rounded understanding of the legal system, Mr. Ridings is equipped to be a fair and equitable judge. Being able to see the people involved in these cases for who they are and understanding the emotional challenges they’re facing is crucial for a judge. Because of his experience Ridings, having been there himself can relate to the citizens in General Sessions Court in a way others cannot. That’s something you don’t learn in a book.

Attorney David Ridings is more than ready to serve Davidson County as a General Sessions Judge. He has prepared his whole life for this position.

To learn more about or support his campaign, please click here.

If you need legal representation in Nashville, TN, contact Ridings Law Group, P.C. at (615) 394-7611.

Attorney David Ridings recently received advanced level training on how to use medical information from DUI cases in order to obtain successful results in court. This training was given by the American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys, a professional legal organization that specializes in providing its members with valuable resources and tools to greatly benefit their DUI defense practices.

Attorney Ridings learned how police departments and emergency medical staff interact and act when dealing with a suspected DUI offender. Since both have different priorities during such incidents, contradictions often occur, which could provide criminal defense lawyers evidence to show the court the inaccuracies and inconsistencies in DUI cases from law enforcement.

The American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys have gathered information from the following parties:

• Judges
• DUI Prosecutors
• Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutors (TSRPs)
• Current and former police officers
• DUI defense lawyers

With more than 20 years of legal experience and over a decade of law enforcement experience as a police officer in Tennessee, Attorney Ridings has a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system to provide our clients with knowledgeable and skilled legal representation. He strives to continuously educate himself to help those facing DUI charges get the best possible results.

If you have been arrested for a DUI in Nashville, contact Ridings Law Group, P.C. today at (615) 394-7611 and schedule a free case evaluation.

Meet Our Nashville Criminal Defense Attorney

Want to know more about the former police officer who now fights to defend the accused? Read on!

1. Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference.
   One of the cases I am most proud of in recent years is for a DUI second offense where I was able to secure a not-guilty verdict at trial. My client, the passenger of a vehicle that was driven by his wife, was drinking a bottle of whiskey and his son was in the backseat. Remember, he was the passenger! While his wife went into the grocery store, he and his son waited in the car, at which time his son alerted him to two men approaching the vehicle, carrying guns. Coincidentally, it was the same two men who had accosted them the day before. Without thinking, my client jumped into the driver’s seat and sped away. In the course of his escape, my client ran a red light and crashed the car.
   
   When police arrived on the scene, he blew .16% BAC on his breath test and admitted to drinking the half-empty bottle of whiskey still in the car; he also admitted to being too drunk to drive and running the red light. So, for all intents and purposes, he was involved in an accident while intoxicated and with a minor in the vehicle. It didn’t look good.
   
   Despite the “bad facts” stacked against him, here’s what you need to know: My client maintained that his life depended on it, and the sequence of events supported this statement. With my help, the ruling Judge ultimately found that the defendant (my client) did not “intend” to drive while intoxicated and only did so due to the overwhelming danger in which he and his son found themselves. The “necessity” of escaping imminent death outweighed the danger of driving while intoxicated, thus negating “intent.”
    
2. How did you build a successful practice?
   From a card table and a folding chair… one case at a time. My former police officer experience was crucial, and even today is why most people call me for representation. So, real street cop experience often carries the day. That… and the making of vital relationships over the years has proven to be quite helpful to my clients.
    
3. What should clients look for in a lawyer?
   Accessibility. First and foremost, your attorney should be accessible. If your lawyer will not return your calls, find another lawyer. He or she is either over-worked and without the time necessary to give you the attention you need and deserve… or he/she is lazy. Either way, you don’t want that. And you should demand more. You should also find someone who has aggressive work ethic, and one who has made good relationships with the District Attorney’s Office and the Judges.
    
4. How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases?
   It is the foundation of a good defense. Knowing the Judges and/or the District Attorney is the most important part of successfully defending a case. In some cases, relationships and personalities can be more important than the law.
    
5. What information can you provide in a free phone consultation?
   Basically, not much to be honest. The rules that govern attorney conduct say that we cannot give “legal advice” to a “non-client.” What that means is we cannot advise you on what to do in your case. But what we can do is provide you with a general overview of the system you are facing, a detailed look at my past experience with cases like that, and an outline of the cost you may face when hiring an attorney in that particular matter. I can also tell a potential client what areas of the case I would look at to find issues that could help defend them. And, I can give a pretty good look at how the case would be handled from start to finish.
   
   That said, I always advise the potential client to interview at least three (3) attorneys in their search. That way they get to see what kind of experience is out there, and generally if they “click” with a certain attorney. So, while phone consults can be generally educational… nothing beats a face-to-face office visit.
    
6. What information do you need in a free phone consultation?
   Particularly, the “full” name and date of birth of the accused, the county in which they are charged, and the court they are in (i.e. General Sessions or Criminal Court). Plus, the prior criminal history is important to know at this stage. After that, the questions get more specific depending upon the facts of the case, and the charges.
    
7. What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community?
   Hands down, my experience. For the past 33+ years, I have dedicated my entire adult career to Criminal Justice on one side or the other. I have spent nearly 10 years as a police officer, graduated from two different police academy classes, worked a year at the Davidson County District Attorney’s Office during my last year of law school, and spent over 21+ years as a criminal and DUI defense lawyer. While I learned a great deal of the law at Law School, the majority of my education was from the street.
   
   While I was working as a police officer I learned many things. But, mostly, I learned when, where, and why police officers make mistakes. I use that experience to find the mistakes made in the cases against my clients, which puts them in a superior position to either suppress evidence and defend them in front of a Judge or Jury, or negotiate a better deal for them with the District Attorney’s office.
    
8. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
   Helping people during what is usually described as the most stressful time of their lives. Nothing feels better than winning, of course. But, “winning” in this business can be defined in many different ways.
   
   At the end of the day, I truly believe that God has me in this line of work for a reason. I believe He has called me to be a beacon of light in a dark place, and to give people hope. That is always my goal.
    
9. What are your other interests in addition to law?
   I love to hunt. So, from about late October to early January, you would most likely find me in a tree somewhere. But I also love spending time with my wife (the greatest thing that ever happened to me). Since our five children have grown, we spend a lot of time traveling to spiritual conferences, and just enjoying life.
    
10. Are you involved in your community?
    The majority of our community involvement is at Cornerstone Church in Madison. We have been members there for over 20 years. We spent over 10 years on the Youth staff, and now serve on the Guest Experience Team. We also serve as life-group leaders, hosting a group at our home every week, and I serve on the Board of Directors.
    
    Cornerstone has proven to be one of the most involved churches with the community, and has recently been chosen by city leaders, including the Mayor of Nashville, to host the City Serve days in the near future. We are in the beginning stages of this project and expect it to be a great way to serve the City of Nashville in 2019.

For more information contact us today at the Ridings Law Group, P.C.

The 3 roles of a criminal defense attorney:

The advocate: The criminal defense attorney has one role, zealously representing the client, within the bounds of the law, and asserts that the role of the criminal defense attorney to protect the accused against the power of the government dictates the attorney’s moral obligations.
This means essentially that Attorney David Ridings will act in every way to provide the most stringent defense of your rights should you need representation in the criminal court.

Officer of the court: The criminal defense attorney has duties to the court and others as well as the defendant. To apply only the duty of the advocate is to miss the multi-faceted duties of an attorney. To say that a criminal defense attorney is only an advocate and nothing else is inaccurate and unethical. As an officer of the court, an attorney has a duty of candor to the court and others.
In other words it is important that your criminal defense lawyer be honest with the court as well as with you. Nashville Criminal Attorney David Ridings vast experience as police officer, working with the Prosecutor’s office, and as an accomplished criminal defense attorney assures that you will not only get the representation you need to ensure your rights are protected, but the advice you need regarding the facts of your case before the court, so as to give you the best opportunity to prevail on your case.

Minister of Justice: The typical case requires the criminal defense attorney to advocate with courage and devotion and to render effective, quality representation. However, in some situations the duty of the criminal defense attorney may be protecting the system from unjust results. Justice considers whether the issues of the substantive and procedural rights of the accused have been protected throughout the process. Justice requires adherence to the right methods and processes, through which justice is accomplished.
This means that when you are represented by Attorney David Ridings you are assured that correct procedures are followed throughout your case and that every element of your defense is done in such a manner as to provide you the best opportunity for acquittal. Defending “you” is also defending “your right to a trial”, which is a right long protected by the Constitution of the United States, and of Tennessee.